Who'sThere

And one more thing...I've always wished to have smaller ones that would stand up. I've been at least a D since middle school. Even then, my boobs weren't perky! I would love to have nice little ones that didn't demand a bra but would instead stand at attention all by themselves. Fellas, doesn't that sound better? Haven't you heard that more than a handful is a waste anyway? LOL!

I'm actually hoping to lose some boobies! I wear a DDD usually but there is one style of bra I can get in a DD. I have lost 100 pounds before (found it though) and didn't lose any in my cup size, only the band size. If these don't shrink a little, I'll probably get a reduction when I get down to a healthy weight and maintain it. I have worn a bra since third grade, and while DH likes them, he will just have to find something else to play with!

Hey Jewels or Freedom Fighters, whichever we may be! What are y'all planning in terms of exercise regimes? The goal in my ticker is a mini-goal; I do eventually want to be a normal weight. I'm only 5'3", so I have a lot to lose, and taking it in smaller chunks seems more managable to me. I figure that if I do get down to 130-140 I will have some serious skin problems. SO, I want to do all I can to keep as toned as possible. My plan is to do the Couch to 5K thing; however, it will take me longer than 2 months for sure. I bought a second-hand treadmill today, and I did all I could. That was only ten minutes, but I did get two sets of the jogging in. DH cheered me on and was very proud of me. Besides that, I bought some hand weights to help with my arms, one of those band things (not sure what to do with it yet but hubbs says he'll show me), and a power ring thingy to work on my inner thighs. From my techincal descriptions of my new "toys," I'm sure you can tell I'm quite the fitness buff. LOL! So, I thought I'd see if y'all had suggestions, plans, etc. that you would like to share. ~Amy~

So, for those of you whose symptoms have improved, to which end of the spectrum did you tend to fall? I tend to have diarrhea episodes far more often that the constipation side. Should I expect that to improve?

When you say you were banded on 1/6/09 do you mean June 1 or January 6? (I surely hope you mean June 1 if you are still on liquid.) As for the will power, one of the cutest quotes I've seen on here is something like "My will power is fine; it's my won't power that needs help." I understand how tempting it must be to eat while still on liquids. I will have to do a preop liquid diet, so I did a trial run the other day, and I thought I would die! Good luck on your journey! If you were strong enough to do all the things required before surgery, you are certainly strong enough to do well now! You can do it!!!:cursing:

Right now, my number one struggle is trying to get my head around the pre-op diet I will have to do. I did a one day trial run on Sunday, and let me tell you, it was horrible! My surgeon requires a low calorie, low carb liquid diet for 10-14 days. With no restriction, it was VERY difficult to eat nothing solid. While I really like sweets, I can basically do without them. My surgeon stresses the no snacking rule, and I think I can handle that. My main problem is that I am a meat and potatoes kind of gal, and I eat way too much! I am confident that once bandster hell is over and I actually have restriction, the band will really help me. However, this preop thing is going to be really tough!

Hey, Bobbie. From what I've read, the preop diet varies greatly from one surgeon to the next. If you don't even go in for pre-op stuff until 5 days before, you will have a short, if at alll, pre-op period. My surgeon recommends a 14 day (but requires 10 day) low card liquid diet. The purpose is to shrink the liver. The liver is, according to him, the first place one loses weight. Shrinking the liver reduces the risk for certain complications such as bleeding as a fatty liver is very fragile, and the surgeon must work around the liver to attach the band. If I were you, I would simply call my surgeon's office and inquire about his or her pre-op diet requirements. At least that way, you will know what to expect for the holiday! Good luck! ~Amy~

I am from Rogersville and would love to have someone sort of local to buddy up with and share experiences. I know several people who have had RNY, but no one who has been banded. My surgeon is Dr. Hodge in Johnson City, and pending insurance approval, my surgery will be sometime in July. Is anyone out there who would also like a local bud?

HILARIOUS! Some people really do know everything, don't they?

Great question! I have IBS, and I have wondered what effect the band might have.

