March Bandsters: MASTER THREAD

[Fenton]

Hey all.

So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st.

I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges.

I was thinking that if we all contribute to one thread, it'll form a more substantial channel for information and support. At the moment, I was thinking that we might be too spread out into individual date, and that a central thread would be a really good backbone for the group, in addition to the date-specific threads.

What do you think?

Fenton

[Fenton]

And I'll post the first reply to the thread!

I think I'm going to be one of the heavier hitters here - I'm going in with a BMI of 60, start weight of 473. I've so far lost 17 pounds in the three or so weeks since my weigh-in - the first few days I wasn't trying to lose, just trying not to go crazy with Last Supper Syndrome, but for five days now I've been doing the grim Slimfast Optima diet. They advised me to drink 6 of those bloody shakes a day, but the stuff is so rich and icky I can't do it. I've been having things like soups and the occasional sugar-free Hot Chocolate, and making up for the protein with Isopure drinks and those Protein Slam shots. I was pleased - and a bit surprised - by how much weight I'd lost. And am also pleased - and a bit surprised - that I'm not more hungry.

Or hungry at all, really. It's hard to be excited about food when you know you're looking at cold brown slurry poured from a can.

I'm getting banded at New York University on the 6th of March, 2008 by Dr. Fielding. I have a medical background, and have seen my fair share of operations, but this is my first time. I'm a bit scared, but the time has come for me to do something drastic, so I'm embracing the lap band and the change in eating pattern that I need to get to the weight I want.

So. First steps. I'm glad to be aboard, and looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

We're all in this together, and that cheers me considerably.

All the best to my fellow Marvelous Marchers and Shrinking Shamrocks,

[thin2bme]

I'm all for one thread for us March bandsters! Congrats on your surgery date, mine is March 21, ready to go....

[SpecialK]

Thanks for making this thread for us to combine forces. I'm really not looking forward to the Optifast/Slimfast portion of this prep but I'll do whatever I have to do to get to my goal. I'm in the BMI over 50 group too.
Best Wishes to All

[pippinje]

I will be banded on the 7th. Nice idea to post everything in one central location. I start my liquid diet Monday so I will come here and complain and gripe and we can lean on one another for support.

[pippinje]

Had another idea. Why doesn't everyone add their band date to the calendar on the home page so we know to check on you and send encouragement throughout the month. Just an idea.

[Fenton]

I've found the Slimfast Optima diet manageable, but I have to admit that I'm beginning to find the TV ads for food places unbearable. Particularly the Red Lobster ads, with the almost-erotic squirtings of lemons and slatherings of melted butter.

My big worry at the moment is that I won't be fit enough for surgery. I'm up for the chop next Thursday, but I had a pretty bad cold last week, and I have a lingering cough. I feel fine, but I'm worried the anesthetist will suggest I wait another week.

I think I could manage an extra week on liquids, but I've arranged work carefully to have almost two weeks off, and I don't want to lose a precious day of recovery time...

[nycm00]

I am getting banded on March 24th by Dr Ren at NYU. I start the liquid/1000 calorie/high protein diet on the 10th.

Fenton: Do you get less hungry as time goes by with the liquid diet? I will be using up some medifast shakes I have and then doing the Slimfast shakes.

Christine

[Fenton]

Because I'm big, I'm allowed 6 Slimfast Optima shakes a day, which brings the protein intake to 60 g and the calories to 1170. I haven't felt particularly hungry - I don't know if it's because I'm aggressive about how much water I take in, or because I'm spacing out my shakes, or whether I'm just so determined to lose that I'm somehow overriding hunger. The only time I've had hunger pangs was when I watched some TV fast food commercials, and after having a chocolate pudding (low fat, sugar free). I was also a bit fluish when I began, with a not very good appetite.

I think the other thing that stops me from being hungry is that I know that the only thing I"m going to eat is those damned shakes, and I just can't get excited about them. Indeed, it's a bit of a challenge to get them down - try as I might, I can't convince myself that they're tasty.

Christine, I'm (hopefully) going to be banded by Dr. Ren's husband, Dr. Fielding, on the 6th at NYU. I'll do my best to give you a detailed description of what the whole process was like.

[hopeinapril]

Congrats everyone!

I just got my date and it is March 25th. I haven't posted here because I thought my best hope was that I could get banded in April. (hence the name!) But, the insurance company won't pay, so I am self-pay. It sure moves quickly when you are paying cash.

I LOVE the name shrinking shamrocks! It rocks! I am loving being part of this group. I'm not nervous yet because the date is still so far awary. Good luck on all of you that are being banded next week.

[HarleyGirl]

Well, March is officially here TOMORROW!
Looks like it's going to come in like a lamb here.......so I guess we'll be going out like a LION....which of course, reminds me of the lap band commercials!

I start my pre op on the 11th, with surgery on the 18th. I've been very mindful of what I'm eating now, trying to stay away from the "Last Supper" syndrome!

Feeling a little pissy today because DH came home with cookies AND ice cream from the store....he SWEARS he's in this with me, but I have to wonder. It's okay, I'll do it IN spite of him TO spite him, if that's what it takes!

[Fenton]

I'm really lucky - my girlfriend has been very supportive. She wanted me to buy an iPod Nano with that Nike doo-hickey that tracks your routes, to encourage me to walk.

But I've been walking anyway. I have a pedometer, and have been trying to take more steps each day than I took the day before.

[Fenton]

Oops! I should have said "SHe wanted to buy me an iPod Nano" - but I'd already bought one. I haven't used it.

Yet.

[SpecialK]

I finally get it on why the various Monthly Bandster Date support group threads are so important, the logos I'd seen for other groups like Shrinking Violets, Victorious Valentines, etc. It does feel really good to have a group of people from all over, regardless of surgeon who will be going through the stages you are at the exact same time and sharing so openly about how it feels to see TV commercials when you're on pre-op diet, etc. Ihave a great local group under the Ohio thread that has been super supportive so I'd also encourage you to connect with your local area folks. We ended up meeting in a public place - a mall -- and we have a great time chatting and sharing together. Some even brought clothes to swap that last February get together.

Keep up the posting Shrinking Shamrocks. It really helps me. We Rock!

P.S. Its March 1st!! We're officially in our month now.

[mrodr41]

Hi,everyone I am scheduled for my pat on the 5th and my surgery date is the 26th. I am so excited that it is not only finally March but also that there is now a thread for me to be apart of. I am really thankful for this thread...