Tater Bug

Hey Spa-chic! Congrats on having a date! I really like Dr. K and is staff too! They totally made me feel so much better. Where to you live (the 3 hrs away). I am so excited about this Friday.. this is my last non band Sunday.. hehe.. I get amuzed by the silliest things.. but oh well. I have done a lot of my consulations via phone as well due the distance and time issues with work and my daughter. I also have not shared what I am doing with many others.. boss(in case I need more time then I expect off work), hubby, child, mom, sis, and 3 ladies I carpool with. Thats it. Thanks so much!

Hey there Mal! Aren't you excited!! You will be impressed with Dr K.. I sure was. I had had several phone talkes with his office staff and then made the appointment to have my consult with him in March.. I went in with a list of questions and he answered all of them. It was at that time that I scheduled my surgery appointment. Yes, I met with Paula over the phone.. even though I live in Colorado I live way, WAY, north of the docs office. I recieved an email to phone Paula to set up an appointment time. I set it up for the phone meeting to take place on a Friday at 2.30 and she called me and we went over more detailed what is a should do and should not do. I just went in this last Friday, April 6 for my pre op appointment. Nothing special.. asked more questions, signed papers, and paid my money. I too, am self pay. Now that I paid.. it is really sinking in.. wow... I am so anxious! I am scheduled to have Friday the 13th off for the surgery..and I have put in for the following Monday and Tuesday as off.. I did finally tell my boss because just in case I need an extra day.. she will understand. Other then my boss, my fam (hubby, child, mom and sis), and the 3 ladies I carpool with are the only ones that know I am having the band done. I dont know why I am being so shy about it but I am. Please feel free to contact at time.. K :roll:

Hey everyone! How's it going? I am much better today then I was the other day. Chica Chula...THANK YOU!!!! I did finally talk to my hubby and since then has been eating what I eat at night.. he saves the other foods for during the day when I am not at home or when he is at work. I am getting so excited.. I go tomorrow for my last pre op appointment and then next week is surgery. I have got my house cleaned..well. for the most part if I can get everyone to help me keep it clean would be better.. LOL. I got my shipment of protein shake samplers yesterday! Oh my.. I was so excited unwrapping and looking at all the different kinds! Felt like Christmas! The really nice part of these samples I got is that they are all in 8 oz bottles and all but 6 or 7 of them require you to mix w/ 8 oz of liquid..(water, juice, milk or yogart). SO that will make it really nice to keep with me at work and on the go.. just find some water, put in the sample bottle, replace lid and shake it up. Some of them sound so good... Good night all!

Just wanted to check in.. Those who have had the surgery wow!!! YOU'RE DOING SO GOOD!!! I hope that I will be as lucky! last night was really hard on my pre op diet.. hubby made meat balls but then.. he also made homemade ravioli (sigh). I did not have any but for the life of me I wanted to. Its weird... I have been going this whole time before pre op diet on the diet with no problems then bam.. its official time to be on it and I have such a horrible night. I just ate my meatball and went to bed. I had to close the door and light all my candles (too many to count) so I could block out the smell of his cooking. I didn't want to say anything to my husband because I dont want him to feel bad for fixing that stuff because I cant tell when I am going to have a hard time or not. I am much better this morning but he is still a little mad that I left the table with out a word and went to bed. But I couldn't say anything.. well.. I made it through it so.. that is a positive note right? I did not give in... even though I wanted to.

Time is getting so close!! Everying morning I wake up and say.. Yippeee.. one more day closer!

I too am self pay.. I was looking into mexico but am having it done in Colorado for 9950.00 that for everything! visits w/the doc, his nutritionist, therapist, surgery, band, 3 months follow up and fills. After the 3 months the fills are a minimal cost. www.lapbandrockies.com warning his website is very simple.. not flashy or anything but he is an awesome doc! I have seen him twice and talked to him and his staff many times... there is a thread under the doctors Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum.. if interested, go see what lost of others have to say about him!:biggrin1:

Hi JeninCO! I can't say that I know anything about Dr. Brown. I am going to Dr. Kirshenbaum in Aurora but want to say 'Hello'. I am scheduled for surgery on Friday April 13! We will have to stay in touch and chat about our progress! Are you on a pre op diet? I ‘officially’ start my pre op diet tomorrow but have already been on it for several days for the most part. Its just more protein and low carbs.. and for me.. eating 3 times a day. I was bad for not eatting until late at night when I pig out on dinner then go to bed. PM me anytime, would be nice to get to know more Colorado bandsters!

