KAS1971

Ugh .. When I had my 1st surgical consult in Feb. I just made the BMI cut off and it was felt witht he pre-op diet loss I would be fine. Well since then I think I have gained about 10-12 pounds. You would think knowing the consequences I would get it right off but it's just not happening. I almost feel like I am self sabotaging this whole thing. I still have 2 months until band time so it can be done.. just wonder how strict that cut off is.

Lillyegg - I'm right behind you.. I am booked for Sept. 14th. Actually just spoke to my Tufts "I Can Change" health coach last night. I am qualified as of Aug 12th so she will be calling me for our final check in the night before so she can get all paperwork done and off to Tufts the next day. She has no doubt Tufts will approve as she made sure I followed all their guidelines for the program & I booked w/ the sugeons office 2 months ago telling them I needed 6 weeks notice to get the time off work, (maybe a fib and I just needed a date to focus on) blood work next weekend and my last preop/anestesia appt. is mid Aug. almost a month before surgery which surprised me ..

So I have just finished everything needed for pre-op and I am just having this crazy revelation .. So you hear over and over the band is just a tool, it will cut your appetite and make you feel less hungry and stay full longer. Great ! However.. I know many oveweight people including myself who didn't get obese because they are constantly hurgry. The bottom line .. fat people arn't fat because they are hungry. 9 times out of 10 they have a million other reasons to eat but hunger isn't up there on the list. So I guess I am worried how is that band gonna stop me besides make me sick.. and maybe thats the idea?

I started with a seminar in Dec. 2009. Techinically I havn't been approved yet but am eligible to submit for approval mid Aug when I finish my 6 months of I Can Change thru Tufts. I have spoken to the CM and the I Can Change Program girl and no one sees an issue. They said approval is less then 2 weeks from submission so the Doc went ahead & booked the date last month since I have to give work approx. a months notice

Might be worth trying the No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast... my surgery isn't for another 6 weeks but have sampled a few types now to see which I was gonna tolerate.. for me its not so much taste but texture .. I cant stand gritty

Sept. 14th is my date

Am curious for those who are single .. find it easier to date a lap bander? or dosn't it matter to you? If not at what point do you tell a date about your band? I would think it would be easier to date or be with someone who knows the issues involved in such a journey .. the extra skin issues, the no liquids with meals, the certain foods you dont tolerate, tiny meals etc.. etc..

Hi Ladies - Just read the labia question .. wow that took guts! So I don't feel as bad since it looks like no holds barred in the ladies room .. Was wondering if you had any issues w/ urinary icontinence prior to your lap band? I am not just talking a little dribble with a cough .. I'm talking complete loss of urine lifting milk into the trunk at the grocery store parking lot.. awake 4 times a nite to pee.. I was being worked up for a bladder sling and we are at the point of all the testing is done and it's really just a matter of setting a date. The urologist had felt wt. loss would not be a huge help given my test results.. now I see my lap band surgeon for the 1st time last week and he has asked me to hold off feeling the band will most likely handle it. The idea of spending another year (no band till Aug.. thank you Tufts :frown:) peeing like a dog everywhere and anywhere to find out does NOT appeal to me however not having surgery if not needed does. Esp. given after the bladder sling they say no kids and I am single and 38.. any thoughts? We have tried injected bulking agents into the bladder neck, pills, pelvic floor PT .. you name it ..

The hardest park of this whole darn journey thus far for me has been remembering to seperate liquids and solids. It's just such a habit I have has for well 39 years now..lol It just dosnt seem normal to not have a glass with a meal.

And yet logic would tell me just the opposite .. if I were to get something stuck now I would want a liquid in hopes of pushing it down

I also was told no straws .. I went to a support group last week. Just a few of us unbanded folks most were pre op. However several post ops agreed they did childrens sippy cups to remind them to sip but didnt get the gas issues since there is no straw. 2 even admitted to buying baby utesils to remind them small bites

So the nutritionist at the surgeons office is not thrilled with my 4 pound gain 2.5 months preop. Tufts will definately frown apon a gain during their I Can Change program and I had to loose about 10 pounds before my preop diet starts in Sept. which I havn't even started yet So why am I almost not even trying to loose on my own now? This is not a "sure thing" yet. I could show up for pre op and having not done what I needed to and have the surgeon say no.

