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

Ok...tomorrow is my clear liquids day. Then Tuesday is 'B' day and I am beginning to feel the anxiety that everyone was talking about just before surgery. I'm ready for this and have been for a long time. I am focused on my goal and by the end of the day tomorrow my household will be ready for me to return after my hospital stay. I have had 5 surgeries in the past 11 months all related to my cancer dx so I am not afraid of surgery itself or pain of any kind, but I think its the whole 'elective' aspect that is bothering me. Those other procedures were pretty much, (not to be dramatic here) but dr recommended life and death type stuff. I think the reason I am freaking out a little is because if something happens... I CHOSE this.

IDK... maybe they shouldn't let any of us preops post 2 days prior to surgery. lol! I think a lot of us reach a little bit of a panic point right around here.

You'll be fine One of the benefits of being in the July group (and being at the end of the month) is that you get to see us be all nervous, dramatic and generally freaking out. And you also see us now, perfectly fine. I read the message board nonstop in the days before my surgery. All of you guys are what got me though it (and continue to support me). I'm a giant weenie. If I got through this, anyone can. I really mean that!!

Amy

Ok...tomorrow is my clear liquids day. Then Tuesday is 'B' day and I am beginning to feel the anxiety that everyone was talking about just before surgery. I'm ready for this and have been for a long time. I am focused on my goal and by the end of the day tomorrow my household will be ready for me to return after my hospital stay. I have had 5 surgeries in the past 11 months all related to my cancer dx so I am not afraid of surgery itself or pain of any kind, but I think its the whole 'elective' aspect that is bothering me. Those other procedures were pretty much, (not to be dramatic here) but dr recommended life and death type stuff. I think the reason I am freaking out a little is because if something happens... I CHOSE this.

IDK... maybe they shouldn't let any of us preops post 2 days prior to surgery. lol! I think a lot of us reach a little bit of a panic point right around here.

You'll be fine One of the benefits of being in the July group (and being at the end of the month) is that you get to see us be all nervous, dramatic and generally freaking out. And you also see us now, perfectly fine. I read the message board nonstop in the days before my surgery. All of you guys are what got me though it (and continue to support me). I'm a giant weenie. If I got through this, anyone can. I really mean that!!

Amy

Hey girls: On my way to the hospital it is 5:00 am. surgery scheduled for 7 am. I am all of the above.....so please say a little prayer that all goes well for me as it has for our July bandsters before me. Good Luck. CAT

Hey girls: On my way to the hospital it is 5:00 am. surgery scheduled for 7 am. I am all of the above.....so please say a little prayer that all goes well for me as it has for our July bandsters before me. Good Luck. CAT

Hi Cat,

Kind of knew I would find you on line before the op. We have a great Dr. Dr. G will make sure you are well and in good hands. I will say a prayer for you today. Might see you later after the op if not see you on line and at the next meeting.

Mary

Still thinking of you all lovelies!!!

Ditto ... tomorrow is the big day!!!! Can't wait to get in there and get it over with and start the process. I am so excited, nervous, scared, happy, etc. My fear is the 'what ifs'. I am cash pay (insurance would not cover), what if my band slips, etc.? Lot's of trouble could loom, but I'm just going to have to deal with it, not when, but IF it happens.

That's the dark stuff, I'm going to try to push those things out of my head and get healthy and active. My goal is to run/walk a 5k by Thanksgiving. (it's been my goal for a few years, perhaps this year will be the one!)

Good luck to all today and to you tomorrow!!!!

Serifa

Ok...tomorrow is my clear liquids day. Then Tuesday is 'B' day and I am beginning to feel the anxiety that everyone was talking about just before surgery. I'm ready for this and have been for a long time. I am focused on my goal and by the end of the day tomorrow my household will be ready for me to return after my hospital stay. I have had 5 surgeries in the past 11 months all related to my cancer dx so I am not afraid of surgery itself or pain of any kind, but I think its the whole 'elective' aspect that is bothering me. Those other procedures were pretty much, (not to be dramatic here) but dr recommended life and death type stuff. I think the reason I am freaking out a little is because if something happens... I CHOSE this.

IDK... maybe they shouldn't let any of us preops post 2 days prior to surgery. lol! I think a lot of us reach a little bit of a panic point right around here.

Thank you for all the support Ladies! I'm feeling better this morning after a good night's sleep. About to get my day started with a cup of coffee then I'll be like the Tasmanian Devil running around the house cleaning everything before surgery tomorrow. I go to the hospital around noon time tomorrow which is going to be WONDERFUL. I love that I don't have to be up in the wee hours of the morning for this. I get to sleep in! lol

Serifa, I am hoping for a similar NSV. Our annual Susan G, Komen Race for the Cure is in September. Last year I entered and walked the 5k as a newly diagnosed patient. This year I plan to cross the finish line running as a survivor! Best of luck to you in your quest for that 5k... you CAN do it!

May I join you!? LOL.

Congrats to all the new July banders!! I have not read all 46 pages of this thread but I have read many and I see that so many are making great progress and recovering well already! Gives me hope! Thank you.

A prayer for everyone being banded this week!! We can get through these few days of nervousness and jitters and come out the other side just like the other July bandsters!!

