Hi...my name is Kathy, and I live in the League City area (south of Houston). I have 2 precious boys, 6 & 8, and a wonderful husband of 12+ years. I have struggled with my weight all my life, yet have been blessed with good health. But, I am so very tired of being tired...I love to exercise, but just can't find the motivation to do so (once I get to the gym I'm fine...it's just getting there!!!) I am also tired of trying to find clothes that (1) fit, (2) look halfway flattering, and (3) look as if they were made in THIS decade! Anymore, I am satisfied with something that just fits. I am ready to get on the floor with my kids, and not be so stinking hot in the summer, and not be worried about the seatbelt when I fly on an airplane, and buy clothes at The Gap, and do so much more!!! I am soooooo ready!!! I am scheduled to be banded by Dr. Spivek on May 11th. I am nervous, excited, scared, thrilled...you name it, I've felt it!! I have been doing as much research as I can, but I have a couple questions...

First of all, I have read a lot about pre-op diets, and it seems many are on a liquid diet for several weeks prior to surgery. Dr. Spivek only suggests a low-carb diet in order to shrink the liver. Does anyone have an opinion about that?? (like, are you glad you did the liquid diet??) I keep wondering if I would be more used to a liquid/soft diet following surgery if I were doing it prior to surgery (not to mention the added benefit of LOSING some of this weight even before the band!).

Other questions: How soon did you go in for your 1st fill?? Did you feel restriction even without a fill (just because of the band)?? How soon did you exercise?? How soon before you were able to eat more "regular" foods??

Sorry this is so long...I wish I were sitting in a room with a bunch of you so I could pick your brains!!!!! I know Dr. Spivek has a support group that meets on Tuesdays...I guess I should just go to that and ask all my questions there!!:girl_hug: But I can't sit there in my pj's holding my cat Max while I find answers!! (like I am doing now!!)

I am so thankful for this forum...I have read so many posts, and it has done nothing but get me more and more excited to jump on the band wagon!! Please wish me luck, and I wish all the best for all of you...you have NO idea how your words have helped me. I feel prepared, and ready to start this awesome new phase in my life!

If anyone else out there is ready to be banded, let me know. We can muddle through this together (with the help of all those bandsters who boldly went before us, of course!!).

God Bless!!

Kathy

Stacie,

Where does your daughter do gymnastics? My boys go to Acrosports. I didn't know LA Fitness was opening up in Bay Colony!! I thought 24 Fitness was...maybe they are both coming??? We belong to 24 Hour Fitness, so I can't wait till it is there...we live at 646 and 45 (Victory Lakes).

Let's keep in touch.

(are we supposed to talk back and forth somewhere else? I don't mind anyone reading all this, just didn't know if we use the forum for this...I'm new to message boards, so don't know all the etiquette stuff)

Thanks!

and hey!! You are doing GREAT!!

My daughter goes to Dana's Gym in Santa Fe. I heard LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness were both opening there. I am new to message boards as well so I put my number on the private message. This kind of stuff should really go on the private since it is not lap band info people are interested in.

Kathy-Do you want to get together for a cup of coffee or something? I'm a Spivak baby too, and I'd love to cheer you on. I'm in northeast Harris County and can travel. Anybody else? Maybe somewhere on 45 south of downtown Houston? I hope that's not too forward of me, but I sure would have liked to ask a banded person some last minute questions before my surgery. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself.....

Mommytokk and whoever else might want to go play....

10:30 AM Monday

Starbucks

1037 W. Bay Area Blvd.

Webster TX, 77598

United States

I'll be in a navy long sleeved t shirt and red shoes.

Betsy

Testing my sig.

It was a pleasure to meet you today, Kathy.

Hi Kathy. My before shot

And my current....5 months of a work in progress.

WOW, Betsy!! You look AWESOME!! Keep it up! You have inspired me!

Hi Ladies (and any gents)

I'm also from the South side area of Houston! Nice to see others here. I visited Dr Spivak for one of his seminars and consults. I'm in the process doing self pay and hoping by the end of summer to have a surgery date with Dr Spivak! My insurance has an exlusion clause for any type of weight related surgery. Go figure! You'd think the insurance companies would realize it's probably less expensive in the long run to pay for surgery of this type than long term illness!

ok...me: I'm a "young" grandma (lol) to 4 wonderful, beautiful little ones. 3 handsome grandsons and 1 princess. They keep me busy.

I'd like to be around a lot longer to be an important part of their lives, but MUST get this weight off my body in order to do that.

I'd already had the gall bladder removed and one knee replacement.

What else can anyone tell me about Dr. Spivak and the whole process. My big concern is the pain from "gas" in the upper chest area. Is it real bad? Do you feel like you are suffocating or is it just uncomfortable?

THANKS and hope to chat with MANY of you soon. :hungry:

Welcome Nana! I was self pay too. They told me that no bariatric surgery was covered because the employer didn't choose to buy that coverage. It's probably packaged along with other "optionals", I would guess.

I was told to do all sorts of things for the shoulder pain, but I tell you, it was a lot easier to just medicate it. I walked, did a heating pad, but mostly just ate chewable Tylenol. GasX didn't help me at all. Tylenol did. It's a sharp pain but you live through it. Small price to pay for a life of losing weight.

Spivak is great. The operation itself for me was amazingly quick. My husband and I went in, and Dr. S had arranged for a bandster with Lupus to be there to talk with me. I have Lupus. It was a nice touch. Then knocked out, fast surgery, and woke up sick to my stomach for a short while. Drank Water to make sure it went down, and then home to rest. I dozed much of the afternoon, and then steadily got better. Gas pains lasted about 3 days, progressively better. I had no restriction until my 3rd fill though, so it took awhile to be able to live like a bandster.....