jennifer1

Years ago I mentioned the surgery to my doctor and her response was "oh sweetie if you eat right and exercise you will lose weight"! ummmmmm why didnt i think of that! ugh!!!!! so needless to say I'm getting banded on the 20th and she has no clue. i got around her cuz i'm self pay..now while she didnt really try to discourage me from doing it, she wasnt exactly the lap band cheerleader. if you have to have a referral from your PCP to start the process for inusurance I would consider changing PCP's and getting a second opinion...Just my 2 cents. Best wishes!

I'm sorry you didnt get the support from your mom, but i'm in the same boat. In my family I only told my mom and sister and neither was very supportive. So what have I done...focused on the friends that are supportive. Yeah it hurts that my family isnt on board, but this isnt about them it's about me. I've contemplated this decision for 5 years, prayed and i have a peace about it. People who have never struggled with weight just dont get it no matter how many times you explain it to them. I say if you have a peace about the surgery and you feel this is what's best for you go for it. You will find plenty of support here, cuz WE GET IT!

OH WOW!!!!!!!!!THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE SUPPORT AND COMPLIMENTS GUYS! I want to start journaling through my pics and take one on monday when i start my pre-op diet and the day of surgery and go on from there. Hard to take a good pic when i live alone, but i'll figure it out. Last nite I went through the before and after pics and was inspired even the more. I 'm so excited and cant wait to start my journey, well i guess i kinda already have! LOL Thanks again everyone for your support. Please those of you who havent been banded yet if you ever wanna email me more private questions i willl be an open book.

Hello, My name is Jennifer. I am 36, live in the Chicago area, single with no kids. I work as an Occuapational Therapist on a traumatic brain injury unit. I have been reasearching the lap band for over 5 years. I've been obsessed with this site for 2 months and just found this whole blog thing! LOL! Well i'm scheduled for surgery on May 20th in chicago at Day One Health with Ddr. Elli. I start my pre-op diet on May 9th. I am sooooo happy I'm finally getting this done. It's so sad that my family doesnt support me, but my friends do. so between God, this site and my friends i think i can make it. I look forward to this new journey I am embarking on. come and follow me.

i hear you on the eat things you know you wont be able to eat again. i get banded on the 20th and start my pre-op liquid diet on the 9th. So it's pizza this weekend. I have been tryn to stay in the gym at least doing some cardio, and have actually started to feel guiilty about the food i've been eating. i'm praying that a good sign that i finally have a mental change that i know i'm going to need to be successful with the band. Best wishes!

congrats on getting through your first day. i start mine on monday..sooooo i'm having my favorite! pizza this weekend, my last hoorah! LOL

i wish you a successful sugery and minimal discomfort and a speedy recovery! mines is the 20th,,,cant believe it's almost here. best wishes...and check in to let us know how everything went when you feel up to it

i have wanted this for sooo long (5 years) that i would probably reschedule it. it's only 5 days later. and i know i would be emotionally wrecked to have it cancelled and probably go on a binge eating! ('i'm a stress/emotional eater. ok i eat cuz the sun is shining. lol) no seriously i would reschedule and avoid the possible disappointment. just my 2 cents!

I too have a personal trainer and I told him i was having surgery, but i havent told him what kind. I dont really forsee him speaking negatively to me about it though, and i love him as a trainer. He always has something new to do and in three months has never repeated a routine. I would speak to the gym manager about your concerns. I am a firm believer in not giving my money to someone who doesnt deserve it. I've switched gyms because I didnt want to feel uncomfortable when i got into it with a previous journey. The fact that you've made the choice to better your life I applaud you. I think your letter was very nice and professional. But i'd speak to a manager, and dont let him or anyone else deter you from you your goal. We are all routing for you here!

i love this idea. i was just tryn to figure out how i would reward myself for every 10 pounds i lose! since food is OBVIOUSLY not the answer! LOL! i already have a charm bracelet, maybe i'll start another one! Jen B

welcome ladies. this is an awesome forum and support group. everyone is sooo helpful and willing to answer any questions. it has definelty help me get prepared. i start my pre-op diet next mon and surgery on the 20th! i'm so excited i've waited 5 years for this! Jennifer

I would advise you to follow your doctors instructions. Every doc is different. Mine requires a 2 week liquid diet pre-op. and one week after. But i'm not a doctor, so I would listen to him. It may be based on how much weight you have to loose as well. good luck

WOW! some of guys get to have a buffet compared to my pre-op diet! i'm soooooooooooo jealous! LOL! mine is a strict liquid, no chicken, veggies nuthn but water, sugar free liquids and soup! i pray that I can get through this and find ways to occupy my time when i want to eat something. has anyone found that chewing gum helps them not miss the sensation of chewing at all?

