Jackie's girl

I went through the same things, 2 years plus research, not sleeping etc. I really was afraid of what would be different than all of my 20 years plus of dieting attempts. I finally had to really get peace about it and look at this differently. Instead of letting my fears drive my decision, I decided to let my excitement and my passion for wanting to be healthy drive me. I then surrounded myself with positive people. That is part of it. I think surgery is scary, which is why I am doing alot of crying as I approach the date. This is very emotional for most of us and I think you have to acknowledge all your feelings, but don't let them drive you. Most of all don't let fear drive what you do. We are all in this together.

I am so glad to hear you could drink without a problem. i think there is no fluid in the band at first right? i have surgery in 3 weeks and I am glad to hear stories.

That is about accurate. I do Zumba alot. Now it depends on your personal intensisty level. That is for a fully intense workout, doing all the moves properly and at maximum intensity. For me, i know I am not doing what the instructor is doing so i cut that number in half and still make out good on calorie burned. it is not an excat scienc when you look it up becasue it also does not take your weight into account. But for the mist part, you do burn quite a bit.

Im May 14th, so good luck!

This is my reason for the band. I have always been successful at losing weight, but can't keep it off becasue I get off treack and over eat. The band will be that little extra reminder that I can't stuff or I will be sick...not willing to do that! Just an extra tool to help me stay on track when otherwise I would overeat.

Well it sounds like we are "Lapband twins" I go in on the 14th as well and would love to hear your stories. I have also been on a high protein diet since Feb. I did that because protein is something that we need so much of after surgery so I practiced getting it in now. For me, it helped me lose 30 pounds also combined with the intense workouts that I do. I attend my nutrition class next Friday, but I think I just do a 1000 calorie diet for 2 weeks, which wont be much different than the 1300 Im doing now. Good luck to you.

I agree that some people are negative and I feel badly for people that think this is a magic bullet. i actually feel like I am working harder than I did on the regular diets I have done over the years, but it is worth. The best advice someone ever gave me was to go into this with your eyes wide open, knowing you have to work this to be successful. I get banded May 14th, but have been working hard since Feb and have lost 30 pounds, trying to maximize my time on the other side.

I also use Lose It.com and I find it wonderful for me. as you lose weight, it recalculates your calorie intake. It is a good accountability tool.

Are you eating enough calories, sometimes underconsumption has the same effect as eating too much.

Hi Everyone, I am finally scheduled for surgery on May 14th. I am required to do a 2 week 1,000 calorie diet prior to surgery, with nothing after midnight the day before surgery. This concerns me because I hear everyone else saying they do a 2 week liquid diet or at least a liquid diet right before surgery. What was everyone else required to do?

Good to meet you ladies, I am scheduled for May 14th, so we are all right behind each other. it would be great to share stories.

Good to read this. I am a teacher and stand on my feet all day, and I am worried about being out too long.

I was approved in less than a week.

I was wondering the same thing. Ihope it come right before, great post

Once you have been approved for surgery, it should not matter if you lose weight or not. They are not going to turn you away. I was told that the purpose of the pre op diet it to shrink the liver and reduce the amount of fat in the liver. The liver can get huge depending on what you have consumed (alot of fatty foods), The smaller it is, the easier it is to get to your stomach. They don't need to see your liver per say, but they know what size the liver should be based on what you eat. Every doctor is different. I don't have to do a liquid diet at all. We do 1000 calories for 2 weeks prior to surgery, which for me is no big deal. i consume 1330 calories now. I use a program that calculates the calories for me and I eat at least 85 grams of protien a day. That is based on my weight. I have lost 27 pounds since Feb and I am scheduled for surgery in May. Nothing after midnight the day before surgery. You may lose weight on a liquid diet, but it will most likley be gained back as soon as you eat solid food again. If you are not counting calories, it is hard to determine what you are taking in. I know some people hate it, but I do it. It helps me stay accountable. I now right after surgery I may not consume that because of the healing, therefore I was told not to really focus on losing weight right after surgery. Once I get back to solid food, your body is going to regulate itself instead of thinking you are starving it. Your body can go into starvation mode if it is not getting enough. Everyone is different on how many calories you can consume to lose weight, but I know what works for me. I also know I will not lose a lot of weight during the healing phase becasue my exercise will be limited. I think the key is to learn your body and really do what works for you. It is hard not to focus on weight loss initially, but that is what my entire team is telling me becasue your body has gone through changes. I wont be weighing in until 8 weeks after my surgery. Wont be hard for me becasue I don't want to get discourgaed becasue my body needs time to heal and regulate.

I agree about the food and exercise journal. I know someone else who uses my fitness Pal, but there are others out there too. I use Lose It! and I love it. It is all electronic and I used to use my phone, now my iPad. It is fun to me to log in my calories and exercise. It tracks your weight loss as well and send you badges when you reach milestones, so it makes it fun. So try a program that works for you and good luck.

I think with any weight loss effort there will be distractions. From someone who has struggled for 20 years and has started over too many times to count, it is never too late. You have the band now and it is meant to be a tool. So use the tool by starting again. I agree that you can do it again! Good luck to you, don't be discouraged.

I have a pretty aggressive exercise routine and realize after my surgery I will not be able to do things right away. I am addicted to Zumba, which if you do it correctly really uses your stomach muscles. Does anyone else do it regularly and when can you get back to it. I also take step, which is not all stomach, but is alot of jumping around and moving quickly. That is what I am concerned about. Anyone else have an aggressive exercise routine in place before surgery?

Also are you consuming the right number of calories?

I am hoping for May as well. Just waiting for my doctor to send my paperwork to my surgeon, then it is off to the insurance company for approval. They say it is about 2 weeks for that. Then I have to do a pre op nutrition class, then pre op bloodwork. My calculations say the end of May. Everyone is being really slow, which is frustrating. I call my doctor everyday asking if my stuff has been sent. I figure if I am like a squeaky wheel, they will send it. Good luck everyone!

Hi, I am hoping to be a May bandster too. Im now in the process of waiting for my doc to send my stuff to the surgeon and then wait for insurance approval. I started this process in August of 2011 and it has taken me this long to get all the stuff done, mostly the medical diet. I just was not being committed to it, I think out of fear. I had done everything else. I also had not told my family so I was stalling a little, but now going forth full steam. I am 22 pounds down, hoping to lose 40 by the time I go into surgery. So I hope we can all stay connected. LETS GO MAY Bandsters!!

I am scheduled to have surgery some time in May. I have told my close circle of friends and my sisters. Im not hiding it, but not advertising it either. When people ask, I will tell them I am working out, eating healthy, reducing my portions etc...none of which is a lie. They don't need to know I have tool in place to help me. I treat it like I would anything else that is my personal business. I hate when hear people say.."Oh she lost weight because she had surgery" Like it is some magic fix. You still have to work hard, if not harder than someone on a regular diet. I won't be posting on FB, not knocking anyone who does, but it is just not my style.