I will be banded on oct 23, the following wee I will have my gallbladder out. It took a long time for this to all happen

I initially had united but was declined twice, but I switched to Blue cross and was instantly approved. Now it seems like things are coming at me fast. I also was on a waiting liest for nearly every dr's appointment.

There are no support groups near me, and I feel so alone, and overwhelmed with the things I have to do to prep, so I am here.

Anyone who had the surgery, what tips do you have for not chickening out??

I understand that for 2 weeks prior to my surgery, I am ot have liquids only, carnation suger free shakes I think is what I wrote down. Is this going to be impossible? What do you do for the hunger pains?

What I am kicking my self for is that when I started this jounrey back on new years eve I weighed 330, but with all the stress, insurance denials, panic of the surgery I gained 24lbs. So I started a diet the day I went back to meet my surgen and was not scolded, but told nicely to aoid risks to lose some weight. Which I have been trying. Its not easy but the surgery is a great motivation. My scale doesnt go past 325, so Its hard to know what my weekly progress has been.

Anyone in the ri or eastern ct area, up for a a lapband friendship??

I'm sorry, I'm not from your area, but you will get plenty of online support on LBT. Most of us have been in the same palce as you or will be soon. I'm glad you were able to get you insurance to work. I was self-pay, but even at that, my band has been worth every single penny.

You need to get exact instructions from your doctor as to the amount of time and what you can eat (or drink) on both your pre-op and post-op diets. As you read the boards, you'll see that there are as many different diet recommendations as there are doctors. Carnation sugar free shakes was one of the Protein drinks on my plan (with an added 1/4 cup of powdered skim milk to boost the protein), but I had a few other choices as well. I was also allowed one small "meal", veggies and a fruit. Some doctors are stricter than others, so it's important to follow your own doctor's advice.

The first couple days were by far the hardest for me. I think my system needed to adjust to the lack of carbs and calories, but it did get better. I drank a boat load of green tea and Water too.

Good luck, and I hope you're able to connect with some other banders in your area.

Congratulations!! I was banded exactly a year to the day before you! This past year has been fantastic -- you have a lot of good things in store for you.

Wanted to recommend that you take your measurements and a few "before" photos now. You will want them later!

To answer your questions:

Tip for not chickening out: Write out a pro/con list about why you are getting banded. It should make the decision very clear -- and you can look at it when you are having doubts.

2 Week liquid Diet: You'll be fine -- just do it. If you don't, your liver may be fatty and they may not do your surgery. Also, the better you are on your diet, the less your liver will slide around and need to be manipulated during surgery -- and the less pain you will have afterwards.

Best wishes for your success!

Catherine