Tracytma

Hey carol.. I was just banded on monday, and was shocked to see my port site is right at my waistband! What the heck.. I wonder why? I was too groggy to speak with the surgeon, so I'll have to wait 2 weeks to get some answers.. Hope once it is 100% healed, it won't bother us!

I'm being banded on the 14th of this month... but last night I went through my closet.... getting out the rest of my summer clothes. That made me open up the bags of "other clothes.." I realize I have a store in my closet. I am wearing size 18-20 currently, but made a bag of "small 18s" a bag of 16's and a bag of 14's and a bag of 12's!! I kept all these clothes with the hopes of one day fitting into them.. They are all older clothes, but still in great condition... Glad I kept them, as I'm not going to buy many clothes until I REALLY need them. I'm just going to wear my older ones!! I was amazed at the variety of clothes I had!! Can't wait to dump the biggger ones. I am NEVER KEEPING FAT CLOTHES AGAIN!!! WOO HOO!!!:thumbup:

The medical director of my program told me this information and it helped me with my decision AND with ALL the people who tell me to "just eat less and walk!!" He quoted from a reputable medical journal that LESS than 5% of people ACTUALLY keep off ALL the weight they lose.... AND.. add a menopausal woman.. and it goes down to 2 to 3%!!!!!! So tell them that! We need the tool to help us maintain... and with this tool... we get into the 70 to 80% success rate of keeping of the weight...and MANY people do even better!!! Much success everyone! My date is June 14th and I can't wait!!

Good Luck on Friday (I'm the 14th) You'll do GREAT!! Tomorrow is the first day of your new healthier life!! Bravo!!!:Dancing_biggrin: Tracy

Colletta... I'm a June 14th Bandster too! We should all try and keep in touch..... ! Are you on a pre op diet? I'm doing fine with mine. Maybe we should do a thread for June 14 people? what do you think? Tracy

We need a name for us June Bandsters! How about Junesters?

Can you tell us specifically what books you bought? I am being banded in 2 weeks!!!

I'm getting banded on the 14th of June as well! We have to keep in touch!!! We need a good name for ourselves!!!!

Dottie, thanks so much for taking the time to answer me! I appreciate it as I am going to exercise... but perhaps not one hour a day.. I will start with 3 times a week and build up from that. I've had a few back surgeries and I need to start slowly. My doctor felt without exercise, I wouldn't lose a thing... but I will just show her!!! I will exercise... and I WILL be successful. Thanks for sharing your daily menu. Sounds like a menu I could live on! Keep up the great success! Can't wait to be 50 down, I know my joints will feel soooo much better! Tra:lol:cy

Carol D! Ha ha... we are weeksters... that's a good one. We need a good name for us June bandsters! Keep in touch, let me know how the pre op diet is going!

Thank you for your support! You are doing great yourself? Can you tell me, (since we nearly the same age), what do you do for exercise? Do you also journal, count calories etc? Do you happen to know how many calories you eat a day? I thought I wouldn't be counting cal's with this... but it seems the successful ones do... so I'm interested in what is working for people! Thanks, Tracy

Cindy.... 165 pounds?!?! I am standing up clapping girl!! :cursing: That number is astounding to me! You are indeed a wonder. Thanks for your kind words! You are an inspiration! Thanks again,Tracy

Seems like alot of us are being banded on June 14th!! Hey, we need a name for us new June Bandsters!!!

Thank you SO much for your post! I met my surgeon today, who tried to steer me away from LP, and she said straight out.. "oh if you have reflux and are on Nexium, you may not be happy with LP... It probably won't help your GERD!!" I'm thinking, WHOA lady.... losing a 100 pounds SHOULD help my gerd!! So Thanks for this positive posting!!!

Thanks everyone for your votes of confidence. For a little while after my appt, I was sort of "shell shocked" then after talking with my clinic... they asked me.. "are you sure about your decision?" I said, "Yes, and I'll show her!!" So I felt like I got some gusto back. After reading your posts, I agree I've made the right decision. I realize I may lose a little slower than most if I can not be super woman in the beginning with vigorous exercise.. but I'm hoping as the other Bandster said, that after I lose some weight, my back will hurt less and I will be able to do more and more exercise. I think what really scared me was that I've failed at many diets, and always failed at keeping the weight off if I did lose the weight.. and she was telling me I may fail here again. That was a hard blow to my "bandster ego" I'm trying to form... but I'm sticking to my "I'll show her" attitude. Pre op diet ... here I come!

