debbieperez55

Ah, now that is a name. Who wouldn't want to have an Antonio BANDeras close to their heart:lol:

I can't wait to see your video and yes I for one want to see the scars! This is so weird I am so excited for you and I feel like we are almost Sisters. I guess we are in a way. If I was in Belgium I would visit you in the hospital and hold your hand. And take you for a walk down the hall. Just know that all of us wish you a fast a speedy recovery. And just list Sisters, give us all the juicy details:lol: Take care Debbie

I am also September 19. This is way too cool. I am at 7:30 but with the time difference we might be in surgery at the same time :smile: Welcome to the September Samurais So do you have all your pre testing done? Debbie

This is the second week of a self imposed diet. Glucerna or Boost Diabetic (Boost has has more protien - but tastes funny) for Breakfast, Snack and most days lunch and then Protien and Veggies for dinner. No more Diet Pepsi - ever - and I am drinking tons of Water. I saw my Mom for the first time in two weeks and she noticed. I am usually quite swollen, okay fat, from my waist to boobs. When my Gastritis is severe it is even worse. So they all noticed that the swelling is down. Also, my pants are baggy, never a bad sign. And I just realized I haven't had heartburn and my stomach has not hurt for a week. Anyway my Mom is one of those tell it like it is people, so for her to say something, it must show. I don't have a scale, but I guess I will need to get one. So I am not sure, but I know something is happening. I have changed my attitude too. When I found that I had actually gained 2 pounds I was shocked into action. I AM NOT GOING TO GET TO MY SURGERY AND HAVE IT STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY LIVER! So I'm finishing up my tests on Tuesday and Wednesday and then I just wait for the most important day of my life.

You know GG, I am really gettng nervous. But I know you will have a blog and video with words of wisdom to help us all get by. I want to thank you for all your support. You are always there for everyone, I kind of see you as our Leader! Hey maybe even our "Band Leader"!!! But I wanted you to know how much your support means to me, and I am sure all the others. THANKS Debbie

Thanks for all your imput. I think the fear of the great unknown is the worse. None of us know exactly what is going to happen and we depend on your word of mouth experiences. I am on the 19th and I know there are a lot who will be before me. I look forward to everyone's input. Debbie

I printed our list for my Psyc Consult today so he could see all of us. Our little group is really growing, I couldn't believe how many of us there are.

None of us September Samurai have been banded. I believe GG is first, so I don't know the afters. But I know that if I don't do this I will slowly die. I have Diabetes and it will not be a pleasant death. For me, the lap band is my last resort. I am ready for the striction the band provides and the help that gives you, but it is still up to me to make it work. The lap band is adjustable. I do know that binging is not allowed. You have a pouch for a stomach the size of an egg and I hear the stoma, opening at the band is the size of a dime. If you don't chew chew chew you will get stuck, I believe that is slimed. You cannot drink carbonated drinks. You have to follow the instructions or You WILL stretch out your pouch. You may want to do more research.

Hey, just read this. Everyone's journey is so different. My own, I almost threw up when I spoke to my Dr about getting a referral. But I did my home work first. The first call I made was to the insurance company. Karma - the womand I spoke to had a lap band and so did several of her co-workers. After I found out the the insurance (HMO) would pay, I spoke to my Dr. It helped that I had already done some research. But honestly, I didn't know squat. This site is so benefitial and just full of info. My surgeon made me attend a seminar, very very helpful. If you can find one in your area, do it. But my suggestion, research first and then present your case to the Dr, pros and cons. You will need to almost make a sales presentation. Tell him why this is the best choice for you. Have your supporting information, different diets you have tried and other information like this. Let me know how you do.

I started reading this and also could not figure out what sahm was. Just as I got up to GG's question I figured it out. DUH! I give you koodos, I couldn't do it for long, oh so many years ago. But things are so hard now, Thumbs Up to you all.

Congrads on getting moved up. Mine had been moved back 3 days, but what a mess when you make your plans in advance. Good Luck shrinking the liver, I am working to do the same. Debbie

Now that you are a September Samurai, get ready to kick some butt! We have an awsome group. Debbie

GG I cannot believe it is only 4 more days. Time sure has passed quickly

I made it through with flying colors. He told me I have reasonable expectations and that I am fully informed. I told him I want to be healthy, I know I will end up with hanging skin, but that I would really like to be around for another 20+ years to see my grandchildren grow up. He wanted me to describe what they were going to do. Good thing I watched that Video, I described it in DETAIL, and I do mean detail. I took our surgery list and our September Samurai banner with me. He was VERY impressed. He actually said I was pretty level and complimented me on my growth over the last 8 years. Thanks to all of you for your support. Two more days of tests left and then I just wait for the day that will change my life forever. Woo Hoo almost there :biggrin::thumbup::cursing::thumbup::thumbup: Debbie

---- If you could, I am not artistic in the least, could you make me a banner with my name Deborah on it? I love your face, it looks so beautiful and exotic, but even if you could just add 2008. Actually I have to admit, I printed your banner to show my Psych Consult dude. And I am ashamed to admit I am going to put it on my computer at work. I love the Samurai. I need to become the Samurai and for once in my life I need to fight and win! As nice as it looks on the web, it looks fantastic in print. Please forgive me for stealing your banner. I will let everyone know that it is your beautiful face, mine would be wrinkled and old. Might make a whimpy Samurai picture. Debbie

It must be those 2 years of therapy after my divorce when I discovered I had married my mother. Now that is one sick puppy! Good thing I worked that out, still hate the ex, but accept my Mom for the person she is. Honestly, I am not artistic. Give me an excel file and I can make it sing, but I have trouble with the art thing.

