Kaydotrn

Hi Everyone! I am a December 06 bandster and having surgery. I created a page today that is specifically for lapband friends since I have not told anyone aside from my dh, mom and sister about surgery. I sent requests to those of you online here, but if anyone wants to, they can add me! www.myspace.com/kaydotrn

I was thinking earlier that it is amazing to me that not ONE of my friends knows I am doing this. I have never been one to keep secrets-my mouth is too chatty for that, and I have not told a single one of my friends. There is a friend from school who had this done that I have confided in, but the rest of my girls don't know. Some of these girls havd been my friend since elementary and high school. I cannot believe of my 6 or so super close girlfriends, I don't feel that I can tell them or that they would be supportive. One friend, I know would never keep it to herself and as much as she loves me, would tell everyone she knows and a couple would be comletely against it-I know from prior conversations. I also have a friend that I know loved me being the bigger girl. It will be interesting to see where my friends are a year from now, or if they aren't my friends anymore. Interesting... Has anyone who had the surgery found that friends drifted away sinceyou transformed yourself into a "healthier" model?

OMG-TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!! I am freaking out a bit. I am also having a little attack of the last supper syndrome. I have not journaled my food in 2 days which I am usally diligent about. I had Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich and a 1/2 order of fries (which reaffirmed that I really won't miss french fries). For dinner I had about 1 cup of past and a piece of chicken parm instead of the salad I planned to have. I think itis hitting me that I won't be able to eat "normal' (as far as chew my new lap-band food) for about 6 weeks. My only instruction from the Md is to eat light Sunday, liquids only after 7pm and NPO after midnight. Today I will try to keep it light as well. I am so excited to see so many of my fellow December Bandsters on the board doing as well as they are. I am also glad to see somethat are uncomfortable because it reminds me that I am probably not going to be feeling great right away. I think there were a few that seemed to bounce back really quickly and it was giving this false sense that I would not have any pain. I am nervous about the pain meds since I tend to not feel great when I take them. Ijust want to be able to transition to Tylenol as quickly as possible! Especially when not eating, those meds are going to make me feel like crap! I am off to get therest of my "nesting" done and scrubthe heck out of my bathroom!

OMG-TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!! I am freaking out a bit. I am also having a little attack of the last supper syndrome. I have not journaled my food in 2 days which I am usally diligent about. I had Wendy's grilled chicken sandwich and a 1/2 order of fries (which reaffirmed that I really won't miss french fries). For dinner I had about 1 cup of past and a piece of chicken parm instead of the salad I planned to have. I think itis hitting me that I won't be able to eat "normal' (as far as chew my new lap-band food) for about 6 weeks. My only instruction from the Md is to eat light Sunday, liquids only after 7pm and NPO after midnight. Today I will try to keep it light as well. I am so excited to see so many of my fellow December Bandsters on the board doing as well as they are. I am also glad to see somethat are uncomfortable because it reminds me that I am probably not going to be feeling great right away. I think there were a few that seemed to bounce back really quickly and it was giving this false sense that I would not have any pain. I am nervous about the pain meds since I tend to not feel great when I take them. Ijust want to be able to transition to Tylenol as quickly as possible! Especially when not eating, those meds are going to make me feel like crap! I am off to get therest of my "nesting" done and scrubthe heck out of my bathroom!

Yes, it is a requirement of the surgery team. I am not sure if they would actually cancel the surgery if I had not made the 2nd meeting but I didn't want to take any chances!

Went to 2nd seminar tonight. It was ok. Found it to be repetitive since I already have learned so much in my own research. I did find myself comforted by the others in attendance who had had the surgery previously. I wish I could sleep through the next few days and fast forward to Monday. I am anxious to get this show on the road!

Laphappy-thanks so much for all your info! I really appreciate the details since I do want to know it all! I am glad to hear you are doing well. I bet there is still a lot of Fluid in you and those lbs will be coming off in no time. I am going to try to stay off the scale for the first week or so since I am a weigh-in obsessor (I weigh every morning and sometimes more than once-bad!). I also liked the Ricotta and sauce idea-making a mental not of that one! BTW, where did you have your surgery? ((Nathalie))) I am so sorry you feel lousy. Get some rest and I am sure you will be back here marveling us with your funny sense of humor in no time. Take this time to relax and we will be here when you are ready. I am relieved to see that you posted since I have been thinking of you non stop! I have 2 more days-I am freaking out a bit. I can't seem to stop thinking about it! I still feel like there is so much to get done before this day comes!!!!!!!!!! ~kay

Went to 2nd seminar tonight. It was ok. Found it to be repetitive since I already have learned so much in my own research. I did find myself comforted by the others in attendance who had had the surgery previously. I wish I could sleep through the next few days and fast forward to Monday. I am anxious to get this show on the road!

