Hey There,

Just looking for any July 2011 banders. I just started my process, but as that I am "self-pay", I am on a fast track to surgery. Although, not terribly obese (bmi 34), I am using lap band surgery as a tool for continued success after loosing weight. I have always been able to join a program(diet or exercise or prescription) and loose weight.....I've done it several times with several different programs (not a good thing), but I always gain the weight back and more. Now that I am in my 40s, it is harder to loose and faster to come back. No more, I say! I want to be heathy in my future - family history/genetics dictates that I will/can be using a walker or wheel chair from degenerative bones and joints, heart disease, diabetes. I am trying to steer clear of that but still keep seeing myself heading in that direction, so now is the time for further action. Although apprehensive about going under, I am reading all the good things about the lap band procedure and am hoping that it is just a little more than the tubiligation and endemetrial ablasion that I had done last year. At least, I am thinking of it that way, so as to not scare myself too badly!

Lisa B - Northern Virginia

Got my labs done this morning and I'm in the process of drinking my first shake. Fruit punch crystal light and my sample of strawberry kiwi Nectar protein. 24 grams of protein, no sugar or aspartame. Wow....super sweet!! Overload - reminds me of of the glucose drink for diabetes, actually! The next flavor packet I try will not be mixed with crystal light - I'll try just plain water I think.

Whew, I didn't realize the first shake would be emotional. I'm sitting here in tears. LOL.

Amy

Wow and weight to go (pun intended) on those big losses during pre-op liquid. I'm hoping to loose 5 lbs during my two week period. My metabolism is so screwed up from a life time of .... well, you know the story.

Awwww, Amy...I get it! I was in my kitchen making dinner last night for everyone but me...and then my husband said "Wow, It smells amazing!" and I went like this , 2 minutes later he says, "Oh, By the way we have to go on a dinner with family members on July 2nd,....then I went like this (as I don't want to tell them, and I know they will ask why i'm not eating and drinking), Then my oldest daughter said at dinner..."does this lap band thing mean you'll stop cooking all this awesome food for us, We looooveeee your cooking, then I just started Bawling...(No emoticon for that) all while I was drinking my wonderful, and oh so delicious protein shake(NOT), and they were eating chicken picata! Baaaaa Humbug....But...I'm keeping my eye on the prize here!

I am realizing that this is going to effect everyone in my family, probably the way I cook in the future, the way we socialize, even the way the kids see my new lifestyle and the changes that come along with it. They are all teens so they get why i'm doing this, but they realize that this summer may be strange and full of changes for all of us.

Kevin I'm right there with ya... I'm 52 now and 377 when I started the liquid diet (one week down... surgery July 1). I was 326 a ways back.... seemed like I gained a steady 10 pounds a year. ashamed, yep... embarassed, yep.... can't stand it any more and that's why I'm here! j but hey... we're in good company... a good number of men on these pages over 40 who have done very well indeed with their bands... I wanna be one too!!

Started my pre-op diet today. I'm feeling good, but the weekend is coming up and I have a party to go to...uh boy!

I began telling people at work that I am going for the band. The responses have been very positive except for one person. I was a bit surprised, but I didn't take it personally.

Funny, I have all these emotions going on and just yesterday I felt ashamed...embarrassed. I guess the reality of my disease kicked me right between the eyes. I kept asking myself how did I allow this to happen to me? I am 326lbs and 43 years old. When was I going to hit 400...would I even make it to 50?

My lapband surgery is scheduled for July 29, 2011.

I'm with you as well, just never thought I would get to this point.

Kevin I'm right there with ya... I'm 52 now and 377 when I started the liquid diet (one week down... surgery July 1). I was 326 a ways back.... seemed like I gained a steady 10 pounds a year. ashamed, yep... embarassed, yep.... can't stand it any more and that's why I'm here! j but hey... we're in good company... a good number of men on these pages over 40 who have done very well indeed with their bands... I wanna be one too!!

