Lauren825

Thanks for adding me as a friend. I agree, we should keep in touch! Good to have people who are in the same place to compare notes with. 9 more days for me . . . final countdown begins!!

Good luck to you !!

I am being banded on the 9th, the day after you. It seems like everything happened so fast. My first appointment was the last week of Dec. 2010, and within three weeks, I'd had all my tests and my insurance authorized my surgery for Feb 9. With that said, I feel like it is all so sudden something has to go wrong, so I understand what you were saying in your post. I only started on this site a few days ago, so I am just reading your blog now. Anyway, I guess we'll be going through this together!! I am excited, but getting a little more nervous each day.

You have such a great attitude!!

Congrats . . . it sounds like you're doing great! I know when I was pregnant, I craved a salty margarita more than anything, and I really didn't drink them that often before. Think it was just the fact that I knew I couldn't have it. Probably the same with you and McDonalds :-)

Rachel, I haven't been banded yet, but I did spend nine months on a protein shake diet a few years back (lost 80 pounds, but found them) . . . anyway, I used to mix in a couple drops of extracts like banana, vanilla, peppermint, amaretto, etc. to break up the monotony. Just a thought :-)

Never done this before, but I can't think of a better reason to start!! Today was my first day of the pre-op diet, and I have to say . . . I'm starving! I just keep telling myself that it is worth it though. My surgery is scheduled for February 9th, and I can't wait! I've yo-yo dieted my entire life, been thin for a few years at a time, but life always seems to derail me, and I gain it all back eventually. I am currently at my highest weight ever, but I guess the final kicker for me was last month, when a co-worker, who was only in her 50's, but was very heavy, dropped dead of a heart attack unexpectedly. I just kept thinking, if I keep this up, that could be me someday. I really don't want to do that to my son. My husband is really supportive about all of this, which is nice. He is a marathon runner, so I know he'd like to see me more active, plus it is high time I got control of my life, so here I am . . . Today was a little tougher than I thought it would be. For some reason, I was noticing all of the things at the grocery store that have never bothered me before (probably because it was late afternoon and I was working off just two protein shakes for the day). I still have to shop and cook for my family, and as I was going through the bakery section, I realized that I will probably never be able to eat fresh baked bread ever again. Don't get me wrong, it's not like it's a deal-breaker, just a realization. Anyway, I know I can do this. The pre-op diet is only temporary, and I look forward to starting the rest of my healthy life!!

Shonette, thank you so much for the information. I guess I will learn along the way through trial and error. I appreciate the advice from someone who has the band. It looks like you have done great!! Bunnkykins, while I can't really say my hunger has gone away, it is nowhere near as bad as it was the first two days. The shakes are actually pretty satisfying. I was told two weeks for the pre-op diet, so you're lucky to only have five days! Starting to get a little nervous, in a good and bad way, now that it's getting closer. I know it's the right decision, it's just the fear of the unknown . . . We'll get through this though, and hopefully look back and laugh!!

Oh my, you sound like me! My husband is a marathon runner and thinks that if I'd just run marathons, I'd be fine . . . lol!! He eats desert TWICE every night, but I am constantly starving myself with my weight yo-yoing up and down. I know he's right about the exercise, but I've never been a runner, no matter how thin I got. He's hyper and can't sit still though. Bottom line: People are different!! I will be banded on Feb 9th, so we are on about the same track!!

So you've lost 130 pounds in about 9 months . . . that's amazing!! You should be so proud of yourself!! I am being banded on Feb 9th, and from what I've been reading, everyone seems to hit plateaus, but you've done really, really well. Thanks for the post, you give me hope. Best of luck to you!!

Yvette, your post was so funny, and came at the perfect time for me!! I went to Target and got a brand new scale yesterday (the expensive one!) Haven't had one for a couple of years, because denial is easier that way. Well I waited until this morning to unwrap the scale and weigh myself, stepped on and it said I weighed 350 pounds, which scared the daylights out of me, because I knew I couldn't have gained nearly 100 pounds since I was weighed at the doctor's office last week . . . I stepped back on again and it said I weighed 130 pounds . . . IN MY DREAMS!!! Defective scale . . . I got a dramatically different number ever time I got on. Finally made my husband get on . . . it said "error" . . . lol!! I will be returning the "expensive" scale today and settling for the cheap one that works.

Glad to hear that everything went well. Thank you for such a thorough blog; it reallly helps to know what to expect. Good Luck!!

Congratulations, and I agree, your blog was very inspirational! My surgery is in two weeks, so I really like to read blogs like yours . . . gives me hope. :-)

This has been a whirlwind start to this journey. I decided on the lap-band and had my inital consult on Dec 31st, and the next week I was doing the physical, psych and nutrition class all on the same day. The following week I had insurance approval! I couldn't believe it all happened so fast! I met with my surgeon and surgery is scheduled for Feb 9th. I am really excited!! I've been yo-yo dieting for so many years, it will be nice to finally have my life back. I've just started the pre-op diet, and I'm a bit lightheaded. I'm doing two protein shakes and one small serving of lean meat with a green vegetable. I have to wonder, after the band, do you feel like this with so little going in??

I just started on the Costco Premier Protein Shakes too, and I have to say they're way better than the Slim Fast Optima's. Not so syrupy sweet, they're actually pretty good!

I started yesterday with the "Premier Nutrition High Protein Shake". It's got 30 grams of protein, which is a little higher than Slim Fast Optima, plus it doesn't taste quite so syrupy sweet. I've been drinking the chocolate, and they're not bad. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hungry though . . . I got them at Costco, where a box of 18 of them was about $20. Good Luck!!

2/11/11-Justplaintired 2/09/11-Mrs.Mustang

Hi Linda!! I think you and I were posting our introductions at the same time. Wow, the 27th is only two days!! I am scheduled for Feb 9th, so I'll be watching to see how things go for you. I feel the same way you do, very nervous, but excited. I am resigned to the fact that this is really the only thing that will work long term for me, and I want to be healthy for my son, so it will all be worth it in the end. Good luck on your surgery, and keep us posted!!

Thanks for all the pointers!! I'm scheduled to be banded Feb. 9th. It sounds like you're doing great . . . good luck to you!!luck!!

The WII is a great investment!! I play it with my son sometimes, and the WII Fit games are so entertaining, it really takes your mind off how much you're actually doing. Great for cold weather, when you can't get outside. Good luck, I'm doing the pre-op diet right now (not easy). My surgery is set for Feb 9th!!