Hello I'm Melissa. A 35 y/o working Mom and wife. My weight started a steady climb 12 years ago and I'm finally putting an end to it.

I'm so excited and surprised at the same time. I was expecting this whole process to take months (3-6 months) from start to finish, but it's only taken me 2 months. On 08Mar10 I met with my surgeon (who is FANTASTIC)and today 05Apr10 he gave me a surgery date of 05May10!!!!!!!

That's less than 2 months start to "new start".

OK here's the update:

08Mar10 - 1st visit w/my surgeon

09Mar10 - 1st sleep study

16Mar10 - Bloodwork

17Mar10 - Ultrasound

18Mar10 - Psych consult

18Mar10 - 2nd sleep study

25Mar10 - Upper GI

05Apr10 - 2nd Appt w/ Surgeon (surgery date set)!!!!

20Apr10 - PAT (Pre Admin Testing)

20Apr10 - 3rd visit w/my surgeon

04May10 - Start a liquid diet (yes only 1 day of liquids)

05May10 - BANDED!!!!!

6weeks later - 1st fill IF NEEDED

I really can't contain myself. I asked him a bunch of questions and he took the time to answer everyone of them. He also told me how the day of the surgery he'll be the last person I see before they put me out and the first person I see once I wake up. Also either he or the NP will be the person doing my fills. Those are the only 2 people that will be touching me so I don't have to worry about being poked by a bunch of different people.

YEAH!!!

Although I will need to take at least 2 weeks (up to 6 weeks if necessary) off from work. I spoke to someone who had it done and they said that is best because those first 2 weeks I'll be gassy. OK, that's all I needed to hear.

Take care everyone,

Melissa

That's great news Melissa- my date is also 5th May! Saw the dietician today and having all the blood tests done tomorrow. It's now 8.21 pm here in Wollongong and very soon it's no more past the lips till tomorrow morning!

Good luck- and keep posting!

Marianne:thumbup:

Congratulations!! I love how excited and enthusiastic you are, especially because I know how warranted those feelings are! You have so much to look forward to in the next year -- and beyond. :biggrin:

Two weeks sounds like way more time than you will need (I only took a few days off and it was fine), but if you have the time, enjoy it!

I say this all the time, but be sure to take your measurements and some before pics as soon as possible! You will for sure want them later.

Best wishes for your success,

Catherine

Good luck. Based on the many posts I have read and the experiences I had you may expect some of the following.

Post surgery. After the first few days your hunger will probably return. Stick to the post up diet and just prepare to have some hunger. (no one said it would be easy).

You may not lose very much weight shortly after your surgery even though you are eating very little. This is very common. Your body will fight the drastic reduction in calories. It will adjust. The first 2 weeks I lost nothing then I lost 8 in the 3rd week.

You may not have any restriction after your first fill. Some do but most do not. I had 4 of my 5 fills done under Flouroscope and hit my sweet spot after my 5th. i had no restriction until my 4th. This has caused a drastic change in my intake of calories and I have not lost weight. Why??? Because my body is fighting it. My body will adjust.

You will be frustrated at your rate of weight loss. This aint gastric bypass. You will lose weight but maybe not at the rate you would like. It didn't get there overnight and it won't go away overnight.

You will be frustrated at times at your progress. Despite your best efforts you will plateau and stick at the same weight for periods of time. I have been hovering around 40 lbs off for 2 months. I joined a gym and have been working out 5 days per week with my weight staying about the same. Am I unhappy about it? A little. It is frustrating to put this much effort into it and see limited results over the last few months. It will happen though.

The band is one of the most rewarding, while at the same time being one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. It is not easy but once you are at your sweet spot you will understand how it can help.

Greg

Congrats on your journey! I know you're looking forward to the new you as much as I am the new me!