bigbirney

This is as big of step as the surgery, or it was for me. If I cant change my mindset for pre-op, then how will i for surgery. The first few days are tough, and there are cravings. I even fell off for a day, but I got right back on the next day. 2 weeks later the cravings are less and less. I eat slower and enjoy more what I do eat, and it has helped tremendously. I am down about 20 pounds, and already feel better. If you feel urges coming on, get on the forum and read, it has been a great tool.

Well coming home tonight I called my brother to see if he needed anything. Drove thru McDonalds and ordered meal for him and delivered without as much as tasting a fry. I kind of wanted to do as a test. I am 15 days into 3 week pre-op diet. Aside from one day early on, I have not even had much for urges. Its almost as if a switch has turned in my head in the last few months of preparation. A lot of it has to do with this forum, and all the encouragement I read. I have a long way to go, but its got to be a life change for me.

I even thought about having one fry, the licking of one didnt cross my mind. lol I figured its something I needed to do. We still go out with friends often to eat, or wine taste. I need to learn restraint for myself and my future. I love food, it has been a love affair since I can remember. I am learning that I can cook healthy, or have a lean cuisine that I like and be just as satisfied, without the guilt. In the last two months I have heard of many lap band "cheaters". Let me preface by saying we all struggle, and fall off the wagon, its part of the process. What I dont understand are the people that go through this, only to find a way to cheat the band. I have met a 4 year bander that only eats puffy cheetos and regular Dr. Pepper, others that live on ice cream, pudding and sweets. For the first time in my 34 year old life, I feel like I have some control over what I consume, I feel empowered, strong, positive, and yearn for the future. Bring on Tuesday, 5 more days til my band.

Mine is Tuesday the 9th. I am a little nervous as well, but I feel so good from pre-op diet that I am also excited. this forum has helped calm many of my fears, and got me through some temptations as well. Good luck!

I told everyone. In the last year my Father and a few friends and I sat and talked about doing it. It hurts to hear, but when its done out of love and concern it can be empowering. For many of us food is an issue that has to be addressed, and part of the therapy for me is loving myself. Most of us have been made fun of, and told we are less than human forever. Now is the time for me to give everyone the finger and love myself first. Tell as many people as you are comfortable with. I have gotten so much support from everyone I have told, so it has made me want to talk about it more.

I am half way thru my 3 week pre-op. I lost 9 pounds in the first 10 days, and then fell off for a day. Couple glasses of wine, that led to some pizza. I have learned that beating myself up over it makes it worse. I just got up the next day and started the shakes again. Its almost like quitting smoking cold turkey. Just take it one day at a time.

Every Doctor is so different. My pre-op is 2 shakes, breakfast and lunch, and then a lean cuisine for dinner, and a piece of fruit, SF Jello. I was told by nutritionist and my Dr its more important that you get at least 60 grams of protein, and around 1000 calories a day, no matter how you get it, just limit fat.

Great post and congrats! I too was on the fence, for years even. My family and friends suggested I look into surgery years ago, but I thought it was a sign of weakness if I could not do it without surgery. I went to the Dr a few months ago for bronchitis and it was the first time I saw 500 pounds. It was all I could do not to drive into a lake on the way home, after 2 drive thrus. When I started to research, and discovered the support out there, I knew it was for me. It is all an integral part of my future life, from the psych consult, to all of the Dr's appointments, culminating to my pre-op meeting with my surgeon Wednesday. Every day I was more positive and less scared to do this. I am on my 4th day of pre-op diet, and it was a struggle to start, but everyday gets easier. In the end, even with the band, i still have to eat better and exercise more, but it gives me the boost I needed to start on this journey. I am here for all of you, as I know you are for me. God Bless

I never realized that food was such a big part of my life, until I started this journey. Growing up in a house where the kitchen is where everyone always congregated. Its tough to think that so much of my life was spent in search of food, or a fullness that was never achieved. I am finding a peace and strength now that I did not realize I possessed. Every day is a struggle, but I have been told by more than one banded person, and a few others that after a while you will lose interest in food, as it gains less of a focus in your life, and you find other things to enjoy. I hope so, but the pre-op diet is my first step. Much luck to you all, and the support on this site is a god send.

Oh you had to mention cadbury eggs:tt1: Well I got my date, its March 9th 3 week pre-op before, but I am so ready for this:thumbup:

Just got my date! March 9th. Started 3 week pre-op diet yesterday:thumbup:

Same thing I was told in Pre op meeting yesterday. Easiest way for me was shake for Breakfast, lunch, then lean cuisine or smart ones for dinner. Light snack of nuts, or jello.

I was in the same boat. My BMI is close to 70, and my Dr. told me I am borderline for being too large, but he has done quite a few 500+ people, and is very experienced with that. Every Dr. will have different rules. What I am learning through my pre-op diet which is 3 weeks, I have to do it either way. Even with the band on I am going to have to not eat ice cream, and change my eating habits. Look at it as a positive experience. If you can lose 50 before the surgery, its less you will have to do after, and its a good start on the right mind set.