Cheers to final meals! And my God help me tomorrow morning when I have to dump the first little packet into the cup <gulp>. It will all be worth it!

Amy

how are the shakes going? started mine today, so far no cheating, and it's not that bad...i just hope i can keep it up for 6 more days!

Well, July Banders

I had my Upper GI and Sonogram yesterday. just need all results to make it to my bariatric surgeons office and i will be set to go. next appointment is next Friday for my pre-op and then the following Thursday, July 7th is my day. I will start my optifast on July 1, right as we are heading to Lake Anna, Va for the long holiday weekend. Good times. How will I take watching everyone eat while i and sucking down 8 ounces of yummy chocolate goodness!!!!

I can do this......I can do this......I can do this!!!!

Take care banders

Lisa B -

so i am finding i am not really hungry on this liquid diet, just used to putting something in my mouth unnecessarily...anyone have similar thoughts? i am afraid i will break after a day or two, or maybe it will get easier, i am not sure?

Two shakes down! I can't say that I feel the slightest bit satisfied, though. I was really anxious earlier (just feeling lightheaded and hungry) and kind of feeling like I was going nuts at home. I went to Target and got a bunch of stuff for pre and post op. Finally got a scale too. I don't think there has been a minute of the entire day that I haven't thought about the surgery. The smell of freshly popped popcorn at Target nearly drove me batty though!! Torture. All worth it though. <exhale> We can do this. We CAN!

Amy

how are the shakes going? started mine today, so far no cheating, and it's not that bad...i just hope i can keep it up for 6 more days!

I have a headache and miss my coffee like you wouldn't believe. Other than that day one was OK. Eleven days to go!

You can all DO THIS~ It does get easier as the days pass and keep THE BIG PICTURE IN MIND - Why youa re doing this - the first step of a new Journey (And it is not forever :bananalama:

I'm trying some different shakes....but I feel like I could eat my own flesh!!! I'm so hungry!!

so i am finding i am not really hungry on this liquid diet, just used to putting something in my mouth unnecessarily...anyone have similar thoughts? i am afraid i will break after a day or two, or maybe it will get easier, i am not sure?

WOW!! I haven't been on LBT for a few days, and what a difference a few days can make!! SO much going on and so many new folks...welcome all!! It makes me feel sooo good to know that there are so many other people out there going the same emotions and fears as me. (good and bad)

I had my upper GI and my endoscopy today. Two words.....NOT FUN! The upper GI was a piece of cake (cake sounds good lol). The endoscopy was horrible, They used a tube the size of a vacuum cord and I was awake for the whole thing. My throat is still pretty sore. But the good news is, as the dr quoted, I have a "beautiful esophagus!" So to look on the bright side I am one step closer to band land...woohoo!

For the first time in my journey so far, I actually had doubts today. I had a quick spell of "Am I doing the right thing?" So I decided to come catch up on LBT. Can I just say, you guys are amazing! And exaclty what I needed to get my head right! After reading everyones progress and comments, I knew again I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing! Thanks to each and every one of you!

Is anyone else from Massachusetts? Or New England? I am from Central Mass and it would be really cool to meet some local folks who're walking the same walk.

Oh and Shauna...you're the best! I love how you seem to be the glue that holds this thread together Thanks for the list and the time you put into putting that together. My name real name is Steph if you'd like to add that.

My surgery date is July 13th! I'm really excited, yet kind of nervous. I'm a 40 year old mother of three. I have been overweight half my life (since becoming pregnant with my first daughter). I'm not wanting to be skinny, just healthy. I've lost about 20 pounds (only needed to lose 12) since February. A lot of lifestyle changes. I gave up caffeine completely in March. Not a soda drinker, but love my ice tea. I've been drinking a Protein shake for Breakfast about 5 days a week for about 3 months now. Start my pre-op liquid diet on Monday.

My only concern is not drinking before or after eating. I'm still having trouble with breaking that habit. Any suggestions?

My stats: Starting weight 249/BMI 46, current weight 229/BMI 42. Looking to get down to 125 pounds.