imagine923

I didn't tell a lot of people, because I figured that not all surgery needs to be advertised. Now, if someone asks me what I had done, or notices that I am losing weight and looking healthier, I'll gladly tell them the I've made a lifestyle change. If they ask HOW then I will tell them that I've had lap band. I don't feel like a loser because I had to resort to surgery, I've never had trouble losing the weight, it's keeping it off that I have trouble with....until NOW. Now I wlll be successfull and I WILL live a healthy happy life. Frankly, the people that really care will be the ones to support me. The other's opinions don't really matter. I didn't do this for them, I did this for me. Congratulations on your decision to have lapband, and keep moving forward and don't look back.

I know I am wearing the wrong size! It's starting to get really baggy in the cups and I LOVE IT!! I plan on going for my first fitting in a few more weeks. My surgery is tomorrow morning 12/30 and I'm hoping to lose more weight before I go for a fitting. Currently I am wearing a 42 C but it's getting sloppy :-) Chris

Thank you for the prayers and good wishes. I hope I can sleep tonite. I'm not sleepy at all and it's going on 11:45pm. I have to be up at 4:00am to be at the hospital at 5:30am. I am the first banding of the day!! woot woot! Just think...this time tomorrow night I'll be a full fledged patch wearing bandster! Chris Seminar May 2010 Consult June 29 2010 252 pounds End of 6 month program 232 pounds End of 2 week pre op diet 219 pounds Summer of 2011 Smokin hot!

My surgeons office told me it's normal swelling. Sort of like how your rings are tighter in the mornings.

I am using the optifast diet. Didn't you use it post op? Chris

I am on Optifast which I get from my surgeon's office. They are pricey, but I figure for two to four week, I can splurge. LOL The chicken soup and tomato soup are good, the Ready to Drink Chocolate is good. I like the vanilla shake (not to keen on the strawberry) Love the peanut butter bars and the chocolate bars. Good luck on your decision. Once you get past the first 3 days and the sugar detox, it's not so bad. Chris

I have told some people and others only know about the hernia repair. When the questions come about how or why I am losing so much weight my plan is to tell them I've made a lifestyle change.

Hi Leo I started my pre op a day early, because I was told that during the withdrawl from sugar and carbs on the third day people tend to be really crabby. We were going to have a Christmas party at our house on the "third day" so I thought I better start early. I feel SO much better after detoxing. And come to think of it....I haven't had that 3pm hit the wall feeling since I started the pre op! Congratulations on 21 pounds!! That's fantastic. Merry Christmas and Happy New You! Chris

Hi Everyone! I am on Day 8 of my preop diet using Optifast 800. I have lost 5 lbs since starting the pre op and wondered how everyone else was doing. How much have you lost on the pre op and how are you doing on it? I'm doing pretty well, I have survived two Christmas parties so far and a surprise pizza party at work today. I am chewing a lot of gum, drinking a lot of Water but I think the beginning of the 14 day pre op was much easier that it is right now. Maybe I need a thinking adjustment. It's not really true hunger, it's head hunger. I miss the food, but I sure do NOT miss the overstuffed uncomfortable feeling that I would get after eating a meal. I'll be banded a week from tomorrow, Thursday Dec 30! So very excited to be on my way. Chris

Hi Jo I know what you mean. My husband offers me things once in awhile, because it's such a habit. Sometimes food becomes just an automatic movement, we are so used to having everything around us involve food. When he does this, he really doesn't mean it and I gently remind him that I made this choice and it's ok. It's sooo automatic. Keep your eye on the prize and remember why you are doing this and the days and pounds will start peeling off. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New You! Chris

Hi Stacey Some days are really easy, some not so easy. I definately find myself not thinking about food as much as I used to. The changes that I already feel in my body are amazing.....I have NEVER had this kind of head readiness in the past. Thank God for my 6 month program that was required by my insurance company. I attended a lot of group sessions and that has helped me so much. Merry Christmas, and enjoy your gift to yourself. Prayers for your surgery and surgeon. Chris

Sorry to hear this. I don't know much about what they found, but I do know there's always hope! Good luck on healing and getting closer to banding. Chris

I got my approval today, too!! I'll be banded on Dec 30. I like what you said Bobbi..... Just move forward and don't look back! Love it! Can't wait to have no "back" to look at!! hahahahaa!! Good luck everyone!!

I am on my 9th day!! Finally got my approval today and I'm over half way there...yeah Tomorrow is another Christmas party at my house, and I'm going to be strong and stay on track! I can't imagine only being able to have clear liquids Good for YOU! Optifast has a chicken Soup and a tomato soup that are really quite good. These have really helped me, they are sorta thick and so they keep me full for awhile. Three more days and you are done!! Congratulations! If we can do this...we can do anything! Good luck and please keep in touch. chris

Good luck to both of you Linnie and Becki! Tomorrow is not the brand new beginning....you started that the moment you made the decision for the surgery. Tomorrow is an affirmation of your dedication to yourself! Happy forever to you....You're gonna do great and be Hot Mommas next summer! My date is next Thursday, providing that my approval comes through from BCN. My doc office tells me not to worry about it. I'll be thinking about you and saying a prayer for peace for you and wisdom for the surgeons. God Bless Chris

