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Hi Amy, One upside to doing it Tuesday is less days of pre-op diet, right? Or have you already started? Shauna

Jen and Lizzy, so glad to hear you have strong support systems. That is so important. Everyone I have told (2 friends, 1 coworker with gastric bypass, and immediate family) have all been supportive, and it was such a relief! I thought they would just tell me to get off my ass and exercise and diet! Shauna

Nechama, you are of course welcome...you can be our "senior correspondent" LOL I think it's a great idea to buy some smaller sized clothes. One of the funniest posts I have read here was that a woman bought a bikini in the size of her goal weight and tied it to the refrigerator handle! Shauna

Dangit, does anyone know how to get these stupid tickers working?

Welcome to all the new people! I'm jealous of you guys that have your dates set...I'm still waiting for all of my tests to be done. Did anyone else have and EGD? I'm supposed to get one and not sure what to expect. Thanks! Shauna

I get that problem from the whey-based protein powders and shakes...maybe try egg or soy-based ones and see if it goes away.

That's great you have such a concrete goal with your jeans and your cruise! My 40th birthday is late January and my goal is to be in the "normal weight" category by then...we will be having a big party to celebrate! I too am sometimes afraid of failing with the band but it's my decision whether to use it correctly or not, and I make the choice to say "IT WORKS!".

I have told immediate family, a couple of friends, and one co-worker who has had gastric bypass. Anyone else, I'm going to say "I eat less, and move more"...that is not a lie but keeps them out of my business.

Hi NomersCat, I too am working on quitting my (diet) soda addiction. After a few failed attempts this last week I finally made it through today without one. However, I did take 1/2 of a No Doz (caffeine pill) to get through this morning. I think I will do the 1/2 pill for a few days, then down to 1/4 pill for a few days, then none. Maybe this could help you? Shauna

Some surgeons offer complications insurance through BLIS (http://www.bliscompany.com/), including mine. It covers things like slippage, erosion, etc. I am considering getting it but it is very expensive. Is anyone else considering it, or paid for it? Shauna

Hi Tracy, I got it from www.worldofcharms.com...they have tons of charms for every imaginable need. Search for the "vasectomy cupid" if you don't believe me...funniest thing I've seen in a while! Hi Crystaldmm, I would definitely talk to your surgeon about that, as none of us are medical pros here (as far as I know) and that might be a valid concern. Are any of you that are self-pay getting BLIS insurance for potential complications? Shauna

Thanks for replying guys. I have heard "but your're not that big" once, this from a co-worker who had gastric bypass at 500 lbs., but after I told him my real weight (he was shocked) of almost 200 lbs., and the fact I was almost half that weight as a teenager (I have a very small frame that was clearly NOT built to be carrying 200 lbs). However, he totally supports me now and is even going to do my pre-op diet with me to jumpstart his weight loss which has stalled (I'm guessing at around 275). I remind everyone that I have gained 30 lbs in the past year despite working out 5 times a week and that I can wait but why wait until I'm morbidly obese? I've already got the health problems and told my family I want to see my son grow up...that helped them get on board. Shauna

Hey guys, I ordered a charm bracelet today to walk through my lap-band journey. It will be a plain bracelet except for one engravable heart charm...which I plan to have engraved with the date when I reach my goal weight. It symbolizes that I love myself. Every time I lose 10 lbs. I will treat myself to a new charm. It might symbolize something I've always wanted to do, or something/someone important to me that I'm doing this for. I think my second charm will be the Eiffel Tower...I've always wanted to go to Europe but always put it off because I know you have to walk a lot there and my weight means PAIN when I do that. Shauna

This is certainly something your surgeon should be telling you he is going to do, BEFORE the surgery. One post I read on here was from a gentleman who had a only found out by reading the fine print in a stack full of papers he had to sign at the pre-op consultation...he almost made it sound like it wasn't something for his benefit but more for a "study" someone was doing. I don't particularly want to be someone's guinea pig so I'm going to ask my doc before hand (and read every word before signing stuff!) Shauna

That is a great list! The one thing I would add under "Medical" would be a heating pad for gas pains after surgery...they are supposed to help a lot. I believe the ice packs are for incisions, right? I anyone else told to measure (like in a cup) their food instead of weigh it? That's what my nutritionist said in his packet. I that case, we may want to add "measuring cups" to the list. Shauna

HI Diana and Dream! Please keep us updated on your journey! I don't have my date yet but hopefully will soon! Do you guys have pre-op diets? Shauna

To those who haven't gotten it yet, I highly recommend a book called Bandwagon by Jean McMillan...it's on Amazon. Shauna

Hi Cat Lady, It is impossible to tell whether the band caused those things, but I do know the band has been in use for 20 years in Europe and other countries and I've not heard of any problems like that with it. I think people are quick to blame the band for everything that goes wrong with them. Shauna

Thanks! Do you know if GNC or anywhere else carries it in smaller portions so I can try before I buy? Shauna

Wow Lisa, that is awesome...I have my appointment with my Primary Care Physician Tuesday and hope we can get all the pre-op requirements out of the way quickly so I can schedule my lap-band. I am worried my PCP will tell me not to get the band, but as far as I know he can't stop me either. Hey guys, there is a special forum for July 2011 Bandsters at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/2483-july-2011-bandsters/ Should we take our conversations over there? Then we could post new topics and not be hogging the Pre-op forum. What do you think?

We will definitely keep this thread going guys! I'm also having SEVERAL last dinners at my favorite restaurants...last night was Pollo Fundido at Garcias! Best of luck to all of you starting your pre-op diets soon, give us tips on how you do it! Shauna

Hi MassMom, It's not unheard of to not have a pre-op diet but it's pretty unusual. The reason for it (according to my surgeon) is to shrink your liver, as they have to get around it or under it to reach your stomach, and a lot of us have fatty/enlarged livers due to obesity. My doc is only making me do 10 days of the pre-op diet instead of 14 because my BMI is 33. Is your BMI relatively low? Maybe your doc is making an exception for you if so. Shauna

Hi Aly, I'm nervous about the pre-op diet too, but I am SOOOO lucky because my doc allows a few solids...just NO carbs (other than what is in a low carb Protein shake) and I'm a carb person. Cool thing is my co-worker (who had gastric bypass and has kinda stalled out on his weight loss) and my best friend are going to do it with me. They might slightly modify it to add some fruits and veggies but otherwise we will be going through carb withdrawal together! Are you on a strict liquid diet? What does everyone else pre-op diet look like? Shauna

Hi Catbert (cute name; I love Dilbert), Glad to see you here, please visit back with updates on your journey and how your consultation goes. Shauna

Yeah, I get that if she was insinuating that the was the only reason...best of luck to you!