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Thanks Brenda - I will definitely be adding those items to my pre-surgery shopping list. I have always been terrible at recovering from surgeries in the past but I am hoping this one is better. WELCOME MissSac!!!

Hey aa8ua and Cota129 - I am on the same day as both of you!!! I go to see my surgeon for a final checkup on November 1st and also to meet the anestesioligist (sorry for the misspelling). I am so excited but a little nervous too because if I gain weight at my Nov 1st appt they will cancel surgery. I went to my PCP today for something else and I gained 5 lbs and now I am getting close to my monthly cycle....which means water gain possibly. So I have to try and lose that 5 lbs by next week...:help: I hope I can do it!!??

Congrats on the weightloss so far Brenda G., you are doing awesome! I am having my surgery on November 7th, that is right around the corner and I am excited and scared at the same time. If you don't mind sharing have you had other surgeries in the past, and if you have did you recovery faster this time? I had two surgeries 2 months apart about 2 1/2 years ago and I am hoping that I recovery a lot faster with this one since the other's weren't that great and I had complications.

Manatee you look AWESOME!!! What a difference :clap2: Keep up the great work and you will be at your goal in no time at all, you really deserve to feel good about yourself!!!

THANKS want2beme and loveu2! It has been a lot of work but I did make it!!!:clap2:

Do you really want to know???? I have a had a looonng journey... I had orientation on November 14th 2006 and I am having surgery November 7th...almost ONE YEAR later!!! :Banane20: I was soooo discouraged so many times and it took me all that time, up and down, to lose any weight. My starting weight on Nov 14th was 416 lbs., in January I was 406 or so. Then in March I was 402 then I shot back up in April :eek:then since May it has been decreasing each time I weigh in but very slowly. I have struggled tremendously with the diet but I am have been on a pretty steady streak since July. Dr. Stiles originally told me (In January) to shoot for 350-360 lbs and I thought she was crazy!!! Dr. Alami kind of agreed with her but decided to wait and see how I was losing. He told me to come back to see him when I get closer to my goal. After I lost 30+ lbs :clap2: I scheduled an appt. to see him and he I guess decided I have lost enough and that it wasn't going to change my stomach too much more prior to surgery to lose anymore weight. So last month when he saw me he told me I have lost enough (I was at 386 at that time) and he said to maintain and try to lose some more and that is when he put me on the list to approve surgery. Needless to say I have done it ...5 more lbs gone woo hew!!! :whoo: I am going to try and lose 5 more by the surgery...we'll see?!?! Just keep your head up! I have been on this journey and NEVER thought I would see the end and here I am, so... If I CAN DO IT I KNOW YOU ALL CAN!!! Here's a big hug for encouragement...:mad: April

Congrats Michiganer!!!! I am so happy for you! I am doing the Happy dance for you!!!:whoo:

It looks like I missed a lot of action today! I hate when there is tension we all are in a similar situation and we should be working together to get where we need to be.:biggrin1: I hope over time we can all look back on this and laugh! So on to a new subject... How is everyone doing this evening, great I hope! I am doing good! Besides all my back pain of course. It has gotten worse over the last few days since I stopped taking the 800mg Motrin. I have to stop it before surgery but they said I can still take my Morphine and Percocet for pain. The problem is that the Motrin helps with the arthritis pain in my back and the pain pills only work on the sciatica pain. :mad: I am doing ok with my weight loss and I am going to do everything I can to maintain if not lose some more weight before surgery. My surgeon is Dr.Alami and I really like him. He has been awesome never rushes me or anything. He was really busy when I saw him last month but he spent 35 minuts with me still, he did take a couple of calls while he was in there but he was very attentive! I hope all works out for the better for all of you on here. If you have any questions let me know... my surgery is scheduled for November 7th and things seem to be moving right along pretty fast. :clap2::bounce::whoo:

I am an ex smoker myself. I quit October 13th, 2004. It has been over 4 years. For me it was a mind control thing. I too smoke since a teenager and stopped while pregnant with daughter but sure enough when she wa s6 months old I started right back up again with a vengence. I was up to a pack a day. I did the patch for 3 weeks on Stage 1, during which time I kept a carton of cigarettes in my freezer"just in case" I really wanted on I could. On day one I had a 1/2 of cigarette at night, day two the same, and day three I had a whole one that night. After 3 weeks I gave the carton to my smoking best friend and never turned back. About 3 months ago I tried smoking a ciagarette just to see if I could still do it if I wanted to for stress relief and what do you know I got sick for 4 hours from it. I almots threw up. I am so glad to know I a rid of smoking and will NEVER go back!!! Just keep trying no matter what never give up and we are all here for you!!!:clap2:

I agree completely with you Nessa! I am an insurance person myself and I don't have to pay but I don't see how it can be connected. I can't even keep track of how many people I know that pay for expensive Trainers at the Gym and then don't show up and forfiet their session and $$. I struggled myself with food too. I have cut back on my portions tremendously but still eat almost anything I want for now. The only pre-op my doctor requires is something to lose weight and I have done that with success. Now I know there are many more struggles ahead but I am definitley ready to face them head on. My doctor has us on "Stage I" clear liquids for 1-2 days after surgery, "Stage II" foods; jello, broth, strained soups, protein shakes, no sugar applesauce for day 2 - week 2 and then "Stage III" Cautious regular foods, like tender meats, cooked veggies, soups not strained, jello, and all others above. We can ALL do this with great support and determination!! Good luck to all!!!!!!

