acp1974

Ms. Determined, hang in there, you're almost there! Let us know how it goes tomorrow! Amie226, I'm in the same boat - never had surgery before, and my only non-weight issue is sleep apnea too (though that's a weight-related issue). I'm sure it will be hard to sleep tonight, but maybe try to focus on the long-term goal and why you're doing this in the first place. If nothing else, know that you're not alone - we're all pulling for you and hoping you'll report back soon from the other side to give us support!

My advice would be that if you want to do a "last supper" that you should do it soon and not 2 days before surgery. After all, you still have a couple weeks. Every doc seems different, and my guess is that they just want to ensure that you do *something* to start the losing process and to ensure that your liver isn't still engorged from a "last supper". My doc told us a bit of a scare story in our info session about a woman who had a "last supper" a day or two before surgery and whose liver was so large because of it that he had to abandon the laproscopy and open her up. Take that for what it is - I have no idea if that's true, but it's certainly helping motivate me to not cheap on my pre-op diet!

Ok guys, I figure this is the place for this question. Any recommendations for underwear specifically for working out? I just started exercising again, and I'm sweating like a hog. I really like the dri-fit t-shirts I have, and I'm thinking I could benefit from some more high-tech underwear as well. That's right, I just typed "high tech underwear".... Before I go and spend too much money on some really expensive Under Armour or another space age dry-fit product, I'd like to gather some intel: Is this stuff worth it? Is there a cheaper brand that's like Under Armour? What do you wear for underwear when working out?

Day 5 report: Ok, the nights are killing me. I am not supposed to have anything after 7pm except broth or sugar-free popsicles. And it's hard, I'm not gonna lie. Not even so much physically, but what it does point out to me (he said, with the infinite wisdom gained from five whole days of calorie restriction;-) is the emotional side and the habitual side. I.e., I feel a bit raw emotionally at night and also like I maybe don't know exactly what to do with myself in the evenings without my trusty snack(s). TV just isn't the same without my hand in a bag of chips, you know? It's weird. I should say that I've coped by doing two things: (1) calling friends and talking, and (2) turning off the tv and reading. Hopefully, I'm going to add a nighttime walk to those two, because I feel like I need to flee the scene and get out of my head for a while. Or at least away from my couch. There's an old saying that if you don't want to get a haircut, don't hangout in a barbershop. I'm sure I mangled that, but you get the idea. So that's how I'm feeling. I am happy I made it through these last couple nights, because the mornings feel so good! But it's a reminder that I need to change things up and spend less time on the couch, and certainly less time thinking about food. Yet another reminder that this is a total lifestyle change, not just a diet.... Hope everyone's doing well!

Thanks for the advice! I ended up ordering two pair of the Under Armour boxer briefs - there didn't seem to be a cheaper equivalent, and that's what I was looking for. Will report back, and am still open to other opinions out there, so feel free to keep chiming in. I'm gonna need more than two pair.....

Good luck! I am on day 4. So far, so good - the days are easier than the nights. I'm allowed a few "free" foods (sugar free popsicles, some veggies, broth) and a *very* small low-carb dinner, but I still get pretty darn hungry after 7pm until I go to sleep. I'm noticing a bit of fatigue, but that's to be expected I guess with the reduction in calories. And I suppose I may be a tiny bit irritable at work.... But overall, I'm feeling like this is doable, and that staying as focused and positive as I can helps with the hunger. And when I need to psyche myself up, I visit this board and see how many others are up to this challenge - truly inspiring. We CAN do this, and we will!

Thanks for the suggestion - looks like the Syntrax Nectars fruit flavors would be a good alternative to the chocolate/vanilla cycle I've been on. Speaking of which, I'd like to warn anyone against "Pure Protein" vanilla flavor. I'll be saving that for smoothies way down the line I guess, when I can add some flavorings or a banana. Just not so good. The chocolate though does the job, and it's a decent value. On day 3 here of pre-op and the nights are still hard, but as a historically late eater, I am enjoying the feeling of waking up on an empty stomach. Hope everyone is doing well, and Sotex, welcome to the May 19th club - this seems to be a popular day to have Lap Band surgery!

