jbflorida

I will be spending one night in the hospital and then, home alone. I do not have someone to be there......will I be okay by myself?

tootscritter--good luck on Friday! hope it is smooth sailing all the way! Curious--what did the 2 people you work with do to make it unsuccessful for them?

southern missy--I am preop too and yes, the diet is hard--but doable. This is written with lots of understanding and support--but isn't this how we got in trouble in the first place? We deserve a taste because it is our anniversary, we deserve a drink because we got a promotion, we deserve a taste because we worked so hard, etc, etc. There will always be SOMETHING! Holidays, celebrations, bad times, lonely times, family events, etc. And no, we do not deserve a taste. We deserve to TREAT ourselves and NOT have a taste. Think how good you will feel afterwards. Think of how GREAT you will feel going into SURGERY knowing that you followed the rules. Think of how THAT feeling of accomplishment will carry over to following all of the Band rules later. Think of how great thin and healthy will be. It's not so much the taste of something special that I am concerned about. It's the mindset of, "it's okay; it's my anniversary (or whatever)." Right now, it's not okay. We're having surgery because we couldn't say no. Say no. Imagine how powerful you will feel. Again, this is written with love and support. I want only good things for all of the fabulous people on this message board. jb

When people suggest that this is the easy way out--ask them if they go down to a river to wash their clothes. No one enoys doing laundry--it still requires work--but aren't we fortunate we have a great tool called a washing machine??? Same with the band. Started the preop diet today--not cranky yet. My date is MAY 13--anyone else sharing that date with me?

Alexandra--we know, we know. And understand. I am trying to change my mindset. If I see a treat and pass it up, I see THAT as the treat! I have treated myself to a good decision and I praise myself for taking care of myself. I switched from "I deserve to eat that," to "I deserve (I am worthy) NOT to eat that." Another thing I do that helps me (sounds silly), but you know how after we eat something that is "not in our best interests," we beat up on ourselves? We eat it and it is gone in seconds?? Well, I PRETEND that I have just eaten it and it is now GONE. And wasn't that delicious? Good luck....make THIS a great day....and do it again tomorrow

Lucky May 13th!! Anyone joining me on that day?

Couldn't get the dogsitter for May 20--so I changed the date to May 13!! Optifast starting on Tuesday. I plan on being cranky.

Put me down for a surgery date of May 20.

Surgery date--May 20! excitement/fear/wonder/doubt/optimism/shock/happiness all rolled into one...:thumbs_down:

Just get better! Listen to what the doctor tells you and use us for support in hanging tough! I had cancer last summer and ALL is well. I am sending you good thoughts of a complete recovery....and then, back on the BANDwagon for you! Really, take care of yourself.

My psych went fine too. The doc sent me the 370 questions in the mail and I did it at home. I was given approval (fooled him!) The surgeon made me feel comfortable and answered questions. I was able to get my 2 weeks of Optifast. Tomorrow I will call and make the surgery date.....May 13. Lots of different emotions going on.

I am going for my psych and surgical consult tomorrow too! I am not nervous at all--I want this! Just go in, be yourself, follow your heart and speak sincerely. If you have to "go through some hoops," just take each step one by one. We'll get there. Let us know tomorrow what the outcome is.

Thanks, Sue and Mommy2, for your thoughts. Tomorrow, I am seeing the psych. and then, the surgeon. I am going with the more experienced and more "involved" surgeon. My gut is telling me that this is the right way to go! (I have learned to listen.) Also, without mentioning names, someone else on this board used the other doctor I was thinking about and has had some problems where the doc made a bad mistake! Tomorrow, I should have my surgery date.

come visit me and bring your bathing suit--85 degrees and blue skies! I'll make lunch!

I agree with Headhunter. If you feel "negative" now, run! There are other surgeons. This procedure is not a one time deal. We are going to form a relationship with the surgeon and her/his practice that will last for years. My doc is working for me and he wants me successful to make his numbers look good! Find one with a caring staff that you feel is on your side, wants you healthy and will be cheerleaders for you. I went to a bunch of seminars til I found the doc and staff that "fit." Others were cheaper (I am self-pay), but my instincts told me this was the one. I sound like I am talking about a lover. ??!!!!??!!!???

happy birthday to J! Think of how many MORE birthdays there will be to celebrate! From another Floridian--Sun City Center--near Tampa (I went to a seminar with Tampa General--the patient coordinator did not want to answer my questions--hope you had better luck)

I came right out and asked!! Also, I spoke to others who went to him--that's the best way. You know how sometimes you just get a good feeling from someone? That's what happened at his seminar. I went to SEVEN seminars (is everyone laughing yet?), but I like to research (that's the teacher in me!) and hands down, this doctor won. Good luck in your search! Big decision, I know!

I am going to Dr. Ernest Rehnke in St. Pete--I am impressed with him and his staff. He has done a thousand procedures and his complication rate is less than .5% He is strict, but I like that! Are you anywhere near St. Pete?

The biggest reason I will lose weight is all the time I am spending reading LBT!! Who has time to eat? Janet, LOVE your warm-funny-tell-it-like-it-is posts. If anyone gives you heat about your grammar, spelling, etc., tell them you were out smoking in the girls' bathroom the day that was taught. I AM an English teacher (retired--thank You, God, for pensions) and though I do not mind errors and can read around them, any error "screams" out at me. It's like the red pen is a permanent fixture in my head. Still, remember why we are here. Everyone, let's hold hands and sing Kum-Ba-Ya! (to someone many posts back--you weighed the girls? funny!)

Karel, if you don't mind me asking, why didn't your band work? That must have been disappointing.

Today I told the lady behind the counter at McDonald's that I was having WLS next month! Then I told her to watch out because McD may have to declare bankruptcy.

BooBoo--a real inspiration! I don't even know you and I am so proud of you!! YAY, BOO!!!

Please remember that therapists are first--human. They have their own "stuff" too. A good therapist can separate her/his stuff from yours. Allow your therapist to take responsibility for her reactions. If she is supportive, great. If she is not, oh well. This is your life. Your health. I had a friend that went to a therapist because her boyfriend would not commit and get married. (not me, I would have tossed him out on his tush!) The therapist encouraged her to wait it out... and she did...17 years! My friend finally told him goodbye; he married someone within 6 months. My friend was 39, couldn't have children now--and starting all over again. TURNS OUT, the therapist was waiting for HER boyfriend to commit. She told my friend to wait to VALIDATE what she was doing! Sorry--off the subject. What do you expect--I'm old and feeble.....

Kalypso-- This is written with support and compassion. Most of us did not get the nurturing we deserved. Same with your mother. She did the best she could. She is human. She is who she is. Do not wait for her to give you permission to be happy. Do not wait for her to treat you as you expect or want and deserve. It may never happen. Here's the good part of that: YOU ARE A GROWN UP AND CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT NOW! YAY! If someone(mother) is disappointed and angry, oh well. "I'm so sorry that you're disappointed and I know you wanted something else, but this is what I need to do." Then do it. No fighting or arguing. After all, you are who you are too. And that is a STRONG woman who is taking charge of her rest-of-her-wonderful-to-be-'cause-that's-what-you're-choosing-life! Fat was never a punishment; it's just fat. Again, it is what it is. For some reason, we have/had it and now, it no longer serves us. Now, we are taking back our control, our health, our lives and with OUR decisions made, the fat will leave. I am 56, a self-pay bander this May and sometimes, I forget and still wait for my mother to love me like I want. But she is who she is--and I am a grownup. We're all sisters here......even the men!! haha Sending hugs! Judy

Mom03-- I am in Sun City Center--what doc have you chosen for your surgery?