divaofsongs

I am self-pay because I don't have insurance. I am having my band done in Denver, Co by Dr. Kirshenbaum. He is a fantastic doctor and only charges $9950 and that includes the first 3 months of fills. There is a whole thread on him with many of his patients that love him. I am off to the hospital now, keep me in your prayers.

:clap2::bounce::clap2::whoo::clap2: Great Job! What an accomplishment, you should be very proud of yourself. Way to go.

I am being banded today and I can't wait to lose enough weight to enjoy sex again. I hate sex at this point because I get winded just getting into the bed, much less making it move! I have had some horrible issues in the bedroom over the past few years.......One time while my dh was eating at the Y, he stopped moving for a minute and I had to make sure he wasn't dead! I would love to ride again, but at this size, if I even tried it, my dh would be the one riding...........on a stretcher in an ambulance!

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and will be having surgery at 12:30 P.M. today. The doctor gave me a suppository laxative to be inserted at 8:00 P.M. last night. Now I can reach back there, but unfortunately my arms are too short to get the suppository in far enough so I had to commission my DH to help me put it in and it was NOT CUTE! I just have to share the story because it is so funny.......so here's the situation: We are in a hotel room, directly across from the elevator. I assume the position for my dh to insert the suppository, he snaps on the rubber glove with authority, verbally declares himself "Dr. Big Daddy" and he starts putting it in. Unfortunately, half of it broke off so we have to go for round 2 which is where the fiasco begins! Now he is getting really frustrated and starts raising his voice issuing the following commands that seemed to echo throughout the room: "Hold your butt cheeks apart so I can get it all in. Stop squeezing your butt cheeks together, everytime I get it in, it keeps sliding out. Come on baby, I need you to relax so I can get it, stop tightening up." (Come on, that is an exit only area for me and I am not used to having something shoved up my rear so naturally I am tense.) Then, he inserts it in as far as it will go,:omg: and he has long fingers! So now I yell at him.... "Ow, you put it in too far, that hurts." He yells back, "Well, your squeezing your butt cheeks too tight and I had to shove it in deep to make sure it stays!" I can now hear people laughing in the hallway, remember our room is directly across from the elevator. Can you imagine what the people at the elevator must have been thinking?????? I know they heard us because I could hear them laughing. Well needless to say, I started cracking up and of course the darned thing didn't stay in! Now the worst part is, he has to do this with the anti-nausea suppositories for the next week! At this rate, I may forget all about the pain in my incisions because I am being sodomized every 8 hours by suppositories from Dr. Big Daddy. Just thought I would share that disgusting and funny story. I will be leaving for surgery in a few hours. I will let everyone know when I am back at the hotel.

Thanks everyone, I am about to make the words come true. I am being banded at 12:30 P.M. tomorrow! See you all in band land.

I am not sure if I posted the wrong date before but my surgery is December 13th, this coming Thursday. Good luck to all those getting banded in December!

I will be banded Thursday the 13th but thought I would write a peom about the Lap-Band. Please feel free to add to it if you wish. Ode to the BAND that sits in my gut Because of it's restriction, my portions have been cut I can no longer eat like a compulsive nut My weight loss is no longer stuck in a rut Ode to the BAND that keeps me in line I can no longer scarf my food when I dine I am feeling better and looking so fine Success is now possible and will be mine Ode to the BAND that gave me the chance To fit my rump into size 10 pants To no longer use words like won't and can't To run, go hiking, to jog, and to dance Ode to the BAND that's helping me mend I love myself now, I no longer have to pretend Ode to the BAND that is my new best friend It has given me hope, a true Godsend

Parker, Colorado.....Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum.....$9950.00 includes first 3 months of fills, after that fills are $15.

Hmmmm, that's a great question. I would suggest doing it when you are stuck so that way it will mix with the slime:puke: and may be more tolerable. I know I certainly can't stand the taste of that stuff! Also, if you do it daily, it may help with your Protein intake and allow you to cut out one of your Protein shakes, and ultimately save you money!

I don't know what could be causing the cravings, but maybe you can try a low-carb chocolate, there are many of them to choose from now. Also, drink a chocolate Protein shake. I used to have a real craving for chocolate and I am diabetic. So, one time I intentionally dipped my chocolate in salt and that pretty much cured me. I stopped craving it so much after that.

Aubrie, your body enters a state of benign dietary ketosis once you have burned all of your available carbohydrate stores. Your body burns carbohydrates for fuel to keep your brain and organs working properly and to give you energy and basically keep you going. When you greatly limit your carb intake, your body has to find another source of energy, so it turns to it's second choice, which is your own body fat. When your body begins to burn it's own fat for energy, ketones are produced. Generally, if you are consuming less than 30 grams of carbs a day, you are most likely in ketosis. One of the best things about ketosis is that is greatly reduces your appetite, which is why many Atkin's dieters will tell you that they are rarely hungry. It is the strongest "natural" appetite suppressant. Basically, when you are in ketosis, your body is self-canabalising to keep you alive. You are literally living off of your own fat stores. So, when your body is producing ketones because of greatly reduced carbohydrate intake, it is proof positive that you are indeed burning fat. Last year I lost a large amount of weight on the Atkin's Diet and I remember that my fat felt really soft and spongy. Almost like a wet sponge. That is because your body is depleting the fat from the inside out. You can purchase strips at your local pharmacy. Make sure you are drinking as much water as you can because ketones accumulate in your kidneys and can cause issues if they are not flushed out. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. My Dr. said I will more than likely need the AP Large because of my high BMI. I hope it doesn't affect how much weight I lose.

