TexasT

Karey, I too am sorry to hear of your friend. I am not where you are, but about 12 years ago a gal I had been friends with since college apparently decided she didn't want to be friends with me anymore because at that particular time I had just lost 40 pounds. I got an email from her telling me that she didn't want to be friends any more. Talk about being HURT. I was stunned that someone I had considered a friend would feel that way. There has not been a year go by that I haven't wondered about her and her family. Maybe some day I will try to track her down and see if she still feels that way. Shoot if she had just stuck around a while longer the weight came right back on, but then I guess we'd be going down the same road now. It's hard to understand how people that you consider friends for years end up not being there when you need them. It's even harder to understand that same thing from family. The main thing to remember is REAL friends will always be there and always support you and the best friend of all is always there walking with you and carrying you when you can't make the walk. Remember the footprints. Ty

Oh and by the way, the leg cramps finally subsided in the wee hours and I got through Sunday okay. My legs were just really sore like I had been really working out or something. I could feel one muscle that keep trying to tighten up on me all day and I would rub it a few minutes and it would straighten out. I didn't have any problems Monday other than just being sore. Boy I don't want to do that again. T

Road King, Sorry to hear about your DH. Sure hope it isn't anything to serious. So you will be a hot motorcycle mama soon. Are you going to buy some new sexy leathers? How long have you been riding? Fortunately for me I quit the diet coke last year. I do still have one on occassions, but that was one thing I had decided I should try to change to get healthier so I gradually decreased my "dosage" so I wouldn't have the withdrawls. I actually can't remember the last one I had. T

Thanks for the information Leah. I had heard about the Isopure. I also heard about unjury and I just orderd a set of the samples to try. It's not a lactose intolerance. I seem to be doing okay with it but then I'm also mixing the chicken soup and the shakes so that probably helps. I don't have a bad intolerance anyway. I was also feeling a little shaky earlier, but that seems to have passed. Maybe it was because of the pain from the cramps. I took some leg cramp medicine (otc) and it seems to be working now. Earlier I couldn't even stand straight it hurt so much to try to walk. T You'll have to keep us posted.

Oh Stacy that does sound unpleasant. Thanks for the warning. By the way North Hills is in North Richland Hills not Hurst. I posted this question on one other place but I figure I'd ask my TLC Friends and probably get a response faster. Have any of you had any problems with leg cramps after going on the liquid diet pre surgery or I guess even after surgery? I've been having some doozy cramps this evening. I took my Vitamins and have been drinking Fluid in addition to the Optifast. So I don't think I've done anything wrong with what I've been told to do. T

Susan, Welcome aboard, it covers (and someone correct me if I leave something off) the surgery completely, the initial consult is "free" there is 6 month follow up and fills. The only thing I had to pay for is the Psych eval. I don't think there was anything else I paid for. T

Dianne, thank you for all the fill update. So did they numb you first or what? I have to ask this and maybe you've already said and I just missed it, but how did you come up with Road King? Isn't that a motorcycle? Do you ride? T

Karey, I'm so glad you are doing well and seem to have a sense of humor also. I can only imagine the emotional trip you have gone through, and that I guess I am about to embark on. Since I read your story I have read some of the others and I can't say how much I admire everyone. I really really do appreciate your willingness to share so much of yourselves. I'm sure it is a help to you, but it is really a help, encouragement and inspiration to those of us just starting. Ty

You look great to me.

Thanks for the info. I knew I could count on you. I started with the diet today. I only bought enough for a week or so in hopes I'd get with Pat sometime during the next week. I had the chicken soup for my supper just now. It wasn't to bad, not great, but tolerable. I have one appointment at the Euless office next week and then it's just waiting until surgery date. I told one of the guys I go to lunch with sometimes that I'm going on a liquid diet for a month or so. He seemed to get upset about it and I told him I was doing it under a doctor supervision and that it wasn't like I was just going on Slim Fast or something. I have to tell you this is a guy that also has some weight issues is one of the reasons I was talking to him about it. (By the way, he is about the same age as my son and just a baby, in case any of you were thinking I had something going on, LOL) Anyway, his reaction to just that little bit of information kind of confirmed my first thoughts as to not say anything at work. T

Do you do the embroidery by hand or do you have an embroidery machine? Glad you seem to be doing okay other than the drains. Hopefully that is just a normal thing. I really have no idea on that score. I will keep you in my prayers. My son is getting married in November and I need to think of something to do. I want what I do to be for both of them but I want it more toward a masculine bent. I am currently on my liquid diet so I have a long way to go before I get to where you are. Nurseamy, are the pictures of you before you started anything and then after PS? T

Hi Everyone, I've just recently joined this forum and only just found this part of it. karey i wish you all the best. After reading all the posts I have to tell you all that you all are very inspiring. I have not had my surgery yet so needless to say this thread has me very excited in hopes of what I may have to look forward to. I admire you all for being so willing to share. Karey, I have to tell you the reason I chose to follow your thread was because of your name. I assume you like to quilt and I am definately a quiltaholic. Hope you are happy with your PS. I am praying for your speedy recovery. T

Thanks, I had my meeting with Dr. Kim and John today. I was very comfortable with them. I tried one of the Optifast they gave me for the sample when I first went in and didn't seem to have any trouble with it. I did order some of the chicken Soup to go along with the other. I can't wait to hear how you all do with your fills. Okay, here I go with another question. I know they told me, but i don't remember and I'm positive y'all will know the answer. When do they do pre op and when do we pay them? T

