hey Chris! Congrats to the both of us! thats my date too. Are you scared at all? I am but im so excited.

Mine is also on the 11th. Good Luck to you, I am also going through times of excitment and anxiety. I can't wait!!

I look forward to getting to know you all.

Are you on liquid proteins or clear liquids? Low sodium chicken & beef broth are good, as long as you drink lots and lots of water. Crystal light is great. I am pre-op for lap band on 2/13/08 and I have done 2 days of liquid protein shakes. I lost 5-6 lbs in 3 days on the protein shakes. I purchased a huge cannister of vanilla flavored powder whey protein and mixed it with 8 oz skim milk, 8 oz water, and added a 1/4 tsp of vanilla and 2 packets of splenda with a dash of cinnamon. It is actually pretty good. Sugar free popsicles, of course, are great, too. There are lots of different flavored protein powders out there that you can make yourself. Sugar free jello is considered a liquid (according to the dieticians & nutritionists at my surgery site, Albany Med in Albany, NY). If you find a chocolate protein powder, you could always add some unsweetened cocoa and some ice in a blender, with your skim milk and make it really yummy. What about all those protein enriched liquid dietary supplements like ensure and store brand shakes already made, ready to drink in can, etc, with all kinds of different flavors? Sugar free non carbonated beverages are a plus. (Did I already say that?) If you need suggestions, you may want to contact your hospital's dietician and maybe they can help you? Hope all goes well with your surgery. Good Luck !!!! Doirinne from Cohoes (Albany) NY

Hello well I have been reading post for a few months but do not post... So here goes. I went to the Seminar today with Dr. Patel in san antonio today. ( he seems awesome). My sister had the bypass 7 years ago and did well and still great going for size 24 to 6-8 now after all these years. A little about myself I am 40 yrs old am a Nurse and wife and mother of daughter 16 and boy/girl twins 11. I really didnt have a weight issue unitl the twins i gained 120 lbs with them and was on complete bedrest from my 7 th week and have never really taken the weight off. I have not had insuracne for the past 7 years so now that mine finally came into effect 01/01/08 I am going full force. Dr. Patel said it looks like i will be haivng my surgery the end of Februrary 08 WOW i was shocked 1 month away but I have been on a diet and exercise for several months now and have HTN . I am so excited... I was going in with all intentions of doing the lap band until 3 days before the seminar then after more research I decieded ( also after the seminar section) that I will do the bypass instead, I just feel this will be the best procedure for me. So I just wanted to say hello to all and hope to make some buddies. Is anyone else using Dr. Patel in San Antonio, Tx? Jenn