Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Hi Shonda, we'll be band sisters, as that is my date, too. :-)

Are you on a preop diet or anything?

Orea

Hello Orea. I am glad to have a sister.

No preop diet yet. I am one of the lucky ones that just have to do 2 days of clears. I had my pre-op gallbladder ultrasound this morning and found out that I am full of stones. :frown: The nurse says that since I have no symptoms that I can have my lap band 1st and have my gallbladder removed later. The stones were a complete surprise to me. Is your diet getting any easier??

Orea. Sorry I asked about your diet. I should have read all of the post 1st. I am sure that your appt tommorw will be fine. Keep me posted.

I had a CT urogram earlier this year and found out that I have a big gall stone, too. Like you, I had no idea. My surgeon said the same thing, that he'd prefer to leave the gall bladder for now because removing it would increase the possibility of infection.

I've calmed down since this morning. Gaining three days in a row just sent me over the edge. I was sitting and crying this afternoon, but I felt better after I ate, so I think that was low blood sugar speaking. This is rough.

But we are really on the countdown now!

Orea

I had a CT urogram earlier this year and found out that I have a big gall stone, too. Like you, I had no idea. My surgeon said the same thing, that he'd prefer to leave the gall bladder for now because removing it would increase the possibility of infection.

I've calmed down since this morning. Gaining three days in a row just sent me over the edge. I was sitting and crying this afternoon, but I felt better after I ate, so I think that was low blood sugar speaking. This is rough.

But we are really on the countdown now!

Orea

Good for you! I am glad you feel better. Like I said, I had to break down and eat too.....several times.

After about a week, I guess my swelling went way down and I don't think I have much if any restriction. I can drink a glass of water in a sitting. I've been working really hard to stay with the protein drinks for the full 2 weeks, but it would help me to know if anyone else was as RAVENOUS as I'm feeling right now? My kingdom for some pureed squash!!

After about a week, I guess my swelling went way down and I don't think I have much if any restriction. I can drink a glass of water in a sitting. I've been working really hard to stay with the protein drinks for the full 2 weeks, but it would help me to know if anyone else was as RAVENOUS as I'm feeling right now? My kingdom for some pureed squash!!

YEAH! I am hungry too....had surgery on the 16th. I have been drinking protein shakes and pureeing food. I find tuna pureed holds me for quite awhile. I have to stay on this diet for at least 3 weeks..yikes! I hope I can do it. I am trying to take in 600-800 calories a day. Tonight I pureed cottage cheese with a cup of sugar free jello......it was fluffy and good. I hate cottage cheese. I guess we will just have to stick it out.

I've been on Optifast for a week now. I haven't had a nibble of anything I shouldn't. I'm drinking plenty of water and other SF fluids.

I lost some weight initially, and now for the past few days I have been GAINING! How can this be? I'm going through all this for nothing??? They said it is rapid weight loss that shrinks the liver -- and I'm not losing rapidly if at all.

I have my preop appointment tomorrow and I just might go off or burst into tears if they give me flack over this. I've tried so hard, and this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am completely demoralized right now.

Thanks for listening.

Orea

Orea, I know how you feel. I'm scheduled for surgery Monday and have been on full liquids. We are back from Branson and I didn't eat a thing while all my family enjoyed the many wonderful restaurants. I weighed upon returning and while I didn't gain anything, I also did not lose. My calorie intake is so so much lower than it was before my two week pre-op. Do you think our bodies are holding on to the weight because it thinks we are in starvation mode? I know, like you, I did not have any water weight to lose because I had been watching calories since May. This is so depressing. I am afraid the dr. will think I have not been following the diet and that is so untrue. I don't know what to do next except keep plodding forward.

Orea, I know how you feel. I'm scheduled for surgery Monday and have been on full liquids. We are back from Branson and I didn't eat a thing while all my family enjoyed the many wonderful restaurants. I weighed upon returning and while I didn't gain anything, I also did not lose. My calorie intake is so so much lower than it was before my two week pre-op. Do you think our bodies are holding on to the weight because it thinks we are in starvation mode? I know, like you, I did not have any water weight to lose because I had been watching calories since May. This is so depressing. I am afraid the dr. will think I have not been following the diet and that is so untrue. I don't know what to do next except keep plodding forward.

