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Cleosan 52- Sandy
 

My story and where I am now...

My battle with weight, diets, failures, successes started as a little girls. By the age of 4, I was a chunky little girl. I was one of the biggest kids in the class. At one point in high school, I lost the pounds by exercise, I still "felt" like I was the biggest. So my battle has not been only the physical weight but the mental and emotional weight. I've never know what it is to be thin and that scares me a little.   I have been married for almost 6 years to a wonderful man. He loves me, the whole me. He likes me plus size, but he wants me to be happy and spend many many many years together. We tease that we'll put up with each other so we can have a golden 50th anniversary. My biggest fear is that I won't make it. We have 3 beautiful children, ages 5, 3 and 2, a wonderful home and a great family/church. Life is good on all fronts. Yes, we have our ups and downs, it's called life, but I am blessed in the fact that we have many more ups that downs.     After our youngest child (Sept 08), I knew I had to get control of the weight. I was at 320lb, after the baby I went to 312 at the hospital. I decided I was going to try WW. I won a 3 mo. free online membership, yeah!!! From Sept 08 to May 09, I lost 70 lbs. I went from 320 to 250 and even for a couple of days, flirted with 240s. I blogged about it, I was excited about it, I did it on my own, logging everything I ate, counted points and exercise! I could do this!!! At the end of May 09, my sciatic pain flared up. I was discouraged and depressed. All this hard work and I still have pain!!!! What the heck!!! I kill my self, deny myself and still have pain! So I did the best thing... I ignored going to the doctor and getting help, I decided to go to the fridge instead. Gained 5 lbs that week, lost it, gained, 10lbs, lost it, gained 15lbs. Guess what by May 10, I am now back to 320lbs!   I am my biggest now at 322 lbs (7-31-10) at age of 35. What is going to make this time different in losing the weight? ... WLS. I know I can lose the weight but now I can keep it off. The other big factor is that I am not doing this alone. I am going through this journey with my baby sister. I have 3 toddlers that I can't take care of. I need to lose this weight for them. I don't want to die at 40 and leave my family without me. I have this chance to change my life, for me, for them and I'm gonna take it!   My insurance will pay for VGS. I have my doctor (highly recommended). My first appt is Aug 27th at 9pm ( my sister went July 29th, she gave me the heads up). My medical ness. form is sumitted. My psych eval is done. I even have my pre- cert referral number from the insurance! Ready to go!!!
Cleosan52

Cleosan52

1
Blog 93350
 

I'm concerned....

I had my first fill last week and I feel restriction but I have notice that my weight hasn’t changed in fact I have put on 3 pounds. I am eating right and doing the right things but to no avail. I think I'm going to call my nutritionist and see if she can offer me help or give me some pointers.  
Mrs. Stevenson

Mrs. Stevenson

1
Blog 1952
 

8 week Comparison

It's been 8 weeks since surgery and I'm still doing pretty well. I've had no trouble eating different foods. I've been pretty happy with my weight loss progress so far. 38.8 pounds in 8 weeks :thumbup:    
BandMomsRock

BandMomsRock

3
Blog 84891
 

For the first time...I'm questioning myself

I have been going through all of the hoops that everyone else has gone through. All along, I kept saying, " if it's meant to be, it will be." I thought maybe they wouldn't let me have the surgery because my BMI is only 35, maybe they won't let me have the surgery because of my heart, or my defibrillator, maybe they won't let me have the surgery because of my insurance. I've been surprised that they are all letting me have the surgery.   Now, it's 8pm the night before my surgery, and I'm starting to realize how enormous this decision is. Seven months I've never doubted for a minute that this is what I want, and now, in less than 12 hours I'll be banded...for life! I'm scared, nervous and confused.   I just want to lose weight and be healthy, why has it come to this? Does everyone go through this the night before their surgery? I remember earlier this year when I had to have my defibrillator replaced in a risky surgery, I honestly thought I was going to die, and I didn't. I stressed over nothing. Perhaps that is what I'm doing to myself tonight, stressing over nothing.   The next time I post, I'll be banded. There's no backing out now...I need to do this for me!
Lap2Fab

Lap2Fab

5
Blog 82010
 

Slap upside the head...

