LB_Annie

Thanks guys! I am really happy with my progress so far This surgery was definitely the right choice for me!

I thought I'd post my before and after pictures at one month post-surgery. I'm down 24 lbs thanks to diet and walking 4-6 miles 6 days a week. I feel SO much healthier and happier than I did a month ago when I had surgery. I was so tired of struggling up stairs and feeling uncomfortable in movie theater seats. I am starting to feel good in my own skin now. I still have 98 lbs to go to reach my goal, but I know that I will get there

Me too, Michelle I can't wait. I have been doing the liquid diet since April 25th. I'm ready to be banded

I'm just about to finish day 7 of my two week pre-op diet and I haven't cheated yet. My doctor doesn't allow anything but liquids, so I've been sticking to three Muscle Milk shakes a day and water. I can also have sugar free jello, but that's it. I went out and got some sugar free gum to chew on when I really miss chewing. It's been very hard because I stay home with my kids (2 and 5) and I have to cook for them and make sure they're eating. Today my husband brought home Burger King for him and Pizza for the kids. It can be really hard to watch them eat, but I'm pushing through. I've lost 9 lbs so far, but I have been working out really hard, too. I went to the gym 5 days out of the 7 I've been on the diet. I just hope I can keep it all up for week 2

Today is my last day of solids before I start my two week liquid diet! Kind of crazy. I'm going to be living off of Muscle Milk for a while . I've been substituting MM for lunch lately and I think that it has helped me kind of get a feel for what it will be like. I've gone for about 6+ hours on just one protein shake, so I think I will just have to remind myself that I am going to be ok with just the shakes and liquid. I will definitely miss chewing, but I am so excited about life post-band. My husband went to the German bakery this morning and got me a cheese brotchen. I will miss those! My husband got the whole week of my surgery off of work so he can be home with the kids. I'm so glad that he'll be home for a few days once I get out of the hospital. It will be nice to have him around The only thing that stinks is, now his whole shop (he's Air Force) knows that I'm having a surgery. Everyone seems to be curious about it. I think that people will probably guess that I had some sort of weight loss surgery because I'll be (hopefully) losing weight quickly after the surgery. Oh well. People can assume, but I don't have to talk about it, I guess. I have told a couple of friends here. I'm glad to have their support. One of them said she'd stay with me in the hospital the night of my surgery Sorry if this was a little disjointed and confusing. I have a bad sinus infection and my head feels like it's in a haze

Is anyone else having all of their pre-op testing done the day before their surgery? My doctor makes you check into the hospital the day before placing the lap-band so you can have all of the pre-op tests done then. It's kind of nice to have it all done at once, but I hate being in the hospital. My doctor will also make me stay in the hospital for at least a day after the surgery to place the lap-band. He said he'd like me to stay five days after, but it's my choice. I guess they do it a little differently in Germany

Congrats! I am having my surgery May 10th Time has been flying by!

I'm not post-surgery yet, but I am anxious to know how long after your surgery your surgeons wanted you to wait before working out. I am a little less than three weeks from surgery and I've got a really great work-out routine going right now. I'm just wondering how long it will take me to be back to normal as far as exercising goes. Thanks for your input

Have you talked to your surgeon about that concern? I wonder if they would have some idea for you. I hope that your surgery goes well!

I'm going to post my lap band blogs here since as of now I'm only telling very close friends and a couple of family members about my surgery. I have a blogspot blog for funny stories about life, my kids and recipes, but I don't feel like announcing to the world that I'm having surgery. I don't want to deal with the judgment and everyone questioning my weight loss. I admire the people who are so open about it. My husband, mom and friends who I have told have all been very supportive, and I feel like that's good enough for me. I want to do this so I can be healthy and I want my kids to grow up with a good example of healthy eating habits. My surgery is creeping up! I go in on May 9th for all of my pre-op tests and then have the band placed on May 10th. I am SO excited! I don't think it has really hit me yet. I am probably going to be on my own for the whole time that I'm in the hospital (at least 3 days) because my husband will have to be home watching the kids. they're too young to be there. I'm hoping that they'll get a chance to visit me though! It will be a little lonely, but I'll be sharing a hospital room with another English speaker. I hope my roommate is friendly! When I had Daniel (2) I had to share a hospital room after and my roommate and her family were SUPER rude! As of today I'm going to start subbing a protein shake for lunch. I am starting my full liquid diet a week from today. My doctor only asks that you do liquids for one week before the surgery, but I'm going to do an extra week in hopes of losing enough to be able to take off my wedding band for the surgery. They won't allow any jewelry whatsoever during the surgery and my wedding band is stuck like glue to my chubby ring finger I already warned my extremely supportive husband that my mood could be wacky during the liquid only diet.

I live in Wiesbaden, so I'm not too far from Kaiserslautern. I'm going to be banded on May 10th. Prof Weiner is doing my surgery. I've only met him once, but I got very little information from him. All I know is that I'm supposed to do a liquid diet for the week leading up to my surgery and I go to the hospital the day before surgery to have all of my tests run. He seemed very nice, but he was a little disappointed that I chose lap band. He said that he prefers patients go with gastric bypass. I just wish he had given me more information about the way he does things. I'm glad that there's a lap band group on here in Germany Annie

I'm glad that I have a surgery day friend We also have about the same amount of weight to lose. I hope this next month flies by. Do you have to do a liquid diet? How long? My doctor only requires a one week. I am thinking about trying to do two, but I don't know.

It looks like patience paid off My surgery is set for May 10th! I won't be an April bandster, but I'm SO happy to have a surgery date. I am definitely starting to get nervous, but I think this is the best option for me

I just got my surgery date today I'll be having my procedure done on May 10th! I can't wait. I only have to do a one week liquid diet before surgery.

I got approved to meet with the surgeon, but I guess I have to get re-approved for the surgery itself after I see the surgeon. My appointment is April 11th. I wish it was sooner, but I will keep trying to be patient I'll let you guys know what happens after I see the surgeon. I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping that I'll be an April bandster!