Charelle

Thanks! I think it was the Johnson & Johnson 10 cc band. My sister said maybe it was 11 cc. Not sure... I'm so excited for you!!! Can't wait to hear about your adventure soon!!

Hang in there! The middle of the night was THE WORST for me!! Plus, I was mentally going a little crazy, feeling like I had a to taste a certain food one more time before the 21 day liquid diet!! (I'm LOVE mexican food!!!) I'll tell you though... I cheated early on in my pre-op diet thinking I could make it up, and one meal made me gain 2 lbs! I know it's a lot of water weight that makes me gain so fast, but still. Hang in there!! You can do & and you'll feel GREAT and EMPOWERED that you were able to!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

No! Not a catheter! Sorry, it was just hours after my surgery & I think I heard the word earlier in the day. They put an IV in. Sorry to worry anyone!

GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHAT?!!?!?!?!? Hello everyone! I am OFFICIAL part of the bandster society!!! YES!!! This morning I drove over to San Diego, got picked up around 9:30am, then was driven straight to OCC. There, I filled out a little bit of paperwork, then off to see the nutritionalist. She told me I was having surgery TODAY! I as SO not mentally prepared for that!! In all honesty, my main concern what that I wanted to have my 'last meal' that that cantina by lucerna that lots have raved about!! Alas, I went along with the wirlwhind idea and after a ccouple of more tests with the cardiologist, I was taken to my room to get dressed into a gown (& the other goodies!) and my catheter was getting put it! I met wit the other doctors (Dr. Ortiz is dream!) then I woke up in my room when it was all over! My sister was with me the whole time, so it lessened the anxiety level a bit. No real pain at all. I mild discomfort in my chest area, and the port area is a little tender. We chose to finally head to our room at the marriott. Apparently the others who had procedures today ( I didn't meet them) had already gotten rides back to their hotels. My sister and I went downstairs at the hotel so she could finally eat something since she was with me all morning at the clinic! The dinner place is cute. No discounts for my broth or my sister's meal. That was a bummer, but no too bad. I'm so excited that it happened! I'm going to need all of you to get me through banster hell!!! All the best, Charelle

Good idea Sabrina! Personally, the problem with my situation is that my husband and I do go to plays and games and what-not, but ALSO couple it with a nice dinner! Dinner & a movie, Dinner & a play, hot dogs & beer at a Dodger game, Beer & munchies at a Laker game... Honestly, I couldn't even imagine going to an event without tying it to food! Goodness...this is going to be a long, hard journey! Eek! ~Charelle

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY! Happy Monday everyone! I've noticed a lot of great quotes in people's signatures. When you're feeling unmotivated and down, what are some quotes that pick you up? Anyone have a mantra they'd like to share? I have 3 more pounds to lose by Thursday & I'm feeling pretty defeated. One side of me says that's plenty of time to lose the weight, the other side of me is grumpy about having to do it! Ugg!! Motivation please!! Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. ~Confucius Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork. ~English Proverb Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning. ~Oprah Winfrey

Thanks, D! I'm looking to stay accountable & motivated myself. This hopefully will keep us all on track! :sun_bespectacled:

SAY - IT - ALL- SUNDAY :lb3: :lb20: Good morning everyone! I started this thread in the general area for more visability. How did everyone do this week? Carrie, is the peach pie still intact? This week was a little tough for me, and I'm only on my pre-op diet!! Eek!! I've got until Thursday to lose 5 more pounds so I'm asking you all to keep me on track. Hopefully staying accountable through the forum will help me focus in this final stretch before surgery. Was everyone good bandsters this past week?? Spill it! We're all here for you! :lb18:

HAPPY STICK-TO-IT SATURDAY!! Today, I'm going to stick to my pre-op diet with absolutely NO cheating at all! Unfortunately, it's also house cleaning day, but at least I'll get some exercise in while doing all that. Hopefully I'll get out & about to run some errands also. ~Charelle

Welcome!! You'll be in a few days before me. I'm so excited!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

YAY!! Corny people like me!!! WOO-HOOO!!

A week away from surgery and doing....okay, on my pre-op diet. Emotionally, I'm feeling kinda like I have to hoard! Almost like I'm going to be locked away & preparing for it! It's weird! I feel like I have to get that last buffet in before surgery!! There is this AMAZING seafood buffet at the Indian casino near me. All-you-can-eat LOBSTER, king crab legs, shrimp...a bunch of stuff including meats and other foods. Desserts too! I feel like I need to get one last trip in before I get banded and spend the next 21 days after that on liquids & forever after that only eating limited food. eek! It's so hard!!!! I'm motivated, but feel like I'm being left out of the party!

