I have my date set for surgery. December 6, 2005 I am feeling mixed emotions scared, excited, nervous. I was soooooo excited about it but now that I have a date set I am really nervous. Boy....do I need to stay positive the 10 day diet I am not looking forward to. Does anyone have any suggestions how to make it easy? The date of my surgery is perfect, I start my 10 day diet the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I should be on Soft foods by Christmas. It must be a sign. LOL:banana

Congratulations! I hope to join you soon.

Shelly,

Congrats on your date!! I was just banded on 11-1-05. I know how you feel being excited, but anxious. I went for my surgeon consult on Oct 12. I went there thinking, well maybe by the end of the year I'd have a date set. Then after talking to my surgeon, they set my date just 19 days from then. I was scared to death. I thought, "Oh my god, I didn't expect it to be so soon!!" Then I was scared if I could be prepared mentally in just 19 days. They told me about the liquid diet for two weeks prior, but I started it the very next day. I was determined to loose as much as I could before the surgery to make sure the doctor did not have any problems placing the band. I lost 20 pounds by my surgery date. My doctor said everything went great!!

Now to back track a minute... On my drive home from my consult appointment (I live 3 hours away from Abbott) I stopped at Burger King for dinner. I also bought a package of Cookies. I was thinking - ok, so here is my last hurrah with food for a while. I ate my BK meal and then some of the cookies. I had quit smoking 10 yrs ago and was thinking about that major accomplishment and how I had done that one. When I finally decided it was time to quit smoking I crumpled up my remaining cigarettes and threw them away. I figured I need the same type of mental committment from food too. So I took the left over cookies and one by one threw them out of my car window as I drove. Each time I threw a cookie out the window, I said something like, "Food will not control me again!" "I do not need food for support". By the time I got home, I knew I was mentally prepared for this challenge. That is why I started the liquid diet the next day. The first couple of days on the pre-op diet were still a little challenging, but after that it became easier. I think once you have the mindset that this is it, it helps you through it. Like I said, I wanted to make sure my surgeon had an easy time placing the band, so I'd have the best possible surgery. My pre-op diet consisted of, chicken broth, beef broth, Jello, tomato juice, apple juice, pudding, applesauce, and most importantly - Protein drinks. I usually did a Protein Drink 3 times a day and sometimes 4 if I was feeling hungry. The protein really helps control the appetite and cravings.

You can do this too! Just start working on your mental readiness and you will do fine on the pre-op!! Just keep telling yourself that this is only temporary, you will be able to eat almost anything again later, just in smaller portions. That is the good thing about the band. There is not too much that become totally off limits, so it's only temporary.

You can do it!!!! :banana :banana :banana I know you can!!!! :banana :banana :banana

Shelly,

Congratulations! I am having surgery tomorrow at Abbott Northwestern

Hospital with Dr. Schwartz. Arrive at 7:15 AM and surgery at 9:30 AM. I have been on liquids for 15 days now. I would be curious where are you having surgery and what Dr? Good Luck and great to hear from a fellow Minnesotian!

Rrogulla,

Did you have your surgery at Abbott?

If so with who?

Was your experience good?

Were you glad you did?

Whould you do it again?

When was your surgery?

What was your post op diet like? (Details please if you have time)

I know I have lots of questions, but it looked like you had surgery at Abbott and if so I'd love to chit chat more if you dont mind.

Schel from Big Lake MN

__________________

Band date November 22nd 2005

Dr. Schwartz

Abbott Northwestern Hospital

MPLS. MN

Wow!! That went fast didn't it!! Yes, the timing will be perfect for the holidays!! Won't it be great to lose weight over the holidays?? I am so glad for you!!! Will you be banded in Morris?

Thanks guys for your encouragement!! I am being banded in Morris MN by Dr. Frotier. I have not started the liquid diet yet. I will start on Saturday....NOT looking forward to that. Any suggestion......what kind of Protein drinks did you guys like? I bought a case of Atkins when I was at Sams the other day. Now since its Thanksgiving time chicken broth has been on sale so I have been buying that like crazy.

Nancy...how are you doing, I almost called you last night. I am really getting nervous now since I have a date set. It almost scares me that it did go so smooth.

Thanks for all the support!!

Congratulations!! December 6th is a great Re-Birthday.

Hopefully, I will be joining you soon with a date of my own. Preferred One has my info loading in their computer and it was assigned to Sue. I have Sue's extension & a reference # so I will be calling her tomorrow and hopefully getting an APPROVAL.

Rrogulla,

Did you have your surgery at Abbott?

If so with who?

Was your experience good?

Were you glad you did?

Whould you do it again?

When was your surgery?

What was your post op diet like? (Details please if you have time)

I know I have lots of questions, but it looked like you had surgery at Abbott and if so I'd love to chit chat more if you dont mind.

Schel from Big Lake MN

Schel,

Yes, I had my surgery at Abbott. Dr. Chute was my doctor. It was a very good experience, I'm glad I did it and I would do it again in a heartbeat!! I just had my surgery on November 1st, so I'm may not be the best person to ask about post-op diet. There may be some more experienced banders out there who could help you with that. I'm on my soft food diet right now and it is going well. I basically eat yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, egg salad, chicken salad with saltines, Soups. And of course, my Protein drinks!!! I've been keeping it simple so I don't have to worry about eating something I shouldn't and vomiting. So far, so good, I haven't vomited from anything yet! Sorry I didn't get you a reply before you went in for surgery. I've heard good things about Dr. Schwartz and I'm sure you will do just great!! I hope you are feeling well when you get home and read this. Take it slow the first week. Sip lots of Water, even if that is all you can do!! Let me know how you are doing. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Best of luck!! And congrats on your band!!