BellaPerdente

Hi everyone. I am 45 and the forties started out great with a new son. Things went down hill from then. I lost my husband 2-1/2 years ago and my mom this past summer. I have two daughters (17 & 14) and my son is 3-1/2. I was supposed to be banded on 2/13/08 but financing fell through. I rescheduled for 3/20/08. I am hoping to start living again after the band. But can you really "start" living at 45 or is it too late. As much as I miss my husband, I don't want to be lonely forever.

I want to thank all of you for your support. I do feel like this is the right thing to do. I didn't cancel my surgery....I rescheduled for March 20. I am working on a different way to finance. L.A. I was sorry to hear about your dad. I say the same thing about my husband and my mom. I would give up any material possesion I own to have them back again. As far as my daughter is concerned, I think she will qualify for financial aid and she will have to get student loans for the rest. I can help a little. I wished my daughter had your attitude. She thinks it is a parents duty to pay for EVERYTHING. Hopefully that changes when she gets older. Tied2bfit: So glad you are doing better. I wished Dr. K kept all his patients overnight. I worry about the pain once I go back to the hotel. Well you are on your way. Your whole life will change now. This is a new beginning. I think about that all the time. I have been obese for so long that I can't picture myself as a thin person and all the changes that will come from that. Good luck! Viridescense: thanks so much for your advice. I think maybe the "sign" is that I needed more time to do some soul-searching. Maybe the loan didn't go through so quickly because I wasn't ready yet!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy to have you guys to talk to. THANKS!!!

Hey guys: have you ever felt that if you hit so many roadblocks that "someone" is trying to tell you it is not the right thing to do. My brother tells me all the time that if things keep falling through....there is a reason. It was not meant to be. I feel so guilty borrowing such a big amount of money for this. I am a widow living on a fixed income. Maybe my brother is right. I feel like such a failure not being able to do this on my own and having to borrow money. I have a daughter starting college soon. I AM SO CONFUSED! My brother said I could make this happen if I work hard enough to find someone to finance this surgery but I would be ignoring all the "signs" that told me that it maybe wasn't the best thing. I need advice!

Well guys, I am only 13 days away from surgery and it looks like my financing is not working out like I had planned. I am sooo bummed!!!!!!!! I am probably going to have to postpone my surgery for awhile. I really don't think I can do this on my own. Not for a long time anyway. I know I have read some threads regarding the best tasting protein drinks that help suppress the appetite. Any suggestions on the best?

Hey guys: Getting nervous!! I can't seem to get my mind around this. Part of me feels like I don't want to give up my "friend". I don't know if anyone else felt this way so close to surgery. I like eating! I like cooking! I don't like being fat. Any thoughts to get myself mentally ready for this big change? I don't want to fail! For those of you who traveled to Dr. K, what did you do if you had problems? Like with incisions, or the port? Did you see your PCP? I can't afford to fly to Denver too often. Good luck to tied2bfit. I am thinking about you.

Dear Tied2Bfit: Are you paying extra to stay overnight at the hospital after your surgery?

Way to go Krista! There was a right way and a wrong way to approach the question and you hit on the spot. Since most of us are not experts at this, I guess trial and error is the right way to approach along with helpful suggestions.

I can't even imagine running a marathon. I went to have a stress test done a couple of days ago and I couldn't even walk fast without breathing so hard. I felt like passing out. I guess I will need to start out very slow. I was thinking about water aerobics.

What is a bodybugg?

Viridescense: I am having mine in Parker also. I will check it out. Maybe we will see each other. My surgery is on 2/13. Tied2bfit: You are so right about the touch being important. I used to do that sort of thing for my mom all the time. Drop her at the door and park the car. Get her the riding scooters at the store. Help her with her groceries at home. The kiss and hug when I left. How I miss that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angie: thank you sooo much for your response. You hit it right on the money on how I feel and you are soooo right. My mom passed away this past July and her name was Angelina but everyone called her Angie. Hi everyone! Well I had my phone consult with Dr. K yesterday. You were right, he is very nice. I asked him about the lower port and he said it is possible for an extra $695.00? but that noone has ever wanted to spend the extra money and he doesn't see that it is necessary at the beginning. You would have to lose alot of weight before it would be a problem and you should deal with it then. I don't have to do a liquid diet before...only 10 days of Atkins diet (high protein, low carb). I can still have my regular coffee. YEAH! He has no problem with coffee. For you out-of-towners, where did you stay while there. I am thinking about the Tech Center. Is that too far away? Did you rent a car or take taxi's or what. Let me know!!! Counting down!!!!!

Do I have to give up my morning coffee. I read that I can't have any caffeine. Is that true?????

