This may be too soon or maybe already started but I got my date for December 2nd and thought us December Bandsters should start to follow each other. Any takers? How's the preop appointments going? the preop diet? Any news is good news! (except for the fact that I have to quit smoking!!!!) :blushing:

I'm keeping a binder with all of the great information (recipes, etc.) that I've happened across on this board. I have a 'clear liquids' grocery list of things to buy (some of which, I've purchased), and a 'pureed' list of things to buy - I'll wait to get those items. I've tried a few/handful of different protein shakes - dry and premade. I've found that I don't like most; they taste like infant formulas smell. But I have stocked my frig with a few that I liked a lot - Special K (milk chocolate), Boost (chocolate) and Isopure (punch). My appt. with my surgeon is on Thursday, so if he requires that I use a specific (bariatric) variety, I guess I'll find out then.

I've been reading a lot of posts and blogs - thebanded girl's, yosemites, etc.. Yosemite has a youtube link to a lb surgery and the names/critiques of two lb books on her blogsite. Good stuff.

All in all, I still have a bunch of things to BUY (sippy cups, liquid tylenol, more gas-x strips, toddler silverware); and PACK (a 'surgery day' bag with chapstick, fuzzy socks, comfy sweats, headband/barrette, gas-x strips, small pillow, reading glasses/book); and READ (the LB book recommended by Illumination Lady a couple pages back and another one called "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery", also mentioned on the board). I also should take my measurements and 'before' photos. Lots to do - it's a good thing I still have some time!

Here's the latest and greatest 'December Bandsters 2009' list. Please let me know if there are any updates or corrections, or if I have inadvertently missed anyone.

Week 1

Tuesday, December 1: Melinco (tbd), RandaPanda, TheCutestFatty, terriamn, LALALUDE (tbd)

Wednesday, December 2: garden-nut, yosemite, Su59, Bobbie0918, austrolatrishy

Thursday, December 3: tbird1211, dmdsanchez, suzycooke, mommymya, sxygma130, Claudean, lapfish

Friday, December 4: kslessar, KarynA, cent

Week 2

Monday, December 7: lackey4, RadioGirl311, skinnybitch, HappyMe2009

Tuesday, December 8: Zanath

Wednesday, December 9: michelleintheoc, Irishbookworm, subpoptart

Thursday, December 10: msjoachin1

Friday, December 11: Ernieschick

Week 3

Monday, December 14: j-mae, Drasan (tbd), ceecee3272 (tbd)

Tuesday, December 15: voodoo, BigMomma, slmsister, TinaM, ididit35 (tbd)

Wednesday, December 16

Thursday, December 17: librarychick

Friday, December 18: bren5500; policy34

Week 4

Monday, December 21: hunybear53. abbylamb, adagray (tbd)

Tuesday, December 22: illuminationlady (tbd)

Wednesday, December 23: danielle.hurstcrose, alilash (tbd)

Thursday, December 24

Friday, December 25

Week 5

Monday, December 28: alicia3138

Tuesday, December 29

Wednesday, December 30

Thursday, December 31

Decided I would have my morning coffee by partaking in the coffee shake. I'm hoping i tried the one i'm going to least like first, i find the coffee one horrid! :biggrin:

Fingers crossed for lunchtime!

What are the sippy cups for, exactly? I get the small plates, but I'm a little confused about the sippers. What I've done to start preparing myself is that I have forced myself to have a protein shake for my breakfast every morning. This is what I am going to have to do after surgery, so I figure I might as well get used to it now. I'm glad I'm doing it, because these shakes take some serious getting used to. :biggrin: The first day it took me three hours to choke them down. I have Walden Farms chocolate syrup, but honestly it makes it taste worse. Anyone have some flavoring ideas? The other thing I'm working on is not drinking with my meals, and not for an hour afterwards. That's tough. Next on my list is learning tiny bites of food. And to buy Gas-X strips because I've seen enough posts to know I don't want to go without them. It's great to see what others are doing--I especially like creating a list of foods I'll be able to have for each stage-It'll keep me from living on Crystal Light and applesauce!

I'm happy to officially say that I belong here! I got my surgery date today and it will be December 17. Funny thing is that this is the exact date that my mom got lapband surgery 2 years ago. I'm thinking that must be good luck! :biggrin:

I haven't done a whole lot to prepare for surgery yet. I did start exercising again a couple months ago (doing Jazzercise) and have been good about doing that at least twice a week. Its not much, but its a start!

Today, when I went to Costco, I bought 'Protein Shots' in fruit punch and orange flavors. They are 3 oz each and have 25 grams of Protein and only 100 calories. I tried the fruit punch one and thought it was pretty good... like liquid jello. I looked at the protein shakes, but was paralyzed trying to decide which one to try.