My date is Thursday, July 28th. My friend and I are getting banded together. She goes in at 9am and I go in at 10am. So excited and of course very nervous!!

Looking forward to making this journey with all of you!!

Way to go, Razz. Are you home now? I know you had to take quite a travel adventure to get this done.

For me it was still the protein drinks the day before surgery and now for 5 days post-op is is clear liquids only.

Hello Everyone,

I was banded Thursday 7/21 and am doing well. I was a mess in the pre op room but all went well. I did have a hernia repair as well. The shoulder pain has been worse then the entrance wounds but it has all been tolerable...sometimes with the help of my roxicet perscription. I am also having trouble with what i can only assume is gas pains feeling close to my chest. I have been sticking to water and popsicles and I am back to work today. I still feel kind of jumbled up inside but seems to be doing well. Congrats to all other recent banders, and to the ones coming up....its no sweat

Way to go, Razz. Are you home now? I know you had to take quite a travel adventure to get this done.

I am back home now. I needed to spend the night and then flew home in the early afternoon. Unfortunately, I was assigned the middle seat for the 4 hour flight, and it was a bit uncomfortable.

Last night was rough, again with the shoulder pain. I also didn't expect to be as hungry as I am. I am certainly looking forward to the mushies stage at this point!

But all in all, these are just small prices that I am willing to pay to lose this weight for good.

Hi

Being banded tomorrow. Just got the call that I am the first case of the day [5:30 a.m.].

Now the emotions start full gear. Prayers tonight.

Very confidence...

God bless.

Can I join yall? I found out last week that my insurance approved surgery, but only if I have it before July is over! Seems since I started the process 2 years (!!) ago that I will have to redo stuff and resubmit to insurance if I wait any longer, so I am having surgery this Wednesday July 27! I was told to expect insurance to take 6 weeks to come back and they came back in less than five days! I am on a preop diet now, since I didnt even know I was having surgery until less than a week before I am not going to be on it for the 2 weeks my surgeon prefers. Luckily its really easy to follow, I can have real food for breakfast (choose two from: egg, bagel, toast, or yogurt), a protein shake for lunch (been buying the EAS protein shakes and like them enough) and then I can have one lean protein and green veggies for dinner and a protein shake as a fourth meal. I never get around to the fourth meal though, just make sure I keep my protein about 60-75 gms as my surgeon recommended. Ive lost 12 pounds on the preop diet! I am not worried about post-op, I am worried about something happening during surgery, but more than anything I am excited!

Can I join yall? I found out last week that my insurance approved surgery, but only if I have it before July is over! Seems since I started the process 2 years (!!) ago that I will have to redo stuff and resubmit to insurance if I wait any longer, so I am having surgery this Wednesday July 27! I was told to expect insurance to take 6 weeks to come back and they came back in less than five days! I am on a preop diet now, since I didnt even know I was having surgery until less than a week before I am not going to be on it for the 2 weeks my surgeon prefers. Luckily its really easy to follow, I can have real food for breakfast (choose two from: egg, bagel, toast, or yogurt), a protein shake for lunch (been buying the EAS protein shakes and like them enough) and then I can have one lean protein and green veggies for dinner and a protein shake as a fourth meal. I never get around to the fourth meal though, just make sure I keep my protein about 60-75 gms as my surgeon recommended. Ive lost 12 pounds on the preop diet! I am not worried about post-op, I am worried about something happening during surgery, but more than anything I am excited!

Hi Juana,

Doctor did not put me on any special diet. I did not require one but I have been careful. I just returned from Vegas yesterday. While there I had responsibly and did a lot of walking on the strip to the point that I had to buy a knee support band. I am trying not to get nervous or anxious. It is on my mind because I have a paper to write for school that I have been putting off because I cannot concentrate but have to get it done tonight. Many prayers tonight. I am going to a support meeting tonight to help me calm down. I am on the OR schedule as the first case. I am a nurse so yes I can understand what you are saying about worrying more about the procedure. We have to stay calm and pray for protection during our procedure.

I will try to post tomorrow sometime or Wednesday once I have access to my computer.

Lydia

Ah, the curse of the nurse. Knowing too much for your own good. I'm sure everything will go fine. Believe me, My overactive brain was having the same "worst case scenerio" nurse discussions with myself. I was quite the chatty Cathy in the OR asking them questions until the Ditropan hit me. No complications. I do think they snuck in a straight cath on me because when I woke up I noticed that I didn't have to pee and I thought for sure I would have to pee after all the IV fluids. It will all be over before you know it and you'll be home taking pain meds and watching your favorite shows on tv. And then you can say "OMG! I'm on the other side!"

Hi Juana,

Doctor did not put me on any special diet. I did not require one but I have been careful. I just returned from Vegas yesterday. While there I had responsibly and did a lot of walking on the strip to the point that I had to buy a knee support band. I am trying not to get nervous or anxious. It is on my mind because I have a paper to write for school that I have been putting off because I cannot concentrate but have to get it done tonight. Many prayers tonight. I am going to a support meeting tonight to help me calm down. I am on the OR schedule as the first case. I am a nurse so yes I can understand what you are saying about worrying more about the procedure. We have to stay calm and pray for protection during our procedure.

I will try to post tomorrow sometime or Wednesday once I have access to my computer.

Lydia