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

Yay! My surgery was this morning at 7:30am. The surgery staff was very nice and supportive so that calmed my nerves down. I wasn't so lucky as Nechama I am suffering from gas pain in between my shoulder blades and also around my stomach area but as long as I burp and move around it goes away. I've only taken 1 gas x strip so I think I will take another right now. The area around my port and the very top incision is very sore but I have not had to take any pain meds other than the first dose I got after I recovered. Now that I think of it the pain might have been from the gas and not from the incision.

As far as drinking liquids..I've been drinking small 8oz of bottled water; half a bottle of 8oz of apple juice and about 4 teaspoons of broth. I am finally taking my Protein shake (with no ice) and all is good. I haven't had any issues with swallowing but I am taking baby sips. Congratulations Shauna on your surgery date!! July 2011 banders rock!

My surgery is July 6th and I'm so nervous and excited.

I too don't have to do a pre-op diet except for all liquids day before.

I did have to lose 5lbs in about 6 weeks but other than that nothing extensive. I think it all depends on the surgeon and your general health, etc....just do whatever the surgeon says and you will be fine. Good luck to everyone...it will be exciting to post on the post op board after surgery!

Diana

Nechama, it is great to hear from you and I'm so glad you are doing so well!

Tammy and Aly, so sorry you had such bad days! I'll be on pre-op starting July 5th and will be joining you guys in the struggles. I feel lucky my doc is only making me do 10 days instead of his usual 14!

How is everyone else doing on their pre-ops?

Shauna

I have to say it's been tough but somehow today was easy breezy (day 7). Hang in there it gets better...eventually. I'm still constipated but other than that much better today. My mom suggested I sip warm liquids ( clear broth, tea) to help with the hunger pains and I think that's what really made today better. Four more days to go! Still have to get through our mini holiday and July forth festivities at my parents but I kinda feel like it will be easier from now on . Good luck to everyone! I love reading this post everyday!

Hello everyone....sending you a message from the hospital bed. My group requires an over night stay.

So far, so good. Got out of bed as early as I could....took a long nap and got out some more to do my laps!

Liitle pain...it's more like I've done a million crunches. Have some of the gas/shoulder pain, but feeling good over all.

Hope all the 1st people are well....thinking about all of my new friends!

I've been considering the lap band for a long time. Been reading the boards, researching, and constantly thinking about the what ifs. My insurance will not pay for it, so the other night I applied at carecredit just to see. I was approved. Wow. I haven't even seen a doctor yet.

Well today I had my first consultation and I have my surgery scheduled for July 26th. What a strange day. I feel like a very long nightmare is almost over. I know it's not going to be easy, but boy do I have the drive right now. Seriously, in one year, I will be much lighter. I'm 5'9" and need to lose 100 pounds.

I have a lot to learn, crash course. I'll be reading all weekend. Now I also have to figure out what to tell my job. I don't want them to know the reason. I hate to make something up, because I'll have to be committed to that story. It's a small company (use to be large) and taking off work is going to be a bit scary. But this is the very most important thing I can do for myself.

Glad to be here.

My surgery date is July 15th, I start my preop diet the day after the holiday, im excited and scared at the same time!

Hello everyone....sending you a message from the hospital bed. My group requires an over night stay.

So far, so good. Got out of bed as early as I could....took a long nap and got out some more to do my laps!

Liitle pain...it's more like I've done a million crunches. Have some of the gas/shoulder pain, but feeling good over all.

Hope all the 1st people are well....thinking about all of my new friends!

Wow ... I'm impressed with the July 1 checkins ! Glad you're doing well, Kevin ... take good care !

I've been considering the lap band for a long time. Been reading the boards, researching, and constantly thinking about the what ifs. My insurance will not pay for it, so the other night I applied at carecredit just to see. I was approved. Wow. I haven't even seen a doctor yet.

Well today I had my first consultation and I have my surgery scheduled for July 26th. What a strange day. I feel like a very long nightmare is almost over. I know it's not going to be easy, but boy do I have the drive right now. Seriously, in one year, I will be much lighter. I'm 5'9" and need to lose 100 pounds.

I have a lot to learn, crash course. I'll be reading all weekend. Now I also have to figure out what to tell my job. I don't want them to know the reason. I hate to make something up, because I'll have to be committed to that story. It's a small company (use to be large) and taking off work is going to be a bit scary. But this is the very most important thing I can do for myself.

Glad to be here.

Glad you are here - congratulations ! My work - HR knows - that I am having surgery but that is all. That is all they need to know

My surgery date is July 15th, I start my preop diet the day after the holiday, im excited and scared at the same time!

Labella - I'm starting pre-op on the 5th too. We can do this !!

Congratulations to all the July 1 banders... you guys are my heros! Seems like everyone that checked in has been doing great, with no big issues. That is definitely reassuring.

Day 6 of the pre-op is getting better...discovered that food itself is not my trigger, but the smell of it. I can look at the food and walk away, watch Paula Dean all day, no issue. Someone cook/heat-up some food and the smell makes me crazy hungry for it (even though I'm not hungry).

