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I have crazy mixed feelings today and I apologize for the rambling nature of this post. Today I met with my surgeon (Dr. Ren @ NYU), as I haven’t seen her since January. Don’t get me wrong with what I am about to write here – I really like Dr. Ren, she’s a straight shooter, which is how I am – so it makes me feel comfortable. A mild mannered, soft-spoken surgeon would probably make me nuts. Anyhow, today I posed this to her: I explained that I recently went to an outdoor concert and the temps were 90+ and holy heck, I was hot! I found myself guzzling Water to stay cool and hydrated and had a moment - where I wondered what I would do with the lap-band (and I don't mean 2 days post op or even 3 months post-op - I mean LIFE post-op) and so I asked, what would I do? Would I be forced to sip water when I was sweating gallons? And, yes, I’m a sweater and yes, I’m sure this will get better with weight loss, but I come from a family of thin sweaty people, so I am expecting this problem will probably stick with me (oh lucky me!) Anyway, is this really a crazy question? Maybe it is, but in defense of myself, I am pre-op, which means I can read and read these boards and heck, even watch videos on YouTube, but really I don’t know JACK about post-op until I’m there (which drives me nuts – I need ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING NOW). Anyway, she got kind of, I don’t know what to call it, by my anxiety (which is fair – to her this is GREATLY increasing my quality of life and I’m over here fretting about the differences of gulping, sipping and guzzling), but this is me. We did speak about putting off the surgery, canceling and then possibly maybe seeing someone for the fact that I am scared of changing my behaviors, but then I was like NO, I want to go through with this (this also felt a little reverse-psychology to me). Moving on.. We also spoke about the flurry of negative press around both her and the practice (there was an article yesterday or the day before in Reuters) and let’s just say, it’s weird/scary to see your surgeons name out there in the press, but it is what it is and it does bother me a little, but I’m trying not to dwell. And this is where I am right now. I’m trying to come to terms with my over-thinking, is it just me? Am I crazy? Also, I seriously need a band buddy. The one girl I know who has a band eats Doritos and drinks Coke (not even diet) and I feel as if maybe, just maybe she wouldn’t make the best band buddy. And yes, I plan on going to some NYU support meetings, but work is pretty insane right now and it's hard to find the time (I know, make the time, but I have deadlines people!)

I've been scoping out Protein powders and all sorts of stuff for a few weeks now. I was in Whole Foods the other day and found tera's whey (Protein powder. I bought pomegranate cranberry and blueberry. The Nutrition Facts for (pomegranate cranberry) are as follows: Serving Size (30g) Calories 100 Calories from fat 0 Total Fat 1g No Saturated or Trans Fats Cholesterol 15mg Sodium 90mg Potassium 160mg Total Carb 5g Dietary Fiber 0g Sugars 2g Protein 22g Any thoughts?! I am trying to prepare for my surgery on 8/30 with a variety of goodies :party:

Thanks everyone!

What multi-vitamin does everyone take? How do you take it post-band?

Thanks, Paula. I am doing OK and still on the fence. I am beginning to explore meditation to quiet my mind and therapy as well - I don't think I will be able to get through it on my own. How are you? How was the surgery?

Posting my introduction from the Introduction board :thumbup: I am 32, live and work in NYC and have a surgery date of 8/30 with Dr. Ren @ NYU. I have been working on getting this surgery since October of last year (when I first attended the seminar) and at first I was really, really excited! Now that it is almost here - I am scared. I am scared to have an implantable device inside of me, I am scared I will want it out and I am scared I won't be able to handle... well all of it really. I know that I need to sacrifice something. If it's not this - it needs to be something - I need to lose weight, I need to be healthy - I am tired of hurt feet, knees, blood pressure meds and of being pre-diabetic. I want to wear heels, dresses and not be conscious of my weight every.second.of.the.day. Sorry to be such a downer, but I need to keep this journey real and sharing with fellow folks who *get* what I am going through - I hope can help me :thumbup:. I really welcome any and all words of encouragement and wisdom!

Thanks MollyRN, I appreciate it and I agree - thanks for putting it in to perspective! May I ask, what do you like about the practice at NYU? I saw Frank (who was very nice, but everyone seemed very surprised by my anxiety - and they did put me at ease, but they didn't seem to relate to me.. which scares me about post-op care). Also Dr. Ren was a little harsh with me when I met her last and it's also making me nervous about post-op. I think they are the BEST and have heard amazing things and don't doubt their expertise or anything like that. I am most concerned with making sure I am with a practice that will be understanding of my needs.

