bwaydiva

Panda.... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! :omg: :omg: AHHHHHHHH!!! GRRRRRR!!!! Did it work? My attempt was to scare the hiccups out of you. :nervous You could also try standing on your head. Just a suggestion. :rolleyes Hope you feel better.

Hey younger bandsters! How's it going? How's the weight loss? I get banded in only a few short days. I'm very excited. Hope you guys are doing well.

I completed my 3rd exercise session. I rode my bike to church (practicing for 1st communion/baptism/singing this Saturday) and then I rode my bike to the bank. It was neat knowing that I could easily have taken the car but I CHOSE to ride my bike. Maybe I do have some willpower... who knew?! In all honesty, one of the man reasons I'm posting is to see my little ticker being updated. 5 DAYS PEOPLE!! I'm VERY excited. Anyway, take you ya'll soon. Guysis, that game sounds fun! Julie, you'll be running before you know it. Thanks for all the support and encouragement. have a great day!

Another question: (I promise to be less "needy" after I'm banded!!) Did you all have self-discipline before you were banded? Post-op is it easier to follow a food plan and an exercise plan? Just curious. I'm in for the long haul so you don't need to sugar-coat the answers. Just wondering. Thanks Team April!

:think Seriously, I got a little teary eyed when I looked online and found all your encouraging responses. Thank you so much. I am so grateful for this thread and for this group of extraordinary women. You know when you make a big decision you can feel it in your gut if it was the right or wrong decision.... I KNOW I'm making the right call. But to not have the support of my own mom... well it's just hard. My Dad is an MD and my step-Mom is a nurse and both think that this surgery is a great idea. I'm working with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and eating problems and she thinks I'm going to do well. Anyway, thanks so much for the support and the inspiration. If I could even lose 50 pounds in a year and keep it off, I would consider this a sucess. :clap2: I'm going to get on my bike today again. I've had a sore rump since Monday but I feel great. I tackled a big hill for the first time on Monday. Okay it's not THAT big but it feels big! :nervous Julie, I hope that you continue to feel better. I'm on a leave of absence from NYU so when I come back to New York maybe we can get a chance to meet face to face! Guysis, what's Mah Jongg? Glad to here that "Poppops" is doing well. (In my family it's Poppy!) Eficka, thank you, thank you, thank you. Boo-Way to Go!! A 9:30 min mile! Wow. I am impressed! Kat-You are officially "fierce" in my book! A cowgirl by day and a lady by night. You could single-handedly play all the parts in a western melodrama. You guys rock. And yes, by this time next week, I'll be in bandland! In honor of Kat, "YEEHAW!!"

Hi team, I've been away a few days dealing with the "repurcussions of my actions." :faint: The actions being that I will be banded next week and will be self-pay. And oh, my mom, a nutritionist/dietician, thinks this is the worst decision I have ever made and that I'm too immature to even make such a decision. :cry I need some support guys. :help: If you were 20, would you have this surgery? I don't think I'm too young. I moved three-thousand miles away from home to go to school and even though I'm on a leave of absence right now to deal with my weight, I've made huge progress regarding my physical and mental health. My mom's friends have been calling me non-stop to tell me what a terrible decision this is. One of them is a doctor and told me what a high failure rate the lap band has... One of them told me that I should wait till I was 25 to make this decision because I'm too young to see the big picture- as if on my 25th birthday I will magically wake up and be wise.... One of them told me that because I don't have a comprehensive team under one roof that it's a terrible idea. PLEASE LBT friends tell me that I'm making a good decision. I KNOW I'm doing the right thing... :clap2: But sometimes you need it from an outside source. I'm scared and having pre-surgery jitters, like everyone else, and all this negativity and self-doubt is not helping me. Thanks for reading my emotional purge, Sheila P.S. On a positive note, I have completed two exercise sessions on my bike. Tin Foil Challenge: 2 out of 14 exercise sessions (20 mins)

Welcome back Julie!! YEAH!!! I'm glad that someone else is joining the Tin Foil Challenge with me. Once the tubes come out, you'll feel much better (according to my friends and family who have had PS... I can only wish!) Take it easy. Watch feel-good movies. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Sheila

