How many bandsters out there had or are having their band this month? Wondering, maybe we can get a thread where we can all meet and share our experiences and help support each other.

As for me, I'm joining the BAND next week Friday. I never thought I'd be able to say the date that close. It is so close right now it is a bit scary. I can't wait!!

I'm an August bandster baby, with surgery scheduled for DAY AFTER TOMORROW!! A whole year of thinking it would never happen and now it's right around the corner. But I'm ready!

My DH Wayne is an August bandster!!!

I do all the research and gabbing, for him, but he reads the posts and is very encouraged with his experience so far.

As of today, (his weigh-in day) he has lost 22 lbs, and two inches from his waist! We are so psyched.

Good luck to all you "august" August bandees!

I'm getting banded on the 27th and I like the idea of forming our own mini-support group. I don't know how this would work. . .?

I think this could work out just fine. I know that this whole process varies for everyone, BUT we do know that Wayne is already banded, and Alex is getting banded on Tuesday, so we can all learn from what they have gone through, and what they are going through, right on this thread. I love the idea, and welcome all of your thoughts, ideas, and stories. Like I said, I am getting banded on the 29th, so I got 11 days to go. llbcurtis, how was Wayne dealing with his surgery date 2 weeks prior? 2 days prior? day of surgery? Clara, me and you will be banded very close to each other. Are you excited yet or what?

I will tell you all the truth, I was weighing around 265 when I started this whole thing back in early February. Since then, the whole stress and last suppers I have had, I have ballooned to an incredible 295lbs. I feel disgusting about now. I have a closet full of clothes I can't wear. I think I am going to have to buy something, just to be able to go to work the next couple of weeks, until I go back down. Anybody else going through this dilemma?

Am I excited? Not exactly excited, but I'm just very ready to get this behind me. After the research I started doing two years ago, through the RNY that I almost had a few months ago (backed out 4 days before surgery), I'm just very ready. Yet somehow it didn't really start to seem real to me until Friday when I got instructions from my surgeon in the mail . . .including the dreaded low carb diet. I must say I binged this weekend, but it only made me feel sick and sluggish so I'm done with that. Started the low carb diet today and it was easier than I thought it would be. I'm super busy at work right now so that is helping to distract me.

Nancy

I'll be banded a week from tomorrow, on August 26th. I'm really beginning to feel the pre-op jitters. Not related to the surgery itself, but what life will be like after the band. I am looking forward to the band as a tool - but it's so scary.

Some of Alexandra's (and some others) previous posts really hit home with me. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, hesitant, a little sad, and really scared that I won't be able to do it. Last night I went out to dinner with a friend (my former Water aerobics instructor!) and she asked how I felt about having my last "big" meal out at a restaurant. I keep telling myself what I've heard - that I will be able to eat out - just differently. But it's so strange. I really like to eat! But then I have to look at myself and know that I'm doing this for my health and long term benefits - and that the food isn't so important. Yes, I keep telling myself that!

Good luck to all of us August bandsters.

Mary

I just wanted to say to all of you August folks "Good Luck" and quick healing frorm you July sister!

Susan

Since I was banded in July I feel like an old pro compared to you newbies!! I just want to tell all of you it will be over before you know it and believe me going to the dentist is 10 times worse then this surgery. I had my first fill today and it was also nothing. Didn't even feel it. (without any anesthesia).

Good luck to all of you. I'm sure you'll do fine and you'll be soooo happy you did it.

Lori

Thank you all for your encouraging words. More than for my health, I think I am doing this more for how I will feel and look. I can't wait to be able to take off my shirt at the beach, and feel good about myself. I binged all of last week, and this weekend, and it all just made me feel worse. So, I just starting my low carb diet this morning. 10 more days, can't wait!

Tomorrow is my big day, and I am definitely feeling the strain. I keep thinking I'm coming down with something--a slight sore throat, a sneeze--and am terrified they'll decide to postpone if I show up tomorrow with a full-blown cold. I also have had mild diarrhea in the last 24 hours, so I may indeed have picked up a virus from one of my children. But I feel OK, well enough to work and so forth.

Does anyone have any idea how sick you have to be before surgery might be postponed? I mean, doctors operate on sick people all the time, right? :sick

I was banded the first day of August 2003. Am I the oldest August bandster?

Barb:

You are, Barb! What have you learned in your long experience, o wise one?

Tomorrow I join you in the band. Think of me at 8:30 a.m. as my doctor is polishing his scalpel. Getting nervous....

I have learned that there is a way to control my eating. I have learned to stop when I am satisfied and I have learned that I need to find some new hobbies...lol. You'll be fine. It's a piece of cake.

Good Luck

Barb:)

You'll be fine. It's a piece of cake.

Har har!! I guess it'll be my last one for a couple of weeks.

Hey August banders, I got banded last week, before the surgery I was trying not to eat then gave in 3 days before, and munched out but didn't feel good about it. Remember not to eat 12+ hours before surgery. What made my surgery calm was the doctor had some low music on and I kept jokeing with the pre-op staff and I felt very ready. Now I'm not hungry at all, food isn't applealing, I'v droped 7 lbs. I'm Jazzed. Good luck and my thoughts are with you.

Vera