I am totally freaking out... I have been thinking about this for two years. When I finally decided to do it, after much reading and research, my insurance changes and I am able to get approved in less then a month. I am scheduled to have surgery 11/09 and have the time to take off from work (although I really need to be there because things are crazy).

I should be counting my blessings, but after only one day of trying to do the pre-surgery liquid diet I have failed and I am absolutely freaked out. I tried the stupid Designer whey and I literally gagged three different times. The smell and the taste were so gross. What if I can’t find a liquid Protein that I can get down?

I guess I did not expect things to go so easily, and I should feel ashamed of myself when there are so many self-pays or people with difficult insurances who are absolutely sure this is the right thing for them. I feel that I have not had enough time to say good-bye to food. I know it really isn't a true good bye, but it could be if my body does not acclimate to the band like some others on this forum. I actually think I could live without cake the rest of my life, but the thought of never eating asparagus or broccoli or steak again, I am not sure if I can live with that.

What in the hell am I doing? Am I undermining my long term health if I back out? The idea of the surgery is freaking me out, the idea of not eating a normal diet for 6 weeks freaks me out. And ironically it sounds like when the band does not work, it makes eating those foods that got me here so much easier than eating the truly healthy foods that I like but eat to much of…Lord help me figure this thing out...

:help:

MollyBrown

Surgery Date: 11/09/07 Dr Singh-Maryland

Weight: 285lbs. Goal Weight: 170 lbs.

Age: 44

As a "this week Newbie", I'd like to add my voice to discussion, Molly. Everyone has fears before the surgery. It's natural and necessary to fear the unknown and certainly to fear surgery of any kind. There are dangers, and we are aware that there are sometimes complications that we didn't predict.

With that said: If you had a ruptured appendix, and had to have and appendectomy -surgery to save your life, you would just do it. You wouldn't think of not having it because you were scared of how it would be afterward. So,,,, Consider the lap band surgery to be an "emergency fatectomy", surgery to save your life by allowing you to lose the excess fat that WILL end your life early and ruin the quality of it before it kills you.

And.... remember that after the first few months of your "baby stomach" adjusting to food gradually, you will be able to eat delicious. satisfying foods, but in quantities that will allow you to live well while becoming fit and healthy.

The pre-surgery liquid diet is by far the most difficult portion of doing liquids. When my Dr. told me to stay on liquid Protein for 2-3 weeks before surgery, I replied " Doctor, if it was possible for me to stay on Liquid Protein for long periods of time, I wouldn't NEED the damn surgery-- I would have lost this extra poundage long ago!" I will say that it helps if you clean your home out of things that will throw you off easily, and if you have support from your family. I went to bed super-early to avoid the nighttime urges.

So, Molly, hang in there -- think positively. Think about the amazing gift you will give yourself by putting yourself in control of your life instead of letting food control you.

I wish you all the best.

Flora

MusigalF

Banded on 11/19/07

Dr. Liberman

Naples, FL

( I'm so new that I'm still figuring out how to get a ticker to work..., but I've lost 22 lbs pre-surgery and have lost 5 more since surgery on Monday)

As a "this week Newbie", I'd like to add my voice to discussion, Molly. Everyone has fears before the surgery. It's natural and necessary to fear the unknown and certainly to fear surgery of any kind. There are dangers, and we are aware that there are sometimes complications that we didn't predict.

With that said: If you had a ruptured appendix, and had to have and appendectomy -surgery to save your life, you would just do it. You wouldn't think of not having it because you were scared of how it would be afterward. So,,,, Consider the lap band surgery to be an "emergency fatectomy", surgery to save your life by allowing you to lose the excess fat that WILL end your life early and ruin the quality of it before it kills you.

And.... remember that after the first few months of your "baby stomach" adjusting to food gradually, you will be able to eat delicious. satisfying foods, but in quantities that will allow you to live well while becoming fit and healthy.

The pre-surgery liquid diet is by far the most difficult portion of doing liquids. When my Dr. told me to stay on liquid Protein for 2-3 weeks before surgery, I replied " Doctor, if it was possible for me to stay on liquid protein for long periods of time, I wouldn't NEED the damn surgery-- I would have lost this extra poundage long ago!" I will say that it helps if you clean your home out of things that will throw you off easily, and if you have support from your family. I went to bed super-early to avoid the nighttime urges.

So, Molly, hang in there -- think positively. Think about the amazing gift you will give yourself by putting yourself in control of your life instead of letting food control you.

I wish you all the best.

Flora

MusigalF

Banded on 11/19/07

Dr. Liberman

Naples, FL

( I'm so new that I'm still figuring out how to get a ticker to work..., but I've lost 22 lbs pre-surgery and have lost 5 more since surgery on Monday)

emergency fatectomy, wow. that puts it very well. I woulld have never thought about it that way.