Peaches78

Hi Jax I am on day 6 of my pre-op diet and not hungry at all. I am on optifast w/water (6 shakes a day) and no solid food at all. I do hear that some people on pre-op are hungry but I think they are mostly on other programs (slim fast, Atkins shakes, etc). The best part of all is that they don't taste disgusting which I was eternally grateful for since I have to be on them for 3 weeks! I hope your pre-op diet goes well. I also started to change my way of eating before so that it would not be so dramatic. Good luck to you, I'm sure it will get "old" to drink each meal soon but now I know I can do it. I wish you the best, hopefully we can keep each other motivated since I hear this is one of the hardest parts. Faith

My doctor said the same thing...... stay away from gummies and get Flinstones Complete instead. Now my son and I are taking the same Vitamin LOL. He also recommended a chewable Calcium citrate, vitamin D3 and Magnesium supplement. Faith

I'm glad everything went well Woodslass! Congrats on the beginning of a brand new you...... Glad you are over the gas (I hear its really bad sometimes). Here's to a speedy recovery!!! Good luck to all those who were banded today, I hope everything went great for you. Faith

Congratulations, that's terrific Brenda! It sounds like you had a good experience, I hope mine goes just as smoothly. That's definetly a good tip on the pain meds.... I'll definetly ask my doctor about it. Keep up the great work. Faith

MMichelle.... Awesome List!!! I have a bunch of my own too. We should start a new topic of Non-scale Victories (NSV's) we all want to experience throughout this process... helps to stay motivated when the scale isn't moving! Thoughts??

Welcome Corey! I think we can all sympathize with you..... at least I know I can!! I had a similar moment with a picture of me and my kids I had developed around Christmas I was like who is that fat person with my kids! I agree with you, no need to be a 'hot mom' or anything, I would just be happy to just not be "big", be able to shop in a regular department store and not embarrass my kids as they grow up (my daughter is 13, my son is 6) amongst other things. Good luck to you... this is a great forum and lots of support. I started my pre-op diet today (all liquids) in preparation for surgery on the 26th... so far so good, I don't feel hungry and the shakes are decent too. Keep us updated and keep up the great work Faith

Brenda, Here's to an easy surgery and a speedy recovery. Let us know how everything went and how you are doing! Faith

Congrats Jess!!! I'm scheduled on the 26th! Keep in touch

I just learned that some people, who live near Massachusetts, call people from Massachusetts "Massholes". I laughed out loud when I read that. What a funny play on a state name, lol. Yes they do They call them that because they drive bad!! Especially in the city......everytime I have to drive into the corporate office in Boston I am a wreck because the driving is so bad. People also call it "taxachusetts" because of the high state tax.... that I can agree with as well, I don't like in MA anymore but I did and because I work there I still pay the tax It is funny though.... people around here call New Hampshire "Cow hampshire" because it is much more like the country..... lots of cows LOL! There are a few farms on my way home AND there is a horse farm at the end of the road I live on (its a dead end road).

Well lets see...... I am 32 (will be 33 this week!) and I have 2 children (Kristen, 13 and Wesley, 6) and a husband. We also have a dog, she's a retired racing dog we adopted (greyhound) named Blastoff, she's brindle colored and beautiful.... and very spoiled now! I have always been a "New Englander". We bought a house in New Hampshire were we have lived for the past 7+ years but I have also lived in Massachusetts and Vermont while growing up. I work for Cabot Corporation (not the cheese or paint company ) its a chemical company actually which makes Carbon Black amongst other materials but this is the core product which is used in tires, electrical conduets, ink pigments, etc. I have been there for just over 10 years and work within the Human Resources function but specifically I manage the health and welfare benefits for all of our US employees. I have to travel often and like you Woodslass I dread getting on the plane and having to ask for that seatbelt extender! I would love to not have to shop at a Lane Bryant or Fashion Bug but instead be able to just pick something up at a "normal" department store like JC Penny or Macy's. I'd also love to be able to cross my legs. It seems silly but I can't remember every being able to do it (since I was old enough to want to or care about those types of things). Also, my husband is totally thin which is depressing sometimes and I always feel so huge next to him. My major motivation is for my family in general.... I want to be around for them for a long time and if I don't get control of my weight then I'm certain I won't be. My whole family is big and many of them have really bad health problems because of it. Many of my aunt's and uncle's have had gastric bypass surgery but only 2 are relatively thin still. I didn't like the idea of cutting out and re-routing peices of me so when my doctor suggested I look into the Lap-Band I was eager to. I love the idea that its still me doing everything but that I just have a constand "little helper" with me to remind me when to stop etc. This will be a big accomplishment for me. I reached my highest weight ever in December last year and decided that it was now or never so I went to a seminar in January and haven't looked back! Next Monday I start my pre-op diet and will be only 22 days from surgery and a new beginning and a new me I'm looking forward to this journey and am very thankful that I found this site and people who are going through the same things I am and can help keep me motivated, answer questions and provide support when I need it! Good luck to everyone! Faith

