Got a date for my procedure. July 15th. Can't stop thinking about life afterwards. I think family and friends will look at my eating routine as weird. I keep thinking about myself eventually eating a single slice of pizza or something, and saying to myself, "That's it???" Or a tiny bit of cereal, and going, "Really? I normally want a big ass bowl!" I'm hoping that my brain's expectations of food and meal routines transitions easily, but honestly that is what is weirding me out the most. I like the flavors and textures too much, and that is what keeps getting me in trouble. Soooooo, here we go!

I hear you. I also have a date in July, 12th. I am having all sorts of feelings and emotions. But I think it is mostly happiness and excitement. Buying all these Protein powders, thinking, thinking and more thinking. Trying out different foods and yogurts which I don't really like. So this is going to be such a drastic change, but I believe it will be worth it in the end. So i wish you well. and you can do it. Just put your mind to it and stay focused. My hardest part, I think, is going to be to motivate myself to exercise and I know I definitely want to do that because it will help but also so that I don't become all flabby. But thats what's going to be very difficult for me. Is your doc putting you on a 3 week pre-op diet of Protein shakes, etc? Curious.

K

I hear you. I also have a date in July, 12th. I am having all sorts of feelings and emotions. But I think it is mostly happiness and excitement. Buying all these Protein powders, thinking, thinking and more thinking. Trying out different foods and yogurts which I don't really like. So this is going to be such a drastic change, but I believe it will be worth it in the end. So i wish you well. and you can do it. Just put your mind to it and stay focused. My hardest part, I think, is going to be to motivate myself to exercise and I know I definitely want to do that because it will help but also so that I don't become all flabby. But thats what's going to be very difficult for me. Is your doc putting you on a 3 week pre-op diet of protein shakes, etc? Curious.

K

Thanks for the well wishes....you too! No, I'm not a real big fan of exercise either. I've managed to lose weight on my own before and fell into the all or nothing routine with exercise. Not my idea of a good time. Have you tried Greek yogurts? Those are good and more filling (and more protein) than the regular stuff. Chobani or Oikos are good. I have an appt with the doc on the 20th of this month and I will get my pre-op eating details. It's my understanding that 2-4 weeks liquid diet prior to surgery is the norm.

My doctor had me eat a 1200 calorie diet to lose 20 pounds, and then I was on a full liquid diet for a week before surgery; I hear that 2 weeks is probably the most common. I just got banded 3 days ago, and already I know that I made the right choice, and that I am so proud of myself for taking the steps. Good luck with your upcoming surgery, and I hope that you do well!

Thanks for the well wishes....you too! No, I'm not a real big fan of exercise either. I've managed to lose weight on my own before and fell into the all or nothing routine with exercise. Not my idea of a good time. Have you tried Greek yogurts? Those are good and more filling (and more protein) than the regular stuff. Chobani or Oikos are good. I have an appt with the doc on the 20th of this month and I will get my pre-op eating details. It's my understanding that 2-4 weeks liquid diet prior to surgery is the norm.

My surgery is scheduled for June 27th. I also am soooo excited. I am self -paying after going through the long drawn out process five years ago only to ne turned down by my insurance company. I wish I would have do e it back then! I'm so excited that I started my liquid diet two weeks before the doctor requires. I think I really wanted to see if I could actually do it! I've lost 6 pounds so far, but have such a long way to go.

I had my last pre op dinner last night @ Saganos, a local fav Hibiatchi grill... I ate filet and shrimp, noodles, rice, veggies and soup, and I enjoyed every bite and chew through the entire meal. It was so strange for me to realize that I won't be able to even fathom eating 1/10 of what I ate last night. As I sit and sip on my optifast today, I am eager and excited but my brain is in even higher overdrive. Its going to become more real as your date gets near, trust me I never ever thought the day would get here... and here I am. I am a strong believer that "Nothing taste better than skinny and healthy feels."

