anglov

Hey that is great! My PAT was a week prior. I just had it Wednesday and my surgery is this upcoming Wednesday.

I saw that someone else had mentioned this and I thought: Hey that's a great idea!! I am looking for a band buddy who is getting banded on May 12th to email and/or text for help, support, encouragement and just to be a friend to go through this with. We could Celebrate our "B"- day. Let me know

My surgery date is May 12th too. I am feeling okay right now but once I get in the pre-op room I will start getting the jitters. My BP shoots up, my anxiety is high. Anesthesia doesn't scare me that much. It's just a normal feeling to be afraid of the unknown.

I am diabetic and I didn't get anything different. The protein shakes from the doctors are low in sugar anyway. I just found some that are low sugar or no sugar added.

Today I went to the hospital for Pre-OP testing. I am cleared for banding...paid my bills. I also started my pre-op diet today. Ran into a fella that was in my education class and is getting banded the same day. He is an hour after me. It was good seeing a friendly face. Isn't it funny how you can wake up and you aren't hungry at all but when you know all you can have is a protein shake suddenly your stomach is growling so hard it hurts? That was me today! I felt like I was starving. I had tomato basil soup for lunch with unflavored protein powder. It was pretty good but it would have been better if I had a grilled cheese to go with it.:thumbup: It was a struggle. My boss and a few others decided to order chinese. They asked me. I declined. They asked me again telling me I might want to get it out of my system. I declined. I went to my testing, came back and they had already eaten. Yeah, Me 1 them 0. Then they decided they needed milk shakes. Again they asked me. I declined several times before they left me alone. They know I am on the diet starting today. Geez, let me the flip alone. Yes I probably will be beyond foul and mean before this is over.

Today I went to the hospital for Pre-OP testing. I am cleared for banding...paid my bills. I also started my pre-op diet today. Ran into a fella that was in my education class and is getting banded the same day. He is an hour after me. It was good seeing a friendly face. Isn't it funny how you can wake up and you aren't hungry at all but when you know all you can have is a protein shake suddenly your stomach is growling so hard it hurts? That was me today! I felt like I was starving. I had tomato basil soup for lunch with unflavored protein powder. It was pretty good but it would have been better if I had a grilled cheese to go with it.:confused: It was a struggle. My boss and a few others decided to order chinese. They asked me. I declined. They asked me again telling me I might want to get it out of my system. I declined. I went to my testing, came back and they had already eaten. Yeah, Me 1 them 0. Then they decided they needed milk shakes. Again they asked me. I declined several times before they left me alone. They know I am on the diet starting today. Geez, let me the flip alone. Yes I probably will be beyond foul and mean before this is over. :thumbup:

I'm getting banded on May 12th. I took off 7 days. I took of the day before surgery because I have to do a clear liquid diet and the next 6 work days. I just want to be comfortable with the band before I go back to work. Plus I have to give myself Lovenox shots daily and want to get that down pat before I go back to work as well. I have a high stress job and don't want to have to worry or dwell on my band. My husband is taking off the day of surgery and the day after to look after me. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am and will go home that afternoon. They said I will be up walking right after surgery and must walk every hour.

How depressing is it to know that the 1st place you lose weight is the liver? I told a friend, great, now I have a sexy liver but no one can see it. :thumbup: I start my all liquid protein shake diet Wednesday. I know what you mean, some of the protein shakes are nasty. GNC has one called lean shake. The chocolate is really good. I also got Wheybolic in chocolate and add a scoop of that to the lean shake to up the protein. Throw in a banana and blend with ice and it is good. My favorite is that same but instead of a banana, I add a teaspoon or two of peanut butter and ice and blend it. I tried the ones from the doctor and it was nasty. Hang in there you only a few more days until surgery.

I start my pre-op all liquid diet on Wednesday and get banded the 12th. Try to imagine 5 drawers in your desk at work and two of those drawers are FULL of food! My boss ran out of room in her space so she is using 2 of my drawers to keep her food supply in. Pre-op and two drawers of food, not a good combination. I've tried getting her to move it but she nearly bit my head off. Everyone eats at their desk so I guess when they all start eating lunch around me I will have to take my lunch break and leave the building. I might go to my van and watch a movie on my DVD player or read a book. I just know if I smell the food and I am hungry it is not going to be pretty.

