Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

I don[t have port pain either. My port is in a strange place, like up from waist but more in middle of stomach. I can sleep on either side. I do have a catch on my right side and had it right from waking up from surgery. That is the only place I've had pain. There is nothing there but one incisision way down low. They told me that's where the camera was inserted. I'm not complaining either!

You shouldn't have any restrictions drinking. There is nothing to stop anything as the pouch is unfilled and probably not swollen. I have been able to drink well from the start. We will be the ones that have to have wil power until the first fill as we will probably be able to eat more than we should with no problem. Liquids are so the stomach doesn't work too hard and pull stitches.

Continued good luck.

I am one week out today and lost 9 lbs for a total of 20!!! This has been so easy!!

Hootiebelle: I hope it continues to be easy for you. I have decided to go on low carb mushies because the Carbdevil has convinced me to eat more than I should the past few days. After my swelling went down, it was not easy any more for me.

I have still maintained the 12 lb weight loss, but the scale has not moved since.

Ok, so I have edited this to add the following:

Do you guys have a schedule that you follow? This morning, I ate Breakfast before drinking anything, now 3/4 of the way thru a bottle of Water, and then I will eat lunch. Do you think the eat, bottle water, eat, bottle water will work to get in all the liquids and keep us full?

What do you do?

Hello June Band Crew

I am less than 24 hrs away from the band.

I believe I have lost @ 14 #'s on this liquid diet -and honestly it hasn't been that terrible - I am having no hunger pains BUT do fight the boredum head hunger.

I haven't felt the excitement yet - I still feel pretty calm. Hopefully I will not be a basketcase in the morning.

My mom is coming to watch the kids tomorrow - so I am going to have her measure my body and then take the before pictures. I also want a few pictures with my children before I leave.

I go in at 10:30 am and hopefully will get out @ noon on Wednesday. (need to complete a Barium Swallow and drink a certian amount of Water in 3 hours time before they will let you out.)

I will come home to Clear Liquids for 2-3 days followed by 1-2 weeks of regular liquid diet. then the lovely mushy stage to follow.

Here's wishing good luck to my other June 20th banders!!

I will check in after I get back.

Tracy

I started with such a high BMI ( 59) i expect it to be easy for a while ......I was clear liquids last week...this week full liquids next week mushies...after that week real food ..I drink something constantly water, crystal light, some jucies..........protien shakes....

I agree Hootiebelle,

So far this has been easy. I want to use the word "easy" lightly though as I know it still takes will power and self discipline, especially until we reach that "sweet" spot with our fills.

Melissa Lea:hippie:

Spivak

06/09/06

self-pay

ON Oprah today she said losing weight is a decision...We decided to get a lap band ...We must decide to do our part...and i believe if we play by the band rules to the best of our ability we can do great things for ourselves:scared:

8 hours and counting till surgery. After almost 2 years of research, tips to doctors office, waiting and wanting this so badly the hours finally draw near and now I am getting nervious. My head knows what I am doing is the right decision but my stomach is full of butterflies. Was anyone else as nervious going just before your surgery??

Everyone is nervous before. EVERYONE. It is a big step. Just close your eyes and go!

I agree! It's one week from tomorrow for me and I must say I have a

different attitude than I did..oh say a month ago! It's becoming a reality that I am going to have this thing implanted in me...hopefully permanently.

Then there are the what if's... What if this doesn't work for me like it does other people..What if my body doesn't appreciate me sticking something inside of it... What if I go back to eating like I do now. Sorry don't mean to be negative. Maybe I just need some affirmation. My surgery coordinator said that according to my eating habits and weight loss patterns the lap band is PERFECT for me! I am just going to keep telling myself that! THIS IS GOING TO WORK! I am going to be at a healthy weight within 18 months. There, I feel better already! :clap2:

I3 hours till my surgery, and I can't sleep.....been on the clear liquids and having my last sip of anything now as it's NPO now.

I'm excited, and nervous, and excited, and scared.....lol I've never had surgery and well it's a bit daunting.

Looking forward to being on the other side of the band soon.

Have lost 9lbs on the pre op and the liquid thing hasn't been too bad today except for when someone near my cubicle was eating fries.....yike I never knew my tummy could rumble so loudly lol....

I'm so grateful to this board......I've learned what to do to get ready and what to have on hand for after the surgery.

This time tomorrow I will be a June Bandster....

I'm blessed to know that God is with me thru all of this.

Thank you all for being here.

Good morning everyone! I myself am getting close also...I am finishing packing and getting ready to start my 2 day journey to Mexico! I too have a few butterflies, but I know I am doing the right thing. Got on the scale the final time this morning and I am down 15#'s and still have 2 days of the liquid diet!!!

I just want to thank everyone for their posts. You have all been a help to me on this journey!

God bless you all!

Janelle,

It looks like I will be meeting up with you at Dr. Ortiz's office! I'm scheduled for the 22nd, so I will be doing my pre-op testing tomorrow, and spending tomorrow night at the Lucerne.

I know of another person coming from Oregon, named Barbara...so the three of us will be spending a few days together!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Darrin

San Diego, CA

Hi, June folks! Congrats to those of you who are banded *and* to those of you who are yet to be banded.

I've been lurking for a bit. Was just banded yesterday and had many of the same fears I see posted here. For what it's worth: the surgery wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The pre-surgery staff were really wonderful: warm, generous, gentle. I had to stay in the hospital overnight and that crew was fine, too. The only thing I'd suggest, for those of you who can, is that you bring with you an advocate, someone who can make sure you get an extra blanket if you need one. It's always nice and in my case, would have been a little less lonely.

In any event, it's probably healthy to have fears. I figure fears mean I'm not a Pollyanna and am entering whatever it is with somewhat open eyes, always the best way to approach anything in my book.

Glad to be among you! Yay!

Best,

Coco

turns out i am one of the unfortunate 1 out of 500 or so who's body really doesn't want to cooperate with getting banded. inflammation caused my stomach to swell so much that i couldn't even get my saliva past the band for 4 days and had to stay in the hospital an extra day and stay at the Dr's guest house for 4 days after that. the whole time they kept me on IV and gave me shots for inflammation and antibiotics, some through the IV, some in my hip. i got excellent care and was only charged $500 extra for 5 days of 24hr care. i don't want to think what that would have cost in the states. being in that condition made me lose too much too fast but i've actually put a couple lbs back on so that's a good sign that i'm hydrated again and hopefully the weight will start coming off slowly but steadily from here on out.

i'm keeping liquids down now and may try some thicker soups and thin mashed potatoes in another week or two and maybe solid food in another month.