Julie*

Wow, that is just great. I love the colors of the walls too.

SO, my surgery was changed to February 21st due to a scheduling glitch. Not a big deal in the scheme of things but it screws up the plans I had for help with childcare etc for the week. It will all work out but just adds to my anxiety a bit. I had a strange night last night. I am trying very hard to maintain my weight right now and am really fighting last meal syndrome. All of my good intentions went haywire last night and I ordered 4 different chinese apps and proceeded to eat them all. It was certainly not one of my proudest moments. Hopefully, it's out of my system for now b/c I must say that I felt like CRAP afterwards and my stomach is still upset this morning. I feel like I am on this weird countdown and I just wish I was checking into the hospital this morning to start the next phase of my life.

SO, my surgery was changed to February 21st due to a scheduling glitch. Not a big deal in the scheme of things but it screws up the plans I had for help with childcare etc for the week. It will all work out but just adds to my anxiety a bit. I had a strange night last night. I am trying very hard to maintain my weight right now and am really fighting last meal syndrome. All of my good intentions went haywire last night and I ordered 4 different chinese apps and proceeded to eat them all. It was certainly not one of my proudest moments. Hopefully, it's out of my system for now b/c I must say that I felt like CRAP afterwards and my stomach is still upset this morning. I feel like I am on this weird countdown and I just wish I was checking into the hospital this morning to start the next phase of my life.

This Friday is my pre-op appt and the first day of my 10 day liquid fast. I find myself wanting to enjoy "every last meal" and then find myself thinking that I am being ridiculous. Isn't the goal a new attitude with food? I have only been working on this for years now! I am so hopeful that the lapband is going to be the thing that finally helps me to get control. I read about others successes and I don't even dare to hope you that soon it will be my turn. I just want to get the show on the road- the anticipation is killing me.

This Friday is my pre-op appt and the first day of my 10 day liquid fast. I find myself wanting to enjoy "every last meal" and then find myself thinking that I am being ridiculous. Isn't the goal a new attitude with food? I have only been working on this for years now! I am so hopeful that the lapband is going to be the thing that finally helps me to get control. I read about others successes and I don't even dare to hope you that soon it will be my turn. I just want to get the show on the road- the anticipation is killing me.

I am a Mom to 2 kids and work p/t for the University of Vermont as a program assistant. It's a great p/t job and allows me to spend most of my time with my kids.

Hi- I am also getting banded on February 20th. My pre-op is on Feb 10th and I will have 10 days of liquids. My list for liquids includes things like slim fast, carnation instant Breakfast, and clear broth. My surgeon also told me that crunchy veggies w/o dressing are ok too if I need to "chew" on something. I am excited and nervous too!

Hi- Did you doctor say how she was going to treat your PCOS aggressively? I take 1500mg of metformin daily and am on the BCP. I have found that doing both has helped me quite a bit. My cycles are regular and much easier to deal with. I hope you get some answers soon.

Well, it looks like the surgery is happening for sure on February 20th. I had an appt this morning and they finalized everything. I have my pre-op on Feb 10th and then start my liquid phase that day. My nerves are everywhere and I've started a long to-do list of what needs to get done before the surgery. This is always the way I cope with things so I even laugh at myself as I write down this list. I'm happy, excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time.

Well, it looks like the surgery is happening for sure on February 20th. I had an appt this morning and they finalized everything. I have my pre-op on Feb 10th and then start my liquid phase that day. My nerves are everywhere and I've started a long to-do list of what needs to get done before the surgery. This is always the way I cope with things so I even laugh at myself as I write down this list. I'm happy, excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time.

I'm feeling more hopeful and today will be day 4 of exercise and eating better. I am trying to change my thinking- eating well and exercise is a GOOD thing and not deprivation. I think this attitude will serve me well when I have the surgery. Now the goal is to actually believe it long term and not in these short stints. Otherwise, I'm really getting excited and nervous to find out if the surgery will be February 20th. If not, I may want until this summer since we will be at Disney World the first week of May. I just don't want to be 4-6 weeks out from surgery and trying to enjoy a family vacation.

I'm feeling more hopeful and today will be day 4 of exercise and eating better. I am trying to change my thinking- eating well and exercise is a GOOD thing and not deprivation. I think this attitude will serve me well when I have the surgery. Now the goal is to actually believe it long term and not in these short stints. Otherwise, I'm really getting excited and nervous to find out if the surgery will be February 20th. If not, I may want until this summer since we will be at Disney World the first week of May. I just don't want to be 4-6 weeks out from surgery and trying to enjoy a family vacation.

I am going to copy/paste an email that I sent to my Monday night group therapy/weight loss class. Thought I'd give you an update about my lap band appt yesterday with Dr. Forgione (the surgeon). Well, the first frustrating part was that I had gained THREE pounds in the last week. He was kind but told me that any more weight gain was unacceptable and that surgery would be cancelled. I was really embarassed and upset but realized that I ate like crap over the weekend and Monday night and didn't exercise. What did I think was going to happen???? So, last night I was back on the treadmill and have vowed to log all of my eating this week and get in my exercise. I am planning on going back over there next Tuesday to weigh in to chart my progress. He also told me that my Upper GI showed that I have a small hiatal hernia. Basically it's when your stomach starts to go into your esophagus and it's very common with overweight women. Mine is very small and I have never felt any symptoms. So, he told me yeseterday that when he goes in laproscopically he may find that he has to repair the hernia that day and not do the banding until a different time. He is quite hopeful that he won't but wanted me to be aware. I'm pretty concerned about that but trying very very hard to stay positive. Tentatively, surgery is scheduled for Feb 20th but I will hopefully know more before our meeting next week. ___________________________________________________________ Well, I wrote that email 2 days ago and I am feeling much better. If I have a hernia that needs to be repaired I would rather fix it before I have the surgery and risk a greater chance of slippage. I'm working on the food. I had 2000 calories yesterday which is too many but am happy to report that I've been on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day. I've decided that I get NO days off with exercise. Once I give myself a little wiggle room I just don't do it. I'm trying to make it as natural as brushing my teeth- wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?