Just when I start thinking I look GOOD damn it, someone asks me when the baby is due?   What the hell??? Almost 80 pounds down in 8 months and they ask me when the baby is due.   Excuse me while I go sit in the corner and eat chocolate.
SoccerMomma73

SoccerMomma73

10
Blog 88752
 

Feelin' groovy...

Ok...not really! But feelin' not too bad :wink2:. Saw the surgeon and wouldn'tcha know it...put on 3lbs of water weight :glare:..*mumbles* freakin' tom.....Oh well, he's happy with things anyway and gave me another small fill. I can feel pressure and a bit of sorness (I bruise easy anyway) so I know it's tighter for now. We discussed calories, exersize and how he wants me to be able to comfortably eat breads/pasta, not that I should eat them all the time:laugh:. It's nice to know that he wants me to be able to eat just about anything and this is a tool to help me control the amounts. I feel bad that some people are stuck having liquids for a couple days after a fill. I don't have to. I'm feeling spoiled in that area! All in all, a good appointment! Can't wait to see if I'm down lbs in another 4wks when I see him again!:w00t: Have a good day! Tina
Carosel2002

Carosel2002

0
Blog 85769
 

Green Zone Update

Here is my update: I just left my fill appt and returned with no fill. I explained that I recognize the restriction but I rarely feel satified. My doctor's office does fills under flurocoscopy (or however you spell it) so they can see a person's restriction. They loved my restriction on the xray, they loved my weight loss success thus far. The NP was afraid that even a tiny fill would put me into the red. I told her I felt like I was on the low end of green so she scheduled me to come back in two weeks. A few reminders that she gave me were more water, more protein (lots more protein than my journal indicated) less corn, carrots , sweet peas, and potatoes. I thought I was doing good in the veggies but apparantly they want more green veggies. They gave me some interesting printouts that stated some other suggestions including a jumpstart plan that looks like the pre-op diet. I'll type them up if you'd like. So now I have my answer and now I know what to do to step up my loss. I guess I'm at my sweet spot.......for now....oh yeah.... the NP thinks the lack of satiety is in my head.
jmunks2000

jmunks2000

3
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Another quick update...

Today is a new day, huh? I think I have finally gotten over my "I feel fat" phase. I feel very sure that another one will come eventually, but no worries now.   I had Group last night. I LOVE getting together with such a wonderful group of people. There are veterans, people at my level, and newbies. We share, share, share and it is FANTASTIC! I hope you all can find a support group near you. They honestly do have a tremendous effect!   I don't have much time today, so I will just update my spandex pics. So lovely. Ha! But I can tell the difference. I have attached one month ago and today. Plus I couldn't resist attaching one from the very beginning.   Have a super day!!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

4
Blog 75574
 

Don't Worry ~ Be HAPPY!

:thumbup: I use to love that little tune! And you know it really sticks in your head! And it should. When we are happy, things in our life just go better.   Worry and fear are the bane of human existance. Any number of events or circumstances can trigger them to cripple or incapacitate you.   Worry and fear strike when you feel far from God. They rise up and crash over you when you are not paying attention to what is really important in life. Your relationship to God is so important, more than anything else. When you have that "Right" relationship, you will not worry or fear, but turn everything over to God.   That is what we need to stay focused on and being happy, when we are happy we tend to stick to our diet plan, lose weight and keep to our goals too. Praying makes me happy and the more I pray, the less I worry and the more I can focus. You can cope with whatever comes along in your life every day, have his presence with you and your worries and fears will dissolve.   Stop Worrying and fearing what will happen today or tommorrow. Just pray, stay focused and all the other good things will happen to you! You will become a recipient of his bountiful grace and goodness.   I am reminded of this verse;   I cry out to God Most High, to the God who does everything for me. He sends help from Heaven and saves me. He punishes those who chase me. God gives me his love and truth. Psalm 57:2-3NCV:wink2:
janetsjourneytoslim

janetsjourneytoslim

6
Blog 94643
 

My Medical Dr.

