NJGirl32

Thanks so much for everyone's encouraging words!

I really don't think he'll be upset that I waited this long to tell him. I will be very interested to see what his reply is. He might not say anything one way or another-I simply have no idea what his reaction will be.

You're taking yr. stiches out? I thought they just sort of fell

I won't be able to sleep on my side?? I didn't know that! I really have to sleep on my back for weeks?

I find this to be very inspiring- have positive quote taped around your mirror and around your house!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing Enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

— Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles)

Keep your eye on the prize and don't let negative thoughts take over.

I know what you mean as far as being really scared but anytime you feel overwhelmed just have a motto they you say to yourself a mantra if you will.

Your life will completely change- food won't be the focus of it anymore and that's a good thing.

Failure is NOT an option- sometimes you might get off-track but you'll need to redirect yourself. Make a shift in your thinking.

You said you are admitting that you can't do this yourself- but you are doing it yourself- you are taking control of your life and catapulting it in the right direction.

Remember to keep your eye on the prize and don't get distraction by the what-ifs.

My husband has never mentioned one word about my weight gain since we got married 7 yrs. ago. We both have gained weight, but I have gained a lot more than him. I think he will either say "Don't do it-just do it on your own" or he'll say "are you really sure about this?" or he'll say nothing pro or con which will make me wonder

Most of our social life involves going out to dinner, parties, and social events so it will be a big change!

I am scheduled to have my surgery on May 25th-that's 20 days away

I haven't told anyone yet-except my BF via email and I didn't get any feedback/support at all from her. Thanks to all the wonderful and caring people on this forum I have decided that I really must tell my husband and there's no way I can go through this without telling him for so many reasons.

In my mind I know that it has to be this weekend that I tell him. I'll need him to take me to the hospiatal the day of the surgery and he'll have to plan for it work-wise.

I really think he will be totally shocked. I never mentioned wanting the lapband or even being unhappy about my weight. Hopefully, by Sunday or Monday I'll have something to post about how the conversation went. I hope he'll be supportive-I am thinking he will be.

I know this shouldn't be a big deal, but for me it is a really big deal. I feel like I am admitting that I am a failure in some way- that I can't lose weight on my own. I know that's not true-in fact this is a very brave thing to do. I gained 5 pound since my orginal appointment back in April - that only makes more more determined to make a change! I don't think I would be in the same state of mind without this forum. Thank you!

I went to the doc today and asked him about how I will feel after the scope. He said for liability reasons they require someone to pick you up but I should be fine. He said the drugs only stay in your bady for about 8 minutes. Years ago that gave you different drugs that really make you feel out of it-but that's no longer the case. My friend is picking me up and then we are doing lunch since it would have been a long time since I ate. After lunch I'll see how I feel, but from talking to someone lese who had the scope and my doctor, I think I should be fine to drive home. If not I'll call someone.

I was waiting for your story too!! Thank you SO much for the very detailed post-it really gives me a good idea of what to expect!

At least theygave you good meds! I read on this forum plenty of times to not be a hero and take the meds

I can't believe they let you leave the same day. I wish they would let me leave the same day-but I have to stay overnight

What a relief it must be to have the surgery part behind you! Do you work? If so when do you plan on returning?

I think it's greatthat you had your husband there to support you!

Take care and please continue to keep us posted!

could you go to the place that held your meetings and see ifthey can look you up and give you some documentation?

I have BCBS PPO and they don't require the wait-My first Dr. appointment was April 7th and my date for surgery is May 25th - if all goes well.

Good luck with everything

Hi all, it's me. My old account wouldn't allow me to log in for some reason, so I'm just going to post under this temporary one until the situation is rectified. I thought I would just give a basic update before I go back to bed. it's just after midnight here and I"m pretty exhausted.

So, the short answer is, I'm alive.

The longer answer is that I am in pain from one of the incisions. He went through my belly button and it literally didn't start hurting until about 1/2 way home from the hospital. I, so far, haven't had any of the gas pains that people have been talking about. Nothing yet in my shoulder or anywhere else. I can see that my belly is all swollen and I have been burping and burping and that has been a huge relief.

Anyway, I just wanted to say a very brief hello. I will post the longer, more interesting bits tomorrow.

Thanks guys for all of the information I have gleaned so far from this site. I felt like i was uber prepared for today and that really, really, really, helped a lot with the anxiety of it all. you guys are awesome.

That's exactly how I feel-as long as I wake up alive I can deal with anything! lol Maybethe gas pains will come later (perhaps you are still under some effects of the pain killers?) Did you have a single incision? I wish my surgeon did that type of incision. Hope you are feeling better!

Thinking of you and hoping all is well! How was it? Are you in pain or was it better then you thought? I go in on May 25th-very nervous too!

I thought to port site is slighly above the belly button and my jeans would come right around that area -not below. I just assumed that I would have to wear loose pants until it healed??

