carriet

I am exactly with you, down to the same surgery date!! But I have learned so much in this forum, from tips and tricks, to what to expect, to a little bit scary posts, to amazing recovery and success stories!! Just spend some time poking aroound, looking at the various topics. I dont post alot, but I read a ton!! I too am self pay, no long process, got the pamphlet, tests done, scheduled my EGD, within two weeks and surgery is thursday! I started the pre op diet, which is liquid but for 1- 350 calorie meal a day, and I have checked, highlighted and double highlighted passages in the pamphlet that spells out the post op diet. One of the things that helped me the most , as far as a comfort level for post op, was the (phone) conversation I had with the nutritionist. She spelled out the first 6 weeks, day by day and I wrote it all down. which days are clear liquid, then liquids after 2 days, then mushy foods after 2 weeks, then solids....along with which vitamins to take and when. If you can get yours on the phone and make them break it down for you. Your DOC office will have one on staff, so use them!!! I will send you a friend request and we can do this together!!!!

Yeah I have to have an endoscopy, but I am self pay, so there are way less hoops to jump through!! No 6 month of documented dieting, but I have done so many diets over the years, I probably could do the documentation. People tell me, "But you're tall"!! LOL Nobody's THAT tall!! I heard something the other day which totally summed up the fears I was having like you. I read "The band controls the quantity, YOU control the quality". The way I figure it, if I eat right and exercise, the band will work. If I try to cheat the band, I will not. I am sure there are exceptions, including complications, but for the most part, on average, I believe it will work. Probably take longer, as I have read that smaller BMI's don't lose weight as fast, but I am excited.

Hi all! I have been lurking around here about a week, scared to dive in, but here I am. The short version is: 45 years old, one knee gone and the other not so great, back problems, high cholesterol, 60 pounds overweight. Low BMI, but steady gaining the last 5 months. I was down 20 pounds at the beginning of the year, and broke my leg in 2 pl;aces and sprained the other knee ligaments during the healing process. the ankle will never be the same, so now even excersise is painful. I have lost and gained the same 50 pounds countless times over the last 11 years. My research led me here, and I am scheduled for surgery on June 20. I am a little scared of the outside support, as because I am tall, most people don't think I am overweight, and they usually don't believe me when I tell them what I weigh. I have support at home with hubby and my mom, (who is 2 years post bypass and doing great) But I have told none of my friends yet, (just got the surgery date last week) But since I am self pay, I did not have a whole lot of hoop jumping to get approved. Funny how cash talks, huh? LOL My doc requires a 1 week liquid diet pre surgery, and then 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mush, then 2 weeks regular diet. I am not entirely sure of the dates for post op checkups or fills yet, I will get all that info on my pre op date of June 14. So needless to say, I am scared and excited, and questioning my decision.....about 20 times a day. But my doctor and I agreed that we can do this now at 60 pounds or do it later at 100+. so I looking for the support that will not tell me I am crazy, or fat enough, or sick enough.....really happy to have found this site Has anyone else found that with low BMI, the support is less when people know, or ??

thanks so much Gwen!!! I loved how you said "fat on the inside". I have never heard that before, and it is exactly how I feel.

I have been on either WW, or Jenny craig or visalus or beyond diet or.....and at the gym for most of the last 11 years. I have got back to my pre pregnancy weight of (160) once, in 2006 after a brief hospitalization. But other than that, I have been between 150 and 200 for the last 11 years