Hi, can I join in this lament - dropped 2.5 kg/5.5lb in the first four days and have gained 1.5lb since then! I'm am being ultrastrict on Optifast - hope it's fluid shift and not my body getting used to 700 cals a day so quickly! ONly six days to B-Day - soldier on - what else is there to do?

I am another July Butterfly joining the thread. I will be banded on July 31st.

I was slender and active until I started college. At that time I gained 10 pounds in my first year and continued to gain. I tried several times to lose weight in my thirties with WW, Atkins, Jenny C. Finally, found out I had PCOS and was insulin resistant. My weight stabilized finally at 308lbs and I could not budge it for 5 years. I became apathetic and depressed. I was on blood pressure medication and developing diabetes. A friend urged me to join a gym with her and I started on the treadmill for 10 minutes. I began to enjoy my time in the gym, did not lose any weight, but worked up from 1 minute on the Elliptical to 45 minutes until disaster struck. I began having missteps on the Elliptical where I could not put weight on my knees. I went to the orthopaedic surgeon and he told me that at my current weight I was facing knee surgery in less than 10 years on both knees. I needed to lose weight immediately if I wanted to stave that off. He recommended gastric bypass. I began to research and decided ultimately that the Lap Band was the best choice for me.

I am somewhat shy and slightly paranoid and I have only told my immediate family and three friends about my upcoming surgery. Of those three friends, two have had WLS (Band and Roux NY) and the other is considering it.

Nice to meet everyone. :thumbup:

Hey there, I'm also a 31 July bandster - can't wait. I also have the knee issue - can no longer carry the washing up and down the stairs due to pain and feel like my knees will collapse when I walk downhill etc. Orthopedic specialist said to get 30 kg off asap, the doctor told me I was prediabetic and to get 40kg off and my cardiologist agreed! I'm being banded in Sydney Australia although I live about 2 hours from there, so I'll be done a bit before you as world turns! All the best. I'll watch your posts with interest. Melanie

Thanks for your responses. Yes, I think our bodies are fighting back! If it is happening to all of us it may well be normal. I just wish someone had warned me.

I have my last preop appointment in an hour or so.

See you later!

Orea

I got to eat smushy food the second week out. I am eating soft foods now and going really well. I can eat what every one else eats for dinner because we are not frying anything or having anything really crunchy so it helps a lot when you get to this stage. Tomorrow is 3 weeks since I got banded and I am supposed to eat soft foods for another week and then regular food then on except for beef that is not for 6 weeks. I think when they are saying beef do they mean steaks? Leaner part of beef does not have the grisel in it like other cuts. Can't wait till this just gets to the point of eating anything that i want except only what is good for me. Doing well on that. Haven't had ice cream in 4 weeks which is the hugest battle for me!

Hey there, I'm also a 31 July bandster - can't wait. I also have the knee issue - can no longer carry the washing up and down the stairs due to pain and feel like my knees will collapse when I walk downhill etc. Orthopedic specialist said to get 30 kg off asap, the doctor told me I was prediabetic and to get 40kg off and my cardiologist agreed! I'm being banded in Sydney Australia although I live about 2 hours from there, so I'll be done a bit before you as world turns! All the best. I'll watch your posts with interest. Melanie

Hi Melanie:

How are you doing on your pre-op diet. I am starving ALL the time. I am drinking Carnation Instant breakfast (6/day) and vegetable broth as well as eating a salad and one cup of veggies. Again, starving here, but I am telling myself that this is a temporary state of being because things will be changing. We will keep in touch since we are bandsisters.:smile2:

L.

Hey July bandsters, I am gonna join the ranks tomorrow at 630a. a little nervous, but I know it will be over before I know it.. go to sleep, wake up, ride half asleep to the clinic, get put on a bed, get knocked out and wake up banded!! I am so glad they are doing it soooo early!! I should be home in time for the cubs game!

blessings to all who are waiting or recovering!

I'm up for tomorrow morning too, 0730. I finally started getting a bit nervous last night...

I'll post once I am back home and coherent.

banded July 16 in B.c., Canada and also feel it was the best thing I ever did. I am very tired... had knee surgery two days before lap band so feel I am recovering.... I am satisfied on my diet (changed "full" to "satisfied" still getting cravings but not giving in. I am not allowed mash pot... for a while yet. just on creamed stuff... but it seems to do me. Lost 7 pounds... very happy.... love the support on the net..... lets keep in touch... Kathy