I wanted to start a thread for those of us who are waiting "with bated breath" for our surgeries in March.

I am supposed to start Optifast on February 26th. I am currently waiting for the shipment, including my surgical package to be delivered. Once I get my package I am supposed to call the clinic.

Ever since committing to this surgery (which I am paying for myself via a personal loan) I have been obsessed with reading everything I can about it and about people who have had it. I am still kind of hoping for some kind of "divine word" about whether or not it is the right thing for me to do.

I am "only" 75 lbs over my ideal weight but am type II diabetic. I am trying to figure out if my reason for doing this is my health or my vanity or a combination of both. The diabetes needs to be gone (when I am 20 lbs lighter it is gone) but I am sure looking forward to losing the weight and actually keeping it off for more than 20 minutes...

I just want to welcome ohiobluegal, gailannr, and laralynn86! :welcome2:

Another one for March 15th...ohiobluegal!!! Up until today I was the only one who had that date.

Now there's three of us!!! :D

I am getting banded on March 15th and have all the same feelings. Should I....shouldn't I?? It can get very frustrating. But, I know deep down inside this is the right decision for me. I have eaten all the "good stuff" the first 40 years so now I have to eat what I should have the next 40. Its just my way of looking at it.

Any food ideas we could share with each other would be helpful. I am starting to make lists of food that I can and cannot eat. Delicious recipes that you would like to share would be wonderful.

Good luck everyone!!!:clap2:

Another one for the 15th of March!! It feels good to know others will be along in spirit. Now if only someone could kick start me with the pre-op diet things would be good. I do not have to diet but the dr. said to not gain any weight. My evil twin seems to want to eat everything!!:help:

OK, I'm back and whining. All of my appointments had to be cancelled....again...and now they're scheduled for Tuesday again. All but the psych eval, which had to be bumped out to March 7th due to all of the bad weather and reschedules. I'm hoping my surgeon can submit to insurance without the psych eval. and send it in later. My big problem is going to be getting off work for the surgery. The lady in my office is really being difficult and I will need to get someone to replace me. She's going to make this as difficult on me as possible, I'm afraid. There is still a chance for me to be banded in March, but I'm sorta thinking after Easter will be more likely. I'll just keep on praying about it.

I am brand new to doing a forum.

I am scheduled for surgery on March 19, 2007.

I am 264# 5.4 inches.

I am having it done here in michigan Mt. Pleasant.

Glad to be apart of this group.

Happy Monday Everyone and Welcome Janine!!! :biggrin1:

clickersister, I hope everything goes as planned tomorrow. Good luck with dealing with your co-worker. Can you just call in sick???

Scarlett, maybe try the South Beach Diet since it goes along with the bandster way of eating (protein first).

I have a couple lunch appts this week with 2 close friends that know about my surgery and my husband is taking me to dinner Friday night for steak and crab legs, so this will be my last week of splurging and I'm going to enjoy! :hungry:

I'm due for my surgery on March 23rd :mad: I'm soooooo happy. Still waiting for insurance...they sure know how to drag their feet.... I've tried protein nector and I love it! So far I've tried fuzzy peach and the crystal sky flavors....I've also tried the isopure drinks....I'm ready baby!

:welcome2: Welcome Desiree1970!!!

I just bought Six Star Whey Protein Powder in Vanilla from Walmart. I bought a few Isopures, but I figured I'd better buy a tub of protein powder to save some money. I'm not sure what to get so I started with the basics to see how I like it. I've never heard of protein nector. Where can I find it? Anyways, Good Luck to You and keep us posted on your progress! :biggrin1:

I'm scheduled for March 3rd. Whoo hoo! I go through all the emotions, but my current one is just so ready to get this over with.

Hi Laralynn. Congrats on your upcomming surgery. What kind of pre-op does your doctor require. I am scheduled for 3/7. Start pre-op day after tomorrow. Good luck!

tammyj, I too am using the 6 Star....LOVE IT! I expecially like it mixed in unsweetened soy milk. I know, sounds crazy, but my Dr. is really strict about the drinks before surgery (and I've gotta month of it) and it keeps things in the range he's given. Also, skim milk keeps it there too. I've tried a bunch of different kinds since my appt. and was told that there would be a month long pre-op diet for me. This for me is the best so far. I'm still trying to find an Isopur that even tastes good to me. My buddy back east is trying them too....so we'll see. I'm also hoping to mix some unflavored protein with broth that I could do for lunches besides the constant choco or vanilla shake for each meal. (I'm 2x a day for a month). Good luck!