Oh my goodness, that must have been hard on you. My kids are all grown so I don't worry about that as much as I did when they were little, but I can definately relate. I think I'll probably feel better once I meet Dr. Kim. I think it's partly the just not knowing stuff that is what bothers me most. And I'm a bit of a control kind of person. I want to know it, plan it, do it and so the waiting in between for things is hard. I am really more excited than scared. I've had plenty of surgeries before so I think I'm pretty well prepared for the surgery itself. I think I probably have a good idea of what to expect pain wise. I had a laproscopic type surgery just a little over a year ago. I am not planning to tell anyone I work with, so I think I'm a little worried about that. I'm going to just call in with a "stomache problem" for a couple of days and hope that I feel like going back to work on Monday. If I don't quite feel up to it then I may have to admit to an "emergency" surgery and hope they don't ask to many questions. T

I had the EKG and blood work done today. Have any of you used the folks with TLC over in the Mid Cities area? My first visit over there was a little odd. They did not even have chairs in the waiting area. I found out I was the first one to go to that facility and they were not as ready as they thought they would be by the time I got there. I understand it is temporary while they wait on their new facility to be completed. I wish it would be ready by my surgery date, but I'll have to go to Dallas for that part. I go from being scared to being excited. Some times I can't sleep because of it. Did y'all do this. I know most everyone here is pretty new to the process which is kind of what makes this so good to be able to sort of do it together. Okay, I'll quit for now. I look forward to getting to know you all better. T

Thanks for the info. I orderd my optifast today to get me through to surgery. I'm a little worried that I may have a lactose problem with it but we'll see. I ordered some of the chicken soup as well. I'm thinking maybe if i do that in between maybe it will break it down a little and it won't be to bad. Okay, here's another question. Did you tell people you were doing this or did you keep it to just a few? I still have not decided who I want to know. At this point I haven't told my kids (they are grown) yet. T

Congratulations Staci, I don't blame you for being excited, that's wonderful! I did my psych eval Saturday. I go see Dr. Kim Tuesday and start my liquids on Thursday. I'm sorry to be a pest but I have another question. Did any of you use anything other than the Optifast? In reading through some of the papers they gave me I noticed that they had some options listed. I'm suppose to call tomorrow to order the product if that's what I'm going to do. T

Where is everyone from? Obviously I'm in Texas. I'm using Dr. Kim and TLC edge. Does everyone have to do the 2 week liquid? I know some do not require two weeks.

Thanks Cowboy, and congratulations. I am set up to have my psych eval on Saturday and they told me to call Monday to order the product. I'm glad to hear about the taste, I wasn't sure if I should go try out a few other high Protein shake things to see if they were better. I guess 350 dollars isn't that much for a month worth of "meals", but that initial price keeps getting higher and higher when you start adding in the psych, product, etc. Are there any other costs I haven't been told about yet? I must say it is very good being able to hear from folks who have walked the road ahead of me. I really appreciate it. Nadian, I guess this means you start today on the liquid diet. Hang in there. Just keep reading the posts in here and you'll be able to stay motivated. Now remind me of this next week when I start my liquids. LOL Did all of you have to do the psych eval too? You don't hear a lot about that. Do they try to find something in your past to make you be this way? Or is it more just to know you aren't insane and going to sue them right off the bat? I'm so excited I'm having trouble sleeping and it's about all I can think about. T

Me too. March 20! Yeah for us. T

I thought UHC required a 35 with 2 co or just a 40 bmi would get it. I have UHC also, but I'm about 12 pounds to light to qualify with a 40. 38.1 isn't bad enough for them. Hurting feet and knees (I have had to have shots in) apparently don't count. I just don't have it in me to start a big fight. We're going to come up with $$$ and self pay. I called and told them I wanted to self pay and now I have a surgery date in March. Sorry I can't help be more positive but the past few weeks for me have been discouraging also.

I love the Shrinking Shamrocks. You did good Kimmie, thanks. I just found out today that my date will be March 20th so I'm very excited. T

Hi Y'all, I haven't posted but a time or two, but I've been keeping up with you all because I thought I might be going with TLC. I had my first consult and I am scheduled for surgery March 20th. I have to do the diganostics and psych eval, but they told me to be ready to start my liquid diet on March 6th. I brought home a vanillia one to try out I know its a lot about personal choice, but which flavor seemed the best and can someone tell me how much the stuff costs. I think they told me and it may be in some of the paperwork they gave, I just haven't had a chance to read through it yet. Thank you all for posting and keeping it going so those of us coming behind can be assured. By the way, I am using Dr. Kim also so it's been really nice to hear from you Cowboy. T:thumbup:

Hi y'all, I am having my consultation for Dr. Kim tomorrow. They told me they were going to email me paper work to have filled out before I come, but I have not received it. Would anyone happen to have that still in their email that they could forward to me. I'm afraid they must have got my email wrong. I am going to the TLC clinic in Euless tomorrow afternoon. T

Well tomorrow is the day that will really start things moving. I got an email yesterday to confirm my appointment and it said "Also, it looks good for your insurance benefits and by your attending this diagnostics appointment will meet one of the insurance requirements!" I sure hope they're telling me like it really is. As I filled out all the papers it really made me realize just how many years I've been in this battle. No wonder I'm tired! I hope to hear back from you all as to how your appointments go this week. T