RebeccaJ

I loved what you said. Keep up the positive thoughts and maybe they will spread to others....I hope! I am getting my band in eight days, and I am very nervous and excited all at the same time! Congrats on the new little one. Your first?

I have eight days to go. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I know it will be great once it is done, but I hate having surgery. I'll be thinking of you. Good luck! Rebecca

It is so interesting how the doctors have different pre-op diets. I am having surgery on August 31st, and I have been on the pre-op diet since Monday. I eat a protein shake for breakfast, two cups of lettuce and 5 ounces of lean meat for lunch, a shake for snack, more lettuce and lean meat for supper, and another shake for snack. Veggies are strictly off limits except for salad. Weird, huh? When my sister had this surgery four years ago, she had to do a month of liquids only. I don't particularly like what I am eating, but I have lost nine pounds since Monday, though..... Hang in there, we can do this! Good luck!:thumbup:

That was so cute! I started working on losing weight (again) in January when I was at 419 pounds. I started the surgery process a few months later at about 380. I began the pre-op diet at 376 on Monday and I am now at 367. Just nine more days to go of this pre-op diet before my surgery takes place. Thanks for making me laugh. Good luck!

It has been a long week full of the stress of going back to school, opening my classroom, having open house, meetings and more meetings, and watching everyone around me eat like they were starving. I am very proud of myself for how well I have done, but I have a long way yet to go. Nine more days of eating like this, then the surgery itself! If there is anyone out there feeling the same stress at this important time before surgery, remember that you can do it! I want to change my life and I am willing to do anything to change my life for the better so that I can live a long and happy life. I have a husband, a wonderful daughter, and two beautiful grandchildren. My life has a lot of blessings. Please keep me in your thoughts and remember that we are not alone! God bless!

It's 11 more days until my surgery. Please let me know how you do over the next few days so I can better be prepared.

I just finished my second day of pre-op diet, and I feel really good about what I am doing. Although I had to sit through a staff meeting and watch everyone else be fed all kinds of fattening things, I drank my water slowly and thought of the future. Although I had to sit in my room by myself at lunch and eat my salad and small amount of meat instead of going out, again I thought of the future. I am ready to make a change, and I can do this. My surgery is 13 days away, and I still have 12 more of the pre-op diet, and I really appreciate all the kind comments and sweet words from those of you who know what it is like. You really help to make me feel like I am on the right track. Thanks, everyone!:thumbup:

I just finished my second day of pre-op diet, and I feel really good about what I am doing. Although I had to sit through a staff meeting and watch everyone else be fed all kinds of fattening things, I drank my water slowly and thought of the future. Although I had to sit in my room by myself at lunch and eat my salad and small amount of meat instead of going out, again I thought of the future. I am ready to make a change, and I can do this. My surgery is 13 days away, and I still have 12 more of the pre-op diet, and I really appreciate all the kind comments and sweet words from those of you who know what it is like. You really help to make me feel like I am on the right track. Thanks, everyone!

I just started my pre-op diet yesterday, but I feel so encouraged and excited about the changes in my life. I have always been too heavy, and even when I lost weight it somehow found me pretty quickly. My highest weight has been 419, and I have never been normal size as an adult. I am looking forward to the restriction the band will cause, helping me to feel full. My sister had the surgery four years ago, and she has done so great! I hope everyone out there, whether they have already been banded or are awaiting the process, remembers that we are more than what we weigh. We are all special people for lots of reasons that don't involve our weight. I want to lose weight because I have horrible joint pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative back disease, and still have to find the energy to chase after first graders all day. I know this will be easier after I lose some of the 180+ pounds that I need to lose. Remember, banders, we can do it!:thumbup:

I just started my pre-op diet yesterday, but I feel so encouraged and excited about the changes in my life. I have always been too heavy, and even when I lost weight it somehow found me pretty quickly. My highest weight has been 419, and I have never been normal size as an adult. I am looking forward to the restriction the band will cause, helping me to feel full. My sister had the surgery four years ago, and she has done so great! I hope everyone out there, whether they have already been banded or are awaiting the process, remembers that we are more than what we weigh. We are all special people for lots of reasons that don't involve our weight. I want to lose weight because I have horrible joint pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative back disease, and still have to find the energy to chase after first graders all day. I know this will be easier after I lose some of the 180+ pounds that I need to lose. Remember, banders, we can do it!

My surgery is also with Dr. Martin, but mine will be in two weeks on August 31st. I am on the pre-op diet right now. Are you going to the support group meetings? I have been to the last three, but will miss the one on Thursday of this week due to Open House at my school. My husband is going to go for me. I like going to them. I can let you know more after I get my band put on.

Hi Everyone! I was just wondering how many larger size banders are out there? My highest weight was 419 (January '09) and I am now 373. Is there anything I need to be aware of before my surgery in two weeks? I have been to four support group meetings, and I always feel like the biggest person there. Anyone else feel that way?

I have been on relafen for the last few years due to back problems and osteoarthritis. I am trying to do without it completely, but it is really hard. Maybe after my surgery my doctor may consider the liquid form. I hope so!

Congratulations! I still have two weeks of pre-op diet to get through before my band is put on. Keep up the great work!

I am starting my pre-op diet today and will be on it for two weeks. My surgery is August 31st....good luck, you can do it!

I was really surprised, but I was on pins and needles all summer. I am a teacher, and I knew there was no way it would be done before school started. I will be able to work all the workdays, then be with my class four days before being out a week or so. My doctor says usually he keeps people out a week, so I am hoping to be back to school as soon as possible.

It felt to me like this whole summer someone somewhere was either looking at info about me or discussing me. Eerie feeling.....hang in there!

Hi There, It seemed like it took forever, but it was about 5 months. Here is my story. 4/7/09 Seminar - packet started and completed within 2 weeks. 5/28/09 Met with Doctor to discuss lap band.:laugh: 6/1/09 Breath Test, Blood Work:unsure: 6/8/09 First visit to psychologist - tests done and returned in 2 days:drool: 6/15/09 Nutritionist for assessment:thumbup: 6/16/09 Upper GI:tongue_smilie: 6/18/09 Education Class for surgery at surgeon's office:redface: 7/6/09 2nd Appointment with psychologist - approved! 7/13/09 Packets sent to insurance companies 7/21/09 Notified my insurance approved!:sad: 7/23/09 Notified secondary insurance approved!:thumbup: 7/30/09 Surgeon's office called to set up surgery - Aug. 31! 8/3/09 Met with nutritionist for pre-op diet. 8/14/09 Met with surgeon to prepare for surgery in 2 weeks! That's how my story went. I felt like it took forever, but it wasn't really that long. Just hang in there. Now that all is done and I have a surgery date, it is moving really quickly until it will be time! Wish me lots of luck and say a little prayer for me as well!:laugh:

Hi there.... I am having my surgery on August 31st, and I am in the process of readying my kitchen and pantry for the upcoming changes in my life. Any ideas?