tootsie_lou

Hi Hanna- Is your daughter coming as your support, or will she be "banded" also? I tell you, I think my daughter is about out of her mind already. At the moment she is at a birthday party for a friend, so hopefully her mind is off of it. I'm sure it doesn't help that as I am on the forum reading feverishly about every aspect of this, I read aloud most of what I find interesting--which is practically everything. This forum was the best thing. I was literally ready to fax my 12 page patient information package from a local doctor (his cost $24,500) when I hit on a post found from a web search that landed me to the forum. Even the folks that have had a few setbacks still believe in the lapband as a tool. And to see the incredible amounts of weight that have been lost is truly amazing. My daughter watched a Youtube.com video of the procedure. When I watched it I felt a little weak and sweaty (can you believe I work in a hospital and deal daily with blood, bone marrow and tissue biopsies?). We also clicked a link that had a 3-part interview with Dr Ortiz. He also personally called my daughter (with Lori's help) to make sure she understood the lapband and the changes she will have to make. He was so sweet to her on the phone, and not once seemed like he was just "gettin it done". We both look forward to meeting everyone and hopefully hugging Lori. She is wonderful! I am glad that your anniversary party went well. I think a cruise sounds like the perfect idea. My boss and his family did something similar to that. The only problem with that idea is I think everyone would go on the cruise except my parents (they watch a little too much TV news - haha). When my parents got married it was just them, their bestman, matron of honor and the minister at the rectory. Not a high profile deal. We want to blow their socks off. My youngest brother wants it to be a complete and total surprise. I told him that if it were me and everyone else was all decked out to the nines and I showed up for my own surprise party dressed in my "I'm just running up to the store" duds, I would be tempted to seriously hurt someone. I think we will end up just telling them the date and no other details--just vague instructions to lose their weight, get their botox and fancy party clothes, and the limo will pick them up at 5pm that afternoon. It has been fun so far doing the planning together. Really looking forward to meeting up with both of you! Diana

MamaMichelle-- I just was checking this post to see if anyone responded with your same surgery date, 2/29. Still to no posts. Maybe you're getting ultra private treatment or the other future bandsters are really really shy. I thought I was clicking on one of your posts last night and accidentally hit your forum name and ended up in your profile. Your family picture is so nice. I think from a previous post you said you might crash the fun on the 28th when you do your pre-op testing. Feel free to join the party. I have read posts, however, that many are pretty out of it after the procedure and anesthesia, etc. I hope that if I meet you that I am not drooling on myself or babbling incoherently-haha. Best of luck with everything! Diana

Thanks you guys for the post and for the response. It hadn't yet occured to me about the tipping (who and how much). We (my teenage daughter and I) are scheduled to leave on Wednesday. She has been packed to go since yesterday (Sat.). We're pretty excited around here--and determined to be success stories. Thanks again! Diana

I think I caught that on a previous post that you eliminated a whole bunch of things. Wow girl, talk about a lifestyle change!! Bravo, and then some!! As for the pre-op diet, I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 11 lbs since 2/6. I'm starting out a little heavier than you I think. My starting weight is 229 (exactly 100 lbs heavier than when I got married 23 years ago-- ( ), my weight today was 218, and I think I could manage a goal of 140. I am especially motivated to lose the weight because this year my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversay and my siblings and I are planning a formal party for them in November. I told them that if I don't lose the weight, I will help run the show from the ladies room, sort of like "Charlie" from Charlie's Angels, but I won't let all my relatives see me (we live in FL, they are all in Michigan). I also want to help my daughter, (5'7", 185 lbs) as a better role model than I have been in the recent past. We actually have been taking a nightly bike ride which feels great. (We go at night since it has been a while since I have had a bike--just in case I end up in someone's front yard due to a navigational/coordination error--haha). I also have a Curves membership. Keep up the good work! D

What day are you flying back? I know what you mean about the "long" flight back. In looking for flights, it seemed like you could get to San Diego in no time. Our return on Saturday will literally take all day. I think the expected arrival time back in Ft Lauderdale is 12:05 am on Sunday moring! I don't care, I have the rest of my life to sleep--well not really--but I still don't care. My daughter is 13 and is already experiencing the inherited effects of weight from me and my mom (Dad, brothers and only sister are all thin - ). This is a fantastic tool, and more healthy than medications, in my opinion. I did phen-fen years ago, lost alot of weight (50+ lbs), but when I went off of the meds my appetite came back 10 times worse. At one point I warned my husband and children (small at the time) not to stand still too long--they might not be safe . That's why I think this will work for both of us without the characteristic regaining of weight that always seems to happen. Wow, this got a littel wordy. Anywho- hope to see you there! D

We are out of our minds with excitement. It's Saturday, we won't be leaving until Wednesday afternoon, and my daughter is practically all packed!! Hope you have save travel and smooth sailing through the procedure. Diana

Mackenzie--where in Florida are you flying from? My teenage daughter and I are scheduled for the 28th and we're flying from Ft. Lauderdale. Diana

Hello Kym: Your pics are amazing! You look like a model, girl. I can totally relate to you in regard to the time lapse between where your weight is at and where your head is at. My teenage daughter and I both are tentatively scheduled for Feb 28th (trying to work out details -- work, school, money, etc). I was in complete denial of how big I was getting (even though I have constantly had to change wardrobe sizes--dah) until I saw a photo of myself posted at my church from Oktoberfest '07. I literally freakin' shrieked out loud! Now when I look in the mirror I have no illusions and have a plan for change (who am I-- Barack Obama? haha). Anywho--we are both determined to be success stories. For my daughter, who is almost 14, I can see the same pattern emerging as my own. I pray that this will spare her years of unhappiness and negative self-image issues. I just wanted to add that you are who you are for a reason. You have experienced what you have experienced (and have come out on the positive side, I might add) for a reason. Maybe it was to lift up many who will read your posts and be motivated to change, or to calm fears of those who do not know if this experience and all the changes that result from it is for them. You are very courageous to share all that you have shared, and in doing so have provided courage to many. Thank you for doing that. Diana