ValJean

Hi Breanne, I am one week post op, and I have consistently seen a difference between my home scale and my dr scale. It is a little unnerving, but I just decided to only officially record my weight once a week, and to always go by home scale (which is the one that shows my weight being higher). I figure this will help me not get too scale obsessed--plus, I'll never feel bummed out when I have to weigh in at the doctor's office, since I always weigh less on his scale Val Val

Hi Anya, I started going to OA a couple months ago after my psych evaluation for the lap band. The therapist recommended it as a possible tool for getting control of my emotional eating, and the few meetings I went to (5-6) were helpful and inspiring. I sampled quite a few different meetings, haven't settled on a "regular" weekly meeting, nor have I completely decided to commit to the 12-step program yet, but it's a tool that I am exploring. I'd highly recommend trying it out. Good luck! Valerie

I work in the editorial department at a literary magazine, and am also a playwright and theatre director.

If you have a Whole Foods nearby, I recommend the pre-made Imagine brand soups--they are delicious and very wholesome, low-calorie creamy soups, in lots of veggie varieties (portobello mushroom, broccoli, leek). A gourmet version of campbell's cream soups, and much more natural. I'm sure you can get them at places other than Whole Foods, but that's where I discovered them. I just season them up a bit and they really hit the spot. Actually, here's the website: Imagine Soups - Organic, Gourmet Soups and Broths

Congratulations Pearl! I was just banded this past Wednesday and I, too, am surprised by how "easy" its been so far--very little pain, just some soreness at my incision site and some gas pain/tightness in my shoulder and upper chest. All of it has been minimal. In fact, the worst part has been waking up with a stiff back from sleeping sitting up. Going to try lying down to sleep tonight. I agree that walking is the best thing you can do for yourself those first couple days post op--even if its just around the house. Good luck with everything and keep us posted! Valerie

I was banded on Jan 28th, and aside from some gas pain, I'm feeling pretty great. So happy to be on this journey!

I'm also being banded on Wednesday, and my doctor has me on the 2 week liquid diet. I'm nervous, but so excited! Good luck to you all!

Hi Cindi, I'm getting banded on Wednesday too, in Chicago. I am also getting nervous, and the past couple days seem to have flown by. Planning a shopping trip today to get stocked up on all the post op liquids i'll need. I've taken the rest of the week off work, so I'll be sure to check in here and see how you're doing! Good luck! I'll be thinking of you on Wed! Valerie

Thanks to you all for posting! I am scheduled to have surgery in 4 days,and this is exactly what I needed to hear to calm my nerves!

lingling— I swear, I could have written your post almost verbatim 10 months ago! I am 29 (30 in a month) and am being banded next week. It took me nearly a year to commit to the decision to make this huge life change—I've gone through (and am still going through) so many different emotions about it, and that horrible fear of dying during surgery has been #1! Part of it is certainly the fact that I am wired for anxiety, but I've come to understand that part of it is a deeper fear of changing, and of who I'll be once I've rid myself of the excuses and limitations that have plagued me my whole life because of my weight. What will come after the banding remains to be seen. I'm sure everyone's experience is a little bit different. But this forum is such a great place for information and support, and really helped me to decide that this procedure was the right decision for me. Also, though it was one of the hardest things I had to do, I highly, highly recommend choosing a trusted friend or family member that you can tell about this, and who can ask questions without judging, and help you think it through. I'm not sure if I could be doing this without the support of a few wonderful people who are very close to me, know me well, and have my best interests at heart. It's made me feel proud and confident about my choice, rather than being ashamed that I can't "do it on my own." It's also forced me to be really honest, maybe for the first time in my life, with the people I love about my struggle with my weight and how it affects me daily. It has strengthened those relationships for sure. Also, when I was going through my pre op pysch evaluation a couple months ago, the therapist suggested I try out OA (Overeaters Anonymous), and I have to say that it has been so helpful to me, just to be around other people who I can share my struggle with. Being able to go to a meeting when I'm feeling stressed/upset (the times when I used to always pig out to soothe myself), has kept me from going on a binge. I think the program is a great tool, one I intend to use, along with the lap band, to accomplish my goals of not only losing weight, but letting go of the sadness, fear, and negative thoughts about my body and finally feeling happy in my own skin. Sorry to ramble--your story was just so familiar to my own, I really wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I'd be happy to chat with you in the coming weeks after my surgery and let you know how its going and what my experience is. So feel free to send me a message if you want, and I can give you my e-mail address. Good luck, whatever your decision may be. Valerie

