LainieG

@@LisaGB, did anyone at the restaurant tell you that you could not share ? My niece (lapband) travels 80 percent of the time. She would ask them to make 1/3 size portions and they would charge about 5.00 for her meal. I believe she told them about her weight loss. She could not take leftovers due to the travel.

This is very important to me to have this surgery. My brother passed away on Feb 2nd. I was in Texas at my niece's. She came up to see him before he was gone and we had to go back and he passed while gone. We came back last Thursday for the visitation and funeral. Heart disease runs in my family. Thank goodness it has not affected me except for a little A fib. He had a pacemaker and defibrillator implant a few years ago and later on replacements. He was not feeling good two weeks before he passed away. The heart center here in Columbia could do nothing for him so they transported him to St Luke's in KC. He was not a candidate for a heart transplant. They have an assist device that will help pump the heart but it has to be done in San Diego. He never would have made it there he was so sick so it was not a viable option. His right side of the heart could not pump enough blood and with nothing they could do his organs began shutting down. They started dialysis as he was not urinating at all. But he told them to stop. He was in so much pain and he told them he wanted to go home. So he went home on the 30th of Jan and hospice was set up. He became very agitated on Sunday night and the nurse was called in. She calmed him down around midnight and he went to sleep and died in his sleep at 1:30 am. But before that it was not a good death, he suffered hard the last two weeks of his life. The funeral was beautiful and he was buried in an old cemetery under a huge tree. The casket was gorgeous, made from barnwood with an inset picture of a barn and pasture on the lid. Now I have lost my parents and both brothers. Thank goodness, I have a wonderful son, two nieces, a nephew, two great-nephews and one on the way. The 3rd grandchild is to be born in June. So sad that he will miss that. I don't know why I have told this whole story. It helps to talk about it with friends, and I consider you all my friends. Nite all

So I know there is a 2 week pre op diet, but do not know yet what it consists of, but will be finding out. In the meantime, what have some of you had on your pre op and how long did it last. Is anyone here single and live alone ? I'd like to know how you are handling it. Think it is harder than if you have a family and have things around that may tempt you ? This is one of my concerns. I will be removing anything edible from the house. What will keep for a while (nonperishbles) I am leaving with my son so he can eat what he wants. Will only have what I can eat in the house. To me this will make it easier, or at least I hope it will. Living alone I hope to this this will be an advantage.

Approved !! Waiting to hear from nurse about date to meet with surgeon and attend a full day class. Then date will be set. Hope March is my magic month !!

@@LisaGB, it has been quiet here. I had my dietary consult last week. He had to request one test from my cardioligist, then submitted to insurance. I am hoping for March also, so keep me posted on your date when you get it. I see you live in Kansas, where are you having your surgery done ? I am in Columbia MO and will have it done at the University here. Very excited to get this going !! Keep me posted on your progress. Lainie

@@kimmeesue, when is your surgery or have you had it

@kemmesue I understand your issue with your back. I am in the same boat. I think that the surgery will help, but back surgery is probably in my future. I suffer from spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. I am never without pain and have to use a walker. Shopping I can't do unless the store has a wheelchair or motorized cart. Trips are contained to my niece's in Texas because she gets me around. But that is okay, I love her so much and like spending time with her. I know there will be a day that I can break loose and do so many of the things I would like.

@#9granny, where on the medicare website do you find if approved ? Lainie

@@LisaGB,I first went to the doctor a year ago last Oct. I only had medicaid at the time and had a spend down of over 1000.00. I wanted to wait until I had medicare and so the last year I have been getting tests done. Most I did in October. Also, chemo I had for leukemia destroyed my teeth. I finally had oral surgery and got my top denture. I had to save money for the lower, to the tune of 2400.00. I finally got the lower in November. They would not do the surgery until teeth were fixed, saving the chance of infection. I am hoping for a Feb date. I have chosen my surgeon, 1 of 2. Once medicare comes back it should be a go !!

