Kgirl1960

Brandy, We are band buddies - my surgery is on the 22nd also! I'm starting to get really excited (and a little scared). We have to stay in touch to compare notes. kristy

Brandy, We are band buddies - my surgery is on the 22nd also! I'm starting to get really excited (and a little scared). We have to stay in touch to compare notes. kristy

I just found this site today, and it seems to have so much information. I am scheduled for banding on July 22. My insurance company (also my employer) required a 6-month supervised diet program. My surgeon's group is doing a huge research study called PREP, and I agreed to participate. I was randomized into the highly supervised group, and I am sooo glad! I met with a coach every week, and eased into diet and exercise. My coach Mallory was such a positive force for me, and gave me so many suggestions that really helped me. I work out at least 6 days/week (walking video with dumbbells - I'm up to 4 pounders), and I document everything I eat, trying to stay at 1500 calories or less. I have already gone from 292 to 247. Best of all, I feel that I am capable of following the post-op diet and exercise programs and not "eat over" my band. Today I had my last appt with my surgeon and she mentioned that I can also have plication done at the same time as banding. I have been feverishly researching it ever since and think I am going to do both. I was so confident before, but now I'm kinda freaking out. But I think its the right decision. I'm 50 and have been fighting weight issues since about age 35, when my thyroid died at the same time we started infertility treatment. Both really packed on the weight. I got down to 190 9 years ago, but gained it all back. I hope this is the tool to keep the weight off for good. Incidentally, I had to have my gallbladder out last year on July 13, and prior to that I saw a liver specialist because the GB attack made my liver functions out of whack. By the time I saw the liver specialists, my bloodwork was back to normal, but he diagnosed me with fatty liver. He prescribed vitamin E 800 iu/day, and I've taken it ever since. You can't start it now, because it thins the blood, but if anyone has fatty liver, that is one of the only things that helps, besides weight loss. Good luck to all the other July banders ! Kristy

OMG - that is terrible. I am not scheduled for surgery until July 22 but met with my surgeon and her nurse today and was already given instructions for liquid diet the day before and given Rx for my pain medicine so that I have it there when I get home. Good luck tomorrow, I will think positive thoughts for you!