Mel119

Oh, my gosh...that is horrible!! I will be thinking of her family and keeping them in my prayers. I just wish I wouldn't have read this pre-surgery!! =0

Hi, I'm Melinda from Hickory, North Carolina. I just turned 44 years old...wow, that sounds really old!! =0 I'm divorced with two daughters. One is married and expecting a baby any day now. My other daughter is 15 and a sophomore in high school. I have one dog, one cat and one hamster. :] I work in Human Resources and have been in the same job for 19 years. I guess I like it pretty good (most days)!! lol My pre-op liquid diet begins February 18th, and I will be banded on February 27th. Here's to happiness and better health in 2008!! :] P.S. I currently weigh somewhere around 280 lbs (5'5"). My goal is 150 lbs., but I would be happy at 175 lbs.!!

I meant "Surrounding" area...I swear I can't type today!!

I was just wondering if there was anyone from Hickory, NC or (close) on this board. Please post if you are!! :cool:

Hi, all!! I'm 43...44 on 1/19. It's nice to "meet" everyone!!

Hey, NYTrink!! I'm one day after you!! We need to keep in touch and compare notes!!

Hey, NYTrink!! I'm one day after you!! We need to keep in touch and compare notes!!

I haven't received my pre-surgery diet yet (I go for that on 2/18). I do have a sheet that they gave me in a packet when I attended a lap band class at the hospital. It says, "ten days prior to surgery, you will begin a high Protein liquid diet. This is your opportunity to try a variety of high protein liquid supplements which will become an important part of your diet after surgery. If you feel you must eat during this time, chicken or fish is allowed, as long as it is not breaded or fried. After 5 weeks (after the surgery), you will begin a regular diet with soft foods. New foods should be introduced slowly and in small amounts to make sure you tolerate them." I know when I go in on 2/18 that I receive a "huge notebook" with strict eating instructions for pre-surgery and post-surgery. I think I do the liquid diet 10 days before the surgery in order to shrink my liver. After the surgery, I have heard that I continue on the liquid diet for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, I go in for my first fill. I have to do the liquid diet after I have the fill for two more days. The, I progress to pureed food for a while (I'm not sure how long) and then to soft food (I'm not sure how long...forever??). The paper said everytime I have a fill I have to do the liquid diet for two days. I can't drink carbinated beverages (goodbye my wonderul diet soft drinks!!), and I can NEVER EVER eat anything with coconut in it ever again. Plus, no gum. They are afraid of someone swallowing it, and then they have to take it out of our little stomach pouch!! =0

Good luck to everyone being banded in the next few days. (My surgery is 2/27, so I'm reading everyone's messages intently!! lol) Melinda :]

Good luck tomorrow aprilbene!! My surgery is next month (2/27). Melinda :]

I've heard about people having to find their "sweet spot". I know it might take several fills before everything really falls into place. Who was your surgeon?? The only ones in Hickory doing this surgery is Drs. Cook & Cox from Hickory Surgical Clinic.

Statesville!! We're practically neighbors!! lol I actually live in Hildebran, but I figured no one but "local" people would know where that was!! Have you had the lap band surgery yet??

Yes, Sunsett!! I'm excited about my upcoming surgery, but also kinda nervous!! I wanted to ask everyone how they handle negativity from people about weight loss surgery. I got a nice "dose" of it today at work!! :girl_hug:

Hi, I'm Melinda from Hickory. I'm divorced with two great girls. The oldest is married and expecting a baby sometime in mid-February. I'll be a grandma!! My insurance recently approved my surgery. I will be banded on February 27, 2008 by Dr. Monty Cox of the Hickory Surgical Clinic. Dang, I can't believe no one from Hickory is on the board!! lol

Hi, everyone!! I'm Melinda from Hickory, NC. I'm 43 (almost 44), divorced with two great girls, and I will be a grandma in the next few weeks!! I recently got approved through my insurance company for surgery. I will be banded on February 27, 2008. I'm not sure of the time yet. I'm told that I will have to do the 10 day liquid diet before my surgery. Did any of you do that?? Any words of wisdom on how to not starve to death?? lol

Bandster.................... Name (Optional)................... Surgery Date ______________________________________________________ TachaBaby505..................Natacha................................. ...9 January 2008 crystalcml.......................Crystal.............................. .......28 January 2008 Sadie.............................Sarah............................... ........2 February 2008 Big marathoner................Amy......................................... 5 February 2008 TinaBobina......................Tina.................................. .....11 February 2008 LilMissBand-Aid................Irene......................................11 February 2008 Mac the Knife...................Mac......................................13 February 2008 Viridescence.....................Viri................................. ......14 February 2008 travel_anna.....................Anna.................................. ....13 February 2008 Amieru...........................Amie................................. ......26 February 2008 Mel119..........................Melinda.....................................27 February 2008

Oh, yes...I wanted to ask the February people if they are having to do the 10 day liquid diet before their surgery. I'm curious!! Thanx!!

Hi, there!! Congrats!! My insurance recently got approved after a denial to begin with. I'm all set to go now, though!! :]] My surgery date if February 27th. I hope you get your date really soon!! :whoo:

Welcome!! My surgery will also be in February. It's presently scheduled for 2/19, but it may be getting changed to 2/27 (due to conflicts with my work schedule). I'm waiting on an answer from my surgeon's office!! As long as it's in February and coming up soon, I'm very happy!! Melinda :]

I'm "just beginning", also... I will hopefully find out my surgery date this week...probably sometime in February!! Here's to us being healthier and happier in 2008!! Melinda :]

Congratulations!! My surgery date was set for February 19th, but that date didn't work well with my job!! lol I am currently in the process of waiting until the surgeon's office can reschedule me. I'm hoping for 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/26, 2/27, 2/28, or 2/29. It's tough working around my job responsibilities!! =0 Are you trying to cut back on your food intake now? I know I have to start an all-liquid pre-surgery diet ten days before my surgery date. I decided to go ahead and start cutting back now to "prepare" myself!! lol Melinda In Hickory, NC

Oh, my goodness!! I love that show!! I DVR all episodes and even watch the ones I've already saw over again!! lol I would be on Cloud 9 if one of them was doing my band!! :]]