I am going to copy/paste an email that I sent to my Monday night group therapy/weight loss class. Thought I'd give you an update about my lap band appt yesterday with Dr. Forgione (the surgeon). Well, the first frustrating part was that I had gained THREE pounds in the last week. He was kind but told me that any more weight gain was unacceptable and that surgery would be cancelled. I was really embarassed and upset but realized that I ate like crap over the weekend and Monday night and didn't exercise. What did I think was going to happen???? So, last night I was back on the treadmill and have vowed to log all of my eating this week and get in my exercise. I am planning on going back over there next Tuesday to weigh in to chart my progress. He also told me that my Upper GI showed that I have a small hiatal hernia. Basically it's when your stomach starts to go into your esophagus and it's very common with overweight women. Mine is very small and I have never felt any symptoms. So, he told me yeseterday that when he goes in laproscopically he may find that he has to repair the hernia that day and not do the banding until a different time. He is quite hopeful that he won't but wanted me to be aware. I'm pretty concerned about that but trying very very hard to stay positive. Tentatively, surgery is scheduled for Feb 20th but I will hopefully know more before our meeting next week. ___________________________________________________________ Well, I wrote that email 2 days ago and I am feeling much better. If I have a hernia that needs to be repaired I would rather fix it before I have the surgery and risk a greater chance of slippage. I'm working on the food. I had 2000 calories yesterday which is too many but am happy to report that I've been on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day. I've decided that I get NO days off with exercise. Once I give myself a little wiggle room I just don't do it. I'm trying to make it as natural as brushing my teeth- wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?

I just told my parents last week after considering the surgery and jumping through the hoops since last September. My father was immediately supportive and my Mom was quite nervous/upset at first until she realized that I had done my homework. Now she is really excited for me and has even offered to do the 14 day pre-op liquid diet with me for support! I did stress to them both though that they are not to tell anyone at all. Basically, I told them that it is my life story to tell and not theirs. They got it and I hope your Mom does too.

Thanks so much for all of the replies. I am going to call him tomorrow and ask him why some surgeons fix them and others (like him) would make a person go through 2 different surgeries. I am just hoping that when I go in for the lapband surgery the hernia will be too small to worry about.

Hi Everyone- I just had a visit with my surgeon who told me that I have a small hiatal hernia. He said that it shouldn't be a problem b/c it's so small but he will cancel the lap band surgery if he needs to fix it. We won't know for sure until he is in there. I used the search feature and found that most ppl had the hernia fixed and then the band was placed the same day. He told me that it raises the chances of slippage??? I don't have a problem if he errs on the side of caution but I guess I am just nervous about doing the 2 week fast, going under for lap band and then coming out w/o it done. I have no symptoms at all from this- wouldn't I have heartburn at the very least?

I have an appt on Tuesday and am worried that I've gained a couple of pounds. I'm supposed to lose 14 pounds before the surgery not gain a couple. My weight has held steady since October and I feel that is an accomplishment to tell you the truth. I'm feeling a bit like every big meal could be my last and it's really hard to fight those feelings. I'm just taking it day by day and really trying hard to do positive self talk.

I have an appt on Tuesday and am worried that I've gained a couple of pounds. I'm supposed to lose 14 pounds before the surgery not gain a couple. My weight has held steady since October and I feel that is an accomplishment to tell you the truth. I'm feeling a bit like every big meal could be my last and it's really hard to fight those feelings. I'm just taking it day by day and really trying hard to do positive self talk.

Well, the time for my probable surgery is getting closer so I thought it would be a great idea to record my thoughts/feelings/emotions as I begin this journey. It's weird because part of me can't even believe that I am at a point where I need lap band surgery. Surely it can't be true but it is and now I've decided to embrace what I hope/believe will make me feel and look like the woman I am on the inside.

Well, the time for my probable surgery is getting closer so I thought it would be a great idea to record my thoughts/feelings/emotions as I begin this journey. It's weird because part of me can't even believe that I am at a point where I need lap band surgery. Surely it can't be true but it is and now I've decided to embrace what I hope/believe will make me feel and look like the woman I am on the inside.

I don't have anything to add b/c I don't know you but wanted to wish you good luck! I love The Biggest Loser and I think it would be really interesting to watch with someone who has the perspective of having gone through lap band surgery.

I just found out that I am approved and will be having surgery next month. My surgeon is quite new to lap band too- In fact, it is new to the state of Vermont! I am one of 4 patients who will be banded with the folks from Inamed there to watch. I am not worried though- My surgeon has done 40 other lap bands at his former hospital and the folks from Inamed are very very experienced lap band surgeons.

I am in the same phase as you and it looks like I will be having the surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. I just went to www.drugstore.com and was able to order some different Protein drinks to try and it had free shipping. Just wanted to let you know. Good luck!

Spydr: Thanks for the feedback. So far today feels pretty good but I'm sure it's going to be rough. I am trying to think of it as a cleanse and that helps. Laura: I don't really think that my doctor is setting me up to fail. These are his guidelines and the goal is for me to lose weight this week. I could probably still do that with one small meal a day and the dietician told me to call if I'm having trouble. I am also able to eat crunchy vegetables and and that helped at lunchtime today. Like I said earlier, I don't have a problem with this requirement at all- I just was hoping for some tips to make it easier. :-) Thanks again.