MaidMarion

good luck tomorrow! I am so happy for you......only a blink away from a whole new you.

Oddly enough the thing I find the most interesting about being fat is the fatter you get and the more space you actually take up the more invisible you seem to be. You can't get help in stores, men certainly ignore you but also women. I just think it is so strange the opposite of what you would think. :crying: It really pisses me off sometimes. I want to scream.....yeah you know what I am still here!!

I think I am going to try to find a friend to help me with the dogs i would be taking care of and only figure maybe 5 days since my job doesn't require a lot of physical work for the most part it is let dogs out let dogs in feed them that sort of thing. I can pick and choose who I take and who will have to be kenneled. I just can't say 2 weeks and if I feel better only do 1 because other arrangements will have been made but maybe I could get help for several visits. This is perhaps the most stressful part for me since I am going so heavily in debt to pay for this surgery.

I will be watching this thread. Like you moonshadow if I don't work I don't get paid. I am a petsitter so I schedule myself but this surgery is really strapping me so I hate to take off too long. Let us know how that goes moonshadow.

Honestly I don't think there is typical. It seems different doctors do different things. I personally don't see my doctor for my first consult and I am dieting because I am really really freaked out that they even touch my liver. Don't have a clue why that seems so freaky to me but I want mine to be as tiny as I can get it. But really it seems some doctors have people on liquids up to 2 weeks some don't, some have patients diet some don't. I read a book from my library on a woman who had gastric bypass and two days before went out for Ruth Chris steak!! There is a poll on here about did your doctor require a pre op diet you might check out that thread. It made me decide there is no typical.

I had sent in my paperwork last Monday and was patiently....well kinda....waiting. I got a call today and my surgeon is going on vacation for a while so my first consult with him isn't until April 15 but when she asked if I wanted to do my psych evaluation the same day I said yes at first then I said no because I figure I might as well get it done. If I fail it at least I won't be paying to see the surgeon on the same day. I go next week for my psych evaluation.....don't know why that freaks me out. I don't like the thought of someone studying my psyche I guess. Feels good to have a start date at least!:thumbup:

Kristen I know someone last week was in the same boat and they were looking for a diet buddy for their 6 months. I think a lot of insurance companies and doctors feel that way. I think it is proof you can make those necessary changes in eating habits. I am self pay but I am starting to have thoughts of losing as much as I can then get banded since it would be easier than going through all this fat. Wish I had it done 2 years ago when I lost 75 lbs in 4 months.....that would have been the perfect time! Good luck. At least you get to see the surgeon. I am still waiting to talk to mine.

My problem isn't so much what the doctor thinks but what my insurance is going to think. I am self pay because my insurance sucks....ie it is fat woman's insurance of last resort. I am hoping when I get my weight down I can get insurance that would pay anything but even though I am 4'11" and weight almost 300 lbs I wear a 20. At 200 I wear a 12. I am not sure what I would wear at 98 lbs.......because the last time I was there I wore a 7 and if I wear a 12 at 200 how can I wear a 6 or 7 at 98?? either I am a big hunk of muscle or sizes are really getting bigger but weight charts haven't changed since when? I work out I am very very strong doesn't that count for something? I have no co morbidities at all. I just could see 400 over the next hill and that freaked me out.

Congratulations! That is so exciting.....not too long now to a new you!

Hey 4 out of 5 that is a B! that seems like a good grade to me. All the important one's came back great and the last one was kinda like getting a B in PE when you used to make an F. My current PCP is a doll. I almost didn't go to him because I heard he was young and cute but he has been a doll. He told me he lost 70 lbs in Med school using less than healthy practices. Oh anyway....he says he can tell how sick I feel based on what I am wearing. Jeans sweatshirt and hiking boots....very sick because I don't care about the extra 5 lbs that adds to the scale. I have actually refused to get on the scale before. Too much emphasis on my weight only depressed me and stressed me more. soon that will be changing! A weight loss of 70 lbs is so great. I always opted out of these type of tests........I was the ostrich with my head in the sand. Good luck with the next 70! I am sure you can do it....you have already been so successful! Marion

I am so happy to hear your good news! Your situation really got me to wondering how often it must happen that you pick up a cold out there right before surgery. Good luck! and congratulations!

