ashchap13

Thanks Ramona...No giving up here!

FROM THE HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR AREA AND GETTING BANDED ON TUESDAY! ITS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND ITS ALMOST HERE! CAN'T WAIT TO START A NEW CHAPTER, SCARED BUT FEELING GOOD NICE TO MEET U ALL!

HEY FELLOW BANDERS. I AM ALL SET FOR SURGERY TUESDAY. WILL HAVE TO BE THERE AT 6AM FOR AN 8AM SURGERY. I HAVE BEEN ON A "NO CARB" DIET FOR THE PAST WEEK AND HAVE DONE TREMENDOUSLY WELL. MY SURGEON DID NOT DO THE liquid DIET AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT. I AM STARTING TO GET NERVOUS. I AM AN OR TECH SO THIS IS TOTALLY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE TO BE THE PATIENT. I AM USUALLY AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PATIENT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT HOW MUCH PAIN I WILL BE IN AFTER. I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT FAILING. WHAT IF IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME? WHAT IF I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY HOW TO USE THE BAND TO MY ADVANTAGE? I DON'T KNOW, ALOT RUSHING THROUGH MY HEAD. JUST NEED SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND I KNOW U ALL WILL HELP! THIS SITE HAS BEEN AMAZING. THANK EVERYONE. ~ASHLEY

Good luck! I never thought my 6mo pre-op was ever going to end and now I am scheduled for surgery! SO surreal! I hope after surgery I can help with more advice on this site. I can't wait to give back since everyone has helped me so much. Keep pushing forward girl!!

Thank you!!

I think its just a bad, dry sense of humor. lol. I don't think its callous at all. But to each their own. It looks like you are losing great though! I can't wait to start seeing some results! Starting to get nervous as hell but i'll get through it! Keep up the good work and congrats on your loss!!

Thank you!!

Hey Banders! After my 6mo pre-op diet and dedication, I finally scheduled my surgery today! Jan. 29th it is! It's so surreal that this is finally happening. I thought that the 6mo pre-op would never end. I am so excited and ready for this journey! I am nervous of how I am going to feel right after and about adjusting to eating such smaller portions of food. Can't wait to use this board as support! Thanks everyone! Any tips about anything is ALWAYS appreciated!! ~Ashley

I have scheduled by surgery for Jan 29th, 2012. Dr. Shayani and his team at St. James have been nothing but helpful and kind!! They made sure I made it to this point and was approved by my insurance. Dr. Shayani is so personable, by giving out his personal e-mail and cell phone number in case I have any questions at any time. His success rate is amazing and he even teaches this surgical procedure to other physicians in the area. I can't wait to have my surgery and start a whole new life!! I would recommend Dr. Shayani and his team to the fullest!!

Just scheduled today! I am all set for Tuesday Jan. 29th!! Can't wait to get so much support from this site afterwards. Good luck to everyone!!

Wow this is great news to hear. I am in the process of my 6 mo program. I am calling the surgeon tomorrow to talk about hopefully upping the surgery date. I am also a BCBS *** user. I have the option to change to a PPO in November. Anyone have any idea if that would be a good idea or should I just stay with my ***? Hopefully I won't have to wait til January like I was going to have to do! Thanks everyone!!

@New Beginning.. I have BCBS *** Blue Advantage as well and seeing Dr. Shayani.. You paid nothing?! I hope to be as lucky! I have my first appt. July 9th to start my 6 month program!

HEY ALL, I HAVE A BCBS *** AND GETTING READY TO DO THE 6 MONTH PROCESS. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS INSURANCE? I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION RIGHT NOW MY INSURANCE WILL COVER 50%. WHAT HAS EVERYONE ELSE PAID OUT OF POCKET IF ANYTHING AT ALL? I KNOW I'LL HAVE TO PAY SOMETHING AND NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT, JUST LOOKING FOR A BALLPARK FIGURE. THANK YOU!!!!!

Thanks for posting! I look forward to watching your journey! 16lbs in 2 weeks is awesome!

Thanks everyone! I am loving all the support and ideas! I know this will be the hardest part of all of this for me and I will just have to push through it. As long as I can have a couple other things besides protein shakes and water I am hoping ill be okay. Also I am hoping my surgeon will give me a list I can work off of of things I can have. DAY BY DAY! RIght ladies?! lol.

