PhotoNut

Just today, I handed over checks in the amount of $11,000 to the hospital and $8,500 to my surgeon. $19,500.. but wait! There's more:

psychologist evaluation - $ 400

nutritional counseling - $ 100

sleep study - $3,622

CPAP machine - $1,350

pulminologist exam - $ 263

blood work, EKG, chest X-rays, primary care visits - unknown yet

Have I sat up at night thinking how much this money could help my family with debt and other important things? Yep. Have I felt guilty spending this money on me when I -should- be able to control myself and eat like a "normal" person. Oh yes. But I have a loving family who insists that having me healthy, happy, and around for a lot more years is what they all want. So my meager savings account is empty again and here I sit wondering what life is going to be like after Monday when I cross over to the "other side" and enter band land.

DeLarla - Im wiping the tears away from laughing so hard. Panty liners in his boxers! Do it!

About two days ago, I weighed one pound lighter than my husband but he has since passed me up again. He's dieting the "hard way" while I have been on the pre-surgery diet. He is visually impaired, so he can't drive to get the bad stuff. He's stuck with what's at home, and right now thats Slim Fast shakes, tuna, and Healthy Choices meals he can microwave himself. Basically, we're turning this self-pay surgery into a "toofer". He'll lose while I'm losing so we end up with a "toofer" the price of one surgery.

Wow.. it just occurred to me. An unexpected perk.. he fixes his own meals now! Woot! God I'm lazy! LOL

I started with a Canon digital point and shoot, and then progressed to the Canon Digital Rebel. As a newbie in the world of photography, I have to say that this camera makes me look like one talented PhotoNut! It's a great starter camera for the serious photographer. However, when I bought mine it was right about $1,000. There are others out there now for that price that are more advanced with way more pixels. I would recommend buying the best you can get for the money because technology is always coming out with something better.

If you want to see any of my pics, PM me.

Hi Pat! I'm glad you asked this because I had seen your thread in the lounge and forgot to add to it ( http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13228 ) I will now though

Has anyone out there had success/experience with fighting the after weight loss sag? Dying to hear stories and tips. I know you must have some.. share!

I have a question - Has anyone found that there's a formula to reducing the amount of sag during weight loss? Water? Exercise? Is age a factor that we can't get around?

Have some of you done all you can but still wound up with sag? Have some of you beat the odds and found tips you can share that proved successful in bringing that loose skin back into reasonable shape?

I want to know before this journey begins so I can hopefully save money and having to go under the knife again.

*blush* I thought it was August of last year as well.. I was about to get all kinds of excited about the next 6 months! *laughs*

So, Cindy.. do tell. How good does it feel to be 110 pounds lighter? I'm guessing it's more than wonderful. Have you been exercising and have you had any problems with loose skin?

I know this was a difficult thing to experience, I am certain I will experience something similar after my banding but, I had to laugh at the irony of this thread. You see, Ive been on the liver shrinking diet for the past week to prepare for the surgery (one week from today) and have been desperately craving Cracker Barrel's roast beef dinner! I had planned to have it prior to the beginning of my current diet but didn't get to it. My wonderful husband kept talking me out of it. I swear sometimes I can smell it cooking.. its driving me nuts! *laughs* How do you think pureed fried ocra, mashed potatoes and roast beef will taste? *laughs*

*stops laughing* Ok, I'm nervous! But you people are wonderful. Thanks for all of your encouraging tales. I am really looking forward to this journey. The good and the bad, because... baby, I know where I'm headed! *big smile*

Hang in there Cheri

When I went to see my surgeon's presentation on the lap band, he told the group that the US is the only country still doing gastric bypass surgeries. Other countries have discontinued this extreme form of weight loss surgery because of an alarming fatality rate (usually due to leaks).

Dr. Cahn (Boise, Idaho) also stated that none of the surgeries he does, even the most risky, have a fatality rate as high as the bypass surgery. He also showed the group the results of studies done by various doctors around the country which documented that while bypass patients may loose weight more quickly in the early months, there is clear evidence that over a two year period the lap band patients lose the same amount of weight, -and- they keep it off. Many bypass patients tend to regain the weight after a few years.

The group of medical professionals who have screened and helped prepare me for this drastic change in my life have all made it very clear that for real success I must begin making healthier choices in my life (diet and exercise). I have always been willing to do this on my own, but my weakness lies in the quantity of food I eat. So, for me the choice is clear.

I will be banded in 8 days and I'm fully prepared to make the necessary lifestyle changes to ensure my success. And to me success -is- being healthy and active and happy. The band is only one third of the equation to my success, the other two thirds being exercise and healthy foods. Afterall, why would I put myself through a $25,000 surgery and expect to be able to live the same way that got me in this mess in the first place? Like others have said in this thread, there are those that will find a way around the band and won't see the same success as others. I wouldn't attribute the 25% failure rate to the band. I would attribute the failure to the people who thought of their band as a device meant to deprive them from food and found a way to defeat it.

They say im lucky because my surgery was scheduled so quickly. I say thank god Dr Cahn is such a great guy. I first met with Dr. Cahn about 3 weeks ago regarding a hernia, located between my belly button and breastplate. After much discussion, we decided to combine the lap band surgery with the hernia repair, thus saving the need for two surgeries and more expense. We tentatively set the surgery date for Jan 16th.

Since then it has been a whirlwind of blood tests, ekg's, phsychological evaluations, nutritionist meetings, etc. i will have the sleep study done on the 3rd. My surgery was recently moved to the 9th since I have all the required pretests completed, except the sleep study, and because the hernia is getting worse. So my countdown ticker has been changed and it's both scary and exciting to see that there are only few days are left to wait. I have started the liver shrinking diet. I guess its a good prep for the extreme diet and eating habit changes that will follow the surgery. I have discovered that I eat far too fast!

So.. I was wondering. The barium drink, is it as awful as I've heard tell? Funny what things we choose to be worried about in times like this, isnt it? *chuckles*

Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. Please keep posting, its nice to talk to others who have been or are still experiencing similar stuff.

Merry Christmas

I'm in Boise. I know what you mean about being nervous about being on liquids. It's going to be a huge change, but I am so ready to get started on finally getting this weight off. Ive been looking at before and after pics of people online and I swear I start crying. To finally know it's really going to happen is awesome!

Hi Jess I'll bet youre both nervous and excited to get started.

And by the way.. where do you all get those great tickers?

-------------------------------------------------------------

Oh.. duh! *blush* I saw the link after I posted this. heh

Thanks Tigger Happy to hear youre doing well. How was the 3 weeks of liquids? I bet you were happy to move onto mushed foods yea?

Hey all. I'm getting banded on Jan 16, 2006 by Dr. Cahn. Several of the posts have been by people who were about to be banded but there's no follow up posts. I'd really love to hear from all of you who've had the surgery now. My sleep study is on Jan 3rd. Cant wait - bleh. *grins*