Where did you buy the muscle milk? Also Jen from PA: where did you have your surgery. I am from WV and I am flying to Denver to have surgery with Dr. K and was wondering if anyone from PA does fills?

Mal: thanks so much for your response. I already ordered the book. I can read it while I am on the plane and recovering in Denver. Thanks again. Well, tomorrow I have my phone consultation with Dr. K. How long does that usually take?

I am getting really nervous about my surgery on 2/13/08. I guess I am having second thoughts. I read about how so many people are still hungry after surgery. I read about the honeymoon period and wasn't sure if that applied to lapband surgery or gastric bypass. I have such an gi-normous appetite right now and I am a stay-at-home mom and all I do ALL DAY is eat. I am sooo afraid that I will not be able to mentally resist eating. I know that with any diet, you have to be committed. Well, I know that I want to lose weight but food as such control over me I am scared. I felt that lapband would help me NOT EAT and eventually my appetite would go down. But if people are still hungry after surgery, what is going to help me resist my strong desire to eat. Am I not ready????? I feel I will never be 100% ready. Do I have the surgery and then deal with it as it comes? Help!!

I am getting really nervous about my surgery on 2/13/08. I guess I am having second thoughts. I read about how so many people are still hungry after surgery. I read about the honeymoon period and wasn't sure if that applied to lapband surgery or gastric bypass. I have such an gi-normous appetite right now and I am a stay-at-home mom and all I do ALL DAY is eat. I am sooo afraid that I will not be able to mentally resist eating. I know that with any diet, you have to be committed. Well, I know that I want to lose weight but food as such control over me I am scared. I felt that lapband would help me NOT EAT and eventually my appetite would go down. But if people are still hungry after surgery, what is going to help me resist my strong desire to eat. Am I not ready????? I feel I will never be 100% ready. Do I have the surgery and then deal with it as it comes? Help!!:redface:

Well my surgery date is February 13, 2008. I can't believe I am going to Denver to have the surgery. I started out at WVU but the program was stopped because the surgeon left. I then went to UPMC and was scheduled to meet with the surgeon when I stumbled across this site. I was going to pay $20,000 for the surgery and now I am only paying $10,000. I have heard good things about Dr. K.

Well my surgery date is February 13, 2008. I can't believe I am going to Denver to have the surgery. I started out at WVU but the program was stopped because the surgeon left. I then went to UPMC and was scheduled to meet with the surgeon when I stumbled across this site. I was going to pay $20,000 for the surgery and now I am only paying $10,000. I have heard good things about Dr. K.:redface:

i wanted to know how you start a blog like L.A. Can anyone help me?

Thank to all who responded. I needed that. I admit that I need counseling. I have dealt with two major tragedies in less than three years and I am also having trouble with two teenage girls who think that I am a wimp and they can push me around. Constant fighting. I also have a three year old son who is being influenced by all the fighting. I have tried some counseling but didn't stick with it. He didn't seem to say much at all and I didn't think he was doing any good. I was talking to my brother (he is my best friend...we are twins) and I told him that I am still so emotional that maybe i wasn't ready, but I think this surgery will make me finally face my problems head on instead of feeding them. Who knows. I am going to go with my gut and have the surgery. Thanks for listening!

Bahotmomma: thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about your mom. It is hard without her to talk to and my husband giving me advice. He was so good at that. Do you have any regrets? How is your appetite?

Hey guys, I am getting really nervous about my surgery on 2/13/08. I guess I am having second thoughts. I read about how so many people are still hungry after surgery. I read about the honeymoon period and wasn't sure if that applied to lapband surgery or gastric bypass. I have such an gi-normous appetite right now and I am a stay-at-home mom and all I do ALL DAY is eat. I am sooo afraid that I will not be able to mentally resist eating. I know that with any diet, you have to be committed. Well, I know that I want to lose weight but food as such control over me I am scared. I felt that lapband would help me NOT EAT and eventually my appetite would go down. But if people are still hungry after surgery, what is going to help me resist my strong desire to eat. Am I not ready????? I feel I will never be 100% ready. Do I have the surgery and then deal with it as it comes? Help!!

L.A. Sounds like everything seemed to go ok. Do you mind me asking some questions. I get banded by Dr. K of 2/13/08. Did you fly? Was the ride back home bad? Did you bring something on the plane to drink? Did you spend the night at the hospital or was this done as an outpatient? How is your hunger? Did you follow the pre-op diet? Will he let you have a last supper in Denver the night before surgery? I know, I know...so many questions. I would appreciate help from anyone on these questions.

What an inspiration. I am getting banded on 2/13/08 and feeling pretty nervous. I hope I do as well as you.

Does anyone from the Pittsburgh area have any information about getting fills done? I am having my surgery with Dr. K in Denver and was wondering if anyone had their fills done locally.