ccweeks

For those bandsters who have had success...what have been the keys to your success? I've seen this thread, but am interested in more details. Was it the support groups, using this site, exercising 7 days a week, eating more strict? I'm preparing to be banded and really want to make this work for me. I love to hear your knowledge. Thank you!

My surgeon performs gastric banding as an outpatient procedure meaning I will not be staying in a hospital overnight. Anyone else being done same day outpatient? I'm concerned b/c I keep reading about how everyone is having surgery and staying overnight.

I think I'm really fortunate that mine still has solid food mixed in with the Protein drinks! I think it might make the pre-op diet more tolerable. However, you liquid dieters are going to drop a lot more lbs than me!

Found this after a quick google search. Lap Band Surgery, Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Candidates, Stomach Banding Central Coast Australia and Gastric Band |Advantages of Gastric Band Surgery They both say that Crohn's patients are NOT candidates. Have you fully researched your surgeon? It concerns me that he is not worried.

I start my pre-op diet this weekend :drool: and I need a little assistance from you wonderful people! I am to have 2-3 shakes and 2-3 low fat, high Protein meals a day. For the actual meals, other than things like chicken breasts and tuna fish, what have you eaten / are you eating?? And, what veggies or fruits or sides are you having, as well? Cauliflower and broccoli look to be low-carb, but what else? I'd love to hear what you are eating!

Hey November Knockouts! Just wanted to send a note to all those being banded / blessed this week! I'm thinking of you all and wish you all the most success and healing! Keep up the great work!!!

K-State: Don't get so down on yourself and, more importantly, DON'T GIVE UP! I can't give you much advice for getting through the pre-op diet, b/c I don't start mine for another week (and mine isn't all liquids), but I would advise you to keep your carbs to a minimum if you MUST cheat. Low carbs are what is shrinking that fat around the liver and will help your surgeon see your stomach better to band it! So, try not to eat saltines. You can do this! We are all here to support each other and help each other get through these hard times. If you are feeling like eating carbs, drink some Water or a Protein shake, come on here and vent! I wish you all the luck (and willpower!) in the world!

is this your very first time meeting with him / his office? If so, you don't need anything, really. he will probably talk about the procedure, what to expect, time line, and talk about what kinds of tests he'd like you to get done prior to him performing the procedure.

Rollin: I'm following your blog!!! :scared2: I've always wanted to be a cop!

Hi, fellow November Bandsters! Does anyone else have a blog? If so, let's see it! Let's follow each other and be motivators!

Holy cow. What an experience! I think many of us in your shoes would have done just the same as you and then been puzzled about why they felt they couldn't develop a theraputic relationship with you. One word...STRANGE. I think it's a sign and I'm glad it happened to you now rather than when you are under the knife! Good luck to you!

I'm scheduled for November 20th...as long as CareCredit approves my financing! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I've decided that I'll use Jay Robb's Protein for my pre-op diet. My pre-op is only 3 shakes a day + 2 lean meals for 2 weeks. I think I have it pretty easy compared to some of you!

I'm 11/20, as well! Looking forward to it!

This is going to sound mean, but, frankly, i don't care. You need to get your act together, suck it up, and stop the cheating. Cheating is cheating. If you really want this surgery, you will work your hardest to follow what your SURGEON has told you to do. You are going to feel really stupid when you go in for surgery feeling all happy you are getting a band then wake up with no band. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver and to make it less fatty.

I will be using True Results (they are in Dunwoody) and it will be about $15k. I'm self pay.

I believe it was the July issue of Atlanta magazine...they had a section for their top docs. Dr. Sweeney was voted top Bariatric Surgeon. I went to his seminar and LOVED him, but, sadly, I'm self pay, and can't afford Emory.

Excellent suggestions, ladies! Thank you. I don't drink them for the caffeine. I've been off caffeine for several months now. I just love the taste and feel that a DC goes with certain types of food. Maybe that's my problem? The foods that I associate DC with? Anyway, I feel more comfortable about it, and addelapp5 - you crack me up with the story about chugging one right before your midnight cutoff the night before surgery. I think I might just have to do that. Also, I think that by thinking of it as breaking the habit for now and not that I won't be able to have one someday down the line sounds manageable :w00t: Thanks!

I am an admitted Diet Coke addict and I can't imagine not being able to drink Diet Coke for the REST OF MY LIFE after surgery. How can I break the cycle? Have any of you been in my shoes and been able to do this? Sadly, this is my biggest concern for this change in my life.

such an inspirational thread!!!! i hope we keep bumping this up to the top. i will add a few of mine to this great list! (i have chosen to wait to have my surgery the friday just before thanksgiving to avoid taking too many days off) i have made this choice because: -no longer do i want to worry about people dreading sitting next to me on an airplane -i want to wake up energized and ready to live every day -of my health. i have horrible migraines and am ready to bid them adieu.

i think they would be concerned about the anorexia. I am sure your dr would be interested in knowing how long ago you were anorexic and what type of treatment you got. Also, this is something that should be discussed during the psych. eval.

i didnt have to fast for my bloodwork (although it would have been best because the numbers were skeewed), but DID have to fast for my GI.

No, no. I'm not scared. I was actually trying to make the OP feel better. :biggrin: Sorry for confusing you!

I look at it like this (i'm pre-op): I think of being overweight and all the complications that come with carrying this extra weight. I think about huffing and puffing, sweating, people looking at me, feeling insecure, not being able to cross my legs as well as a skinny girl, my breathing being cut off by my too tight jeans and then I KNOW I can deal with the after care for my band. I know that I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I stay on track and don't drink sodas, eat stuff that will stretch my pouch, etc. To me, the benefits of this surgery faaaaar outweigh (no pun intended) any hesitations I have of how the post-op will go and how my life will change further. HTH!

Hi everyone! I'm going to be banded by Dr. Hart at True Results in Atlanta. I will be self pay (part financed / part cash) so I have less hoops to jump through. Last week I did my blood work, ekg, and chest x-ray / upper gi. Next week I will be meeting with the nutritionist and I will be ready to go! However, I do not intend to have the surgery until late October / early November. I'm trying to save up cash right until the last minute and I also have a packed schedule where I can't take any time off from work just yet. I look forward to reading everyone's posts!

Hi everyone! I'm going to be going through Dr. Hart at True Results in Atlanta. I will be self pay (part finance / part cash) so I have less hoops to jump through. Last week I did my blood work, ekg, and chest x-ray / upper gi. Next week I will be meeting with the nutritionist and I will be ready to go! However, I do not intend to have the surgery until late October / early November. I'm trying to save up cash right until the last minute and I also have a packed schedule where I can't take any time off from work just yet. I look forward to reading everyone's posts!