gentlespirit

That's what I was thinking...where do we fit all that in within 1/2 - 3/4 c. per meal??!! Emily

Congratulations, Kellie! It must feel fantastic!

Wish I had some answers for you, but all I can do is send a big bunch of hugs! Hope you feel better soon. Have you seen a doctor? Emily

Way to go!! Those are the things that keep everyone going! Emily

Sounds to me like you need to start over with a different office/surgeon. I'm not from your area, but there should be at least several surgeons within driving distance. I'll have to drive 3 hours, but I consider it an investment. I don't think I'd buy the "changing the way we process insurance" thing...how professional is it to have a changeover inconveniencing patients like that?? Randy is right, getting the insurance approval is what's usually the worst part. Hopefully someone from your area will respond with some physician names for you to contact. Or you could try ObesityHelp.com...they have a list of certified surgeons by area. Good luck, and don't give up!! Emily

I was talking with a good friend of mine on the phone this morning, and I told him I would be out of the office for a little over a week. He asked why and I told him I was having surgery. Then he was worried about what was wrong with me and finally, to keep him from imagining something awful, I told him I was having weight loss surgery. He was so supportive that it made me cry...told me he thought it was a courageous decision and that he would pray for me that it went well and call me after the surgery. We've never talked about my weight problem, although we've talked about nearly everything else you can imagine. He's going to research it online to see what it's all about (he's thin). I hadn't planned to tell him, just wait and see if he noticed changes over time, but now I'm glad I did. It's nice to know that someone whose opinion I really respect is glad for me that I'm doing this. It was a real affirmation of my decision from someone very important to me. Emily

You have hit on exactly why I am going to do this, too. I realistically don't think I'll ever be skinny...I'll be happy to get to 200, and I think I'll feel and look great when I get there (I'm 5-9). And I'm not scared of the procedure...I've been through much worse in a trauma situation, so I know I can handle this. What I'm scared of is the total change for the rest of my life. It isn't something we can switch on and off. I have a half-cup measure sitting on my kitchen counter and I look at it and think can I really stick with that? But I would never consider bypass, so this is like my last great hope. And I NEED to make this work. The people here are so encouraging and helpful...I know I am going to be depending on them to keep me going. They definitely understand better than my family. Which makes sense since these people have been through it. I know you can make the changes necessary to be successful with your band. It isn't a day by day decision...sometimes it's a minute by minute decision. We just have to hold on a minute at a time and it will get better. The fact that you've come this far and are ready for surgery shows that you are determined to make your life better. And those simple things you are wanting so much will come as you work with your band. (I'm talking to myself here as well as to you...I'm being banded Jan. 24). Wishing you the best procedure and recovery possible. Keep us posted. Hugs~ Emily

Hi~ I took yesterday off work and got all my pre-op testing out of the way...chest x-ray, EKG, physical, blood work, and pulmonary function test. I was told everything looked fine. Just 2 more weeks to go until the 24th! I'm excited and nervous, but I'm sure both emotions are normal. Emily

Let us know how it goes...who is your doc? Best of luck to you! Emily

Go for it. Plans change all the time, and not telling them what your future plans are is not wrong to my way of thinking. Besides, by then maybe you'll want or need to stay full time...no one knows what will happen in the future. Emily

I thought she was a gorgeous fat woman and looked better then than now. She's probably healthier now, but you're right...she doesn't look happy and have the sparkle that she used to. Emily

I would definitely take the band over those weight loss pills. I tried phen-fen and stopped after three months because it made my mouth so dry I couldn't talk on the phone, which is a huge part of my job. I'm so thankful that i didn't take it any longer! My endocrinologist wanted to put me on Meridia, but I w as told diarrhea was a side effect and I refuse to live with that. Seems like the assure us that this next pill is the miracle one and then a few months or years down the road change their minds. The band is inert material that won't change your body chemistry, and to me that's a better way to go. Emily

