Hey all.

So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st.

I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges.

I was thinking that if we all contribute to one thread, it'll form a more substantial channel for information and support. At the moment, I was thinking that we might be too spread out into individual date, and that a central thread would be a really good backbone for the group, in addition to the date-specific threads.

What do you think?

Fenton

March 28th is my date-starting at 267 want to get to 180 or lower-glad to hear there are more of you out there.

Fenton: So sorry to hear about the snags you've hit with the pre-op appt. I too have to get cardiology clearence, and am having trouble getting in touch with the cardiologist I've used in the past. I don't want to go to someone new, because I am hoping to avoid having to do more testing before surgery and just use what we have.

Good luck to you with the surgery!

Christine

What is your plan to unwind the night before surgery? Anyone?

Well...luckily last Friday was my birthday and my WONDERFUL mother gave me a gift card to a local spa....so...I may just go get me a massage and pedi or facial to relax.:biggrin: Then again.....I may want to save it until AFTER the surgery.:rolleyes2:

Hello

I am new to this. I went for my consult yesterday and I wil have surgery on March 13th. I started to pre op diet today. I am hungry but not unbearable yet. I think it is in my head because I normally don't eat until later in the day. I was very nervous about seeing the doctor but after meeting with him I feel good and I am very excited to get started.

Hey, Momof321, welcome aboard!

I think the best cure for nerves is information, with companionship coming a close second; you'll find plenty of both here. We're all going through the same thing, and we all share the same goal.

I think you'll find the pre-op diet not too bad - just focus on what you're doing for yourself in the long run, and follow the instructions you've been given.

It's a good idea to speak up about your worries and things you don't know about; chances are, a whole bunch of people here have the same worries and want the same questions answered.

PS I found my wallet. It was (wait for it): in my pants pocket.

The blindness of the hurried and neurotic!

Hello new friends I will be banded March 17th. I went for the pre op stuff today and started the pre op diet. I get 2 protein drinks a day and a 350 calorie meal. Hope I can do this for 2 weeks. I have lost 30 pounds since my first appointment with the surgeon. I told them I want drugs to calm me down.

I'm doing the same thing approximately except for 3 weight loss shakes of about 180 cal plus about a 300-400 calorie meal of lean meat/vegs. I really hit a wall this afternoon about maybe 3pm after having my lunch shake at about 11:30 and I had to break down and get an extra shake out of my stash in my drawer at work - I felt a little panicy if that makes any sense. Within about 30 minutes, I was okay again and now almost 3+ hrs has gone by and I don't feel drastically hungry yet to eat my dinner.

Found out my pre-op admission testing isn't until March 11 with my surgeon visit on March 14 and then surgery date on March 17. I am doing the pre-op diet on my own discipline because I know so many others have said their doctor requires it but technically until I go on March 11th and they tell me otherwise, I could still be eating. Its just a voluntary act on my part to get into the right mindset.

Hi all!! It is exciting to see that everyone is close to their surgery date. My insurance was sent off today. Now it is just wait and see. I am really excited that things are finally getting closer (and really starting to get nervous)!!!

Today is the first day of pre-op diet. I was doing ok until about 1:00 pm. I started feeling jittery and had a terrible headache. I didn't know if I could make it but I did. I've eaten my meat and veggie dinner and am starting to feel better. I think I can deal with the hunger just not feeling bad. Does anyone else feel jittery because they aren't able to eat.

Fenton: LOL about the wallet. Can't tell you how many times I have done that, sometimes with the misplaced item right in my hand! YIKES! DId you sign up for the memory study being done at NYU? I was told about it when I met with Dr Ren. There was a form to fill out in my black folder. It's a study to determine if weightloss improves memory. I am thinking about signing on.

Welcome to Momof321 and Scrappy Friend.

Special K: Ithink it's great that you are doing the diet on your own. The whole fatty liver thing scares me. My pre-op liquid diet begins on Monday.

Christine

Hello, my surgery is now set in stone for the 28th. Cant wait! I have a 2 wk fast on liquids. I started the liquid fast on sat believing that I was going to have the surgery on the 12th but the surgeon had a conflict. So back to the drawing board.... now I have until the 14th before I start liquids again. But, Im getting some of the Capella Flavor drops for more variety.... thx for the info!

Hey, welcome aboard you guys!

The liquid diet thing - which I've been saying all along isn't so bad - well, it's not so bad. But I realized I've been overdoing it. I'm 473 lbs (well, actually, as of today, 449, but still!), and I work a very active job, and I've been walking home, which is about a mile, and I've been dragging my huge carcass around on 1100 calories a day. Today I was too exhausted to do anything, and I thought, to heck with it - and ate some solid food!

I've returned to liquids now, though - full steam until Thursday!

Well...I can't say the same. This liquid diet is for the birds, but I am sticking to it. I am beginning to think that I am not taking in enough, because I feel drained. Oh well....I am going to tough it out! :shades_smile:

Oh! I had my cardiology consult today. They gave me the All Clear, patted me on the back - the cardiologist actually CONGRATULATED me on my decision! He's a true believer, which is kind of cool.