DynamoMini

I have 12 days until surgery and it is all I think about. I just started my preop diet, I'm lining up people to stay with me if I need it. It is constantly on my mind. I am not sure how constructive this focus is, but it seems to be what I am doing.:omg: I understand everyone's jitters. I take meds for anxiety so I hope they are enough. I am trying to sort out issues with my mom. Since I told her about the surgery she has found a million ways to talk about my weight even though I made a boundary around it. Now, even though she changed reservations to go to Seattle, I want her to stay away from me. I want this venture to be mine and pure from poisonous sabotage and thinking. But she's my mom. At first I just wanted her to stay away forever, but this won't work so I think I will ask she stay away until I invite her in, then with the strict rules that she can't talk about my weight or diet. When she talks, I hurt. I am hoping to change the way I deal with this, but feel very vulnerable today, with surgery looming. :clap2: On the other side, I am excited about moving forward. I want the changes I am inviting into my life. At 57, I think this is the perfect time to get the lifestyle I want. Best wishes to you, write and share your jitters, I think it helps to type them out and see the emotions as only two dimensional.

China mom - I understand the stresses of your life. I, too, was infertile, did some infertility stuff against my husband's wishes, then adopted two wonderful babies. I felt blessed but the adoptions and added stress triggered his alcoholism, we got divorced when the kids were five. Then I remarried two years later and my husband died when the boys turned 13, their adoptive dad died when they were 14 and I have been alone ever since. My weight added on with each tragedy, each time I would lose weight, by a variety of methods, the weight would reappear and grow. Now I am looking at a 100 pound loss needed to have a healthy life. I am being banded on April 16th. I am very excited to take back my life. Best wishes to you and your dreams, All the best to you.

TaterBug - You are so right to take care of yourself. You are honoring the new you! The trip was wonderful, the ocean glorious and the weather perfect. I walked on the beach every day, got a little color, did pretty well with my mom because my cousin and aunt are supportive. So now down to business. I just have to get through tonight then I will do the stocking the shelf thing too. My son (19) eats lots of junk, but he can keep it outside in the garage frig. I figure I'll just eat lots of soups during the clear stage and I hope the smoothies I ordered come this week. Well, glad to hear about the south beach bars. I will look for them here. Michelle

Tater Bug - I am getting so excited about the surgery. Good luck with preop. I am starting mine on the 4th. I have to get through Passover (big cooking and eating holiday) first. Next year, someone else can make the dinner. I think everyone around us gets really nervous about the upcoming surgery. My mom is a trip anyway, I think I will ban her from the surgery center. She can give me chicken soup afterward. I'm on the countdown too.

Drews - I bet you are just in such better shape, or the dress manufacturers are changing the size statistics, who knows, you are looking FABULOUS and that is all that counts. Sometimes I want to throw the scale into the ocean. Skate away!

So sorry for your distress. I know this will pass you are young and vital. A whole life to look forward to. I also know the blow you took looking at your own mortality. Use it as a tool to improve and believe in yourself. You are uniquely wonderful Best wishes for a rapid recovery, remember through each trial you suffer there is something to learn. And last but not least - life just sucks sometimes.

Thanks BJean - I was hoping it was like that. I am good at following directions and am sooooooooo ready to have the surgery. I just want to get my ducks in a row. I will go online to see the list of operation suggestions I think both the site I use have them. Thanks for the info.

:wave: Hi Everyone, Yes, I'm in Puerto Morelos. It is wonderful, wish you could be here. It is wonderful. I'm looking at the ocean, kite surfers and happy people. Take care don't forget me. I can't wait to get my surgery on April 16th. Can anyone tell me how much help I will need right after surgery?

green - you are too funny and very brave! I am impressed. About the burqa, I don't know if I'd be willing to go that far...... ha..ha... Good luck, whatever your decision and I'll remember you to be the cosmetic guru when it is my turn to be brave and my face looks like a prune due to thinness. Chuckles,

Sunnysea - Hasta manana! Ole! I'll be sipping in April. I think a Marguarita or two wouldn't hurt before my preop diet. Lots of walks on the beach, painting under the palm trees, just listening to the waves. It is a good life.

Hi HoneyLin - I helps each time to hear someone my age go for the band and do so well. Thanks for sharing and good luck with continued success.