Welcome KDF! I am schedule for surgery coming up in a couple of weeks and cant wait! I am so excite! Wow..you seem to have gone for a while since your last fill! Take it you are in "the sweet spot" with your band?

Hi there and Welcome! I too was looking into Mexico and my family and friends flipped! I was still considering it BUT. I was checking on a couple of the doctors from Mexico that said they have a list of doctors in the US that will do fills for mexico bands placed. Long story short, I was given a list of several doctors in my state and when I called the first 3, they denied and said they will not in any fashion see me if I go to mexico. Luckily the 4th doctor said why go there when they offer it for $9.950.00. That is for the entire surgery, consultation, nutritionist, psyc, 3 months post surgery follow ups and fills. After that the fills are a minimal cost (and I do mean minimal). There are lots of folks here at LBT that have gone down to Mexico and are very happy. My 2 cents is to really research and ask questions and make sure that is where you want to go and that you have a place for after so you can get fills or if problems occur. The doc that I am using has a very simple website but, he is very nice. There is a thread under doc's of others who have/will use him. Good luck in your search and best wishes on your journey!

Try this thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/abbreviat...hey-t7959.html

Welcome Yenken! And Congrats on banding and down 12 pounds! that is GREAT! PBing.. there are several threads here that explain it a lot better then I can. I will see if I can find one for you.

Tracy the spreadsheet is awesome!!!! Sorry all I have been crazy busy at work due to month end. I was trying to read and must have skipped how to add my stats to the sheet.. if you could PM me with instructions how to add them I would love to partake in that! Also.. what's the phase stuff you guys are talking about? Lossing weight before surgery? That is so awesome! I thought for sure that once I got my date I would want to run out and eat all the foods I will be missing for a long time. But you know.. I haven't! I just dont want them. I was so worried that my will power to go down the toliet but I am doing pretty good. Sticking with healthy foods (and eating during the day. Usually pizza or any NY Italian food that my hubby fixes I eat a huge amount of. And the last few dinners he's fixed I dont want it.. so I fix a salad or a pc. of chicken. Its very strange.. I have gotten so that I dont think of food often... my desk used to be full of snacks and candies but I cleaned it all out and I added some healthy things to it (canned tuna, protein bars) for when I am stuck at work for 12 + hrs. Vending machines no longer call to me...but I am scared to death that after the surgery that I will go back to wanting food so badly I wont be able to stand it. I guess that right now I am currently in the "I can have so I really dont want it." Yeap, I am one of those that when you tell me I can't have something.. I crave what ever it is that "I can't" have.. What will happen to me if after surgery all the cravings that I thought I would have now come back very strong? Congrats and welcome to the new comers to Banding in April!

Wow.. maybe I should do that too.. should help bring my mood up! Thanks for all those extra little "tips"! :biggrin1:

Thanks guys!! Made me feel better that I only have the one mini goal.. so for now I guess that I will stick with that. Another odd question.. when you all weight at home.. do you have a specific time? I know that you tend to weight more at night then in the am... clothed.. unclothed..???? I have been weighing myself at night both with my normal clothes of the day as well as my night gown.. usually its only a 3 lb difference. What time is your surgery MS_Jen? Mine is scheduled at 12:30 (MST) have to be at the hospital at 10:30ish. I will be thinking of you!