Today i went to my last appt. with the surgeon. I had to see the surgeon 3 times and then my paper work can be submitted to the Aetna Insurance. I have seen the pysch, nutritionist, i have my endoscopy appt for 8/27. Now my hold up is the medical dr. I dropped off the sample letter for him to write and then forward it to the surgeon's office, so they can add it to their package to the ins. co. That was 2 weeks ago and he still did not write it yet. I am screaming inside. I am ready to have my surgery and start getting skinny. Anyone have this problem, I have already called his office twice. I will call it everyday until it is done.
papoose

papoose

2
Blog 3370
 

More Sucky News

It took 8 days for Dr. Castro's office to get back to me. Maria called me the day after my consultation telling me that because my insurance would not file ANY appeals on my behalf. Basically my insurance denied me on my old doctor and because they used the correct code and then the Dr. Castro's office will NOT file under the same code because it's a waste of time. I have several phyical reasons behind why I don't RNY but apparently that doesn't matter apparently there are no case exceptions to the rule. It's this surgery and the bad side effects. Maria said she would call me back with the cash out of pocket price difference for the sleeve since they would already be in there doing the band removal. Apparently that difference is almost $13,000.   I wrote my own appeal letter yesterday and listed who my new doctor was since they refused to do that much.   So until either I can figure out a way to pay the difference or insurance goes through I'm SOL with liquids and pain and all. LUCKY ME..
Carrie

Carrie

0
Blog 2929
 

Introducing myself

Hi Everybody!!   I'm new to forums in general so it's going to take me a while to learn all the in and outs. About me: Colombian, 35 y/o, lived in Ft lauderdale FL for 9 years, married, two girls (3 y/o and 10 months). I've been researching about the sleeve for a few months now and want to thank all of you sleevers that have shared your experiences and thoughts. WLS is a difficult desicion to make. So...........I am down to two options :thumbup:: Dr. Almanza in Tijuana and Dr. Cure in Barraquilla (Colombia). I am tired of just thinking about it so i hope i can make a desicion in the next two weeks.   Back to work now.........MC
Mariacarolina

Mariacarolina

0
Blog 92116
 

4th fill???

i'm considering a 4th fill next week....I've had 3 fills to date, 10.75cc total. I have good restriction, as things do get stuck, BUT i am still able to eat a LOT! as long as i chew it very well, it goes down w/o a problem. I never feel "completely full". I was under the impression that w/the band, I would not be able to eat so much food. Even the nutritionist at my last visit said that i shouldnt be able to finish one of my 2.5oz protein bars at one sitting, and i can! in fact, at times i find myself reaching for one b/c i wasnt quite full after a meal. I wait the 30 minutes - to be sure the signal reaches the brain that i'm full, but the signal doesnt come. What's your opinion? note: I am still happy w/my weight loss to date and i am not complaining. I just want to use this wonderful tool to its optimum ability.... and i know in order for it to "work" it has to be at the proper fill level. I am still doing my part - healthy foods, proper portions, exercizing, nothing to drink 60-90 minutes after eating, etc.....
J_BandRanger

J_BandRanger

3
Blog 3365
 

Eating after VSG

It's been a very interesting journey with my eating since having the VSG surgery. To be honest, a large part of choosing the VSG over the band had to do with eating. I just didn't want to give up some foods. I just wanted the tool to help me with the quantity that I could eat.   In the first couple of weeks, I got sick A LOT! I know it was because of eating too fast, drinking at the same time and just plain over-eating. At this stage (8 weeks), I'm much better now. I'm figuring out what's best for me & my body.   I can't eat much (a 4 oz. stomach doesn't hold much lol), but I do need to eat often. I try to have something (cocoa almonds, pita bites, etc) every couple of hours. By eating more frequently it helps me not to be starving and just "inhale" my food and then be sick! I still struggle with eating slowly & chewing. It's soooo hard to change such an ingrained habit!   I have been out to eat several times. I don't stress eating out at all. I have a plastic card requesting that I be allowed to order from the children's menu because of WLS - if I want to use it. I have only once so far. Other times, the places we've gone, (primarily Mexican...which I totally LOVE!!!) I just order the Side Items or share with my friend or hubby.   I've been reading some on this site as well as ObesityHelp.com and have learned that there are terms for VSG actions. I just learned about the term "Sliming"...at least the name of what has happened to me. I must say its a relief to know I'm typical. LOL   I beginning to not stress food/eating. What a relief! That's what is so empowering to me...I now can take a bite or two of something and be done. Now don't get me wrong, its still a struggle sometimes: it tastes so good, it's a shame to 'waste' this much food, I know I can eat some more, etc. However, I LOVE the feeling of knowing that I WILL/AM succeeding at weightloss!
Dora

