citygirl4616

Thanks for the logo! Very nice.....

Hi.. I am getting banded in 1/10. The good news is I have always been fairly active, and belong to a gym that I actually like attending. How soon after surgery were you able to start taking the different classes at the gym (or doing the DVDs at home? I know I can go walking ASAP, but I was wondering about swimming, spinning, yoga, pilates, cardio ball, etc. You know...all those fun classes that make working out in the winter more fun! Also, I have a few sessions with a personal trainer, when do you think I could start some light weight training?

It amazes me the thoughtless things people will say! I can understand when it comes from kids, but from adults?!?! I have a few gems... The first hurtful comment I remember was from a friends daughter. We were on our way to a girls getaway weekend, and we were loading our luggage into the car. I had a large suitcase, and as I was lifting it into the trunk I commented, "Why is my suitcase so big?". Her 9 year old daughter said, "Probably because you're so big" Okay...... Also, I have been working out at the same gym for about 7 years now. Sadly, I have gained about 25 pounds since joining, but I still go. There is this one personal trainer there who makes a special effort to greet me every time I am there, and look me right in the eye, and say, "You have such a beautiful face.", then walk away. Every time! Okay..I get it..pretty face, but....... Then there is my Mom. She is incredibly supportive, but feels the need to point out that I have gained weight (just in case I haven't noticed!), and make comments like, "you know, you are too pretty to be overweight" or "you have to watch your weight because there are women who think Phil (my DH) is a real catch, and if you are overweight......". Or a favorite of mine.."You have to stay beautiful and well put together for your husband."

Hi Donna....Wow, you came up with the perfect solution to your problem. I met a couple in my surgeons office who got banded together a year ago, and they said it was a GREAT experience! They got to go through the whole journey together. Her only complaint was that her husband lost weight much faster than she did (you know how men always do!), and she had to remember to not make comparisons. Good luck with your surgeries, and let us know how it goes. Gwenn

I wasn't given a pre-op diet. My surgery is on 1/10, and I will have to do a 48 hour pre-op clear liquid diet, and nothing after midnight on the day of the surgery. Definitely do-able. I thought that without a pre-op diet, I would be gaining weigh like crazy, and going nuts with all of my favorite foods, but that didn't happen. After about a week of allowing myself to eat anything without guilt, I was kind of "over it". I guess I am just ready to be banded and change the way I think about food.

Wow!!!! Excellent start! Keep up the good work.... Gwenn

That is so funny...I was wondering the same thing! My guess is hospitals probably do not have wireless b/c the signal could possibly interfere with some of the more sensitive equipment. I have my pre-op appointment at the hospital this Monday (my surgery is Thurs., 1/10), and I will ask them about the wireless signal then.

Hi and welcome! I am from GA too, and getting banded on 1/10 as well. Where are you getting it done? I am doing it at Dekalb Medical Center. I am really excited. I am having the occasionally bout of nerves as it gets closer. At this point, I wish it was already next week at this time!

I am being banded in 6 days, on 1/10, and was given no pre-op diet. I do have to go on a clear liquid diet for 48 hours prior to surgery (only broth, juice, Jello..that kind of stuff) and nothing after midnight the day of surgery.

My doctor requires an overnight stay. I would probably prefer to do it as an outpatient, but I don't have a choice. Oh well...at least it is only a one night stay.

Thanks Big-D....it definitely helps to hear things from another perspective. Oh...and by the way..welcome to the Jan. 08 board! Gwenn

You definitely need to eat your Protein. You don't want to lose muscle mass, or even worse...your hair! Sounds like you need to try some different protein supplements. Syntrax nectar Protein is fruit flavored. You can order it through a great website you should check out...bariatriceating.com. GeniSoy is unflavored soy Protein Powder you can mix in broth, or other liquids. i think you can get it at GNC, WalMart or Target. Isopure is another good one to try. i think its at GNC, but maybe do a google search. Also check out Body Fortress whey Protein from WalMart. Basically, it is trail and error until you find a few things you like. I really like that bariatriceating website. Also, check out the 'Food" thread on this website. Good luck! Gwenn

