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I had big time jitters and doubts when I first got approved. I was losing sleep over it actually. Then I had to do some soul searching because I knew I had to come to terms with this and be okay with it. I have never and still don't have that "excited" feeling that many speak of. However, reading so many posts on here has helped tremendously! I really like to read posts from nurses and people who work closely in the medical field...I figure they see surgeries all the time. They get ALL the scoop on surgeries. If they feel comfortable doing this...then it must be safe. Also, when I shower...oh Lordy, just one look in the mirror and I KNOW I have to do something! The final icing on the cake was a trip through my closet searching for something to wear. That is so frustrating to me. Either my clothes are too small or very frumpy looking. I finally have gotten to where I have peace of mind about my decision. I'm not scared or worried, but I am focused. I know this will work if I follow the rules. I am where I feel confident that I can do that. I feel lucky that I got insurance to cover this and now I must take advantage of this opportunity and once and for all...good Lord willing...I will get this excess cargo off my body forever! Best of luck to you! My surgery is tomorrow and I am going over last minute things I need to do or bring with me.

My day is tomorrow morning at 7:30....I hope I have good things to post about how easy everything went! Best of luck to all!

I had my "Last Supper" last night...Olive Garden. I really pigged out on the salad!

mine is a bottle (10 oz)...it says to drink the bottle down followed by a full glass of water. I will have to do some mind over matter and pretend it's a margarita or something.

ewwwwwww...I have to drink it tomorrow.

Fantastic! I do want to save these for when I am ready. My surgery is Friday and your post makes me want to hurry up and have it so I can try some of the recipes out! Good job and thank you!

gingerbug...I used to live near La Porte...how are things for you since Ike?

You are getting close to surgery Spudmama!!! Wow...tomorrow....good luck and please post when you can to let us hear about your experience. I get mine on Friday.

LOL! That's a good line Jane....and pretty much what I will be doing later today since I start my 2 day pre-op liquid diet. The quiet part...I'm not so sure of! Good luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery!

And in reference to the subject of this post about sleeve or band...I didn't know any insurance in the US covered the sleeve at this time. I thought it was still considered experimental. It isn't covered with my insurance (Anthem) for that reason. I bet it will be soon though if there are good results.

I think it's more of a reassurance that IF things go south...which we should never plan on happening...but still...with a lot of people, it's just human nature to feel comfortable that there are options. Many obese people have had a lifetime of disappointments when it comes to weightloss. I think we all hope whatever surgery we choose will be a complete success and a life changing (for the better) experience. I also see how one must take the band seriously and be of the mindset that every effort will be made to follow your plan and stay on it so the problem never arises. To me anyway, there is truth to both sides.

don't kick yourself too hard Patsy...we have all been there and now that's why we are here! It is so hard to say no to food sometimes...but our band will be there soon to remind us. You have done really well to lose 15 pounds before surgery!

Thanks Trisha! I have to have an endoscopy tomorrow morning as a final test before surgery next Friday. Sometimes I have trouble swallowing...I had a stricture in my esophagus and had a balloon open it up last fall. The surgeon just wants to take a look down there to make sure this surgery is a good choice for me. I am glad he is doing that first rather than just smoothing it all over and doing the lapband anyway. So....if all goes well I will be joining all fellow bandsters. I have a friend who works for one of the surgeons in Houston. She lives down there and had her band put in about 2 years ago. She became sort of a "poster child" for him and now works for his office. So are you having any pain?

sorry Jim...I couldn't tell from the photo since it is small. I totally understand. Kids can be a huge motivation. I am a grandma raising my two grandsons 8 and 11. I HAVE to be there for them. I begin my journey one week from today!

So did you manage to lose weight some other way HeadHunter? Just curious because it sounds like your life got better. I sure hope so. You have been through so much.

I am one week away and right now I am feeling good about my decision. Yesterday I went shopping with my grandkids. I had a heck of a time just finding something to wear...and the top button of my pants kept coming undone. Funny how reminders so simple can make such a big impact! I was so upset with myself for being so fat. I wonder how it makes my grandkids feel.

Hi Big Jim...is that little Jim that you are holding in your picture? Good luck with your surgery!

I love your blog Catherine! Just reading all the posts on here is so helpful in reassuring myself that this is the right thing to do. Honestly at this point, I have refrained from reading any negative posts about the band. There are so many deciding factors as to whether the band is going to work and work well. Some of the band bashers may have not followed directions or maybe there are other reasons why it didn't work. Of course I also realize that for some people...it just isn't the right choice because of medical conditions and other complications that make the band uncompatible for their bodies. I hope and pray that it is a good fit for me. I don't anticipate having much problem with following my doctors orders. I am also hoping that just having the band placed will give me a huge physchological boost. We shall see. Anyway, good luck to all who have taken the plunge and to those of use who have taken a number and wait patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for our turn.

sounds like you are doing great!

I think those doubts are quite normal....I mean it is surgery and nobody wants to go through surgery if they think they don't need it. I struggled with that question but I have pretty much put it to rest. I think the key words are "I have had weight issues my whole life and tired of trying diet after diet." Sounds like my story....and probably close to many of the peoples stories on this site. I could go on Jenny Craig or Nutri-System and lose weight I am sure...but I also know as soon as I went off of the program I would slowly start gaining backays happens to me...so I am hoping this surgery will help me lose AND help me keep it off! Good luck to you!

hope all you new bandsters have a speedy recovery! I am to be banded on June 12th. I fell out of bed Thurs. morning and tore cartlage out of my ear and had to have a surgeon repair it. I sure hope that doesn't postpone my surgery somehow...because of infection or something. I guess I had better call my surgeon on Monday just to tell him what happened.

I agree...we may have to let the name thing fall as it may. It's only a name...what matters are the members and just being there to help, support and answer questions.

congrats on your success with not smoking! I quit about 5 years ago and have never looked back. I am hoping the lapband turns out to be just as good of a decision!

Hi JayTee! I am over my concerns with Dr. Shina. This is just one more thing that he does to make me think he takes every precaution. Glad to know the shots are easy. I guess if your tummy is sore from incisions anyway, whats another mosquito bite sting going to do. I only have one more step before all surgery clearances are done. I need a ...esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Basically a camera down the throat. That comes 6 days before surgery. I want to go out and stock up on protein stuff, but also want to make sure I am getting the surgery first. Looks like your weightloss is going well. Any problem foods yet?

Practical...you are the same day as me. What part of Houston are you from and who is your surgeon? I have 2 friends down there that have had lap band and one who has had bypass. All three are sisters!