Road Queen

Krystal, Thanks for sharing your story with us. It sounds like you have the right attitude to prepare for this journey. And do it now before you spend your later years regretting what you didn't or couldn't do because of your weight. I'll be banded a week ahead of you so read all of our posts so you are mentally prepared. As I walk through this journey, reading through the posts of those before me is making this so much easier. Good luck. Celeste

That is awesome. Give it time. The rest will work itself off.

Great outfit! I can't wait until my legs don't look like tree stumps. Shop until you drop you deserve it!!!

Just think - getting good grades, a new healthy life, and fitting into cool new clothes. Can life get any better?

My surgery date is the 26th also. My surgeon normally requires 2 weeks of pre-op but since I was in Ecuador on vacation they let me off the hook until today. I ate and ate and ate in Ecuador and LOST 3.2 pounds. I called my nutrionist today and she said the high altitutde (9500 ft) does that to some people. Maybe I wouldn't need surgery if I moved... So today is my 1st day. My pre-op diet is 2 shakes a day (20plus grams Protein and less than 5 gram carb) plus 1 meal with 4 oz meat and 1/2 c vegetables. I know its going to be tough cooking for my nieces graduation this weekend but it will pay off.

Bummer about no job, but don't give up this community. Many libararies have free internet for their patrons. Some coffee houses have them. Unfortunately, in the US we don't have alot and some charge, but this forum may be the place you need to vent.

Thanks for sharing that with us. It was moving. And since I'm now in the pre-op liquid diet, it made me cry.

Betty, what size shirts do you need now? I can look through mine ...Celeste

I know this is only May 8th and my surgery is May 26th but I am leaving Tuesday May 10 for Ecuador. On my way home on the 17th, I need to start my pre-op diet. So I am saying good bye to my old way of life and preparing for the new journey of my life. Since I am adventurous, I think this will provide me oodles of new opportunities. For dinner, I made a t-bone and spinach salad (spinach, purple cabbage, leek, mushrooms, tomato with balsamic vinegar). After a couple of bites of the t-bone, I gave most of it to my beloved dalmation, melted some gargonzola cheese on the rest, added fresh chives and fresh ground pepper and enjoyed just a couple of bites of 'gourmet' steak. I love to experiment and try cooking new things but I think I have gotten too caught up in just eating lately. Only eating a couple of bites will force me to think about how I would best enjoy those bites. I feel like I'm starting a new relationship - and I am - only it will be with food. Has anyone else felt this way? Am I just an old foodie looking for a new fix?

Have you told co-workers, friends, etc? If not, how do you explain that you are not available for going out (eating or drinking) for a few months. I am realizing how much my social life in town revolves around food. Since deciding to have surgery I have told my boss, 1 co-worker and a couple of friends. They have been supportive but apprehensive about my participation in something that is new in town. And of course the usual - "can't you just lose it on your own" comment. If I could lose it and keep it off, I would. Just looking for some insight from the others who have traveled this path before me...

Every surgeon has their own pre-op diet but here's the one they gave me (to shrink the liver): For 2 weeks before surgery - 2 Protein shakes per day 1 meal with 4 oz meat and .5-1 cup of vegetables Protein Shakes must include at least 20 grams of protein and less than 5 grams of carbs. In the literature, it says that starting sooner will be better. But they didn't seem too worried that I will probably only follow it strictly for 8 days. I will make better food choices before but I'm anxious to eat some of the fruits and vegetables that are available in Ecuador or SA.

Good evening. I am also a bandster in training - May 26th. I did all of my shopping yesterday because I'm going out of the country Tuesday, when I return I am going to help my sister get ready for her daughter's graduation, coming home and having surgery.. so I understand about the travel. At first I was real bummed out about being on the pre-op diet during all of this but now I am excited because it is the beginning of my new life eating. Welcome to the site and this great bunch of people. My fears have been controlled and I feel much more prepared after reading here (every day).

Hope you guys are doing better. I don't know where you live but here in North Dakota the weather is going bonkers. Storm warnings left and right. A couple of years ago my brother had a diverticulitis and needed a clostomy. In the middle of a blizzard I ended up driving 45 miles (took about 3 hours). The dr said with the recent incision the change in atmospheric pressure with the bad weather caused swelling. It sounded kinda flakey at the time but maybe that's what happened. Hope it gets better soon. (BTW - my crabby brother accused me of trying to poison him and the dr thought that was funny!!)

