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My wife has been visiting her mother in Brooklyn for the past two weeks and so, of course, I overdid it here at LBT. So I am going on a vacation (from posting) to catch up on the housework. I have been doing my share of the work, some of her share and have had to baby sit my 6 year old grand-daughter Brooklyn, but my wife is going to expect a lot more to be accomplished when she gets home Tuesday, so I had better get to work. I have to get in the shower to get ready for church, go to church and then come home to start laundry, dishes, etc. Bye. I will miss my many friends and even those that don't like my "w:rolleyes:rds of wisd:rolleyes:m".

I kicked my major dr pepper habit a few months back. Then somehow I got a taste for Coke Fountain drinks. I threw those away a few weeks ago. I am now in my pre-op diet phase and I have to say, water definitely is my drink of choice NOW. I can't stand tea, can't stand fruit drinks everything is too sweet. I enjoy a bottle water over anything. Sometimes I may flavor it with water enhancers, but I find those seem too sweet too.

Thank you so much for your support, Newbeginning2014!! I typed my response three times, and then realized that my computer wasn't connected to the internet, so I apologize in advance if my response shows up multiple times here. It's so nice to know that you can relate to the struggles that I'm having right now. As much as I tried last night, my phone wouldn't let me edit my profile...it was actually sunflower seeds, that I was eating nonstop, not sesame seeds. I have found that sunflower seeds must be a new "trigger food" for me. It seems like every time I walk into the kitchen, I have to grab a handful or two (or more). I have learned that I can't have them in the house anymore. They sure do taste good, but they are VERY addicting to me. Thanks too, for being so honest about the gelato. I can relate to that 200%!! It's like I'm so torn... On one hand I know how important it is to shrink this liver of mine before surgery, but yet on the other hand, I keep thinking that this is the last time I can eat certain things, and I really don't like that part! I know that's not true, and that in the future, I can eat most anything that I'd like, just in much smaller amounts, but right now, my mind can't seem to understand that idea. It's like I'm in survival mode or something! I'm hoping that tomorrow is better than today (which was much better than yesterday), and that before I know it, it'll be Thursday, and then I won't have much of a choice to eat like this anymore. I guess, in a way, it just solidifies my decision to have this surgery...obviously, this isn't something that I have been able to do on my own, and I do need this "tool" to succeed. It's so nice to have the support of someone who can honestly relate to how I'm feeling! When is your surgery? I wish you the best of luck in your pre-op diet (starting on my surgery date of all days!!), and hope you stay in touch when you can. Take care and thanks so much for letting me know that i'm not alone in this journey!

Thank you both. I always start out strong in the morning, but it's like my willpower decreases as the day goes on. Like I said, I haven't had anything really "bad", but I've definitely had trouble keeping my carbs below 20 each day, especially the last few days. I'm wondering if I was doing better last week because I had better control of the carbs, and now that I don't, it's causing me to overeat (due to the carb cravings). Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll try once again. I appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

I drank liquids for two weeks and didn't add any fibre. I also didn't poop for about a week. My Docs office said, well there isn't much fiber in jello. Not to worry yet. I didn't feel really hungry until the last day of liquids. Trader Joe's has some awesome boxed soups that are sooo much better than Campbell's.

Hi Dawn, I think my original band was too tight from the start, too, though perhaps not as tight as yours. After three years I definitely started suffering regularly from reflux and heartburn, and unfills only helped for a while. My band was finally removed on 4/9 after a slip was diagnosed. Last week I had a new band put in, the new AP band. I don't know if I have the large size or not, but even the small one is a good deal larger than the original 4cc band I had. So far so good--I know it's early days but right out of the gate I am MUCH more comfortable than I had been after the initial surgery four years ago. I hear you about healing, and agree that's very important. Removal probably makes sense for you at this time. But don't close the door on replacement if it's an option for you. Good luck with whatever you decide, and I hope you heal up completely!!