I finally found the list that I was looking for! I hope that this is helpful for others! Breathe in breathe out. We're all gonna do great Love you guys, Sheila PREOPERATIVE SHOPPING LIST This list contains items that some patients wish they had before their surgeries but didn't think of til later. It is compiled from suggestions by Mandy, Photonut, Archermom, NancySmiles and her LBSG support group (including Nancy, Del, Cindy, and Toni), Gadgetlady, and NancyRN. Feel free to post your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. List put together by NancyRN FOOD For fluid stage: • Bottled water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Crystal Light • Crystal Light “On the GO” in different flavors - add to bottled water • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history* • Protein powder for shakes* • Frozen fruits for protein shakes • Clear soups • Decaf tea • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) For creamy stage: • Cream of Wheat • Creamy soups • Applesauce • Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • Soup-at-Hand soups • Small pudding cups (sugar- and fat-free) - Take a spoonful to get meds to slide down easier •Sugar-free gum (ask your doctor) •Sugar-free breath mints (Ask your doctor) *Make sure to taste each item before you buy them in bulk DRUGSTORE • Liquid medications Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X or Phazyme You will want these meds right away when you come home. It can be very difficult to find them in a liquid form. Check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or how far in advance you will need to order them. At your preop visit (or earlier if needed), ask the doctor for prescriptions so that you will have them ready when you return home. • Chewable vitamins • Stool softener • Antihistamine cream, if you tend to get irritated by tape or bandages Do not put directly on incision. • Heating pad • Flexible ice pack • Pill cutter • Gauze pads 4x4 • Non-irritating tape, such as paper tape • Kitchen timer – for 15 minute sip intervals for the first few days • Blender • Wet Wipes or “adult baby wipes” like Cottonelle • Toilet tongs (long barbeque tongs) – Use if you are just too sore after the surgery to reach around and wipe your “behind”. Just wrap the wipes around the end to get an additional few inches so you don’t have to contort yourself. OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • A few books or movies • Comfy clothes, such as loose-waisted shorts • Slip-on shoes • Squishy pillow for car ride -to cushion seatbuilt • For women, a sports bra – “doc said no underwire for a few days” Don't forget to bring chap stick with you. THINGS TO DO BEFORE SURGERY • Prepare your advance health care directive form, so key people can carry out healthcare decisions important to you if you are unable to so. Discuss your decisions with these key people, including family and doctors. One excellent way is to fill out your “Five Wishes” booklet. Obtain several weeks in advance from “Aging With Dignity”, 1-888-5-WISHES (1-888-594-7437). You can obtain other formats from your hospital or online. • Cook some chicken before surgery. Save the broth and freeze it in very small containers (ice cube trays work well). This broth has less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness). • Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital. • Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. • Catch up on your laundry and housecleaning. • Make arrangements for someone else to prepare family meals – You may not feel like cooking for some time. • Get a manicure or pedicure.

Thanks Julie!! My fellow bay area chic came thru!! I'm from Mountain View. Muchas gracias.

Please :help: I'm looking around online for the super comprehensive list of what to bring to the hospital and what to have around post surgery. I can't find it!! Grrr... Can someone help me locate it? All I remember is "toilet tongs." :confused: I just remember that because I'm immature :heh: and I thought that it was funny! It was a great list that a couple of different groups added to.. Where, oh where can it be? :drama:

Boo I am a professional chew-er-out-er of myself! I love Napoleon Dynomite... it was so silly. You RAN? Uphill?? That's amazing. Boo just for a moment remember that you can RUN 5 km straight without dying!!! That in itself is a huge accomplishment by my book! As for the 30 pounds, I went to a summer weight loss program for college women. Ironically I didn't even stay the whole time. But I did lose 40 pounds...10 of which I've gained back. I'm looking forward to seeing those numbers MOVE!! Julie, we all miss you! You are such an inspiration to all. I hope that you're up and about soon. I'm sending positive vibes toward you right now!! Kat, please don't think this is a stupid question but what are you herding? Horses, cows, sheep? I live out in cow country right now. They, the cows, pretty much stay in the same place all year round. Final thought: I just heard the geese flying over my house! That means officially that spring is here and summer is just around the corner! Woo hoo!

AHHHH!! APRIL IS HERE!!! I'm SOOOOO excited!!!! (as if you couldn't tell.) If you can, go join the exercise challenge. To see those April Bandits... wow... I can only dream of being that sucessful! Love to all. I'll post later.

Please Help I'm looking around online for the super comprehensive list of what to bring to the hospital and what to have around post surgery. I can't find it!! Grrr... Can someone help me locate it? All I remember is "toilet tongs." I just remember that because I'm immature and I thought that it was funny! It was a great list that a couple of different groups added to.. Where, oh where can it be?

Molly: Not with this Pope! He's super conservative... with Pope JP... well I think he'd like my embracing my original being, sans clothing. He, he. Pot roast is ALWAYS good the second day. I'm on my Farewell Tour de food and tonight I had nachos. Nachos do not hold over very well. But Pot Roast.. mmm... sounds tasty. Hope you feel better! I failed Team April. =( I didn't go bike riding. My car died and my whole evening plan when ca-fooey (I'm from California so it has to be CA-fooey... other states it's just fooey) So maybe tomorrow I will get on my bicycle. I know I'm procrastinating...I just look like an idiot... a fat idiot when I exercise. Oh well, idiocy here I come!! Good night all.

