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

Big day coming up... 7/14... band + plication + gallbladder removal all in one surgery.. Being nervous is normal I suppose! I'm on my first day of the 2-day pre-op clear liquid diet. Have lost 14+ lbs since my first pre-op appointment on 5/24 by only cutting carbs really--nothing else, just cutting carbs down to 30 grams per day at most. I am nervous about the lever being too big God forbid. The doc scared the crap out of us and showed some gruesome pictures of the past patient whose liver was too big and caused complications. The blood work doesn't show sign of fatty lever (used to big time back in '07). Wife and I are confident that since we followed the diet religiously and got the lbs down, that I should be OK. Let's hope so! Oh did I mention I'm nervous?!

You're having your lapband AND your gallbladder out at the same time. Your motto must be "Go big or go home"! I wish you all the luck in the world. My surgery is the 19th and I'm nervous but I'm trying not to think about it too much right now. I'm sure everything will go fine for you. Of course, you probably won't be able to go to the midnight showing of Harry Potter, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Post-op appointment went fine today. Spent about 30 minutes talking to the nutritionist, saw the surgeon to show off my incisions, had a barium swallow to make sure the band was placed correctly and there were no holes, all good news. I got a little gift package thing that has a 1 minute timer, measuring cups and a DVD to watch. There's also a post-op literature packet from lapband with an emergency card to put a wallet. All of my steri-strips are off now, but man is the skin irritated where the adhesive was - and super itchy.

I'll post some pictures on my blog. I asked for my own picture of the lapband inside of me and the doc happily printed out an extra for me. I'll put that on the blog, too.

Amy

My link

Going to the hospital today for my pre-op blood work. Hoping to see a drop on the scale while I'm there. Excitedly awaiting surgery on the 28th.

So much has gone on this week...we had a freak storm come through Monday morning and we have been without power since Monday morning. Thought my surgery would be cancelled, but that area of Chicago still has power. Pre-op diet day 10-14 went like a charm; had a hard time getting four shakes down a day. Usually three was all I could take.

Getting ready to leave for the hospital in about 15 minutes. Not really nervous; ready to get it done. Will have one overnight in the hospital and then home some time tomorrow. Hopefully the power will be back on.

Best of luck to my fellow July 13th banders. I am with you in thought and prayers.

To all the July banders still on pre-op...hang in there. You got this!

All my love,

Tammy

Good luck Tammy

Dawn Marie

4 days into my pre op diet. Warm buttery mashed potatoes please...ughhh

Just got my date!!! I'm SO excited to be getting my band July 26th. Just started my liquid diet using my Doctor's recommended brand "Bariatric Advantage" It tastes like crap, but whatever, I just feel privileged to be in this position.

WOOOOHOOOO!

Hi MustangMama,

My surgery is also on the 26th. So very excited! I'm on my pre-op, but it's a modified Adkins. Strange how doctor's have different guidelines. After surgery, I am going to be 7 days clear liquids, 7 days full, liquids, 2 week mush. And I can't wait!

Serifa

YAY!!! We'll be band Twinkies Serifa! I have to do 12 days of liquids... then the day before surgery clear liquids, then 2 weeks of liquids post op. I wish I could do modified atkins... but I won't be complaining, I'm just so thrilled to see my surgery date circled on the calendar.

Surgery tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. So very excited.

Hey everyone!!! Just checking in to let everyone know the surgery went great! I've been walking like a mad woman, but the gas pain is still kicking my butt! Not too much pain at the incision sites, really only the gas, and gas x isn't helping :-( will post my surgery say story tomorrow!

Hope all of my fellow 7-13 followers are doing well!

Best of luck CruiseGirl!

Here is our updated list - a whole bunch of people being banded tomorrow!:

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, JulieB0802

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, Anjiie

July 20: Carmen16

July 21: NomersCat, Coco's mum, Rock4Light401, TWILLED

July 22: razzcat, Kgirl1960 (Kristy), BamaBrandy

July 25: cat lady, dropsizes (Mary)

July 26: Serifa, MustangMama

July 27: Healthy4Ever

July 28: Erica Pizzi, whitetiger011680

July 29: ButterflyM, PungosMama

Hi All, I am very new to this site.....just thinking of LBS right now. But I have used Isagenix shakes. They are not just a meal supplement, but a meal replacement. A bit pricey, but worth it. Also, JBN (Just Be Natural) has awesome protein shakes and a very reasonably priced. www.jbn.com

Good luck to All,

Margen610

Jenjaw,

I think she's right, when it comes to taste...you definitely get what you pay for. I would be careful with GNC products though. Most of their products are WAY overpriced! Once you find what you like, try to get it online. Also, some stores, such as walmart, (who acutally have ALOT to choose from) will let you buy online and ship to a store near you for free. That way you just pick up your purchase, you don't have to worry if they have what you like in stock.

One other suggestion...Glucerna has a butter pecan flavor that will do the trick when you need something different and sweet.