Good Evening everyone. Carol-you sound wonderful! I am so excited for you. Please send me the vibes that I will be as fortunate in my recovery as you have been!!!! BKwalling-are you getting psyched? I can't believe we are only 3 days away. ((Patty)))-hang in there girl. Hopefully this liquid period will go by fast for you. Have you tried Soups, whipped cottage cheese, thin hot ceral? I can only imagine that the Protein shakes will get very unexciting very fast. I am not really thrilled with my liquid Christmas this year, but I am willing to do what needs to be done. Remember-this too shall pass. It will be a distant memory before you know it and you will be looking & feeling Fabulous!!!! Mary-I know how you felt at the Christmas luncheon! I am feeling better now than I have in a while, but I have had plenty of those social gatherings where I just felt so awful about myself. I am hoping this is the beginning of the end for all of us when it comes to those crappy feelings. I went to my 2nd seminar tonight which is a requirement for the surgery. It was fine. I remember the first seminar being so informative, but this time it seemed redundant (mostly because I have learned so much here on this site!). It dragged on during the Q&A period but that was due to one woman who went on and on about her brother's wife's cousin's dog sitter's mother who had this or that ailment. Do you know the type? That every ailment creates a long drawn out story? I swear I run into one of those people in just about every setting I am in. Maybe I am just cranky-I just found that a lot of people were leaving because she kept carrying on about useless info and the surgeon speaking couldn't keep her on topic. kinda frustrating. But one cool thing was at the meeting there was a girl there who had the surgery 18 months ago and was down 135 pounds! Awesome! She had her before pics too-talk about motivating!!!! 3 more days...3 more days...3 more days.... (since Nathalie can't chant how many more days left, I figure I will-hehe-miss you Nat!). ~Kay

Monday girl here too! We are going to be fine. I doubt I will get a decent night's sleep in the next week but overall I am sure it will all work out. Hang in there!

I am in this boat too. When I started looking into the surgery, I mentioned it in passing to my mom. She has been surprisingly supportive. I am actually quite shocked at home positive she is being. My sister and DH are the same. But that is it. When I talk about it as a topic of discussion or it gets brought up about someone else, pretty much everyone is really negative. I find that it is the mostly overweight people in my life who say "we just have to make a lifestyle change and that is it-why do something so drastic??". The fact is, I have lost the same 50 or so pounds for the past 10 years. I just always gain it back. I doing great right now, losing weight on my own, but I know myself and I will gain it back in a few months if I don't do something more permanent. I don't understand the big hangup people have when you are trying to medically fix a condition you have. I cannot imagine someone with alcoholism or drug problems, faced with the possibilty of having surgery to fix it, and being shunned for taking the "easy-way-out". It just seems ridiculous. I still will have to watch what I eat and exercise, but I will have a tool to help me get through it. Best wishes-you are not alone. Just remember that once you tell someone, you cannot take it back. The decision is yours.

