mandyfsc

Let's "band" together! :rolleyes2: I started my pre-op diet today and it's NO FUN! I just have to keep reminding myself that I can do it!! Who else is on their pre-op?? I have a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. I can have a green salad with no dressing or a sugar free popsicle for a snack. I could easily down all of that as ONE meal! I guess that's why I'm in this boat. I'm also going to start the Couch to 5K program this week. Anyone wanna join me?? Anyone else wanna share their stories??

Any suggestions on protein shakes? Since I'm going to be mainly running on shakes for 2 weeks, I want the best ones. Any suggestions?? Thanks!

I am scheduled to get banded January 15th and I couldn't be more excited! I am self pay and will have to pay for my fills on my own as well. I'm pretty much wiped out financially from the surgery and I was thinking I'd have a financial "break" for a while. But after reading several posts it almost seems like the 1st fill comes within 2 months. Is that right? How often are fills needed? And does anyone know of a Dr in Charlotte, NC that has good fill prices? I'm having surgery in Mexico and can't be running back and forth for fills. Any tips??? Thanks!

Wow! That's a really rough pre-op diet! I'm getting ready to start mine January 1st- no coincidence there.... I wanted my last Christmas holiday including left overs! Anyway, I'm trying to psych myself up. But mine is not strictly liquids. I am to have a protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. If I get hungry I can have salad greens (no dressing) and/or a sugar free popsicle. Good luck on that liquid pre-op diet. Try to keep to it as much as possible- but if you slip up, don't beat yourself up. One thing I know for sure is that (me personally) if I slipped up on a diet, I would basically just say "well this day is shot" and eat what I wanted and constantly say "I'll make up for it tomorrow." Be stronger than that! You can do it!! On that note.... anyone on a pre-op diet similar to mine??? I'd like some suggestions on protein shakes. I've never been a big fan and there are tons of options so any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

CONFESSION- My newest guilty pleasure is online "window shopping" for the clothes I will be buying when I start to lose. I know this is jumping the gun, but it is super exciting to think that 2010 will be the year I can finally wear that silky sexy backless dress from Victoria's Secret. Anyone else have a guilty pleasure they want to confess?? Vacation to plan, Sport to play, Swimsuit to wear, guy/girl to ask out, anyone else?? I'd love to hear it!

That obviously sounds awesome, but do those doctors accept outside patients? I would imagine that deals like that are only for patients who used that same doctor, right?? What about outside patients?

Thanks for the help, guys. I keep seeing prices of around $300 and I think that is ridiculous! I'd like to find an unlimited plan that is reasonable.... maybe that's asking too much. I'll keep looking around. Thanks for the info!

Where are you getting your fills? Where is your Dr located?

I'm unfortunately going to be self-pay for my surgery. I'm basically maxing out the good 'ol credit cards. I'm OK with that because I think it's a worthy reason. BUT I'm worried about fill costs. I live in Charlotte, NC and am wondering if anyone has an idea of what a typical fill costs. In my area or not. I'm having my surgery in Tijuana, MX so I obviously can't continue to go back and forth for the fills. Any tips would be awesome, thanks! And also, how often do people typically need fills. Monthly, Quarterly? How would I know??

Well my surgery is exactly one month from today. January 15th. And I couldn't be more excited! In one month I will be sitting by the pool, relaxing, sipping clear broths and recovering and getting ready for the beginning of a new life. I've been waiting so long for this.

BRIDESMAID TERRORS! So I am super excited because one of my best friends just asked me to be in her wedding! I'm so excited and honored. However, as any fat girl knows.... I am TERRIFIED of the dress. I doubt they make this gorgeous fancy dress is a size 18. And even if they did, I'd be too embarrassed to let my friend's know that's the size I needed. Anyway, the wedding is in June. I'm hoping to drop as much as possible by then. Even if I can get into a 12, I'll be thrilled! Think that's possible?? The other girls in the wedding and the bride are all a size 4 AT THE MOST, so I'm kinda stressed about it. But it is certainly a great goal.

Arthukd & Anul - Sounds like we have the same struggles. Drink a little too much and get the munchies at night. And I'm getting banded the same weekend as you. Can't wait to see how well we do together. What are your stats again? Start & goal weight?? I'm 230/130. You?

Come join us on the January 2010 thread! We are all in this together. From the beginning and through our successes. Find the thread and read read read. :eek: Welcome.

Hello! I had tons of questions also. I am self pay too so the Mexico thing was looking better and better. You must do tons and tons of research. I decided on Dr Ortiz in Tijuana Mexico at the Obesity Control Center. The only complaint I found was that the driver that picked her up drove like a crazy person. I can handle that. :eek: Anyway, he gave me several different doctors in my area for fills. He was adamant that if I have any concerns or questions to call him though. He said that if/when there are complications there are many signs before it gets serious. But should I have an emergency, he gave me doctors in my area also. Anyway, as long as you get all your questions answered before hand and have a plan for once you get back, go for it. I couldn't be more sure about my decision and I am super excited!