I turned 43 today. I'm three days into my pre-op diet--I'm on the road to a thinner, healthier me. This is the best gift I can give myself. It will last the rest of my life. I'm sticking pretty much to Isopure protein shakes, chicken, tuna, cheese, cottage cheese, and almonds. I'm getting in about 100 grams of protein a day; my minimum is supposed to be 70. I'm doing great. My carbs are supposed to stay under 30 a day; this is soooo not a problem. Hubby took me out for dinner to celebrate. We went to Outback Steakhouse and I got the center-cut filet (medium rare) with a Caesar salad. I enjoyed every single bite, because I know it will be quite awhile before I can eat another steak or salad. It was delicious! We're looking to buy some riverfront property on the San Marcos river here in Texas. I went out and stomped around on the piece we're most interested in--most likely it's in the flood plain. I wish it wasn't. It's gorgeous. We so want to live on the San Marcos river after I graduate from dental hygiene school in May 2008. George retires from the phone company after 30+ years in December 2009. Life just keeps getting better for both of us. We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary on July 4. We've been together for almost seven years. After several failed marriages between us, we took our time getting to know each other. We are perfect for each other. Anyway, back to the lap-band. My sister had a band placed five years ago and has done very well, despite having stretched her pouch. She's lost all of her weight and has been training daily and running marathons for about three years now. I started investigating different weight-loss surgeries for me about a year ago. At first I thought I'd do the vertical sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch, but since I have Crohn's disease, my gastroenterologist wouldn't approve it for me. Then I thought the Rouen-Y--same response from my doctor. Well, then I figured that the lap-band would be okay, because it could be reversed, if I had a life-threatening flare-up of my Crohn's disease. My doctor said he thought that was a great idea. In April, I went to a bariatrics seminar held at Seton hospital here in Austin, Texas, and Dr. Mark Sherrod presented all of the information, pre-qualification factors, etc. and he was so personable. I enjoyed the presentation and spoke with him for sometime afterward. My husband came with me and enjoyed it as much as I did. He really liked Dr. Sherrod too. I made an appointment and saw Dr. Sherrod for the first time on a doctor/patient basis in May. With a BMI of 43, I was definitely a candidate for the surgery. There was a ton of paperwork to fill out, questions to answer, future appointments to schedule, etc. that kept me very busy. I went back on June 25th for a meeting with anesthesiology (for an EKG), the psychologist (to make sure I had realistic expectations), an exercise therapist (to give me ideas on what kinds of exercise was reasonable for me), a nurse with the bariatrics team (to discuss the actual surgery, possible complications, etc.), and a dietician (to discuss my eating habits, the pre-op diet, and post-op diet, and lifetime eating habit modification). My gallbladder decided to go bad, and after a couple of gallbladder tests, that came back strongly indicating a malfunctioning organ, Dr. Sherrod was kind enough to take it out for me on June 29. Whew! I feel so much better. I had my gallbladder removed at the Central Park Surgical Suites on 38th St. here in Austin. And I had such a terrific experience that I've canceled my lap-band surgery at Seton hospital, and have scheduled to have it done at the Central Park Surgical Suites. Dr. Sherrod raves about the staff there, and I can certainly understand why. I had my very own nurse who made sure that I never felt any pain. She was priceless! I don't really have any misgivings about the upcoming surgery. I know that I will mourn the loss of my best friend (food), but honestly, my best friend has let me down for 20 years. It's a sick, sick, sick relationship. Food doesn't make me feel better about myself, it hasn't made me healthy, it turned my mom into a type II diabetic, and I know I'm next. If I had a human friend who treated me the way food has, I sure wouldn't have kept that friend around for 20 years! So, the lap-band goes on July 19. It's a tool to help me control how much I eat. And since I will have such a tiny stomach, I will have to be super smart about what I put into my body. It's no different than when George stopped smoking four years ago. He used the patch, the lozenges, and the gum. They were tools to help him curb is addiction. The band will help me curb my addiction. I'm very excited about starting my new life. I'm only 43, if I treat myself well, I could live another 40 years and enjoy my grandkids and their children, and maybe even their childrens' children. How cool would that be? I'm going to commit to posting here once a week. I sure I can do it once school starts up again. We shall see.:kiss

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am almost 7 days down on the liquids and 7 to go. I want a meal so bad and keep trying to quit and reschedule for September (also because of travel plans). I keep thinking I have 2 weeks on liquid after surgery too and it makes me really nervous. Hearing you say it is easier after really helps. I had a slip up and ate popcorn last night at a movie, so I have to call my doctors office tomorrow and see what they say. I'm sure it will be fine, hearing how a lot of people just have a few days on liquid. How long before you were eating normal food and protein? Anyway, yes we have horses. Both my daughters barrel race and I used too, but refuse to now because of my weight. My daughters are way excited for me to start competing with them (if my back allows) as soon as I lose some lbs. I am in Utah.