Just made my surgery date and feels like it will never get here. Have made a lot of the changes already since Tufts gives you a 6 month window pre-op. Done all the no white everything whole wheat/brown. Started the 1000mg calcium & multivit a day. I dumped the soda habit before I even considered the lapband, started water aerobics 3 nights a week for a little exersize and am now trying to work on seperating foods and solids. Despite these changes I have lost no weight and have to loose about 15 before Sept. so although I am not ready entirely I still hate the next 3 months will drag.

Whew .. this made me nervous. I have seen nutrition 3 times now, attended 3 support groups and am not being banded until Sept. I have yet to hear about forbidden foods. A few people in support group have found certain things they struggle with personally but nothing forbidden.

I am still 4 months pre op but was told to start on the vit/calcium regime now. I also purchased the centrum chewables .. waste of $9 they are not going down .. NASTY. I had asked about the childrens flinstones chewable and told no. I would prefer to take a non-chewable but they said it needs to be smaller then an M & M and good luck finding a multi that small. The calcium isn't an issue 500mg twice a day is just a regular TUMS and that I get down no problems.. might need to try these gummi's everyone mentiones.. never met a gummi bear I didn't like !

I was also told the Carnation No Sugar Added .. my issue is I don't drink milk. It makes me feel bloated and gassy but have never been told I am Lactose Intol. I can eat yogurt, cottage cheese etc like its going out of style .. its just milk.. I am hoping to find an adequate protein drink, non gritty, non slimy and can mix with water instead... otherwise I might have to experiment with Lactain or Silk or something..

My 1st attempt at hair removal on my "man beard" on my face was 5 years of electrolysis .. every weekend for 30 min.. finally hair free and ended up getting a depo shot .. within 2 month there goes 5 years of electrolysis down the drain and back to a full man beard .. I'm talking the need to shave my face daily. My next attempt was laser.. $225 a treatment and was happy with the results after 7 treatments .. the 3 month wait in between treatmnets was the hardest part since you cant shave.. knock on wood been beard free now almost 5 years. However I have been warned that birth control, getting pregnant or any other hormonal swing (extreme wt loss) could send things right back into a tail spin.. I can hardly wait :wink:

Right near the line so can go either way ..lol 38, single, no kids and a bandster in progress... thanks to ins. we are looking at Aug. 2010 .. am hoping the time flies.. maybe meet someone who is also in the works or can shed some extra light on where I'm headed .. PM me !!

Just want to sample a few before I decide.. Most people I talk to settled on the No sugar added carnation breakfast. Am trying to avoid that chaulky or gritty taste.

I had no issues at 290 pounds / size 28 in a normal seat just last month .. however coming home I was in an emergency exit.. their belts are 3-4 inches shorter so they don't hit the floor fully extended and cause a safety hazard .. belt extenders are also not allowed.. so just be sure your not in an emergency exit row..

I stopped last April just cause I realized it's all I drank all day.. I still crave maybe 1 a week but after 2 sips I feel bloated and belchy if thats a word.. and frankly it feel battery acid going down.. actually painful.

Tufts does not give you a diet or even make you go one to my knowledge .. You have to enroll in their "You Can Change" program. It consists of 8 phonecalls in the 6 months and will discuss things like how to include more exersize in your day, eating out stratagies, changes to your current lifestyle & eating that will help like white bread vs wheat etc.. the only diet I have yet to be informed about is the 1 week preop liquid and 2 weeks post op

Can someone please explain exactly what this program is? I have heard it's phonecalls but what info are they looking for? Are they checking to se if your attending the preop classes? That I am still trying to loose wt. on my own? And I assume it's the doctor who enrolls you in this program? I have a informational seminar 1/7/09 but it's not Tufts specific so I'm not sure this will be addressed. I would want to start the 6 month wait ASAP and having a June-Aug surgery date would be great and maybe see a little results by Christmas. My goal however is fourty, fit & fabulous so I actually plenty of time to accomplish my personal goal. :Yawn:

I guess I'll be seeing you at the seminar ! Also attending the Jan. 7th seminar that evening