HI JILL! I'm using Dr Ortiz too! I am scheduled for the weekend after you though. How great would it be to do it at the same time?!?! I can't wait to hear ALL about it! I'm super excited for you! :thumbup:

I am sooo excited for you! I am also having surgery in Mexico. Who is your surgeon? I can't wait to hear all about it. Good luck!

NEW SURVEY: Since this is such a huge life change for all of us, tell me... what is the 1st thing you want to do when you reach your goal weight?? I'll start- I'm 28 and have never been on a cruise because I'm terrified to spend that much time in a bathing suit in public. When I hit my goal weight I would LOVE to go on a Mediteranean cruise in a cute bathing suit as my reward for hitting my goal weight. Now your turn...

Hey Anul- I didn't have an emotional outburst in public but I had one all on my own when I realized what an awesome decision I had made. I know this is right for me and I couldn't be more excited. I'm 28 and have been heavy my whole life. I feel like I haven't really had a chance to live yet. There are so many things that I haven't doesn't because of my insecurities about my weight.

Hey Marilyn, Here's the diet I will be following: protein shake for breakfast and lunch. Lean Cuisine style meal for dinner. Sugar free jello or sugar free popsicles for a snack. Unlimited raw veggies. No dressing. My surgery is set for January 15th so I'll start this diet 2 weeks before. It's pretty rough but I'm hoping it will shrink my belly and get me more comfortable with the liquid diet. Good luck!

I love this thread! It's so fun getting to know everyone. I read all the "stats" and can't believe how much in common we all have. I can relate to just about all of the "deciding factors." So since we are all having our surgery in January, when are you starting your pre-op diet? I admit I am a bit of a party girl and purposely chose my surgery date for January 15th because my Dr told me I needed to do a 2 week pre-op diet- NO ALCOHOL. And since I want to enjoy the holidays, I set my date for January 15th. That said... what pre-op diet instructions has your Dr given all of you? Here's the diet I will be following: Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. Lean Cuisine style meal for dinner. sugar free Jello or sugar free popsicles for a snack. Unlimited raw veggies. No dressing. During these 2 weeks (of hell) I also want to start my exercising. My Dr requires I lose 5% body weight prior to surgery. Plus it will get me off my @ss and start to eat right. I want to start following the "Couch to 5K" program. Anyone heard of it? Wanna do it with me?? We can motivate each other!!! I'll start January 1st! What better way to start out the New Year?!!?!?!

To think of it, I don't think I've taken more than a dozen pictures- voluntarily- in over a year. At this weight, I don't want a memory. And that's sad. I'm hoping this will give me the confidence and the self esteem that has been missing in my life for years... so I can build memories for the future and begin my life. I'm 28 now and hoping that by my 30th birthday I'll be at my goal weight- or at least more comfortable in my skin!

Hey January 2010 banders- Tell me more: 1.What is your current and goal weight? 2.What is your surgery date? 3.What is your age? 4.Where do you live? 5.Where are you having surgery? 6.Who is your Doctor?? 7.Insurance or self-pay? 8.What was you "deciding factor" for having this surgery? Just wanna see what we all have in common and get to know each other better... I'll start: 1.230/140 2.January 15 3.28 4.Charlotte, NC 5.Tijuana, MX 6.Dr Ariel Ortiz 7.Self Pay 8.I put on an old pair of pajama pants and when I sat Indian style, they ripped. Thank goodness I was home alone!! Now you....

JGF- We have the same surgery date! How cool is that? We MUST keep in touch since we are looking to lose the same amount. Keep me updated on everything! :biggrin:

You guys are so wonderful! Thanks for the input. I think I will keep it hush hush until I actually leave. I'll tell my sister while I am away. Since I'm going to Mexico, I have to have my bases covered for worst case scenario also. But I think if I tell her ahead of time she will try to talk me out of it. But if I tell her while I'm there then it's too late. I mentioned it to her once before and her response was that she feels it is the "easy way out". That was hard to hear. Because of all the research I have done- I am certain it is not the easy way out. And I truly thought she would be my best chance of getting support since she is as overweight as I am. But she didn't really see it my way and I don't want to deal with the judgment with all the stress I'll be under anyway. As I see success I'll consider telling others. All of my friends are super skinny so it's not something that would have ever crossed their minds- so it feels weird trying to discuss it. That's also why I chose January surgery. I want to play up the whole New Years thing. I will begin my pre-op diet New Years and have the surgery on the 15th. So it should be perfect. The majority of my friends are runners and my goal is to become one too. So that is my exercise plan. I want to start the "Couch to 5K" to teach myself to run. Again, thanks for all your input. You are a great support team- even if you are virtual. :thumbup:

I haven't told anyone about my surgery. And it is set for January 15th. Don't get me wrong- I am SUPER excited! But I am terrified of what my friends and family would say.... " You don't need surgery.", "You are beautiful as you are." "You could do this on your own." I decided to get surgery in Mexico because I would not be approved by my insurance company here. I am about 80lbs overweight and have been overweight my whole life. And it has been a secret struggle. I know my friends and family- they will say, "you can do this on your own!" and be super supportive. But they don't know the struggle I have felt since age 13. So what do I do?? I have chose not to tell anyone. Is that crazy?? I don't question my decision at all! But I think others would. So what do you think??? To tell or not to tell.... that is the question.....