I finally have my date Yehaaaaaa. :smile2: I attended a seminar way back in October (feels like years ago) and I was convinced that the band was right for me. I had to wait for my insurance to kick in and that doesn't happen until June 21 so I am doing all the pre op things at this stage and have been booked in for the op on the 26th June. I can't come soon enough. I feel about the lowest I have ever felt about my weight. It seems to have skyrocketed in the last few months.

My surgeon Dr Cox asked if I had always been overweight and what I had tried.

I told him I had been dieting since I was 12 with everything I could find. Shakes, grapefruit, weightwatchers, xenical, duromine, cabbage soup.

I told him what happened and the best way I could explain it was that I could diet and lose weight but then something clicks in my head and bang it all goes on again. The best way to describe it is like an alcoholic who has given up - they cannot just have one drink the go on a bender. I am the same way with food - last year I lost 18kg with weight watchers but at my daughters 21st I though OK I think I look alright now and started eating a bit too much and before I knew it I just couldn't get enough and I am now 25kgs heavier. HOPEFULLY this tool will help me control this as I shouldn't be able to overeat

So I am back - have been to the dietician and seen the surgeon to finalise eveything. I discussed my concerns about having been told I had a hiatus hernia by the doctor that did my endoscopy last year and my Surgeon said that if he gets in there and finds that I do have a hernia he will repair it at the same time. Hope so - it might stop me having constant heartburn. Anyway he said it is all go from here on in he said even if I have a hernia it won't stop the operation so I am all happy and my banding is set for the 26th of June. Optifast starts next Wednesday. Hope I can handle it but seeing as my dietician said to only replace the 2 meals I think I can survive with knowing that I will actually be able to eat something. Will have to get all of my social events out of the way before next Wednesday so that I am not tempted. Is anyone else getting banded around this time?

Hi Crushbro,

I hope my hernia is as simple to fix as yours and that my surgeon goes ahead and fixes it at the same time. From what I can understand from the doctor that did my endoscopy last year is that it is coming up through the valve that shuts my stomach off. The reflux is the pits. Some nights I wake up and can't breathe cause I think I have inhaled the acid into my lungs. If that happens I can feel it for days.

So how are you feeling since the op? How's recovery going? Sounds like you are doing well if you think you will be allowed onto mushies. Not looking forward to the Optifast but hey it sureley will be worth it in the end.

Thanks for giving me some positive hope that it will all go ahead.

deb

I am now 5 weeks post op and doing great. My secret has been eat with a teaspoon and chew anything that is not mush. Had my first fill and feel restriction but I needed that as I was getting hungry. I feel alive and energetic every day. I don't tell many people that I have had it done and so keep my good feelings to myself....but everyone notices a "new" me and I get lots of comments about how great I look. I think it all comes from within and I am in love with my band. I am fiercly protective of it and it is part of me now so I am moving forward in a very positive way. There are some down sides to it but never enough to cause any regrets. A new life awaits and it feels great. Good luck everyone on your own journeys.

Hi Crushbro,

Good to hear you are doing so well - that 5 weeks seems to have flown by. You sound like my surgeon (very protective)- he has had the procedure done as well and he said they would have to kill him to get near his. I cannot wait to feel more energetic and alive. Hopefully control my blood pressure. My insulin levels are twice what they should be (insulin resistant) not yet diabetic as my blood sugars are alright but hopefully this will help with that as well - having that makes me lethargic. If I can just get off my c-pap machine for my sleep apnoea I will be over the moon. I HAAAAAAATE it. Such a glamourous piece of equipment.