Mandyjo, My Dr. put me on a low-carb pre-op diet for 2 weeks and I am on day 7 right now. I did check and I am in moderate to deep ketosis. Not for nothing, but I have lost 20 pounds in 7 days. I know it is mostly Water but I can tell you from past experience that being in ketosis really makes your body burn fat. Last year I went on the Atkin's diet and lost 120 pounds in 5 months. I gained it all back as soon as I went off the diet but that was because I ate everything I could put my hands on, and I am not exagerating. I counted one day and I ate over 6000 calories in one day and it was only 4:00 P.M. when I counted. :embarassed: The carb cravings are almost unbearable when you go out of ketosis and most people find it hard to go back into ketosis once they are out. I am a carb addict, so it is just like giving an alcoholic a bottle of booze after they have been sober for 5 months. It is disaster in the making. If you can maintain a ketogenic state, it may be helpful for you. Just be prepared to deal with the worst cravings when you eat too many carbs abd come out of ketosis.

I had a sleep study done a little over a week ago and I was told I have moderate sleep apnea, my "level?" is a 20 and my oxygen saturation dropped to 83% during the REM cycle. They are telling me I need a CPAP machine and I need it for recovery. The problem is that during the sleep study, the technician came in to put me on the CPAP machine because she said I was having moderate apnea during the dreaming stage of my sleep. I tried several times to use it bbut everytime I opened my mouth I felt like I was choking because the air was blowing up my nose. After several attempts, I just told her to take the mask off because I hated feeling like I was suffocating. My question is......how important is it to have the CPAP machine on during recovery? Doesn't the hospital staff monitor your breathing to make sure you don't have issues during and after surgery? What about the anesthesia? Do I have to wear it during the surgery itsself? I would appreciate any help or advice from anyone with sleep apnea or anyone who has any experience.

Shelli, what an an incredibly true statement. I am 1/2 way through my pre-op diet now, I realize it could mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome to my surgery, yet I still find myself trying to "cheat" and I am only cheating myself. I really have no self-control when it comes to eating. A true prayer for me would be "Lord, please save me from myself!" I am truly my own worst enemy. I cannot wait to join you and not be a slave to food any longer. I am here for you if you need me as well. Be blessed.

Please see your doctor asap. My cousin had the same problem and her blood sugar was dangerously low. Hope you feel better.

Ok, let's try this again, I had a senior moment with the last post. Congrats on all the weight you have lost! I can't wait to join you. I have over 200 pounds to lose and I can't even imagine what life is like without having to scope out the room first to make sure I don't walk through an area where I can't fit, or have to sit at a table because when I sit at a booth (if I can even squeeze in), I end up wearing it and can't get out. I think it just takes time. A freind of mine who has lost over 100 pounds said every time she gets her jeans out of the dryer she thinks, "Whose jeans are these in my dryer?" She said it never fails, every time she washes she thinks the same thing. Eventually your mind will catch up with your body.

<p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Congrats on all the weight you have lost! I can't wait to join you. I have over 200 pounds to lose and I can't even imagine what life is like without having to scope out the room first to make sure I don't walk through an area where I can't fit, or have to sit at a table because when I sit at on, I end up wearing it and can't get out. </p> <p> </p> <p>I think it just takes time. A freind of mine who has lost over 100 pounds said every time she gets her jeans out of the dryer she thinks, "Whose jeans are these in my dryer?" She said it never fails, every time she washes she thinks the same thing. Eventually your mind will catch up with your body.</p>

That's just awful Lindata, I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. Kids can be so cruel. That song is from MADTV and I was always offended by it when it came on. Those kids better be glad I wasn't there because I would have asked my husband to take off his belt and I would have lowered their expectation of sitting down for a few days and they would have been the ones crying all the way home! :heh:

That's great news! I hope the same happens for me. It had to be scary to hear that from the man you love. The best to you and your husband.

I will be banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum on December 13th at 12:30 P.M. Merry Christmas to me! This is the best gift my family has ever given me. I am 38 years old and my mom and dad are paying for every dime of my surgery. God bless them and everyone on this board.

I am getting banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum o Dec. 13th at 12: 30 P.M.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! Chick-Fil-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Chick-Fil-A! Now I must get through this craving, LOL.

Ok, I made it through the night last night and didn't have to kill anyone or hold up a McDonald's. I am actually not very hungry this morning? I just cracked open an ice cold Atkin's shake, Mmmmm. I thank you for letting me vent. I feel much better today.

OMG! If I had to write a movie script and create the most horrendous situation, I could not come up with a scenario worse than what I am going through right now. (Not to mention what my poor DH is going through, he is on the phone right now making reservations for a hotel room for the next 2 weeks to get away from me! ) This pre-op diet may be the end of me and everyone in my general vicinity before I make it to surgery in 2 weeks.:frusty: I started my pre-op diet officially yesterday. In addition to no carbs, my doc also had the nerve to say NO DIET COKE! What???? :omg: Doesn't he realize that is my CRACK? I can live without sleep, I can live without sex, I can even live without Water (And believe me, I can. I drink about a glass of water a year.) but no Diet Coke? I'd rather give myself a hysterectomy with a meat fork! Oh and I forgot to mention I also started my PERIOD! :angry I want to eat and I want to eat NOW! :hungry: I feel like a ferocious, hungry, rabid dog that hasn't had a meal in 3 weeks, smack dab in the middle of a room full of fat cats. I think I am going to go to work tonight and fire the first 3 people that say hello to me. And, nobody better even think about bringing in fast-food. If I post here tomorrow, you will know that I made it through today without committing murder or some other felonious activity. If you never hear from me again, please tune into your local news station. I'm sure the headline will read something like this, "Arizona woman, preparing for Lap-band surgery has been arrested for holding up a local McDonald's demanding Big Mac's, Fries, and Diet Coke's. She is currently awaiting trial at the Arizona Institute for the Criminally Insane."