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:hippie: Hi, All! It has been a very hectic day: went to bank, post office, had my hair done, went to Kohl's and bought my grandson some adorable pj's, then to the pharmacy to pick up Rx's and a list of things for my mom, dropped them off at my mom's, paid her bills, reprogrammed her telephone with family numbers (got deleted in the last bad storm), then quick stop to pick up batteries that I forgot at pharmacy, to the library and then home. Boy, I need to go back to work to get some rest. But the best thing that happened today was: I decided to try to weigh myself although my home scale only goes up to 350. First, it was 346. I could not believe it so I started all over and the scale said 348. So, I will take that - 10 pounds in 4 days, and I feel wonderful! :peace: Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!:whoo:

Hi, everyone. I was banded on the 15th as well. For the most part everything is fine. Lots and Lots of gas yesterday. I feel like normal today and probably could have gone to work. I had originally planned to only take 3 days (Mon-Wed) but I don't think I could have worked a whole day yesterday and I have a desk job. Also, my new job seems to be getting enough protein and water down - Yesterday I only managed about 32 ounces of water and about 40 grams of protein and that was thanks to protein shakes (Tropical Blast from bariatriceating.com. I am not hungry at all and need to remind myself to drink and eat. That part is excellent! I am going to get my hair done today - roots wait for no-one! Thanks for all the encouragement!

Sherilyn, The bariatric center there is great. :clap2:Everyone there that I came in contact with was kind and understanding. They have large chairs, large wheelchairs and the gowns are large enough to fit my size 26 and then some. And you don't have to ask for them, they just bring them automatically. It's a little thing that means so much. I had my blood work a week before the surgery. I was surprised when the phlebotomist started putting a hospital band on my wrist. When I told her that I had not told anyone at work, she made the band large enough to get off. Of course, I put it back on before I went in this morning. The surgery took about 1 1/2 hours, and then you are in recovery for about 1 1/2 hours (I don't remember recovery at all) and then they do a barium test to make sure that liquid will go through the band (that was pretty disgusting). They took me back to the outpatient surgery area, where they gave me a pain killer and I took a nap. I walked a little, they brought me my clothes, and it was time to go home. I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 6:30 AM and was home before 2:00. I have been napping all day and walking around the house and sipping liquids in between naps. I feel better after each nap.:notagree Good luck on the 30th. I hear great things about Dr. Abkin.

:peace: Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and the thoughts and prayers for me today. I had the surgery about 7:30 this morning. I am feeling good, just a little hard to move around. My wonderful husband keeps reminding me every couple of hours to move, helping me up, etc. I will be sleeping in the recliner tonight. It is a lot easier to get out of than the bed. Dr. Pucci called around 7:00 PM to see how I was doing and if I needed anything. I thought that was sweet. It turned out that he found a cyst on my stomach and removed it, so I may be having a little more pain than some others. Back to the recliner for me! Hope all my band twins came through today as well or better than me. :hippie:

:hippie: 38 hours to go! I am so excited! I am supposed to be at the hospital at 6:30 Monday morning. Luckily, it is ab out 5 minutes away. Surgery is scheduled for 7:00.

Dawn, Thanks for the good wishes. I can't believe that 9 months ago you were as big as me and now you are almost to one-derland! You inspire me!:lost1.5lbs: Hope we will soon have more in common than our starting weight!

Three and a half more days 86 more hours I can't wait. I am nervous and can't think of anything else. :faint: I have not told anyone at work, just that I am taking off next week. My mother and my husband are very supportive of this step that I am taking. Any suggestions for getting through this weekend without a nervous breakdown? :huggie:

Andre- I am being banded on Jan 15th as well. Just think, 1 week from right now I will be in the middle of the surgery. It is sinking in and I am soooo nervous. I go for my pre-op clearance at the hospital this afternoon. My stomach is in knots and I don't know how I will make it through this week.

Hi! I am being banded on 1/15 and have been getting very nervous about the surgery. Reading these posts is giving me something new to worry about. I am bipolar and finally have relief with 225 mg effexor and 400 mg seroquel. I have not cycled for at least 9 months. Nothing else was effective before effexor. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist on the 20th. She has been very supportive in my decision to get the band. I guess I will talk to her about whether she thinks that another drug could be as effective without weight gain. (I have gained about 60 pounds in the last year. Maybe it was the effexor and not all me?)

Hey, Smilliegal and Lala - I will be banded on the 15th too! I am in NJ, but I have a son in Rockford, IL. Is that close enough?

Hello, everyone. I am happy to join the January Bandsters! My date is January 15 at 7:00 AM. They told me to be there 2 hours early. I am dreading getting up that early almost as much as the actual surgery! LOL! I have a very long road to go, and have spent over a year researching this and preparing for it. Not to mention jumping through all the hoops for insurance (Cigna CDHP - which did finally approve it.) I tried to get it in December, since I only had about $100 left on my out-of-pocket max. Oh, well. Best laid plans and all that. So, here are my stats (I'll figure out the signature and ticker soon) Starting weight: 358 Height: 5'4" Dr. Ed Pucci, Dover NJ Surgery date: 1/15/07

NJMomof3, I am using Dr. Pucci too. It took me a year to decide to do this but now I have a surgery date of January 15. I really wish I had gone for it last year instead of wasting a lot of time with what if's. Read through some of the postings on this site and even most of the ones that have problems seem to think it is still worthwhile.

Yeah! Just got the official approval from my insurance company. I have an appointment next Tuesday to schedule the surgery. I was hoping for a December surgery, but with work commitments it looks like January.

I am also waiting for my insurance company approval. I have completed all the prep appointments. Hoping for a December date, but might not be til January. One minute I can't wait and then I get scared. I keep thinking about what happens if I fail at this, like I have failed at all previous diets. Thanks everyone for the encouragement I get from reading the posts here.