Hi Everyone... Even though I still have one week to go until my surgery, I made my list of what to bring to the hospital with me on 1/10. I did a search on the boards, and came up with a list to share for anyone staying overnight. Feel free to add anything else that may be useful: paperwork lip balm PJ's (if you don't want to walk around in a hospital gown) slip on slippers, or warm socks underwear toothbrush, toothpaste Rx meds you need to take body spray (to get rid of the 'hospital smell') book or magazine clothes to go home in that don't bind the waist (dress or drawstring pants) hat (your hair may be gross), or pony tail holder face cleansing wipe (very refreshing after surgery) pillow (for the car ride home, to cushion the seat belt) These are items that showed up multiple times, and all make sense to me. Hope it helps! Gwenn

Congratulations! Keep us all updated on your progress. It is so exciting that the 'New Years Knockout' got her band! Take care... Gwenn

Hi Gillian, and welcome to the boards! Don't worry, you cannot do anything wrong. First of all, to make a signature, go to the top of this page, and click on "Quick Links". You will then see a slot for "Edit Signature". To get a ticker, go to "TickerFactory.com", and follow the directions there. If you do a search on the boards, someone did a really good tutorial on putting up a ticker, but if you are familiar with cutting and pasting, you should have no problems. When you go to edit you signature, you will see a place to download your photos as well. I personally haven't done that yet, but I imagine it is pretty self explanatory. I think it is great your surgery got bumped up! Might as well start losing weight ASAP! It is only natural to be nervous. I think as you read through the various boards (especially the Jan. 08 board), you will see everyone gets a attack of nerves as their surgery date gets closer. My date is 1/10, and I am usually OK, but everytime I go to the store to stock up on pre-op and post-op essentials, I start experiencing mini panic attacks! Hang in there, in the end, once the weight starts dropping off, and you start feeling and looking better, you won't even remember how nervous you were! Gwenn

See? This is why I come to this board! Everyone is so kind, understanding and supportive. Thanks for the awesome responses everyone. I feel much better this afternoon. Update: When my husband got home from work this morning, he told me that he had his front desk rearrange his work schedule to be off the afternoon of my surgery, and the whole next day (originally, he was only taking off the afternoon of the next day). My Dad is still taking me to the hospital, but that was a big deal for my husband to change his schedule, without me asking him to. When I asked him why he did that, he said that he was sorry for being such an ass. He said he did not realize how much of a big deal this was for me, and that he is glad that I pointed out now his lack of support (rather than later). In addition, he is also really nervous about me undergoing an abdominal surgical procedure, and having to be under general anethesia. Anyway, I feel so much better this afternoon. Thanks to you all for the incredible support on this board. Even though I feel like I have a ton more support at home now, the advice I get on this board is priceless!

My husband has never been 100% on-board with my decision to get the lap band surgery. I am getting such mixed messages from him, and I am really hurt. Here is the deal... He is a physician. He suggested I lose weight for health reasons, and said he will help me any way he can. He said he will cook healthy meals for me, run with me, hire me a trainer...whatever I want to do. Well, I tried that for 2 years (not the running thing, I hate to run!), and I kept gaining and losing the same 10 pounds. When I told him how frustrated I was, he said that if I started to increase my cardio, the weight would fall off (he lost 40 pounds when he took up running). I explained that we were different, and I think I would look into the Lap-Band procedure. He started calling his GI friends and surgeon friends, and got me Dr. Steinberg's name. All is great, and I start the necessary steps to get the surgery scheduled. Hubby calls Dr. Steinberg, thinks he is a great guy. He gets medical articles on the procedure, and asks around in the hospital about it. Last week, I said to him that my final payment is due next monday (I am self-pay). He makes a face, and says, "Why do you have to pay upfront?". "Because that is the hospital policy on scheduled, non-insurance surgeries..." Then he starts complaining that as a doctor (he is not a surgeon)...he doesn't require patients to pay upfront. Well....because his patients all pay a $40 co-pay. Then, last night, I mentioned how helpful I was finding this support board. Again, he made a face and said, "Why are you going on Internet web boards?" Now I am pissed! "Because I need someone to share this experience with, and I need people who I can turn to for support!" 2 minutes of silence followed. Then he said, "I'm supportive of you.". I said, "No you're not. You never ask me about me doctor's appointments, you know nothing of my pre-op diet, post-op diet, what to expect the first few days home, what meds I will need, what my life will be like after surgery!" Then he said, "You never told me you wanted to talk about it. I am afraid you think this surgery is an easy-fix, and you think the weight will fall off with no effort on your part. You know...you can't eat what you were eating before and you will have to exercise to lose the weight. Also, you may be in some pain after the surgery..did you know that?" OM f***ing G!!! Is he freaking serious! "Hey, doctor ass****, I gave birth to two of your children, I think I know to expect pain! Oh, and really? I have to change my diet? Like the 2 hour nutritional seminar went over, and the 12 page eating guide they gave me goes over? Maybe if you showed any interest in this process, you would know all this!" My therapist, and my step mother are more supportive of me right now than he is! Okay, it sounds like I am still a little mad! It is Monday morning at 7am. He already left for work. Before he left, he woke me up, and apologized. Both of our kids are going our for New Years Eve tonight, so it is just the two of us. I just don't get it! He was so on board, and supportive in the beginning. When I ask him what has changed, he just says he doesn't know. Sorry for such a long vent!

