October Bandsters!!!

[♥EyeOnPrize♥ 2]

I am SO glad to see this group so active so quickly! I just got off the phone with the lady at my drs office that does the insurance and found out that I can start my preop diet next week! I am supposed to have only 4 shakes and fresh veggies if needed! First off I can not stand the over whelming sweet taste of these shakes and wow... 4 a day for 2 weeks??? I see lots of chasing it with Water and eating veggies to cleanse my palet after drinking them! I saw EyeOnPrize posted about her children and what to tell them... I have 5 kiddos and the only one who really knows what is happening is my oldest (13). I have talked to her to help her understand what it is and why I am doing it, but all of my other kids when they have heard anything said about the surgery and asked we have told them that I am having my gallbladder out (which I am at the same time) and they seem to understand that because they have seen me have gallbladder attacks before. I hope that helps them understand since they know how painful it is to have an attack and I am trying to not have anymore! It is so exciting to know that I have read and read and read on these boards for so long and now it is actually coming up to my turn to join in over on the losers bench!

Yes! For the 1st time in my life I want to be a LOSER too! lol

[formykids2 4]

Lol that is really sad that we can actually have that desire huh?? To be a "loser" and actually work for it! I will be a very gracious loser :-)

[54Shirley 105]

I am glad to be a Loser.

Better to lose then gain.

So, I'll take it

I have a post on the post op site about spreading the good news.

I have lost 110 lbs. since my last weigh in. about a weak ago.

I even have photos in my album.

I would have never done that before ! But now... I will start posting

smaller sizes as they come along.

So I'm very proud to be a Loser.

[Poppie'sMouse 0]

I am glad to be a Loser.

Better to lose then gain.

So, I'll take it

I have a post on the post op site about spreading the good news.

I have lost 110 lbs. since my last weigh in. about a weak ago.

I even have photos in my album.

I would have never done that before ! But now... I will start posting

smaller sizes as they come along.

So I'm very proud to be a Loser.

AWESOME JOB!!!

I can't wait to join also...

[♥EyeOnPrize♥ 2]

I am glad to be a Loser.

Better to lose then gain.

So, I'll take it

I have a post on the post op site about spreading the good news.

I have lost 110 lbs. since my last weigh in. about a weak ago.

I even have photos in my album.

I would have never done that before ! But now... I will start posting

smaller sizes as they come along.

So I'm very proud to be a Loser.

Wow Shirley!

That is so FANTASTIC! Congratulations!

I deem you THE BIGGEST LOSER! And, that is meant with nothing but love!

["AmyRose" 2]

GO YOU!!!! I cant wait to be a loser like you

I am glad to be a Loser.

Better to lose then gain.

So, I'll take it

I have a post on the post op site about spreading the good news.

I have lost 110 lbs. since my last weigh in. about a weak ago.

I even have photos in my album.

I would have never done that before ! But now... I will start posting

smaller sizes as they come along.

So I'm very proud to be a Loser.

[CindyBklyn 4]

Hi I'm happy to join this group. I'm schedule Oct 14th and have been excited until seeing my husband have the Lapband earlier this week. I know this is only a temporary situation but still difficult to watch and making me nervous. Anyone else been through something similar?

[m1aman 944]

Hi there. What do you mean you were excited? What have you seen that has changed your outlook?

Hi I'm happy to join this group. I'm schedule Oct 14th and have been excited until seeing my husband have the Lapband earlier this week. I know this is only a temporary situation but still difficult to watch and making me nervous. Anyone else been through something similar?

[HeavyDutyQ-tee 2]

Hello October Bandsters!!! I wasnt able to log on yesterday due to a long day at work but I am so happy at all the success our October group is having. I hope we keep up this momentum and keep supporting each other.

There is so much to comment on... Let's see, where should I start...

54Shirley, GREAT JOB!!! When I grow up i want to be a LOSER just like you!!! Yay...

On the topic of telling people about your surgery, me personally, I have told all my closest friends and family. I have also posted updates about my surgery on my Facebook page where everyone can see. I don't care what people think. Im doing this surgery for me and only me. So if the next person has something negative to say, I simply ignore it because I have the positive support I need from the people that mean the most to me. This surgery is only a tool to help me in my weight loss journey and with the LapBand we really have to work hard for our success. This is really not the EASY WAY OUT (in my opinion). So I would tell the world if I could. I also plan to show the world as well.

Next... As far as telling our children, I only have 1 child, my soon to be 13yr old daughter. I told my daughter about my surgery for 2 reasons. Its only me and her in our household. I am a single-mom, so she will kinda be my support system at home. I just felt I needed to let her know what I plan on doing with my body and all the risk that come with it because invasive or not, surgery is dangerous and death is a risk. I sat with my daughter and showed her a mild video of gastric bypass surgery and then LapBand surgery. She was a little unsure at first but when she saw how simple the LapBand surgery was, she became excited for me. I explained to her that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. I told her that losing weight does affect my outer appearance but this surgery to me means more than just my appearance, I want to become a healthier happier and more energetic person. She plays basketball and is ready to help me in my journey. She even wants to start eating healthy with me. She says she cant wait for the day where we can go bike riding together and she can show me how to play basketball. I can't wait to be more physically involved in her life as well.

It is crazy to see that different doctors require different things for the pre-op diet. I see everyone talking about liquids and shakes... but I have to do a 10day Atkins (low carb) diet. I don't know why? My surgery is October 14th and I plan to start my diet October 1st.