You have to use a lot more willpower in the two weeks before surgery. The two weeks after surgery are tougher in a different way.

I can tell you that the pre-op diet was the hardest part for me. I was mentally suffering every moment of it. Post-surgery, I never felt the same way about food again. The obsession and cravings for food completely went away. If I had to do the pre-op diet again, it would be a breeze - just because I don't "need" to eat certain flavors anymore. Hang in there, I promise that a few weeks after surgery you'll look back and wonder why you thought the pre-op diet was such a challenge.

Yes, as TexasMeg stated, the two weeks after surgery will be tougher in another way. You will need to look deep within yourself and find the strength you need to begin this journey correctly starting right now. Ask yourself and write down the reasons you are doing this! Remind yourself of those reasons every time it gets tough. You are not alone, many of us have traveled this same road...if we can do u can too!! It will get easier, and make sure you have a good support system at home to help you along the way, it makes things much easier...trust me!! Remember this process is to start your body on a new way of eating and thinking to help prepare it for the next stage to come. The more disciplined you are now, the easier it will be later on to continue this discipline in other ways. Be tough, you can get through this leg of the journey

I wasn't even cleared to be in the gym until 6 weeks. I couldn't drink enough fluids fast enough to stay hydrated in the gym until about 12 weeks. I couldn't eat enough to support a workout until about 8 weeks.Why not just walk?

I started back at the gym on day 4 slower increasing my time and incline on the treadmill. I was allowed to go back to swimming at 2 weeks.

Swimming was cleared asking as my stitches were healed and gym, was cleared week after that as long as there no pain or swelling which there hadn't been, and there hasn't been, before my surgery I would easily neck a pint or water or diluting juice but missing that ability I was up and walking fine pretty much the next day, on about 4000-5000 steps but I live in the north of Scotland, so it's freezing outside and walking on the treadmill boring, so rather the bike and rower Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a large bruise also. I think it's from the slight extra pressure that they use to insert the needle into the port. Mine has been like that for a week. I just had it done again yesterday again, so I can imagine how I'm gonna look bruise-wise. I think you'll be fine.

Hi there! There is no one good answer for this question. It very much depends on the person's weight. If you'r overweight or obese its not advisable to gain too much weight. between 11-18lbs. I will take me as an example, i currently weigh 185lbs. I'm 5"2" and am 9 weeks preggers. My ob which practices 30 years+ said it's ok for me to loose weight, since I am obese. He wants to keep an eye on the baby to make sure "it" gains enough weight. Which shouldnt be a problem. He has a lot of bandsters patients. So he's very experienced. I dont need to gain the average 40lbs, its not good for my health, I would be at risk for Diabetes, Pre eclamsia, etc. which are all harmful for the baby. Of course it has to be done in a healthy way, and not starving yourself. You have to eat nutritious food. People always make the mistake, "YOU HAVE TO EAT FOR 2" , which is wrong. you eat for you and a tiny person, that doesnt need more than an extra 300 calories. Most moms to be gain more than they have to, coz pregnancy is a time they let loose, which I completely understand. Hope I was able to clarify a little bit. best of Luck to all of you!!