Hi Heather, and congrats! I am getting banded on Jan 28th, and am on day 9 of my 14 day pre op liquid diet. I've been doing the EAS Advant-Edge shakes in the morning, and they are pretty good. If you like V-8, that's a great alternative to the sweet stuff (I am much more a salty/savory craver, so I get tired of the fruity/sweet shakes pretty quickly). Also, I found some really awesome, low fat, prepared cream Soups at Whole Foods--Imagine brand. Just heat, add a little seasoning, and they are very flavorful and satisfying (cream of broccoli, sweet corn, tomato, mushroom). Also--Kefir (a liquid-y yogurt drink) is really good, too. Not as much Protein as the Protein Shakes, but its tasty and filling (they make a "carb-friendly" variety that is very low sugar, too--though the regular is not too bad, sugar/carb-wise), and doesn't leave that kind of funky Protein shake after taste (that's been the worst part of the diet for me). And I splurged on a bunch of "fancy" teas too--having a cup of hot decaf/herbal tea in the evening before bed really gives me a warm, full feeling and helps curb nighttime cravings. Hope some of that helps. Please keep in touch and let me know how things are going. Yay for end-of-Jan banders! Valerie

I'm scheduled for Jan 28th, in Chicago. Congrats to you both, and best of luck! Valerie

Hi Barry, I'm being banded on Jan 28th, and am having the same anxiety--so you're not alone! (I keep telling my boyfriend that I feel like I'm about to get on a plane--I am a terribly fearful and panicky flier!) But I just keep reminding myself that I am putting myself in the capable hands of caring experts! Being completely up front with my anesthesiologist during my pre op testing last week and telling her exactly how I am feeling was a HUGE relief for me--she talked me through the whole process of exactly what will happen. It made an incredible difference to my mindset just to say it out loud to the people who will be taking care of me. While I'm admittedly still nervous, visiting this forum and reading people's posts is a major help, too. Thanks for sharing how you're feeling--and if you want to chat, just drop me a note! Good luck--it'll go great! Val

Hi again Christy My surgeon does require a 14-day pre op liquid diet, and I have to say, it is certainly helping me get in the mindset for surgery--it is testing my ability to commit to a plan, and I think it will help me stay focused in the gradual build up to regular foods after surgery. So I am all for it. Plus, I'm down 10lbs already (on day 5 of liquid diet), so I'm feeling good physically and mentally, which should help with recovery.

I am getting banded on Jan 28th, starting day 5 of my pre op diet, and I am staying on my plan today because I am totally inspired by all of you! Thanks for posting and keeping pre-op folks like myself motivated!

Hi to you both! Cristy, I am getting banded at Day One Health, downtown Chicago. It's not a hospital, it's an out patient surgical center--so as long as everything goes as planned, I will be banded in the morning and home by late afternoon. I know what TOPS is, but really don't know much about the program. I started going to Overeaters Anonymous meetings a few months ago and I found it very helpful in finding some clarity about my relationship with food, which helped me to decided finally 100% that I wanted to have the surgery. But the downside is, I'm worried about going back to meetings after the band--I'm certainly not an expert on all the rules of the program, but I don't think its allowed to discuss WLS, since it is not a tool of OA and would be considered an outside issue...and because of the nature of the program, all based on complete honesty with self an dothers, it would be impossible to attend meetings regularly, work the program, get a sponsor, etc. and not be able to disclose that I'd had the surgery. That's why I'm eager to find a LapBand-specific support group. I hope you'll both keep in touch over the next two weeks and let me know how you're doing. I'm so excited for all three of us! Take care, Val

Congratulations Christy! I live in Chicago too, and am getting banded on January 28th. Do you have a support group or something that you'll be attending post surgery? I'd love to make some fellow bandster friends in the area. Feel free to e-mail me: valeriejeanjohnson@gmail.com. Congrats again, and best of luck with your procedure!

Just wanted to say hi to a fellow Chicagoan! I am scheduled to be banded on Jan 28th at Day One Health. I'd be happy to talk to you anytime about my preparation for surgery and, pretty soon, my recovery! Good luck with the seminar!

Hi, and congratulations! I live in Chicago, and am awaiting approval for the surgery from my insurance company. I've been preparing and going through the steps since April, and have fingers crossed that everything will go through this month and I'll hopefully be scheduled for surgery before the end of the year. I wish you and your daughter all the best of luck!

Hi FragileFeline, Congrats! I just heard today that my insurance claim has been approved and am moving towards scheduling my banding—hopefully for the end of the summer. (I have a class in July that will require a lot of movement and I don't want to risk being unable to participate if my recovery time is longer than anticipated, which is why I'm waiting). Do you belong to any support groups in the city, or interact with any folks in the "banding community"? I am new to this, but would love the chance to meet/talk with other Chicagoans who have had/are going to have the procedure. I live on the Northwest side, but work downtown.

Hello everyone, I am a Chicagoan too, just had a consultation at DayOne in the city...is anyone here familiar with them, perhaps had the surgery done there? Now that I've had the consult and am moving ahead with insurance matters, I am really eager to talk to people in the "real world" (as opposed to the patient advocates who work there, I mean). Thanks, Val