HEY ALL. SO I AM JUST NOW GETTING INTO MY 6 MONTH DIET BUT I CAN'T HELP TO LOOK AHEAD. I AM MORE SCARED OF THE liquid DIET PRE-OP THAN ANYTHING. CHOOSING TO EAT HEALTHY FOODS I AM OKAY WITH. BUT NOT EATING ANY FOODS AT ALL SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I JUST HOPE I HAVE ENOUGH WILLPOWER TO DO IT. WHAT HAS HELPED ALL OF YOU? WHAT HAVE YOU HAD IN THOSE 2 WEEKS? ANY SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS WOULD REALLY HELP! THANKS FOR LISTENING!! ASHLEY

Hi There! I am in Illinois as well, south suburbs of Chicago. I am just now starting my journey and have to do the 6 month diet as well. How did that go for you? Any tips? I am more scared of the liquid diet than anything. I guess just have to take it one day at a time. What kind of Protein shakes do you make? I want to start on them now so I get used to them. This is a great way to lean on each other, glad u joined and can't wait to follow your journey!! WELCOME! Ashley

Hi Maria!! Nice to meet you too, I am about 30 or so mins north of you, not too far! I see you are getting ready for your surgery soon, how exciting. How has the process been so far for you? Keep in touch and keep us all updated on what's going on. I am looking forward to following your journey! Ashley

Thanks! I have heard nothing but good things..I am getting started July 9th with the 6 month program. I will hopefully find out about the monthly meetings and start attending. How are you feeling? How are you doing with food post-op? Thanks so much for the kind words, I wish you all the best too! I will def. keep in touch and look forward to possibly meeting you! Keep me updated on your journey!!

Wow, Elizabeth, since June 5th you have already lost 52 lbs?? That's amazing, congrats! What are some of the foods you eat regularly? Thanks!

Jenna- That's great congrats on your weight loss!! I am from the Homewood-Flossmoor area and actually I work @ St. James as well. Which is how I learned about Dr. Shayani and his reputation. Which is remarkable!! I am so happy to hear you are happy with him. Did you have to participate in the 6month pre-op program? What are the types of foods you eat and drink now? I want to start eating now like I would be eating after and would like some tips. Thanks for responding

THANKS BECKY! I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE AND WILL BE USING IT REGULARLY FOR SUPPORT! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE YOUR SURGERY? I SEE YOU HAVE LOST 35LBS AND THAT'S FANTASTIC! WHAT ARE YOU HAVING THE MOST STRUGGLE WITH IF I MAY ASK?

THANKS LASSIE MUCH APPRECIATED. HOW HAS YOUR JOURNEY BEEN SO FAR?

HELLO EVERYONE! MY NAME IS ASHLEY AND I AM FROM THE SOUTH SUBURBS OF CHICAGO. I AM NEW TO THE LAP BAND JOURNEY AND AM SO EXCITED. I AM 27YRS OLD AND ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH MY WEIGHT. I AM HOPING THIS IS GOING TO HELP ME GET WHERE I WANT TO BE. THE JOURNEY IS JUST STARTING FOR ME AND AM SOAKING IT ALL IN RIGHT NOW. MY FIRST DOCTOR VISIT TO GET STARTED IS ON JULY 9TH. SINCE I HAVE A BCBSIL BLUE ADVANTAGE *** MY INSURANCE IS REQUIRING THE 6 MONTH DIET BEFORE HAND. EVEN THOUGH IT WILL SET BACK MY SURGERY I AM EXCITED ABOUT MEETING WITH A DIETICIAN AND LEARNING ALL ABOUT MY FOODS. THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR SEEMS VERY CONFIDENT THE INSURANCE WILL APPROVE ME AFTER THIS PROGRAM. HOPEFULLY SURGERY WILL BE AROUND JANUARY! I AM 5'1 AND ABOUT 230 LBS RIGHT NOW. 150LBS WOULD BE AMAZING TO ME. EVEN THOUGHT IT SOUNDS A LITTLE MUCH FOR MY 5'1 FRAME I DON'T THINK IVE SEEN THAT SINCE JUNIOR HIGH MAYBE HIGH SCHOOL. I AM LOOKING FOR ALL SUPPORT AND ANYONE IN MY AREA WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS OR HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS! PLEASE CONTACT ME! WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND BE ABLE TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER! I WILL KEEP UPDATES COMING AS THE JOURNEY PROCEEDS! THANKS FOR LISTENING AND ANYTHING U MAY ADD FOR ME!!! ASHLEY