illuminationlady

I've heard that Gas X strips really help with the pain in your shoulder. Have someone go get some for you. Asprin? Really? That's odd! I heard no asprin after surgery. Use adult Liquid Tylenol. Heard that's also the best! Congrats, baby bandster!!! Can't wait for mine...Dec. 2nd!!!

Welcome Suzy! I went to a support group meeting too and found it very informative. Nice to talk face to face with some bandsters....hugh? My surgeon doesn't require any form of diet but wants all patients to lose at least 10 lbs by surgery. Funny how they are all different! MY biggest hurdle is the smoking. I went and got my Chantix filled yesterday and will start on Nov. 2nd (I'm going out of town and didn't want to totally ruin my trip). Anyway, welcome to our group. Hopefully we can all support each other as time grows closer. Does anyone know how to make this thread sticky so it doesn't get lost? I also wish I had named the thread December Bandsters 2009. I tried to contact the CEO and no response. Oh well! Just keep posting everyone!!!

Let us know how you are asap!! Best of luck! You'll be fine.

I agree about the support. I'm a teacher curently on disablity. Part of why I'm doing this is to get back to work. I need knee replacment surgery and they won't do it until I'm under 200. Soooo, I need three surgeries before returning to work. First the Lap Band, then both knees, which I hear is a lengthy recovery. But I've accepted it and keep on...keepin on....

Donna, Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Very good ideas. I will journal others. I know I can do this once and for all.......will keep all of you posted.

Welcome to the December group. We need a group name. It will be fun to follow everyone in the Dec. group..hugh? Any suggestions on a group name?

Thanks for your words of encouragement! I can do it but I might go crazy first..hehe

Don't say anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back Bec and welcome Brooke! Congrats on trying to have a little one! I have 3 girls who are nearly grown. They grow up way too fast. Enjoy this time with DH. Soon you'll be preg. I know of another bandster with a similar story and she did get preg after losing the weight. Best wishes to both of you!

For some reason my doc does not do the preop liquid diet. I've lost 18 lbs and he says 10 more and I'll be good. Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining....just wondering. After I'm banded I have two weeks of liquids, then 2 weeks of mushies and then regular food. What's your plan of action?

Changes are good but this not smokin' is making me a flamin' bit**. Last night I ripped off the patch and smoked 3 cigs :cryin:! I know. I know! Bad Girl. I've got a new one on today and am trying like crazy not to think about it. Since my day is Dec. 2nd I figure by Nov. 2nd (doc says one month no smokin') I'll quit for good. Ya, I know all about shopping at Torrid and Lane Bryant. I can't wait to be able to go to a regular store and buy regular clothes. How are you all doing on the preop diet? I was doing great until I tried to quit smoking too. Oh my, oh my!!! Help!!!!:wink2:

Congrats! on your surgery. I grew up in Michigan City but now live in California. I miss the fall and the beautiful trees! Welcome to our forum. Lots of support here. Post often and read, read, read!!! Best of luck to ya!:blushing:

Welcome Jessica! So much pain and so much to gain (or should I say lose)! Hang in there! We're here for ya!!!:blushing:

Thanks to all for the support! I'm dying for a cig and it's only been 3 hours! I have been dieting regularly for around 3 weeks and I was always hungry. That seems to have gotten better. Writing these blogs helps. If my progress on the smoking is so slow I may write a book on here lol! Gonna go watch UCS kick some butt now. Will keep you posted on my progress tomorrow. Thanks again. You are the best!:blushing:

This may be too soon or maybe already started but I got my date for December 2nd and thought us December Bandsters should start to follow each other. Any takers? How's the preop appointments going? the preop diet? Any news is good news! (except for the fact that I have to quit smoking!!!!) :blushing:

He is a very good surgeon but I thought it a bit strick to insist that i quit immediately. The probelm is my insurance will pay 100% of the bill with him. I have heard very good things about him and his follow up care. He has a special technique he taught Lap Band for non slippage and ports not flipping. I can do this. It will just be really hard with dieting!!! Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement!