Please add me to the list... I will have surgery on 4/13! I am so excited!!! I do have a question, I am having problems trying to figure out what to set as my long term goal!!! How silly! But I am! I have been trying so hard, for so long just to hit in the lower 200s that I cant wrap my brain around getting past that! SO.. 200 is my first mini goal and 199 is a day of celebration at a pottery place I can go paint at. Part of me is afraid that I wont make it to 199 so I cant even think of getting smaller then that. My doctor says that little goals are good. How did you guys figure out what to work towards? I dont want to short change myself by making an easy goal but I also dont want to set myself up for dissappointment if by being unrealistic. :help:

Hello all! I'm going to be an April Bandster as well.. just wanted to say 'hey' and I look forward to getting to know you guys! I can't wait.. I am so excited!!

Welcome Sadie to LBT! This is a great place to get info, encourangment and to express feelings. As for using Kaiser, I cant help much I am self pay. But I have been looking into this surgery for about 5 years.. and here I am.. FINALLY! I am on the path to a lighter me, a healther me! It took me 5 years to totally know for sure and in that time I also tried everything that I had not done before that time to loose weight. I was able to find a doctor that I could afford and that I feel 100% comfortable with. I am excited to be where I am at now.. so.. you just have to do some soul searching and 'homework' if this option is right for you. Best of luck on your journey and let me know how it goes for you!

I have a BMI of 46 and I will have to be a High Protein low carb diet just 10 days before surgery. Not a liquid diet pre op. I was told it is so the liver shirks and weighs less so that the doc can lift if up as to place the band exactly where he needs it. Best wishes

LadiJane3 & ReneBean THANKS SO MUCH FOR THOSE SITES!!!!! I looked into some other sites that sells the same things but by far these sites are the most reasonable (cheaper is always best!). Thanks again!

If you are self pay and are looking into some of the mexican doctors for the procedure you might want to look at Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado. I was looking into going to Mexico because of the cost but found this doctor and will end up being cheaper after figuring the cost of travel and hotels and all. www.lapbandrockies.com his site is very simple but he is awesome! Very knowledgable and easy to talk too.

I am not an expert but am pretty sure that they are.

I am still trying different protein shakes out that I will like but I have been cooking with protein powder that doesn't have any taste to my meals for over a year now.. also there is a liquid protein thats out and I put that in smoothies.. kinda citrus flavor.. its good and when mixed with tea, smoothies, vanilla (or any flav. other then chocolate) protein shakes, it tastes real good. I know some people that will take a swig of it straight for engery.

Hi guys! I live in Colorado now but was born and rasie in Va so I hope you dont mind me chiming in. I am pre op but am scheduled for April 13! I cant wait! Each doc is a little different as to what they want/expect for pre op diet. Mine wants high protein low carb.. southbeach style. Others that I know of want you on a liquid diet before hand. just depends on the doc. I am getting this lined up for after my surgery. Experimenting with different protein drinks.. I am liking some that dont have so high protein that I will need but I use protein powder now when I cook so can add that and I have come across a liquid protein! It doesn't taste bad.. I add it to my breakfast smoothies I make in the morning. I am sticking to my smoothies for breakfast now because I cant stand to eat in the morning. But that is it.. I figure that I will be tired of a liquid diet aftwards and dont want to get burned out on it before the surgery. So.. that is my answer to your question of starting the liq. diet before hand - but I would ask what does your doc recommend? Best wishes!

Hi Eddie! Welcome! The best advice I can give is to research and read/respond to the threads on this site. I have learned a lot of info from folks' experiences and this is a great place to get encouragement! My mom had the full gastric bypass a few years ago and has done well with it but she has known many who have the bypass to gain some of the weight back and go have the lap band done on top of the bypass... so.. that tells me that (at least my way of thinking) that the band is a great way to go. It is not going to make me skinny but will assit me in getting my body where I want it. It is stated many times on this site and the doctors will tell you.. the band is a tool. I think that the support and encouragment given here is also a very important tool. I have not even been banded yet but the atmosphere here has already been beneficial to me.

Where to post? I am also new to this site and still learning the ropes.. I have had my consulation with the doc and and the nutritionist.. I am scheduled to have surgery in April. I have been looking into WLS for about 4-5 years. My mom had Gastric Bypass about 4 years ago.. so.. I can try to help with your questions. There is a lot of good info on this site.. although I will warn you that you can end up staying up all night reading and responding to threads.. but you will learn from those who have gone before us!