Hello All,

I am so happy to be getting banded as part of your group. You all sound like a great bunch! So positive and supportive! Which after the banding I'm sure I will be trying to soak up like a sponge. LOL! I have to laugh to keep from crying. I too am a little nervous, but at the same time excited. I started my preop diet on Thursday 2-15. Protien drinks 3 times a day, and 1 high protien low fat meal consisting of a meat and a green vegetable. Not too bad. Funny how the preops differ so much. I am waiting on my letter from insurance to come this week. I have been aproved, but my doc uses 2 different surgery centers. Depending on which center insurance aproves, my surgery will be either March 1st or March 2nd. I will check back in when I get my confirmation. Hasve a great week everyone! Teresa

I actually have no pre-op requirements - only not to eat or drink after 11:00 the night before my surgery.

TammyJ's pre-op diet inspired me though. I decided to try to do liquids as much as possible for the next 12 days until surgery. I went this morning and bought a variety of soup-at-hands and protien drinks, etc. I had a tomato and cottage cheese for breakfast - not exactly a liquid, but not too bad. I had cream-of broccoli soup-at-hand and a cucumber for lunch ... and then all hell broke lose and I had two 32-ounce Dr. Pepper's and a foot-long Subway sandwich to top off the night. Stopping soda is going to be hard for me ... but I want to do it now, before I'm "forced" to by the band.

I wish I had more will-power. I try to tell myself the "Don't sacrafice what you want long-term for what you want right now" business, but if I want it right now, I can't seem to talk myself out of it. I guess that's why I'm (we're) in this position to begin with.

Tomorrow's a new day, right?

I'm trying to incorporate more exercise in before the surgery as well ... goal number one is to actually walk my dog when he gets up in the morning (instead of simply letting him outside then going back to bed) ... I've had this goal for three days, and have managed to accomplish it once. Goal number two - take half an hour out of my day to go to Curves ... had this goal for one day, and already failed. I can't seem to find a free half hour ... but I need to MAKE the time for it. I have to show I'm truly into this.

That's enough from me.

Happy Monday Everyone and Welcome Janine!!! :biggrin1:

clickersister, I hope everything goes as planned tomorrow. Good luck with dealing with your co-worker. Can you just call in sick???

Scarlett, maybe try the South Beach Diet since it goes along with the bandster way of eating (protein first).

I have a couple lunch appts this week with 2 close friends that know about my surgery and my husband is taking me to dinner Friday night for steak and crab legs, so this will be my last week of splurging and I'm going to enjoy! :hungry:

Tammyj...your idea about South Beach is right on. I feel better when I eat that way but for some reason I am on the last meal syndrome!! I wish my surgery was closer and could just get it over with. I think it is a lot to do with nerves and thinking about the what ifs to much. Everyone else is so together I:clap2: you all with your pre op eating.

I felt like I've been immune to this "last meal syndrome" so far but ... I watched an employee eat a Subway sandwich today and just wanted one more than I could handle - hence my dinner tonight.

Also, I look around at the food in my house I'll no longer be able to eat and think 'I have to eat this all before I get surgery.' I live alone, so there's no one else eating it. Really though, I need to give it to my sister or throw it away or something. I should not single-handedly finish all the bad food in my house over the next 10 days.

It is so good to hear that I'm not alone and that everyone is trying so hard. :woot:

During my last meal syndrome attack, I know I have put on a few pounds. Even my sweatpants are feeling a little snug. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! :angry I am getting started today! I don't start full liquids until next Thursday, but starting today I will replace 2 meals with protein shakes and have one low carb meal each day. I am also going to start my workout routine again. :boxing:

I may cancel my lunch dates with my friends or if I do go I will be sure to chose something low carb of the menu. Oh, who am I fooling...I think I'd better cancel and just tell them that my Dr. put me on a strict diet this week.

Good Luck Everyone with your pre-op or self-prescribed diets!!! :mad:

Hello All,

I am so happy to be getting banded as part of your group. You all sound like a great bunch! So positive and supportive! Which after the banding I'm sure I will be trying to soak up like a sponge. LOL! I have to laugh to keep from crying. I too am a little nervous, but at the same time excited. I started my preop diet on Thursday 2-15. Protien drinks 3 times a day, and 1 high protien low fat meal consisting of a meat and a green vegetable. Not too bad. Funny how the preops differ so much. I am waiting on my letter from insurance to come this week. I have been aproved, but my doc uses 2 different surgery centers. Depending on which center insurance aproves, my surgery will be either March 1st or March 2nd. I will check back in when I get my confirmation. Hasve a great week everyone! Teresa

:welcomeB: Tea Time!!!!! You are in good company because we are all a bundle of nerves. Good Luck to You and Keep us Posted!!!