cat whisperer

Sorry to hear that two of you need the sleep study... what do you have to do for it? I imagine you having to fall asleep and they monitor you? how did they determine you need the study?

thanks Shannon - that is encouraging - 70lbs is a lot!!

IF you go to the list of all the forums, there is a Heading - Lap Band Support Groups. Under this there is the monthly category - then click 2013, and you will see May 2013 listed

What a view - gorgeous. nothing like here, as you know. Enjoy!!

Creekwood, sorry to hear they took the more expensive option... but glad things are still going ahead for you. How is everyone doing? I think Leanne is in Hawaii right now, hopefully having a great time

Creekwood - sorry to hear about your frustrations. I hope they approve the nasal spray for you - what a huge difference in cost!!! gigglypug - Yes, my daughter's bday is May 16th It is a small world, for sure. Love your screen name... I used to have a dear little pug - my best friend has two. Welcome to you and light lady!! So, sure enough I am still having surgery on the 14th. Leanne, that is very sweet and considerate of you going first that day. You have no idea how much easier that makes it for us - I really appreciate it! LOL that we will meet in person probably "high" as you say, haha. You must be getting very excited for your trip at this point!!

Likely it will be the 14th which was my original surgery date - I won't have enough time to prepare for the 30th. I tried calling but Annie was gone for the day, so I will find out definitively tomorrow! Hey, while we are at it - do you have any objections to going first thing in the morning? I wouldn't have to stay two nights if I can go a bit later - but only if that is convenient for you!! let me know

Well have an absolutely wonderful trip. Like I said, I will be picking your brain about Hawaii as I have always wanted to go! I am hoping to hear back tomorrow as I was told the same as you about the receptionist being away. Hopefully I hear soon as I called on Tues! LOL about the garlic bread... me too! Also the Pasta for me... I love pasta and I will miss it a lot. We make homemade pasta so it is particularly good. BUT I am so looking forward to being able to do activities without sweating and getting out of breath, and doing some activities that I am too big to do right now... so i know it will even out in the end. I will let you know for sure about the date!

Well, everyone, we are getting slowly but steadily closer. I have to admit to panicking a bit and trying to eat stuff I don't anticipate being able to eat soon!! Leanne - I might actually be having the surgery on the same day as you. On the 14th my older daughter is going away for a band trip, and it's going to be very difficult to arrange transport etc. PLUS it is my younger daughter's birthday on the 16th and I thought I might be more up to doing something if I have a week and two days to recover as opposed to two days. So I called to see if I could do it a week before. I'm waiting to hear back and will likely find out today! how is planning for Hawaii going? I would totally do the same as you - go for broke, then come back and get into the diet.

Welcome to our May group, Creekwood!

Good for you - it's nice that you will have your wife and MIL as supports who have also been through it

thank you very much. I will def. be ordering it - i figure there is no such thing as too much help. keep in touch

Yes, I have the 14 day diet too... I have quite a while before I start that. I do plan to follow that diet to the letter as I want to reduce every possible risk. Unfortunately it is the time before that I am struggling with. I booked my surgery so far in advance (as that was the only time I could take off) I almost gave myself too much time to overeat. Nonetheless, I am still trying to slowly reduce the "urges" before my 14 day diet begins... not having too much success at this point.

one more thing.. now I can't find the link to order the book!! can you send it to me or tell me where to find it? thanks so much!

Wow, I very much relate to this. I think I have gained (don't want to check ) weight since my initial consultation and booking. I almost feel like this is my "free for all" time and that this is my "last hurrah". I have gone through weight loss before, and I know it isn't as bad as it seems... but it is a type of "mourning", I think. I know some would disagree, but we do have to face up to losing the freedom of eating whatever we want in the quantity we want. I hate absolutes, in that you cannot EVER have something again... it is all about the enjoyment of a lesser quantity. You, speaking to hockeymother, and I too, will get through this. From what I heard, this is a normal phenomenon and to be expected. Let's get it out of our systems and look forward to change. Easier said than done, I so know this... but the fact that we have chosen to change will prevail in the long run.

