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

Hey All!! My magic date is the 17th....it was supposed to be the 5th, but the Doc decided to take some last minute vacation (should that even be allowed?) This is my last weekend before the pre-op and so far it has been happening just like I would have expected, food is meeting mouth on a regular basis.

I will be taking off 6 days post-op, not sure if I will need that much time but since things are pretty stressfull at work right now, it sure won't hurt anything.

Everybody stay strong.

Hi Fellow August Banders,

Just curious...how many days does everyone plan to take off of work for the surgery? Also...for those of you who are keeping this top secret, what have you told your employer when requesting the time off?

My surgery is on a Friday and I'm thinking of taking off Monday as well and going back Tuesday...hope this is enough time....I am a little nervous.....

I'm a stay at home mom (that's easier for me to say than...I had to stop working because of my illnesses!), but my husband is taking a day off. He's saying that I'm having a "woman's procedure" and if anyone asks for more information, he's going to say it's personal.

I know I shouldn't complain about this, but is anyone else losing weight really fast on this pre-op diet? I'm down 9lbs since Sunday. I even made my husband check the scale because I thought maybe it was wrong. I'm a little worried that I'm losing it too fast.

Hi everyone, I too am scheduled for surgery on 8/16. My Dr does require 1 week liquid diet. I am so glad to have found this site and really am looking forward to sharing this journey and reading the feedback and support for one another. You all are awsome and will do great!

Why do you think it is that some people only lose 30-40 pounds when other can lose 100+? Do you think it is directly related to their effort or do some just not lose as quickly as others? I have a friend who was banded last September and she has lost over 96 pounds. She said for her this whole process has been really easy with only a few minor bumps in the road... I know 95% of this journey is what each individual person makes of it!

You know, I think the average is 100 pounds! Why do you have to have such a high bmi for insurance to pay for it? It doesn't make sense to loose only 50 pounds or so....

Hi everyone, I too am scheduled for surgery on 8/16. My Dr does require 1 week liquid diet. I am so glad to have found this site and really am looking forward to sharing this journey and reading the feedback and support for one another. You all are awsome and will do great!

welcome Laurie to the August Rush group! This website is ssssoooooooo helpful, you can't imagine!

Why do you think it is that some people only lose 30-40 pounds when other can lose 100+? Do you think it is directly related to their effort or do some just not lose as quickly as others? I have a friend who was banded last September and she has lost over 96 pounds. She said for her this whole process has been really easy with only a few minor bumps in the road... I know 95% of this journey is what each individual person makes of it!

I really don't know. I guess we will have more insight as we are all banded and really are in the fight.

My honest initial thought is that it seems that some work harder at it than others.

I have emotional eating problems and I'm afraid too that when I hit a bump that I will find a way to work around the band and indulge myself, especially in the first few months when I may not have much restriction.

My hope is to jump in and be at goal by this time next year.

I know in my heart that I will be so disappointed if this time next year I'm saying well I lost 40 lbs but I'm happy about that. Not after having surgery.

I know that is a victory in itself so I don't need anyone to come in and tell me that .

I think that there are people that lose slower than others but I've seen on these forums that it really has nothing to do with age or how much people have to lose.

I really don't know!!

I wonder how others feel.

Hey everyone!

My surgery is on MONDAY! the 2nd. I cant believe how close this is getting.

Hey everyone!

My surgery is on MONDAY! the 2nd. I cant believe how close this is getting.

Welcome!!!!

To the others reading the August 2009 group, I havne't looked at it myself to know for sure, but there's a possiblity that they just haven't updated their tickers and signatures in awhile. I know when I had my hysterectomy I posted all over the hyster sisters forums, but as soon as I was healed from surgery and living life normally, I no longer felt the need to post or troll other posts. Perhaps we should take their absence (if there is an absence!!!) as a positive sign! And if not, we just know how much harder we have to work to pull off 100 lbs. weight losses in 1 year!

Hi Fellow August Banders,

Just curious...how many days does everyone plan to take off of work for the surgery? Also...for those of you who are keeping this top secret, what have you told your employer when requesting the time off?