I had my last pre op dinner last night @ Saganos, a local fav Hibiatchi grill... I ate filet and shrimp, noodles, rice, veggies and soup, and I enjoyed every bite and chew through the entire meal. It was so strange for me to realize that I won't be able to even fathom eating 1/10 of what I ate last night. As I sit and sip on my Optifast today, I am eager and excited but my brain is in even higher overdrive. Its going to become more real as your date gets near, trust me I never ever thought the day would get here... and here I am. I am a strong believer that "Nothing taste better than skinny and healthy feels."

Sagano rocks! Yes, they do load you up on food. That's one thing that has been in the back of my head...eating in restaurants and actually having it be a fun experience.

Thanks for the well wishes....you too! No, I'm not a real big fan of exercise either. I've managed to lose weight on my own before and fell into the all or nothing routine with exercise. Not my idea of a good time. Have you tried Greek yogurts? Those are good and more filling (and more protein) than the regular stuff. Chobani or Oikos are good. I have an appt with the doc on the 20th of this month and I will get my pre-op eating details. It's my understanding that 2-4 weeks liquid diet prior to surgery is the norm.

Hi Johnnyboy:

I just bought some Dannon Greek yogurt, but I haven't tasted it yet. Waiting until the 21st when I start my diet, which lasts 3 weeks. I hope they do taste good cause they were a dollar a piece and that's expensive. How much does the Chobani run? I have heard of that brand but not the Oikos one. Good luck with your appt. on the 20th. Keep us posted. You and I will be in this together, just 3 days apart.

I got my approval overnight, literally overnight and I go in on the 14th to schedule my surgery, so I am under the assumption I will be a July Bander!!

I am having a lot of the same concerns. I have heard when you are eating at a restaurant you learn to enjoy the company you are with and the atmosphere more than the food. She gets up goes into the restroom looks at how successful she has been as a reminder to enjoy the food, pack up the remaining portion and have it for dinner the next night.

Working out--- I love to work out, but having the motivation and the energy to do it is a completely different thing. I have decided that I will make time, and will commit in order to live a healthier and longer life for my husband and children.

I have bought the sample packet of unjury Protein shakes and loved them. In fact there is a chicken noodle soup flavor. I drank it for dinner, and i was so full like Thanksgiving full, I was really surprised!!

My emotions are going crazy too...

I too am worried about restaurant eating, and exercise,but im more worried that im no longer going to be able to drink with my meals and have to wait 30min before or after, being that im so used to that its going to be a tough one for me.

I hear what your talking about, and I think we have all been at that point, because it is a major life change.

Your Family will get use to it when they see the weight start to come off. You will have a support group there.

I go to the Restaurant about 2-3 times a week. It's not a problem, just chew your food real good, and take your

time, and enjoy it.

You should also receive a Bariatric Card about the size of your license. The purpose is to also be able to go in

a Restaurant, show your card, and tell them to read both sides. It will say that you can not eat the normal amount

of Food, so,,,,, you are entitled to a discount, and you tell them what you want. (IT WORKS !)

I show my card and save all the time.

Just make sure you chew, chew, and chew. Then you won't have any problems.

Remember,,, you just won't eat as much either.

Man getting a discount with that card, wonderful! My hubby asked me the other day id I'm sure I wanna do this? I wil be going in for surgery the end of this month or early July. Its gonns be a trip. My family is so negative. i anticipate hearing alot of snide remarks about my diet, and my portion sizes. But I'm ready.

I thought that it would be really hard to not drink with meals and to sit and sip on a protein shake while my family was eating food food, but I'm actually not bothered by it at all. It just feels like part of the process. I look at it not like I'm being deprived, but that I'm going through a special training, and these are the steps I need to take.

Man getting a discount with that card, wonderful! My hubby asked me the other day id I'm sure I wanna do this? I wil be going in for surgery the end of this month or early July. Its gonns be a trip. My family is so negative. i anticipate hearing alot of snide remarks about my diet, and my portion sizes. But I'm ready.

That sounds Great ! I hope you will enjoy the Big Island.

Started a blog at http://lapbanddude.tumblr.com/ to help myself (and maybe others) through this process. Stop by and say hi.