SarahMarie123

Awesome Mandyrae! I am sorry they had to take out the pain pump. Mine is still in, however I am still taking my full dose of painkillers :smile: Yay!

I did it! I am banded! I have a pain build (like a cathedar attached to my belly to help with the pain. I am also on painkillers. I get up and waslk every 3-4 hours. This is not too bad. :smile:

Wow, you all wonderful and encouraging things to say...and I know you mean it because you have been there. Well...here I am in the hotel room in Las Vegas. I had my last pre-op appt and nutrition class and I am ready. My Dr. told me that after the first few days...if I can get it down I can have yogurt, skim milk, Protein shakes (of course), cottage cheese and applesauce. This definitley calmss my fears about being on Clear liquids for 1 to 2 weeks. Honestly...that would be torture. I am jumping in to the deep end and I am ready to swim. I ready to gain my confidence back and my body too! One question I ask....is what about the device failure? I know that slippages and erosions and port flippings rarely happen...but if they do....and I am a self pay patient...how does that work? Anyone have any experience with that? I am not planning for a failure by any means...but I do feel better when my bases are covered and I know all the possibilities. During this process....I have kind of forgotten what I will be GETTING. I am focus on what I have to change, how sick I could get, how much my life will change...but I am forgetting that I will be thin! I am 242 right now (8 pounds lost on my own) and cannot imagine weighing 200 again....175 again....150????? WOWZERS. I am excited folks. I will post again after surgery as soon as I am feeling up to it :thumbup::thumbup:

Wow. I didn't think this would happen. Here I am...2 days before surgery...printing out my flight boarding pass to Vegas...and I am crying hysterically. Maybe it is the lack of delicious foods that I have deprived myself of for...what 30 hours? Maybe it is nerves regarding the surgery and travel. Maybe it is the fact that I am self pay and if something goes wrong I could owe tens of thousands of dollars to a hospital. Maybe it is the fact that I have never met my suregeon. Maybe it is the fact that I let myself get this big...maybe it is the fact that I know that after the surgery I may not lose a bunch of weight...maybe it is the fact that I will not be able to turn to the things (food) that make me "happy" when I am sad. Part of me wants to call it off right now...cancel the flights, the hotel and the surgery. But I know that a week from now I would be getting ready to go to work or go hang out with friends and I would be bawling because I felt fat...and my jeans would be digging into my stomach...and I would have to find a sweater to put on...even though it is 90 degrees out. It seems that I am going to be miserable no matter what I do. Would I rather be miserable about the way I look and enjoy food (but be unhealthy) or be miserable for lack of my food freedom but be smaller? I know the right answer...and it requires work and sacrifice...but wow am I scared and emotional. I need to know that others can do this...have done this...will do this... I so want to delete this right now...but I know there is a reason I wrote it. I am sorry to be such a debbie downer ya'll. But man these feelings just hit me like a ton of bricks. Feel free to reprimand, encourage, criticize, or comment.

Thanks guys Is it normal to be afraid of hunger? I am super afraid of being hungry and not being able to do anything about it. Arrrg

Hey all, So my Dr. said that I didn't have to do a pre-op diet because my BMI is 38-40. However, I started a full liquid diet today...so I know what to expect...and I am starving! How many times have you seen this post? I am scared...because this is torture. Will it be the same after surgery (on Friday!) ? What are your collective thoughts? Breakfast: Cream of Potato Soup Lunch: Muscle Milk Dinner: Brooccoli and cheese *fat free Soup with Protein powder Snacks: 2 sugar free popsicles Thanks!

Thanks everyone :thumbup: I will try those suggestions and get myself ready to start my life again~!

