KarynA

This is really exciting!... It feels more and more 'real' as friends and fellow bandsters start on pre-op diets and more and more people join the thread! I don't know how often you all want to see the updated list - is every 2 or 3 days okay, or would you like to see it more frequently (just let me know)? We're at about 54 people (as of this moment) with 22 bandsters in the first week alone. 6 people are waiting for their surgery dates to be confirmed - that I'm aware of (congrats tbird!) and, not counting the holiday - Christmas Eve and Christmas - December 16th, 29th, 30th and 31st are the only days that someone isn't scheduled for surgery. Wow, huh? Congratulations to everyone!

Do you have a three week pre-op diet?

Here's the latest and greatest 'December Bandsters 2009' list. Please let me know if there are any updates or corrections, or if I have inadvertently missed anyone. Week 1 Tuesday, December 1: Melinco (tbd), RandaPanda, TheCutestFatty, terriamn, LALALUDE (tbd) Wednesday, December 2: garden-nut, yosemite, Su59, Bobbie0918, austrolatrishy Thursday, December 3: tbird1211, dmdsanchez, suzycooke, mommymya, sxygma130, Claudean, lapfish Friday, December 4: kslessar, KarynA, cent Week 2 Monday, December 7: lackey4, RadioGirl311, skinnybitch, HappyMe2009 Tuesday, December 8: Zanath Wednesday, December 9: michelleintheoc, Irishbookworm, subpoptart Thursday, December 10: msjoachin1 Friday, December 11: Ernieschick Week 3 Monday, December 14: j-mae, Drasan (tbd), ceecee3272 (tbd) Tuesday, December 15: voodoo, BigMomma, slmsister, TinaM, ididit35 (tbd) Wednesday, December 16 Thursday, December 17: librarychick Friday, December 18: bren5500; policy34 Week 4 Monday, December 21: hunybear53. abbylamb, adagray (tbd) Tuesday, December 22: illuminationlady (tbd) Wednesday, December 23: danielle.hurstcrose, alilash (tbd) Thursday, December 24 Friday, December 25 Week 5 Monday, December 28: alicia3138 Tuesday, December 29 Wednesday, December 30 Thursday, December 31

I'm keeping a binder with all of the great information (recipes, etc.) that I've happened across on this board. I have a 'clear liquids' grocery list of things to buy (some of which, I've purchased), and a 'pureed' list of things to buy - I'll wait to get those items. I've tried a few/handful of different protein shakes - dry and premade. I've found that I don't like most; they taste like infant formulas smell. But I have stocked my frig with a few that I liked a lot - Special K (milk chocolate), Boost (chocolate) and Isopure (punch). My appt. with my surgeon is on Thursday, so if he requires that I use a specific (bariatric) variety, I guess I'll find out then. I've been reading a lot of posts and blogs - thebanded girl's, yosemites, etc.. Yosemite has a youtube link to a lb surgery and the names/critiques of two lb books on her blogsite. Good stuff. All in all, I still have a bunch of things to BUY (sippy cups, liquid tylenol, more gas-x strips, toddler silverware); and PACK (a 'surgery day' bag with chapstick, fuzzy socks, comfy sweats, headband/barrette, gas-x strips, small pillow, reading glasses/book); and READ (the LB book recommended by Illumination Lady a couple pages back and another one called "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery", also mentioned on the board). I also should take my measurements and 'before' photos. Lots to do - it's a good thing I still have some time!

So... I've decided to keep the fact that I'm having LB surgery to myself - for the most part anyway. Knowing that I'll need to consume at least 64 ozs of liquid a day (post op), and knowing that sippy cups are great because with straws you tend to drink too fast and/or swallow air, which causes gas (see? I read! :biggrin:, how do I not call attention to mysellf as I work in my office... drinking out of a toddler's cup? Maybe I'll keep a 'mock grown-up cup' out on my desk and keep the sippy cup concealed.

I've seen Bariatric Fusion mentioned a few times on the threads here, so I'm thinking that's a safe bet - health-wise. But they're not too good, huh? I've also seen posts about people taking regular (non-bariatric) gummy vitamins, which sounds good. Last week, I went to Whole Foods and bought a mango-flavored liquid multi-vitamin after reading a post from someone who couldn't swallow their vitamins after their surgery. Of course, it occurred to me ($32 later) that vitamins can always be crushed and mixed into protein drinks or applesauce. *There's also a liquid vitamin called Vemma that I wanted to look into. I'll let you know how the mango stuff turns out. Somethng tells me it's gonna be nasty-tasting and hard to swallow.