Congrats as well Jon! Sounds like it went well. Best of luck with your recovery - glad to hear from someone on the other side!

May 19th here as well! My pre-admission testing is this afternoon. Started my 2-week pre-op diet yesterday. Mine is of the Protein shakes/bars during the day and lean meal at night variety. I found myself pretty hungry last night, but I didn't give in, and I felt really good this morning. Funny how that is.... I think the key is preparation, which also happens to not be one of my better skills. But I'm trying: this weekend I stocked up on protein powders and got a "Blender bottle" which has a little mini-whisk inside it that breaks up any clumps as you shake it, so I can make my shakes at work. Still need to get some sugar free popsicles/jello for the evening hours. Drinking lots of fluids seems to help too. I am finding that the anticipation and the seriousness of this is bolstering me, but I am sure that at some point over the next two weeks I'll be tempted, or caught hungry and unprepared. So I'm gonna keep checking in - can't do this without support! Speaking of which, Ms. Determined, I'm rooting for you and feel free to chime in or message me anytime - we can do this!

My two-week pre-op diet starts Wednesday, but I decided to start today. I'd been easing into it lately replacing meals with protein shakes, but I'd been having a lot of trouble at night. Tonight's going better, had my shakes today, a bar, and a light meal before 7pm. Definitely a bit hungry now, but my pre-surgery consult is tomorrow and I just want to get going with this. Think the excitement is propping me up at this point, so I'll go with it. Not sure if anyone else has done this, but I bought a bottle of liver cleanse yesterday when I was stocking up on protein powder. It's a two week regimen, which is good timing, but for all I know it's just snake oil. I guess I'm thinking that may aid the diet in shrinking my liver for surgery. Anyway, just wanted to check in with the other May bandsters. If anyone wants to compare notes on their pre-op diet hunger pains, post away or PM me, I could use the support! Only 16 days away...hard to believe....

It's generally a low-carb high protein diet, often with meal replacement protein shakes. But it differs depending upon your surgeon and their preference. The goal as I was told was to shrink the liver (which is fatty in many of us, not surprisingly) to make access to the stomach easier during the procedure. They have to get around it with their instruments, so the smaller the better. I also think the aim may be to acclimate you to the post-op diet when you are highly calorie restricted and on mostly fluids and blended foods. But I am not a doctor, and each surgeon has his own procedures - there could be many reasons why you don't have a pre-op diet, and I would ask the doc if you want to know what their reason is. I don't think there's any right or wrong here as long as you follow your own surgeon's instructions. Hope that helps, and good luck!

I think Magnificents is fine - I am secure enough in my manhood to be called a Magnificent!:redface: Plus I like the color scheme.... I'm just happy this board exists and that we are all not alone in this. Glad to see some other May 19th folks, and looking forward to hearing from those earlier-in-May folks as well. I'll keep checking in, and I hope you all do too. One thing about the pre-op diet: I realized lately as I've been trying to get ready for it (mine starts May 4) that I'm pretty good during the day (when I'm busy) but lousy at night. So friend suggested I call them at night and chat and get my mind off food, and I think I'll start posting in here at night as well. Anyone else have that pattern?

Oh, almost forgot - I'm the other guy in this thread apparently, so Biker Jon, you are not alone! I am glad to be on a coed forum here, though I do have to say that the guys would probably go with something like "May Marauders". I bet I can count on one hand the number of times Biker Jon and I have said the word "Magificents!" in our lifetimes...:-)

Just wanted to join the parade. My date is May 19th. I'm getting banded at Beth Israel in Boston, MA by Dr. Schneider. Any other Massachusetts folks with a May date out there? I'm excited for everyone, and also a bit anxious for myself. Which I suppose is normal. The reality really hits you once you have a date, eh? Good luck all and keep updating this thread so we can see how those of you with early May dates are doing post-surgery. Also any tips/encouragement on sticking to the pre-op diet are always welcome as well. Mine starts May 4th.... Al