I think Super Daddy's advice about a counselor for you is right on target. You are going through a lot of stress on this issue, and an uninvolved party can give you some guidance and help in keeping yourself emotionally healthy and grounded. I used Lutheran Social Services...they do counseling from either a religious or non-religious standpoint, whichever you are comfortable with. They also have a sliding fee scale if money is an issue for you. They were an absolute lifesaver and huge blessing to me. Ten years ago I went through a horrible year with recuperation from a very, very serious car accident and a divorce in the middle of that year (my decision). My sons were 12 and 14 at the time of the divorce and didn't want to see their father. I left it up to them and didn't insist that they see him. I don't know how old your son is or whether you feel he's old enough to make that decision. If worst comes to worst, perhaps you should consult an attorney and explain your concerns and reservations. You'll be in my prayers...hugs to you. Emily

Sounds fantastic! I'm so glad you followed your dream and applied Emily

You two look absolutely wonderful! Emily

I am not banded yet, but I always take a multi Vitamin along with my prescription meds. I also started taking Melaleuca Vitality for Women (a multimineral supplement) and have really noticed a difference in the pain level in my knees. My sister recommended the Vitality...she's a nurse in a newborn nursery and is on her feet for 12-hour shifts; it made a big difference for her, too. I'm not trying to promote any specific brand...that's just what I use. And i'm sure it is helping my general health so will make recovery faster. Emily

Congratulations, Nessa! It must be exciting to finally have it, and I'm glad things went well. I'll be joniing you in a couple of weeks Emily

I"m so glad to hear that! Hope it works as well for me when I get banded (1/24)!! Emily

That was really an interesting article. I'm printing off a copy for my NP and my sister's PCP, who was not at all familiar with the band when she asked for a letter of recommendation. Emily

I'm with MzzNet...I'm OK with having to have it removed somewhere down the line if needed rather than having my insides cut and rearranged. I think the bad probably does last a lifetime...it's our innards that have problems with it sometimes and necessitate additional surgeries to correct the problem. But I'll take my chances with it anyway. Emily

FuelMan~ I guess it really doesn't have that much to do with weight issues, but it's one of my pet issues. I was a hospice volunteer, and that's a step in the right direction, but still...deciding to end your life is a lonely decision and family/friends/loved ones should be able to be there at the end to provide warmth and love without fear of prosecution. It really angers me... Emily

I tried the Atkins chocolate Royale shakes...I can choke most of one down but I can't say I like them. However, they were better than the Body for Life ones I tried first. I'm going to check with GNC for some liquid Protein stuff someone told me about... Emily

Someone (sorry, I can't remember her name) from Israel who posts here e-mailed me that they have been doing them for about 10 years in Israel and most of the people she knows have had to have at least one more surgery for some reason...so maybe it's not as permanent as we have been lead to believe??? Emily

I have thought about it somewhat seriously and I know my weight affected that thought process, but it wasn't the only factor. I agree with Kare that suicide is always an option. I feel very strongly that it is our right to choose when we are done with this life. If I had some horrible degenerative disease that was killing my by inches, I would make certain that I had the means to end my life at the time I felt it was appropriate. My youngest son, who at 25 has had Type I diabetes for 9 years, has decided that when that disease makes his life more of a burden than a joy, he is going to end his life. This is a logical, well thought out decision not made in a moment of emotional distress or anything, and I have come to the conclusion that if I love him, I have to respect and support his decision. I think our society does such a terrible job of dealing with end of life issues and right to choose. They make suicide illegal (ha) which only means that someone like my son would have to end his life alone for fear of causing legal difficulties for those of us who would like to be there if/when he goes. If he ever has to do that, it should be able to be done with his family around him as an act of love. I am a Christian, and like Kare, the God that I worship would welcome with open arms someone who had made that difficult decision. Anyway, enough of my ranting...it just really bothers me that our government/society tries to regulate this most personal of decisions. Emily

Until I got married and started working in an office, I was 5 feet 9 inches and weighed 140 pounds. Then when I started working full time and realized 3 months into my marriage that I had made a big mistake, the pounds accumulated quickly. I don't think it has made me stronger...I'm the same person I've always been. I do know that some unexpected and traumatic events in my life have made me see my own mental and emotional strength, but they had nothing to do with my weight. Like Sarah, I think my struggles with my weight have made me a more compassionate person. My philosophy is that we are all in this together--we all have struggles and trials. Most of us are trying to live our lives with grace and dignity, and we need to be kind to one another and help each other when we can. Having said that, I am noticing that I have less patience with people who are unkind or unpleasant or fake; and as I get older (I'm 50), I am getting choosier about who I spend my spare time with. Emily