I havent been banded yet, but i was wondering if walking on the treadmill at the gym would be ok, or will i be offending people! LOL! Are you guys walking and the gas is coming out right then. I mean I'm just saying? LOL

I had to take a stress test a few years ago(not related to getting banded). They hooked be up to all these electrodes and monitors, made we walk on a treadmill for ( forget how long), but the speed was kinda intense and i work out. Once your about to pass out they make you get off lay on the table and try to get a reading on your heart. Kind of annoying! LOL

i havent started my pre-op diet yet, but mines will be liquids only. Are you allowed to have soup or protein shakes. The booklet of info i got from my MD says it you are feeling dizzy/fatigued you may not be getting enought liquids(64 ounces) and if you're too restrictive on sugar to drink 1/2 cup of liquid that has sugar in it like orange juice or skim milk. I'm sorry i can tell you if that works cuz i havent done it yet, but just a suggestion. also i'm sure if you call your dietician she/he can give you some pointers how to get thru that i'm sure youre not the only one. Jennifer

hi i'm from chicago(actually i live in a south suburb). i will be banded on may 20th. where did you have your surgery. I would love to be buddies. mickeymouse6043@yahoo.com

I too asked my doctor about the single incision. He said that the surgery was longer, but the recovery was basically the same. I will let him decide. I'm confused though. You said you have single incision, but then said you have 3 scars plus the port scar? I dont understand how that is single incision..do tell cuz i dont get it! LOL

i start my pre-op diet on may 9th...surgery may 20th....mine is all liquids. i'm praying for strength to do this and dont want to go with the mindset of allowing myself one slip up. that's what got me in this mess in the first place. the fact that i can have Soup and Protein shakes i'm praying will be enough. i hope i dont end up in the corner rocking and nawing on my arm! LOL! Best wishes!

i pray that i have the same good recovery!

Wow such an inspirational thread! I will be banded on may 20th and your guys keep me inspired. I cant wait to be a bandster! Thanks for sharing your stories..the good ..bad ..and ugly!

Wow such an inspirational thread! I will be banded on may 20th and your guys keep me inspired. I cant wait to be a bandster! Thanks for sharing your stories..the good ..bad ..and ugly!

OMG it's sooooo funny you say that. i thought i was the only one who did this. i start my liquid diet on may 9th, surgery is may 20th, so i plan on the week before the liquid diet practicing chewing. that sounds so crazy, but i am deathly afraid of getting stuck or PB'ing, so if i can prevent it, well then i'm going to. LOL Jennifer

My heart goes out to you. My mother and sister(the only two i told in my family) arent supportive either. Not to the same degree as your but that is terrible. I have found solace in the few friends that support me 100% and in this site. I would find a kind way to tell your mother how she's making you feel without disrespecting her(you only get one mother), but avoid public situations with her until she can prove worthy of your presence in public. I am on this site EVERYDAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY...because I know i have support here. Stick with the positives and let go of the megative people. I dont know why people dont get that if we could lose weight the "normal" way then we would. Who in their right mind has surgery just to do it. And by no means is this going to be easy. So with that said. I'm glad you've made a decision that you are happy about it. Oh yeah maybe you're mom is jealous. I know my sister is. She wants to have the surgery but her husband wont let her! OHHHH TOO BAD! Moving right along. Best wishes hun! Jennifer

Hi Little Teapot(what a cute name). I am also getting banded on the 20th!!!! YEAH US!!! I'd love to keep in touch since we'll be starting out new life on the same day. I was concerned about the whole period thing, but hopefully my cycle will be just ending, but you know sometimes she is tricky. I'm praying my cycle doesnt get thrown off cuz i'm sure i'll be a little more stressed as the surgery date gets closer, which always throws my cycle off. I never thought about not wearing a tampon. My concern is during surgery what happens cuz I've read that you get a cather inserted. SO NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PART! So how does it work if you get a cather? Just curious guys. lol Jennifer