LadyBlue

I get the cravings, too, and yes weekends are not too great!!!! I'm the main cook in the family, so it's hard. I was banded 6-12-07-- When I get the cravings I tell myself I've come this far, so I'm not going to screw it up. My hubby & I quit smoking New Year's Eve, 2005 and when those cravings would creep up, that's what we told ourselves -- we've come this far, so we're not going to screw it up!!!!!!! Of course, that's why I need to lose weight now -- oh well. I did buy two of the cookbooks that are for after weight-loss surgery. This past week I've cooked some things from them and I must say, they taste fantastic. You'd never know they're good for you and low in carbs & calories! Try the cookbooks -- 1) recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery by Margaret M. Furtado and Lynette Schultz and 2) Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray They have recipes for all meals, snack, sweets, Soups, drinks -- you name it. What I've had so far has been excellent. I found the books on Amazon.

Thanks so much -- I'll talk to my friend about what everyone's said here. I'm sure she'll feel a lot better about it, too. Not sure why I had such a "panic attack" about it, but I just did. (Lack of food, I guess!!!)

Thanks for all the info. I feel a little better as far as the diet goes, I'm only concerned now about the saline being in the band. I'm not sure what to think about that. I'll see what happens at post-op teaching tomorrow and go from there. Thanks everyone -- this just really scared me!!!! I don't want anything to mess this up.

I realize what you're saying, SweetViolet, but the dr. actually told the other lady who had the band the same day that we are already restricted with the band -- that they've actually put saline in it. So that's one reason why I'm so concerned. also-- the mushy stage you're referring to, they put me on that after the first 48 hours liquid. They said any of that stuff was OK as long as it was run through a blender first. Am I worrying for nothing? I'm more concerned about the band already being restricted -- I've not heard of that/ I appreciate all the help. You are all wonderful!

What a great thread!!! Good luck to all!!

My doctor had me on high carb, low fat, high Protein for 2 weeks prior. I had salads, meats cooked any way except FRIED.. NO FRIED FOODS -- and NO SODAS -- which I don't drink soda anyway, so that didn't affect me. You'll have to check with your doctor, as the others have said, as to what he requires. If you want this bad enough, you'll definitely get through whatever he has you on!!!!!!! Just keep telling yourself, "this is all for the new me" and whenever the liquid diet comes about for you, remember it's not forever. It's a stepping stone. Good luck!!! You CAN do it!!

I didn't start feeling scared until I was laying in the pre-op room, with the gown on and IV started and waiting for the anesthesiologist to talk with me. That's when it hit me!!! I guess before that, I felt like it was still too good to be true that I was actually going to get banded, so it was almost like a dream. Why get excited when something was probably going to toss a wrench into it??? The next thing I know, they're telling me to wake up in recovery!!!!! It really went fast and all is OK. It will be with you, too!!! It's normal to feel the feelings that you are. Just take a deep breath and keep in mind this procedure is done on a daily basis --- practically routine for most doctors, and before you know it, they'll be nagging you to wake up in recovery when all you want to do is go back to sleeep!!!! You'll do great! Let us know how it goes!!!

My pre-op was high Protein (2 shakes a day), low carb for 2 weeks. I cheated, as my daughter got married, so had Mexican food one night, BBQ the next. Then the 3rd day had a beer!!!! I was so worried that my liver wouldn't shrink enough & they'd turn me away at surgery (my doctor has turned one person away after going into surgery because her liver didn't shrink enough). I called and told them what I'd done & if I should have it rescheduled another week. They told me they were more concerned about me getting protein than the cheating. So I made sure I ate like I was told for the remaining 8 days, and did 3 protein shakes/day to make sure I had enough. I was banded last Tuesday, the 12th, and all went well. It will with you, too. Just get back on track and make the committment!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!

OK -- all is done. It's 3 days post op. At first I was only feeling pain at the port area. That's past, now the incisions are sore. I'm sure that's normal, too. But my question -- Is it normal to "feel" the band? Between my breasts and about a couple of inches down below the breast bone, I can feel something there -- it's almost a "heavy" sensation. It's especially noticeable when I take a deep breath or burp, and if I walk and take heavy steps. My dr.'s nurse (also his wife) said that since it was stitched to the stomach, the first day or so there was swelling there so it wasn't really noticeable. She said it was OK to be able to feel it. Did any of you feel it and do you just get used to it or does it go away? Or should I insist they check it to make sure all is OK? Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience. Thanks for the help!

