srknepler

Teri~ I'm glad to hear that your surgeon said that you'd be good to go with the twins! That makes me feel better. Were your guys preemies? JT was a 29 weeker. Kiz~ That's a great idea...too bad it'll only be his 3rd day, so not enough time to have made any great buddies yet. If push comes to shove, his Poppy (my dad) can come hang out with me that day...he's off on Fridays (but he lives an hour away)... Starting my pre-op diet tomorrow!

I agree with HeatherO. Honestly answering those questions is the first step. Reading some of the FAQs here might help, too. There is some great info there.

Hi Birdie! I've gone back and forth between 'I have to eat everything that I love...today' to 'I shouldn't eat crap because it'll just make "the after" that much further away'. I've been watching the scales go down slowly since February (when I started this journey) and for the last two months they have stalled out. I was beginning to get frustrated when I got my band-date!! Now I'm working on getting my cravings under control.....which is hard since I'm PMSing this week!! :cursing: I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I've changed my mind about tonights dinner about a dozen times today :huh2: Know that you're not alone!! Gaining weight is what we've all done best before now!!

Hi, I'm Sherri...SAHM to JT a very active 4yo boy (why do we always say 'very active'?, like we've ever seen an especially calm 4yo!!) We live in Texas, just south of Dallas. My surgery is Thursday, September 11th. DH is taking that day off of work and he and JT will take me for surgery. The next day he'll have to return to work as he needs to save his sick days for his own banding later this fall!! JT attends mother's day out at a church a few blocks from our home and he'll need to be there at 9am on Friday. I thought that I'd just drive him myself...it's not far and I dont' even have to leave our little neighborhood streets to get there. I've been thinking that I might ask another mom to stop by and pick him up though, just to be safe. The weekend will be better because DH will be here to parent while I heal. After that? we'll just have to play it by ear! I'd love to meet some more SAHMs that are new to lap-band and are willing to discuss meal planning and entertainment (for the children).

Can you have other liquids? Perhaps some clear broth? something that would add a bit of nutrition without adding fat or carbs. I haven't started my pre-op diet yet, but back in high school I did medi-fast for 3 months. (5 shakes per day...NO food.) so I feel your pain! Did your docs office offer any recipes to try with their prescribed shakes?? Maybe someone has figured out a good way to mix it?

I'm also a knitter! I have two projects currently on the needles. A recycled sari silk wrap for myself, which is a tedious lace pattern......and a new fall sweater for my 4yo. I also have a new library book!

you could probably use any combo of ground meats as long as the weight is the same. We like a little turkey Breakfast sausage in ours or some turkey italian sausage...depending on what flavor we're in the mood for. our local market has fresh chicken sausage that is full of yummy stuff like roasted peppers and sundried tomatoes. Adding a little to ground meat recipes really bumps up the flavor!!

I've read through lots of surgery day experiences elsewhere on LBT, but I've not seen any regarding Lap Band Solutions and the Surgery Center of Richardson. I'd like to hear about your experience having surgery there....with Dr Benavides specifically. I'm scheduled for September 11th and I'd like you know what to expect that day. Thanks!!

I also have the weight watchers scale...it's made my conair (I think). I got it for $30 at costco (2 years ago) it's digital and stores a history for 4 people. It's accurate to 375lbs Oh, and it's made of glass (apparently this makes a difference??)

September 11th here!! I'm being banded by Dr Benavides in Richardson, Texas. I start my pre-op diet on Thursday!!

mine is 2 weeks....it looks like a modified slim-fast type diet. 2 shakes (either myocel or atkins) and 2 small meals per day. The meals must be lean meat and green veggies only. no fat, carbs, sugar, etc, etc.

September 11th 10am

We tend to name everything in our house...all of the toys, stuffed animals..the cars, even my navigation system has a name. LOL Why hadn't I thought of naming my band? I'll have to think on it a bit....

I'm going to Lap-Band Solutions in Dallas (richardson) Texas. There are 3 surgeons there, but Dr Benavides will do my surgery. Their price is $15,000 for self-pay. It includes 2 years of after care/up to 10 fills. I like the office because it isn't crowded and busy. they don't overbook, so you don't have to wait a long time to be seen. I looked at a few other options in my area and this price was about in the middle...

does he offer a support group or something, where you could speak to other people that he's banded? Maybe that would help... My doc only does lap-bands, so he's done alot....but, I didn't have to choose a surgeon based on insurance. Mine has a lovely restriction, so I'm paying out of pocket. I read a story on here a few days ago about a lady who went to a surgeon who hadn't done many, but she is completely happy with her band. No problems at all.

You can also use lime, orange or grapefruit juice to prevent browning... After putting the acid on the fruit, try putting it in something that's airtight....like a ziptop bag (with the air sucked out) or some kind of vacuum sealed bag. It'll last longer that way... This also works with avacados!! Mmmm.

only 3 more days!! How is your pre-op diet going? Where in TX are you having the surgery?? Check out the TX support group section here...there are lots of people from TX here on LBT!

Thank you so much, everyone, for sharing your stories! I definately have some known triggers....caffeine, artificial sweeteners, leafy greens, dairy...to name a few. I take Levsin (sublingual) every 4 hours while awake and I have some Lonox (that's the generic) for controlling diahrrea. I also take chewable benefiber daily (or the stir in kind when I make soups). The SSRI info is especially interesting. I wonder if other AD drugs have similar effects? I was on Wellbutrin XL for 2 years and recently weaned off of it.....about a month before my IBS symptoms worsened??

I got a magic bullet today at Linens & Things...I mention the store because you can register with them online that they'll e-mail you a 20% off coupon! I also asked my mommy if I could borrow her (rarely used) sewing machine, since mine is kaput for now (kiddo broke it). I plan to take up some clothes when necessary. I already have some shorts and pants that are too big since losing 25lbs on my own :biggrin:

I'm self-pay, so I only had to have the surgeon required tests...no insurance hoops to jump through. I had a physical, EKG, and bloodwork (CBC, Lipidpanel, TSH, etc).

Hiya! Fellow Texan here...I'm in the Dallas area. Check out the Texas support section...you'll find tons of texans here! Someone will probably have great advice about surgeons in your area.

I just spoke with the nice lady at Lap-Band Solutions and my bloodwork & EKG has already been faxed over from my PCP (I had it done yesterday at noon!). That means that Monday the coordinator will call to set up pre-op & surgery appointments!! Holy Crap...thats 3 days away! I can't even begin to describe the feeling of sheer joy that I have. I might explode come Monday!! I can't wait to meet all of you fellow September Samuris!!

Hi September Samuris!! I'm Sherri...32...married 7 years to John (will also be banded this fall!!)...mommy to JT, 4yo boy. We live in Texas, just south of Dallas....I'm a SAHM. I've never been thin...heck, I've never been average. I wore the "pretty plus" sizes at Sears when I was in elementary school! I want to go back to school to be a home ec teacher...I want to be good at my job because I am talented, not because everyone thinks that fat girls must be good cooks!!

I want to run with my 4 year old son! I should rephrase...I want to teach my son to run. He thinks that running is this funny trot that I do....and now he does the same thing :wink: Then I want to ride bikes with him!! he begs often :wink2:

Kiz...I have those scales and they are great. The memory feature is wonderful...JIC you forget to write down your last weight, and it shows you a running total of weight lost!! I was pondering a magic bullet (I have a linens & things gift card burning a hole in my wallet!), but I see the hamilton beach one is a 1/3 the cost! The mb comes with several "cups" and 2 blades though, so maybe it's still the best deal?