I just wanted to start a March group. My surgery date is March 2nd.

Today I started my pre-op liver shrinking diet. The next 14 days should be a piece of cake. I've actually been practicing the diet for about a week now and have lost weight already. Surgery is on March 15th. I met with my NP and made my payments for the surgery and I'm all set now. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. No more poor eating habits. Portion control' date=' exercise and lots and lots of prayer for will power and strength![/quote']

Hey I am self pay too... from start till surgery how long did it take u???

Hi there! I am march 22 nd as well. I am self pay and going to Dr Ortiz in Mexico. I am going completely alone. My mother is quite worried but I'm a 37 year old single mother of two and a career woman... I assure her I wot have any issues.

I've started my pro op diet early. All liquids for me from march 1st band date. It's more than was recommended, but In my imagination, I'd like my stomach as shrunk as possible for the surgery in hopes that this will reduce swelling and associated symptoms. My surgery is on Thursday, I fly home Friday morning and back to work on Monday. I'm 5'7 and 199 lbs.... But I was 260 when I started my weight loss journey. For three years now I struggle to maintain at 199 and I bounce up to 215, and back to 190 on a regular basis. I'm sick of the roller coaster I've been on since age sixteen. I told a co worker I was having this done, and she was very judgmental saying I'm not obese enough. That may or may not be true. My mother said something to me that I found fairly profound... For me the surgery is stupid from a medical standpoint, but it's the right thing to do from an emotional standpoint. I want to live a life that isn't all consumed by food. Eating, thinking about eating, trying not to eat, or besting myself up when I mess up my diet. It's time to get on with life.

To all other march bandsters, thank you for posting. I love reading people's stories about this process. I will do my best to add to the legacy and be sure to post good follow up information.

i think you are very brave to go on your own.. .you deserve all the best.

congratulations for breaking through all the negative barriers and going ahead with it. it is an emotional roller coaster and all of us to a greater or lesser degree have had to struggle with it, Others however who arent having surgery or who wont have it have no idea of the roller coast effect that obesity causes, and how it does impact our lives. and, im talking about all age groups here, not just adults in the prime, but 60's and older as well.

its a big issue. i want the emotional baggage to be gone as well as the weight after i have my surgery. that will take twenty years off my life, i can tell you.

Your co worker has no idea, an whats more i dont think she deserves to be a confidant . people who are way too judgemental really make me mad.

Im not saying that my kids would be judgmental but im not telling anyone at all apart from my hubbie. im not leaving myself open to any criticism at all. i dont need negaties just positives.; there is destructive power in negative words. if one cant get positives from friends and relatives then dont tell them. they dont need to know. we have this forum for positive feedback and support

March 13th for me....on day 4 of the pre op diet. SO far doing well. I have just found the Blender Bottle with blender ball. I LOVE it....now I just wish I could find a protien powder that I like. I go for my blood work and other tests on Monday so the goal is to stop at the local Vitamin Shoppe, where I've been told they have a protien shake by the name of nectar. Can't wait to try it out. Good luck to all that are getting banded this next week. Exciting & scary all at the same time.

I suggest going to the Syntrax websit and ordering a sample pack from them. You get to try all of the flavors and not worry about getting stuck with a big tub of something yucky! I personally like the twisted cherry flavor and just recently ordered the unflavored. I have 2 big tubs of Protein Powder now and I'm ready to start my pre-op diet on the 9th, surgery is on the 23rd. I really like the unflavored powder... there is no weird smell and you really can't taste it!

My BMI is 34

you have done really well so far, even without the band. way to go. when do you finish up work to go?? are you working right up until thursday? how long is the trip for you??

ONLY ONE MORE DAY TO GO... YIKES

will be thinking of you on monday.. you will do really well im sure.

Nearly there newme. It's nearly the day. :-)

i think you are very brave to go on your own.. .you deserve all the best.

congratulations for breaking through all the negative barriers and going ahead with it. it is an emotional roller coaster and all of us to a greater or lesser degree have had to struggle with it, Others however who arent having surgery or who wont have it have no idea of the roller coast effect that obesity causes, and how it does impact our lives. and, im talking about all age groups here, not just adults in the prime, but 60's and older as well.

its a big issue. i want the emotional baggage to be gone as well as the weight after i have my surgery. that will take twenty years off my life, i can tell you.

Your co worker has no idea, an whats more i dont think she deserves to be a confidant . people who are way too judgemental really make me mad.

Im not saying that my kids would be judgmental but im not telling anyone at all apart from my hubbie. im not leaving myself open to any criticism at all. i dont need negaties just positives.; there is destructive power in negative words. if one cant get positives from friends and relatives then dont tell them. they dont need to know. we have this forum for positive feedback and support

Amen!! This is so true! I have been tempted to tell a few of my co-workers then I think better of it for this reason. They would only be negative about it and use it to hurt me. I really hate where I work but love what I do so thats why I stay. My co-workers will take the slightest "thing" whether its something you said or you did and tell everyone to have the advantage on others. They are nothing but back stabbing and negative about everything.. I am trying to stay one more year for my kids and then transfer somewhere else.

If someone is going to put you down or not support you, then you don't need them as a friend/confidant. I have people on this board and family as support.

Judy

That's one of the greatest thing about this forum "support" I have gained so much insight into pre-op post-op diets and the procedure itself. My surgery is this coming Friday and I feel well prepared because of the enormous information and support from here.

D

Amen!! This is so true! I have been tempted to tell a few of my co-workers then I think better of it for this reason. They would only be negative about it and use it to hurt me. I really hate where I work but love what I do so thats why I stay. My co-workers will take the slightest "thing" whether its something you said or you did and tell everyone to have the advantage on others. They are nothing but back stabbing and negative about everything.. I am trying to stay one more year for my kids and then transfer somewhere else.

If someone is going to put you down or not support you, then you don't need them as a friend/confidant. I have people on this board and family as support.

good on you. i hope it all goes well with you.. and you are right, this forum is a wonderful support. i dont know where i would have been mentally and emotionally if it werent for this forum. when i see my dr on wednesday i will be able to talk with him on a far better footing that i ever had before. that means a lot to me. in fact i couldnt get a more positive start than that.

Judy

That's one of the greatest thing about this forum "support" I have gained so much insight into pre-op post-op diets and the procedure itself. My surgery is this coming Friday and I feel well prepared because of the enormous information and support from here.

D

so your op is friday?? all the very best to you for friday.. keep posting.. im praying for you.. and for all the others who are banded this week.

I have the bottle with the blender ball..its so much fun..haha

can i ask what a bottle with a blender ball is please?? lol.. remember, im an aussie. lol.

Day 3 of pre-op diet. Optifast 900 three times a day plus up to 2 cups of veggies for the whole day. I find it very interesting how pre-op diets vary so much. Shakes were provided as part of payment. I was also wondering what a blender ball is all about.

Ok it is almost that time. In 8 hrs I will be up heading to the hospital!! March 5th bansters good luck to all. Praying that we all make it through with no difficulties... will post again when I can... YYYAAYYYY its our turn.....

Good luck if u r getting banded on March 5th!

Ok it is almost that time. In 8 hrs I will be up heading to the hospital!! March 5th bansters good luck to all. Praying that we all make it through with no difficulties... will post again when I can... YYYAAYYYY its our turn.....

Good Luck! Keep us posted YAY So exciting the time is getting close.

I am so full tonight. It finally kicked in on Day 10! My mouth is really dry, I wonder if thats from the Protein shakes?