I've made a decision that when the surgeon's office calls to set up my surgery date in the next few days or weeks, I am going to push for February. Preferrably the 11th, because where I work that would give me two Holidays off, plus one of my Friday's off. I have the 9/8/80 schedule if anyone out there knows what that is, or has it. I plan to take full two weeks off. Why not? I have plenty of time on my books, and I want to be sure I stick to my liquid diet 100%! That can be hard to do if you're stuck at work and end up not bringing enough to keep you satisfied during the day.

So, anyone else out there with a date that month or trying to push for it? I'd love to hear from you and see how it's going.

Here is my journey, I hope your up to a long read...

I began looking into the lap-band surgery about three years ago when I first heard about the surgery. Not very intently at first of course, and I always said I'd never even consider bypass.

Not long after hearing about it my PCP told me I had chronic hypertension. Well, I was only 30 years old at that time! I was blown away. I was a chubby child (not bad), but at about 12/13 I lost the weight and was able to keep it off until about 19. It was about 2 years later I met my husband and we married shortly afterward, and it was at that time I made the most of my weight gain. It was like I was sleeping all though it and I never realized it happened. My eyes were really opened that day my doctor informed me of my disease. Well, needless to say I hadn't even stepped on the scale in many, many years. I was wearing a size 28 at the time of my diagnosis. I made a conscious effort to lose some weight on my own, still not fully supporting the idea of surgery. I did pretty good. I did it through good old better eating and exercise. I lost about a pant size before making that ultimate step onto the scale. It said 315!!!

OMG! :faint:

You know, I knew I was pretty bad off, but still - even then - I didn't imagine it to be that bad. Keep in mind I'd already lost some weight. I've come to terms with it now, and can easily say I was probably at my max upwards into the 330's.

Well, I continued to lose a little more weight in the same way - but somewhere betwee 270 and 280 I'd stopped. I've been yo-yo'ing the last ten pounds ever since. I've been this weight for probably the better of two years now. It was at the beginning of this year I realized I needed more help. I figured I needed a little something to keep my portions in control, as I noticed by journaling my intake I tend to "overeat" especially during dinner hour. Breakfast and lunch are perfect, as always. I do great when my mind is busy at work.

It took a lot of courage to ask my PCP about bariatrics. It was almost as if I was admitting to myself especially that yes, I'm fat, and yes - I can't lose it alone. My travels from there have been long and arduous. But one moment of it, I do not regret. I am so thankful for the six month dietician appointments, as it prepared me a great deal and in so many ways. I don't think I will be as successful had I not done them.

I am so close now, I can see the Bandland gates from here!

So, anyone still going through the toughest part, HANG IN THERE!! It is, and it will be SO worth it.

I simply can hardly wait!

I don't know what sliming is. Can you tell me?

When something gets stuck in your stoma and food gets backed up, you will begin to salivate something akin to how you salivate before vomiting but this is much thicker. This will last until the food passes through or you bring it back up. That is my understanding of it but I haven't slimed yet so can't be much more precise. Maybe someone who has experienced it can describe it better.

I got my cardiac clearance today!! I am all set for surgery monday..I am so looking forward to starting my new life and glad to see that reintroducing something besides liquids is just a few more weeks away, I have been on the liquid protein diet (day 7) and am looking forward to broth!

I haven't lost anymore weight since the 3rd day on the liquid, I dropped 11 and have just been staying there..

Now that I have heart clearance, I might try exercising some and see if I can Kick start it a little...

Wantolose155, Congratulations on your clearance. Monday will be here before you know it!

To all my February bandsters:

I was banded on 2/11 and still am on liquids until 2/27. I also noticed that my food plan consists of only 1/4 cup of food even as I advance to all the other stages. Does anyone else have such a strict plan?

actually I noticed my paperwork says the same thing, but I don't mind, it won't be forever..we can do it!

YES!!!! We can and WILL do this! Thanks for helping me sort it out.

I am having my band done on 05Feb08. Nervous about telling my family. My wife is excited because she is sure she will eat less as well. I am 153Kg (337lbs) and would like to get to under 100Kg (220lbs) I haven't been that size since I was about 17-18 years old. My pre-op diet is just a super low carb diet.

Mickers - looks like we were banded the same date - I'd be interested in knowing how you are doing - what you are eating, etc.

Good luck!

Wantolose155, Congratulations on your clearance. Monday will be here before you know it!

To all my February bandsters:

I was banded on 2/11 and still am on liquids until 2/27. I also noticed that my food plan consists of only 1/4 cup of food even as I advance to all the other stages. Does anyone else have such a strict plan?

