Tracytma

Hello everyone! I've been reading posts here for weeks, but decided it's time I join in. I am new in this process, having attended my first info session on March 2nd and first preop support group last night, (March 8th) Is anyone else feeling bi-polar about this whole process? One minute I'm so excited about the future that lies ahead... and the next minute, I'm scared, a bit deflated and questioning my decision to have the lap band! That usually changes back to the excitement... but the "other" times scare my husband, who is so supportive. I've been overweight since I was 5, with small glimpses of time being thinner and healthy... but at 48 and with 2 back surgeries behind me... I'm ready to take charge and get my body and life back in MY control! The support here is amazing.. so glad a friend, told me about this place!! Have a great day everyone! Tracy

by the way...just joking about the martini's.... have to shrink the old liver... so no alcohol everyone!!! I'm just a jokster!

Hey Marion!! Well done you!! Yeah!! You gave me something to smile about today! Oh, I've been meaning to tell you, my inlaws live in Oz. They live in Casino, NSW. My husband (born in N. Ireland) grew up in NZ and Oz. I can't wait to go and visit them one day! Maybe we'll hook up for coffee... two skinny ladies!! :thumbup: Keep up the good work and wonderful postings. I look forward to them!!!

Welcome!! It's GREAT to have you here and congrats on your one week anniversary! Can't wait to be there myself! I am just starting the process.. hope to be banded in June or July maybe. Nice to see other "foodies" here... meaning, people who love to cook. I too am looking how to incorporate new ways of cooking and eating into my lap band lifestyle! knowledge is power! Keep us posted on your progress! Tracy

Majj!! Your excitement is WONDERFUL! Well done you! Love hearing all this positive talk! Keep up the good work and stay in touch! :thumbup: And yes... can tell you are very happy! It's contagious!

Hi Kim! Welcome to the site and congratulations! Wow... 30 pounds already, that is fantastic! You should be very proud of your progress. I am in the beginning stages. Have gone for my pre op meetings. The program I am in has a lot of hoops to jump through..but I am glad of the mental preparation time! I meet with a nurse practitioner to get my orders on 4/22, then the dietitian.I do not have a banding date yet, but that is ok. Slow and steady. Keep in touch on here, and let us know how you are doing and what you are eating etc. We can all use suggestions and knowledge. Best of luck and keep up the GREAT work! Tracy :thumbup:

OMG... WOW... Ok, I'm in a little bit of shock. For most of us, the process takes months...sometimes up to a year to get banded. Most of us have to do a pre band diet and pre op diet! I'm worried you are not drinking enough! Make sure you sip water allllll the time!! You need at least 64 ounces of water daily, or you will get loads of complications. Ok, that is advise from a nurse...not a bandster yet!!! :thumbup: Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome and congrats on your banding tomorrow. I'm sure you will do fine and I'll be thinking good thoughts for you. I am somewhat new to this forum as well. I've gone to a few of my required meetings and officially start on my way with my first Nurse practitioner meeting on 4/22/10. I hope to be banded in June or July, but will know more when I meet with her! Just wanted to say hello and good luck and this is an awesome sight. You will get the support you need. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you! Oh, GREAT job on the two weeks of fluids preop.. I am SOO looking forward to that!! :thumbup:

Awesome replies!! It's so wonderful to get such great support!! To those of you who have had it done, to give back is so wonderful. After all, you've been there and done that and you can really help us threw this. To those of you who are feeling like me... it's validation that we're not alone. LOL Sybil.... That's as good as bipolar... even better... we can have 11 different personalities to describe what we're feeling!!! Good news for me... my clinic (called, "The Obesity Center," by the way... WHAT A HORRIBLE NAME FOR A CLINIC!!!! Like anyone chubby/fat/obese wants to go up and ask for directions to the place!!! how about..... "Life changing clinic!!!" ok... add manic depressive to my bipolar disorder!!!! ) To get back to my good news.. my referral went to "the clinic" today, and this afternoon at 4pm I got my first appointment with the nurse practitioner for April 22nd and first appointment with the nutritionist on April 27th. I'm on my way.... and suddenly scared crapless!!! :frown: LOL... martini's anyone?

Hi Tammy! Absolutely we can support each other! As my doctor told me... lose the front, FIX the back! After two back surgeries, I still wake up with back/muscle pain every single day! I know I need to lose weight and MOVE my body! I know this will improve my life dramatically! I am in intial stages. Have gone to initial meeting, one preop required meeting and my regular doc has seen me, ok'd me and sent the referral. Now I just sit and wait for my clinic to call me and set up my appt with a Nurse Pract to start the process. We also have to go thru a 6 week "life style changes" class which I am actually looking forward too. It's supposed to help with all the "mind/head" changes you are supposed to try and deal with. The band after all is just a "tool" it's the mind and head hunger that we really have to try and work with! I would be thrilled with may or June, but I really have NO idea. Will keep you posted! let me know what your process is like. I am in New Hampshire by the way! have a great day!:frown:

Thank you very much Marion for your comment! I love the bi-polar discription as well... as I continue to feel that way, each day, but in the end I keep coming back to the postive! I'm am getting excited as I finally got my referral and had my physical, now I am just waiting for my clinic to call me for my first appointment. I too know I will feel so much happier when I am healthier! Looking forward to your process! Please keep in touch! You all are such an inspiration to us that are still waiting for our bands!!

my prize for this journey... will be a 50th Birthday trip to Italy! I have 19 months to reach my goal... hopefully this is realistic. I WILL be celebrating 50 as a thin, healthy, happy woman in Italy!! woo hoo! Physical tomorrow and referral to my weight loss clinic... and I'm on my way!!!!

Thanks again for the information. You are really making me feel better about this. I do not cook or eat fried food, so that makes THAT one easy!!! I am going to go and read your blog, but wanted to say thanks! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup.gif

Hi Astramom! Thanks for your reply! Congrats on your current success! You've done amazingly well with your weight loss! Your support is much appreciated! I can't believe how my emotions vacillate between elation at the prospect of getting my body back and extreme doubt and fear over the changes I'll have to make. I think I worry that I will feel resentful if I cook a lovely meal for my family and I can't eat it! I LOVE to cook, it's a hobby of mine, so it's a valid fear. I will read your blog when I get home from work tonight. I try and read and research every day. To me, knowledge is power. I want to know as much as I can so I do not have too many surprises. Oh, my other "fear" is the "stuck" episodes I keep hearing people talk about... would love to hear about that as well! Thanks again! :sad:

It sounds to me, like you are better off with this doctor. If they "dropped" you, (even though you really qualified for the program) then you should take this as a sign and run.... run quickly in the other direction and find someone who will treat you well and take good care of you! Good luck on your journey.