My band date is May 12th so I know exactly how you feel. I have HBP, reflux, high cholesterol and I am diabetic and on meds for all of this. I probably have sleep apnea but have not been tested. I have had laproscopic knee surgery, abalation surgery and being nervous or scared is so normal. I was so stressed about the ablation surgery last July that my blood pressure was through the roof. They had to give me four doses of lisinopril while I was on the operating table and I was out for the surgery. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. Relax, as much as possible. Think positive thoughts that this will help all of your co-morbidities. Life will become so much better because of this.

Thanks. I got my band date back in March so this has been a long waiting game.

Time is winding down. So much is running through my mind these days. What will it be like? What does "restriction" feel like? Will I know when I need to get a fill? What will it feel like when I eat and supposed to be full? I hear all the terms and phrases and I understand them all but I don't "know" them. This has me feeling scared and nervous. I know I will be fine it's just the unknown that has me cautious. The good news is I am continuing to lose a little weight each week. I think the fact that surgery is close at hand is keeping me on track and making better choices. I am down 13.5 lbs so far and I haven't started the pre-op diet yet. I have just been choosing less starches than before. I don't drink soft drinks anymore. I never drank diets, just regular and it was nothing for me to have 4-6 a day. I have said it many times before, Vitamin water zero is my water of choice. I do drink water at restaurants. I choose a lot of salads and veggies w/out sauces, more than I used to. But, and a big BUT, if there is something I want, I will have it. I can't deny myself anything but can have everything in moderation. You have to learn to control the overeating but if you deny what you truly want then you up the chance of losing control. Control is the point of the surgery in my opinion. Taking control of my life and my eating can lead me to many new possibilities.

Time is winding down. So much is running through my mind these days. What will it be like? What does "restriction" feel like? Will I know when I need to get a fill? What will it feel like when I eat and supposed to be full? I hear all the terms and phrases and I understand them all but I don't "know" them. This has me feeling scared and nervous. I know I will be fine it's just the unknown that has me cautious. The good news is I am continuing to lose a little weight each week. I think the fact that surgery is close at hand is keeping me on track and making better choices. I am down 13.5 lbs so far and I haven't started the pre-op diet yet. I have just been choosing less starches than before. I don't drink soft drinks anymore. I never drank diets, just regular and it was nothing for me to have 4-6 a day. I have said it many times before, Vitamin water zero is my water of choice. I do drink water at restaurants. I choose a lot of salads and veggies w/out sauces, more than I used to. But, and a big BUT, if there is something I want, I will have it. I can't deny myself anything but can have everything in moderation. You have to learn to control the overeating but if you deny what you truly want then you up the chance of losing control. Control is the point of the surgery in my opinion. Taking control of my life and my eating can lead me to many new possibilities.

Special K Protein water packets has protein and Fiber. 5g of each. I like the pink lemonade. Still Vitamin water zero is my fav. 16 days until I have to start my pre-op diet of all liquids and Protein shakes each day for a week prior to surgery.

Thanks so much for all the great responses both good and bad. I know everyone is different but I like to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. That way if it is bad I won't get down about because I anticipated it could happen. If it doesn't then happy days!!

I have 16 more days until my one week pre-op diet. I am getting so close and so nervous. I start pre-op diet on the 5th, I have pre-op testing on the 5th and band date is the 12th. I am officially down 10.5 pounds. I have slowed down quite a bit. At least I am not gaining. Of course all scales are different. I found in the grocery store (Kroger) in the health food section a wide selection of pureed soups in cartons with screw on caps. There were I think about 10 different varieties. They are a little pricey since they are organic but I may have to give it a whirl. I plan on making homemade chicken noodle soup and puree it and then strain it. Nothing is better than homemade. I also thought about doing the same for vegetable. I have designated a shelf in the fridge for just me. I have one whole cabinet that is just for my stuff so my mongrel family doesn't dip into it. I drank the Special K protein water, pink lemonade and it was pretty good. It has 5g of protein and 5g of fiber. Can't beat that. I am stocking up when they go on sale. They are a little pricey too. I think it was $4.29 for a box of 7 packets. That is 61 cents a bottle of water. Not bad if you think about it. Not any worse then a soft drink but certainly healthier. I am one step closer to my new life...