Howdy So far I've been using something called "Pure Protein chocolate whey Powder" that I got at Target. It's a fairly common brand, and not too expensive. It's also not great tasting, and it doesn't mix well (gets a little clumpy). But it's got 23g protein and 2g carbs and no sugar, so it fits the bill. I've been searching the forums and reading a lot of good things about unjury and Inspire protein - at least in terms of dissolving and tasting better. I find that the Protein shake tastes much better with soy milk than with Water. My pre-op diet is for 2 shakes and a light low-carb meal at dinner, starting May 4th. I may start a thread to see who is on their pre-op diet to give support, because I agree, this makes me nervous too. Of course what makes me nervous is the anxiety that I may slip up, which makes me want to quell that anxiety with food.... So I'm trying to take a few baby steps before the start of my diet to get the ball rolling and ease myself into this. I'm ordering some of the Inspire stuff so I'll report back - it's not cheap, but then again neither is delivery food....

Bryan, Thanks for sharing your story. I identified a lot with what you had to say. I was an athlete, enjoyed exercising, and smoked too. And though I gained weight through my 20s, it was when I quit smoking at 30 (5 years ago) that my weight really took off. I was hovering between 250-280 and shot up to 330 or so after I quit smoking. On top of that, I quit drinking a couple years ago, and for whatever reason developed a sweet tooth, which was never my thing. So here I am taking the plunge at 36, 355 lbs (hard to even type that), and really hoping just for health and the ability to MOVE again. I don't mind gym exercises, but my hope is to use the gym as a tool to get back to playing games, to being an athlete. It's a hell of a lot more fun to play tennis or basketball than it is to run on a treadmill, you know? Funny how we develop habits and then quit them but that craving turns into something else. It's the old whack-a-mole thing. I really want activity to be that thing for me, playing sports, being outdoors, living the life I've stayed away from because of my size. I know it's not going to happen overnight, so I also appreciate the comments about not putting a number on it. This is a lifestyle change, and it is a major one. The way I see it, and I hope you do too, is that we've demonstrated the ability to make major life changes before. We quit smoking, for starters! That wasn't easy. But we did it, and so many people on this board have made major life changes too. So thanks for sharing - reading your story and the great comments from the other guys really helped me today. -Al

May 19th here - congrats to everyone for making this decision and getting approval, etc. This is a huge thing, and I'm definitely excited. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a bit anxious, too. I'm getting close to my 2-week pre-op diet and my eating lately could have been a little better. I've been doing low carb basically, trying to prep myself for a mostly liquid Protein shake diet prior to surgery. Anyone here doing a pre-pre-op diet transition?

I just wanted to chime in here because this does sound a bit like self-sabotage. This is only conjecture, because I don't know you, but I do know that this is something I have experienced and it is something that I have to take very seriously as I (hopefully) begin to lose weight. Fat works for some of us as a defense mechanism - it can really be a (literal) layer of protection for some of us, keeping us from having to deal with intimacy which would include the possibility of opening oneself up to failure/rejection. Or keeping us from feeling good about ourselves when we really want to confirm our own unworthiness because that's somehow more comfortable to us than the possibility that we're not so bad at all! Just like it's easier to isolate and eat to drown one's emotions in food rather than deal with the underlying issues.... It sounds kind of contradictory, I guess - especially for those whose experience is different. But to me your experience seems to be that you may be reacting to what is a wonderful situation but nonetheless a tricky emotional situation (first girlfriend in a decade). It could be that you're feeling exposed, there's something on the line (i.e., your feelings). Maybe you don't feel you deserve to be liked. As I said, I don't know you, and I'm not a professional therapist. But I would recommend seeing one if you aren't already, because this is less about the activity of eating too much than the underlying emotions that are causing you to binge. It's a great sign that you posted and shared your story - none of us can do this without support. And you owe it to yourself to seek out even more support for the emotional side of this journey. Best of luck, and keep the faith!

