ArnoldS

That's great. Wow, walking 3-4 hrs. Amazing. Your mood sounds good, too. I'm so happy for you.

I considered Hershey. How long was the program? Did u like it? How are you doing? When was your surgery?

I'm still working on the bites. We were told to take small bites, chew until the consistency of yogurt, then swallow. And, a meal takes about 20-30 minutes. What if I feel full post-op before the meal is complete? Do I still finish it? I'm pre-op btw.

Good to hear from you. I sent you a message. I was just going through my email that this site sends me and just saw your post. I've been thinking about you. Sounds like you are doing great. Keep us posted.

I'm 61 and I'm already looking at the plastic surgery posts. Ugh! I am not looking fwd to the saggy skin. From what I can see, I won't be able to afford plastic surgery, either. I'll have to find some positive way to look at it like you have managed to do.

I'm laughing at myself right now because they told us this yesterday at the class. Do you think I can remember??? Yikes

How did I get over the nervous feeling? I didn't. I have a bit of free-floating anxiety each day. I mark the days on my calendar. I just do anything to keep busy and keep with my program so that they will have no excuse to extend my date or not to do the surgery. This thing is always on my mind. Ugh Good luck to us all.

Thank you for posting. All that I can say is that I totally relate. It seems that this whole three month program is a waiting game. Waiting for this one to approve you, waiting for that one to approve you. We must really want this badly to be jumping through all these hoops. Congratulations.

Had my first class at the hospital yesterday. 14 people. 1 1/2 hours. Yikes. A lot of info to absorb. I sat down and went over it this am. It's doable. Less anxious today. Thank you ev1 for your support when I was all frazzled. You are a great support system and I do appreciate ya'll being here.

Hey, MissVickie, great to meet you. I sent you a message.

I called the surgeon b/f I went to the hospital program. They said at class today not to do that. oops. Well, the surgeon's office gave me a date right away, Nov. 14. Now, all I have to do is pass the review board after I meet all the program requirements at the hospital.

I'm in Schuylkill County, PA. Having the surgery done at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown on Nov. 14.

Thank you.

That's my question in a nutshell. Nobody told me a fluid/water goal. Thanks for your help.

Thank you. Your're reply really helped me. If that is the worse that can happen, I can handle it.

I'm in the quit smoking program at the hospital. It's free. I'm off 8 days now. I'm using the Nicotrol Inhaler. It's a prescription. Delivers nicotine. I asked the lady about the e-cigs. She told me that they are poison and to stand 3 ft. away from anyone using them. Yikes. She sure doesn't like those things. Anyway, I miss smoking. I really enjoyed it all my life. But, I kinda like being cigarette-free, too. I was not a carbonated drink person, esp. diet sodas. Never liked them. So, that's no problem for me. I do like my caffeine, though, in the form of coffee and iced tea.

So sorry to hear about that. Hope all goes well. How many ounces of fluid are we suppose to have in a day?

Way to go. You are truly an inspiration. Thanks for posting. It gives me hope.

I talked about this in another forum. I think it's more appropriate here. Just venting now. The psych lady wants a written statement from both my psychiatrist and therapist that I am psychologically ready for wls. I have a history of depression, social anxiety disorder, and addiction. It's a history. I'm doing very well now. Just can't shake this worrying over this issue b/c I really want this surgery. I don't like not having control over these other people. Even though I'm very aware of whats going on w me about this issue, I still don't like it. lol. I'll get through it. And, whatever happens, I'm sure I'll find a way to handle it. Just venting. Thanks.

My surgery date is set for Nov. 14. I hope all goes well so it can actually happen. I spend a lot of time on the computer. On this site, a smoking cessation site, and my emails and facebook. Plus, some game sites. They take my mind off of things. It takes time to record my food, look up the protein/fiber content online, prepare it, eat it, drink the Water. Then go over it again to make sure that I followed the directions. Then there are the regular day to day activities. I know what you mean, though. Imagine stopping smoking at the same time. I have all that time to fill up that I spent sitting outside in my favorite chair smoking. Thanks for posting. Great topic. Hope this helps.

Congratulations. Sounds great. I am so happy for you.

It seemed so complicated when I went to the nut lady for one of my pre-op appts. Well, first I went to the RD that day b/f the nut lady. She seemed to treat me like a bad little kid b/c I hadn't lost any weight. She didn't understand that the "class" that I was suppose to attend b/f I saw her, was rescheduled for me (at their request and for their convenience) to a week after I see her. Therefore, I did not receive my instructions as to how I should be eating up to the point that I saw the RD. So, the RD got out the eating plan and took me through it. I'm on day 5 today and have already lost 5 lbs. according to my scale here at home. (Also, I have not smoked since seeing the smoking lady 7 days ago.) My second appt. that day was w the nut lady. She asked me a bunch of questions, which I answered. Mostly about my past psych and addiction history. She didn't seem to be too happy w me. Finally, she gave me two release of info forms to sign. One for my present psychiatrist, who is my monthly med visit, and one for my therepist, who I see every two or three weeks for talking. After I left the hospital, I had the feeling that if anything is going to mess this journey up for me, it will be psych. I immediately called my tharepist. I told her that the nut lady said that all the tharepist has to do is write one or two sentences saying that I "am psychologically ready for the surgery." To my surprise, her response was, "I don't think you are ready." I couldn't believe it! Who is she to say that??? She's on a diet. From our talks, she has no understanding of the different surgeries. She still believes that dieting alone will take care of everything. How does she even think she can evaluate me on something she knows absolutely nothing about??? I was steaming. I said to her, "Do whatever you want." I started to hang up and she said, "No, wait, wait. I'll do it." I just said, "Whatever," and hung up. I haven't see her yet to deal w this further. I am angry. Angry at all involved. Angry that I ever got on the record as having had these conditions. So, angry at myself. I am afraid. Afraid that I will have to go through life w this constant struggle just to lose a little bit of weight. Afraid that these health conditions will never be resolved. Now, I question myself. Am I a fool for even attempting this route? The doubts are creeping in. Thank you for reading this and any response is appreciated, whatever it may be.

Looking for local buddies.

How are you doing?

I'm praying for you now.