June 2007 Bandsters

[toniteach 0]

Should I go out tonight or tomorrow and get my "last supper!!!. I feel like what do I get? I am ready to get going on this fasting for two weeks, but I know like you who are in it, i will struggle and I am worried too.

Talk about excitement in the air....Janine, I can *feel* it in your post!!!! I'm so excited for you, for us all!

We have the same Band-Day, and I thought I'd share what I'm planning as far as last supper/s. I'm having two! One tonight with my immediate family...we're going out for seafood since I've heard shrimp can be almost a no-no with the band. I can't imagine that if you chew it forever, but who knows???? Then tomorrow I'm going to meet my Mom at my favorite restaurant that I can visit anytime after banding, but just want to eat "normally" one last time!

Then I say, bring on the 2 week pre-op diet! I'm actually anxious to start, though I'm sure after one week I may not feel the same :eek:

Cheers!

--Toni

[toniteach 0]

I bought a Raliegh, Venture 3.0 comfort bike. I pick that up today...was supposed to get it yesterday, but it wasn't ready yet. I can't wait to get out an ride it!!! Anyone else stop riding a bike because you felt "too fat" to ride or that people would laugh at you because you're fat and riding a bike?? I've let that fear keep me off of a bike for years...NO MORE!!!

<O:p</O:p

Congrats on the purchase of your new baby, MM!!!! I have a nice bike, too, that I've ridden less than a dozen times in a few YEARS! I also have a trailer that goes behind it so I can take my girls. It's just too hard for me with my weight, and I am self-conscious like you said. I hope that this fall, when the weather is cooler in Texas, I'll be out there taking the girls around again. If anything, I should be getting tired of the treadmill, even though the treadmill is a beaute: it has a TV screen that I can watch my TiVo'd programs and a fan!!! Now I just need some extra motivation to get on it and watch my shows. It's easier to do it from my comfy bed!! :eek:

I was wanting to get a good pair of shoes just for the treadmill. Any suggestions???

Thanks!

Toni

[mjsafari 0]

2bthinagn - Yes I am in KC -Belton actually. Dr. Malley is my surgeon.

I thought others would relate to the love/hate food "stanza". I am a nurse not a poet! I just wanted to put something in to words.

I am SOOO worried about the post-op real food diet. I am definitely a binge eater, so I know the band will help with that, but it is the snacking I am worried about. I do eat when I am not hungry and am concerned about learning not to do that, but my motivation is my 4 year old. She is already a grazer and will eat every time I eat or anyone else eats, so we really have to get food in check. We are taking junk out and bringing in only healthy Snacks. I don't know what we are going to do about fast food though. I don't want the kids to feel like they are being punished because Mom and Dad are dieting, but I need to break their fast food habit also. I guess we will take it one day at a time.

My husband has been amazing on the pre-op - his surgery is Thursday. I will start mine next week, just as he is moving to mushies. I hope to be as good as he has been! We found a stationary bike at at garage sale for $3.00, so I am going to hop on that in the evenings and pedal in front of the TV. I do hope to get to a comfortable weight for real bike riding some day!

Counting everyday! Missy

[JackieP12 0]

I'm with you MM, on the bike riding thing. That was one of the first things I said I wanted to do when asked why I wanted the surgery. I know this probably sounds stupid too, but I can't wait to be able to tie my shoes without my face turning 100 different shades of red and huffing and puffing as I do it.

I cleaned out my fridge and pantry and cupboards a couple of days ago. Wow, what a feeling of renewal. My kitchen is practically bare now, except for things for post op diets. My husband (who is also having surgery) couldn't believe it when he opened the fridge. Has anyone else done this yet and felt that way? I can't really explain it, but it's a REALLY good feeling, not to see the shelves of the pantry packed with junk food. It's like a new beginning to my new eating life.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I love that we are all so psyched and ready to help one another. I love the idea of a shadow buddy. Someone we can talk to also if we hit a rut and need a sympathetic ear....or kick in the butt.

Congrats to everyone who has their date and good luck to those who are about to get theirs.

