Charelle

Congratulations, Charelle - that is so awesome!!!! You're on your way now, girl! I can't wait to be right there with you! Do you know which band you got (a topic I seem to be obsessed with lately - lol) ?

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

Carrie,

Of course you can do whatever you want on your bday and I would NEVER judge, but I have suggested to mine that instead of taking me out to dinner, he can take me to something else that we wouldn't normally splurge on. I was thinking maybe a concert or play, but he bought us tix to an NBA game that's coming to Vancouver Oct 22nd. We used to have seasons tix for the Grizzlies when they were "Vancouver Grizzlies" but basketball doesn't sell well here (hockey town) so we lost the team...anyway, looking so forward to seeing a game again! Oh yeah, instead of a fancy dinner on his bday, we went to a baseball game and had a blast! I'm trying really hard to find other forms of entertainment since dining out was all we ever did to celebrate stuff.

Sabrina:)

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

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:

: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:

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

Hey There!

I am new to the forum, although I have been reading and searching it for quite some time now. I am scheduled for surgery on September the 15th, a bit scared about going to Mexico and about having the surgery. I just know that I need to take a drastic measure to get this weight problem under control. I have some amazing things happening in my career that could potentially put me more in the public eye and I don't want to be hiding from the world because of my weight problem

If it weren't for all of the great information on this forum I would probably still be contemplating have this procedure. I appreciate all of the advice and comments that everyone has taken the time to post. Wish me luck on my journey

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!

The scales and I are not friends..lol Someone else can pick the time, I does not matter to me....I try to do it no more than once a week.....Any suggestions??????

Carrie

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 know when my sister tells me something "nice" that I must be doing something really good, because she ihas the "model figure" in our family, so it makes me feel really good!

Carrie

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.

Also, I am sorry I did not write this with my post so I wanted to post this as well.....Sometimes I get stuck in the fact that my glass in ALWAYS empty, trying to change that attitude about myself!

Things I did not expect......

I did not expect to "find" myself again. I think I have smoothered myself in food and my own unhappiness, I forgot who I was.....

I did not expect to become the biggest "Health Nut" that I know! ME a "Heath Nut" ..."WHATEVER!!!!...but its true!

I never expected to look at someone elses plate and think "WOW that is alot of food, are they really gonna eat all of that"

I never expected to ask for a "to go box" with EVERY kids meal I order, when I order them.

I did not expect to be able to exercise and uhmmm...shhh ..kinda like it!

I NEVER thought I would be able to wrap a towel around my self, even the "normal" towels, dont have to buy beach towels any longer! Did not think that would be a big deal, but that is an AWESOME feeling!

I NEVER expected to be able to wear Size 12 Jeans in Nine Months!

I NEVER EXPECTED to be able to do this, make it through the pre-op, make it through the 21 days on liquid, But I did and Like Shelby said, if we can do it, anyone can do it!

I could go on and on, but the biggest one yet is, Honestly I never EXPECTED that I could be this HAPPY with MYSELF!

Good Luck to you!

Carrie

This just made my day! THANK YOU!!

Hi, everybody! I feel a little silly posting this, as I've been posting on this board for a month or two now - but, what the heck. Today I started my pre-op diet (surgery is at the OCC on Sept. 29th) - so I feel like an official bandster now! My name is Deena - I'm 36, I'm a stay-at-home mom to my two darling little girls and am starting a master's program in library science next Fall (2010) - it's a long wait to start, but they are full for Fall and Spring - so I just have to keep myself occupied until then!

I do have a question for y'all though (I'm from the South, can you tell?) - Carolyn told me I could do option 2 or 3 of the pre-op diets - 2 being the shakes and one meal, three being Atkins induction. Did anyone do Atkins induction? I've got four weeks - so I decided to do this for the first 2, then switch to shakes if I'm not getting good results (I need to lose 12 lbs). Anyone done that? How were your results?

Well, thanks for all the info and support - I very much look forward to talking to you all in the future!

-- Deena

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

Sept 17 here.... a bit freaked but looking forward to it.... ''

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

- you can still eat whatever you want ....

- restriction takes awhile - like 6 months. i thought i'd feel it within my first fill, with it NOT the case at all.

- it's a very slow process for the majority of us

- eating a 'meal' takes at least 30 minutes now

- burping & forcing myself to burp to get rid of that gagging feeling

- fills for me are $150 EACH.

You'll need at least 4 - so budget it in.

Chances are you won't be returning back to TJ for your fills, so make sure you've sourced it out LOCAL to where you live BEFORE you have the surgery, including the expense.

This is a big one, as there are tons of people who get the surgery, and then can't afford the fills!

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!

The biggest unexpected for me is the noise that my pouch makes. It’s so much closer to your mouth that people can hear it – it’s the strangest thing and hard to explain sometimes - its not like gurgling - its really heard to explain and its not like other people make this noise. I was sitting next to a lady at a conference and she had the noise - I just looked at her - smiled and whispered "hello banster". She started cracking up.

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