I'm getting banded on December 7th! As most of us are, I'm truly excited and cannot wait. I am a little nervous, but that will pass. We can do this together! :biggrin: Good luck to all of you and God bless!

We're getting CLOSER!!!!

Do you have to do the pre-op liquid diet? I'm trying to punp myself up for it. notworkingsomuchhowever! :tt2:

Hey good luck December bandsters my surgery is December 9th--nervous and excited all at once. Excited about the new me for 2010!!!

Decided I would have my morning coffee by partaking in the coffee shake. I'm hoping i tried the one i'm going to least like first, i find the coffee one horrid! :biggrin:

Fingers crossed for lunchtime!

Do you have a three week pre-op diet?

I obviously haven't been back to the board for a while...last time I checked there hadn't been a thread started yet for December, and now this one has nine pages already!

After THREE-PLUS YEARS of working up to it, my surgery date is set for December 8. Wahoo!!!!

I start a low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, two-week pre-op diet on November 24, but other than that I don't have any requirements for weight loss prior to surgery.

I'm incredibly nervous and incredibly excited. More than anything I'm looking forward to never "dieting" again. Good luck to all of us!!

What are the sippy cups for, exactly? QUOTE]

I've heard that you cannot take big gulps of liquids at any time...sip...sip...sip...

I'm keeping a binder with all of the great information (recipes, etc.) that I've happened across on this board. I have a 'clear liquids' grocery list of things to buy (some of which, I've purchased), and a 'pureed' list of things to buy - I'll wait to get those items. I've tried a few/handful of different protein shakes - dry and premade. I've found that I don't like most; they taste like infant formulas smell. But I have stocked my frig with a few that I liked a lot - Special K (milk chocolate), Boost (chocolate) and Isopure (punch). My appt. with my surgeon is on Thursday, so if he requires that I use a specific (bariatric) variety, I guess I'll find out then.

I've been reading a lot of posts and blogs - thebanded girl's, yosemites, etc.. Yosemite has a youtube link to a lb surgery and the names/critiques of two lb books on her blogsite. Good stuff.

All in all, I still have a bunch of things to BUY (sippy cups, liquid tylenol, more gas-x strips, toddler silverware); and PACK (a 'surgery day' bag with chapstick, fuzzy socks, comfy sweats, headband/barrette, gas-x strips, small pillow, reading glasses/book); and READ (the LB book recommended by Illumination Lady a couple pages back and another one called "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery", also mentioned on the board). I also should take my measurements and 'before' photos. Lots to do - it's a good thing I still have some time!

All really great stuff. Would you be willing to share your lists here on this thread. I know it would help me and probably others. I have a binder too...lol

I found a good tasting vitamin :biggrin: Bariatric Fusion Orange Cream!! I didn't like the berry flavor, but the orange cream I could handle on a daily basis.

Today I was approved by the psychologist for surgery. The bariatric coordinator said for me to start preparing, she shooting to get me on the schedule for surgery on Dec 15th. I have one last test I need to take, but our hospital is getting new equipment and will not schedule any tests until after Dec 1st. So, my date will be pending that test comes out ok, but looks like I will start my liquid diet before I take the test! They seem very positive everything will work out ok and Dec 15th will be my big day:thumbup:

Today I picked up liquid Tylenol, a single serve blender and some new pj's to come home from the hospital in. Later this week I will be ordering my vitamins and shakes online. Thank you to everyone for all the helpful information!!

I obviously haven't been back to the board for a while...last time I checked there hadn't been a thread started yet for December, and now this one has nine pages already!

After THREE-PLUS YEARS of working up to it, my surgery date is set for December 8. Wahoo!!!!

I start a low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, two-week pre-op diet on November 24, but other than that I don't have any requirements for weight loss prior to surgery.

I'm incredibly nervous and incredibly excited. More than anything I'm looking forward to never "dieting" again. Good luck to all of us!!

Veronda -

I know the feeling. I started the process about 3 years ago and I finally decided to go through with it this time. I am so nervous and excited. :biggrin:

- Valerie

Edited November 17, 200916 yr by BigMomma

Veronda -

I know the feeling. I started the process about 3 years ago and I finally decided to go through with it this time. I am so nervous and excited. :w00t:

- Valerie

I also started this process 3 yrs ago, however, my insurance at the time denied me. Although, I think by having that long gap, I am more than ready this time around! I can't wait!!

I also started this process 3 yrs ago, however, my insurance at the time denied me. Although, I think by having that long gap, I am more than ready this time around! I can't wait!!

I didn't have to wait 3 years, only 1 year, but I have to say that I do not regret the time I spent in this process. I have really struggled this year trying to get my head around all of this. I mean I KNOW it is what I need, but it has taken me some time to really embrace it and feel ready and even excited for it. In hindsite, I am grateful for the wait even though I didn't feel that way while in the process. :w00t: