Hi to anyone who reads this. I started "studying" the possiblilties of banding back in January 2006 because I just couldn't come to terms with the idea of the gastric bypass. I went to a seminar, did pre-op workups and met with surgeon by April-ish. I waited until summer to have the surgery. I am three weeks out and have lost around 35ish pounds. :clap2: Am I thrilled that I had the surgery. Hmmm..no...but am I glad i did it?? Yes. I made a few mistakes going into the surgery for instance it was way too long of a wait between April and July. I was so excited at first I was flying but had time to come down and get cold feet as the date approached. I knew I had to make some major changes in my life for my health so I stuck by my commitment and had the surgery as planned. My surgeon does not require the two week liquid diet pre-op as some surgeons do. I wish I had done it. I was nauseated the entire first week, miserable and scared to throw-up and chance the band slipping. I also ended up having a fatty liver and think doing liquids ahead of time would have helped that. :phanvan So now I have been "sentenced" to four weeks of liquids and all I want to do is chew at this point. :guess But, I am hanging in and again, am glad I did the surgery. I have more energy than I have in years and that has been amazing in it's self. My insulin requirements have already been cut in half and I am off one of the diabetes meds I was on.:confused: Sooooo...hello all and good luck to all the newbies out there.

Banded 7-11-06

St. Clare's Dover, NJ/Dr. Bertha

Congrats on your banding. You'll be eating real food in no time. Hang in there.

Myra

Can you have SF popsicles? That helped me out with the "chewing" need...congratulations on your great progress, and the NSV (non-scale victory) of cutting your diabetic meds in half! WHooot! That's great! Hang in there, and get through it one hour at a time. You'll be SOOOOOOOOO glad you did, and you won't hardly remember the tough first month!

I am Aug. 8th. because I lost weight , I only have to fast 1 day prior to lap-band. but I hate to be nauseous!!! so I will take your advice. thanks for saying that! you have made great progress! and glad to hear your energy is so high! Keep on going! I too want to rid myself of diabetes. only take 1 pill, but who needs it! Getting a little freaked as the day approaches. Patti

how do you do the ticker.com thingie and what are these groups people mention?? thanks

Findingme2,

You lost 35ish lbs in how much time?!:omg:

I lost 35-ish in three weeks. Butttttttttttttt...my surgeon doesn't require pre-op weight lost and I am on liquids for four #%@*& weeks.

Wow!

Congratulations for 2 reasons. Number 1: Liquid stage sucks monkey butt, and you've done way more than nearly any one of us!!!

and number 2: You lost 35ish pounds. WAY TO GO GIRL!!!

Thanks CanadaSunshine!!!! I am hungry these past 2 days but have tried to just suck it up and know it's all in the new education of eating. I thought I knew how much food soothed all emotions but wow I never knew it would be so hard to pull myself from the dependency.

Question....how did you do the ticker thingie?? I am technically challenged!!!

Wow, thanks for posting that! Congrats on your banding and your decision to do it and for losing 35 pounds - forever!!!!!

My doctor not only requires the 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet (no sugar and lots of Protein drinks), 4 weeks pre-op he requires that you begin getting use to the liquid phase by having 2 Protein drinks a day and only one meal. I keep questioning if I can do this but after reading your post, I know I will, I know I must.

My doctor has also subscribed a new med on the market to keep you from vomitting after surgery. He's also one of the few doctors who requires that you give yourself injections of a blood thinning med to keep the possiblities of blood clots down.

congrats again!!! and happy banding~ you're doing great