On my way!!-Finally a surgery date 10/02

Lap Band -Can't wait - but am reading everything that eveyone has to say to soak up all the information!

3 weeks to go and am trying to lose some weight before the surgery- increasing my exercise.  I am worried that this won't work....nothing has before....but it is a new beginning, right???  I just don't want to fail at this..

Congratulations on a date. I hope to have mine by December or January. I am also doing the lap band. From what I am reading the band can be just as good as RNY. You just have to follow the nutritionist dietary guidelines, exercise and make sure you get your follow ups on the fills. Some doctors do the first fill and then let you call them when you need another fill. Others schedule fills and then check to see how you are doing and then do more fills til you get restriction. Just don't give up on the band and start eating what ever. For some people restriction takes several fills.  Sheila N just had her first fill and she is having restriction.

Tamara 

Thanks, Tamara.
I think you are right- just follow the guidelines.  I am a bit confused on when you get a fill, it's on my list of questions for the doctor. 
From what I have read, it seems the weight loss is faster on the RNY but at about 2 years they are equal.  I can handle that for a less invasive procedure.
I just want this to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Bev

Bev,

You can do this - Glad to hear you have a date.  Are you having to follow a pre-op diet?  I gradually worked my way into the liquid diet by having mostly liquids and then one meal a day such as salad with grilled chicken or eggs and cheese - I tried to do low carb with high protein foods.  Then a week before my appt with the surgeon I was ready to go on all liquids.  I had sugar free jello, broth, V8 heated up and low carb Slim Fast.  I lost quite a bit of weight pre-op and since surgery it is gradually coming off.

I don't want to fail at this either and I feel good about things right now - I had my first fill yesterday and it was so much easier than I was expecting it to be.

Come to the boards often - there is a wealth of information and support here.  This is a tool that we are given and I am so thankful for what it is doing for me...

Shelia

Thanks, Sheila,

I haven't been told about a pre-op diet yet, but I go to see the surgeon on 9/22 for pre-surgery appt.  But I have been drinking protein shakes and eating sugar free jell-o- etc- trying to get used to the program and hopefully lose some weight before surgery. 
Did you or your doctor decide you needed a fill?  There seems to be a big variance on how things are handled with different doctors.  My question would be, how do we know when we need a fill?  When we are hungry??

You are doing great- I hope I can do as well!!! 

Bev