I went down to Branson yesterday with Kelli and her kids to go.....swimming! Horrors!! I can not believe I put on a suit. Oh well it gives Kelli an idea of my start point. Cool thing was while we were at the condo Kelli was showing me around and there was a photo of Rosie and Kate at Kelli's brothers wedding. I am amazed at how large Rosie was! It makes me feel so much better about this decision I have made. I was thinking to myself if all I am going to lose is 50 or 75 lbs I can do that on my own but I can see if Rosie is in a 12 now (I have not seen her yet as Rosie and Kate have been living in Florida for the winter) she has to have lost at least down from a 24 would be my guess.....or at least a rich woman's size 22. I would be thrilled to be a 12. I even still have a pair of shorts I got up at the Lee outlet about 15 years ago I never got rid of......they are just too cute. I hope I hear from Dr. Edwards office this week so I can go in for my consult. Happily I am still losing some weight I think. I didn't get on the scales this morning partly because I had to be up and out to check dogs early but I will weight tomorrow.

I went down to Branson yesterday with Kelli and her kids to go.....swimming! Horrors!! I can not believe I put on a suit. Oh well it gives Kelli an idea of my start point. Cool thing was while we were at the condo Kelli was showing me around and there was a photo of Rosie and Kate at Kelli's brothers wedding. I am amazed at how large Rosie was! It makes me feel so much better about this decision I have made. I was thinking to myself if all I am going to lose is 50 or 75 lbs I can do that on my own but I can see if Rosie is in a 12 now (I have not seen her yet as Rosie and Kate have been living in Florida for the winter) she has to have lost at least down from a 24 would be my guess.....or at least a rich woman's size 22. I would be thrilled to be a 12. I even still have a pair of shorts I got up at the Lee outlet about 15 years ago I never got rid of......they are just too cute. I hope I hear from Dr. Edwards office this week so I can go in for my consult. Happily I am still losing some weight I think. I didn't get on the scales this morning partly because I had to be up and out to check dogs early but I will weight tomorrow.

There is a whole thread about everyone's favorite protein shakes. I think Ungery was the first one listed.

Hey that is great! Lose is lose! cool if it is 16 lbs in a month. I am the same way....I lose weight quickly up to about 75 lbs but I always gain it back plus a little more for what ever reason it is...... I think suddenly your clothes will fit you totally different and it is possible that at that time you won't have lost near as much. I think the body just has to catch up and go....oh yeah..smaller. Good for you!

try drwells.info. she is a local weight loss doctor who has a lot of high protein products for sale on her site. You can at least look at some nutrition labels and get ideas and see some different brands.

I have just always heard steroids caused you to heal slowly after surgery. I know it isn't a lot of steroids but I just kinda freaked out when I used it this morning. Oh that and the eye drops. I am just full of stuff I didn't put on my history. I need to just remember to tell them. Thanks for the info on your use of Flonase in the hospital Sharon it makes me feel better

I was told that the pre surgery liquid diet for 2 weeks can shrink a liver to half it's size. The surgeon said at the seminars he has only come across one he couldn't do laprascopically and they admitted they ate crazily right up until the day before. He did the surgery but he did it as an open surgery. I think you will be okay, your surgeon has a proctor there. Have you talked to your surgeon about your liver concerns?

Okay I turned in my paperwork on Monday and I am now waiting to get in with the doctor. In the mean time I had my allergies flare up. I stupidly didn't mention the nasal spray (flonase type) I use when they get bad. Now I am worried. Anyone know how long before surgery you have to give them up? Just curious if anyone else with allergies has any information. I know I can ask the surgeon but as a self pay patient I am hoping to get this done asap. Don't want to screw it up but honestly I enjoy breathing.:smile2:

Oh don't do it Tom. Doctors have you on a pre-diet to shrink your liver so that they can get to your stomach without having to lift a big huge fatty liver out of the way. If you are having laparoscopic surgery you sure don't want them to have to open you up to do surgery instead because you ate a fatty steak!