I am still supposed to have between 1/4-1/2 cup of food. But sometimes I think I just eat. And I do get full really fast. I noticed that people have said that your band will not work until your first fill. But I am already restricted, and I am two weeks out. I have a picture of my stomach as it was being banded and my band is so close to my esophogas, and just the band is restrictive. I have my first fill March 17th. For me, I am not sure that I am making really good food choices. I am just blending some of my favorite foods. And I love avacado, and I am not sure that is the best thing for me either. I think that I am going to start a food log. Maybe then I will know exactly how much I am eating.

This is going to take some time to get to know my new ways!!

I am still supposed to have between 1/4-1/2 cup of food. But sometimes I think I just eat. And I do get full really fast. I noticed that people have said that your band will not work until your first fill. But I am already restricted, and I am two weeks out. I have a picture of my stomach as it was being banded and my band is so close to my esophagus, and just the band is restrictive. I have my first fill March 17th. For me, I am not sure that I am making really good food choices. I am just blending some of my favorite foods. And I love avocado, and I am not sure that is the best thing for me either. I think that I am going to start a food log. Maybe then I will know exactly how much I am eating.

This is going to take some time to get to know my new ways!!

1/4 cup doesn't seem like very much! Avocados are pretty much all fat, but at least it's unsaturated fat. Still, you need protein, so I hope that by tracking your food you will see if you're getting enough. When you only get 1/4 cup, you have to make it count.

I have some restriction too at 11 days out. Some people do have restriction after the surgery, often due to the stomach swelling. So that's lucky for us. I get full very fast -- usually after 1/3 to 1/2 cup (my surgeon isn't as strict as yours about quantity). And I don't usually get hungry.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Just checking in! I have finally reached that 269!! I have been trying for years now to see that and because of my super terrific band I have done it! I'm not even really trying all that hard and yet this morning (again) it's 269.0... How fantastic is it? Very!

I can only imagine the possibilities if I were to really tough it out for two weeks. Hmmm...

Keep the stories coming all, let us know how your doing!

Just checking in! I have finally reached that 269!! I have been trying for years now to see that and because of my super terrific band I have done it! I'm not even really trying all that hard and yet this morning (again) it's 269.0... How fantastic is it? Very!

I can only imagine the possibilities if I were to really tough it out for two weeks. Hmmm...

Keep the stories coming all, let us know how your doing!

Good for you!! I know how frustrating that can be to be stuck and then when you finally pass that little hump!! It is fantastic!! I have been stuck for a few days at 204 and it is making me crazy. Hopefully I will have some sucess soon too!! Have you had a fill yet?

Good for you!! I know how frustrating that can be to be stuck and then when you finally pass that little hump!! It is fantastic!! I have been stuck for a few days at 204 and it is making me crazy. Hopefully I will have some sucess soon too!! Have you had a fill yet?

Nope, I just had my surgery on the 11th of this month. I was scheduled on March 28th, but my Surgeons office called me last week and informed me he is going on vacation for three weeks starting the week before that. I asked if they could give me a break and make my first fill the day before he leaves which would put me at about five weeks post. I don't think that is too much to ask, especially since I wish I could have a fill right now! My swelling went down quickly and I know I'm eating more food than I should - and I get hungry so fast.

If not, I will have to wait until April 10th... we'll see. :confused2:

Hi, I just recived my lapband Tuesday (2/26) and I am on day 2 of recovery. The gas pains have finally gone but now I feel the pain from the incisions. I have'nt been able to eat much well.... drink much. I just been sipping on gatoraid and optifast drinks and pain meds. Is this normal?

Pretty much. I couldn't stomach much of anything besides Water for the first two days. After that things started getting better. Hang in there, I've had two other major surgeries and this was by far the easiest.

...and WELCOME TO BANDLAND!! :blushing:

Hi, I just recived my lapband Tuesday (2/26) and I am on day 2 of recovery. The gas pains have finally gone but now I feel the pain from the incisions. I have'nt been able to eat much well.... drink much. I just been sipping on gatoraid and Optifast drinks and pain meds. Is this normal?

That is almost exactly how I felt. I couldn't have anything except about a 1/2 cup of Water every hour for almost 5 days. I lived on popscicles and Jello. In the next couple days it will get much better. Plus, you will probably lose weight during this time.

Congrats!! Its an exciting ride!!

I was banded Feb 6th and felt restriction immediately as well. Am now 3 weeks out and I feel I can eat anything. I am using smaller plates and mostly pureed foods (cheating a little and eating whole foods too). However, I had two plates yesterday and was still not full. Is this normal? I have not had a fill yet and will most likey not get it for another two-three weeks. I am worried that I will gain back the 23 lbs lost. Am logging my food and getting avg 1,000 calories and some days closer to 1500. Is that bad?