We're all in this together :eek:

[mjsafari 0]

JackieP12 - Its great that you and your husband are having surgery together - for us it is the only way to be successful! How far apart are you surgeries?

We have been cleaning out the cabinets also - I have been eating some of it, since I haven't started my pre-op yet.:eek: The habit of not wasting food is a hard one to break. Things are beginning to look bare! It is a good feeling to throw JUNK away and know you will not be bringing it in again.

[JackieP12 0]

Anyone considering Vitamins? Centrum chewables or something else? Just wondering. I have taken prenatals religiously just because Dr. Oz (Oprah's guest Dr.) said they're the best in his book....YOU an Owners Manual. Just want to be sure I get the best chewable-bang for my buck! And I guess chew them up after Breakfast like normally? (time-wise) Is that your plan? I'm actually looking forward to the Viactiv for Calcium. I think costco has a cheaper knock-off.

I take pills in the morning before I eat breakfast so I just assumed I would keep doing it that way. I'm going to my PCP Friday to find out about crushing my pills, etc. I'll ask him then and let you know what he says. I just bought kids chewable vitamins. My surgeon hasn't been very informative so I just went along with the stuff that I got from a list on another thread here.

[toniteach 0]

Jackie...that's too bad that your Dr. doesn't seem too informative. How about his office staff?? You're right, though: there's loads of info on here, and I love what I'm learning every day from our threads alone! Just an aside----even if your Dr. is the pits with disseminating info, I hope he's one heckuva surgeon for you! That's what counts!!!! I'm glad you like the shadow buddy idea, though your husband is a built in one for sure!!! I love it when I hear about husband/wives having bands together. So cool! (But is it just me, or does it chap your hide when they lose weight so quickly and easily!!!! :heh: ) teeheehee!

I'm excited about you all cleaning out your cupboards and fridges! Unfortunately, my husband loves chocolate, and my girls love chips, so I just ignore that stuff! As far as my girls go, they do love a variety of foods, and hopefully will take on my good habits, because quite honestly, they've been the pits lately! My favorite binge food is little cinnamon powdered sugar donettes. They will be banished forever starting tomorrow and I'm feeling really bittersweet about it!

---Toni

[faithmd 14]

Can someone add me to the calendar? I was May 31st but I want to be banded with the AP band and that isn't available in wide release (in the US) until after the ASBS conference June 11-17th. At this point I am scheduled to be banded June 20th. Thanks!

I cannot believe how long of a road this has been, and dammit, it got even longer!!!!

[mjsafari 0]

What is the difference in the new band versus the old? I am of course scheduled that week, so I guess my surgeon isn't going! :-)

Missy

[captain danbo 0]

Has anyone considered surgey with Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico? I have

been talking with the nurse there and they seem very nice and

informative. Has anyone had surgery there. I am trying to

schedule surgery in June but I cannot decide whether to have it

in Mexico or Kansas where I live. I have heard alot of good things

about Dr. Rumbaut...Please help me....Can't decide....

I have not heard much about Dr. Rumbaut. But I have been told that Dr. Ortiz In TJ is the best. It sounds like he has been doing it for along time and he has trained alot of surgons in the US. I have read his book " lapband for life" and it was filled with alot of info. If I were to go donw there I think I would check him out. Anyhow best of luck to you and let me know who you end up useing.

[kt_999 0]

Hi everybody

I am soooo excited... firstly, I've just read all the new posts from overnight and they have got me buzzing... you Junies are an awesome bunch :-). Second, it is Monday morning in NZ and I am onto single digit days until surgery... 9 DAYS TO GO!!!! Finally, I lost the 1kg I needed to lose to be in onederland, as of this morning I am 199lbs!!!!!

Janine... great info, thanks... I am pleased about the wine, a couple of glasses when I go out will be great! I have given up whilst on the pre-op and don't plan to have any until at least 6 weeks post-op because of the calories :-)

Toni... excellent ideas too... I think that having support from others in same boat is sooo inspirational and a great way to keep focused. I am so pleased to have found this site as not many at home know about the surgery.

