new to this board

Welcome!!

I had my band removed, hernia repair, scar tissue removed and was sleeved on July 8, I had been banded 6/08. I love sleeve life, it is everything I thought the band would be, no regrets....ok 1 regret I wi**** would have been an option when I was banded!

thanks! good to know all of this....seems to be the way most of my "band pals" have gone.

Hi Anita!

I'm getting sleeved on June 6th as well. Maybe we can share our experiences.

I have a good friend who had it done, and she said the first month isn't fun, and it will take you 3 months to learn how much you can eat, but she's doing great and it really hasn't changed her life much.

Two weeks from today... good luck to you!

Hi there.......where do you live? I'm in NY....about 45 minutes outside of Manhattan.......had dinner last night with a "band buddy" I met here 10 years ago.....she's revising to a sleeve tomorrow....funny how life works, isn't it? I've met some wonderful people here on OH.com and am far richer for having them in my life and my support system. At any rate, I said to my friend last night that a chance encounter as led to a friendship that is comfortable and comforting. All these changes we go through and some people struggle unnecessarily... it used to be that people had to go far and wide to get emotional help, but now, help and support is as close as your computer or phone....life truly is good!

I start my pre-op diet today (not looking forward to this.....still haven't ventured downstairs to the kitchen yet...LOL......am a bit worried about the holiday weekend because I'll be in what could be tough situations, but will definitely do my best.

Wishing you an easy time of it too! Keep in touch!

Anita

Hi Anita -

I live in Boston, so we're not far. How are you doing with the pre-op diet? Luckily, my hospital only subscribes a pre-op diet for a few days before surgery. Yesterday was a cookout with friends, but I managed to keep my calories contained. Today and tomorrow I'm in prep mode. Making chicken broth, cooking veggies to puree, etc. 

I've put in for 3 weeks off. I'm 52 and realized I've never had 3 weeks off in a row since I started working, so while I may not need all the time, I think I'm going to take it (I have short term disability benefits) and really take time to recuperate and get used to my new way of eating. I have a pretty stressful job (I'm an IT program manager), so once I'm back I'm BACK.

How are you feeling about the upcoming date? I'm ready but have to admit that I'm also terrified. I know it will be a tough road and I have to keep reminding myself that I can do this.

So glad to be connecting with you here!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I just got back today from a short trip to Martha's Vineyard. My boyfriend has a summer house there and I absolutely love it! I had never been there until 4 years ago when we got together (we went to high school together...married others, divorced and reconnected at a high school reunion)..........but once he took me there, I was hooked. I had knee surgery last summer and he suggested I recuperate up there because all the necessary rooms are on the first floor......so I "suffered" through spending most of August up there.......it was a sacrifice, but I managed to do it.............OMG....it was wonderful.

I took 6 weeks of short term disability.....because I could! So, go with what time you can take....you've worked to earn it and you'll feel so much better for it. I'm not working right now (got downsized in January), so the time off isn't a problem. Am looking to go back to work mid to end of July.

I did pretty well on my pre-op diet during the week, decided to not worry over much on the weekend, but tried to be pretty careful.....except for that gorgeous lobster that I wanted before surgery.....don't think I'll ever be able to eat a whole lobster ever again, but I can get one and then savor every bite over a long period of time after the initial tastes. I'm figuring that after surgery, I can get a whole lobster to last at least 4 meals.........maybe 5.

Today I'm back on pre-op and will stick to it 100%.....I don't want any issues with surgical problems. I got protein powder and bars through my nutritionist and they aren't terrible.....hey, they aren't a nice big lobster or steak, but it's the lobsters and steaks (and all that goes with them) that got me here. For the shakes, I add ice cubes, a touch of vanilla and cinnamon to the mix (okayed by nutritionist) and they're fine. The bars are actually good....and I never thought I'd say that!

I still have a few things to get ready for Monday, but mostly done. Just have to fill two prescriptions, pack the things I need to bring to the hospital (which will be practically nothing) and get a pedicure / leg wax (hey....gotta look good for the anesthesiologist). Also have a 90 minute massage scheduled for tomorrow.........I had a 60 minute scheduled, but my spa messed up my appointment, so they gifted me with an extra 30 minutes.......COOL!!!

I'm ready / not ready........nervous / excited....scared / calm..................all of those. When I look at myself in the mirror I know I'm doing the right thing but sometimes when I'm laying in bed at night I ask myself if I should go ahead.....I know it's all pre-op jitters, so I'm not backing out, but it is life changing so I know I'm no different from anyone else in having normal anxieties.

This board has been wonderful for me....I don't post much anymore....did a lot more when I was banded, but I lurk a lot. I have some other stuff going on right now that takes a lot of my time and energy, so I try to keep control of my energies.

If we don't communicate again before Monday......best of luck to you....I will watch your progress as I know you'll watch mine. As I said in my original post, I've made some wonderful friends here on OH and the support has been fabulous. Very few of my other friends know what I'm doing because I just don't need to hear their ideas and judgment. They all think I'm having a hiatal hernia repair (which is the truth)....they just don't know about the rest. I intend to keep it that way.

Take care.....keep in touch when you're able and we'll cheer each other on. Always nice to have a new friend in our corner, isn't it???

Anita