I finally got my insurance approval only to find out that my surgeon's hospital doesn't have availability until March! So now I'm scheduled for my band on March 6, 2013.

I've been doing a pre-op diet of 2 shakes and one small meal per day since Jan 2. So far only a couple mis-steps but I'm really looking forward to having the band as a tool to help me out. And I look forward to chatting with other March Bandsters!

Seems to be a great date! How long do your shakes keep you full?

My Date is March 18th.... scared out of my mind... trying to envision all the positives "to be"....my new life my new future... I know it is going to be hard not to eat all the foods I love... but being skinny hopefully will overcome that. Good luck to everyone of you... this is not the easy road that everyone around us says... it is going to take alot of changes and hard work from each of us...

To answer a question asked a page or two ago, I have some of the GNC shakes, but I honestly don't think that they are worth the added price, compared with the stuff I bought at Costco, which makes twice the number of shakes for half the price. So far today, I have had shakes and tuna, and I am honestly satisfied. I drink a lot of water and tea! The shakes stick with me for at least a couple of hours. The only difficult time I have had was when I could smell dinner cooking for the rest of the family, but it was head hunger, not stomach hunger.

I am really looking forward to surgery! I am having banded plication, and would love to connect with others who may also be having it.

Ok ladies and gentleman, day 2 on these shakes is not so fun. I breezed through yesterday not hungry at all and I woke up this morning starving. Had a shake at 6am and some chicken broth at 8am and I am still hungry! I knew it was to good to be true. And I am aware that this is only the beginning and am thankful I am doing the shakes because I will be grateful when I am on clear liquids for 2 weeks. Just venting.

I was officially approved today! :-)

Congrats d9leigh!!!

I can't remember all of the March dates, does anyone else have a March 4th date or am I a loaner??

Ok ladies and gentleman, day 2 on these shakes is not so fun. I breezed through yesterday not hungry at all and I woke up this morning starving. Had a shake at 6am and some chicken broth at 8am and I am still hungry! I knew it was to good to be true. And I am aware that this is only the beginning and am thankful I am doing the shakes because I will be grateful when I am on clear liquids for 2 weeks. Just venting.

Listen lady, this is the place to vent! It's a dramatic transition and it SUCKS.

The first week of my pre-op diet, I slept like 12 hours every day/night because when I was awake all I could think was "When is the next shake?!" (I know it's a luxury to have the time to sleep that much, I'm thankful for that)

But after Day 4, I got this sense of empowerment because I wasn't that hungry anymore. It really sucked at first but I did get to a place where I felt good and then the scale rewarded me with some poundage lost so that helped motivate me more.

March 12th is my day!!! I am so excited!!! I start my liquid diet (Protein shakes for 2 meals and soup for one meal) on the 26th. I am a little nervous but have been through this in the past with my husband. He had lapband 2 years ago and has gone form 350 to 225. Yes he weighs less than me now. That is a hard pill to swallow. The good news is I sort of understand what I am getting myself into the bad news is I sort of already know what I am getting myself into... lol I have seen him go through it all and it didnt look too fun in the beginning. I will say he says he wouldnt change a thing and it was the best decision he has ever made. I cant wait to lose some of this weight and have more energy. I hear that guys lose it faster so I hope I dont get discouraged. I look forward to keeping up with everyone here.

that's awesome you have a live-in band buddy and partner for life! Good luck to you both

I can't remember all of the March dates, does anyone else have a March 4th date or am I a loaner??

Yep! March 4 for me too =) Day 4 of my pre-op diet and I'm getting by...easier than I thought actually...plus I lost my first 5 lbs!!

yay that's great to hear.. Keep me posted.. 03/04/13 is our "Big Day" nervous & excited!!

My Date is March 18th.... scared out of my mind... trying to envision all the positives "to be"....my new life my new future... I know it is going to be hard not to eat all the foods I love... but being skinny hopefully will overcome that. Good luck to everyone of you... this is not the easy road that everyone around us says... it is going to take alot of changes and hard work from each of us...

Glad I have a fellow March 18th band buddy!

I'm March 18th too!!! FREAKING OUT! I'm so excited, but not looking forward to telling my dad... I mentioned wanting a band about a year ago and my family just doesn't think that I need it. "Work your little a** off to work your little a** off." Has anyone else experienced people saying that you don't "need" the band? My consultation was on February 6 and my insurance approved 2 weeks later. I think I'm obviously a good candidate.

I read all of this thread - I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone! Good luck on the pre op diets - mine starts 2 weeks out ???

My surgeon is Dr. Van Vallina at Central DuPage Hospital/ Cadence Health.

We really ought to start a group amongst ourselves that meets at a Starbucks once a month!!