Road Queen

I was also self pay. I did it here and the cost was 12500. Of course, the add'l costs are coming in (pre-tests, etc) so I expect it to be closer to 14000. I am using 0% credit card, refinancing vehicles, borrowing, begging, etc. I am glad I did this. I will find a way to pay it off. The long term savings on my health, shoes (that wear out faster from my excess weight), bigger clothes, etc will help. I also teach college classes for a second job so I'm going to increase the number of classes I teach. Think of what you will save in food bills, eating out, etc. Think of how much better you will feel. And when you are down in the dumps from being broke, email me and we can whine together. Celeste

Oh, wait. I am swelled. I just looked in the mirror and my belly button is a long tunnel...

I have been taking a powder vitamin that you add to liquid for a few months. It is called Reliv. It provides 7 grams of soy protein too. The last time I ordered the Classic (which I don't like as well as the other stuff - the taste isn't as good). When I get back to where I order it from, I can give you the name if you are interested in it.

I had surgery at 9 yesterday morning and came home at 6 last night. I am feeling awesome. A little pain when I breath deep. I hope to buy a digital camera and post pictures (with bandaids) today. I have 5 total slits.

Jim, I was banded yesterday and came home right away. I have a thing about hospitals so I wanted to sleep in my bed. It was a great experience except when I weighed this morning - those IVs packed on a bunch!! I haven't seen anything from Aileena yet but I'm not sure when she will get access to the internet. Keep in touch. Celeste

Trish, Good for you. A friend of mine who works overseas told me that her organization counsels them as they move between countries that this is a change to 'remake' themselves. It sounds like this is an opportunity to remake yourself. Not just your eating habits but wear clothes that show off you new size (second hand stores and rummage sales are more accessible when you are unemployed), get a new hairdo (I know being unemployed its difficult but there are reasonable places), etc. I think your new found confidence and look will help you get a much better job and be the person you want to be. Good luck on your hourney.

Jen, From the date I knew that surgery was available locally (and knew I would have it) I gained about 12. I think it was the stress of making sure everything came together combined with the feeling that I didn't need to be as vigilant because I was going to have to be forever more. Take a deep breath. In a couple of weeks you will be on the pre-surgery diet and that will put you mentally in focus. Just get everything prepared to get the surgery approved and date set first. Then worry about the weight. BTW - For everyday clothes, I went to Walmart and bought a couple of pairs of elastic waist capris (about $10 I think). I figure they will be good to reduce stress on my stomach area post surgery and can always be pj's later. I may even get another pair tonight. I am scheduled for surgery in the morning and getting a bit impatient. I haven't got a thing done at work today.

I've never had rabbit. I remember liking goat meat alot when it was available. Most of the meat I eat is buffalo that is rasied without hormones, chemicals, etc. Buffalo are not as susceptible to disease and don't need all the stuff. I also know the farmer who I get it from and he wants them to be as healthy as possible. Keep us updated. Call your local extension office and they may be able to give you additional information.

Good luck. If your doctor puts you on a pre-op diet it was become more real. I think yesterday was my day to flip out. Today - no solids - even though I haven't had solids before evening for a week, the mental part of that is tough for me. See you in bandland. Celeste

Good luck getting the geeky stuff down and hope your tests find you an answer.

I'm having surgery on Thursday the 26th. I asked for a dr excuse to miss work next week (anything over 2 days sick has to have an excuse) and my surgeon said I could be back on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday). What do you guys think?

Help! My mom thrives on medical things and feeling like she is the expert of everything. Today she called and informed me that she is going to sit at the hospital full time when I am there in case I am a bleeder and then they will need her immediately. Can anyone tell me what a bleeder is? I am assuming that she thinks I would need blood transfusions and she would be the one to approve them. Is that right? Or does she need have a need to feel needed (recently widowed)? Thanks for any info.

Thanks for the reassurance. I am guessing the last 48 hours of waiting are the toughest and I will worry about many little things.

Try posting this in the Minnesota section below.

I forgot to mention before how I explain the procedure: As everyone knows, I have been successful at losing before but have never lost enough or been able to maintain. This band is a tool that works like this: I will be starting on a severelly restricted diet post op (to help me heal) and move to less restricted one. This will be a motivator for me to continue losing. When there comes a time when my motivation is diminishing, I will get saline injected into the tool. The fill will restrict my capacity to eat and the type of food I eat will change and help to remotivate me. This may happen several times though the process. After I finish losing, when I start gaining, I can get another fill to get me back on track. This description lets them know I have responsibilities in this while have a tool to assist me on the track to good health. I wish I had thought of this when I first started telling people about it. Since I've used this description, all comments have been positive (and I've told alot of people).

Good luck. I will be joining you in band land on thursday.

Aileena, I am also on the 26th so I'll be thinking of you when I am in recovery. I have a laptop at home so I expect to be on the board whenever I get home.

I work in the ND State Budget Office and prepare the Governor's executive budget for higher education, transportation, agricultural research, and Human Services (medicaid, tanf, jobs, etc) I also teach undergraduate governmental accounting and public finance at a local university. For a life - I travel.

One individual, who has struggled with weight over the years and continues to, asked me why I didn't just do it on my own. I just responded that is what her and I have been trying to do for years and have been only mildly successful. And that the extreme changes is getting harder on my body as I age...

Alot of my life I was nicknamed - Plywood. Even since I gained weight the largest cup size I've had is a B ( and that is really pushing it ). I am expecting to return to the land where fried eggs are bigger than me. I always said I was going to get implants for 50 but since I will be paying for my band until I'm 58 (I refinanced my house) I guess the band is my implant...

Dallasdoll, thanks for sharing. I will now be prepared and won't look. I hate needles anyway. Funny, when I got my tattos in the 70s and 80s, the needles didn't phase me. But don't give me a tetnus shot...

Sounds like you are doing great. What is this about surgical stockings? Nobody told me anything about them!! I get banded next Thursday......

What about inches? And are you doing things that were difficult before? Every victory counts. I know I've gained 18 pounds in the last year and could continue to spiral upward without surgery. I could either continue and gain another 18 pounds next year or have surgery and begin the downward spiral. If I lose 18 pounds in the next year, Iwill be 36 pounds less that I would have potentially been. I am at about the same weight as you guys. If we lose slowly, we won't have the excess skin issues or as many wrinkles. Hang in there and it will pay off.

Good job. Sounds like the hospital thought so too. At one week away from bandland, I am using this board for total mental support - and to keep from eating. You are an inspiration!!

Bandit - please read everything that's been posted and let us know that you are feeling better about being human. Remember that you wouldn't have learned to walk if you hadn't fallen down. Think of this as a baby tumble. Get up and try walking again. Celeste