You know, I just assumed it was a standard test - ?... NO? Maybe it's just standard for my surgeon. If I've learned anything from reading these posts, it's that no two surgeons are exactly alike. Has anyone else had this done? It was a much bigger deal than I had originally thought it would be on the one hand... and a much smaller deal all in all (quick, painless) on the other. So don't worry alilash! If you're procedure is the same as mine, trust me when I tell you, it was a piece of cake. The thing is... I'm pretty sure the tube went down my mouth - they sprayed a cherry furniture polish-tasting numbing agent into my mouth that I had to swish around and swallow and then they gave me the anesthesia (not a general, but something called 'MAC' - monitored). It felt like I had a few shots of tequila.. and I know I was talking up a storm... like I would if I had a few shots of tequila... then it must have hit me. The next thing I knew, it was 7 minutes later and I was waking-up in recovery. I got to have water (finally!), some souvenir pictures of the inside of my throat and stomach (kinda cool and kinda gross at the same time), and as soon as I felt completely awake, we were on our way to dinner. Arrival time: 3:15. Departure time 4:30. Oh ya!.. and they biopsied my throat tissue. They said they did anyway - I didn't feel any different and I didn't cough up blood like they said I might. Thank you for all for your positive energy and support. It means a lot.

Way to go, Claudean! I knew you could do it!

My husband drove me to my EGD appt. yesterday... in my car. When he got in, he noticed three-packs of unopened gum in the door console, in the center console and, when I opened the glove compartment, more fell out onto the floor. He said, "omg, what'd you do rob a 7-11 of all their gum?" So ya, I understand about the chewing... whatever it takes, right? At least it's all sugarless. About the appt., it was at the surgi-center where my surgery is scheduled (on 12/4). I didn't really understand WHY I needed a ride there (and back) if all they were going to do was put a tube down my throat to check for ulcers (and such). Ha! Silly me! Do you know that they put you out for that?... It's really brief, but wow... I had an I.V., oxygen, a hospital gown, a bp cuff... and then I was wheeled into an OR where I was anesthetized. It was as if I was having the LB procedure that day. I had no idea. The good news is... there are no problems. My throat and stomach are fine and good to go. And the best part is, I really liked the place, the nurses and the office staff. It was clean and organized. I felt cared for. It's a good sign, I think. K

The December list continues to grow! Hello and welcome to everyone. I decided to post this now because I have my "edg" (or egd) later today and will be away from the computer. *Illuminationlady - try and take deep breaths in to fill-up your lungs and then slowly release... do that over and over until the urge passes. I find that helps a little. Also, lots of gum! Hang in there! Week 1 Tuesday, December 1: Melinco (tbd), RandaPanda, TheCutestFatty, terriamn Wednesday, December 2: garden-nut, yosemite Thursday, December 3: tbird1211, dmdsanchez, suzycooke, mommymya, sxygma130, Claudean Friday, December 4: kslessar, KarynA, cent Week 2 Monday, December 7: lackey4, RadioGirl311, skinnybitch, HappyMe2009 Tuesday, December 8: Zanath Wednesday, December 9: michelleintheoc, Irishbookworm Thursday, December 10: msjoachin1 Friday, December 11: Ernieschick Week 3 Monday, December 14: j-mae, Drasan (tbd), ceecee3272 (tbd) Tuesday, December 15: voodoo, BigMomma Wednesday, December 16 Thursday, December 17: librarychick Friday, December 18: bren5500; policy34 Week 4 Monday, December 21: hunybear53. abbylamb, adagray (tbd) Tuesday, December 22: illuminationlady Wednesday, December 23: danielle.hurstcrose Thursday, December 24 Friday, December 25 Week 5 Monday, December 28: alicia3138 Tuesday, December 29 Wednesday, December 30 Thursday, December 31

LOL! I saw the title and had to read the thread. I'm sorry you can't wear your perfume anymore!... but it IS pretty darn funny! Good for you for sticking with the program - no matter the cost!

Welcome to danielle and Irishbookworm and anyone else who has found this thread! I've added you both to the list, but think I'll wait a day or two to post it again. I think it's safe to say that we're all excited (and maybe a little bit nervous) about the surgery and life with the band. There's a lot to know... and a lot ot take in. But there's a bunch of information here. Have you guys been reading some of the other boards? The November bandsters are, one at a time, getting banded and seem to be getting through the surgery just fine. Some have gas, others have pain near the port. But everyone is okay and seems happy with the decision - that's been my observation anyway. I'm excited for them... and us. I have my endoscopy on Friday, so I'll let you know how that goes (it doesn't sound fun).