I don't know what your surgeon has said but do you like iced tea? I make mine with the twigs from the tea plant (is it a tree or bush??). It has alot more flavor and makes awesome iced tea. here's the info from an ad Made from early spring harvested leaves and tender stems, Kukicha is a fragrant and flavorful tea with a fresh, savory taste and sweet, mellow finish. Known as "twig tea", ...Lower in caffeine than many green teas, Kukicha is highly recommended with meals and as a light and refreshing evening tea. Of course, banders can't have it with meals.

Jenna, I hate to tell you this but if I let my hair grow out, we could pass for sisters!! I am a bmi of 36. When I started researching the lapband two years ago, I was a 34. In between, I was down to a 32. But like my pcp said, I haven't seen a reasonable weight in 10 years and I am maxing out the doctors capacity to deal with my high blood pressure. I also have major foot problems due to weight. My foot doctor tells me that I would be better off in a wheel chair. My sister was 4'10;270 pounds;diabetic, reduced kidney function, etc before she had WLS. She is healthy today and planning on living to see grandchildren. My grandmother (who passed away several years ago) had to be weighed at the grain elevator because their wasn't any other scale that would go that high. My father, who passed away last year at 71, had 3 surgeries for aortic anyurisms due to high blood pressure, diabeties, kidney failure (on dialysis), severe issues with blockages (after 2 bypasses), etc. His problems were all related to his weight. His life was restricted for 25plus years but the last few were miserable - waiting to die and get over the pain - ALL BECAUSE HE COULDN'T LOSE AND KEEP WEIGHT OFF!! Two of my cousins have had surgery - one was similar to my sister and had gastrib bypass also. The other, is similar to me (except her problems were severe diabetes and knees) and she did the band. I know I could wait longer and see if I ever managed to control this on my own but I want to enjoy my life every day. I watch my diet and exercise now. When it is painful to walk, I don't go where I don't have to. I am leaving for Ecuador on Tuesday and have to cancel my tour on Thursday because it is really painful for me to walk right now. I have never had a major surgery (just my wisdom teeth) and I am scared but I am scared not to. My dads first anyism (sorry for the spelling) was at 49 and I am 48. I don't want to just exist for the rest of my time here, I want to enjoy. Sorry for ranting but maybe I am practicing explaining to you guys so I can handle telling my co-workers. Thanks for providing me the opportunity.

Staycee and Chicagoboy - I'm thinking that June 26th we should have a 1 month on line birthday party for our bands - protein drinks only....

I have done fasts at other times in my life and when I started food again gained some back. But now you have a tool to help you continue the weight loss. Hang in there. I am reading and taking notes on everything so I can be prepared in a few weeks. Just post here and keep on track.

Same date as me. Our bands will have the same birthday!! Good luck.

Good job!! Four inch loss in the waist - I would be doing handstands...

I am not the expert since I haven't been banded yet but have dieted many times. Have you checked your measurements? You may be gaining muscle while you are losing fat so no net loss but you will see the difference in inches.

Yipee - I'm scheduled for May 26th. Of course I just had my initial consult. Now I have to meet with the dietician and my pcp on Friday. Get an EKG, meet with surgeon and get psych eval on Monday. Oops, then remember to go to Ecuador for vacation on Tuesday. And I'm out of town right now. I love a busy life. And busy I will be when my feet don't kill me anymore, clothes are more comfortable....

I have just been notified that I am in the running for a job in Congo (which would start late summer or after). I am in the process of getting everything approved for late May surgery. What do you guys think? Do you get weak, have health issues and stuff 3-4 months after surgery? How fussy do you need to be about food? I am guessing that my initial visit will require some wining and dining with local officials. Will this work? I need to let them know soon if I am still interested. As you can probably tell, I'm kind of excited and kind of freaking. The potential would be for me to live there for 3 years. Is there anyone on the board from Congo? Does anyone know about fills there? I'm not real worried because I can always fly somewhere to get them.

I am going to self pay also but if my dr offered this to me, I would say 'yes!' in a second. Can't hurt.

Sorry, I haven't gotten my band yet and I will be done teaching for the year when I do. Unfortunately, teaching is my 2nd job so I will still need to go back to my day job. I'm hoping to go back in a week or less. I'm not sure if they are going to let me use sick leave - because this is elective surgery - and I don't want to kill all of my vacation. Good luck when you return to teaching. I'm guessing that you will get tired quicker. Try and schedule some cat nap times.

I'm excited. Monday is my 1st appointment with the Bariatric center coordinator and nurse, Friday is my appointment with the surgeon and Monday May 8th is my appointment with the psychiatrist. Then I'm off to Ecuador for a week. When I get home, I am hoping to have a surgery date right before Memorial Day. I will keep you updated.