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

I got my date today i will be banded on July 20 am so happy! Good luck july banders!

@LisaB: who did your surgery? Dr. Moazzez did mine and I was very pleased with Bluepoint.

Thanks for all the feedback on the shots! I think I will be able to do them.

Good news...I finally got my final clearance from my PCP along with all blood work, etc. I was already scheduled but I guess it was possible that something could hold it up if something came back on the tests. So it is a definite go for the 15th. I'm as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! How is everyone else dealing with the anxiety, or downright cold feet?

Shauna

Here is our updated list, nobody up until the 11th:

No date yet: kychick1294, 30Something (JeVona), nickieredd79

June 27:pkjjm31049

June 30: Nechama L

July 1: jenjaw, nancy2011, amjcal, Tracy N, xlstan, Wendy Muehleisen, ahassan, KevinM, Banded Karebear, lifeisjustbeginning2011 (Amy)

July 5: AlyGurl (Aly), MassMom01527 (Steph), Allison0927, Harvest Farmer, wannabe21bmi (Kate), Kim from CT, blackmajyk, Xtinabrown13, Ecinaj, Wanttobeskinny22

July 6: lizzy21050, crash878905, Lorelei, Kimiky, Diana1980

July 7: nesportsfan, hokdo, songbird5769, Short and Chunky, LisaB68, pinktink, dare2bthin

July 11: dixiechick, honeybunny, Jessica43082, hlong1985, Breezybbyy, BANDme_LUV, jengy, leemuise

July 12: BandedApril (April), merlina, mfrancis, Kay Adams

July 13: CurlyDiva, Tammy A, Lisa_MC, Ginasjmm4

July 14: crystalddm, BandItOrLoseIt, MassMommyRebecca, schmidty42, NewCruiseGirl2011, Denise'sjourney, Meerkat135, dmhanaphy (Dawn Marie)

July 15: Shauna Deanne, Corize, JohnnyBoy, Labella624, Moe-Moe

July 18: Colee85, Bandmebaby!, ANewMe63

July 19: Mrs. Schultz, karmaandkismet

July 20: Carmen16

July 21: NomersCat, Coco's mum, Rock4Light401

July 22: razzcat, Kgirl1960 (Kristy), BamaBrandy

July 25: cat lady, dropsizes (Mary)

July 26: Serifa

July 27: Healthy4Ever

July 28: Erica Pizzi, whitetiger011680

July 29: ButterflyM, PungosMama

I'm on day 4 of my pre-op and I can't decide if it's getting easier or harder! It's a little easier now as I'm not constantly thinking about foods I can't have (although I did drive by a Carl's Jr. today and briefly had a thought!). But I'm finding myself hungrier and hungrier, and the things I'm allowed don't make me feel full. I'm so lucky because I'm not on a full liquid diet, I would be cheating like all get out! I'm already cheating a little bit by putting a little BBQ sauce on my plain chicken. I'm also allowed plain turkey, egg whites (ewww), and plain tuna. Again, I'm probably gonna cheat a little by putting some mayo in the tuna. Is that horrible? This whole pre-op diet just seems kind of ridiculous since so many doctors don't even require it...I mean, how important can it be then?

Shauna

I don't know how important it actually is, but I do know that I had a weak moment tonight and ate Pasta with my kids and am now a nervous, guilty wreck!

I'm on day 4 of my pre-op and I can't decide if it's getting easier or harder! It's a little easier now as I'm not constantly thinking about foods I can't have (although I did drive by a Carl's Jr. today and briefly had a thought!). But I'm finding myself hungrier and hungrier, and the things I'm allowed don't make me feel full. I'm so lucky because I'm not on a full liquid diet, I would be cheating like all get out! I'm already cheating a little bit by putting a little BBQ sauce on my plain chicken. I'm also allowed plain turkey, egg whites (ewww), and plain tuna. Again, I'm probably gonna cheat a little by putting some mayo in the tuna. Is that horrible? This whole pre-op diet just seems kind of ridiculous since so many doctors don't even require it...I mean, how important can it be then?

Shauna

All you can do is your best.

Amy

I'm on day 4 of my pre-op and I can't decide if it's getting easier or harder! It's a little easier now as I'm not constantly thinking about foods I can't have (although I did drive by a Carl's Jr. today and briefly had a thought!). But I'm finding myself hungrier and hungrier, and the things I'm allowed don't make me feel full. I'm so lucky because I'm not on a full liquid diet, I would be cheating like all get out! I'm already cheating a little bit by putting a little BBQ sauce on my plain chicken. I'm also allowed plain turkey, egg whites (ewww), and plain tuna. Again, I'm probably gonna cheat a little by putting some mayo in the tuna. Is that horrible? This whole pre-op diet just seems kind of ridiculous since so many doctors don't even require it...I mean, how important can it be then?