I went to my final class yesterday it was my Pre-Op, now I just have 2 more appts. on the same day - one is with the anestesioligist and the other the final one with the surgeon both on November 1st. Then it's off to surgery on November 7th. I can't wait!!! I am so excited. I keep hearing everyone talking about low carb or no carb...but I have a question. What am I not suppossed to eat as far as carbs go after surgery??? :help:

Thanks... I just went to my Pre-Op Class in South San Fran yesterday...man it was terrible weather to be driving out there in. Oh well I made it safely that's all that counts! I have to go back there on November 1st to meet with the anestesioligist and the surgeon for the final time before surgery day on the 7th. They also recommended that we go out there and stay the night before in a Hotel since we will not get the admitting time until after 1 pm the day before surgery. And seeing as how the only admitting times are 6:30, 8:30, and 10:00 am I will want to be there ahead of time anyway. This way I won't have to leave Sac at 3:30 in the morning...haha!

Congrats Longhorn - I am getting the new Band according to my surgeon but I really haven't had the opportunity to speak to him about it yet. He told me at the last meeting that it comes with some fluif in it already instead of having to wait for your "first fill" but I wasn't quite clear on it. I go for my Pre-op class next week on the 16th so if I get any info I will let you know. And if you get info could you let me know as well?

I can really relate to alot of what you said too MMT. I have to continually remind myself of the same things, almost daily. But I know that more I think that way and continue to remind myself of that, this journey will flow much smoother for me emotionally. Thank you for posting that to remind me, and anyone else who is thinking the same way, that we are not alone. :eek:

WOW Manatee - That is NOT a minor thing that is AWESOME!!!! I'm doing the Happy dance for you! :whoo:

Thanks Denise! By the way how are you doing this week?

Hi all - I finally have a surgery date so I am adding my new ticker to count down to the first day of the rest of my life!!! :whoo:

Thanks insub - I can't wait either. I feel like there is hope already but I know I will have even stronger feelings of a future of success after the surgery.

Yeah, it's nice to know someone doing it the same day. I am happy, and to think I almost joined the December 07 Bandster group...I'm glad I stayed put. Congrats on your surgery!!!

Guess what.....I just got the phone call this morning and they scheduled me for NOVEMBER 7th!!!! How exciting! I have been all out of sorts since I found out. I was still under the thought that it would be in December, that was the last I heard at least. Well needless to say I am exstatic about it and now I have to bust my butt to lose 10 lbs or so before then since I think I gained 5 being all stressed out the last 2 weeks. Doing the HAPPY DANCE:whoo:

Guess what.....I just got the phone call this morning and they scheduled me for NOVEMBER 7th!!!! How exciting! I have been all out of sorts since I found out. I was still under the thought that it would be in December, that was the last I heard at least. Well needless to say I am exstatic about it and now I have to bust my butt to lose 10 lbs or so before then since I think I gained 5 being all stressed out the last 2 weeks. Doing the HAPPY DANCE :whoo:

Not yet...ACTUALLY!!! I just got the phone call this morning and they scheduled me for NOVEMBER 7th!!!! How exciting! I have been all out of sorts since I found out. I was still under the thought that it would be in December, that was the last I heard at least. Well needless to say I am exstatic about it and now I have to bust my butt to lose 10 lbs or so before then since I think I gained 5 being all stressed out the last 2 weeks.

Jrsy - I COMPLETELY understand what you are going through. I have had the same thought over and over again. I originally signed up at my hospital for the Bypass but whrn found out they started doing the Band I changed my mind. I started to do a ton of research on the Band and even though I know that it is the better choice for me as far as the pros and cons that I have weighed out. I still feel the fear of "what if I fail" To this day I have to tell myself that this is not another FAD diet that I am going to Fail at. Remember that you have a ton of support and as long as you weigh out ALL o the pros and cons you will make the right decision. We are there for you no matter what and if you need someone to help you through this let me know I am here anytime. I know what you mean. That is one thing I am looking forward to as well. I have a young teen daughter and I would love to go shopping with her and stuff without feeling like everyone is staring at me. I am also looking forward to the increased energy. Hang in there your surgery is just around the corner!!! :whoo:

Welcome Rainer!!! The more the merrier! We all need support and encouragement from where we feel comfortable.

Manatee - Some people have NERVE!! What the hell was that about. I am happy for you...at least you knew what type of person she was from the beginning!!! LOL I hope you don't let that bother you... you are better than that. Don't worry though what comes around goes around!