MissK

The first steps are always the hardest... the fear of the surgery, the decisions on who to tell and the worry about how they will react, the panic over how you will cope with the pre-op diet right through to what life will be like when you just can't stomach various foods again. We all go through these anxieties and concerns, but from what I've seen from these forums most people have come out smiling on the other side. Be brave, we are here to support you!

Being at odds with your friend makes it even harder; I know how important friends are to me. Is it something that you know you guys will get over eventually? If so, why don't you ring her and say "I dont want to argue with you, I dont want to focus on that, you mean the world to me and I really need you". If my friend did that, no matter what we were arguing about, I'd go to her.

It was only mentioned to me because I asked; he said that females naturally carry a little padding around the area that the port sits, hence why it doesn't stick out

Hi Kit, From one Aussie to another, welcome! You are a little ahead of me, my surgery is scheduled for 18th August with my pre-op diet commencing on 4th. I too am worried about how I will cope with the pre-op diet, but it will just take determination and some serious distraction! I am not too concerned about the port, my surgeon told me that it really wouldn't be visible but I would be able to feel it if I was actually trying to find it. I cant see that I will be running around half-naked for quite some time either way! Anyway, congratulations on taking this brave step and best wishes for your surgery. We're here to support you!

... and that's what it's all about, smitten, doing what is best for YOU. If your doctor can't give you valid reasons why he wants things done his way, kick him to the curb. If you're not in a city and you need to travel to see an alternate doctor, do it. You deserve to know you're getting the best advice. Above all else, trust your instinct, you know your body better than anyone else.

Wow Catherine, what a fantastic post! I have not been banded yet, but have a plan in my head to get me TO the surgery date which is: 15 June - Switch from coke to diet coke & get back into exercising 15 July - Stop drinking diet coke completely, if I haven't already 1 August - Have "last supper" pre-op dinner/night out with friends 4 August - Commence pre-op protein shake diet 20 August - Surgury! Your post has given me inspiration for a post-op plan, thank you so much!

Hi Lindsay, great to find another younger person on here! So know where you are coming from. Lovely to meet you! Thanks smitten, it seems there are a lovely bunch of supportive, positive people here. It's fantastic!

Hi Everyone I am a 27 year old female from rural Australia, and I currently weigh in at my heaviest weight ever, 109kg/240lbs. I have struggled with my weight since birth, with my first recorded appointment in relation to that taking place when I was just 6 years old. I am scheduled to be banded on 18th August 2009; I am a little frightened but mostly excited about this opportunity and very determined to succeed. I live alone and my family are a 12 hour drive from me, so I am excited to have joined lap band talk and am looking forward to utilising this website as a part of my support network. Talk to you all soon, I hope! MissK x x

Hi Kate What a wonderfully warm post; welcome to the forums! It's an exciting journey to be on and like you, I look forward to moving forward with my journey and sharing it with the wonderful people here. Take care! MissK

Agreed! I also haven't been banded yet, my surgery date is 20th August.... waiting, waiting, waiting!

Welcome to the forums, lmnlineman :party:

I cant see why you wouldn't be an idea candidate for lap band, you are only a few pounds heavier than me. I'd try getting a second opinion!

Hi Jeanette Welcome! Have you made an appointment to see a surgeon yet? The thing that really appeals to me about banding is that it is easily reversible. I am being banded on 20 August and can't wait! Lovely to meet you also! MissK

Hi Steph Welcome! I am new too, 27 from Australia and also have a beautiful Maltese-mix called Jack. He's very much my baby and we're also inseperable, so I know where you're coming from! Enjoy the forums

Hi there I am new to this as well, 27 with a BMI of 39.8 - not too far behind you! I only went to one seminar as there is only one doctor where I live that does banding; it was a great session, he went through the statistics of the obesity epidemic, statistics of weight loss methods, the pros and cons of the surgery, through the risks, how the surgery works, was very pointed about the amount of hard work and dedication it will take on our part, and through the costs associated. He gave some useful papers to take home and read as well. It's well worth the time to go, and don't feel nervous, everyone is there for the same reason and you won't be the biggest person in the room. Be brave! MissK x x

Thanks TT. It is sad that they are far away, but my mum is coming to stay for two weeks when I get banded which will be great. Thanks for the warm welcome :cool: Hi Vamp... thanks for your support. When I went to the pre-consult seminar I was absolutely blown away by the number of older people in the room, and by older I mean a good decade or more older than you. I actually burst into tears when I left because that right there was my 'moment of truth' -- sitting in that room knowing in my heart that I didn't want to still be this way when I am their age, still battling, still big, still unhappy with physical self -- and at that point I said "no going back kiddo, just do it". We would have almost been 'banded together', as my op date was originally 16th July but I pushed it back a month to enable my mum to be here when I get it done. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you, you are very brave. MissK x x

Hi Sarah Yes, I have to do the intense stage of the Optifast diet for 14 days... super excited that I can have vegies! Thanks for letting me know, as I haven't had my session with the dietician yet. It will be hard as it will be the dead of winter and I know all I will want are some warm, delicious wintery foods. But it's okay, I can do this

I didn't realise you couldn't have protein shakes as well. How long was that for? That seems like insane torture to have zero calories, and it sounds dangerous too I work on a mine site and I'm certain my company would consider me a risk/unfit for work and would ban me from site for that period if that was a requirement. I think I am going to be so sick of protein shakes after drinking 42 of them pre-op! lol

Hi VmpSlayr! First and foremost, just LOVE your name! I am new here as well, just joined today,and I completely understand where you are coming from. When I made the final decision to book in for the operation and rang my family to let them know that it was full-steam ahead, I broke down in tears for similar reasons as you. As I move closer to my banding date, I am becoming less emotional about that side of it. I initially wanted to keep it a secret but I've made the decision to be an open book. I don't wear a sign around my neck, but I don't hide it either. My close friends and family know, my boss knows and some close work colleagues. When I am off work for 2 weeks for surgery, most people will know why and I am okay with that. I figure the more people that know, the more determined I will be to make this work because of the number of people that will be disappointed if I don't. It will also be nice not to have to 'make excuses' as to why I'm only eating small portions, or not having cake, etc... I can simply say "sorry, I can't because of the band" and they will already KNOW what I am on about. Best wishes to you! MissK x x

Wow... you guys are lucky. My pre-op diet consists of protein shakes three times per day for 14 days. No soups, jellos, popsicles, etc. It's going to be terribly hard when I get there!

Hi there I haven't had my surgery yet but my surgeon has told me not to expect any great results in the first month until I have my first fill - but if you can lose some weight, that's great. MissK