Alana

I won't bore you all again with my sob story about my difficulty with the pre-op diet, but I've finally lost 11 lbs! Just 1 lbs away from the 12lbs Dr. Miranda said I needed to lose to have the surgery! When I emailed her on Thursday to let her know I had lost 6, she wasn't very subtle about it not being enough for surgery. So, I cracked down this weekend, with 3 Slim Fasts a day and some LOW LOW cal snacks if I got hungry. I've only had water since Wednesday and I can tell it's making a difference. This pre-op journey has been so hard for me and it's nice to finally see some progress. May 9th, here I come!! Join me in the Phentramin support group!

Would anyone banded recently be willing to post a few pictures of their scars? MamaMichelle? You always seem up to the task.

Sounds great, Charlotte!

Thanks, Paula. I am drinking as much water as I can. I know it must be sort of working, cause I'm peeing every 10 mins and it's completely clear. I guess I was just discouraged by Dr. Miranda's e-mail. I'm hoping it's just a language barrier thing, but the way she worded it was a bit harsh.

Hi Charlotte! I arrive on the 8th and leave on the 11th as well. My mom and I will be there. Can't wait to meet you! You can hang out with us. Alana

I bought a cute cotton nightgown to wear..covers everything, but comfortable. I can't imagine sleeping in a hospital gown.

Well, my period finally ended after 16 days of Hell. I emailed Dr. Miranda about it and told her my weight was at 234 (6 lbs lost) and she said it wasn't enough and that I had to do 3 shakes a day instead of 2 shakes and a Lean Cuisine. I actually did lose more than 6 lbs, but with my crazy period, it kept going up and down. Now I feel like I'm not going to lose enough weight by next Thursday. Really discouraging..

My name is Alana, I'm 22 years old (will be 23 in July) and I live in Tallahassee, FL (Home to the FSU Seminoles!). I'm a licensed massage therapist, I just bought a townhouse in August, and I have a wonderful boyfriend named Arthur. I have a chihuahua named Lucy. After I lose 90 lbs, I plan to apply for nursing school. I also feel lucky to get banded when I'm young, before I get married and have kids. I love to travel, read, and paint with watercolors. I'm very close to my family and have 2 nephews and a niece, that I absolutely adore!

Thanks! I got it in the pink and the red. I love them!

Yes, you may be a little swollen, especially at the incision sites - plus, you'll be a little gassy. Restricting clothes won't be the most comfortable, especially during travelling.

You have the same schedule as me, punkigurl! Can't wait to meet ya!

I decided to go to cotton sundress route for after my surgery - comfy, no restriction around the waist, and good for warm weather. I bought 2 from Lane Bryant (hopefully my last purchase there EVER!) and wanted to share it with you guys because they are actually cute and on SALE. I don't know how to post photos in here yet, so I'll just paste the link so you can see the price and style. They are super soft! Plus, they can be worn at many occasions, including as a bathing suit cover. http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/page...&pagesize=3 Hope this helps if anyone is trying to decide what to wear.

See you there, Lisa!!

I'm deliriously excited..every day I mark off on my calendar and get super excited. can't wait!

I'll see you there, McCracken! I arrive on the 8th, scheduled for the 9th.

I definitely plan to make an appointment to speak with someone about my emotional eating. I think it'll be very beneficial to get my head straight after getting my tummy straight.

Yes...every day when I look at the calendar and realize I am 1 day closer to flying to Mexico to have weight loss surgery. It made me think about different points in my life and wonder if I ever saw myself being HERE. Believe me, you'll have the feeling right up until the surgery..maybe even after. I'm 10 days away and freaking out!

Don't know if this will help, but here goes! In 2005, I had viral meningitis and was in the hospital for over 2 months. Some of the meds they gave me made anything carbonated taste like gross metal. He warned me the meds would stay in my system for quite a long time and that it would take a while for that metallic taste to go away, probably 3 months. Well, just the taste of the diet coke was so awful that it turned me away for almost a year, even though I could have had it way before then and it would have tasted fine. It was just a mental block that kept me from having anything carbonated. I always remembered that awful taste and I'd choose a different drink. Maybe if you associate Diet Coke with something gross, it'll be easier to give it up? Just a random thought. Good luck!

I was thinking of being banded by a surgeon here in Tallahassee (the only one here), but he charged $22,000, did not accept financial loans, you have to go through a year long acceptance program and have 3 consultations before the surgery that each cost $150 - not part of the surgery cost. Umm, no..... Finding this site was my saving grace. I was so upset about leaving the seminar here, I had totally given up. Even if I COULD pay the $22k, and was willing to go through everything else, the doctor and nurses were so discouraging and unsupportive. Dealing with the OCC staff has been a complete 180 from that and I'm eternally thankful. May 9th, here I come!

I'll be flying into SD thru Delta at around 11:40am on the 8th - hopefully will get all my tests done that day, so I'm sure I'll see you guys there. Maybe they'll even have room to let me have my surgery that day!

I'm thinking of naming mine Chuck Norris, because it will be "The Enforcer".

Honey, I understand all too well. If you read my post "11 days", it mentioned I'm currently experiencing the worst period of my life. basically 3 months of periods at once. I got my period on the 14th and I'm STILL on it. my weight has been fluctuating like crazy and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when it's over, a lot of the weight I've been retaining is water weight. Good luck!

you look so slim!! you'll definitely be rocking that dress in time for your husbands party. you look amazing!

Good luck, Lorraine! We WILL get through this! Mom12, yes, we're 1 day apart. I'll be arriving on the 8th, so I'll probably see you there!

thank you, guys...trying to relax.."just breathe!" lol