btrieger

Do NOT do it until/unless you are sure it is for you. You are young and the band is not going anywhere. Take your time and keep researching. Read about the pros and the cons, the successes and the failures. I "think" the insurance approval is good for a year. So, you can do everything needed all the way up to surgery and then postpone if you need more time to soul search.

Good luck!!

Ask your doctor for a prescription for Nicotrol Inhalers. They are little plastic things you put a nicotine cartridge in and inhale through. I used them last time for 3 weeks and quit for 5 years. I am doing them again and almost done. Pros: You have something in your hand and mouth that contains nicotine. Cons: You need a prescription and they are expensive if your insurance won't cover. About $200. google it and see if it is right for you.

You are not a failure and you cannot compare yourself to others. Some of us are great at losing weight fast and even better at packing it back on. We just aren't as loud about it while we are gaining. Others don't lose fast and that makes them even more determined not to put it back on. Working where they do lapband; I'm sure you see many that have gained weight since banding. If you have to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to them. You know what you are doing wrong, you don't have to change everything over night. Start parking a little further away from work. The extra walking is a start. Document everything you eat. That way you will know if you are eating too much or not and where you can trim a little out.

In my research I have come across articles that said that the port is left in place when the lapband is removed. If this was not accidental the surgeon should have explained it to you. I'd give him a call and ask him before proceeding with any kind of legal advice.

Are you drinking plenty of clear water as well? It will flush the waste from your system.

Also, if you have around $200 to spare; I recommend getting a device to tell you how many calories you are burning. Either a Bodybugg or a GoWear Fit. That way you can gauge how many calories you can eat and still lose weight consistently.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ Check out that link

Congrats!! Got a date yet?

Good luck tomorrow!!! And good luck getting to sleep tonight. I wouldn't be able to without help.

Yep. March 2nd! :thumbup: Thanks!!

Heavy fence?

Well, the day is finally here. I started my 3 week pre-op diet this morning with a strawberry Opti-fast shake. This may come as a shock to some but I thought the consistency was great and is was delicious. If the chocolate and vanilla are just as good; I am going to have no problem drinking 5 of these a day. We'll know by the end of the day how well they suppress my appetite. * Gained a pound since yesterday and I am not going to kill myself over it. I will probably lose 3 tomorrow. So, I am officially starting pre-op at 289. My goal is 275 after 3 weeks.

Well, the day is finally here. I started my 3 week pre-op diet this morning with a strawberry Opti-fast shake. This may come as a shock to some but I thought the consistency was great and is was delicious. If the chocolate and vanilla are just as good; I am going to have no problem drinking 5 of these a day. We'll know by the end of the day how well they suppress my appetite. * Gained a pound since yesterday and I am not going to kill myself over it. I will probably lose 3 tomorrow. So, I am officially starting pre-op at 289. My goal is 275 after 3 weeks.

I just had my first Opti-fast shake ever and this may scare some but I thought it was delicious. I don't know how well these shakes will suppress my appetite but I am going to have no problem drinking 5 a day.

What both of the previous posters said plus: Drink loads and loads of clear Water. At least 64 ounces a day. If you going to eat out, eat at a "REAL" restaurant. Those ones you mentioned are not restaurants. They are fast food joints.

Congrats!!!

I start mine in about 9 hours. It's an all Opti-fast diet for 3 weeks, yes 3 weeks. exactly 800 calories a day. * Reshee and I have the same surgeon. It's not fair that she only has 2 weeks.

Welcome aboard! I am just wrapping up my wait and it was great. I gave me plenty of time to soul search and make sure that the lapband was for me. Use the time wisely and read as much as you can here and elsewhere. Read the success stories, the failures, the good and the bad. Good luck!

Congrats!!! Maintenance shmaintenance. I plan on just losing until I can weigh myself on a kitchen scale.

Welcome aboard and congratulations on the weight loss!! As far as I am concerned, it is all due to you making smart decisions. The lapband is a great tool but if you weren't using it right, you wouldn't lose a thing.

Congrats on your will power!! Around here they have real food in the movie theaters; burgers, nachos, pizza, etc... and they will bring it right to you. I don't dare go near a theater unless I eat at home first and am near full.

Be sure to check these forums as well and ask questions. That way you are getting informed from both sides of the fence: Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag but Heidi already did. You are exercising more than you realize by just walking around the house; the supermarket or the office. Every time you get out of bed or stroll to the bathroom is exercise.

My sole reason for choosing the lapband over the sleeve or bypass is the reversible aspect. Also, my insurance doesn't cover the sleeve and the sleeve is still fairly new. The lapband requires a lot of aftercare which is a very good thing. It is always adjustable and issues can be caught before they spiral out of control. The sleeve on the other hand is just the removal of a bunch of your stomach and as time goes on and you overeat; it may stretch back to its original size.