MustangMama

I'm doing this for the same reasons you are doing it. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer last August. I finished chemo in Jan. Radiation in April... and I am getting my band next Tuesday. I'm very much looking forward to getting control of my body I know this is my best chance to get healthy and try to prevent recurrence, so I am taking it! I have a teenaged daughter who I would do anything for, including making myself healthy -so that I can be there for all of her milestones. Do some research and some soul searching ultimately this is a decision only you can make for you.

My psych eval was NOTHING like I thought it would be. In fact I didn't even get asked any questions! It was a group setting (9 of us) and the counselor just talked to us about getting our mindset ready to lose weight and the changes it will/can cause in personal relationships and the importance of exercising. It was more of a lecture setting.

You know... once you get past the first 2-3 days of the liquid diet its not that bad. I'm not gonna lie though... I was HURTING on day 2. Between the hunger pains and headaches I didn't think I was gonna be able to do it but it got a lot better. I guess it was just my body getting used to it. Now...its all good. I even cook dinner for my family every night! And I am a full time student so I didn't have to worry about taking off from work but my doctor recommends 2 weeks off, although I suppose it depends on the person.

I'll be in the same boat... starting school in Mid August with a FULL schedule. 3 Lecture classes and 2 Lab classes. I'm kinda worried about how I am going to work in some nutrition on the days I'm at school from 8 to 3... but I'm sure I'll think of something.

Yep... I did it too and ended up gaining. UGH. That SUCKED big time. Do yourself a favor, if you are aware of it make yourself stop. I was so disappointed in myself for the gain.

Welcome and best of luck on your journey to bandland!

In my Nutrition class last week there were 9 of us... 6 were having the lapband (2 who were so heavy they weren't even able to walk anymore) ...2 the sleeve...and only 1 was doing the bypass. (I hope this makes you feel better) Don't sweat it! They all made the decision they are comfortable with... so have you. Don't let this mess with your head. You have the prize in sight... you just have to reach for it.

Its rough the first few days I'm not gonna lie, I struggled myself but it DOES get easier. Promise. Just hang in there... you are on the home stretch! BTW... I'm getting banded the 26th too

My doctor wants me to take 2 Dulcolax tablets at lunch the day before surgery. You guys aren't alone!

Here is the way I look at it: Sure, I may be hungry and have all the side effects that go with it but I know that I will be able to eat again only this time I will be better prepared for it. Guys, its all in the mind. It REALLY is. BELIEVE in yourself. BELIEVE that you can do this... DO everything in your power to make it happen for yourself, and you will see... you WILL achieve your goal. I understand doubts, fear of pain, frustrations, anxiety, depression... and so much more. But let me tell you... you are SO much stronger than you think you are. After my cancer diagnosis, I lived by the motto: You never know how strong you are until you HAVE to be. Get your mind in the right place if you start to obsess on your hunger... go find something to do whether around the house or even go out and shop for a smaller pair of pants. Chances are, if you ignore that hunger ... you'll be fitting in them in no time! <3 (If this is what you believe) My favorite bible verse... Isaiah 41:10

Good Luck to everyone getting their "buddy" today!!!

18Dreamer.... My husband has a saying that he uses "Don't let your old self hate your young self." If you really don't think the band is for you, maybe its not but neither is being 300lbs. How do I know that? Because NO ONE is healthy at that weight. The things you do when you are in your teens and twenties will start to catch up with you in your 30's. We have ALL had our health issues here that can be directly related to weight. Some of those issues are serious and deadly. Trust me, you do not want to be thinking about life and death in the prime of your life. You have the choice to add years to your life. Whether its with the band or not... that is your decision to make but don't let your fear of change keep you in that 300lb body. You deserve SO much better. You are worth so much more than that.

NatchezNate... I have been on the pre-op diet for 6 days and have lost 9 pounds. All water I'm sure but its nice to see the loss anyway. I am also in Louisiana btw, getting banded on the 26th.

Congrats! Wishing you all the best...

I didn't. I had to see a therapist but I have to say... it really wasn't a psyche eval if you ask me. (Or nothing like I thought it was gonna be) Mine was basically a meeting with a group of us Pre-Ops and the counselor. She basically told us what we were in for with each procedure. (Lapband, Sleeve, and Bypass) There was NO one on one... in fact, there was very little conversation from the pre-ops at all the counselor did most of the talking. She stressed the importance of getting in the right frame of mind to make a life style change and exercise. It was a piece of cake and over in an hour.

TwinMom... I didn't really have a choice in the matter. My doc wants us all to use Bariatric Advantage. I did try Syntrax Nectar mixed with Crystal Light... and thought it was a little worse. (If that is even possible) I have found if I make a shake using coffee and sugar free Toriani syrups with a little cocoa powder they are almost tolerable though. It took me about a week to find a combination of flavors that masked the smell enough for me to be able to get it down with out gagging...but I am REAL sensitive to smells.

I'm in the throws of the 2 week pre op shake only diet... and it DOES suck. Knowing I have another 3 weeks of this is a little disheartening but I am comforted by the fact the surgery will remove my hunger for a couple of days anyway. lol!

Rock... look at it this way: You have given in to food for far too long, making it so important.... that it was worth losing your health over. Now is your chance to take your body back. Don't let fear of change ruin what could be one of the most empowering decisions of your life. You are strong... you can do this.

I'm SO with you on this! The excitement is beginning to build. I'm settling into the liquid diet getting used to it now but I think I am about to ditch the stuff my doc recommended (Bariatric Advantage UGH ) and go see if I can find something a little more palatable. I have my visit with the Nutritionist and Shrink today... and tomorrow I have all my pre-op appts. Then it will be smooth sailing til next Tuesday! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!

I chose the band because I didn't do it 5 years ago when I could have, and since then I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I can't help but wonder if I had gotten the weight off when I could have... would I have developed the cancer at all? I fought for my life at the age of 37 (with no family history of cancer) because anything and everything became more important to me than taking care of my body. Never again. I chose the band over the byass because it is not going to change my anatomy and as anyone who has been through breast cancer already knows, my anatomy has been changed enough. The band was the right decision for me. I just wish I had pulled the trigger 5 years ago.

Congrats to all the new Bandits! I am on day 2 of pre-op liquids and I gotta be honest, I have been wondering just what the heck I have gotten myself into. lol ... I would KILL for something to chew. Or something savory... anything for heaven's sake. lol... UGH I am doing my very best to NOT complain to my family as this torture is self inflicted but the hunger pains mixed with the headaches... are turning me into a not very wonderful version of myself. How in the world is my family going to survive the next month of liquids? AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

YAY!!! We'll be band Twinkies Serifa! I have to do 12 days of liquids... then the day before surgery clear liquids, then 2 weeks of liquids post op. I wish I could do modified atkins... but I won't be complaining, I'm just so thrilled to see my surgery date circled on the calendar.

Just got my date!!! I'm SO excited to be getting my band July 26th. Just started my liquid diet using my Doctor's recommended brand "Bariatric Advantage" It tastes like crap, but whatever, I just feel privileged to be in this position. WOOOOHOOOO!

I was in my clothes but had to take my shoes off. Funny thing, the nurse measured me @ 5'5 1/2 inches tall. I am 5'6" flat footed. I have been since I was a teen. I wonder if this is a bit of padding the docs use to make sure your BMI is higher.

Congrats