Hi Spot That really sux about the cookies. I would have been pissed too! Well I hope it was a lesson learned for your husband and that all was ok from then on. I told my husband... NO MORE KLONDIKE BARS IN THE HOUSE because its the one ice cream/chocolate snack we used to have and I don't want to be tempted so hopefully he knows I mean business

I have to do 3 weeks of liquids. They have me taking opti-fast during that time to shrink my liver. You are right, I'm not sure I'd be able to stick with it if it weren't for the fact that I could cause myself pain if I don't..... its good incentive! I will find out on Thursday 3/31 (the day after my birthday!) how many shakes per day, etc. when I meet with the nutritionist. Then I start my pre-op diet on either monday 4/4 ir tuesday 4/5...... I'm so excited I'm not nervous about the surgery, I've had 2 c-sections and my tonsils/adnoids removed so that doesn't bother me. I'm a little worried about the pre-op diet and have already told my hubby that I'm gonna need lots of help! Everyone is VERY supportive though so I'm confident I will be ok. Good luck to everyone.... lets stay in touch and see how we are doing April 26th can't come fast enough for me!!!!!!!!!!! Faith

Good luck to everyone! I will be starting my liquid pre-op diet on 4/5 (3 weeks before surgery) and my surgery is on 4/26..... I can't wait. I'm a little nervous about the shakes (I have to use Optifast.... for liver reduction) but its only 3 weeks of my life, I've had to do less pleasant things before There is a good tip about SF Syrups to add to your shakes if you can to make it a little different. Also, my doctor told me that if I want to add coffee to my shake in the a.m. (vanilla) to make it more of a mocha coffee or add some vanilla extract, etc that would be ok as well. Its great to have this thread to keep in touch with all of the April bandsters and check in! Again, good luck to all and let us know how you make out with your banding. Faith

Congrats Pam!!

UPDATE: Got my surgery date yesterday..... April 26th! I'm so excited!

My banding is scheduled for April 26th The only thing I'm worried about is that I have to do the liquids for 3 weeks prior to surgery... I hope I don't feel hungry because that will seem like a long time to me.... my husband and a few of my trusted co-workers are on-board with helping me though. Between them and you guys here I think I will have enough motivation and support to stick to it Lets definetly all stay in touch and keep each other motivated Good luck to everyone being banded in April! Faith

I'm scheduled for April 26th! I start my pre-op liquids on April 5th...... I am very excited for the time to come

There is a forum on this site for people who have 200 lbs or more to loose..... My surgeons office has a weight limit of 475lbs but that is only because of a peice of equipment that they use that has that same weight limit just in case they need to use it otherwise they would still operate. Also, if someone is over that weight they will work with the person to get down to the max weight before surgery and then do the surgery. I think you will be ok. I wondered myself, I have about 158lbs to loose and was worried that I might be "too big" to have the surgery but turns out that I'm not Good luck to you!

Welcome! You were right to come here.... there are so many great people and really great advise and experiences shared! I am getting banded soon as well. I have my appointment with the surgeon tomorrow to find out when Good luck in your journey to a new you.

Hi ... I totally agree with you!!! I have 2 kids and my oldest was overweight until just last year but I've always stressed to my kids that it is not nice to make fun of anyone for ANY reason and that you should treat others the way that you want to be treated. My son is still young (6) but he understands very well and my daughter is very sensitive about it having been about 30 lbs overweight until she had a medical issue last year and lost the weight. I have been reading these posts as well and have a few of my own: 1. My mother was always making nasty comments to me (the pot calling the kettle black! She's just as big as me) but distinctly I remember school shopping with her when I was 16 and she kept telling me how she'd never seen a bigger @ss on a person...... I was only a whopping size 14 then. Needless to say my mother and I have never had a warm and fuzzy relationship and we don't actually speak anymore. 2. When I was in high school there was this popular kid that used to run near me during gym class and make elephant/hippo sounds while I ran laps. I hated gym class, they made you wear those shorts that were SO short UGH! That was really hurtful and I've never ever forgotten it. Thanks for this post, it is very therapeutic. Faith

