maudeispam

I know it is tough. I work at a group home. So there is always Cookies, cakes, brownies or good things to eat & smell. I am not banded yet, but am doing the Liquid Protein & bars. I keep telling myself, this is for me and my future babies. I know I will be a survivor and do quite well! You can too!

Thanks for the useful info. I take Metformin 3 times daily for my Diabetes. The Dr. upped my dosage to help regulate my periods. They do come once a month and are usually 3-5 days in length. They aren't as bad as they used to be. But I still usually have 1-2 heavy days with heavy cramping. I was diagnosed with PCOS. The DR. who diagnosed that said if I lost weight it would probably cure the PCOS. My lap band surgeon said to stop the Metformin One week pre-surgery. Hubby and my ultimate goal is to have a child. Thanks again ladies for all your help!

My periods are heavy and quite painful (cramp wise) now. Do they get better, worse or stay the same after band placement? Just curious.

Thanks for sharing. I definitely want a Bracelet after surgery...but don't want to pay top dollar! I think I will try your idea!

Thanks for all the encouraging words. It helps to know someone else has had a similiar situation.

My sleep test wasnt too bad. They had an over sized twin bed and it wasnt too bad. I brought my own night clothes and own pillows...they even said I could bring my own blanket if I wanted to. I actually was able to tell them what time I wanted to try to sleep...so I wasnt forced to try to sleep to early. The nurses got a good read out and hooked me up to a CPAP machine halfway through the night. I was able to leave the hospital when I woke up the next morning around 5:30. I looked like a real site riding the city transit with my morning hair, two pillows and over night bag. The bus driver had a good laugh!

Thanks Karen for the reassuring words! I will think of floating on the river in a string bikini with all my skinni friends!

I am gearing up for surgery July 29th. I have completed my pre-exam (blood work, EKG & chest xray), saw the dietician (Started the Optifast diet) and today saw the Anitheliologist (I know I spelled that wrong). Anyhow he said I would have to have a breathing tube put in. He also said they would have to do it while I am awake. (Because my mouth is small and my throat is rather small too.) He said that they would numb the mouth and throat and give me something via IV to help me relax. I had my stomach pumped several years ago and that tube was awful. Has anyone else had to do this too (The breathing tube) ...in this fashion? Do you remember it...what it as bad as it sounds? Please any reassuring words would be helpful.

Oh wow thanks. I have sleep apnea and use a Cpap machine at night! It will be nice to not have to use it in the future. The surgeon told me this, but I had to hear it from someone who has been there, done that! Thanks again!

Thats awesome. Welcome to our circle of future skinnies, almost skinnies & already skinnies! I get banded July 29th! Best of luck!

I have been in your same boat. I always settled for less than best and never thought I could do better. My last boyfriend before my hubby was awful. He lived at home with his parents, was an alcoholic & drug user and cheated on me. He worked, but never had any money to spend on me. I can't remember him ever buying me anything. I finally had enough and said lets just be friends. I placed a personal ad on the internet and low and behold I am now married to a wonderful caring man. He is very supportive and loves the idea of me getting the lap band and getting healthy! Don't settle for less than best, you deserve the best!

I have Dakota Care Design through my husband's work and I have Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield through my employer.

Fortunately I have good insurance that will pay for it. Otherwise I would'nt be able to do it either. Keep bugging your insurance company, have your doctors write them and tell them you need this done. Show proof, medical related problems to your weight ( blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.) Document your efforts over the years to loose the weight. Best of luck.

Wow great pictures! Thanks for sharing! Have you ever been to Sturgis, SD during their big rally?

I am doing the Optifast diet. I get 5 a day. I started Friday and it sucks! I did 2 Optifast Protein Bars, 2 Optifast shakes and 1 Optifast chicken broth., the first day, plus Water, sugar free koolaid and iced tea, I felt so hungry and my blood sugar was low. So the second day I did the shakes, ate some lettuce and carrots and a dill pickle and did okay. Today I had orange juice, a Protein Shake, a small 3oz. turkey breast, carrots ( i like carrots) and another shake, plus s/f koolaid and water. For dinner hubby and I are having a tossed salad with turkey no dressing and something cold and calorie free to drink. Then I will have a Protein Bar for a snack. I feel better today, it helps me to stay busy, so I dont think about food.< /p>

Oh dear Jodie,

I was in a similiar boat during my high school days. I missed most of my Junior/Senior year due to medical problems. I managed to pass my courses and graduate. (May 1990) I hated high school, because of the teasing and tormenting and my weight issues. High school was hell! I was never so glad to graduate and get on with my life. I have a good job, with good benefits, a wonderful loving husband, a nice home, a nice ride and many friends. I also have a funny and adorable Basset hound! (He is so Lazy!) Life is what you make of it! You are taking the right approach....get your health in shape, make some friends, take up some hobbies and just be thank you for you. You have a BIG ole heart like me that I can tell needs alittle mending, but once healed you go out and share that kindness and love with everyone. Best of luck!

My mom had the regular gastric bypass a few years ago. Her surgeon gave her a card to carry stating the procedure she had done, her surgeons name and # and that she can only consume small/child size portions. She has used it on several hundred occasions and has never complained to me about anyone not accepting it.

I've told people that I wish I had not told. People I'm sure will think I took the "easy" way...and will probally talk about me behind my back. These people will be watching to see how well I do, and if I'm a slow looser it will be even worse...or if I gain back any I'll have to move to another state. I know this is a bit dramatic, but thats how I feel. I don't think they are happy for me...when I lost weight on diets, they would say how great I looked but then wait for me to gain it back.

This sounds like my mother in law. She lost 100lbs several years ago through TOPS. She even got an award. She has managed to keep the weight off, but is no skinny herself. She always makes comments oh you should exercise more and eat less. She has never truly accepted me in her family. I love her son with all my heart and he is very supportive. He even cried last night that he was afraid what he would do if he lost me in surgery. I told him everything would be fine and that I am taking a bigger risk with my life staying this weight. He understood and we both shared a good giggle and laugh when I said "Honey only the good die young, youre suck with me forever." As for my family and friends they all ask questions and are very excited for me. As for my MIL I take what she says as a grain of salt. I am looking forward to the day I walk into her house and I am smaller in size than her.

I am 33 y/o am 5' 2" and weigh 303. I am proud of that weight, because I have lost 24lbs since September 2003. (I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, sleep Apnea and Morbid Obesity.) I have also battled High Blood Pressure since late high school. I am scheduled for surgery July 29th at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD. Dr. Reynolds will be performing the procedure. (Dr. Haley his supervisor will also be assisting if needed.) I am very excited, but nervous, like on my wedding day! Thanks for all the helpful information and sharing. I am so glad I found this forum!

Thanks for sharing all your experiences. It is very encouraging and less scary!

I work as a residential instructor in a group home for developmentally disabled adults. I am on my feet most of an 8 hour shift. My work includes medicine administration, bathing, feeding, dressing, personal care and laundry as well as paperwork, running errands (driving a company car with residents on board) and much more. I start my Liquid Protein diet this friday July 15th and am having Lap Band July 29th. I am scheduled to return to work August 8th (after surgery). I have a high pain tolerance but am wondering if I will truly be ready to be back on the 8th. Any advice, comments, concerns would be greatly appreciated. I have read alot of past threads on recovery time.