Awww, that is so sweet of you! I really appreciate your offer. My hubby is coming with me, though and he is very good at looking after me after surgery (I had another surgery a few years back and he was like a nurse, LOL) It's a bit tough as we will have to leave our daughters behind with their Grandpa who isn't used to looking after them, but it will be fine. I will def. bring a blender with us. I'm thinking at some point you and I should meet for an outing or something - I gather at some point we will be able to eat out!! I usually make it to Regina at the very least every couple of months. I hate to say it too as I feel for you going first but you will prob .be able to give me some tips once you go through the experience. You are brave going back to work a week after - do you have the option to extend your time off if necessary?

Welcome, SJ Irish!! How are you feeling about the upcoming surgery? Leanne, I will probably order the book. I know what you mean about fast food, and rich food in general. My husband is constantly cooking gourmet "treats" - probably why I am heavy in the first place. I have tried over the years to change, in fact did lose 50lbs on my own... but it started to creep back on. This will be a shock to my system... a shock that I need. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii... my dream vacation. Yet something else I want to hear about! I hope you have a very good holiday. As for places to stay - I have stayed in a hotel right on the outskirts of Regina (near the HOliday inn - Inns and Suites, I believe??) what would your recommendation be? I'm a bit worried about how comfortable I'm going to be in a hotel...

Hey, that's really cool that you are at the same surgery centre, same surgeon... and only a week ahead of me! I will truly appreciate hearing about your experience There is another lovely lady on these forums who had her surgery with Dr. Pooler a couple of weeks ago... I may ask her to join our little "group" even though she isn't a "May" bandster like us - she may appreciate the comraderie I actually live in Yorkton, so will have to stay a night or two in Regina - a bit nervous about it. Let me know what you think of the book as I may purchase it too!

Hello everyone, I've read a lot about physical preparation for surgery... but not much about the emotional preparation. I'm finding that one day I am very excited anticipating my surgery and the results... and the next day I'm crying and feeling sad and overwhelmed. I have lost 50lb on my own, and I know how hard it is... I anticipate that the band is going to be a tool to help me, but that it is still going to be a very difficult process. Yes, I am up to it, and I really want to do the work... but at the same time I believe there is a bit of grieving that needs to take place for my "old" life, and body that I have had for 20 years.... even though the changes will be positive. I have carried a lot of shame for many years, and I think preparing for the surgery is making me come head to head with it. I'm wondering, for those who have been through the whole process... is there anything you would recommend doing to take care of yourself emotionally - or that you wish you had done?

Yay! I'm not alone here anymore Good to see you. From the Canadian flag I gather you are Canadian - I'm in Sask., how about you? Haha - yep, I am something of a cat expert I currently have four very well-behaved cats - let me take a crack at any problem kitties you may have, LOL Good to see you here, and I'm sure as time passes we'll see others here too

thank you for the replies everyone. This is such a difficult process, and at this time I am studying social work and of course we are being fully encouraged to have full self-awareness, so that also puts a point on it for me. I feel like I can "exorcise" so to speak some of the bad feelings by feeling them and letting them go. I definitely want this as it took a lot to face up to and make the decision. Krg you hang in there as well - we can do this

wonderful!! good for you!!

Welcome I hope to hear more about how things progress for you

Glad to hear everything went so well Yes, Dr. Pooler is doing my surgery! That's pretty cool that you had the same surgeon as me. I didn't realize that you had to go to Regina for the surgery if you are in Saskatoon. I was impressed when I went for my consultation -but it's always good to hear firsthand from someone who went through it there! Hope things continue to improve for you and keep us updated!! take care, Cat

wow, thanks for the quick replies.... I am still just pre-surgery, so doing research... I just had no idea this was one of the rules... I have to admit it worries me a lot!! I guess I always just had the impression that water was always good. I'm sure when I get closer to the surgery and get all my surgery-specific info I will hear about it. thanks again!