Maybe "Weigh-in Wednesdays"? & we can also add "Motivational Mondays" (inspiring stories, quotes & words of wisdom) , "Turn-It-Up Tuesdays (focus on what exercise & moving can be accomplished that day) , Thirsty Thursdays (drink that water!!), "Fresh Fridays" (healthy foods/veggies & fruits day), "Stick-To-It Saturday" (weekends are tough! What are you doing to stay away from cheating & staying active) "Say-it-all Sunday" (a day of confessions from the week past!) I'm lame & corny...I know! hee-hee

Hello everyone, I just wanted to update on how my pre-op diet's going. Hmm..... :dash2: Hee-hee! I started a week early (last week), and I've lost 6 of my 12 lbs. so far. I have to admit that I cheated a little over the labor day weekend. :negative: I'm pretty on track for the rest of this week and next week as well. I've been losing around a pound or two a day, so if I was super strict, I know I would have lost 15+ by the end of the 3 weeks. NEXT WEEK'S SURGERY!!!!!!! :girl_dance: I talked to Rene at OCC & he said I could possibly have my surgery on Thursday instead of Friday, so I'm weighing that option. I'll continue to keep you all posted as my journey continues! ~Charelle

WAY TO GO, KRISTI!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

Name and Location: Charelle from Ventura County, CA Age: 34 Gender: F Band Date: scheduled for 09/18!! Height: 5'5" Highest weight: 230 Start of Pre-op diet: 230 Current Weight: 227.4 (only 2 days later!) Goal Weight: 140

I too have a sister with the "model figure"! Although, she did it by shedding about 20 lbs before we went on vacation this past summer, so now she's BACK to her model figure. I was always intimidated by her. She's 7 years younger than me, but we look like we could be twins because our facial features are very similar. It bothered me that I would look at her and think, "Wow...she's the younger, hotter version of me!" Now I'm going to give her a run for her money.

This just made my day! THANK YOU!!

Welcome, Deena! I am new here as well! I am getting banded on the 18th of September and started option #2 today. Like you, I need to lose about 12 lbs. also! I'll check in with you in a few days to let you know how this diet is going. Take care, Charelle

Hi Dave, I'm scheduled for surgery on the 18th. I'll be in on the 17th to do my pre-op blood work, so maybe I'll see ya around! Have you decided on which hotel you're staying at? Take care, Charelle

Thanks, Lindsay. My plan is to see if I can actually go back to TJ for the fills. There's a fill center about 1/5 hrs away, and TJ is about 4 hrs away. I think if I make a long weekend out of it, I'd rather go to TJ so they can do the x-ray thing (whatever it's really called) for a cost & then the fill. I've read that fills outside OCC are more expensive. I'm trying to remind myself that *hopefully* it will take the 3 or 4 times & that's it. I go out to eat during lunch every day, so I'm hoping the savings from not doing that anymore will off-set the fill cost. I'm actually scared of the burp thing! This may sound strange, but I have no idea how to burp! My sister can't either!!! I kinda giggle at the thought of being 34 and FINALLY know what it feels like to actually burp...if it does happen for me!

Oh my! This is the first I'm reading of the "noise"! Does this just happen randomly, or is there some action involved? Thanks for the info!

Thank you, Ladies! This is exactly what I'm looking for! So, I'll watch out for the slime & hard consequence if I attempt to eat too much, and that I really need to watch what's going in my mouth! Still...I'm excited! I have to note, I'm a little intimidated by all these beautiful people and the progress!! I almost feel like you all are an infomercial and I want to be just like you, but when I get it home, I end up not looking as awesome!! You are my PX90 commerical! I'm anxious & determined to live my life as the "after" picture. I CAN'T WAIT!! By the way, how much does the pre-op diet prepare you for what's to come?

Good morning, everyone! I was just wondering....I know, like myself, that you all did extensive research before jumping into this journey. For those that have already been banded, was there anything that was unexpected? I've read posts of "play-by-plays" of the entire experience. Did any of you read those and then when your experience time came, you thought, "Oh...THIS wasn't mentioned" or something along those lines? Thanks Charelle

ooh! Sounds interesting! I'd love to learn more about this card as well. I hope it's pretty discreet and not like, "I know I look big, but I got banded & will not eat much" kinda thing. Anyone have more insight on it? Thanks, Charelle