Dora

6
Blog 3365
 

My Surgery Experience Continued...

Once my BFF & I decided on the Sleeve, we were told we were the last two surgeries scheduled for the day(or actually evening at this point). I have to say, when you have several hours to sit & talk...you really begin to say "What the hell am I doing?" LOL   Needless to say, we had our surgeries & there were no problems. I did have a rough night afterwards. I was soooo sick. I would wake up & vomit. They'd give me a pain & nausea shot, and I was out again! :thumbup: This continued through the night/morning. The doctor said it was probably due to the dye used in surgery to test for leaking.   By noon the next day, I was MUCH improved and we moved to the Recovery House. Let me just say once again how great everyone was at the hospital - from the drivers to the nurses to the doctors to the administrators! That same kind of personal care was continued at the House. We had a 24 hour nurse who monitored, medicated & cooked for all the house patients/guests. It was a beautiful house - with thoughtful amenities provided: a laptop with internet access, English-speaking television stations, and a free-use phone to call home.   I really can't tell you much about the surrounding area just because I chose to say medicated & sleep. I needed rest & couldn't eat anyway! LOL   The day we were to fly home, we had to go for our final x-rays & swallow test. Our driver picked us up & voila! away we went. We got to see a little of the city of Tijuana. (I was already beginning to think of returning for another visit.) The laboratory took us in quickly & we were cleared for travel. We then did a little shopping! :lol0:   We caught a plane that afternoon. We weren't able to eat anything available in the airport. We prayed for help (lol) and thankfully we found chicken soup in the Denver airport. It was absolutely delicious!! That being said, important tip for anyone planning a trip - you need to pack some chicken/beef bouillon granules in a ziploc baggie in your purse/carry-on! Hot water is readily available everywhere.
Dora

Dora

1
Blog 85769
 

Green Zone

Well, I have an adjustment/fill appointment today. Since I am divorced now (as of 05/03/10), I no longer have the insurance that covered the fills, so I have to pay $120 for it. The price doesn't really bother me because I've spent that kind of money and more on appetite suppressants, lipo injections, and diet fads in the past. What I am struggling with is having to pay the fee and when I go in, no fill is needed. I know I need to go though because I haven't been since June. My doctor's office recommends going every 2-4 weeks for the first year. The NP didn't want to fill it last time (although she did add .2cc and asked me to do liquids for 3 days instead of 2). Plus I know that I am sorta in the green zone because I have been watching my food intake and feelings of satiety very carefully. I just think that I am on the low side on the green zone (if that is such a thing). Of course, I don't want to be too aggressive and tip myself into to red zone. As to whether I can eat foods like bread and rice, well I haven't really tried so I'm not really sure about my restriction/tolerance level. I have taken a nimble of the above mentioned stuff here and there. When I say nimble, I really mean nimble/crumb/ant bite/pinch. I have eaten spaghetti before but just a small amount because I just don't like the texture and taste of the pasta anymore. I haven't experienced stuck/sliming/vomiting episodes as described on the site by others so I second guess my restriction all of the time. Enough with the babbling. I'm just trying to say... I just wanna be in the dead center of the GREEN ZONE!
jmunks2000

jmunks2000

7
Blog 96434
 

1st fill

Had my first fill yesterday, 4cc. havent eaten anything yet, so guess we will see how things go. keeping my fingers crossed i will start to feel restriction.
rubydelaney

rubydelaney

2
Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Shrimp Cocktail Chipotle Bites