If you're going to have something like that happen, at least you were enjoying yourself!!!!!!! I'm sure they've had that sort of thing happen before and they'll be able to fix you up. I'm sure people have had the port flip for all kinds of reasons, and I bet yours is the best!!! Just be careful with it until you can get in to see your doctor. Good luck & I hope all is well. I like rough sex once in a while myself and I would've never thought about the port. I'll definitely go easy in that area!

Did your doctor give you any prescrips for nausea? Mine gave me one ahead of time to have filled before my surgery date. It's a phenergen gel that you put on your wrists and rub together and works great. I've had no nausea at all, even while in the hospital for the procedure. When I was there, they put a patch behind my right ear for nausea and also had me drink some horrible stuff that was also anti-nausea medicine. I've had no trouble in that area. You might call & ask if they can prescribe something, if you don't already have it. Good luck! I hope you feel better!

I get banded tomorrow! Yippeee!! :clap2:I'm soooooo ready for this. I'm already feeling better having spent the past 2 weeks taking in a lot of Protein and totally cut out the potatoes, Pasta and breads (and I love them so much). Oh well -- time for a new way of eating. I'm scheduled for noon. So by tomorrow night at this time, I guess I'll be recovering from all the gas pains ( or trying to)! :faint: You all are great and such support. I'll be back on as soon as I can!!!! Have a great evening all!

I had mine done Tuesday. All went well. Today I start cream soups & creamy stuff stage (I was told if I can make a happy face in it, then it's too thick LOL). I haven't really felt hungry -- I didn't even get all the bouillon down yesterday -- just a few sips here and there. I'm sipping on tea now and made a protein shake that I'll sip on for the afternoon. I hope I keep on not feeling hungry -- that way it's no big deal to take in just a little bit. Good luck to those getting ready to be banded!!

My dr. also said it had more to do with shrinking the liver. I'd "cheated", so to speak after being put on high Protein, low carb, low fat diet, because my daughter got married & I ate at the rehearsal dinner and reception. I was so worried about it, I called the office and they told me they weren't so much concerned with what I'd eaten as they were that I get my Protein shakes daily. I was to have 2/day, but after the cheating weekend, I did 3 a day until my surgery 2 days ago. All went well. The Protein drinks filled me up, so I actually didn't eat a whole lot before the surgery. My dr put me on the pre-op diet 2 weeks before the surgery and if yours does the same thing, then you've got a little time. As far as the ins. co. goes, I'd say if they already approved you, then don't worry about them anymore. They all know that most of us have the capability of losing weight -- that's not always where the problem comes in, but it's keeping that weight off that is such a battle, and the ins. co. is aware of this. Congratulations!!! You're on your way! Good luck:)

Thank you guys -- Yes, I'm not officially a bandster! The only thing that hurts in where the port is. And I'm just now starting to get the gas pains below my ribcage and just below the shoulder in my back. I'm so happy it finally is done!! and ShellQueen, the preps for the big day: I couldn't eat or drink after midnight and up until the surgery (I was scheduled for noon). My dr. said if you shower that morning, no perfumed soaps or shampoos. Wear loose clothing & slip on shoes to the hospital; that was pretty much it. Not a whole to prep for except the eating or drinking. Good luck & I'm sure I'll be back for more questions & support. You are all a great bunch of people! I'm probably going back to bed now -- didn't sleep well because I couldn't sleep on my left side without it hurting. And I don't do well on my back, so I'm having to adjust for now. Have a great day all!!!

Thank you so much! That means a lot. I'm passing the time right now by learning more on here. I'm not real crazy about not being able to have my coffee now, but I guess I'll have some when I get home this afternoon (maybe?). Yep -- today is the first day of the rest of my new life. I'll keep you informed and thanks for the advice; I'll definitely take it!!!

:pound::pound: I love that!!! That's great ~~ like a couple of school kids again!:clap2:

Nope -- you're definitely NOT alone!!! I've had guys dump me because of my weight. I've come to the conclusion that anyone who is so shallow as to leave someone because of their weight is immature and not worth the time. They definitely have no clue what true love is. At 44, I married my best friend -- literally! We used to cry on each other's shoulder over the people we were with, how we were being treated bad, etc. It's funny how I could see he was dating someone who didn't have a clue what love was, and he saw the same in me. We made a pact to get married in 20 years if neither one of us had anyone -- just a fun thing! Long story short -- we both found ourselves single (yet again) and started hanging out more. Next thing we know, we're what we've been looking for all these years. We're going on 3 years of marriage (after being best friends for 5 years before that), and it's wonderful. I've gained so much weight over the past year and a half (after quitting smoking) and he still tells me I'm beautiful. He's told me the band is my decision and it must be for ME, because he loves me AS IS. I'm going to be banded on June 12th and hope to lose 100 lbs. I'm only 5'1 and weigh in at 214 -- so I'm definitely overweight. I'd given up on love, then God revealed what he had planned for me. He'll reveal His plan for you, too, when the time is right. Have faith and keep on losing. You've done fantastic so far. And you can keep it up. Do it for YOURSELF and when MR. RIGHT comes along, he'll be behind you 100% in whatever you're doing. Good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers! Keep up the good work!

