RhondaMarie

I did make it to another branch of my gym last night and under my calorie count for yesterday. Slowly but surely I will get back after it. Third nutrition class tomorrow and pre-admit testing on Friday morning....gotta check those off and then all that remains is final weigh in and final surgeon appt to sign consent, etc. My coordinator is confident that insurance approval will sail through so let's keep this train moving!!

Make sure you do not hav any red meat 2 days prior to that last weigh in....low sodium diet between now and then... all those little things you can do in addition to work outs, etc. My last weigh in is Sept 6th...then it goes to insurance. The office swears I will be good to go by my 9/26 surgery date!!

Thanks all! I know I could have been WAY worse... I did get a fruit & yogurt parfait ONLY at McD's.... I just don't want to back slide. just had cottage cheese and a whipped yoogurt for lunch and sf candy and cocoa roast almonds for a snack. I am not hungery.... but I know I want "something" else.... mind over matter, right?

ok... so this past weekend I cheated on my good eating habits a lot. I was out of town and kept saying I would get right back on track. Well, two days into the work week and I am still not back where I should be. I have always been an emotional eater and I am under mad stress with work and personal life. My gym is closed all week for the annual clean and repair shutdown so I am trying to get to a surrogate gym tonight since I haven't had a work out since FRIDAY. I know I have personal life issues that need to be handled, but that's no excuse. If I can't handle them now... those doubts are creepeing in. I don't have second thoughts about having the procedure. It's more those fears of failing the band are niggling at my brain. I am hoping that by posting my struggle so publicly, you all will help me get my head on straight. I don't need coddled... I need my butt kicked!! oh and P.S..... daily Cookies, chips and candy at work for the last week... I could smack my co-workers!!!!

Though I am still pre-op... I was really having trouble losing anything during my 6 months. Suddenly I have lost 3 pounds each of the last 2 weeks. It isn't much, and I busted butt at the gym, but finally seeing the scale starting to move to the left has me feeling more confident and motivated.

Calcium CITRATE according to my dietitian

I, too, feel like I will never be skinny. I don't really even have the body type to be thin. That's why I put my goal weight at 180 - still "overweight," but a weight that I is WAY healthier than where I am now. Hey... if I get lower than 180 then heck yeah!! But part of goal making is to be realistic and make it something achievable. Trust me... By the numbers I have 120 give/take to lose. I am choosing band b/c of the malabsorption (I am already osteoporosis waiting to happen from chronic steroid use), down time from work (primary bread winner), slower steady weight loss (I still have work to do on food issues let alone emotional changes that may occur), etc. My surgeon always says you have the whole pre-op time to make your decision. He advises to get started through the pre-op while continuing to do the research. Just weigh out the options keeping in mind that nothing will work if you don't!! Keep in touch!! My date is 9/26/2012 so we will be fairly close on this journey!

Perhaps I am being nave, but I just had a lap chole in March that sparked this whole adventure. My. surgeon feels that this will be very comparable. I could have gone back to work on Monday (surg was Thurs). In fact I did work two basketball games on Saurday and Sunday. Sunday was that breaktrough day for me all the way around, but I think pushing myself on Saturday helped me REALLY sleep and heal. I think I am smarter going into this process so I am going to have surgery on a wednesday with the intent of returning on the 12th day. I really can't afford to be off long. Just say a quick prayer that this plan works!!!

First off... WELCOME!! I am a newbie, too! Just this week. It's amazing how much you didn't know you needed to know!! Just poke around and feel free to ask questions!! People are super sweet and helpful!

I am so jealous that you are all so early in the month! I get a little nervous saying it's "next month," but then when I say "47 days" I wanna cry b/c it feels like forever!!

My 1st visit was as above. We also have two additional classes. The first is pre-op diet and the second is post-op diet. Apparently it was one 2hr class, but patients were overwhelmed by info so they split the class. I have had the 1st class and it was nice to talk about the why of the pre-op. They gave is plenty of samples of unjury and good multi-vitamins/calcium supplements (is. Calcium citrate is the most easily digested and absorbed) I am scheduled for post-op class on the 23rd.

Mara... Ask them to put you on the call list. A lot of surgeries get canceled at the last minute because things are missing or bad labs, etc. It's ALWAYS worth a shot!

Congratulations on your accountability!! I don't get banded til 9/26, but I am learning so much here from all of you! I am so lucky to have the chance to learn from all your peaks and valleys!!

I am glad you are in a better situation!! And give yourself a chance... you'll be chasing a toddler around before you know it!!

