Bandista

Thanks so much, Sandy! I will do whatever it takes, that's for sure. Just want to be sure I'm not overly-restrictive, as I can tend in that direction. My goal is to make this a lifestyle -- me and my band telling me what to have, which is good Protein and veggies every 4-6 hours. Just don't want to get too wiggy. But like I said, I will do whatever it takes. Best wishes and thanks again -- very excited to have found a forum of people on a similar journey.

Thanks everyone for the support -- excited to begin!

81 pounds -- way to go! And good for you for paying attention to your body and looking into keeping your band adjusted properly. Best wishes for continued success.

Knowing how important after-care and an on-going relationship is to the success of the band, I was very eager to meet my surgeon. Yesterday was the big day at last (on my birthday!). The process at the hospital where I will be banded includes a mandatory information session, a meeting with program coordinator, psych evaluation and a nutritionist appointment all before the meeting with the surgeon. A gauntlet! I am happy to report that I really, really like the guy. He is relaxed and professional at the same time, intelligent and definitely has a good sense of humor. I can tell we are going to get along well, which of course is key to the project ahead (we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other over the coming year). My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday November 5th, just over five weeks from now. This gives me some time to launch into pre-op mode. My BMI was just high enough (40). I was not able to undertake any kind of weight loss until the magic number was submitted to the insurance company, but now I'm going to do what I can to get a headstart before formal pre-op and the surgery. Still mulling this over. Of course we are all professional dieters and in some ways I feel like this is my last one. Once I am banded I do not want to have the dieting mentality. I look forward to letting go of all the over-thinking about food and just having my very small meals every 4-6 hours and exercising as much as possible while my weight drops over time.

Thanks for the sunshine this morning. Perseverance over time is an amazing formula -- with that and a properly adjusted band the future looks very bright!

Hope you are feeling better this morning, taking those sips and able to walk around the hospital. Some real sleep is going to feel good! Best wishes for a speedy recovery and congratulations on being on the other side now. New chapters opening!

Wow, way to go -- you are really on your way. The sound of that click must have been pretty great. Congratulations!

Vitamin E oil is great -- Trader Joe's makes a nice one that is not too sticky.

Ice packs in a cooler? Just in case..... Pillows, pillows, blankey..... Something to sip your water out of... Favorite music on a CD -- something you love, music that makes you relax.....

Hurray, I think I'm right behind you Nov. 5th.......

A 12-hour shift on first day of a pre-op diet sounds rough -- then going home to spouse and kids. Geez! Glad you had a better day today with no headache. Take it easy -- I can tell you have a good sense if humor, which definitely comes in handy at times like these. Dr. Ache? That's a good one! She sounds pretty great (read your profile).

Great success -- thanks so much for sharing. Pre-band and can't wait! Best wishes for all the new ways your life is opening up....exciting times ahead.

Take good care of yourself -- hope you can get some good healing sleep, even at intervals, sipping water and walking. Are you on pain medication? Sometimes the side effects can be worse than the pain, causing depression and of course constipation.

Hi there, thanks for such a thorough picture of your day -- really helps as I get ready myself even though of course it's a different experience for every one. Here's to a speedy recovery! Hope you have a restful weekend and lots of good sleep.

Hi Lash, I am pre-band but do know that healing from any surgery takes the time it takes -- our bodies are all different. You posted early this morning and I'm hoping that day five is your big turnaround day. Take good care of yourself and be sure to work on your breathing, the walks around and sips of water. That's the recipe I keep seeing here in posts from others. You are on your way! Thinking of you....

Hi Sarah, so happy for you! And the house to yourself -- it's my fantasy (doesn't happen very often!). Hope you can really take it easy and let your body heal up inside. NO CLEANING! Enjoy the quiet, the movies only you like, the sips of water and walks around knowing that you've done this amazing thing for yourself. Best wishes and many congratulations. I am so excited to get banded and hope recovery is smooth as yours. Sleep is a marvelous thing -- go get some more!

Hi Justin, sending best wishes your way -- very exciting, this whole new chapter unfolding. I hope to be right behind you. I meet my surgeon today and will be given my date. Hope it's soon. I know it won't be easy, but it's going to be a lot easier when the weight is off and tome well worth any temporary discomfort. Good luck to you today!

Hip, Hip, Hurray! So happy for you. Love these Red Letter Days.

Congratulations, JennyBean -- wishing you a speedy recovery.

Yippee! So good to hear!

Me, too -- so exhilarating just reading what you've written! I imagine you uncovering all that joy and happiness abounding. Yippee! Very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing.

You are building a lot of muscle -- so great that you are working out like that. I say put the scale away somewhere for a while and just pay attention to the structural changes you are making. The inches are coming off and the pounds will, too -- just give your body time and it will drop. You are doing all the right things -- congratulations! I work out for 60 minutes but you've got me thinking....post-band will I have energy for an hour and a half five days a week? I hope so, because I think the exercise is really where it's at.

Welcome! I am pre-band, too, and hoping to get my date soon. Glad you found this forum as there's so much information here. Looking forward to optimal health -- it's going to be work to get there but I am determined. This is the tool I need to get there. Best wishes to you!

Best wishes -- hope you're recovering well and have a nice relaxing weekend ahead. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Hi there, I am pre-band myself and have learned so much in a few months of really reading through posts here on this site. People will answer any and all questions and there's so much support. I have been impatient about getting a surgery date and moving things forward more quickly but the reality is this has given me time to really delve into the habits I need to change in order to use the band properly and have it work for me. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey.