March 2007 Bandsters

[Sharon67 0]

I am nervous too. My co-worker and I both were going to do this together, although insurance has denied her now. She is appealing. But now I really feel alone. Not to mention this co-worker, is my supervisor. I am afraid she may start treating me differently since my surgery was approved. I hope all goes well with you and me both. I am in Missouri and am 39 soon to be 40 but we will forget that!!!

[Scarlett 0]

I just found out my surgery is March 15th!! Please add me to the list because I need extensive head therapy (lol) and support for this adventure in my new life. One minute I am ready to go and the next scared that I will once again fail myself with another diet. I am such a complete person in most phases of my life but I have never been able to get it together with my weight. It has now started to affect other stages of my health. I love all of the support here and I am ready to be a band sister!!

[Fenton 3]

Heyo, Fenton here.

46, heading for my appointment in NYC on March 15th.

At least, I *think* I am - I have a surgical date, but I haven't heard about the insurance clearance yet. I've jumped through all the other hoops, though, and my insurance does cover the procedure (in theory) - I just hope they get their act together, because I've reserved time off from work, and it's such a hard thing for me to arrange.

I'm not worried about the surgery. Reading the posts here has been a really useful eye-opener; in the presentations I attended, everyone just went on about how great the lap band is, and how great their lives are now that they're banded, but no one went into the harder part of the process. I was intrigued by all of the descriptions of discomfort and poor sleep; I'm glad I found out about this side of things now, rather than discovering them for myself after the initial presentations had me imagining I'd be out ballroom dancing, 50 pounds lighter, the night after my surgery!

So I know to expect some significant discomfort, and if it happens, I won't worry, I'll just know it's my body adjusting to the changes it has to undergo if it's going to get healthy again. I'll take my liquid tylenol, turn up the heat on my warming pad (thank you, Pre-Op checklist thread!), and embrace the discomfort as a milestone on my journey.

I'm glad to meet you all, and I wish us the best of luck for a smooth ride...

Fenton

[slikchik10 85]

I must say I really am glad for this website. I know that when I went to my patient education seminar yesterday, I had really read most of the info about the lapband here on the message boards. Thanks everybody!

[Mrs Husker 3]

:faint: I just counted the days I have left, 30 days and a wake up. I can't believe it. This is the first time I have gotten nervous about it. I think that for some reason, counting the day left made it real. Before it was like a dream, now that I know that I have one month left, I don't know, it's just real. Does anyone understand what I'm saying or do I just need to wake up and get the coffee going?

[magnolia 1]

I know just what you are feeling. My surgery is two weeks from tomorrow (3/5) and I still don't feel that it is really going to happen. At this point two years ago, I backed out. This time I am going through with it no matter what. But I am reallt scared. Yesterday I forced my self to shop for all the Protein Shakes etc that I will need starting tomorrow. Tonight my husband is taking me out for a steak and then I begin the pre-op liquids/veggies tomorrow. I am worried about my compliance to this part of things since it seems so many on this board have little or no pre-op diet to follow and have still had successful surgeries.

Reading the board can be so supportive at times, but at other times so scary..re, the pain, those who are not successful etc. I am most worried about the post-op pain, and being able to eat out in public and enjoy a meal with friends. I am most excited about getting my blood suga/cholesterol/pressure back to normal; and of couse looking and feeling better physically.

Basically I need som reassurance from those who have been through it , and those who are about to.

[tammyj 15]

:welcome2: Good&Ready, Scarlett, and Fenton!!!

Scarlett, we have the same surgery date!!! Good Luck at your appts Good&Ready and Fenton! Keep us posted!

[ohiobluegal 4]

I am getting banded on March 15th and have all the same feelings. Should I....shouldn't I?? It can get very frustrating. But, I know deep down inside this is the right decision for me. I have eaten all the "good stuff" the first 40 years so now I have to eat what I should have the next 40. Its just my way of looking at it.

Any food ideas we could share with each other would be helpful. I am starting to make lists of food that I can and cannot eat. Delicious recipes that you would like to share would be wonderful.

Good luck everyone!!!:clap2:

[Sharon67 0]

I am scheduled for march 12. I have some of the same feelings. The pre op diet scares me most. I do not like the Protein Drinks they make me throw up.. the smell and the tate is nasty. I have to do them for 10 days prior then for a few weeks after. I have found the Isopure zero carb fruit flavored drinks they are a bit better just have an after taste. What else are people allowed to have on the 10 day pre op?

[gailannr 1]

Hi Everyone!

Happy to have a home with the March Bandsters!

My surgery is scheduled for March 7th. I am starting my liquid diet today. I am about ready to drink the first one in about 2 minutes! I have to lose 8 lbs. in 18 days but I think I can do it!

Gail

[Sugarbear 2]

Hi, I am Joan, I have posted in a couple places on this board, but I'm not sure I was doing it right, because I never got a reply. But, I'm new, have just been approved this past week, and will have my first visit with the doctor this coming thursday. I have been this board for a couple of months now and hope to have someone to encourage me as I go through this. I am from Indiana, 50 years old and kind of nervous.

Hello Joan. Welcome aboard. I think everyone is nervous pre surgery and then again post surgery. I am nervous too. VERY! I start my pre-op Wed. and surgery 3/7. I doubt myself sometimes, that's worse than others doing it. BUT I am determined to get through the next six weeks, I think that will be the hardest. You will get a lot of encouragement from these bandsters. They are great. You may want to visit a few other boards also. Lots of Good info lurking around. Good luck and hang in there. Keep us posted.

[gailannr 1]

Hi Sugarbear,

We have the same surgery date and fairly close in age. Where are you from. You can get most of my info at the bottom of my reply. Best Wishes to you!

Gail

[Scarlett 0]

:welcome2: Good&Ready, Scarlett, and Fenton!!!

Scarlett, we have the same surgery date!!! Good Luck at your appts Good&Ready and Fenton! Keep us posted!

Tammyj...yes we are going to be band sisters!! I am busy making meals to freeze so that hubby can just zap them and I will not be tempted to take *licks* during my recovery time. I need to just stay out of the kitchen. Will power is not one of my strong points so I am hoping my band will be there to remind to behave. Today is a strong day...I can do this!!!!

[Sophie248 0]

I woke up feeling the worry and fear today also, but then realized this is what I've wanted for 17 years of struggling to take off my weight - a better chance - something that will help me keep the weight off after I do all the hard work. Just knowing that I will have a much better chance to keep it off with the band is so empowering and motivating.

I'm going to look at this opportunity as a gift from God. It is just amazing to me how this all fell into place. I will trust that He knows what is best for me, and is guiding me. I beleive He wants to help me end this struggle that has taken so much out of me, and that is threatening my health and wellbeing. I will still be nervous and afraid at times, but will go to Him to calm my fears and to help me keep perspective. Soon our pre and post surgeries will be a distant memory and we will be well on our way to a more positive and healthy life. I KNOW it will all be worth it!!

[Sugarbear 2]

Hi Gail. I am from SW Arkansas. I will be having my surgery in Texas on the 7th by Dr. Keilin, with Precision Surgery. Her husband Dr. Heiker will assist. They are a husband/wife team. They are the only ones in our immediate area that does lapband. I have never heard a bad word about either one of them. So as far as the doctor end of all this I feel very good. I start my pre-op Wed. Ugh. I have to do 3-4 Slimfast Optima a day. After 3 days I can swap one SFO for a garden salad w/fatfree dressing. That, I am afraid will be a long two weeks. I just have to do it. Many others do and live through it....so shall I! haha. Lets stay in touch so we can compare our surgery experiences. Take care and good luck.