Hi everyone! I am going to be banded on 12/30 can't wait! Two week pre op diet consists of Optifast products. shakes, soup, ready to drink boxes and Protein bars. I am on day 7 and it really is going pretty well. I am eating around 800-820 calories a day. The first 3 days that were supposed to be the hardest were super easy. In fact I'm having trouble getting in all 5 of my protein items in one day. I am down 5 pounds in the 7 days and 25 pounds since my journey to a healthier lifestyle began in June. Still waiting on insurance approval. I've had to do a 6 month diet documentation with the doctor and then the paperwork gets submitted. Hope the approval comes soon, then I can really relax. Bandcamp...I love your mantra and I'm going to repeat it too, if you don't mind. My mantr, when I am seeing or thinking about the other foods, is "it's not worth it" Not worth the 6 days I have already worked at this. Not worth feeling crappy about myself for not staying with it. Not worth going in to the doctor for my pre-op appointment with a low weight loss. Not worth the pain of looking at myself in the mirror AGAIN with tears because I couln't love myself enough to just freaking stay on the program. Good Luck to ALL of us and a Happy Healthier New Year!! Finally, a New Years resolution that I can really stick with and don't have to worry about!\ Chris Skinnygirl in 2011

Congratulations Linnielady! I am now on day 5 and it is NOT easy with all the holiday parties, but I knew this going into it during the holiday season. And, I know me....if it wasn't Christmas...it would be 4th of July....Labor Day...Memorial Day...my Birthday....Monday....next week...etc. And I would never get this started, just like all the other diets I've started and had a reason to "cheat". I am not going to cheat on this one. I have too much emotionally and physically invested into this and it's only a couple weeks. I can do this! One party down at work...all the treats...Christmas party at our home yesterday...and one today...one more to go on Christmas Eve and then surgery on Dec 30. I'll be so much happier with myself next summer when I don't have to hide behind my clothes. Congratulations on your surgery and keep your eye on the prize!

I am being banded on Dec 30 so I am on day 4 of my pre op diet. My husband and I hosted our family Christmas party at our house today, and it really wasn't that bad. I kept busy and just enjoyed a nice cup of coffee as everyone was eating. I'm not going to say that it was easy by any means, but I also know that I have a goal and I made this decision. I prepared a couple things for the buffet table that I like (deviled eggs and a mexican layered dip) it was hard to not taste the deviled egg mixture to make sure it was just right, but I made it through. It sure is easier when I am working 8 hours a day, but....10 more days til surgery....I can do it, and so can you! Stay strong and keep your eye on the prize! Merry Christmas and Happy Banding!! ho ho ho

Hi Momme Duck I am going to be banded on 12-30 too! I am pretty excited. I will be banded by Dr Jaret Beane in Wyoming MI Currently on day 4 of the pre op diet and doing pretty well. Had a Christmas party at my house today, SAW lots of good food that I would have LOVED to taste a bit of, but stuck with my Protein shakes and Protein Bar. SO glad that I did! One party down, one tomorrow and one next week....if I can do this...by gosh...I can do ANYTHING! Good luck with your surgery! Chris

I too have only told a handfull of people. I have not yet told my siblings. When I told my daughter that I didn't know if I was.going to tell them she told me why? You should be very proud that you made this decision ... She's right and I am proud and working VERY hard at the pre op diet I don't know if I'll tell them maybe I'll just let them think that this time I did it! If they ask, I'll tell. Our family party is on 12/26 and I'll be on day 10 of the preop so I'm pretty sure they'll notice the weight loss. I'm already down 21 pounds since this summer and will probably lose another 15 by then.

I'm so glad this post is here. My EKG had upsidedown t waves too. I had my preop with the banding surgeon yesterday and mentioned this to him. His reply was that my pcp thought it was fine so not to worry. My pcp is an internist so no worries. I'm glad to hear that womens EKG can be like that day 2 of pre op diet banding on 12/30 Dr Jaret Beane

Keep your eye on the prize!! Summer 2011 will be here before we know it. I won't have to hide under a tshirt at the beach and capris on a 90+ day! Day 2 of the pre op and woke to the taste of Protein this morning (yuck) couldn't eat this morning cuz I was queesy other than that I'm doing pretty good. Can't say that I'm full but I'm comfortable after my meal.

Hi Lizabeth I am scheduled to be banded by Dr Beane on Dec 30. I have to agree, his practice is top notch! Everyone in his office is so nice. Have you gone to the Thursday night groups? Lots of great people there, too. -chris quote name='Lizabeth' timestamp='1252601248' post='1303728'] Dr Minks performed my surgery and everything went very smoothly. Turned out better than i could ever have imagined!! Dr Beane and Dr Minks work together with their team at Grand River Surgery. And what an amazing team it is. They all work so well together for pre-op and post-op care!!! I am very pleased with them thus far and I know I will continue to be pleased in the future!!! I hope those of you searching for a surgeon in the area goes to them because you will not be disappointed!!! I would be happy to answer any questions anyone has about them or their practice, as best i can!!

Hi Lizabeth I am scheduled to be banded by Dr Beane on Dec 30. I have to agree, his practice is top notch!