betty_s

@@enjoythetime may 8th! I cannot wait!!

day 2 of pre-op diet. drinking warm green tea to forget about the hunger. already drank 90 oz of Water, but its still rough. dreaming of all the veggies and 4 oz of Protein I can eat tonight!

So, I went into my liver shrinking diet very optimistic. I'm motivated to do well with my band, and I'm not going to let a little head hunger get in the way of my overall transformation. I'm not gonna lie.. this SUCKS. I keep trying not to think about the hunger, but its there. My diet consists of 2 Meal Replacement shakes (Ensure High Protein), unlimited veggies (except corn, peas, and potatoes), and 4 oz of lean Protein. Yesterday wasn't so bad, but I was also in the hospital getting bloodwork drawn, xrays, physical, and signing consent forms. Today, I'm at my office, and most Fridays, people go out to get lunch and bring it back. So I'm smelling cheesesteaks, onion rings, burgers, chipotle. But guess what, I'm not letting any of this bother me. Soon enough, I wont even remember these next two weeks, I'll be more interested in the pounds that are dropping off! I know my head is going to be my worst enemy the next couple of weeks, but I know I can do this. I'm more motivated than ever. Oh, and for everyone that says the band doesn't work as good as the sleeve or bypass, my nurse practitioner introduced me to a man, yesterday, who started at over 400 lbs, was banded, and has lost 100 lbs in 4 months. If that's not proof that this band can work, if you use it as a tool, then I don't know what it!! Hope y'all have a great day!!

weird, I didn't get my surgery date until after I was approved through insurance. I have BCBS but its COVA Care. My surgery is 5/8! Congrats on your surgery!

like I said in the original post, I DONT know peoples situations and I am by no means judging, especially since I HAVE NOT had the surgery yet, I'm still 2 weeks from my date. I was simply stating that reading those topics, it can get discouraging coming from someone who is yet-to-be-banded.

thanks tmf and bandista! I appreciate your thoughts on this matter.. I guess I haven't been surgery #failedsleeves and #failedgastricbypass , but i'm sure those are out there as well. my surgery is may 8th (!!!!!!!) and it has been a long insurance journey (since jan 2013) and I think waiting this long has really put me in the right mindset. i'm not scrounging for the last bites of ice cream, cereal, or bread before I go on my pre-op diet Thursday, and I think that's how I really know that im ready. I'm ready to do this. If I have to give up bread for the rest of my life, i'm willing to do that, because I want to be healthy and I want to be happy.

Mine was only verbal and we just talked about my history with weight problems, if my family members had weight problems, etc.

that statement. exactly. you have def reassured me that this TOOL will help me achieve my goals. I hope that we can keep in touch throughout my journey and we can hang out in goal-land together!

So, while I was in one of my final appointments, a nutritional/behavioral seminar, a woman attending the session was getting a lap-band to sleeve revision. Her reasoning was because "her lap-band had failed her". Every time she was make a negative comment about the band, she would look at me and say "no offense". I was also looking for lap-band instagram accounts and stumbled across an account where most of the hastags were #failedlapband and how their lap-band had failed them. Now, I don't know these peoples' situations, and coming from someone who is 2 weeks pre-op, I'm by no means a pro. But isn't there a time where you need to take responsibility for your current situation? It doesn't make me regret choosing the lap-band, but, sometimes it makes me nervous that will I be one of those people where the lap-band didn't 'work'. I have all the motivation in the world and want to fully commit myself to this band and this lifestyle, but seeing these stop and make me think. I feel like the band has such a negative appeal in the bariatric world.. or maybe its just me. I see plenty of people who are very successful with the band, so having that makes me feel better.

congrats girl! you look AMAZING!!!

you technically are in doctor supervised starvation, especially the first few weeks surgery. i would just listen to the doctor, they know best, for the most part.

I'm getting banded May 8! We can be band buddies!!

Anyone have to attend a diet/behavioral session before surgery? I had one yesterday from 2-6pm. I was the only lap-band patient out of about 10, but I wasn't surprised about that. There was one bypass and the rest were sleeve. One was a revision to sleeve and every time she mentioned her band failing, she would look at me and say "no offense, it just didn't work for ME" like her getting the revision was going to discourage me in my journey. Anyways, the session was pretty good. Learned about my pre-op, liver shrinking diet that I will start on Thursday, next week. I get 2 high Protein Meal Replacement shakes and a sensible dinner consisting of 4 oz of low-fat, lean protein and veggies. I can have all the veggies I want throughout the day, as well. They highly discouraged making your own Protein Shakes (which I do almost every morning) so I hate that I'm going to have to splurge and buy pricey RTD shakes. How is everyone else doing? Getting close to may!!

I have a seminar to attend next Thursday and I think that's when they'll give me my pre-op diet. That or the week after I have an appt with the surgeon so he might put me on it then? I'm not sure if he wants me on it for 2 or 3 weeks. I'll keep you updated!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/301873-may-lap-band/

less than 1g and 1.5g carbs

UMP Cookies and Cream is amazing!! http://www.amazon.com/Beverly-International-Ultimate-Cookies-2-pounds/dp/B0013OQ98E Protizyme Peanut Butter Cookie is awesome! http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/metabolic-nutrition-protizyme-peanut-butter-cookie-2-lb-powder/9m-1005 And for plain vanilla that you can mix other stuff in, MRM Vanilla is very smooth and creamy, and cheap! http://www.amazon.com/MRM-Natural-Whey-Vanilla-2-03-Pound/dp/B000N8M3PE As for what to mix it in, I really like almond milk (Unsweetened Original). It gives it a smoother texture (I think) than Water, but doesn't have as many calories/carbs at regular milk.

Congrats!! That's one I look forward to, as well!

Congrats on making these steps to a healthier you!!!

I think my pre-op diet is like what youre saying. I don't have to only drink Clear liquids. I need to keep my carbs down and my Protein intake high. ive used flax in baking before. you can find it in the 'healthy' section of most grocery stores and i'm pretty sure walmart has is in their baking flours, as well. you can google recipes, but I've used this site before: http://www.flax.com/Section/Flax_Recipes/index.html?PHPSESSID=7693934aadf8dbffb38881177d1eb2ae hope this helps.

congrats! i'm 4 days after you! my insurance required the 1 year of 'health' coaching before the would approve me, it was a long process, but I'm def more ready than ever to get this over with.

"I cant stand Protein shakes by the way!!!" Have you tried different types of protein and liquids? I've fallen DEEPLY in love with Beverly International UMP Cookies and Cream flavor mixed with almond milk. At night if I feel like my sweet tooth is kickin in, i'll blend this with some ice and either drink it, or put it in the freezer until it becomes ice cream-ish.

My form to my PCP also said last 5 years of weigh ins. I've only been going to her for practice for 3 years (I've only been in this area that long), and that's all she gave. My weight also fluctuated up and down, but it was a overall increase of 20 lbs a year. She only gave the 3 years and my insurance company didn't reject me because of that. I was approved last week.

35 days until mine. Haven't felt a single bit nervous yet and I'm not sure it will ever come. I think because this process has been so drawn out (14 months), I've had time to really let it set in and I know what I'm getting myself into.

Have you tried Quest bars? They have high Protein content and low net carbs. They have very few ingredients and are very tasty!