Raleighlap, I'm jealous! You have really gotten the ball rolling! It has taken me nearly a year to jump through all the hoops. :cursing: Good luck to all! I can't wait until this time next year when we can all talk about all the weight we have lost and all the other things we have gained!:sad:

Okay, well, disregard my previous messages (all dozen or so...lol)! It appears there is a poll in another section on what to call ourselves. So far July Jewels is ahead. Go vote!!!! I took the graphic out of my signature all together until we officially win the vote. (Don't want to jinx it, I guess.)

Okay...there is now a poll for chosing our name. Go vote, everyone!

Taking a vote...good idea...and very democratic!:cursing:

Well, I played around and got mine to post in my signature, but I do think we should all have the same one. Eviebell, can you put a link in or tell us how to get yours and I'll change mine. However, do y'all like the idea of having the year in or not? I'm assuming there was probably a July group last year. Do you want to set ourselves apart that way, or do you thing just the name is sufficient? Just ideas...:cursing:

Well, that didn't work, but I see that someone has already made one. That's good! How do we put that in our signature?

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I don't have a date yet, but I know it will be in July, so count me in! I will also try to make some kind of tag. We'll see how it goes.

I'm thinking... wear some heavy clothes and all the jewlery you own, don't use the restroom until after you weigh, eat a big meal just before (the opposite of all the things I do when I am trying to weigh less). I can totally understand why you would consider gaining the weight to qualify, but I would just hate for you to do that. Talk to the doctor's office. Be frank. Maybe they will have some suggestions. Either way...good luck!

My surgeon requires all his patients to undergo a 6 mo. diet to show that they are willing to comply with his directions. Basically he has no requirement for how much weight you should lose, but he doesn't want you to gain weight during that time. I would not have done well losing 10% of my weight (which would also be 28 pounds). Today was my last weigh-in, and I only lost a total of 8 pounds, so you are way ahead of me. Good luck!

I should be a July Bandster, too. I had my preop appointment today. My information will be sent to insurance as soon as it gets back from transcription. I have UHC John Deere Select, and the insurance coordinator said that their approval time is anywhere from 10 minutes (she seriously said that) to three days. My surgeon is already booked until July 6 though, so I will be sometime shortly thereafter. I will be SOOOO flippin' excited when I get official approval and an exact date!:grouphug:

Okay...ticker was successful. Also, I have another name suggestion. What about Firecrackers? There is another thread dedicated to finding a name, so if you like it, you might want to post there too. Whatever is decided works for me. I just want a name and a firm surgery date! :grouphug:

There is another thread on which July Jewels is popular. I thought I was being original when I suggested it, but then I came across this thread and realized it had already been suggested. :grouphug: Either is okay with me. I just always think of the movie when I hear Freedom Fighters. That's just the teacher in me though. Oh, I just thought of something...what about The Firecrackers? It's a spin off from Freedom Fighters but not so literal. Just throwing that out there.

If I were not totally sure the band is what I want, I would not be having surgery. To me, it is too drastic to do as anything but a last resort. For me (and I am much heavier than you) it is an issue of being a healthier person, not being a better looking one (not that I will mind that though).:grouphug: With that being said, if you excercise while you lose weight, that should help with the loose skin. However, the problem is still a possibility. As for the calves, I too have very muscular calves as I am short, therefore on my toes quite often. Also, I was a cheerleader for many years and built up lots of muscle in my calves and thighs both. Five years ago, I lost 100 pounds and the only part that suffered was my top inner thighs. No matter how solid you think (as I thought) your legs are, they will lose inches of fat, too. Good luck on your journey! I hope it will be all you want/expect/need.

Well, it looks as though I'll be in the July group. I had my preop consult today. As soon as the transcription comes back, my records will be sent to insurance. The lady who does these says my inusrance is really quick. Approval should take from 10 min (I'm serious...she said sometimes they are that quick) to three days. As of now though, my surgeon is backed up to July 6. So, it looks as though I'll definitely be a July bandster! Fill me in when a name is decided upon! P.S. I'll be trying the ticker thing now, so if it doesn't work, repost and I'll share my experience (that is if I am successful:wink2:)