This mouth watering dish has some bold flavors that you, your family and friends will love. Shrimp Cocktail Chipotle Bites hors d'oeuvre will be a hit at any dinner party. ENJOY!   Makes 36 cocktail bites Servings 12   Active Time: 8 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes   160 Calories Per Serving   CHECK OUT MY BLOG FOR MORE INFO ON THIS RECIPE AND SO MANY MORE:thumbup: http://life-after-lap-band.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

2
Dance by the Light of the Moon
 

Fourth position

8-9-10 and I am down 36 pounds, from a high of 240 to a current 204.   When I first got started with this banding process, it was sobering to realize that I'd have to lose forty pounds just to get down to 200 pounds. Seemed like a long way to go to still be the size of some linebackers on pro football teams.   Even though 36 pounds is a fair amount of weight to lose, I don't feel like it has really begun to show. My clothes are looser and my husband says he can tell a difference, but it is not yet the dramatic change that I yearn for in my heart. I'm still a fat girl, just not as fat as I was. I don't spend a lot of time bemoaning this, but it has crossed my mind as I get nearer to the mental dividing line between 200 and 199.   The next forty pounds will put me at 164, the weight I hovered at all through high school and college; no matter how many times I dropped another twenty pounds, I'd gradually find my weight creeping back up over 160. When I think of the agonies that used to cost me and look of the pictures I thought were so ghastly, I realize that if I had never gone on a diet, never fought my way down below 140 time and time again, I might've stayed right there at 164 for many years. I looked just fine at 164.   What is it that makes me think that one number is better than another, that somehow 143 is far superior to 148 or that 199 is superior to 200? That somehow hitting 175 will magically entitle me to wearing my unitard to teach dance classes instead of hiding out in black pants and a black knit top to teach?   On the other hand, some days I feel so much freer in movement and agility that I actually feel normal sized at 204 until I catch an accidental glimpse of myself in a mirror or picture and realize that to the rest of the world I'm still a lump of too too solid flesh. Once again, I mostly don't dwell on the matter but it is interesting to see how my viewpoint has changed over 45 years of weight-related struggle. At age 27 and 145 pounds, I felt fat and ungainly. At age 55 and 204 pounds, I feel relatively normal and graceful.   From an emotional standpoint, I'm better off now than I was at 27 and I may be better off physically, too. When I think of the strange diets I observed to in order to hold a magical number on the scale, I wonder how I managed to survive my youth without developing some exotic type of malnutrition usually found only in third world countries.   In some ways, my food choices now are as strange as those I made thirty years ago, but now it is due to what I am able to eat and not what I think I should eat. I eat more nuts as a source of protein than I ever did in my life because there is a fair amount of protein in a small amount of food and I can chew them up well enough to keep them down. Every once in a while, but nut intake becomes- well, a bit nutty and I have to remind myself that there is also a fair amount of fat involved here. Sherbert also calls to me louder than it used to, largely because it never bothers my stomach and I can eat it when everything else seems like too big a chore to deal with.   I am a night owl and nights can still be a time when I eat more than I should, partially because that's the way I've always been and partially because it is so hard for me to eat in the morning. The first meal of the day is usually a challenge, as if my stomach has as hard a time waking up as the rest of me does. Forget eggs, forget toast, even oatmeal can be a challenge to choke down and keep down some mornings. Once I'm past that first meal, though, the rest of the day is easier, and if I let myself get carried away, I can eat more than is good for me in short bursts late at night.   Still, it is progress not perfection that matters. I know myself well enough to know if I get into the calorie counting journaling every bite that goes into my mouth routine, sooner or later I will rebel against the regimentation. I am better off nibbling my way through the day than I am with three distinct meals, the earliest of which is usually torture. I've struggled my whole life to learn to eat when I'm hungry and stop when I've had enough, and I've found that eating at 8 am, noon, and 5pm with a small snack at 7:15 pm completely negates any effort on my part to be aware of hunger/satiation.   Know myself should be the title of this day's entry. I am not a poster child for the lapbander's ideal life, but I am gtting where I want to be, slowly but apparently surely. I don't mind when it hurts to eat or when things occasionally foam back up because I have taken too big a bite or haven't chewed well enough. It's all part of an enforced learning process that works much better than any type of willpower I ever employed. Eating is not the pleasure it once was with the exception of a few items, and that helps a great deal. It is hard to eat for emotional comfort when excess results in physical pain. That means I've had to find other ways to deal with emotions, but that's okay, too.   For right now, I am mostly content with my progress and my life style. As time goes on, I will make other enforced adjustments and they will become normal for me. I never thought I'd be able to give up my favorite fast food hamburgers and french fries, but it hurts to eat them now and I realize I don't miss them nearly as much as I thought I would. Life is a series of compromises; what I can eat and what I can't has become just one more thanks to a physical barrier to past eating excesses.   I could not have come this far again without help, and I am grateful I was able to have the banding done. Good insurance made it possible, as did some financial sacrifices in other areas on the part of my whole family. My band is a second trip overseas, the new living room bump out we didn't build, a remodeled kitchen, a new truck. I can't imagine anything I'd rather have more, though, than my life and mobility back, not to mention a decrease in physical pain due to too much weight on my joints. I'm grateful that my husband has supported me the entire way.
Llyra