Didn't they put you on a pre-op diet? Did they do a consult with you about what to do before the banding? If they didn't do anything or explain anything, then yes, I'd file a complaint. I went today for my pre-op "orientation" and was put on the pre-op diet. They didn't say I had to lose a specific amount of weight, but they did explain that the main reason is to shrink the liver. I was told that they did stop the procedure for one person who's liver didn't "go down" in size and was "fatty." I hope you're able to continue on with a better informing doctor.

I was originally scheduled for June 15th, but was called last week and it was moved up 3 days to the 12th now. I went to pre-op class today & am starting the pre-op diet (scarey!) --So I guess I'm actually on my way to a new life!!! I'm excited and I'm scared that food, fat & bad habits will win. Is that a normal way to feel? What are some of the things you do to succeed and win the battle? Any hints, tips & suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

I was afraid to hang out here and read up on what I could because I was afraid the Ins. company would give me a hard time and make me fight for it. They'd approved me at the end of last year, but I found out that although the dr. was in network, the facility he did it was not. I couldn't afford the $3000 co-pay at the time, so had to forget about it. I just found out in April that he now does it in-network, so we re-submitted the request April 10. But they kept, "losing" it, and "we didn't receive it til end of April" and all kinds of other excuses as to why it was taking so long. I finally got the call this morning from the dr. office. :faint: They said they'd been on the phone with them for 2 days and got the approval this morning.:clap2: They wanted to schedule me for June 1st, but my daughter is getting married on June 2nd, and I'm doing the cake & cooking for the rehearsal dinner, so couldn't quite fit it in. I told her I didn't think I'd be able to get the kids to move the wedding (LOL) and the dr. won't be around June 8, so we have officially set the date as JUNE 15!!!! WOO--HOO!!!!! So now I'm finally excited and will spend more time here, since I know it's for real!!! You guys are great and I'm proud to be a part of your group. Thanks for all the help and support you provide!!

I'll be happy to be able to play with my soon-to-be 8 year old son. I'm not ready to be granny too quick (LOL) -- my oldest is married already, but her hubby is in military and in Japan, so they're not ready to start yet (whewww) My youngest is more active and I'd love nothing more than to be able to put on a pair of shorts and chase him down!!!!!! I can't wait to get started. I'm already trying to change my mentality about food, etc. My husband and I were able to quit smoking New Year's eve, 2005 (and have stayed off) with the help of a reputable hypnotist. But hence the weight-gain!! My family was harping on us to quit 'for health' reasons, but I told them how healthy are we now? We can get sick & die of complications of smoking or geee---- how healthy is the weight gain and what goes with that? High blood pressure, heart problems and a host of other things!!!!! At least I was happy smoking -- I enjoyed it. I don't enjoy being fat. All the ranting & raving, we've managed to stay off the cigarettes, and we never thought we'd ever be able to do that. So if we can win that battle --- I pray I can win this battle with obesity, too!!!! Thanks for all the great support! I'm so happy to have found you!!!!!!

Is that the only dr. in your area that does it? Could you get in to another one? There's several where I'm at, so for instance, if one was booked completely, I could make an appt. with another and attend their seminar. I'm sure you've probably checked on that, but just thought I'd ask. I'm the kind that will seek out one who's available and can fit me in asap. Good luck!!!

Thank you, Band Chick & Gigi8 -- gonna be busy, but it'll be worth it!!!! My insurance is United Health Care and I'm in Montgomery, TX. Have you gone through the procedure yet? How is it coming along for you? I'm finally getting excited with each day, as I'll finally have a tool I've needed for so long to help with this battle. My eating is mostly emotional/boredom and just not enough exercise. I'm going to start coming on here daily (with exception of closer to wedding) to learn how others are coping and learn from their experiences and advice, et. Have a fantastic day!!

June 15th for me!!! :faint:If my daughter wasn't getting married June 2nd, I could've done it on the 1st. Well -- I'm glad to be a part of your group!!! It seems like a great place to be!