Hi everyone...once again I am here looking for support! Good thing you are all here! Well, like momma always said, "careful what you wish for...cause you just might get it!!" Well, I was hoping for a quick date when I met with my surgeon and I got it!! June 14th... two weeks from Monday! I sort of freaked out inside! Guessing that is normal... but what was weird for me was that my Doctor actually tried to talk me out of the band!!! Ok, so I have Gerd (gastric reflux) and a bad back (two back surgeries). She said... "you know.. the band might not help your Gerd and you may not be successful at all if you don't exercise 1 hour a day... so you might want to reconsider. I looked her in the eye and said... "So I guess I'm going to have to exercise an hour a day!" She also said I might not like it. I said... we'll we'll just give it a whirl and if I don't... you'll take it out. She actually smiled. Oh well...I'm a nurse and have worked with surgeons my whole life... just have to work around them I guess. Then I asked her about band erosion, slipping and vomiting, as I fear vomiting and having complications, i.e slippage/erosion etc. she said, "What are you a vomiter?" Since when did THAT become a noun I wondered. I am not a "vomiter," so I "guess" I'm ok! I heard she encouraged questions... but she didn't seem to like mine. At one point she said... "I'm not going to be your PCP!!" I said "fair enough." She is known for being a superb surgeon, and I'm ok with her crankiness... but this push for Gastric bypass is really creeping me out! Next she said, "Fluids for a month you know." I said, yes, I'm aware. She asked if I could do that. I said... it's not Cancer, not a life sentence of illness or fluids, it's a month... I can do most anything for a month. She smiled a little and said... ok, let's book you. I wanted to hear from her that I'd be successful! That the band was going to be a good tool, etc... instead I felt like I brow beat her into doing it!!! NOT what I expected today. Any thoughts my friends? Thanks, Tracy

that's an awesome shot!! GREAT to see your house! LOVE the internet!!!

Hi marion! Just had to say how cute your kittens are! your hubby sounds wonderful! have fun with them! Tracy

Happy Mother's Day marion and friends! Sorry I'm a little late on the well wishing! Sounds like you had a lovely day! Looking GREAT there girl! I see the difference just from your photos. Saw that your GP noticed as well! Now THAT must feel great! To have someone else notice! Well done! Finally have my appointment to "meet" my surgeon on may 28th. Hoping to get a surgery date then! Keep your fingers crossed for June!! The waiting is so hard. My BMI is just above 40, so I can't lose any weight in order to qualify for the surgery!! Never have I ever been told NOT to lose weight!! Quite a change!!! Anyway, enjoy the week and I'll catch you in a few days. Tracy

Hey Marion! Can NOT wait for some clothes shopping myself! That will be GREAT! I have said I will not buy ANY new clothes until I am down a few sizes. GREAT motivation! Had a great weekend in New Hampshire, USA. We're on our way to summer here, so me and the hubby worked in my yard the entire weekend. My 18 year old daughter will be graduating from High School in June, so we're preparing for a large (100 pp) party for her! It's alot of work, but a lot of fun as well. NOW If I could get my lap band date, so I'd know exactly when to schedule it!! :thumbup: I see the medical director tomorrow and I'm hoping he'll think I've hopped, skipped and jumped thru allll the hoops and give me some idea! Keep your fingers crossed for me. Keep smiling... and BUY THAT DRESS!!! You are doing FAB!! What a change I see in you already! You go girl! chat soon and have a great day everyone! Tracy

Hey Marion! LOOK AT YOU!! You look GREAT!!!! Wow! 16kg down! Keep up the great work. Sorry it's been quiet from my end... busy at work and home and my meetings! Can't wait to get my date. Keep posting, you're an inspiration to us all! Tracy :redface:

I haven't had my surgery yet (hoping for early June) but from reading and taking notes, I've heard that "gas x strips" help with the gas pain. AND... for the ride home.. to cushion the seat belt, a nice soft pillow to put between you and the seat belt! A must if you have a decent ride home! Best of luck to you! Tracy

Awesome advise everyone!!! I'm taking notes!!! Cheers!

Hey everyone, Just want to thank everyone for their heartfelt responses... just what I needed a little kick in my big (soon to be small) butt! I need to keep the prize in front of me... I wish i could comment of each one that took the time to leave me a comment, (shhhh but I'm at work!). but you really helped me. Thanks! I will let you all know when I have "the date." lol It feels as important as a wedding date... but at least I know the band is forever! LOL.. now THAT's funny!!!!! Keep smiling! Tracy

Hey Marion! sounds like you had a busy weekend! Yikes! Well, sorry you had a little "stuck" incident, but I heard that we all must go through that. I will admit, I am NOT looking forward to THAT! Saw my nurse pract. yesterday at my Weight Loss center. She was impressed that I've jumped through so many hoops already! ha ha. my next appt with with dietitian and then medical director to clear me for seeing the surgeon! I have to admit..I got a bit daunted by the fact that it looks like it's coming quicker than I thought! But then I hear your stories, how you just are living your "banded" life, with what seems like "ease" (I know it's not always easy) and I can't tell you how much hope and good feelings it gives me!! Just had to let you know!!! You are quiet an inspiration! Hope you are having a restful day, sounds like you deserve it! Take good care and keep up the GREAT work! Tracy