Llyra

3
Blog 92878
 

uuugggghhhhh

Ok so i'm a little frustrated right now, Just found out today that my pcp went on Maternity Leave now i have to wait til my surgeon office gets back with my doctors office, so they can set up an appointment so i can have my medical clearance. Mind you i still need an appointment for a follow up because i just got out the hospital from gallstones and an UTI infection. My dang surgery is next friday and they don't think they can fit me by that time to clear me... What??? but i called you last week and left a message and you didnt return my call... Now if i go with the medical doctor at my surgeons office i have to pay $135 just for him to clear me.... I'm a college student who only work weekends, i don't have that type of money, especially since school is bout to start back up and i need books.....UUGGGHHH FML!!!:thumbup:
sweetkc85

sweetkc85

1
Blog 80036
 

The Art of Self Sabotage

So...some of you out there not losing the weight as fast as you hoped after the surgery and several fills?   Feeling like a failure?   Given up and started eating under your old habits? Gobbling up your favorite foods and binge eating? Ice cream in the fridge or Oreos in the pantry? Soda even in the house? Maybe you stopped getting fills and enjoy being able to eat what you want with light restriction   I thought you might be out there...silently struggling...thinking all is well on your part, but the banding support system or LAP-BAND® itself is to blame and has failed you.   Sure, let's blame the fills or the people who sold us on this program. Maybe even your doctor or friends. They should of convinced you to go the gastric bypass route for better results.   Let's be honest with one another. No one is going to know. Just you and the words on the screen. Ask yourself these questions.   You following your recommended diet? That's right...Remember....Protein shakes and healthy meals in between. Smaller portions?   No bad high carb foods, eliminating potato chips, ice cream, milk shakes, cheeseburgers, french fries, pizza, Chinese food, spagetti and fatty Mexican food?   You just made a funny face. Uh-oh. You eating fast food? How many times a week are you eating out? No, you can't have it both ways. Answer the question.   Going to the gym each morning or after work? We are talking real workouts 3-5 days a week. Not just walking around the track once then saying goodbye. You know... real goals and eventually even weights? Seeking help from gym staff to get you started.   No, you don't have time for that kind of thing? Just going to eat well and lose it without excercise? Oh...okay.   Family buying you food you can't eat if you want to lose weight? Eating it anyway? Just too hard to cook for kids and eat healthy?   Spouse doesn't want you to succeed?   Or perhaps you do not want to succeed because you are afraid of being faithful if skinny? Or how it might make your spouse feel because they are not changing their habits?   Just tired of being on a diet? Can't find motivation? Lack of energy? Depressed because others know you are not losing the weight after surgery?   So the final question...why are you finding ways to sabotage your success?   You knew what this surgery was about. Now it's time for you to do your part.   You are not a miracle person who can lose weight by eating whatever you want and not excercising. You have to put your effort in if you want to lose the weight. It takes you.   Look at your lifestyle and make changes.   THIS IS NOT A DIET.   A diet is something you do for a little while then stop.   This is a lifestyle change.This is how you will live the rest of your life to be around healthy and strong. So, set the example for your family and children.   Quit blaming others or yourself. It's time to be honest. Face facts.   If this is not working for you...are you really working for it?   PS: I do not have it figured out. I am struggling. I am failing. I am making poor choices that stack up to cause negative outcomes in weight loss. Most of these questions are to myself, and I know why things have not been working for me.   However I know that if I make enough positive choices back to back, they are going to add up to weight loss.   I am very grateful for the medical staff who don't give up on me. Thanks to them and a powerful support group tonight, I think I am getting back on track.   Feel like joining me if you are in the same place?
drowsydad