If your unlucky enough to be 500 pounds, you get the 3 week pre-op diet. Well mine is 20 days. For it being the second day I am so motivated. I guess finding out I was 500 pounds really started this whole thing for me, and I am ready. There is lots of encouraging words on here that help. Every doctor is different. I was told 2 shakes, breakfast and lunch, and a lean cusine or smart ones for dinner. The important part is getting 60-70 grams of protein, while limiting calories to 800-1000 per day. It just take creativity and a litle planning.

I had the same feeleings. Many of my friends have suggested that I get something done over the last year, and I always thought I was admitting failure if I did. The more I learn it is just a tool, and whatever we choose to do with it will happen. I still have to lay off the booze and ice cream, and ultimately exercise more. I think the pre-op period is all part of the test. All of the little hoops you have to go through, as well as time to think about it. I was approved 6 weeks ago, and finally had all my appointments. Now that it is actually happening I already feel like I am still going to be accountable for what happens. I think support of those around you is important in this journey, and I am looking forward

I agree. I am one person that had a good psych consult. She grilled me on why I wanted the surgery, and what I planned on doing to change my mechanics of eating and my state of mind. I even had a follow up before she would clear me to make sure I would do ongoing treatment. I am not like everyone, but my whole family was food lovers. After my mom died I turned to booze and food. This went on for years, and many pounds. Since then I have lost other family members, lost a fiancee after 5 year relationship, almost lost my father to pancreatitis. It just kept building and building inside of me, until I cried at every commercial, and would stop and multiple drive thrus. Basically eat myself sick every chance I had. Everyone is not the same, and many doctors that do the surgery shouldnt, they see it as a cash cow, and instead of making sure your ready emotionally, they just push people through. Some succeed and many dont. The way I was presented the surgery was: It is a major life change and stressor which added to already stress full and emotionally unstable situation can pose more problems that it can solutions. Everyone has a different threshold.

Great Post Spartan! I couldn't have said it better myself.

Yes I did, Psych and nutrition last week, Heart stress test last Friday. I am all done with pre-op tests and waiting for surgery date. The journey has been stressful, but I have gained so much insight on myself, I am ready to do this.:rolleyes2:

My follow up consult was today. I had a great experience. I think people on this forum are far more advanced and educated than many people seeking this surgery. I have heard about and known a few people that thought the surgery was the answer to all of life's problems. A quick fix, or forced bulimia. My father had his stomach stapled 20 years ago, and I watched him eat and throw up daily as if it was normal. I have even met a few people that have had bands for almost 4 years and dont ever have them adjusted, eat poorly and drink a 2 liter of soda a day. Many obese people such as myself have things that happen that start them eating poorly. Anxiety and or depression, stress. etc. I wasnt big until my mom died when I was 17, then I put on about 100 my freshman year of college. They want to know why you became the way you are, and your eating mechanics, to retrain your brain for the changes to come. The psych eval and follow up is to help people complete the whole life change. If you have the band and are still depressed or anxious then it will hinder weight loss.

I understand your pain, and you came to the right spot. My situation was opposite, my friends and family were supportive, and I didnt want to do it, because I thought it was weakness and I could do it on my own. Either way this is the spot. Some people need more push that others, but most of us, like yourself, are tired of the yo-yo. I have lost 75+ pounds, at least five times, only to come back heavier each and everytime. I just got married, and lost almost 75 before my wedding in September, only to add it back, and then 20 more to tip the scales at 525 at end of January. This is addition and help for lifestyle change, DIET is 4 letter word worse that Fuck.

I am in the same boat. Psych and Nutrition 2 weeks ago, and heart stress test last Thursday. I started this a month ago. I have had to wait 2 weeks to get into half of my Dr.'s let alone get them turned into surgeon .

We are in the same boat. My surgery set to be in the next month. Just keep your head up. I am over 500lbs and starting. I know a few people that have done it. Men and Women around our size, and it has changed their lives. Its hard to say goodbye to food for me as well. We just have to not get discouraged and pick up the next day.:smile2:

This is where I get confused. I met with my nutritionist as part of my pre-op. She told me it had to be a certain whey protien. She said the Wal mart and Target contain concentrated whey protein. She said I needed one with isolated whey protein, because it has 3x as much protein that the concentarate, and our bodies need more protein in the first few weeks. I am going to try a nutrition store, and look online.

Hello, my name is Eric. Struggled with weight forever. Toyed with gastric bypass, but was scared. Lap band seems great. My wife has great insurance, and luckily they pay 100%. I had first Dr. appointment last week, and psych eval, nutrition appointment yesterday. I am scared, excited, not sleeping much, but am ready.