My surgery is on a Friday and I'm thinking of taking off Monday as well and going back Tuesday...hope this is enough time....I am a little nervous.....

HI Melissa,

My surgery is on a Monday 8/30 - I was kind of bummed b/c my surgeon could have scheduled me for 8/2 but my husband couldn't get off from work to be there with me and he really wanted to be.. so I went with 8/30 b/c he already has the whole week off. I took off Monday-Thursday but let me boss know that I may take friday off as well. I kind of got lucky b/c Labor day is the following Monday and my offices are closed so if I end up taking off friday I will get even longer w/out going back in case I need it which everyone has been telling me most likely I won't need that long.

I have told almost everyone about my surgery. I work in a medical setting in a billing office and even though there are quite a few people that I work with we are all pretty close so I told my friends at work, my supervisor, my classmates at school and of course my family. I haven't been embarrassed at all and have not had any negative reactions at all from anyone. Everyone- especially co-workers have been really excited for me and supportive. They eat A LOT at work it feels like every week there is some reason to have cake, ice cream, and pizza not to mention everyone orders out almost everyday. I am glad I let everyone know what I was going through so that they can choose healthier options and encourage me on my journey.

GOOD LUCK with everything!!:thumbup:

Hi y'all! I am set for Aug 13th for my surgery! I am doing 2-3 EAS AdvantEDGE shakes daily along w/1 meal of chicken and green veggies.

I am being banded by Dr. B at True Results here in SA, TX.

Well August Rushers......I rushed down to wall-mart this morning, and bought pudding, jello, creamy soup, protien powder (very good), and get this....something I very rarely do is ice-cream. Of course I got no sugar ice-cream...fell a little better about that. I get to do this today and tomorrow, but then Im on clear liqueds. Seeing that I never buy these, (because it would take a case of pudding or a case of yogurt to satisfy me)...It kinda feels like a treat! Wierd hugh? I even bought the stuff that makes you poop your guts out, magnesium citrate! I also got a bunch of powerade Zero to replace electrolites and keep me from being dehydrated after surgery.

I was wondering about hot sauce, and rollercoaster rides.....I like both a lot!

I have only told my boyfriend and my close sister about getting the procedure. When I first first decided to do it awhile back, I decided to keep it secret. But as time went on, with all the appointments, tests, and lifestyle changes (at least w/ the Pre-Op diet anyway so far), it's becoming a harder and harder secret to keep!!

I think after I have it done, I will at least tell my parents and other siblings. Especially if they notice at family functions that I only eat about half of what I used to. Once the surgery is done, it's done and no one can talk me out of it at that point. Though I'm the type that isn't usually persuaded once I've made up my mind.

Good luck everyone! I find myself coming to this thread daily to see how everyone is doing.

Hi everyone!

My surgery date is 8/04 and I didn't start to get excited until this morning. I've been on my diet for 13 days now (but who is counting) and I'm down 12 pounds, Pretty cool!

My husband seemed a bit reluctant at first, but he's come around. Says as long as I'm healthy and don't lose "the girls" he's happy. Men are so simple!:rolleyes2:

As far as work, my boss never asked, but she's a bit of an airhead. Anyone who asks I tell them I'm having a hiatal hernia repaired...which is true.

I've got all my precriptions filled, teas, broths, popsicles stocked up. I plan to go out tomorrow and buy some gas-x strips and a liquid pain med. I feel like I'm missing something...anyone wanna help me out? I'm even sewing a dress this weekend that I can just slip on and off easily at the hospital.

OMG we are all really doing this! How exciting!!:w00t: Good luck everyone!

I have a ?.. I haven't been to my pre-op aptt yet but I was wondering.. is everyone on a pre-op diet? I thought I had heard before that not everyone has to do a two week pre-op diet but maybe just a couple of days? Just wondering. I have been on the 6 month physician monitered diet for approval from CIGNA until the begining of this month when my six months was up. My doctor just stuck me on weight watchers and I lost some weight but not that much. My surgeon had told me that this was pretty much just to get approved for surgery that it was not a huge deal if I didn't loose a lot Pre op.

Also.. as you all are preparing for surgery what are you grabbing from the grocery store to prepare?