drowsydad

10
Blog 98741
 

To begin

Ive decided to blog this experience in hopes that other will find answers that they are looking for, like I once was.   To start we have to go back a few months.   May 8, 2010 @ 10:30am. I went to the seminar! I was surrounded by people looking for the same answers that I was searching for. After a quick 30 minute introduction to the process ahead of us, we were taken individually into our private patient room, where we were giving one on one time with an actual PhD.   It was there that I got my first glimpse of hope that this was the right procedure and process for me.   You see on the paper work that they had us fill out, one of the questions was; "What is your goal weight?" I answered with what I thought was a realistic answer, "185!" The doctor looked at me and laughed and said, "No, thats to high, we are going to get you to 145." I had brought a friend with me and she said, "I wish you could have seen the look on your face when he said that!" Im sure she was right. I was shocked that I could ever be that small, light, FIT.   You see the smallest I ever was (from the time it started to matter that is) was about 170.   Okay moving on, On May 21, 2010 I embarked on an appointment that consisted of; My Endoscopy, Ultrasound, Consultation with the Physiologist and Nutritionist, and my blood work. It was quite the experience! I was meet by friendly staff that explained the process beautifully. On May 22, 2010 I did my Sleep Study... That was an event all in its own. I was assigned to an amazingly funny and friendly RN that hooked me up to what I liked to refer to as the "Space Station!" I had wires everywhere! No there was NO pain involved. It's just a bunch of wires that are hooked to a central box that monitor your sleeping patterns. If anything it was hard to find a position that was comfortable to sleep in because of all the wires.   After completing all my testing, my amazing consultant Angela sent my packet threw the ranks. I was denied the first go around, because that wanted me to have my Primary Physicians support. That was easy enough to fix, I simply asked my PP to write me a letter of support, and he obliged. We re-submitted my packet with the letter and in a few weeks we received my letter of approval on July 23, 2010!   Later that day I was giving my surgery date, August 11, 2010!:thumbup:   On August 1, 2010 I started the "2 weeks before diet" Let me tell you how hard it is to stick to this diet which consists of;   Breakfast, 8-10oz Whey protein shake Lunch, Small salad, 2oz of extra lean meat, vegetables, lots of clear liquids. Dinner, Same as breakfast.   I will admit I have cheated a few times, not on anything bad, but about four times, in the late evening after my yummy shake (that I pretend is an extra rare steak with a baked potato loaded) I have gone back to the frig for a few pieces of broccoli or carrots, and occasionally a piece of hard sugar free candy. I told you it wasn't terrible, just not what we are supposed to do.   So this routine has been going on for two weeks now, all the while I have to smell the dinner I want to eat being cooked in the kitchen (i have a husband that has to eat!) Well, my waiting and starvation is almost over... Tomorrow morning my husband and I are headed to LA to check into our hotel and have final night of WHATEVERNESS! then in the morning its off to the hospital to start on the next chapter of this amazing journey.   Ill keep you all posted, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask all that you would like.   Oh, on a side note, since the day I started this journey on May 8, 2010 to the present I have lost 16lbs!
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