Hey all you banded experts! I have almost 3 months ahead before my scheduled surgery because I had to do it between college semesters. I am sitting here twittling(sp?) my thumbs and wondering what I can be doing now to prepare physically and emotionally for the surgery. I have just started seeing a therapist because from my past experiences with weight loss I do know that as each pound came off, I felt more and more vulnerable and I think Ive subconciously sabatoged each past effort. I also KNOW I have low self esteem. I also am wondering what physical preparation I need to make. What items should I have on hand (a blender? Protein powders?) by the time surgery day rolls around. How do I prepare my family members for the "new" me....especially hubby. He's a bit overweight as well and I'll admit I'm his partner in bingeing sometimes. I want the lap band to be a new life for me and my family- I want to succeed!!!! So where do I start and what do I do to prepare????? THANKS ALL!!

There is a thread on here of everything you need before surgery, I'll look for it for you and post it if I can, but a blender is very handy, heating pad, neosporin, gasx strips, liquid tylenol, Protein shakes with lots of protein, sf popsickles, sf puddings, juices, protein powders, just to name a few. I didn't have a preop diet but most do (had mine done in Mexico). You might want to start trying to not drink with your meals, that might help. You might even want to watch your chewing when time gets a little closer and be aware of chewing everything about 40 times. You might want to get familiar with good solid Proteins and know which ones are good for you. I am just rambling off the top of my head. I called one week and had surgery the next 2 weeks, so I didn't really have time for stuff like this and I think this will help you a lot by preparing.

I will try to find that thread now,

Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any questions,

Here it is

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14814&highlight=surgery+items

THanks Mysherrijo for the thread on what items to have! I'm going to have to make a list :confused:

Anyone else have advice? What did you do or WISH you had done emotionally/physically to prepare for the lap band? How do I prepare my family for the fact that I'm going to change?

For me I bought the book WLS for dummies. The sentence that affected me most was that some pre-surgery patients began to eat like every meal was their last meal . That hit me with a powerful kick in the behind. From then on I started really thinking what do I REALLY want to eat and making better choices for me. Sometimes it was crab legs or whatever but I just didnt mindlessly eat and gain even more. I started thinking about 3 meals aday instead of one meal from 2pm thru 2am (no kidding). Now my wonderful band lets me get that full feeling and I know I have had enough.

Tomorrow I have to buy some small containers to freeze "my size" homemade chili in. Small containers equal smaller jeans . Started this wonderful journey in 26s now 18 .

I also joined the gym June 1 06 and I was embarrassed but went anyway. I was banded July 19 06 and was almost up to 40 minutes exercise. Now I go almost 2 hours. I swim 1/2 hour,exercise in Water 1/2 hour and walk my dog twice as long as we used to.

So start thinking ,eating and exercising like a bandit.

edie