n2bluegrass

lbndoc: We have some things in common besides for the band. I had knee issues which directly lead to me wanting to reduce my weight. I used to barrell race ....stopped because I was not longer secure in the saddle...now I'm so heavy that general trail riding is just too much work. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for the advice. That's good to now. I'm working on the liquids. I'll ask about the numbing stuff. That would certainly help. This site is so awesome...everyone being willing to share their experience and insight.

Thanks!! Todays been better. I found some info on the site that talked about making a soup and straining the broth off, so I added some beef broth, carrots, zuchinni, and onion with some ground ginger and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Cook for an hour and then drank the broth. That seemed to be the trick. I had that for lunch and so far so good.

Well I haven't gotten up gracefully without losing my saddle for quite a while, but I do remember the feeling of satisfaction of mounting (western) without aid. That's definitely on my list of things I can't wait to be able to do thanks to my new band!!

My BMI is over 50 and I'm just a little over a week from my banding date. I've almost hit the 50lbs lost mark before surgery but I'm finding that the 'liquid diet' is really hard. I had started exploring the protein drinks about a month ago and have been doing 1 or 2 meals for most of the past month using the drinks, but for some reason when the call came and I was told 'only liquids', I'm having some sort of a melt down moment. To this point, I've given up pop, steak, bread and been fine with all that but I'm finding now that I'm starving. Labs are Monday, this is Saturday...I don't want to blow this and being well prepared for surgery day is my top priority. Anyone have great words of wisdom and how they made it over the hurtle of liquids. I'm really feeling discouraged cause up to this point, it's gone great, I haven't had the urge to snack or cheat and the weight and slowly and steadily gone over the past 5 or 6 months. .....

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for the update on your surgery. I'm on the liquid diet now and have my surgery on the 18th. I'm getting pretty nervous, so your experience is just one of many that is helping calm my anxious fears ;0) Good Luck!

I have my surgery on the 18th but riding was a huge concern for me as we are getting close to prime fall riding weather. The day of my pre-op visit this was my number 1 question and I was told as long as I kept to a flat walk and rode something with brains, I could try it when I felt ready after week 2 post-band. I probably won't struggle to get my self up from ground level but I'll use the nearest picnic table for mounting and dismounting and give it a go! For me riding is in the top 3 reasons that I want to lose my weight.

Just got the call yesterday. All approved for an 8/18 surgery. I go on 8/10...that's this Monday for my pre-op lab work. I'm pretty scared about the blood gas draw. I am a hard stick for normal blood work so this seems to be what I'm most worried about so far. Didn't have any time to have the "last supper" before starting liquids last night. I'm kind of sad though, my buddy system partner had some paperwork problems so instead of having my buddy there to go through it with me..I guess I'm going first. So here I go, diving in with both feet. Having lost almost 50 in the last 6 months, I'm sure the next hurdle will go just fine. Ahhhh! I just can't believe it's almost here!!!

Today's the big day! Best of Luck