Okay--it is hard to tyoe because I am shaking from laughing so hard about the EVIL CHICKEN!!!!!!! I too had a death match with the evil chicken fingers last night. I had put myself on self inflicted pre-op diet yesterday. Protein shake for Breakfast, Soup for lunch, a little Protein Drink in the afternoon and a WW Smart Ones for dinner. Certainly not many calories. Then around 7pm last night I got sooo HUNGRY! I fought it off and then realized there were 2 little chicken fingers in the fridge left over from my daughter's lunch the day before. Beversman, I hear the song too! I tried and tried and eventually caved. They were SOOOO GOOD! How sad. I think if I were on a doctor imposed diet, I would have done better. But I started rationalizing with myself that I have lost 18 pounds the past 8 weeks by portion control and lower calories, so what difference will 4 days of pre-op diet make. And knowing that I was setting myself up for a binge the way I was not letting myself eat much yesterday was enough for me to throw in the towel after not even a full day. I am weak. I know by following my points and my gym routin, I will be down another 2 this week to total 20 pounds lost by Monday. That should be darn good enough!!! NATHALIE! I am thinking of you! I hope you are at this point all doped up and recovering peacefully. Get your hot stuffins back here ASAP. Sweethot-my surgery sister! We are so close now. I too am cleaning like mad. I emptied my entire fridge last night. Threw out everything except the condiments and things I bought this week. I am going to scrub my bathroom on hands and knees today. I cleaned out my drawers and plan to get under my bed later. Talk about nesting! Have a nice dinner out tonight. Itsuptome-sorry to hear about the tummy troubles. I too am one of those people that had to learn the hard way sometimes. It probably is a good thing that it hurt to eat the cookie. Hope you are doing great-congrats on your loss. Mystique-good luck tomorrow. Will be thinking of you! Steph-I watched the finaly of Biggest Loser last night! UNBELIEVABLE!! I really didn't think someone as big as Eric could be that thin. I don't know why, I judt thought you would always be a little bigger. Where the heck did all their skin go???? What about Poppi? Jennifer, Brian??? Flipping amazing! What an inspiring show. Kai looked incredible too, but her attitidue was annoying me a bit. I think she was just putting it on, but I wanted to shake her and beg her to act normal. She did look really transformed though. Great show. I am off to do my cleaning. Hang in there everyone. ~Kay Welcome back to all you banded mamas! I am thrilled to see you all on here. What a great group to take this journey with!

((((Steph)))) You have every right to be irritable. Don't push yourself too hard and give yourself some time to feel back to normal (both physically and mentally). Thanks for asking about my dentist appt-it stunk today. only about 15 minutes or so but he didn't give me any novocaine as he was scraping out my root- WTF??? I mean, it wasn't off the wall pain since he had done most of the work last week but I had a couple of those pangs that felt like electric shock when he was in there. I would rather give birth again than have teeth work done. UGH. I did great today on my self-inlficted pre-op diet. Protein shake for Breakfast, Soup for lunch, ww frozen meal (290 cals) for dinner. I may have a yogurt in a little while. All in all not much and I feel okay. We'll see how I am at the gym tomorrow morning. Can we really function on so little??? I think I am just accustomed to my 1700 or so cals a day I have been eating these past 2 months so it seems like a big drop. Have a good night. biggest loser finale on tonight. I love that show. ~Kay

Thanks for the replies. I am getting excited!!!!!! I wish I could wink and have Monday here! Have a good one!

My doctor did not require a pre-op diet but asks that you lose 10 pounds prior to surgery and commit to exercising 30 minutes a day for 30 days prior. I decided to go to Weight Watchers since i felt I needed the accountability. I am down 18 pounds and as of today I am self inflicting mostly liquids for the next 5 days with a simple meal for dinner thrown in. I am trying to make every effort to get myself prepared for surgery and for life after! I think what Kat said is right in that if you lose the sugar and white flours you will have a much easier time on the other side of the banding! South Beach diet is a pretty easy one to follow if you want to detox yourself of the simple sugars. Just a thought. Congrats and best of luck! ~kay

ugh...unflavored proteing powder mixed with pink lemonade crystal light is not great but tolerable... Anyway, I am getting sorta frustrated. I have my friend that goes to WW with me and she has no idea what I am doing. I have not told her since through conversations past I know that she is anti-surgery. Very judgemental about the whole thing as a matter of fact. I think it is fear mostly. She says that if you just suck it up and stick to a program, that is all it takes. I just say to her that I am not going to judge since I think different means work for different people and the bottom line is finding what works for you. No way is better than the other (although statistically, diets only work what- 5% of the time?). Well, she calls me a lot to see what I am eating and how I am doing. I feel like as of next week, I am going to be lying to her about everything. What can I do though. I have no desire to tell her the truth because I don't feel like having to justify my decision to someone who is not open minded at all. It is not the end of the world, I am just frustrated. I wish I could distance myself but I don't know how.....

ugh...unflavored proteing powder mixed with pink lemonade crystal light is not great but tolerable... Anyway, I am getting sorta frustrated. I have my friend that goes to WW with me and she has no idea what I am doing. I have not told her since through conversations past I know that she is anti-surgery. Very judgemental about the whole thing as a matter of fact. I think it is fear mostly. She says that if you just suck it up and stick to a program, that is all it takes. I just say to her that I am not going to judge since I think different means work for different people and the bottom line is finding what works for you. No way is better than the other (although statistically, diets only work what- 5% of the time?). Well, she calls me a lot to see what I am eating and how I am doing. I feel like as of next week, I am going to be lying to her about everything. What can I do though. I have no desire to tell her the truth because I don't feel like having to justify my decision to someone who is not open minded at all. It is not the end of the world, I am just frustrated. I wish I could distance myself but I don't know how.....