Shauna

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Ok, so I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet. I think my husband secretly hates me or something. The first day of my pre-op diet he took the kids out for frozen yogurt. Tonight he orders in pizza. What the hell is he trying to do to me? He's not been real thrilled about me having the procedure done, but this is just sadistic. On top of everything else, the liquid diet is doing nothing to help my IBS right now. I'm taking my meds for IBS but everything is cycling through me so fast and I keep having to go to the bathroom (not to pee). I think that part is more miserable than the diet itself.

I kind of have the same reaction to the pre-op diet. A friend of mine abroad had lap band surgery and they don't do a pre-op there. As he said, "You take someone who is going through the DRASTIC measure of having surgery to control the amount of food they consume and then ask them to DRASTICALLY REDUCE the amount of food they consume so they can have surgery?!! How crazy is that?!!"

Still, I decided to give it my best, and am doing really well. It was hell the first 3-4 days, I felt light headed and out of sorts (as I did years ago when I tried the South Beach Diet). I think it's the carb detox. However, I did take some creative license. I can't stand the vanilla "flavor" of these Protein Drinks. Throw in a few frozen strawberries and it makes it almost yummy. And since my one meal a day says "4 oz. of lean Protein," I also considered it open to interpretation and assumed that's 4 oz cooked. And, btw, light mayo once a day is on my pre-op. So, if a little BBQ sauce is keeping you sane and you are reducing your overall intake by a lot, AND if you are eating way more protein than carbs and fat, then you are surely reducing the size and fattiness of your liver. Which is, after all, the goal.

The self-inflicted shot business might have been a deal-breaker for me. I hate needles...You are a trooper!

I'm on day 4 of my pre-op and I can't decide if it's getting easier or harder! It's a little easier now as I'm not constantly thinking about foods I can't have (although I did drive by a Carl's Jr. today and briefly had a thought!). But I'm finding myself hungrier and hungrier, and the things I'm allowed don't make me feel full. I'm so lucky because I'm not on a full liquid diet, I would be cheating like all get out! I'm already cheating a little bit by putting a little BBQ sauce on my plain chicken. I'm also allowed plain turkey, egg whites (ewww), and plain tuna. Again, I'm probably gonna cheat a little by putting some mayo in the tuna. Is that horrible? This whole pre-op diet just seems kind of ridiculous since so many doctors don't even require it...I mean, how important can it be then?

Shauna

Ok, so here is a non-lap band, non-food question: does anyone know how to bookmark forums on LBT? My unsophisticated method is that I'm bookmarking this and the July Bandsters forums on my browser, but it doesn't take me to the end of the thread (just to wherever I bookmarked). I'm sure there must be an easier way, right? We are all so prolific that I get constant emails about updates. Much as I love you all, I'd really rather log on when I can and not clutter up my email...

I'm getting banded on the 26th, saw my nutritionist today and will start pre-op diet on Tuesday the 12th. My surgeon is having me follow the Atkins low carb diet. I did Atkins in the past so I am familiar with it. I don't really like eating all that meat, but I am thankful that it's not all liquid. Seems like there is plenty of that after surgery.

I'm getting so very exciting. It feels so awesome to know that this is a diet that will work. I know the road will be hard, but it will work. That's all I want, a fighting chance!

Good luck to everyone!!!

Serifa

Good Luck Peeps - I'm a July Bander too ;0) 7/07 - 4 yrs this month

Your band is a great tool - use it wisely - make the lifetime lifestyle change in your eating and exercise habits and you will succeed..

52 when banded 250 lbs - today 56 and 136-139 lbs - feel 10 yrs younger - have 100% more energy..

I lost the majority of my weight in the 1st yr (105 lbs) then lost the rest in the next few months..

I have never dieted - I eat healthy - I exercise - I kept a food diary the 1st yr - counting calories & pt grms - I also weighed and measured my food till I learned what a 1/4 looks like or 4 oz of meat..

Prayers for a safe surgeries & speedy recoveries for all of you..

Good Luck Peeps - I'm a July Bander too ;0) 7/07 - 4 yrs this month

Your band is a great tool - use it wisely - make the lifetime lifestyle change in your eating and exercise habits and you will succeed..

52 when banded 250 lbs - today 56 and 136-139 lbs - feel 10 yrs younger - have 100% more energy..

I lost the majority of my weight in the 1st yr (105 lbs) then lost the rest in the next few months..

I have never dieted - I eat healthy - I exercise - I kept a food diary the 1st yr - counting calories & pt grms - I also weighed and measured my food till I learned what a 1/4 looks like or 4 oz of meat..

Prayers for a safe surgeries & speedy recoveries for all of you..

thats awesome, there is strength in numbers.

Jen- that's awesome!!

Hey there,

Dr. Nain did my surgery. During my stay at Potomac, I saw Dr. Nain three times, the Nurse Practitioner and Dr. Halmi stopped by to see how I was doing. Very nice, organized practice. I think I won't mind all the after care that us banders have to have.

Lisa

@LisaB: who did your surgery? Dr. Moazzez did mine and I was very pleased with Bluepoint.