:unsure:Hi! I have been lurking for a month or so, but I have a surgery date of 5/21... so now it's beginning to seem like it's really going to happen. I went today for my pre-admission testing (PAT), and everything's set. I was fortunate to have BC/BS Federal, so I did not have the 6 month waiting period. I also chose a surgeon (Dr. Cottingham in Birmingham AL) that I was able to get an appointment with about a week after attending his seminar. He's fairly new to lap-bands, but has done extensive GI surgery, so it's not so hard to get in with him. The thing that took the longest was getting my dietician consult. She was hard to schedule.

I have started my 5 day pre-op diet today, and so far, so good. I am going shopping tomorrow for my post-op food.

I am so glad to find a bunch of people that have the same kinds of problems I have. I spent 4 hours last night reading this forum, and it was really encouraging!

Hey, Thin, good luck with everything. I had to do 10 days of a presurgery diet, and about 2 months of a "pre"pre surgery diet before that. Lost 30 pounds before I was even banded! It's hard to stick to the pre diet, but doing so will help you so much afterward. Your body will be used to less and you won't feel so ill when you can't eat much. I shocked myself by not feeling ill at all (after) and get by just fine. One hint about shopping for the after foods. I bought everything on the list given me, which wasn't a bad idea. However, I still had my pre surgery eyes. I bought big containers of juice, cans and cans of cream Soup. Anything you can get in small amounts will be best with possibly more variety. I am on full liquids and a can of cream soup would last me over a week (1 or 2 oz. at a time). sugar free popsicles was on my list, then after surgery I was told nothing cold, it could make the stomach cramp. As with everything, you can get mixed messages. I was given sample menus, which helped a lot. One week post op and I can honestly say I feel better then I did 2 months ago. I"m sure eating right has a great deal to do with it. Exercise if you can, too. I pushed myself hard in the weeks before, and walked 20 minutes around the house the first day post op and 3 days post op was back on the treadmill. Everyone who took care of me was amazed at how well I felt, and how much I could do on my own. Trust me, that was the first time in my life THAT has ever happened.

I, too, "lurked" for weeks before posting anything. I knew the "good, bad and ugly" before I even went for my first informational meeting. Then I didn't post because it just didn't seem real for me. Everyone is so great to share their own experiences. I thought maybe it was time for me to share as well. Glad you chose to, also. By the way, wish I'd been thin in '86. I was on my way up at that time to my all time high this year. I'd have to go back to about '80. I plan on living the second half of my life in a different body-saggy, but lighter.