Hey EyeOnPrize... Your not the only one!!! This past week has been crazy for me. I have really been indulging in lots of food that I know will be off my food list for awhile or maybe even for life. Saturday I had Red Robins. Monday I had Chipotle. Tuesday I had Culver's. Yesterday I Pepe's. Today I am having Popeye's chicken. Not really sure what Ill be having Friday but this weekend we will be going to Red Lobster for ALL YOU CAN EAT SHRIMP. Its like saying bye to the foods I love. Am I wrong for this? Did anyone else go thru this or experiencing this?

Well October Bandsters... I just want to wish everyone great success on your journey... We have to stick together and encourage each other. Until next time...

P.S. I need some Protein Shake suggestions... What have you all tried? Whats your favorite so far? THX...

[cowboysmommy 0]

Hello new friends!

I'm Lisa & my surgery date is Oct.6th @ 7:30am. I live in Paris, Tx which is 2 hr NE of Dallas. I started my pre-op diet today, it consists of 3 Myoplex shakes a day & clear calorie free liquids only...I am pretty nervous right now. I went out for my "last supper" last night with my DH & my 3 yr old son Blue. We had my favorite Sushi!

I am so excited about the new life I will have starting today! I can not wait to be healthy. I have diabetes, hypothyroid, GERD & high blood pressure. I am 32, 5'1" & as of this morning I weigh 196.2.

My dad had gastric bypass 4 yrs ago & I took care of him the whole way through. He has lost all his extra weight & kept it off. He is going to come help me through my surgery & I can't wait to see him!

So what name are we going to give ourselves? Any ideas?

[m1aman 944]

Hello! I am also diabetic and hypothyroid so I know the problems those things can cause as far as weight go. Good luck to you.

Hello new friends!

I'm Lisa & my surgery date is Oct.6th @ 7:30am. I live in Paris, Tx which is 2 hr NE of Dallas. I started my pre-op diet today, it consists of 3 Myoplex shakes a day & clear calorie free liquids only...I am pretty nervous right now. I went out for my "last supper" last night with my DH & my 3 yr old son Blue. We had my favorite Sushi!

I am so excited about the new life I will have starting today! I can not wait to be healthy. I have diabetes, hypothyroid, GERD & high blood pressure. I am 32, 5'1" & as of this morning I weigh 196.2.

My dad had gastric bypass 4 yrs ago & I took care of him the whole way through. He has lost all his extra weight & kept it off. He is going to come help me through my surgery & I can't wait to see him!

So what name are we going to give ourselves? Any ideas?

[jamief 0]

Just wanted to wish all October bandsters luck. I know many of us will be starting our pre-op diet today. My surgery is the 6th and I start my diet thursday. We have all worked hard to get here and our journey has started. I know we will all do great.

My surgery is the 5th!!! I am so excited for it to be here! I must say though this site has really helped me!

[cowboysmommy 0]

Thank you M1aman! I am excited to share this journey with other people who understand. Hope your day is going well.

[SoccerMom17 0]

WHO DO YOU TELL?: My husband and daughter know (she is 15), and some close, close friends, along with 3 co-workers. I don't really care who knows that I am having the surgery, I am just more afraid that something won't work, and then having to explain THAT.

PRE-OP DIET: I am on day 3 now of the pre-op diet. And...I cheated on day 1...I had 2 handfuls of chex mix I now realize it was the salt I was craving more than anything. So yesterday for lunch, day 2, I added in a couple of allowed "if you are really hungry" foods - cherry tomatoes and and sugar-free Jello. (Besides the 5 Optifast products - 3 shakes, a bar, and a Soup.) I salted those 5 cherry tomatoes and savored every bite. HUGE difference last night in my hunger. Yes, I was "mentally" hungry, but I could stop myself by identifying it as brain hunger and not body hunger.

Today I was a little lightheaded with some headache, but hunger is getting more manageable. Won't this be easier after surgery, because you will have the restriction?

I am pleasantly surprised at how good the Optifast Soup is. I bought a Magic Bullet little blender (LOVE THIS APPLIANCE!), pour 8 oz. of hot Water in to the cup, add the soup mix and blend it. No dry chunks of stuff that won't dissolve like other dried Soups. I am also allowed to add seasonings, so have added Taste of Home (? - some brand like that) Seasoned Salt with Herbs and it is good - feel like I am eating a meal with my family.

So exciting to be on our journey together!

["AmyRose" 2]

So today is day 1 of my pr-op diet and not loving it. My morning started off running 35 min late to work. I am NEVER late. I am the one waiting in the parking lot for the first person with a key to show up to let me in. Then a lady who I work with had made chocolate chip Cookies and has a huge tub of them here for everyone to share. My office is also the breakroom while we are expanding office space so they are just sitting behind me yelling at me say YOU CANT HAVE ME. I am doing ok with not having one. I want to do this right. What is hard is that I have a lady I work with who is trying to get me to eat a cookie. She hates the idea that I am getting lap band becasue her sister has failed on lap band. ( She eat whatever she wants and blames the band not working) Well she has had 5 cookies already and its not even noon. I just dont understand how someone can judge me for getting lap band when she is almost at a half dozen cookies in 3 hours. And they are big the size of you face cookies. Come on really. Did you need cookie 3 4 and 5. Sorry for the rant but I had to get it out. Hope you all are well and staying strong.