About to earn my stripes.

April 18th is the day I receive my "surgical stripes". I just wanted to share the news and tell you guys "thanks", for all the advice, tips, and support I've received to this point.  It's comforting to know help is just a short "mouse ride" away. DD

you'll do fine my friend. ain't it exciting? we'll save a place on the bench for ya.......carbonblob

Exciting? Yeah, Like a root canal.  I'm glad to finally get my weight under control. I'm also ashamed I let myself get to this point. I'm still dealing with getting my mind around it all.  You are an inspiration to me CB. Someday I want to post a "gun show" of my own on my avatar. DD

  That is great, good luck.  I hope to be joining you soon.

Be careful what you wish for, my friend.  Your day will be here before you know it. Good luck on your journey. DD

DD,

Congrats on the date! Right now, it seems like a long way off, but time will zoom ahead and you will be heading in for the "tune up of your life" before you know it. I'm not sure what kind of pre-op diet the doc's got you on, but here's something to keep in mind. If you're a caffine drinker like me (all my fluids pre-op had caffine in them) you might want to scale WAY back and wein yourself off the stuff before surgery. I wasn't given this advice enough times before surgery. It's critical that you don't have any caffine at all in the first few weeks after, some never have it again. Right after surgery your body takes a while to adjust to the "new you", drink caffine and you could find yourself in the hospital with dehydration or kidney stone problems. I'm not trying to freak you out, just giving you the heads up. I have first hand experience in this department, if you know what I mean. It's not fun at all.  Be sure to drop off any questions you might have about anything. This board is always open, 24-7, even holidays. You won't get that kind of service anywhere else. And hell, you can't beat the price of admission.  Ronnie

First I heard the caffeine thing. I gave up my Diet Pepsi's on New Years day, but coffee too? That's gonna hurt.  Thanks for the heads-up. DD

My nutritionist ok'd me for caffine at 2 months post-op. She told me to always drink, at least, 64 ozs. of non-caffine liquids per day. Did I listen, NO!! One brief trip to the ER is what it took for me to realize what my doc and nut were talking about. Currently, I drink cappuccino in the morning, and an occasional glass of tea, but always drink a half gallon of water or kool-aid w/ splenda per day.   One cool thing, caffine seems to have a different effect after surgery. One cup of coffee in the morning and I'm ready to climb the walls. No kidding. Especially, when you first start drinking the stuff again.  However, the tea doesn't seem to have the same effect as the coffee.  Ronnie

congrats!    it will be here before you know it.  im on my liquid diet now and im getting my lap band monday at 7:30 am.   Best of luck to you! adam

(sorry to intrude / hijack) Hey Adam, We'll be brothers in banding. I'm also getting my Band Monday and scheduled for 7:30 I'm on Optifast, and have been for 2 weeks. Are you as nervous as I am? Good luck to you. (And now... Back to the thread) I'm curious about something: You all talk of the importance of daily protein & water intake... Does it apply to bansters as well? Thanks in advance,