I have 16 more days until my one week pre-op diet. I am getting so close and so nervous. I start pre-op diet on the 5th, I have pre-op testing on the 5th and band date is the 12th. I am officially down 10.5 pounds. I have slowed down quite a bit. At least I am not gaining. Of course all scales are different. I found in the grocery store (Kroger) in the health food section a wide selection of pureed soups in cartons with screw on caps. There were I think about 10 different varieties. They are a little pricey since they are organic but I may have to give it a whirl. I plan on making homemade chicken noodle soup and puree it and then strain it. Nothing is better than homemade. I also thought about doing the same for vegetable. I have designated a shelf in the fridge for just me. I have one whole cabinet that is just for my stuff so my mongrel family doesn't dip into it. I drank the Special K protein water, pink lemonade and it was pretty good. It has 5g of protein and 5g of fiber. Can't beat that. I am stocking up when they go on sale. They are a little pricey too. I think it was $4.29 for a box of 7 packets. That is 61 cents a bottle of water. Not bad if you think about it. Not any worse then a soft drink but certainly healthier. I am one step closer to my new life...:w00t:

OMG!! That is horrific! I can't imagine seeing that everyday. There is no way that is how it should be. I would be glad they are going to do something about it.

Way to go! I am self pay as well. My band date is May 12th. I have done labs, xrays, ekg, pet scan, stress test and now I have to go in for pre-op testing the week before surgery. Crazy!!

Take notes. They are going to give you a TON of information. Congratulations!!

Thanks to both of you! It's good to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope I am just as successful. I felt I really didn't have a choice regarding telling people. If I was to lose a large amount of weight or well any weight for that matter and they see me eating mini meals they are going to think I have developed an eating disorder. We all eat together most days at work. My company is self insured and they specifically excluded it even if medically necessary, which it is. I will try that though. I know they have covered the testing but I have a 3k deductible so I have still paid about 2k out of pocket so far. I plan on claiming what I can on my taxes. My feeling is that since I am paying for this then I have more of a reason to succeed.

aahhh the dreaded 6 month diet! Keep us updated on your progress through the process. This is a great place to get information, support or just a place to vent. I am getting banded on May 12th with Dr. Oldham.

The countdown commences. The skeptics come out. The rude comments continue. The supports are there but not in as large of numbers as before. The question that is on everyone's mind is "Will I succeed or will I fail?" Hmmm...dare I prove them wrong? YES I DARE!! There are a lot of things I have given up on in my life because the going got too tough. Well, this is an investment in my life. A very hefty investment. I am self pay and with that means I will bear the success and the failure heavily. More incentive to succeed. To use my tool to its fullest potential is a priority. Do I have fears? Yes. Do I have second thoughts? Yes. Do I think there will be times that I fail? Yes but I sure hope not. I am going into this with my eyes wide open to all possibilities. This is probably the hardest thing I will ever do next to child birth and raising 4 kids and raising teenagers. :thumbup: This is the best support site I have come across. There is more compassion and support than I could have hoped for. I have gotten tons of tips and advice here. I have received valuable insight into what to expect and what could happen. It is good to be in the know. I feel very prepared. No one is preaching to me or at me. It is like we are all lifelong friends. I think it is because we are all on the same lifelong journey together. We are each other's lifeline. I am looking forward to sharing each leg of my journey with you and hopefully my experience will help others as I have been helped. 30 more days!!!

The countdown commences. The skeptics come out. The rude comments continue. The supports are there but not in as large of numbers as before. The question that is on everyone's mind is "Will I succeed or will I fail?" Hmmm...dare I prove them wrong? YES I DARE!! There are a lot of things I have given up on in my life because the going got too tough. Well, this is an investment in my life. A very hefty investment. I am self pay and with that means I will bear the success and the failure heavily. More incentive to succeed. To use my tool to its fullest potential is a priority. Do I have fears? Yes. Do I have second thoughts? Yes. Do I think there will be times that I fail? Yes but I sure hope not. I am going into this with my eyes wide open to all possibilities. This is probably the hardest thing I will ever do next to child birth and raising 4 kids and raising teenagers. :thumbup: This is the best support site I have come across. There is more compassion and support than I could have hoped for. I have gotten tons of tips and advice here. I have received valuable insight into what to expect and what could happen. It is good to be in the know. I feel very prepared. No one is preaching to me or at me. It is like we are all lifelong friends. I think it is because we are all on the same lifelong journey together. We are each other's lifeline. I am looking forward to sharing each leg of my journey with you and hopefully my experience will help others as I have been helped. 30 more days!!!

Trying to find others going through surgery with Dr. Oldham at Baptist East.