I have talked a little bit about this in another thread that I started in the 200+ sub folder, but i'm not sure how many of you frequent that particular sub folder, so I thought I might get more input by asking a few questions here. Please, if you can answer any of these of give me some advice, I would really appreciate it.

First of all, my surgery date has been scheduled for May 4th, so just under 3 weeks away. This has unexpectedly sent me into a panic mode where i feel like a death row inmate who has to eat everything in sight before i'm not able to eat it again. I do realize that at some point, I will be able to eat things, but just not as much, or not as fast, and I'll have to chew, and hopefully the band will take cravings away and stop the hunger monster from getting to me. Here are a few of my concerns:

1.Drinking: in the summer, it gets hot here in NYC. I get parched. One of my best loved and favorite activities is just getting a big cold bottle of Water and absolutely downing that sucker in one gulp. I am realizing that this isn't going to be possible to do after the band and it is literally scaring the crap out of me. How do you learn not to gulp big huge glasses of water?

2. do you ever get over that feeling of just wanting to take a huge bite of something? because i'm a super fat foodie type person, one of my greatest joys is just taking a huge bite of something and feeling the grease just ooze and run. (sorry if that's gross, but it's true. a huge greasy cheese burger is just the best thing ever to take a huge bite of) How do you reconcile yourself to the fact that you can never do that again?

3. What will happen to me in 20 or so years? i guess the band will stay in forever, but are there people out there who have had the band for 10 years and still have it? or have you had to have it replaced? am i going to be looking at re-banding surgeries for the rest of my life?

I am excited about the possibilities of being ...not so fat (i'll never be skinny), but i am trying to really figure out if this is something that is going to do me more harm than good. Sorry if these questions seem stupid, I am just really scared of what the future holds, and the prospect of really having to change my habits for the rest of my life when I haven't been able to do it on diets in the past, is so daunting. Am i being irrational?

What part of the bronx do you live in? I live just across the river from the bronx, near Yankee Stadium in Harlem. I am the last stop of the 3 train. My commute is easy peasy, no matter where i go within the city.

Afternoon update....well, as much as this decision is killing me, I guess there is (almost) no turning back now because I just spent almost $400 :blink:on protein shakes and other things to get me through both my 2 weeks of liquid diet and my first 10 days post op. I have everything i think i need, at least i sure do hope so.

Afternoon update....well, as much as this decision is killing me, I guess there is (almost) no turning back now because I just spent almost $400 :blink:on Protein shakes and other things to get me through both my 2 weeks of liquid diet and my first 10 days post op. I have everything i think i need, at least i sure do hope so.

Since your in the mood to spend money on Protein Shakes.

Keep this in mind.

Go to ebay, and type in MUSCLE MILK, their LIGHT will also show up, that's what you want.

Look for a lady selling Jugs of MUSCLE MILK LIGHT for $5.99. She updates frequently and it is in flavors. strawberry Milkshake is one of them that she carries, and it's good stuff. 195 CAL. 25G of Protein.

That's who I go threw.

Also look around, and compare prices.

Shirley.

hey guys, sorry it took me sooo long to get back to you all. i had jury duty for a couple of days, and I literally just got home from a meeting, sooooooooo it's been a very long, long day. thank you all so much for your honest answers. they are really, very helpful and i am feeling more and more confident with each answer that comes. really, i am. for instance, i haven't cried at all today, so that is a very big deal.

Hi Elizabeth! I live in manhattan and I work in midtown, thought i'm not originally from here...but June is my 10 year anniversary in the city so i will be able to officially call myself a new yorker.

I actually live in Staten Island but work in Manhattan, downtown.

I feel a NYC lapband luncheon coming on!!

I feel a NYC lapband luncheon coming on!!

yes, we should get a group of us together...of course we'll have to wait a couple of months until we can eat solid food. either that or meet up at a Protein shake bar.

yes, we should get a group of us together...of course we'll have to wait a couple of months until we can eat solid food. either that or meet up at a Protein shake bar.

Early summer!!! Sounds exciting.

I have some of the same fears. I crave chocolate and carbs and I do worry about the band taking away real hunger but me still dealing with the head hunger. I do think that its a good thing that I won't make it a habit of overdoing it and overeating because like Pavlov's dogs, I'll learn from consequences. I LOVE nyc. Trvael there once or twice a year and hopefully six months after this surgery I can go again and not be huffing and puffing around! Good luck to you!

The good point about chocolate, and carbs. ,,, is they are only a addiction. It will stop. You can shop around for a good protein drink that is chocolate, and still get your buzz. LOL I wouldn't invest in carnation Instant Breakfast as a Protein Drink.

It is a Breakfast substitute. You need a good protein Shake.

notsosureyet, THANK YOU so much for these questions. I've been so anxious since I got my surgery date and feeling every single one of your concerns, wondering about the answers. I've read your post and all the encouraging replies and now feel so much better. I appreciate your post very much.

you are very welcome. in some ways i feel that emotionally i have been through the 12 stages of grief. i have cried, i have laughed, i have questioned, i have denied, i have worried, i have cried some more, i have been afraid, i have cried yet more. it's been a very tough few weeks and i'm not even banded yet. everyone here has been so kind to answer my questions and so patient with me. you are in a really good place if there are other questions you want to ask. there is someone who knows the answer

Hi! Just wanted to chime in. I was banded December 8th 2010. I just now (last Friday actually) am in the 'green zone' that surgeons want us to be in.

Someone in this thread mentioned head hunger. I'm soooooooooo happy now that the hunger, really hunger...physical hunger, is finally taken away with the last fill--I can concentrate on working on my head hunger. So I guess I want to say that when you get to that bridge, if you're anything like me, you'll be so happy that you're not ravenous and wanting to inhale a small SUV...that you'll actually be able to work on head hunger. And so far (I know...it's only Tuesday) it's sooooooooooo much easier to stick to the rules.

hey guys, sorry it took me sooo long to get back to you all. i had jury duty for a couple of days, and I literally just got home from a meeting, sooooooooo it's been a very long, long day. thank you all so much for your honest answers. they are really, very helpful and i am feeling more and more confident with each answer that comes. really, i am. for instance, i haven't cried at all today, so that is a very big deal.

Hi Elizabeth! I live in manhattan and I work in midtown, thought i'm not originally from here...but June is my 10 year anniversary in the city so i will be able to officially call myself a new yorker.

By the way just letting you know that I am blaming you for having to call Jury Duty everyday this week lol jk jk!!!

Hope all is well!!!!