We already have 2 other August threads going but let's all try to consolidate all of our thoughts and encouragement into one thread so that we can all support each other and face our fears and struggles together.

I was originally to be banded last March 2010 so I started posting there and I love how that thread is still going with many of them having great success and encouraging each other.

My name is Dee and after much hassle with my surgeons office staff I have a surgery date of 8/16.

I have an appointment with him on 8/3 and there I will discuss my concerns about aftercare and dealing with his staff. Hopefully, all will go well and I won't have to cancel my surgery and find another surgeon.

I have been going through this process now for over a year. I started out with NYU but found after I paid them $750.00 out of pocket that my insurance is out of network for them. They made promises but I didn't want to risk getting stuck with a humongous bill. I want to be thin and healthy not bankrupt.

I found another surgeon that accepts my ins. and he seems nice enough and is the Director of the bariactric program at his hospital but his staff has treated me like I'm begging for a free surgery.

Well anyway, I'm planning to start my pre-op liquid diet on 8/2 anyway on my own advice.

I'm looking for much support and encouragement and am willing to do the same for all of you August rush people.

Kellyodoran came up with the name August rush!!

Edited July 31, 201015 yr by msdv

Good Luck Amber!!!

Good Luck Amber! Take lots of deep breaths, prayers and positive thoughts and you will do fantastic!

Good luck! I felt like that yesterday. It finally hit me at pre op testing this is really happening for all of us!

I have a Date! Its on the 20th.. I'm so excited! i practically writing it everywhere on this site, now im bout to go on Chat and spread the news... Good Luck Everyone, and Good luck Amber!:blushing:

I can't believe I'm already starting my second week of the pre-op diet! One week from today I will be banded! Luckily, I'm the first appointment...have to be at the hospital at 6am and surgery scheduled for 7am! I'm giddy! I feel like I'm carrying this big secret around with me. My friends have already asked me how I've lost 10lbs, and I have told them about my portion sizes. I don't feel guilty about not telling anyone but my husband, I thought I would, but I don't. Maybe in a year, I'll be telling everyone, but for right now, I just want it to be a private thing. I hope my friends and family respect my choice to not share if/when it comes out that I had surgery.

Thanks everyone for posting and keeping my eye on the prize!

Day 3 after surgery, and I'm feeling good. Day of and the day after weren't so great. The gas pain is the worst. When they tell you to walk, walk, and then walk some more they mean it. It really does help.

My stomach is still sore where the port site is, but otherwise I'm feeling good. I don't have any gas pain, and I get to start on a full liquid diet as of today. Good thing has been that I haven't been hungry at all. I just opened up some applesauce, and I could only eat about a 1/3 of it before I was already feeling full.

Also wanted to say that I actually cried when they woke me up after surgery, and I asked the nurse if it was done. She said yes, and the tears started. It was such a huge relief. I don't ever plan on going back to my start weight ever. It is going to be a huge number in my rearview mirror as I get smaller and smaller.

Also wanted to say that I actually cried when they woke me up after surgery, and I asked the nurse if it was done. She said yes, and the tears started. It was such a huge relief. I don't ever plan on going back to my start weight ever. It is going to be a huge number in my rearview mirror as I get smaller and smaller.

Awww...that's so touching. I suspect the same thing will happen to me. This has been such a long journey for me and I'm so anxious about something going wrong.

Congrats on your success!!

congrats, you inspire me!

Well it is official! I got my approval today!!! Now I'm nervous. LOL

Start my pre-op on the 17th -- protein shake for breakfast and lunch and high protein meal under 350 calories for supper. I need to stick to this because I need my liver to shrink, shrink, shrink. Dr told me last year when he removed my gall bladder that my liver is fatty and enlarged. Probably one of the deciding factors for the surgery (one of many LOL). Hope everyone is doing well and I'm looking forward to going through this journey with everyone. Take Care, Wendy

Good luck to everyone this month!

I am now 2 days post op and I'm feeling awesome! well besides the soreness around my port its nothing the pain medicine wont help me.

I cant wait for this week of liquids to be over so I can move onto my mushy stage! All I want is mashed potatoes.

again good luck August Rushers!

I have been having a lot of gas (burping) are you as well? The gas pains seems to hurt around the stomach more when I do burp too,anyone else?

I have been having a lot of gas (burping) are you as well? The gas pains seems to hurt around the stomach more when I do burp too,anyone else?

It was not untill a few hours ago my stomach started hurting I don't want any liquids or anything. Everytime I try to Burl I feel like I might throw up, but I'm guessing it maybe due to gas pain? I'm going out to buy some gas x and hopefully release all this gas if that's what it is.

Congrats Amber! By now you must be banded! I'm so jealous:) Let us know how you are doing!

I MADE IT!!!! IM BANDED! It was a rough day emotionally for me- I started bawling when I dropped my kids off with my brother/SIL and then was a nervous wreck after that. But my nurses were so great and the anesthesiologt was really funny and put me at ease. I did freak out when I woke up from anesthesia becaues I felt like I couldnt breathe and I had this awful pressure in my chest but they gave me meds for it and I fell back asleep. The worst part of it all was the barium I had to drink so they could take x-rays to make sure the band was in place and working properly. That stuff is N-A-S-T-Y!

Ok...Im going to go lay down for a bit. I want to write out my thoughts about surgery day and I need to start my blog but I just cant do it right now. Thanks for all of the well wishes and good luck to those people who have surgery this week!

I knew it would go well for you! Congratulations! It begins!!!