MollyRN - I have a question for you (first let me tell you, your happiness and positivity makes me feel better!) I am getting banded at NYU and even though I've read my pamphlet and everything out there - did Dr. Fielding speak to you after and give those instructions? I am getting banded by Dr. Ren and I'm wondering if there is a clear direction after you have the surgery and you're in the hospital? Sorry, I am the type of person that needs everything spelled out, especially with something like this.. Thanks!

Good Luck with the surgery this week! I look forward to reading about your successes.

It's possible! My appt was @ 2 and I was there a bit early to meet with the nurse first. I just told her there was a lot of bad press not only around her, but the practice as well. She was really great about that part - which made me feel better. She was like YES, let's talk about it and we did. She wasn't so happy to hear about my anxieties, which again, I *get*, but it was off putting - but ultimately I trust her and that's what is most important. We can be band buddies!

Me too and it looks like by the timing in your signature, we were doing everything around the same time as each other! :cursing:

Thanks Brad - I needed that reminder. Many folks think it's an "alternative" when it's not. I need to keep reminding myself of that, because forgetting that is helping me to self sabotage (my brain) . But HELLO, doesn't anyone out there not going through this process understand you need to combine the surgery + a serious change in behavior, which ='s diet and exercise. It's not like I won't be an active participant in this weight loss, it will be me and my band together :cursing:

Hi! I've been lurking forever and finally built up the courage to introduce myself :thumbup:. I am 32, live and work in NYC and have a surgery date of 8/30 with Dr. Ren @ NYU. I have been working on getting this surgery since October of last year (when I first attended the seminar) and at first I was really, really excited! Now that it is almost here - I am scared. I am scared to have an implantable device inside of me, I am scared I will want it out and I am scared I won't be able to handle... well all of it really. I know that I need to sacrifice something. If it's not this - it needs to be something - I need to lose weight, I need to be healthy - I am tired of hurt feet, knees, blood pressure meds and of being pre-diabetic. I want to wear heels, dresses and not be conscious of my weight every.second.of.the.day. Sorry to be such a downer, but I need to keep this journey real and sharing with fellow folks who *get* what I am going through - I hope can help me :thumbup:. I really welcome any and all words of encouragement and wisdom!

Hi alisonlen454 - how are you? how did the banding go?

One of my relaxation activities :sad: in life is not only eating, but it is also shopping! I would like to come home to a well stocked pantry for what I will need after the surgery. What Protein powders should I get? (I can check my nutritionist information), but wanted to check here first. Any cookbooks you really liked? Blender Bottles seem really interesting.. Heating pad seems sometimes to be necessary.. Anything else I may have missed?

I admire you. I am eating moderately, but I am eating what I want.. Also, I have it in my head that many of my favorite meals probably won't be tolerable to the band (spicy foods, carb heavy foods, oysters) that I am planning on going to some of my favorite restaurants in the upcoming weeks. My liquids starts on 7/16...

How are you doing? Did you start your liquid diet? I focus on the future - the little things - not feeling anxious about whether or not a plane seat-belt will fit, or will I break this chair if I sit on it.. I also am really REALLY excited about being able to walk long distances and not feel terrible every time I see a flight of stairs. Plus the clothes, the glorious clothes.. :sad:

Thanks UWS for your insights. They are very helpful. How did you go about finding a therapist? I was thinking of using the psychologist I used for the evaluation - he understand weight issues. I've never had any great success when looking for a therapist in NYC!

It's as if I wrote this post myself! I have been on this journey for close to a year and now that I have a surgery date (8/30), I am a big ball of nerves and am on a roller coaster of emotions, but from what everyone says and from what I've observed from this board - it seems normal! Thank GOODNESS for this board - it makes me feel as if I am not alone.

Hi! I recently got a date of 8/30 and it's a GO! I began this process last October (when I went to the seminar), had my psych evaluation in January and then began the process of documenting 6 mos of regular Dr appointments. I did miss a month due to traveling and I was also not 100% sure this was something I wanted to do - I started getting more nervous as the end approached and to be honest - I am still nervous! Oh and my approval came in - 4 days! Does anyone else have a date of 8/30?

Thank you everyone for your support - I really, really appreciate it. Today was a good day in terms of my mindset for the surgery. One of my main fears is the emotional attachment I have with food and how I use it to soothe my emotions. I am thinking about making an appointment with the psychologist I saw for the eval and possibly seeing him again - I need help not only with my actual body, but my mind as well.