Hey Drewslou - I will get some of the better than boulion. Did you use any of the box soups? In the past switching from hot to cold liquids helps the cravings too. I plan to stock up. It is so exciting. Tater is April 13th I am April 16th LapDancer April 17th We'll have to compare recovery notes. Of course, I am the oldest patient here. Smiles, It's like a club!!!

BJean - There is no way that I would get to my destination with any bagels left. Bread the other frontier and gonna be my final frontier.

I hope to be a lot less of me by Thanksgiving. A very happy thought. I decided I won't look at my neck as ugly, but as a balloon that's been blown up and the air let out. Do you think duct tape could tape it back behind my neck. Just kidding, well maybe not....... Rooster comb.... OMG!

meeeeeee tooooooooo, Jealous and greeeeeeeeen! I haven't been banded, but know the plastic surgery will have to come after. I think it is a good idea to wait some time to let the skin tighten as much as naturally possible. For sure I'll need a TT, all the weight is there, additionally the neck will look like a rooster's. Oh the joys of weight loss, and my surgery isn't until April 16th. I heard Thailand has great plastic surgeons, I was considering a trip in a couple of years. Ha ha.... Best wishes all you gorgeous chicks!

Welcome Woofay! Dr. K. is very nice. Not to worry... Sunnysea - I will staying in a village 40 minutes south of Cancun airport. It isn't Playa del Carmen, but I'm not sure if it is north or south of there. My cousin just bought a condo there. I understand you just climb over a sand dune and you are at the beach. Yum!!!!!!!!! If I like it I'll go more often. Smiles,

Misty and Lap Dancer - Welcome to the April Bansters. Misty is having surgery on Friday, mine is Monday and Lap Dancer's is Tuesday. That is great news. I haven't heard about a suppository. I don't really want to have one if I don't need it. I do want to start focusing on a preop type program when I get back from Mexico (3/22 - 3/31). I plan to start PreOp on April 4th. I have Passover on the 2nd and everyone is coming to my house. Surgery is getting lots closer now, I am scared and excited. Hugs to all,

gailannr - I love your family. The good and the bad. You never doubted their love for each other and love for you. You have been blessed. You are doing really well with the band, and your surgery was recent. Best wishes,

shrinkpachyderm - I liked the two descriptions of the way we love. When fat I fall into the second description - love me, I beg you, I'll be really good to you...... When thin (ancient history) I was above the rest. I'm cool and you'd better love me... or else. Neither are very productive. Love does have to come from within for yourself, no matter what shape you are in. I think I am getting there. Thanks for putting it so well.

I welcome all of you, I too am new to the banding world. I have decided to go ahead and have a surgery date April 16th. I think this is my chance to unload the 100 pound backpack I carry throughout my days. i think it is important to make an informed decision. It has taken me two years and yet another diet failure to commit. Best wishes and keep coming back to the site. This is a wonderful place for support whatever your decision is.

Dear Everyone, You know it is good to share our stories. I, now, think, yes, it was awful for me but not as bad as some people have it. These are the experiences that form our life experience - we have the choice, now, how much we are allowing bad situations to interfere with living our lives today. I have many patterns of behavior I want to change in order to embrace a new lifestyle. I kept waiting for my growth spirt, but that was all she wrote and 5'0" I was in fifth grade and still am today! Chuckles,

Machele - You are doing sooooo well. I am jealous, I have less than a month to wait now. Best wishes for a slimming recovery.

Machele - Welcome to bandland. I am following you on April 16th. You sound like you did FABULOUS! And soon you will feel that way too. Hugs and best wishes,

Me too! I think it would help me prepare better for surgery. Thanks!

Green - That was elegantly put. I too, was an early bloomer getting my first period, age 10, at Girl Scout camp, where an old "nurse" gave me PetoBismal and I was told not to tell anyone about it. I was terrified, taking care of myself in an outhouse, lonely and ashamed. No one else was developed. Kids teased, my parents were embarrassed by my development, so I was. My mother screamed at me for not telling her about my growing breasts in 4th grade. We traveled to another town to get a bra, a horrible experience with my mother and a clucking, poking salesperson. I was mortified. I reached my full height of 5'0" by fifth grade. I was the second tallest that year. Yep, we're the same age. I have tried, as my friend's daughter come of age, to present them with a rose and a positive outlook. I wish someone had been kind like that with me. Celebrating womanhood instead of making it a shameful process. Maybe it isn't just the betrayals of the body, but of our family and how they treat puberty. Why not celebrate?