Heyo folks. I've been obese my whole life (40 years now), and finally made the decision to really do something about it this past spring. The funny thing is, I was scheduled to have the surgery on May 7th of 2001. I backed out because I was 25, arrogant and a know-it-all. I thought I could beat this thing myself. Well...I did beat it, and it beat me back 10 times since. This has been a decision I have been struggling with for the past 15 years. Now...I am well on my way to surgery. I'm a couple of weeks away from my final appointment and meeting my surgeon. Looks like my surgery is going to be the week of Christmas. I'm scared of a few things: Death due to anesthesia. Death due to blood clotting. Death due to complications. Thing is...I don't want to die, and that is why I am having this surgery. I want to extend what's left of my life. Would be nice to have grandchildren one day, watch my kids get married, grow old with the woman I love. Just scared of not even getting out of the gate. It's keeping me up nights. I wake up and can't get back to sleep. It's a veritable hell I am going through on this. It's started to depress me and make me irritable. It's overwhelming fear sometimes. I've almost talked myself out of it. Sometimes I think the lengthy process makes you process too much at times. The time drawn out from classes, appointments and insurance approval almost makes you wait too long, and sit with your thoughts and anxieties. If it were August or September and you told me I was having my surgery tomorrow, I would jump with joy. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you deal with it? Any pointers or suggestions? Thanks O

So today was my one month follow up visit with the Nut and Surgeon. It was actually just over three weeks since surgery but this was the only appt available. The dr said that I am doing well, I have lost a total of 26 lbs since pre op and 20 of that was fat! I have lost 5 inches off my waist and my blood pressure was normal and not bordering on being high like it has been for a while now! I am amazed and very thankful tonight. Oh, and for the first time in my life I was told to increase my calories a bit to lose weight better. ????

I'm having surgery in the morning, and I've also had the same thoughts. My mom works in an operating room, and tells me stories all the time that scare the crap out of me and makes me want to back out myself (please note most of these are trauma patient who were in rough shape to start, none were bariatric patients) But, three weeks ago a close friend lost his father to a heart attack, completely unexpected and young. Sure, death is a risk of surgery, but death is also a risk of living. You could die crossing the street, does that mean your not going to do it? Nope, but you can do what you can to prevent it, and look boths ways. The same with surgery, listen to what your doctor tells you to do, eat your Protein and take your Vitamins, drink your Water, and move around so you don't get clots, loose what they tell you too, so it is easier for your surgeon to see. Choose a Bariatric COE, so you know your taken care of. I'm still scared, but we can do this.

Nurse96 - I am not quite at the starting point of the 2-week pre-op (my first day will be the day of your procedure ) The pre-op requirements seem to vary by the dr. or facility, some with only a two day pre-op diet. You have done great to come all this way and only "cheat" with a piece of cheese or sesame seeds. I have tried to watch my intake since I made the decision to be sleeved, knowing as the two week mark got closer I would probably make some not so good choices...or justify my choice by thinking I am never going to eat ever again (I had a whole pint of gelato for dinner--twice last week.) It is hard to change the habits we have had for so long and with the added anxiety of an upcoming life change...don't be so hard on yourself. You are almost there...stay positive...you've got this!

... 150 more to go, with momentum on my side! Also, I will reach my first cycling milage goal of >100 miles per week by the end of this week. Thank you all who have provided insight into this process so far!

Aw, Karla. I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties. My DS had casts on both legs from the knee down last year. He was 10 and it was really hard. Can't imagine how it must have been with your DD being only 4. How wonderful that you are adopting twin boys. From what I can see in the picture, all three of your children are beautiful. You sound like such a loving person. Time to turn some of that love onto yourself! You absolutely deserve it! Teena

Congrats, we are in similar situations. I went in at 4 weeks and had lost close to 30 and he scheduled my first fill for the 8 week after my surgery date. My weight loss has slowed down a little, so I'm looking forward to the fill. At this point I'm within 2 pounds of shedding the obese label for the first time in 12 years.

Congratulations on a terrific start!!!! I am sort of hoping that I can get away without a fill for a while too, so your news is good to hear. You must have been thrilled to hear the nurse telling you how well you are doing! I am two weeks post op, and doing well so far. As of Jan 16 I am down about 30 pounds; 16 on pre-op diet, and 14 since Feb 3rd. I'm on the mushy stage now, and find that for the most part my hunger is easy enough to manage with careful planning and eating. I do have one problem- I seem to be allergic to the Protein powders I have been adding to my drinks and food. I've tried several different brands, but end up with skin rashes that let me know I'm not tolerating them well. So, I've got extra incentive to get my protein through food and not powders! I'm also trying some non-gmo organic soy powders, hoping they work better for me, but only as a supplement when I need them. Keep up the good work, hooray to you and everyone else who is making the band work for them! o.