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).

Some call this period "bandster hell"! Do your best to follow the guidelines. Just because you can eat more doesn't mean you should! Measure out what you should have, eat it slowly, then stop. Find something to do to distract yourself. Good luck!

Orea

Goober, glad your doing pretty good. I'm still struggling with this pre-op liquid diet, 6 days down 9 more to go. all respect to those of you that already did this part. Then 14 more days post-op, man! that's a long time with no food. oh i'm sorry i'm consentrating on the negitive again. anyway best wishes to all and hope your healing process goes by without a hitch.

This is my last day of Protein shakes. I guess it gets a little easier....I have no energy. Tomorrow is Clear Liquids and then surgery.....then two more weeks of Protein Shakes. I thought I would have lost more than 7lbs. Oh well, it will all be worth it. So, hang in there!:smile2:

Thanks Orea,

I am truly in Hell. Thanks for the support. I am going to get some stuff at the hobby store to work on.My doctor said not to eat more than 1/4 cup of solid food at a time. So he said I can eat or drink a protein shake roughly every 2 hours to make sure I get my nutrition. Then as I come along I will go to three meals a day.

This is my last day of protein shakes. :eek: I guess it gets a little easier....I have no energy. Tomorrow is clear liquids and then surgery.....then two more weeks of protein shakes. I thought I would have lost more than 7lbs. Oh well, it will all be worth it. So, hang in there!:cursing:

That's what I was thinking, I guess i'll be a slow loser but that's ok just as long as i'm a loser. Never thought i'd be proud to call myself a loser. but in this case i say it with pride. good luck to you.

Hi my name is Tina. I live in Connecticut. I am getting the band on the 21st. I've been married for almost 11 years, have a beautiful 9, ( going on 19 ) year old daughter. I'm a school bus driver, love to take care of my flower garden, quilt, and scrapbook. There is so much more, to much to list.

I didnt realy gain weight until I met my husband. Probably because he loved me for me, not what I looked like:thumbup:. Other boyfriends always harped about my size, quite frankly I didnt think a 12 was big. Once we fell in love I gained and it just keep comming on. Up and down it went.In April I weighed in at 293 and nearly fell out of the chair when my dr told me.

Now its time to live for me, so here I am.

Tina

Congratulations on making a wise and life-affirming decision. I wish I had this option when I was a young mom. The best of luck to you!

Orea

Hi all! I was banded on the 8th! The whole experience wasn't bad just uncomfortable. I thought the worst going in and called everyone the night before just to say I love you! And when I got back to my room I kept asking why did I do this? But I am glad I did.

I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 545am but I didn't even get into bed until 1am. I got to the hospital changed immediately and things just flew from there. I remember being told to think of a good dream and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. I had a little pain but mainly I was just uncomfortable. I was able to give myself pain meds every 10mins but it really wasn't necessary. Being hooked up to the all the wires was more aggravating than anything else. One thing I did keep saying was how can this surgery be done as an outpatient procedure. I can't understand how some doctors send patients home the same day.

Once home I think I took pain med 2x. I feel really good! And unless the scale is lying to me I've lost 11lbs so I am really excited about that. Oh by the way, right now my incisions look great! I really thought I would have these horrible scars but now I am not so worried.

Best of luck to everyone. Again I am glad I did it!

Hi knd! I had my band on July 8th also. I too am doing good. Still sore, it pulls and pinches, but its not anything I can't stand. The liquid diet is a challenge, ( 2 weeks )but I just keep telling myself you are healing and it will be over soon. On to mushies!!(for weeks 3 & 4) then on to the real stuff!! My family has been so supportive and that means the world! Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!

Hi all, it ia great to hear these updates!

I had all my pre-op appts today for my banding on the 22nd. I found out lots of things that put my mind at ease. My dr allows straws. I knew I only had a 2 day pre-op full liquids diet, but I also learned that he typically only requires one week of each 5 stages post op...YAY! Of course, he will change this if he isn't happy with what he hears/sees at the 1 week follow up. 7 weeks in he does a fill.

My husband can stay overnight with me and I will most likely get cleared to get back in my pool at 1 week post op. That I am most thrilled about, that is my relaxtion during the summer.

Congratulations. I was really encouraged by your post. I'm being done on the 31st and hope my experience is as positive as yours. Melanie

I am back from Belgium - banded 9th July, feel fine!- cant believe that someone has apparently switched something in my head which has definately stopped me feeling hungry or obsessing with food! I lost 9lbs by the time I got home! and am realy happy - only a little uncomfortable.. and I recomend peppermint tea and fennel tea during first few days recovery phase.... Love to all M xx

Thanks, everyone, for checking in and letting us know how you are doing. I start my two weeks of preop Optifast diet tomorrow, and your words are very reassuring to me. I really appreciate it!

Orea

I had to go home on Saturday but woke up Sunday doing really well. I am working today and it is a Tuesday. Make sure you get enough protein, I am finding that difficult. I am picky and if the drink is not fabulous I can't drink it. Things are really turning around going even be able to work I think 8 hours today.

Orea, you start a big step tomorrow. On the 4th day it gets much easier, so remember that.

Every one I wish you well!

I am back from Belgium - banded 9th July, feel fine!- cant believe that someone has apparently switched something in my head which has definately stopped me feeling hungry or obsessing with food! I lost 9lbs by the time I got home! and am realy happy - only a little uncomfortable.. and I recomend peppermint tea and fennel tea during first few days recovery phase.... Love to all M xx

Congrats! Good for you! Belgium....WOW! ....that was a long flight. You must be doing good. Thanks for the tea tip. I am going in in the morning for my band. It is clear liquid day and I am trying to stay busy and not dwell on my hunger pangs.

Hi everyone, just want to check in and see how everyone is doing. I´m on day 15 post op. I cannot believe how the days have flown by. I´m still on mushie foods and have been feeling a bit more hungry than the first week after getting my band.

I will be heading back to Belgium with a friend of mine who will undergo the procedure with Dr Chris. I will be getting my first fill then. :thumbup:

I am currently working away from home, so I don´t have access to a scale to see if i have lost anymore - but at this moment in time I am not worried about that at all. I just want to be healed inside so that I can get my first fill and then really make this tool of mine work for me.

Good to hear from everyone that is posting.

Keep up the hard work, we can do this!!