Hey wonderful people :thumbup: I am to be banded on 09/10/10. I have a lower BMI of 40 so my doc said I didn't need to go on a liquid diet...but for the next 3 days I am putting myself on one to make sure my liver is small and my mind is ready. I have been trying SPIRU-TEIN shakes and they are delicious. I mix with 4 oz Water and 4 oz non fat milk. Anyone else try these? Any other yummy reccomendations? The first 4 weeks post op are what scares me the most. This is probably what other fellow food addicts have the most anxiety about. Any thoughts? Inspirations? Should I be prepared to starve (not literally OF COURSE) and be super duper freaking maniac like hungry? Loves! HW/CW/GW 255/242/145 5'6"

You guys rock, thank you so much...3 days to go!

Thanks for the info! I found the protein shake mix (single packet) at a local Super Supplements, all I had to do was add milk and put it in the blender. SO YUMMY!

Hey all! I am to be banded on the 10th. My doctor advised since I am low BMI (for being obese) I do not have to go on a pre op diet. However, I am trying out Protein shakes and will be starting a liquid diet (not clear) the 2 days prior to surgery. I am afraid of waking up and wanting the cheeseburger I had only the day before. I am making some shakes...and the ones that taste "good" are ones that are milk based. I made an AMAZING one today that was s'mores flavor. I know that I cannot have these shakes until the mushies period...but I am looking forward to shakes once they are allowed. How well do you tolerate milk? I am so excited to be banded and to change my life! Viva Las Vegas :smile:

Thanks again all :smile: I really appreciate every reply, it really helps quench some of the anxiety... like most "diets" I am kind of expecting failure...but I have to keep self, spirit and motivation in check! Thanks again!

Thanks everyone...I will start looking at more positive threads and stories...I am ready to kick this weight's butt!

I'm getting banded on 09/10/10 :biggrin:

Hi all :biggrin: I am getting banded on 09-10-10 and am looking online (maybe too much!) for information on the lap band. I know what I am signing up for... but I stumbled upon a website that people post their negative lap band experiences on. A few of them are saying they throw up every meal...even if it is a small Protein meal like chicken, tuna or yogurt. This has me freaked out. I know that the process is hard...and I know that I will be working "with" my band to achieve weight loss and a healthy life...does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks! Currently 246 5"6 20 to 22 pant size/ 2x top

Hey all! I am getting my band on 09/10/10. I am so very nervous about the liquid diet. Does anyone have any tips (I am sure you do!) for how to survive? I am a lover of food...and I am very afraid for the period right after surgery. My doctor is not having me start the liquid or pre op diet...what do you all suggest? Much love

Hello :biggrin2: Congrats on your loss...what an amazing journey :frown1: I am scheduled with Dr. Umbach on 09/10/10...outpatient. Did you have this procedure? Is there anything you can tell me about the process? I am super anxious and would love to speak with someone who he has operated on Much love Sarah

Hi all! H/W=255 Current= 250 Surgery Date 09/10/10 I am new to this site..and still anxious and excited! Has anyone felt extremly nervous about complications? Wait...anyone who is having major surgery should be a little concerned right? My past few days have been filled with constant stress and worry...but that it partnered with excitement. I think I want a guarantee that I won't have a leak and spend months in the hospital recovering...but that isn't going to happen in my wildest dreams! I am excited to start my journey. I have always struggled with my weight and have spent the last 6 years trying to lose it...and I am at the point where I feel that it isn't a choice. Does anyone ever feel like we are having surgery to fix something that is possible on our own? However, I do not believe that I on my own will and power could eat 3 ox meals and be satisfied...I also believe that it is not possible for me to spend 1-2 hours a day in the gym working out... So many thoughts...I feel like a head case :biggrin2: Much love. Sarah

Thank you :biggrin2: I am excited. I will letting everyone know how I am doing after the surgery. Thankd for the advice and kind words...I am not telling many people...so every bit of support it precious :frown1:

YAY! I wish you the best of luck :lol0: Is your Doc having you on a post-op diet?

Hey all! My name is Sarah and I am schedule for VSG surgery in Vegas in a little more than a week. I am so excited. I am currenly 250 lbs and have a goal of 140 lbs. If anyone has any do's and don'ts or ANY advice please feel free to share. I am looking for all the knowledge and advice I can get. :lol0: Thanks! Sarah