@@#9grammy, I saw the bariatric doctor today. I have to have a dietary consult then they will submit to medicare. I wasn't todld anything about having the surgery first. The doctor asked me if I had been pre=certified and I told him that I had Medicare. I selected my surgeon, Dr. Roger de Latorre. He has done a ton if these and the doctor says it is done in 20 minutes Congrats on your wedding !! hope all goes well, keep us posted

@@Kathy812, Kathy thanks for yur support. Hopefully not too much longer now !!

Appointment with the doctor on Friday !!

@@WL WARRIOR, I think that posting in the bariatrics office will reveal the most interested. Paper is a good idea also. If the library has a newsletter or someway of displaying meetings held thRat may help also. Maybe you could set up a type pf informational meeting one time just to invite people to come and see what type of response you may receive. I am sure there are people who would like the support and obtain information. Sometimes people have a fear of the unknown. In your area I would post anywhere there is a board.

@@WL WARRIOR, are you from Columbia or Jeff

Someone made a posting asking about forming a group in your area. I posted this and I am not sure where, just added to the link. Thought others may be interested into looking in your area. She was looking in Jefferson City MO which is about 25 miles from me. LainieG, I hope you are doing well and are making progress towards your weight loss surgery goals, whether they are to get surgery, hit your goal weight, or maintain your new healthy habits. As you know, support is crucial to your success in this journey. BariatricPal is one of the places you can go for support. In-person support groups can be another important factor in your success. When you meet people every week or month, you can look for the following benefits. A greater sense of camaraderie – you’re not in this alone! Accountability – seeing other members in person can be more motivating. Personal growth – opening up in person is much harder and more rewarding than staying anonymous over the internet. Deep friendships – the people you meet in support groups may be the people you call to go walking or just hang out. Most surgeons recognize the value of support groups and many require or ask their patients to attend. Still, not all bariatric surgery patients get enough in-person support. Thousands of pre-op and post-op bariatric surgery patients use BariatricPal’s online forums every day. Now, BariatricPal is providing another way for you to build your support system. BariatricPal Local Chapters is trying to bring face-to-face support groups to your area! Members are the same members of BariatricPal who are there for each other day after day online. Now, you can extend that support into your real life. When Meetings run by your peers in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. In-person support to supplement support from other groups. Members whom you can talk to any time between meetings online at BariatricPal. The same values you get online at BariatricPal. Go to BariatricPal’s Local Chapters page to look for a group in your area. If there is not yet one that is near you and convenient, don’t worry! You can suggest one or start one in the Local Chapters Forum. BariatricPal has plenty of support for anyone who wants to become a Local Chapters Leader – no experience necessary! I hope you will consider joining or starting a BariatricPal Local Chapters group. Please post on the forums or send me a private message to get started. I can’t wait to see what this Local Chapters program can do for our members. Thank you for your support of BariatricPal. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal

Queen, no surgery date yet, now just waiting on medicare. I am hoping soon. I am a night owl, lol

@ Queen of the crop Good job Queen, keep it up. You have the drive and determination to get there and you will. It is always inspiring to find out how you are doing, it is wonderful support.

@@NavyMom2006, it was very quiet over the holidays, but I think everyone is getting back to normal. How are you doing ? Lainie

Our postings are noted as HOT !! Way to go !!

Glad to see everyone back and I hope all had a good holiday. The final step was the psych visit, which was Nov 18th. I called the bariatrics office and they told me it takes 4 6 week to get the evaluation. Then to medicare. I am hoping soon !! So tired of waiting on such a long process. Glad to hear that everyone is doing so well, provides lots of optimism

sorry our little group did not hold together. Everyone has had surgery and moved on. I am still waiting for a date. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving !! Now back to reality for a few weeks anyway, lol

Oh, my oncologist told me yesterday that I was down 7 lbs, time for me to get a new scale

Had my psych evaluation on Tuesday, spent more than an hour on tests, 500 questions and 10 minutes with the psychologist, good grief !!

Had my oral surgery last Thursday and still very sore and painful. Trying to wear my lower partial for a few hours at a time but it has made my lower gums even more sore. It will get better just needs time to heal. Last thing to do is the psych evaluation, which comes tomorrow ! Finally !