Pre-op is going OK, excercies is going great... keep up the good work everyone... WOOHOOO!!!!!!

[musicalmomma 1]

Toni, Jackie - I got the bike...went on a two mile ride...my legs are like RUBBER!! I was huffing and puffing!!!!! But dang it, it was a GREAT feeling!!!!!

I need to clear out the kitchen. I'm saving that for Friday.

Anyone having trouble with family/friends understanding your decision? My mom is TRYING to be understanding, but it is SO difficult for her!! Today I had to tell her to either support me or agree to disagree and drop it. She agreed to support me. I know it's hard for some to understand, but dang, MOM, she know's me better than anyone...surely she know's I NEED HELP!!! *sigh*

Faith...what's the AP band? How does it differ from the regular and/or VG band?

[faithmd 14]

AP Band information:

Here's the link to a thread in Dr. Curry's Forum about his experiences with the AP band, it explains more about the band and it's differences.

Trace W. Curry, M.D. :: View topic - New AP band

And here's a link to a thread on here about it, I spoke with "the band guy" at Allergan about the AP band a couple of times. Though he of course cannot make any reccommendations one way or the other about whether one should ask for the AP, he did provide me with a lot of useful info. Allergan is NOT discontinuing their other bands at this time. All will still be available, they all work well. As a side note, the AP has been being placed for quite some time now in Australia and Canada, it is just being released in the US next month. There is a learning curve (small) for surgeons and from what I've heard they will need to upsize some of their instruments in order to pass the new AP band through them.

the new LAP-BAND AP (Advanced Platform)

Hope this helps!

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[Lucy 0]

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing well! I have been (mostly) sticking to my pre-op diet, but I find it's very hard to reduce my carbs. I'm not eating Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, etc., but I've been eating a lot of fruit and (according to fitday.com) that ups my carb intake a lot. Any suggestions as to how to decrease my carbs and still eat healthy? I can't eat meat all day long just to keep my Protein level up!

I wanted to respond to MusicalMomma about your difficulty with friends/family members. I have chosen to not tell anyone at all, only my husband. And he is sworn to secrecy. Maybe someday I will tell my parents or a few close friends, but for now I'm not telling anyone. From reading other posts on this thread, it sounds like almost everyone has had difficulty with the opinions of others. I think even those who care about us most don't always understand what we are going though. All of us are here because we've done the research and taken the classes and we know this is the best decision for us. I don't want to tell my mom because I know she will worry like crazy and probably wouldn't get it. I also don't want people coming up to me every day and asking me how much weight I've lost. I'm a very private person and I don't need people prying into my personal life. If you have decided to share your surgery with others, I respect that and I think those you have told need to respect it, as well. You need to be comfortable with telling people to respect you as an intelligent individual, that you know what is best for your body, and that you have chosen to share something very private with them. They wouldn't have a problem with you if you were having surgery to repair a broken limb or replace your liver. Why is this any different.

OK! I'm off to cook a healthy dinner.< /p>

Take care everyone.

[toniteach 0]

Hi Junies,

I can't believe this, but my Dr. is having a procedure done and won't be available to do my surgery on June 7th, so he moved me UP to May 31st. I'm in complete shock and disbelief. Un/fortunately I'll miss a week of the pre-op diet, but I have to be Super Strict-ola. This is just happening soooooo fast! BUT if you think you're getting rid of me to a May 2007 board.....forget it! I'm hooked on you all! So Hotty, would you mind adding me to our June calendar if it isn't too much of a pain????

MM....I can't believe you already got your bike and took it for a spin! I'm super proud! I hope you're not too sore tomorrow. You know what they say: get right back on! No pain, no gain!!!!

Jackie...I loved the visual of "we're all in this together"! That should be our mascot!

Lucy...I'm totally envious that only your husband knows about your band. I think that's really neat. And I really like your avatar! Anyway, I'm too much of an open book when it comes to my (extended) family and close friends, though, not to say anything. Especially with all this excitement, but I wish only my husband, Mom and sister knew and I could have left it at that!

Everyone else: Hope you are doing well and having fun counting down the days!

---Toni