Rachael

She was amazing. So very nice and took her time with me. I was banded on 3/18/11. I went through an eight month process with her. I have already lost 8 pounds...not hungry, just sore and tired right now. I have been on Clear liquids. Magee Hospital is a wonderful place, I am so glad that I went through the process there.

Love my friends on here. Again, I feel the same way! We are surgery day buddies....I got my band 3/18. So glad I am not alone in having these feelings. I felt like a terrible mother/wife today. It will get better.

So glad you posted this. I got banded on the 18th and have had similar thoughts. I said the same thing to my nurse the day after surgery but we are going to be fine. I have a close friend who lost 85 lbs with the band. She got it a year ago. She is my main support. We can do this and we will be able to eat in moderation again. I have terrible gas pain right now but keep thinking positive. We are strong and will get through this with God's help! I don't want to offend you, but without God, I would be a constant mess. So glad you posted this and remember you are not alone in this feeling!!

I got my band on 3/18 too. I am having lots of pressure from the gas and some port pain. Still taking pain medicine. not as easy as I thought it would be but every day keeps getting better. Good luck and can't wait to see your success story!!

I am feeling nervous but mostly hungry. I have been on clear liquids since yesterday. It is hard but the time has flown by fast. Please say a prayer for me tomorrow. Thanks, Rachael

Mine is 5 days of liquids. i get to use protein shakes for the first three days and I have to ask about the last two days. I start the diet on Sunday.

I start my liquid diet on Sunday. I thought it was supposed to start one and a half weeks ago (2 shakes and lean protein for dinner) but ended up getting a sinus infection and talking to my surgeon's office. Mine is 5 days of liquids. I am dreading it but will do it to the best of my ability. I wish I could help you with more advice. The one thing I did was stock up on herbal teas. I am going to be drinking those with spenda for most of the days so I don't feel as hungry. We will get through this part.

I am having surgery on March 18th and am getting worried and afraid. First off, worried about surgery itself and afraid that this won't work for me. I tried to talk to my husband about it and he told me to cancel the surgery. I don't want to cancel the surgery. I know that I need it. I guess I am just looking for some encouragement. I have some will power but my hunger seems to over-power it. I think the band will help---first because I don't want to screw it up by eating what I am not allowed to have and second by keeping hunger pangs at bay. Any help/encouragement/suggests would be great! Rachael

Thanks everyone! I was looking at my two small boys (2 and 6 years) and realized why I started this whole process. I am tired of being heavy. I can't play with them without getting tired and out of breath. I hate that my back hurts and people look right pass me like I am stupid (I have a master's degree). I am ready. I think I just got a case of cold feet. I have realized something on my "last meal" Quest....nothing taste that good. I mean for a second it tastes good then, I get disgusted with myself. I can't wait to be able to wear shorts this summer without being embarassed. I can't wait to not be the fat mom in every group. I will be able to get through 5 days of the liquid diet and the surgery....I can do this. NO EXCUSES!! God will help me!

Thank you so much! I am being banded on March 18th and am nervous. I hope to feel the same way you do....food has become my best friend and worse enemy.

Not sure what I just did. I wasn't put on a pre-op diet either. I was told to do two days of Clear liquids and eat/drink nothing on the day of surgery. I was doing some Protein shakes. I did add a couple of frozen strawberries but will not do that after surgery. I have been sick with a sinus infection and haven't felt like eating this week....so I have lost about 3 pounds. I plan to get back on track....my surgery is March 18th. I have been doing high protein/low carbs meals and drinking Protein Shakes for breakfast/dinner.

I am getting banded on March 18th so I am nervous/excited too. I came down with a stupid sinus infection but emailed and the surgeon said I should still be fine. I started medicine. I have never had surgery before so this is a completely new experience. Reading everyone's surgery story helps tremendously.

I am starting the three week pre-op diet today. Two shakes and lean protein. Then, 3 days of clear liquid for surgery on March 18th. Excited and reminding myself I can do this!!

Good luck! I am going to buy some frozen fruit to add to my smoothies. I also added some sugar free jello pudding so not too bad. I just can't be with my family while they are eating "real" food. I also get to eat dinner tonight--lean protein, veggies and 1 cup of fruit. Here's to shrinking our livers and changing our lives for the better!!

I am getting banded on March 18th by Dr. Hamad. I am nervous/excited. Reading and trying to start to incorporate some of the lifestyle changes. Rachael

Hi! I was wondering if you had your surgery at Magee Hospital. The reason I am asking is that the same recipe featured in their newletter which I found this morning. Something is telling me that I better make this recipe after my surgery. thanks! Rachael being banded on 3/18/11

I have been doing it too. I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend indulging in all sorts of treats--fast food, ice cream, candy, etc. I wanted a pizza hut stuffed crust pizza. I ate it after a cheeseburger baconator at Wendys. I should add I didn't eat the whole pizza. I needed to do it. I felt crappy after eating the junk....it's like I had to get it out of my system. Crazy thing is that I lost a pound....I still drank water. I am ready now. Nothing tasted that great.....I may have one final last meal at the Olive Garden. But, other than that, I am going back to my 6 month diet and have been incorporating more and more protein.

I don't blame. I am lucky that very few people have said negative things to be about getting the lap band. They don't understand how hard it is to continually lose and gain weight. I think that some people are just jealous or looking for an easy road. I like the band because you have to work with it for weight lost and it's basically your decision not to graze, work out and work with the band. You can do it! Keep the positive and forget the negative.

I am getting banded on March 18th. Feels like forever and too fast at the same time. I started the process in August 2010. I am nervous/excited. The surgeon's office told me to do two days of clear liquids before surgery and nothing about a pre-op diet. I have been reading Dr. Sewell's book and might do the three weeks of protein shakes/small dinners. I don't want there to be any complications with my liver, etc.

I found out I have sleep apena too. Went to the clinic last night and was told mine was moderate. I will get a CPAP machine in a couple of days. I was lucky ...the mask didn't bother me too much last night. I agree with you, without the pre-oper testing, I would have never known.

My mother in law told me that she thought that the gastric by-pass would be a better option for me because I have the "will power of a gnat." She was the one who wanted the gastric by-pass because she thought it wouuld "easier" and even lied to the doctor by carrying weight on her to make herself weight heavier. I decided a long time ago not to listen to her. You can do this. I say leave your boyfriend but easier said than done after 3 years. Read the bandwagon book and fully commit to it. I am starting to slowly to make some changes (got approved by insurance and waiting for a surgery date). You can do it. Don't listen to what others say....most of the time they are not speaking the truth! Rachael

I wanted to slip the s*** out of her. But didn't. My husband and I work at the same company. He works downstairs in computers. I am a social worker. I told her that I didn't that was a good idea. I wouldn't want her raising my kids. She is just jealous. She in a miserable marriage, etc. I feel more sorry for her than any thing. My husband told me he wouldn't want her. She is a CRAZY person. I guess my whole point with offering that was to say not to listen to people who have no idea what they are talking about. Stay with the people who are successful...the same thing I tell my clients who are getting clean off drugs and alcohol. I am so happy to have support on this website. Thanks to everyone

After I called the surgeon's office, I finally got a call yesterday. I was approved for surgery. I am so nervous/excited. I been reading the Bandwagon book which is helping tremendously. I have also ordered a cookbook and more weight lost/lap band books. It helps me to be prepared. But I am ready for this life-long change to be healthier, happier, and able to shop in Victoria Sercets (haha). Rachael