mdrai

Hello April '07 Banders!~~ Looks like a great group here... please add me to the list, Tracy! OK, so I don't have an actual, official date yet, but I am cautiously optimistic that I'll be an April bander. I had my first consult w/the surgeon & first overview meeting w/the nutritionist last Thursday. Yesterday I scheduled all my tests: 3 radiology, 1 cardio, 1 gastro -- they're for this Thurs & Fri. Once those results are ready (I'm figuring a week?), then my packet will be ready to send to insurance! I'm probably being optimistic, but I figure a week or two for approval (my case manager said they try to do 24-hr turnaround, but I don't want to rely on that!), then hopefully scheduled for April -- even late April will do! In the meantime, yesterday I began their I guess you'd call it "pre-pre diet": 70 g Protein, 30-50 g carbs, 15-30 g fat; at least 64 oz. water; NO bread, rice Pasta, potatoes, fruit (they add fruit back in after surgery); 2 multivitamins; replace 1 meal w/ a high-protein, low-carb shake; and no sodas, juices, caffeine, or carbonated beverages. It's not difficult, as I am an expert at Atkins (when I want to be ) & I don't drink sodas or caffeine anyway... the hardest part is counting & learning about the protein & fat numbers, as I've never worked w/those before. But I think it's good, so I'll be in the groove & know what's what once I'm back on food post-band. Once I'm scheduled, I'll have a 2-week pre-op liquid diet & a 2-week post-op diet. That's it for now! I look forward to getting to know each of you as we continue on this journey!

Hi Everyone, Newbie here... primarily a lurker so far... in the "decision" stages of whether lapband is for me / if I realistically think I can do it. I've been to the intro seminar and have been reading all I can on this site. I feel fairly confident that I understand the mechanics of the band and the requirements. I go for my initial consult w/the surgeon on Thursday. Here's where I'm stuck in my decision-making process: Can I do it?? Can I really live with not eating bread (Pasta, pizza, etc...) ever again? bagels, cinnamon rolls, danish, warm donuts... I know that these foods and my emotional reliance on them is what has led me to my lovely 315+ lbs... but I am concerned that my head won't let go and I'll still want a giant bowl of pasta but will be physically able to eat only a teensy bit of something else and I'll go crazy w/it. Does this make sense? Or am I already crazy?? I feel like I am at a major crossroads in my life... continue and get fatter & more miserable & then die... or do something completely different & major to shake myself up and jumpstart a new approach to life/food/living. When I think of it this way, the answer is clear to me. But when I imagine the day-to-day... I'm scared that I won't have the strength to do what needs to be done for the long-term. Back and forth... back and forth... this analysis runs round my head in a big circle. Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks!

Thank you each for responding! It helps to know that I'm not alone in having these thoughts & feelings. I love this: "will I really enjoy a life without frequent, glorious, delicious carb indulgences?" -- it sums up my worries perfectly! Also, "I'm willing to sacrifice it so I can live better and healthier, but if I'm willing to do that, why can't I do it without the surgery??? " This is another question I've posed to myself. I think I've come to know that with the amount of weight I need to lose, plus the multiple attempts (some successful!) over the past 20 years, that this time needs to be something really different, really drastic.... literally, a last hope. I feel stuck in my head... I'm hoping that meeting w/the surgeon, etc., on Thurs will help me know the right thing to do. I'm so confident and boisterous and capable in my "real life"... this uncertainty and worry are really throwing me for a loop! I'm in a very meditative, quiet place... so not like me! Thanks again, everyone!

Thanks for asking the question. I've been wondering along similar lines myself: "After being banded, how do I handle the "head" or "emotional" hunger / habits that got me fat in the first place?" or maybe the question is not "how do I" but "can I"?? I'd love to hear from anyone with any insight or experience with this!! Thanks!!!

Yay Tracy -- the waiting is over and you got a date!!! :clap2: Not as soon as you wanted, but your attitude is FANTASTIC! Yay You!! :cheer2:

Hey Tracy! I finally took the plunge & registered on this site, too... I've lurked long enough... time to join in the fun, right?? My initial consult visit is scheduled for 2/22... 2 weeks from today!... so I doubt I'll be a March bander... but maybe April??? You're in my good thoughts! I hope you get the call soon!! Hang in there!!! :gluck:

That's too bad... but it's all part of becoming healthier, right?? I keep telling myself that what is meant to be will be... and all in it's proper time... but that I'm moving forward & making better choices every day & that that's GOOD! I'm in Frederick. You?

My consult is scheduled for 2/22... I keep telling myself that patience is a virtue! I'm in MD, too! Who is your doc? Mine is Dr. Greene in Gaithersburg.

Thanks for posting the link! I want all the info I can get as I research this tool. Thanks!