I think all of your feelings are completely normal and justified. I think we all are excited, and as our surgery date gets closer, a little more nervousness creeps in. Keep focusing on your "future self". The healthier, thinner version of yourself. I think if you focus on the positive outcome of the surgery, it will help shift your focus away from any negative thoughts. Think of all the things you will be able to do as you get closer and closer to your goal weight!

Hi Amy... The best thing you can do, is what you are doing. Do you research. Ask people who have had the procedure done. When you go to the seminar, make sure ALL of your questions are answered, and make sure a support group is available, and a nutritional consultation is offered. Believe it or not, the nutritional consult, was the most educational part of my pre-op preparation. That is where you learn about any pre-op diet required (my doctor requires a 48 hour, pre-op, clear liquid diet), and exactly what you will be able to eat 1 week post-op, 3 weeks post-op, 6 weeks post-op, etc. This is where you really learn about your new post-op daily life style. As for the surgery itself, I can only tell you the results of my personal research. You, of course, should do your own. The Lap-Band surgery is a fairly safe procedure. There are many pre-certification tests you will be required to get (psy. evaluation, pulminary function test, internal medicine clearance, etc.), so that by the time you are medically approved for the surgery, it is a pretty safe bet, you are medically ready for it. As for complications..no one can predict that. Your doctor will tell you all of the possible complications. If you follow all instructions, and do not "cheat", you, of course, minimize any chances for complications, but you can never be assured there will be none. The reading through the various lap band forums, I think you will find most complications are minor, and temporary. I hope some of this info helps. Keep up the research, and visit more than one doctor, if you have to.

Congrats on getting your date! I am getting my surgery the day AFTER you...Jan. 10th! What a great way to start 2008! I am getting it done in Atlanta. Good luck, and I'll see you on the boards!

I am definitely in the same boat as you KatieBee. I have only told my close family about my surgery. I don't want to start picking and choosing what friends to tell, and then they tell their spouses, etc. To me, this is a very personal, private matter. I was thinking about what I would say to people, because they will obvoiusly ask how we lost the weight. I think I will just say that I am eating smaller portions of healthy foods. If they press further, I will just say my doctor and I discussed my health, and we decided on a plan that we both feel would fit my lifestyle (or something like that). I want to let them know it is medically supervised, so I don't get any unwanted advise from people commenting on any aspects of my weight loss or diet (you know there is one in every group). There are no lies in what I am saying. I am just giving out the information I feel comfortable sharing. Maybe one day, I will feel comfortable saying I had the Lap-Band surgery, but for now, I would like to keep it private.

Hey Hilary..No problem with the name! You are lucky to have a supportive friend who will walk with you. Walking is going to be a great post-op exercise, especially in the first few weeks. It is so funny to me that you are having a heat wave now! We had a terrible one this summer (August for us). About 3 weeks of 100 degree (40 degree celsius) and higher weather. Also, really high humidity. In the meantime..have a great week! Gwenn

Hi Hilary....Where are you located that it is over 100 degrees outside. it is cold and rainy here in Atlanta. Is your pre-op diet required by your doc? Mine only requires a 48 hour, pre-op, clear liquid diet. That won't be fun, because there is no protein to keep you full for 2 days! Does your doctor require an overnight stay in the hospital after the surgery? Mine does. Keep in touch...I am excited to meet another Jan. 10 bandster! Gwenn

UPDATED LIST Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ) Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianego Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb

Okay everyone...I am on the Jan. Surgery Date thread. Very cool to keep track of everyone's surgery date and progress.