My husband smokes but does not like to smoke around others who do not. No problem there. Yes, Chanix is a med that I could take. I go to my PCP on Tue. Will ask about it. I am determined to get the band. I had already decided to quit after WLS and losing the weight. I just thought both at the same time would be a lot! Guess I don't have a choice. Going to Costco for some patches today. Thanks for your support! :blushing:

Today was my first visit with my surgeon. I learned a lot! He, himself, spent one entire hour with me! He went over everything with me personally. He is Dr. David Oliak in Orange, California. This is what I learned. First I was greeted by a friendly receptionist. Of course there was paperwork. I weighed in at 256lbs. I have lost 18 pounds before my initial meeting with him! I'm pretty proud of myself ! I was given handouts, a banded patient handbook and a receipt of all my body readings: weight, BMI, Fatty content.....and more. I was not made to wait and everyone was friendly! The chairs throughout this office catered to the obese. They were comfortable and BIG! Anyway, back to what I learned; I learned that I must quit smoking cigs immediately! OMG! I know it's an awful, nasty habit and I was close to quitting any way but with this diet I'm on and the quitting of the cigs....I just don't know????? hum..... And this doc says no quit, no surgery! He does a blood test to see what my nicotine levels are. They made it quite clear that they will know if I smoked. Okay...this is tough but I made my date for surgery December 2nd on the condition that I quit immediately. Wow! In a way, I'm relieved but it is really going to be hard. Those of you who have read my previous threads know that I've had a hard time of it. True, I'm in a much better place now. I have psyc clearance and paid in full!!! Approved! My date is December 2nd! Help! I need help! I need support and prayers!!! I have just smoked for years. I know there are things I can do to keep myself busy. I knit, crochet, garden, dabble in the arts, and read, read, read! I can drink herbal tea and lemon and be with my family. But this is going to be HARD!!!! Okay, enough ranting! That's what I needed to do; VENT! Thanks in advance for being my sounding board.

I really like the idea of having a "funeral" and "cleansing ritual". Tell me more about this. I have my first appointment with the surgeon today. I will probably be banded in early Dec. I wan't to have a funeral for the old me also and to begin my new journey. Any ideas?

I agree! I am not banded yet but will now watch out for acid reflux. I have a really good doc with great follow up but will be sure to let him know of your story. Thanks.:thumbdown:

Some insurances, like mine, consider a "qualified candidate" one who has a medical issue because of weight in additition to what the other posters have mentioned. Like diabietes, hypertension, bad knees (ones that need replacing), ect.

Mine is a very similiar story...with the husband who won't give up!!! I, too, am keeping all of my appoinments. He did go with me to the seminar but I will not take him to the consult appointment. He's just too negative about the whole thing. He's especially on the band wagon (no pun intended) now that I've lost 12 lbs. on the pre op diet. "See, you can do it!!!" I know I can do it! I've done it before. I am 50 and have a BMI of 43. If I don't do something I won't be here to see my grandchildren. I, too, choose to live!!! :thumbdown: ps my surgery will be in dec. also. stay in touch!

You guys inspire me! My husband keeps saying (especially since I'm losing weight, AGAIN, on the preop diet), "See you don't need the band! You can do it all by yourself." Of course, he's never had an extra pound of weight on him in his life!!! I need to keep reading posts like yours to get me through to approval. I'm with you!!! I'm looking to be banded in Dec. Merry Christmas to me! Thanks.

My surgery will probably be around the holidays also. Yes, it will be difficult. Everyone keeps saying to wait until after the holidays. For what? So I can eat the 10 lbs. I've lost back on!! No way! :w00t: Even if I'm not banded until after I'm going to act as if I am. I just look at it as a Christmas present to myself! :scared2: Good luck and maybe we can follow each other's journey. Oh! and welcome!

Boy, you people are pissed!! Am I right? Scary!!