bradison

I used my back heat/massager chair pad (bought at bed bath and beyond). Took my mind off the gas pains.

I attended a seminar may 21,11 and went thru insurance and was banded July 29,11. It can be as quick as that. Every situation is different. Best of luck to you.

Banded this past Friday the 29th. Surgery at 9:30, left hospital by about 1:00.

Banded this past Friday the 29th around 9:30am. Left hospital around 1:00 that day. Going back to work full time tomorrow (Monday) morning. Thankfully this has been better than expected.

One last thing I forgot to mention--you said something about keeping busy to keep your mind off eating--I too had that issue and I can tell you that my house is cleaner and more organized than it's ever been in 20 years. I picked a drawer, pantry or closet at a time and I just cleaned. It worked and I'm glad. It definitely helped me get thru the two weeks.

Regina, That is correct--you do not have to use the shakes at their office. The nurse said Atkins are allowed and I believe it's listed on their paperwork under "liquids". I also love fruit flavors so I bought some frozen fruit in the bag and the vanilla Atkins shakes and blended about 1/2 cup fruit into a shake. Or I used low fat plain yogurt, some skim milk and the frozen fruit to make a smoothie. Wasn't perfect but it gave me the change of taste that I needed. walmart had frozen peaches, mango, strawberry and pineapple. Just watch the calories and use small amounts. I was able to stay under the 800 calorie total each day even with a smoothie. Dr. Watkins office has a support group meeting the second monday of each month at 6:30. I went to the July meeting even though I was pre banded and it was great. I plan to go again in august. They give ideas and helpful hints there too. Mason33 is correct--the staff is excellent---the hospital was amazing and the whole experience has been better than expected. I'm on day 3 post op and hopefully it's all better from here. I've been able to go to the store, do dishes, laundry, sweeping--light work and I go back to work tomorrow full-time. As long as you have an option to sit once in a while for your teaching event---it sounds like it could be done (if it were me). Let us know if you need to vent during the diet. Even though I wasn't having hunger pains, I realized how very much I missed food and that was hard to get over at times. Just kept telling myself that it was in my head and not to let it win. Vicki

I was banded this past Friday the 29h and it has been far easier than I expected. I've been up walking a lot. I have a shiatsu chair massager pad that I've used to take my mind off the gas pain (I checked with my doctor and they said it was ok to use). I also have a heating pad on my tummy--but it really hasn't hurt...just soreness like I've done a lot of sit-ups. I've had no probably getting fluids down so I drink water, broth and protein shakes. I'd say for two days out--it's going well. I was really nervous too ( prior to surgery) and thats to be expected. Just glad I didn't back out at the last minute. I can do this and I will make myself healthier thru this experience. I can't think of anything better than that! Let us know how you're doing after surgery. Good luck!

I was just banded yesterday by tabby Anne's doctor as well (dr. Brad Watkins)...I made it thru the two week diet using Atkins shakes (caramel and mocha were my favorite flavors). When mixed with ice in the blender they were close enough to my coffee house favorite frappes that i felt rather full after them. I also used lots of crystal light drinks, a sugar free pudding each night and chicken broth. It definitely wasn't easy but so worth while. Before surgery I felt better than I have in years. I wish you well on your diet. Be strong for yourself and you will be proud of making it thru...Vicki

I was just banded yesterday by tabby Anne's doctor as well (dr. Brad Watkins)...I made it thru the two week diet using Atkins shakes (caramel and mocha were my favorite flavors). When mixed with ice in the blender they were close enough to my coffee house favorite frappes that i felt rather full after them. I also used lots of crystal light drinks, a sugar free pudding each night and chicken broth. It definitely wasn't easy but so worth while. Before surgery I felt better than I have in years. I wish you well on your diet. Be strong for yourself and you will be proud of making it thru...Vicki

Banded today and lost 25 pounds on the two week pre-op diet. I felt the best I'd felt going into surgery. Tonight a little achey--nothing major. Can't wait for mushys in a week...

I am home from the hospital after being banded today and it was not nearly as bad as I expected. The staff at west Chester university point were beyond wonderful. My surgeon--Dr. Watkins said it went well and he was wonderful as he could be. He actually just personally called me In the middle of this post to check on me.... So glad to be on the other side now.

Omg--you don't know how happy I was to read this! My Dr is also Dr Watkins and I am being banded This Friday. Throughout your message I kept thinking "wow this person had a great experience and it sounded as good as it gets.". When I got to the part when you mention your doctor --I was thrilled to see who it was. Now I am extremely hopeful that my surgery experience will go well. I hope you continue to feel better each day! Keep us posted on your progress!

congrats 14isabella on the 20 pound loss! Let us know how everything goes... butterflym--i share your surgery date of next friday the 29th...it'll be here before we know it! And to everyone else--i feel the same--its day 6 of all liquids and I STILL want and think about food a lot. they said this would get better after about day 3 or 4, but it really hasn't for me...I think this just shows me how deeply my food addiction ran. I ate a sugar free pudding last night for the first time (mind you--i would have turned my nose up at anything sugar free before this diet) and the thing tasted like 'BUTTTTTTTER'...it was soooo good. I sincerely miss even the taste of lettuce at this point. I find myself jealous of those who get to eat a "sensible meal" for dinner on their pre-op diet. I might not go insane on that type of plan, but "all liquids" is really quite frustrating. Hopefully next week will be easier...