I'm going to spend this weekend cleaning my house trying to get ready for the surgery (in 11 days - wow...that was kinda scary saying that). We are going out of town next weekend, so this is it. I'm working 10 hour days every day until surgery, so it should keep me busy and go buy fast. Everyone at my work knows...and has known. I don't have issue with telling them, my friends, my neighbors (probably because it's quite common here); everyone has been supportive. They too can't wait to see the healthy me.

The only two that have issues is my two daughters (ages 20 and 14). My 14 year old who has ALWAYS been physically fit, gives me the most grief. I thought my oldest (who is built more like me, just lighter) was okay with it, but said last night..."I don't want you to be too skinny." So I asked her "what was too skinny to her?" She said, "a size 10." On my 5'2" frame, a size 10 is still an unhealthy weight. Better than the size 26 (at my high) or the 20-22 I am now. They have never seen me during my skinny phase; only pictures. I think they believe their mother will be different on the inside. Seems like I am going to have to make sure they get all the reassurance they need that mom is still mom. That will not change. I'm looking forward to being able to do things with them that my weight has prevented (like going on the 7 mile bike ride through our local nature preserve, swim at the water park and not be embarrased, etc).

I'm also looking forward to my 25th high school class reunion in 2014. I have not gone to any reunions thus far, not because of weight, just other issues going on at the time. I will look like I did in high school again and that will be fun!

Well, I hope everyone is having a great Saturday and that the July 1 banders are resting and healing beautifully. Thank you for being our leaders in battle. You have paved the way for the rest of us! You are much admired and appreciated!

Tammy

Day 3 of the pre-op for me. And it is not fun!! I am supposed to have 3 Glucerna shakes and 2 fruits daily, but there hasn't been a day yet when I didn't add an extra serving of each because I was hungry mid afternoon or in the evening. My dietician said that was "ok if I needed" but I am just paranoid that I won't be prepped correctly. Also, my husband has been awesome about preparing his own food but my kids are 4 and 5, so all day long I'm fixing them meals and snacks I can't touch I know I can do it, it just feels like the 14th will never get here. We are purposely sitting out all the holiday cookouts we were invited to just so I don't somehow justify any cheating. Sorry, I know I sound bleh...

I hope everyone who's been banded the last few days is recuperating well!!

Day 3 of the pre-op for me. And it is not fun!! I am supposed to have 3 Glucerna shakes and 2 fruits daily, but there hasn't been a day yet when I didn't add an extra serving of each because I was hungry mid afternoon or in the evening. My dietician said that was "ok if I needed" but I am just paranoid that I won't be prepped correctly. Also, my husband has been awesome about preparing his own food but my kids are 4 and 5, so all day long I'm fixing them meals and snacks I can't touch I know I can do it, it just feels like the 14th will never get here. We are purposely sitting out all the holiday cookouts we were invited to just so I don't somehow justify any cheating. Sorry, I know I sound bleh...

I hope everyone who's been banded the last few days is recuperating well!!

I can DEFINATELY relate to this. I'm on day 5 of my 7 day pre-op and its just really got me down.

I can't stick to my plan for EVEN a day! I either snack on things I'm not allowed to or can't stomach more protein bars/shakes.

Weighing in for the first time since day two tomorrow morning and I'm terrified that I won't have lost (or even gained!) even though I'm exercising my butt off and still only eating about 600 calories.

I can only have three shakes a day (and no fruit and veggies) for tomorrow and Monday and I KNOW that I'm going to struggle... Driving to Sydney (3 hours away, where my surgery is) tomorrow afternoon and have my pre-op appointment on Monday before Tuesday's surgery. It's so close but it feels SO FAR AWAY!!!

Ugh! I'm sorry for all my recent negativity... I just don't deal well with this restrictive sort of diet!

I'm SO proud of all of you for being strong enough to do this. People DON'T understand how hard this journey is, all they see is the before and after picture.

♥Aly

Aly,

I give you so much credit...aren't you around 18 if I remember correctly? I could NEVER have worked this out at your age!!! It sounds like it's been a real struggle with friends and temptations - you are only human!! At least with your travel and being away from everything "normal" in Sydney you won't be faced with the same temptations up until surgery. Hang in there honey - I think you're doing an incredible thing!! Sending a hug halfway around the world- should be there tomorrow

Love, Rebecca

Good morning July Bandsters ! Hope the July 1 bandsters had a good night and are ready to start sipping their liquids. And to those who are on the pre-op of liquid ... I am really getting nervous about this part of the journey - start on Tuesday. Spending some time this morning trying to figure out how to put together a blog. I will need something to do with my hands to avoid eating !

Any tips on starting a blog would be appreciated

I had my true last supper last night and I ate half of what I normally used to. Felt good. I was good the rest of the day so it shouldn't be a problem that I ate like that. Maybe had 1200 cals yesterday. Took kids to pool and did a mega-shop at four different grocery stores/mall/warehouse store. Know I burned it all off just bringing all that into the house!

How fares our July banders?