Just posting an update and bumping up that last message. Any Beth Israel bandsters out there? I'm through most of the hoops at this point - I am meeting with Dr. Schneider on Thursday. Hopefully I'll have a surgery date shortly thereafter. Anyone been banded by Dr. Schneider or at BIDMC recently? I'd like to get in touch, or at least hear how your experience was. Any inside info would be great too. Hope everyone is enjoying the recent warm weather here in MA!

Hi all, Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm still very early on in the process, but I have had my first visit to the location where I'll be getting banded. So the wheels are in motion.... I just realized that's the first time I've ever really said "I'll be getting banded" freely. It's a bit scary, as was the initial visit to the bariatric center. I think that's because it's such a major life decision, and all life decisions are scary. But I think it's especially scary because it's such a personal decision and it concerns such a private and painful area of my life that I haven't really opened up about (not even online). One of the things I most admire about folks on this thread is their openness and honesty - with themselves, with others - and their willingness to share. It may be more common to be heavier these days, but I don't think that means that those of us who are significantly overweight are any less prone to shame or self-doubt. So it's helpful to me - especially as a guy who doesn't have a real support system or anyone like me to share my feelings about this with - to have this forum around. This is hard enough to do without feeling alone, and when I'm on here I feel can feel the support of the community. Anyway, I have been on here for a couple months, have done lots of research, and have made the decision. I still have some questions and some concerns (mostly logistical), and I'm sure as I get closer to the reality of this I'll have my doubts. But I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all those who have taken the time to post to this incredible forum, and in doing so have made it easier for me to do the same. ACP Boston, MA

Just wanted to thank everyone for chiming in - it's great to hear from you and I am sure I'll have some questions and need a little support from time to time. It's still very early in my process, but I'm committed and I'm probably looking at an early summer surgery date. Looking forward to following your journeys as I start mine.... -ACP

Agreed - your posts are a great power of example (to me and many others, I'm sure) on how to prepare for the surgery and how to be prepared to succeed after surgery. Having lurked around a bit and seen your posts throughout the forums, it's great to hear from you now that you're post-op, and great to hear that all is going well. Continued good luck, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey as I begin mine. ACP

Hi all Long time, first time....I have my first visit at BIDMC on 3/2, having done two info sessions. I've read through the thread, seems like they do a good job there with pre and post care, with maybe the exception of a nurse here or there. I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Al, I just turned 36, I'm 5'11", and have been between 270-350 for the last eight years or so. Having lost and re-gained 50 pounds or more a number of times, I have finally decided I need to get some help. I've always said if I can't fix this before I'm 40, then I'll get a bypass (my mother has had a lot of success with hers, so I've seen the results first-hand). But over the winter holidays, I did a lot of thinking and realized that there is no sense in waiting. I also realized that I did not want a bypass, but a band, so from there I talked to my doc, did some research, and went to some info sessions. I've decided on BIDMC for a variety of reasons, including a talk with Dr. Schneider and a pre-surgery fitness/personal training program that they are offering now as part of a research study. It's also convenient to where I live and work, and I've seen other docs there. This forum has been a terrific resource for me, so in addition to introducing myself (I suppose I should go post on "Introductions" as well, and maybe head over to the Men's forum too) I just wanted to thank all the folks who have taken time to share their stories. I hope you don't mind if I post some questions as I go through this process. As I said, my first appt. is on 3/2. I just had a sleep test (my apnea is treated through a sleep doctor at BIDMC), so hopefully that's one less test I have to take. I'm not particularly in a rush, but I did wonder about the time it took folks between their first appointment and their approval (I've cleared this with my insurance). I know it varies, but I also know that once approved I would be looking at probably 3 months before surgery, so that would help me get a rough idea - right now I'm thinking some time in July/August for surgery if all goes well. That's all I have for questions at the moment, but I am sure I will have more. Anyone who has recently been banded at BIDMC or by Dr. Schneider also please feel free to chime in, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks - and apologies for the long message! Al