Hi Chele, My doc told me that if he did the surgery on a Friday, I could go back to work (computer) on Monday. I think that's pretty darn optimistic, so I'm taking the advice of others here on the board and taking a few days off. I like what thebandedgirl did and will probably follow suit. I really don't think you'll need to apply for disability (is that what that meant?)... unless you have a labor-intensive job. The Lap-Band website says 2 - 3 weeks for people who do labor-intensive work and one week for everyone else. If you can afford to take a few days to relax and I'd heal, I'd do that. As for what to tell the people at work... I'm struggling with that myself. It's such a private thing and I'm not real close with every single person here (that's for sure). I have back problems that come and go,k so I'm thinking about blaming it on that. It also crossed my mind to tell a big fat lie, like 'I'm having female problems' (that oughta quiet the men), or 'I had a hernia removed'... or 'I think I might have gallstones'. Do men who get (ahem) 'snipped' feel obligated tell the whole office? Not usually... Personally, I don't think the whole truth is necessary, unless you feel like sharing it.

Sending warm wishes and positive thoughts your way. Feel better.

Hi Happy, Welcome and congrats on your approval! That's awesome. I'm not feeling the love for Aetna right now. I was denied by them too. And the surgeon's office I was going to said that an appeal would be pointless because I have documentation that shows my BMI was under 40 (for like five minutes) during the past two years. Two surgeon's offices sad that actually. I was so discouraged, that I just decided to pay for it myself (financed). So I was wondering... did YOU file the appeal or did your surgeon's office? I'm thinking about sending my own appeal, complete with all the fat photos I can find (there aren't many - I usually destroy them). Heck!, maybe I'll even make a video like you do when you apply to be on Survivor! They can only say no again, right?

Congratulations! That's wonderful news. And just in the nic of time!

Parrothead - thank you for that very thoughtful answer. It makes sense to me now... and I'll adjust.

This is probably a reaaally dumb question (one I should know the answer to)... but WHY is it a bad idea to drink with meals? Does it make you feel sick? Does it wash the food down and defeat the purpose? Is it bad for the band?

Nervous excitement? Ya, I know just what you mean. There's a lot of support and information here... tons actually. I'm trying to take it all in. Yesterday, I read about three or four pages of surgery stories, just so that I could get a sense for what is likely to happen to me. I feel pretty good about that part of it now. Anyway, welcome! Is your surgery date the 8th (comment) or the 9th (signature)?

You know, it never even crossed my mind. I was thinking that I should probably suck it up and take a handful of 'before' pics prior to starting the pre-op diet, but I was dreading taking pictures of myself with clothes on! Nudes (or bathing suit) photos never entered my mind. But I do think it's a GREAT idea. What better way to see the difference?... and you'll never be this size again, so there's only one chance. I'll let you know if I work up the nerve.

*Please let me know if I inadvertently omitted someone... or if there's a new December Bandster to add. Week 1 Tuesday, December 1: Melinco (date tbd) Wednesday, December 2: garden-nut, yosemite Thursday, December 3: tbird1211, dmdsanchez, suzycooke, mommymya, sxygma130 Friday, December 4: kslessar, KarynA Week 2 Monday, December 7: lackey4, RadioGirl311, skinnybitch Tuesday, December 8 Wednesday, December 9: michelleintheoc Thursday, December 10: msjoachin1 Friday, December 11 Week 3 Monday, December 14: j-mae, Drasan (date tbd) Tuesday, December 15: voodoo, BigMomma Wednesday, December 16 Thursday, December 17: librarychick Friday, December 18: bren5500 Week 4 Monday, December 21: hunybear53 Tuesday, December 22: illuminationlady Wednesday, December 23 Thursday, December 24 Friday, December 25

I, for one, keeping coming to this site to see if anyone else is as freaked-out as me!

I had a similar thing happen when I got my first mammogram. They told me that a call-back and then a 6-mo. recheck was fairly common because they don't know what's normal and what's not the first time. Now they have a benchmark. Anyway, it IS scary.... definitely. But now you have something to look forward to! Make sure to share when you have a date set. I'm keeping a running log so that I remember to pray for (and send positive energy to) that person on the day of the surgery.

"I haven't seen 600 calories since infancy" - now THAT'S classic!.. Love it. Have a great day everyone!... it's getting closer and closer to December.

The Christmas gift to yourself makes complete and PERFECT SENSE to me. And congrats on the three pounds! What's that they say?... "the journey of a hundred pounds begins with a single pound" -?? Something like that anyway. :smile2: I spent my weekend picking-up random items that I've seem mentioned on the board... High Protein Boost was on sale at CVS, so I bought six six-packs. I bought mango-flavored liquid Vitamins (and Papaya enzymes) at Whole Foods... and looked for, but couldn't find Beneprotein. I have a food processor, a hand mixer and a blender... I don't need an emulsifier, do I? Geez, it it's almost like I'm pregnant and nesting!