You know that will mean I will have to buy a measuring tape and actually use it! Fantastic chart, and I do plan on using it. I guess best to see the truth up front. I have a habit of focusing on just above my shoulders when I look in the mirror. This will make me see the real me. Also, while we embark on our weight loss journey this will help us. Even when we hit a plateau, the inches might change.

Have you really thought about how long the band is going to be with us? 1000 years from now when they dig up our bones they are going to find little bands and wonder what were for. Of course I would rather have the little band than two little silicone bags :thumbup: I know, sick joke :banghead: I never thought about a name, I may have to think about this since we will be togother so long.

I started to get scared because I gained a couple pounds!!!! I started eating the, well I won't have that again, crap, but at an excellerated rate. I went nuts. So I went on a self imposed pre pre-op diet. I went out got some Glucerna and decided that it would be better than McDonalds or the three meal Breakfast burrito. I am finding that I need two cans, one at 6 and one at 9 but then a light lunch and I am fine. Instead of binging after work I drink one more. They are chocolate, my weakness, and only 200 cals. I don't have the sugar highs and lows. I quit drinking my Diet Pepsi - after 35 years of diet sodas. My first diet cola has cyclamates (not sure of the spelling) and I have gone whole hog ever since. I actually had to wean myself off because of horrid headaches. Of course now I am so tired,,,,,,,,,, yuck. I guess I just ate crap until I was sick of being sick. Now I am ready to go. Maybe my liver will get a little smaller and my tummy will shrink so the band will fit. There are times I feel like I can eat half a cow and still eat more. This I have to stop. I am just glad I am feeling halfway decent on the Glucerna. I figure I can drink 4 a day with a light dinner and still be within my calorie requirements. But then again I see the Nutritionist on 9-3. Maybe I will have one more Dodger Dog on 9-3 at the game, for old times sake.

Terri I am not an expert but it does sound that your sister cannot stand you to have success. And the fact that she failed at WLS must be a big issue. If you succeede after she couldn't she will have to face her failure. I guess it will kind of be like rubbing it in her face. Not that you have done anything wrong, but it seems that she wants everything you have or she is jelous of you. I have a younger brother who still blames the older brother for his lot in life. We are all over 50, give me a break, he needs to get over it. If I hear one more time about favoritism I will throw up. All of this happened years ago, and was there - YES. Did it ruin his life - NO. He made his own choices and his personality is definately a factor. He should have made peace on his own terms. I for one looked at a video/movie of my Mom when we were little kids. She grew up in an abusive authorative family. So there she was, just 20 with 3 kids, 2 in diapers. She had her first at 17. My Mom looked like a little girl over her head, trying to be grown up around people much older than she. Did she make mistakes, YES, but we all make mistakes. Trust me I am almost 53, I almost forgot my age , and life is a challange. The things we did as young adults may come back to bite us in the ass in later years. My brother can't, but my older brother and I accept our Mother as the "flawed" person she is. There comes a time when you have to forgive. Perhaps your sister is still wrapped up in her own hatred. Don't let it bring you down. As I said before - do this for you and if you must, leave your relationship with your sister for a while. Revisit it when she is in a "healthier place". Right now she is poison to you. Of course all my opinion, and I am not perfect. I spent 22 years in an abusive marriage and I know how someone can dominate you if you let them. Take care! Debbie

Teri Your Sister has more problems than your lap band. Perhaps SHE is the one who needs the Psyc Consult. She can have my appointment :tongue: But really, there is something wrong there. It is viscious of her to interfere in your most personal thoughts. Plus, what pleasure can she get. You might want to consider just ignoring all she does. Trust me, someone starts bashing you in our group and we will have your back! Obviously she is threatened with your future. I know, families can be difficult, but just know we are all there for you. Debbie

Teri, You can't make eveyone happy. Take care of yourself and everthing will fall into place. You may loose a freind, but I think sometimes we have fat freinds for the same reason alcholics have drinking buddies. Someone to share in the misery. You know, someone to binge with. Your Dad, hey we are just Parents and we are not Perfect (well I may be - yeah right). He will come along. Give hime time. You need to do this for you - not anyone else.

KristyLynn Now that is a Banner - I love the little Samurai in the left corner. Is that you in the right corner. That is something to be proud of! Way to go!!!!

Hey, I think it is just the Shrink part of the Psyc Consult that scares the "crap" out of all of us. I am not looking forward to mine. I already got the book they sent me to fill out. Good Grief, why do they want to know all this stuff. Will I be excluded if I say, Yes Dr after my divorce from a marriage of 22 years I was treated for depression. Do you think he will realize I was depressed because I had been married for 22 years to a jerk! Anyway - relax and do the best you can. They have us coming and going anyway.

I went to the Dr for my blood tests and I had gained! I went and got some Glucerna and started drinking it for Breakfast, better than Mc Donalds. Then I started adding another shake and eating less. I actually lost 5 pound. Of course Doc says EAT VEGGIES, yeah right, and I will but I am afraid, I have fatty liver too. In fact I had to go off my cholesteral meds becaus of it. Anyway, I feel 4 weeks to go, I need to get my liver to shrink a little. I only have to loose 10 pounds but my biggest fear - What if he gets in there and says - nope, liver is a mess, close her up.:sad: Yes, I am a worry wort, but it is just so close now.