I think that the praying idea is a really good one! Even if you're not into prayer per se, sending positive thoughts and vibes have been known to make people feel better and faster! Seriously, it was in the New England Journal of Medicine!! I just wanted to wish all of you Monday morning bandsters safe surgeries and speedy recoveries. I cannot believe its April! This is OUR month. Truly a new beginning for all. Break a leg (that's good luck in theatre-speak!) With love, Sheila

Okay so I know it's the 31st still but I'm gonna go for a bike ride to the bank and then to Church. Mind you that's maybe a mile total but it's a start! First... I probably should do some laundry. I don't have ANY clean clothes!! I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that the Catholic Church is opposed to nude, fat ladies riding bicycles!! Ta ta for now!

Hi April Bandsters! Okay so I'm obviously a newbie and I'd LOVE to join your challenge but I can't exercise for 35 minutes straight... YET! I have EVERY intention of getting to that point soon but I need to build up to it. So I'm gonna do the tin-foil medalist of 14 sessions that are 20 minutes long. Can I still be part of your challenge? You all are such a huge inspiration. I'm so grateful for all the advice and encouragment you've given to the newbies. Thanks so much, Sheila

Jane, I'm self pay. The total out of pocket expense for me is 15,600 so it sounds like you're definitely in the right ball park. I'm using funds that I set aside for school to pay for my band. For me, there was no point in going to school where I was miserable because of my size. Professionally, when I graduate from school, I would have no options or jobs because of my weight. (I'm a soprano.) I'm trying to live in the present and pray that I'm making the right call. Yes it's a LOT of money but like the commercials: One Lap Band: around $15,600 A Few Sessions with a Therapist: $300 Gym Membership: $45 a month A life that is no longer defined by obessions over food, pounds lost/gained and painful social situations: Priceless Good luck with your choice. Ask yourself if last year at this time you had gotten the band, how different would your life be today? Have a goodnight.

Tracy sounds like a great idea! Okay now seriously, I need to go ride my bike!

Hey.... one last thought. I know we talked about it but what about an exercise challenge? Exercise is VERY important pre-op and we all know the benefits post op. Let's start with something really simple like 4 days a week for fifteen minutes each. So 16 sessions for the month of April? I don't know about you guys but exercise is certainly going to be a challenge and I'd love the support. Let me know if you're interested or if you think I'm crazy.

Heather, I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. Sara, it's so funny that you said that about fabrics. I go to the mall whenever I'm stressed just to feel the fabrics of the clothes. It's weird just how soothing that can be! I really do feel a shift in the air...so to speak... within our little thread. If you read back many of us, including myself, were freaking out. Now it seems that the April bandsters as a group, though still excited and anxious, are embracing the challenges ahead instead of fearing them. There is much more talk about doing therapy and acceptance of the new. Anyway, just some thoughts before I get off my butt and ride my bike. STAY STRONG!

Did any of you wait until you were at a certain weight to start running? Running HURTS right now... does it hurt less when you're smaller? Or should I just admit that I'm not a runner? You guys are all such an inspiration! I can't imagine running 1 km let alone 8-15 km in one day. Seriously, that's amazing.

Yippee! So I got up this morning and decided to take the bull by the horns and try this exercise thing. I have dreaded exercising but my surgery is in a couple of weeks and I would like to build up my oxygen levels. (I'm a singer so my lungs are good but I thought it would be a good start) Okay, I decided on riding my bike. I rode for only about 20 minutes and didn't go very far. However 10 minutes into it, my jaw started to ache and I tasted blood in my mouth. Did anyone else have this experience when they first started out? I'm also really energized... Does that mean I didn't work hard enough? I know it's only my first day.... still if ya'll could help me answer some of these questions that would be great! Thanks for reading.

I'm getting banded in a few weeks and I've been wondering what my body will look like at or near goal. :help: Does cellulite ever disappear? Do stretch marks ever fade back into the skin? :faint: I suppose I'm hoping that everyone will say "Yes Sheila!! My stretch marks and cellulite are ALL gone!" :clap2: Wishful thinking, I know.:think I suppose I'm hoping that my age will help my poor skin snap back into place and my body will forget that it's ever been obese. Kind of pathetic and vain but I'm still curious none the less. Thanks for reading. With love, Sheila

Can't talk long. I actually threw out my scale today. (I'll get another one after surgery.) I was really getting down on myself about why I haven't lost weight pre-op. I don't have a pre-op diet but I was gonna try to do something anyway... well that didn't work out so well. Whenever I "diet" I just manage to gain more weight and I feel hungry all the time. When I'm hungry I'm pretty bitchy and since I work with kids that wasn't really working out. I'm excited about the band and working hard battling the voices of self-doubt and self-loathing. I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well. April is just around the corner guys!! Talk to ya'll soon. Love, Sheila