Hello fellow bandsters,

It is T minus 5 days and counting to my surgery date. I feel that i am mentally prepared for what is ahead of me, but have had the occasional nervous bouts about it as well. I suppose the nervousness just comes with the territory.

I am half way through my 2-week pre-op diet and and after losing close to 10 pounds, a strange thought popped into my head. "Wow, 10 pounds, maybe I can do this without the band". But reason wins, and I realize that although I have lost pounds on diets before, they never seemed to stay away permanently. This just strengthens my resolve to succeeding with the band.

Secondly, two things have really hit close to home that brings into sharp focus, my NEED to succeed with the band.

1) My brother-in-law recently had a scare with a possible heart-attack. In the end, it wasn't one, but it was pretty scary at the time.

2) I just found out a couple of days ago, that an acquaintance of mine suddenly died of a massive heart attack. Like me, he was overweight and diabetic, and I heard he had high blood-pressure as well. The scary thing is that he was younger than I am and when I saw him last, he looked pretty good.

I am not ready for a cardiac event in my life, and want to live to see my grandkids graduate (even though I don't have any grandkids yet). Sometimes in life it takes something like this to really show you what is important. Living a happy and healthy, long life with those around you is the top of my list.

Thanks for reading...

Randy

Hi Randy...

I'm having surgery day after tomorrow (11/18) and am feeling many of the same things.

It sometimes seems like the craziest thing that I'm chosing to have this surgery, and walk around with a band in me!

But then, I think how this band will probably save my life, and let me be with my kids for a long time.

I guess all of us on LBT CAN lose weight...we just can't keep it off. I want off that roller coaster. This band will be a tool to use all our lives....long, healthy lives.

I'm on the clear liquid diet (started today) and I'm STARVING! However, I want my liver nice and small, so I've been scared straight into sticking with this.

We're gonna be ok. It's so great to read all the post-op stories...very inspiring.

Best of luck to you!

bmi 40

surgery 11/18

Jax, FL

Hang in there, Randy, pre-op jitters and doubts are normal. I had them. I think most of us did or do have them from time to time.

You have very good reasons to have this surgery and I believe you will succeed. You are very close to the banding finish line now. From there you will start on the journey to the healthier you.

I am six day post-op now. I am only a baby bandster myself. I can offer a few words of advice though.

1. Don't get too nervous. It is easy and you are banded before you realize it.

2. When you are banded, get up and walk walk walk, even if it is only ten minutes or so at a time as soon as you can. It takes those back and shoulder pains away.

3. Listen to YOUR doctor. He is in charge of your care and he can only give you his best treatment if you are an awesome listener.

You are going to do great! Let us know when you are banded and back home!