I was worrying about this as well.... I see a lot of people who have 80 or 100 lbs to loose and I wondered if I can do it. I have just under 160 lbs to loose to reach a good BMI weight for my height! Thank you so much for posting this, it has been great to read that other people have had this much and even more to loose. We all can do it, I'm not going to worry now. I haven't been banded yet but I see my surgeon next Friday to schedule my surgery date (YIPEE) so I'm very excited about that. I've read that if you do small things to alter your portions and diet prior to the surgery it makes things a little easier to I'm starting now to try and shape my new diet. Thank you again, this site has been so inspiring and informationational. I too live in the middle of nowhere and don't have an opportunity to attend a face-to-face meeting so this is my "meeting" when I need help or information. Faith

I meet with the surgeon next friday 3/11 and will find out my surgery date.... I'm hoping either late March or early April!!! I can't wait to find out..... I am counting down the days Faith

Hi Everyone.... My name is Faith, I am 32 (soon to be 33) and live in a very small but beautiful town in New Hampshire called Mason. I just signed up today and have been reading posts for the last few hours and am finally getting the courage to post my own hello. My story is not that different from most, I have been heavy since my pre-teen years. I remember waking up one morning and discovering I had boobs and then it seemed like I woke up the next day and was fat (or at least I felt that way)! I suffered like most with dieting, failure, and ridicule in school (which is the WORST!) amongst other things. However, my weight ballooned after I had my daughter at age 19, I'm fairly sure that between depression and taking the saying "eating for 2" a bit too seriously I gained nearly 70 lbs. On top of my already being overweight I became obese. It didn't go well from their for my weight however, I can't complain about the rest! I have a VERY supporting (and thin, which is depressing sometimes) husband who loves me for me and I have 2 beautiful children ages 13 and 6. I could blame my weight on food but it really has to do with me putting food in my mouth and now feeling to winded to even excercise so I don't. I have dieted many times over the years always fluctuating up and down but never being able to keep it off and I finally realize that I need help... something to assist me in losing weight because I can't do it alone and that is what the Lap-Band is going to be for me... my helper... always with me!! I was at my heaviest about a month ago at 296 but again lost a few lbs so a few weeks ago when I went for my first appointment at the surgeons office I weighed in at 287 lbs! It is hard for me to admit that considering I'm a whopping 5 ft and a 1/2 inch tall but it is what it is (I'm short!) and acceptance is the first step I guess. My first and foremost reason for doing this is for ME, I'm tired of being big, not being able to shop in a regular clothing store and always feeling uncomfortable in my own body. My second reason is for my family so that I can be around for them for a very long time. I don't have any health issues yet from being obese but I know I will have them (family history) as I get older if I don't take care of this now. My lifestyle is hectic with a full-time job, husband, kids, and college in the evenings but I am committed to making this work... my husband is even going with me to my appointments with the nutritionist, etc so he can help me too. I am hoping that considering my day-to-day routine does not allow me to get to personal meetings that I can get my support virtually with many of you that have been where I am. I'm also taking my tax money and buying a treadmill (even though we should do other things with the money) because I need to excercise. What I am most concerned about is the pre-op diet of opti-fast for 2 weeks (not sure if I will feel hungry or feel the need to "eat"?) and then post-op... will I be able to cope with the liquid/mushy diet for the first several weeks.... will I constantly be hungry? My 13 year old said mom that will really stink you mean you can't eat ANYTHING? Although I played it off like I might not even be hungry.. they say there's a lot of swelling so who knows... it made we wonder and worry to be honest . Even so, I am anxiously awaiting my appointment with the surgeon on 3/11 to schedule my surgery date!!! I met my surgeon (and his partner) at the seminar I went to on 1/8 and they both seem really great and supportive plus one of the women in the office actually has a Lap-Band and another had gastric bypass so you get to speak with them too and get their point of view and advice so it has been a very positive experience so far. Sorry this was so long... feels good to be open and honest and get it all out there though!!! Congrats to all those who have done it and to those who will and good luck!!! Your help, input and words of wisdom are appreciated

Hi Wendy, Thats so good to know, I am a side and/or belly sleeper. I am not too worried about the surgery part, I have had c-sections with both of my kids and that was very uncomfortable so although I know there will be discomfort I'm not going to dwell on it. Someone else in this forum mentioned using the "belly band" from being pregnant and I think I am going to do that.... it sounds really funny but it was very helpful when I was recovering from having my kids. I've heard that there is a lot of gas for some people I'm going to get gasx strips for afterward just in case. No surgery scheduled yet but on the 11th I will have my appointment w/ the surgeon and will schedule my surgery date then so I'll definetly keep you posted So have you been feeling hungry since being on the liquid/mushy diet part? I'd be interested in seeing how that has been. Has your gas pain subsided yet? I hope that you are feeling well! Thank you so much for the support. Faith