This time next week I'll be a bandster!

[anon 1]

It's lunch time on Wednesday, I'm currently enjoying the pre op yoghurt diet! (not!)

and it dawned on me that this time next week it'll all be over, and I'll be banded!

Writing this is making my stomach do somersalts!

Still feeling a bit fatalistic about the whole thing... but now it's developing into anticipation. I'm not worried about the op itself, only the usual driving test type nerves (what do I mean only!! ):nervous :nervous It's more about what will happen afterwards... I feel like I'm going to be waving goodbye to my best friend(food) forever.

I know that this is silly but it's been my biggest source of comfort over the years and I need to work on other ways to comfort myself.

I want to be slim more than anything else, but equally I don't want to spend the rest of my life feeling hungry and or deprived... What if I'm one of those people who it doesn't work for or I still feel hungry all the time?... what if I never learn to recognise the difference between real hunger and head hunger?

This is what the 'little devil on my shoulder' is whispering in my ear all the time and I'm beginning to believe his negative propoganda....

I've been telling myself that I'm not that special that I would be the only one who is hungry all the time after the op..... My body works the same as everyone elses... The fills are in MY control, which means I still control the amount that goes into my bodyl.... I'm just getting a 'conscience' fitted to my stomach that will tell me when enough is enough!!!

Did anyone else have these toughts/feelings/issues, pre op? Am I normal or am I just mad (hearing devils etc!!!)

The diet is proving to be a bit of a challenge... I keep opening the fridge! So far I've eaten 300g of natural yoghurt and 2 Activia prune yoghurts... I 've also had 2 big glasses of Water. It seems a lot then I remember that it is lunch time!

I've loads going on at work and could really do with some time without the extra stress if I'm honest!

OK done moaning now, I am excited really, I think:o

[Road Queen 0]

yes, food has been our best friend, our comforter, our celebration, etc. It is a difficult adjustment. I always thought the slow loss helped me deal with it incrementally. As my fills became tighter and more restrictive, I was ready to deal with it.

Good luck. Everything you are going through it normal.

[anon 1]

thanks for taking the time to reply RQ, I was beginning to think that everyone was ignoring me and thinking that I was a complete nutter!!

Feeling better today although I did take a tumble from grace yesterday and gave in to fish and chips! total calories for the day ended up as 2050! Which means that today I weigh exactly the same as I did yesterday!

I really feel like I should be trying to shrink my liver... even though my surgeon has just told me to eat healthily! (like fish and chips is healthy!) So today I will try to follow the Cambridge diet, with bars, as many packs as I want. Just for today. I'll decide what I want to do tomorrow.

Now I feel like an alcholic taking abstinence one day at a time!

3 more days until I fly out to Paris..... 6 days until I'm banded.... this time next week I'll be having a flouroscopy to check the position of the band!

:) :cool:

[Road Queen 0]

Please keep me posted on whether your sugeon is willing to take patients from other drs. I want to have flouro to check the position of my band. I may be going to Paris next month so it might be an option for me.

Good luck. I know the toughest thing about surgery is the head issues.

The strange this is that it seems so easy (cuz I have restriction) but when i go somewhere restriction is less, I fall back into bad habits. Because I live at a higher elevation, I can't tolerate the fill I had in the US>

I know, too much information. But I am in Yemen, have internet access for another 6 hours and hate that nobody in the US is awake. Celeste

[CJULZGO 0]

Anon~

I am getting close also. I am scheduled for April 2nd. I am feeling exactly the same way you are. I keep pressing the stop button on the little tape recorder in my head but I think I keep missing and hit rewind instead. "Will I still be hungry?" Will I lose weight or will I be that one person who has to have the band removed?" Will I be able to lose the pre-op weight?" It's making me a bit crazy. I am on disability so I have to find ways to get me to stop thinking about it. I am either on the computer or reading. I bought a bunch of books to occupy my time and mind....it has helped.

Best of luck to you!!! You will be fine!!

[anon 1]

Hey no worries, happy to chat. I'll ask Dr Anfroy.... you may have to have a referral from your surgeon if you want a flouroscopy ( I think tho' a plain xray would probably do.... unless you really want to swallow that awful stuff!!)

Living at altitude is fine so long as you stay up there! If you're in Paris for any length of time, you might want to have a fill and then unfill before going back to the Yemen. Not cheap I know, but maybe worth it if you going to be there for a month or two!

you seem to be getting around the world quite a lot your signature says that you're in Malawi! Do you work for a charity?

[Road Queen 0]

I am the budget advisor to the Ministry of Finance. I am in Yemen providing training on Cash Management for Ministry of Finance (I do the spending plans and cash flow analysis portion of training). Last month I attended the South and Eastern African Accountant General conference in Maputo. So after a year in Malawi, I'm starting to get out and enjoy the world again.

[anon 1]

WOW!!

You certainly have your work cut out for you!

Keep yourself safe and I'll email you after I get back!

[anon 1]

Well my flight is tomorrow at 1315hrs....

I am yet to pack a stitch! Been running around, not achieving very much this morning. It's now midday and I really need to get myself organised.

Last time I was in hospital I read a whole book in a day! So do I take 3 books or do I take 4??? as I'm there for 6 days....

I've got my ipod all fired up and ready to go!

I'm worrying now that my flight will be cancelled to France as it's forecast to snow on Sunday, although I've just looked at the telly now and it's not until late afternoon, so I should be OK!

I was told to pack light.... I don't think I know the meaning of the word!!!

So far I've decided I'm taking

Toiletries and make up!

lipsalve and moist mouth spray

towel

2 prs pj's and 2 nightshirts

6 pairs knickers.

2 underwired bras.

2 sports bras (non wired)

2 pairs trousers

3 jumpers

2 vests (it's gonna be cold).... this list is getting longer as I type!!

Right I need to go and get on with it!!

[lynne leck 0]

Good luck at the beginning of your journey in to band life ,Keep positive and focused and everything will be ok

[anon 1]

Thanks a ;lot Lynne, just got to my hotel in Paris, it's in a very nice part of town and I can just see the Champs Elysees if I crane my neck from my window!!!

Arrived too late for my appointment with Doc this afternoon, there was a bit of a kefuffle at the airport and a controlled explosion was carried out while we were all standing around waiting to get through passport control (no wonder the queue was HUGE!!

so will be seeing him at 8 am tomorrow morning!

[anon 1]

Hi bubble!

Thanks for posting! I'm feeling a little more anxious now. Right off to dinner with the other girl who's having the op on Wednesday with me!!

[libertysuzanne 1]

Thinking of you H. Sorry I haven't been int otuch recently. Lot of positive things happening :eek: Wishing you the best of luck and we shall chat when you are out the other side and an official Bandster!

Love n hugs

Suzanne

[anon 1]

Hi Sooz,

I've texted you with the latest update, here in Paris, using the last of my battery as I don't have an adapter for the plug (bought the wrong one!!

Will keep you updated!!