Hi Gals! Sounds like lots going on today. Big hugs to our December 13th bandsters that are out there getting surgery now. I think there were 3 people??? Hang in there and check in as soon as you are up to it. Steph-glad to see you on the board. Let me know when you post your scar pics. I am curious as I have seen such varying degrees and I don't know what to expect. I hope your energy level gets back up there soon, but in the meantime, take it easy! I am glad youare babying yourself today. itsuptome-sorry to hear about the vision. My mom had a reaction like that to scop Patches too. Freaky side effect. I think I would rather be nauseous! Glad you are feeling better. Dawn-sorry to ehar you are feeling so uncomfortable. I hope you feel better soon. Take it easy and get plenty of rest. bandiva-how did the hair come out? I bet it looks great. You need to treat yourself! Beversman-you're sending out search parties? haha. Glad you found them, keep looking since I am sure there are more out there! Nat-did you say TOMORROW?????? Yay! I am so excited to hear how you do. I am praying they don't take your booty. hahaha. I have a butt too and even at my thinnest it is a big round butt. I hated it when I was younger but have learned to lilke it. A little junk in the trunk never hurt anyone. I hope you sleep tonight though I imagine it will be tough. Welcome to any and all newbies. I was out shopping today for my surgery necessities..new toothbrush, listerine strips (I am freak about having stinky breath), Gas-X strips, a new heating pad, liquid Tylenol etc...I hope I have everything I need. Or at least the harder stuff to find since I will be sending DH out shopping. I had my root canal this morning. I don't have to go back until after Christmas-THANK GOD! Tomorrow's agenda is to get my kids Christmas gifts wrapped. I will be glad to have that out of the way. have a good day all.

Hi, I am soon to be banded and going to WW. I have done WW about a thousand times since my teens. I actually went back in October kicking in screaming as I swore I would never pay another dollar for someone to applaud that I lost a pound. But I am there anyway and it is helping me. Not as much the program, as it is the accountability and comraderie. Granted, I feel a bit like a fraud since I don't plan to share that I am being banded. I have no desirer at this point to be the lap-band poster child so I am keeping this to myself and a few others. On the other hand, that may change down the road. I did notice this week that the points changed. I was given 3 extra points a day. I am also skeptical that the longer we stay fat, the longer they make $$$ off of us poor souls. But I think the entire diet industry is that way. I am sure they are in cohoots with the fast food places and their dang dollar menus! hahaha- okay that may be a bit far fetched. Bottom line, it is all about making money and sadly, they are making it off of me! ~Kay

Congrats!!! Please join us in the December Bandsters thread as we are all going through this stage together. I am glad you are feeling well. ~Kay

(((Jodi))) Welcome! You are not alone in your feelings. I too was not really overweight until having kids and after years of "trying" to lose the weight on my own, I am about 60 pounds higher than when I started. I always had that extra 20 pound battle or so, but marriage and having kids put me about 70 or so pounds heavier than that! Don't be hard on yourself. This is not something you did wrong. Life happens and we all deal with it differently, but no amount of badgering from our significant others will make us lose the weight for good, you need to do this for yourself! Congrats on making the appt for the info session. I made mine in September, without any real thoughts that I would have this surgery, but I liked what I heard. I have learned so much from everyone on this board and have gained confidence in my decision. My husband is a man of few words too. Specifically he tells me "do what you want to do" but I don't get much more out of him than that. I guess that is his way of being supportive. He has watched me for the past 10 years go on diet after diet, swearing this was the last one. I can't imagine he has a lot of faith in me, as I haven't got much either. He doesn't say that, but I would assume that to be the case. Deep down inside though, I know this is it. Something clicked and I am so excited to start this new journey. I hope you find everything you are looking for here! Best wishes! ~Kay