Thanks for the suggestions-some stuff I never thought about!! Not too sure about pureed chicken though

If I get a pedicure wouldn't they take off the polish for surgery?

I am reading that some people have big weigh loss without the fill (weeks right after surgey) and others become very discouraged because the weight is coming off as quickly as they had hoped.

How long did you have to wait before your first fill and how much of a fill was it? I am guessing the doc starts out with a smaller fill in the beginning, is that correct?

Okay, I just passed the stress test yippee! As I was walking on the treadmill I began to realize how out of shape I really am! But May 25th is the beginning of a new life! Today I bought a pair of walking sneakers, some puddings, oatmeal, applesauce etc. and I began thinking that I should make a list of all the things I need to prepare for before surgery. I do all the food shopping so I want to get things in prior to the band-

Any suggestions? I have 3 pairs of yoga pants for after the surgery - is that enough? When can you begin to wear jeans?

I know I need the gas strips- which ones? I am going to copy and paste all suggestions for my to-do list. I even am planning on coloring my hair right before I go in since I won't be able to shower for a while (10 days I think). All advice would be greatly appreciated from whatto bring to the hospital to whatto do the week before.

Thanks for all your support!!

why do you need an endoscope???Is this required by everyone??? I have had all my pre op tests done and no one ever mentioned an endoscope? Hope I haven't missed this one.

I thought this was a standard procedure for the lapband. I have the Dr. visit first and then next week the scope.

I actually wentto lunch today with someone who has had the band for 3 yrs. (I get my band the end of the month).

Anyway, after lunch she very graciously excused herself from the table and walked to the bathroom. She was stuck and said it felt like heartburn and threw it up.

i can recommend dr reich in manahawkin, NJ they are awesome there and have the highest success rate around here. i work with someone that had it done and lost 200 lbs in less then 2 years. I had my surgery last week and i already lost 42 lbs... 30 lbs in the last week! The staff there are awesome too... very supportive and very pro band

You lost 30 pounds in 1 week?!! I didn't think that was even possible-congratulations!!!:tongue3:

I was thinking the same thing- 20 pounds in 1 month is awesome! Next time you go into the supermarket pick up 2 10 lb bags of potatoes- that's how much you have lost!

Also, from my understanding, it can take a while to get the fills exactly right.

Good luck !!!!

I have had both. I liked the unjury chocolate mixed with milk. I only use the Syntrax nectar powders now for all my Protein shakes. I prefer mixing the fruit flavored ones with Crystal Light to enhance the flavor. The chocolate Truffle is my breakfast staple. I have also added mints, ice, and sf no-fat choc fudge pudding mix to make a Mint Chocolate Protein shake. Great stuff. I'd advise having a good blender though to mix things properly. I have a Vitamix and it works great.

Favorites:

Chocolate Truffle

Roadside Lemonade - w/ Rasperry Lemonade Crystal Light

Twisted cherry - w/ Cherry Pomengranate Crystal Light

Thanks!

:oThanks for the input! At least I'll be able to go to lunch because I have my pre-op the first thing in the am and I'll be starving (no eating after midnight) then I go for the scope.

Can anyone give me some info on this procedure and what to expect?

The more details the better

A friend was going to pick me up and go out to lunch until I feel up to driving- can I drive home an hour or so after having the procedure done. Will I even be able to eat afterwards-maybe just sip some tea?

I only ask because it's about an hour from my house and I would rather not have to ask someone to take off of work to drive me home.

Your input will help me make my decision- thanks so much!

I have a long list of Protein supplements that I need to take- but the nutritionist recommended these two as being the best. I don't trust her because she's skinny Has anyone tried these before I purschase them? Which flavors are the best?

She recommended I add 1 scoop of strawberry Sorbet Unjury to 8oz of fruit flavored Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange or Raspberry Ice. I love Crystal Light so that shouldn't be a problem as long as the Unjury isn't horrible.

She also said I could add Choc. or Van. Unjury into skim milk- has anyone tried any of these and what's it like?

They said I only have to do the diet for 1 week if my BMI is less than 45-which it is. I think I can survive 1 week.

Did anyone order them online? How long does ittake to get delivered and is it delivered in a private sort of package?

Thanks for all the input!

Try giving her something that weighs 75lbs ( or something very heavy ) and tell her to walk up and down the stairs carrying it. Then tell her that's what it feels like being overweight and why it's so difficult to be motivated enough to exercise.

My dog only weighs 19 pounds, but when I pick her up and walk around the house it's very tiring and I can't do it for very long. I often think that if I lost even 19 punds it would be equal to not carry a Jack Russel around with me all day. My goal is to lose the equalivant to 4 Jack Russels ! lol

Congratulations on your awesome weight lost!! That's amazing- I think maybe your goal should be losing 100 pounds by your year anniversary-that alone would be a huge milestone for one year! Good luck to you!