60mgs of Adderral is INSANE!!! And it's ridiculous that any boss could require you to take meds!! Regardless... Congrats to you for saying enough is enough and getting back to basics. My son gained weight when he stopped Adderral and he was 10. Your body just needs to figure out it's new normal and doing the 5 day plan may be exactly what your body needs and as mentioned above... what you need to get yourself back on track. Stress and change is no doubt hurting you as well. BTW... my son was upped to 60mg of Adderall once and he was a fricking psycho and never slept til he fell over in exhaustion!! I fired the psych pretty quickly. There are definitely other meds in the class that MIGHT work and some are not even as restrictive with refills and scripts. When Adderall was no longer working we switched to Vyvanse and it was a good fit b/c it is similar.

Well I am not a smoker, but maybe you will get through the worst of the cravings and then start back up! It will certainly help you heal faster. Just a thought... like I said, I am not a smoker so maybe I don't "get" it.

Clearly for whatever reason she is threatened by your relationship with your ex. Maybe he talks about you a lot or you two gel in a way those two never have.... whatever. People who are insecure need to make other people feel "less" about themselves. She obviously went for the jugular with you b/c she knew it would hurt. It was childish and insensitive of her. Cruel is a perfect word. Just try to rise above her petty BS and remember... you are taking real steps to improve yourself. Addressing your weight is way better "fix" than if you had to fix her problem... a lack of compassion with an overflow of evil.

I can sympathize... I haven't even told my bf about my surgery plans and I am 48 days out!! "luckily" we aren't married, but I know he would say I am beng ridiculous and do not need it. My psych thought it was very strange, but as I told her... We are a little uneven and at times I definitely can't see us lasting long term. Bottom line - this surgery is for ME. I am an emotional eater b/c I put everyone else first. I am going to be selfish with this. My health - heck, my LIFE - is worth more than his issues with it. I am sorry you are going thru this, but thank goodness you are cognizant of what's going on. It's an unfortunate extra hurdle for you. And I hope and pray I lose two pounds a week consistently!! Please always feel free to reach out to me and we will push through together!

Aw.. Thank you very much!! I appreciate it!! I am excited!! Very nervous about some things as well, but so glad I stumbled upon this site. Keep in touch and we'll get through it together!!

Hello... my name is Rhonda and I am a 38 yr old lady from NW Pennsylvania. I live with my boyfriend and have a 13 yr old son. WLS was always in the back of my mind, but the ignition point was my gall bladder crapping out in late Feb of this year. My doc wasn't the general surgeon I had requested, but rather his partner. They say things happen for a reason & my finding Dr. Kalim this was def divine intervention. Yes, it's his business, but he was very tactful in addressing my weight even before I had my lap chole. Upon my post op from the lap chole, Dr. Kalim again mentioned my WLS options. I have to tell you, I work at the same hospital and the bariatric program is relatively new. I had worked with some of the key players in various roles before. So when he asked me to go to a seminar and walked me into the program coordinator's office... I felt I HAD to go out of professional courtesy!! Eventually I got my mind right and realized that I wanted to pursue this for ME!! My gb issue and being assigned to Dr. Kalim was the path laid before me. I have to say it's a joy to be so close to my care team!! They work extremely hard to make EVERYONE feel comforted and secure. At the 1st visit we mapped out the first three months and all of the extras (ie EGD, psych, dietary, sleep study, etc.) At the 3rd month we mapped out preads, consent and clearances and surgical date. I have one more nutrition class (out of 3), preads, my 6th monthly visit and final pre-surg visit with my doctor to go. I would be lying if I didn't claim my fears of all this not working or my OWN failure, but I am trying to stay positive and keep working hard now to adopt good healthy lifestyle changes!!

My surgeon's office uses the weight from your 1st visit ... and makes it clear what your particular insurance requires (i.e. 10%). My insurance requires that you do show weight loss during the 6 months b/c it shows the insurance company that you are making changes. Nothing gets submitted until visit #6 and then the goal sheets, other testing results, PCP support letter, et al go to the insurance company. I have a Highmark PPO plan.

Your BMI now is so close to the "automatic" 40 for Highmark. Obviously all plans are different, but my Highmark plan is two co-morbids. My program coordinator tells me that Highmark is one of the easiest to pass these days! I would voice your past experiences to your provider at that 1st appt. This procedure is a big money maker for hospitals/surgeons and he might be apalled that his own staff is causing patients to not continue!! Even if you have to do the 6 months (and I bet you will) isn't it worth it?? It's all about the end game. Keep your head up and good luck!!

I, too, can completely relate!! I have never ever been thin and I am excited to head in that direction!! Professionally I see only benefits (especially since I work in health care!!) Personally, I am very anxious about how it will affect relationships with people. My bf in particular... we are so iffy at times... I haven't even told him about this!!

I am the newbie!! My date is set for Sept 26th. I have one more nutrition appt (2 out of 3 done already) and my preads to go. Everything will be submitted to Highmark on 9/6 but the program coordinator insists I will fly through and have an answer in a few days. Getting very excited, yet still nervous! I look forward to sharing this adventure with all of you!