5 more days!!!! I am so anxious. I am waking up at night thinking about it. I am on this website 5 times a day! I am feeling like I will get through this alright but I am still in shock that I am doing it at all. I ate pizza yesterday and a small steak and cheese sub. It wasn't even good. I just felt like I had been doing so well the past two months that I had to have a last hurrah before my self inflicted liquid diet begins today. I honestly think I am nuts but I learned something---crap food just isn't as exciting as I think it is anymore. It made me feel sluggish and really didn't taste as great as I thought it would. From this point on, if I ever have a craving, I will at least make sure it will be something worth it. If it had been really good pizza like found in the North End of Boston, it would have been worth it. But there is no good pizza like that around here. And I know I willbe able to have it again someday, I will just have to chew chew chew it. It is only food. Why do I give it so much power over me sometimes? I hit the gym this morning and did 30 min elliptical, 20 min treadmill and tried the scary looking revolving stair machine. Yup, lasted about 5 minutes and my hear rate was really up.Not to mention, I couldn't get the hang of the machine and my toes kept getting squished. Maybe my feet are too big. At least now I know what it is like. I love the elliptical, so I guess I will stick with that. I just feel like I need to mix it up sometimes. Off to the dentist for part 2 of my root canal. Lucky me! ~Kay

5 more days!!!! I am so anxious. I am waking up at night thinking about it. I am on this website 5 times a day! I am feeling like I will get through this alright but I am still in shock that I am doing it at all. I ate pizza yesterday and a small steak and cheese sub. It wasn't even good. I just felt like I had been doing so well the past two months that I had to have a last hurrah before my self inflicted liquid diet begins today. I honestly think I am nuts but I learned something---crap food just isn't as exciting as I think it is anymore. It made me feel sluggish and really didn't taste as great as I thought it would. From this point on, if I ever have a craving, I will at least make sure it will be something worth it. If it had been really good pizza like found in the North End of Boston, it would have been worth it. But there is no good pizza like that around here. And I know I willbe able to have it again someday, I will just have to chew chew chew it. It is only food. Why do I give it so much power over me sometimes? I hit the gym this morning and did 30 min elliptical, 20 min treadmill and tried the scary looking revolving stair machine. Yup, lasted about 5 minutes and my hear rate was really up.Not to mention, I couldn't get the hang of the machine and my toes kept getting squished. Maybe my feet are too big. At least now I know what it is like. I love the elliptical, so I guess I will stick with that. I just feel like I need to mix it up sometimes. Off to the dentist for part 2 of my root canal. Lucky me! ~Kay

I have made these lists before but I want one in my journal that I can look back on. I will list what I want with my new healthy self and I can check them off as they are accomplished! 1. I want to fit my butt comfortable in a kayak. I love to do it, but last time my butt was pinched and it was not comfy for long. 2. To bikeride without being afraid the tires will look flat and the the seat is lost in my ample rear. 3. To be smaller than my husband. (or at least the same size!) 4. To wear my wedding ring comfortably again. 5. To go to amusement parks and not be afraid the seat won't fit-I have always fit in the past but it has come close! 6. To not have to sit on the couch with a pillow over my stomach for fear that everyone see smy enormous belly rolls. 7. To feel comfortable in my own skin. 8. To shop in regular stores. 9. To not critique everyone in my vicinity to see if I am the biggest one in the room. 10. To take my daughter horseback riding. 11. sex with the lights on! 12. To dance without worrying that I look so huge on the dancefloor. 13. To not revolve an outing around where we are going to eat. 14. To look like the hip, cool mom I feel like I am on the inside. 15. I know I will think of more---edit later.

I have made these lists before but I want one in my journal that I can look back on. I will list what I want with my new healthy self and I can check them off as they are accomplished! 1. I want to fit my butt comfortable in a kayak. I love to do it, but last time my butt was pinched and it was not comfy for long. 2. To bikeride without being afraid the tires will look flat and the the seat is lost in my ample rear. 3. To be smaller than my husband. (or at least the same size!) 4. To wear my wedding ring comfortably again. 5. To go to amusement parks and not be afraid the seat won't fit-I have always fit in the past but it has come close! 6. To not have to sit on the couch with a pillow over my stomach for fear that everyone see smy enormous belly rolls. 7. To feel comfortable in my own skin. 8. To shop in regular stores. 9. To not critique everyone in my vicinity to see if I am the biggest one in the room. 10. To take my daughter horseback riding. 11. sex with the lights on! 12. To dance without worrying that I look so huge on the dancefloor. 13. To not revolve an outing around where we are going to eat. 14. To look like the hip, cool mom I feel like I am on the inside. 15. I know I will think of more---edit later.