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!

Hi Lisa..

Ohh...you're so lucky you don't have a pre-op. I'm getting banded at Sharp Hospital in San Diego by Dr. Mueller. How about you?

Im flying into San Diego then off to Mexico with Dr. Aceves.....Im soooo ready!!!!!!

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! :rolleyes2:

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 Irene, congrats on your banding i can't wait for mine, i go for all my pre-tests on the 4th and if everything is ok God willing it will be; i have op at 7.30am Sat 9th Feb yahoooooooooo. It's quite good its on weekend don't have to ask for people to get time off work, anyway hope verything goes well for you and please keep in touch best of luck Li33y.

I too am hoping for Feb surgery. I am still waiting for my psych's report to be sent to my clinic, and then to insurance. They tell me I should know back from the insurance by mid February, but they dont seem to realize that I want to have this in February!

I just wanted to say hello and good luck to everyone. I'm being banded on 22 Feb by Dr. Schmitt in Birmingham, AL.

I will be interested to read how everyone does that gets banded in early Feb. I hope all goes well for y'all!

I had to watch the videos. In fact, I have watched two of them, but with all the research that I have done, I think I could have written them. I haven't watched the one about fills yet, but there is still time.

Hi Everyone, I'm Jeanie and I will be banded on February 21. Having it done by Dr. Kuri in Mexico. I'm very excited!

I was always thin (oh if i gained 5 pounds i thought I was going to die! lol) then after hitting Menopause in my early mid 40's my weight just poured on, can't get full and i also have tried so many diets and just gain more back and now that i need to lose 100 pounds at age 55 I decide just to do what i'm sure will work. I've been trying the way everyone wanted me to and obviously after all these years i have to say i need help and I'm ok with that. I'm happy about it and glad to know there are so many here doing this in February. looks like i'm the last one in February so far so keep me posted...about every thing ok? Good luck to all of us!

Thanks for letting me share. :biggrin:

Jeanie

I am being banded in New Haven CT by Dr. Geoffey Nadzam on 2/11.

I have heard of Dr. Artuso. A former colleague of mine had gastric by-pass by Dr. Artuso and says he is wonderful! Good luck to us all!

BTW. I am done 4 lbs. since starting my 1000 calorie pre-op diet on Monday.

Tina

I meant I am down 4 lbs. LOL

I should proof read before submitting!

Anyone else being banded on February 12th? It would be interesting to compare notes with someone going on the same day. I'll be at Beth Israel Deaconess for mine.

I am on the 11th. Is that close enough?

Tina

Anyone else being banded on February 12th? It would be interesting to compare notes with someone going on the same day. I'll be at Beth Israel Deaconess for mine.

12th here, too!

I am being banded on the 13th. I am on my third day of my pre-op liquid diet. It is actually harder than I thought. I can not wait until February 13rh!!!

Hi,

I really enjoy reading these threads and talking with everyone. You give me so much encouragement.

I am 5 days away from Surgery and I think it is just starting to sink in that this way of eating small lowfat meals (I am on day 10 of the liquid diet) is the way life will be from here on out. I was getting depressed and thought I should re-consider this until I came back and started reading everyone's encouraging words and thoughts. I am still a little scared but have made up my mind that I need to do this for myself, to be a healthier, happier me. Food should no longer be my crutch. Keeps on writing and I look forward to talking to you all after my surgery.:biggrin:

Hey Viridescence, we are being banded on the same day by the same doctor! I'm very excited and already started packing and I never pack until the next before a trip. I'm in California so it is a easy trip for me to the border.

See you soon!

Katballen@yahoo.com

Hey Kat, I wasn't sure what you meant at first, and then I realized that I should've edited my first post in this thread as I switched doctors. I wish you the best of luck, though and hope that you post your experiences here!

Hey Viridescence, we are being banded on the same day by the same doctor! I'm very excited and already started packing and I never pack until the next before a trip. I'm in California so it is a easy trip for me to the border.

See you soon!

Katballen@yahoo.com