Is the metformin a new med for you? I know I have a friend who took it for two weeks and felt horrible the whole time although I have no clue if that is normal. I agree though there are so many different Protein shakes out there now. you might try mixing some sugar free syrups in like all the flavors they have for coffee.

Thanks ya'll. I sent off all my forms this morning. Hopefully my doctor will get all my records to them this week. I am hoping to get in within the next 6 weeks. Odd thing about this surgeon is everyone pays out of pocket and gets reimbursed from insurance basically.....I think. Oh maybe I am talking stuff I don't know. Doesn't matter my fat woman insurance doesn't cover anything...well I do get $5 off my mammogram. I will keep everyone posted. This has been such a great experience already for me because I have had lots of support and that means the world to me. Thanks for the support and information. My fingers are crossed that I get to see the surgeon for the first time within two weeks.

Today I really got started on my paperwork. I attended a seminar on WLS and lapbanding on Saturday. I have been thinking about this for a while, lurking here, studying, then met Kelli and her Mom was banded three years ago. She says she would do it again in a heartbeat. The news anchor here has had it done and looks great. Kelli said her Mom was such a foodie and loved to cook and binge she thought she wouldn't be able to stand it but her Mom is really happy and has gone from a 24 to a 12 now. I think I will have to give up cooking for a while but I get such joy out of it I will go back to it I am sure. I have been filling out my health history and family health history today. Sad to find that only my sister and I suffer from real weight issues but I am happy to see we are mostly a pretty healthy bunch. I am lucky because at my height and weight it is amazing I don't have more issues than I do. It was such a nice day today weatherwise. I think that helped me to get all the errands run. I stopped by Dr. Jones office to get my chart sent over to Dr. Edwards and then I went out to Dr. Wells where I thought she would be disappointed I wouldn't be coming to her any longer to try dieting but she was thrilled for me. I said I feel like I am coping out. She said if your knees needed surgery would that be coping out? She said she always felt bad she couldn't do more for me. I would lose 75 lbs and then gain it back again.......so vicious. The only thing I have to do still is weigh myself and measure my stomach and hips. I do not look forward to that!!!! I have stopped weighing myself about 6 months ago. I have gone up to a 22 pant....that is so not good. I will be so thrilled when I can lose enough to just cross my legs. sounds stupid I know but it would just seem so nice. I know I can do it at 175 which seems pretty good at only 4 11. Self paying the 17000 is good because at least I don't have to wait for insurance approval. I am hoping to get into my first consult in the next week to 10 days. Then psych nutrition and pre surgery diet to shrink the liver. I am so ready to do this. I just want to go out and be in public and not be so aware of my weight. Funny thing that was the best part about the seminar it had been so long since I was in a room and wasn't the fattest person in the room. Gotta go find a tape measure.:biggrin: oh boy.

Today I really got started on my paperwork. I attended a seminar on WLS and lapbanding on Saturday. I have been thinking about this for a while, lurking here, studying, then met Kelli and her Mom was banded three years ago. She says she would do it again in a heartbeat. The news anchor here has had it done and looks great. Kelli said her Mom was such a foodie and loved to cook and binge she thought she wouldn't be able to stand it but her Mom is really happy and has gone from a 24 to a 12 now. I think I will have to give up cooking for a while but I get such joy out of it I will go back to it I am sure. I have been filling out my health history and family health history today. Sad to find that only my sister and I suffer from real weight issues but I am happy to see we are mostly a pretty healthy bunch. I am lucky because at my height and weight it is amazing I don't have more issues than I do. It was such a nice day today weatherwise. I think that helped me to get all the errands run. I stopped by Dr. Jones office to get my chart sent over to Dr. Edwards and then I went out to Dr. Wells where I thought she would be disappointed I wouldn't be coming to her any longer to try dieting but she was thrilled for me. I said I feel like I am coping out. She said if your knees needed surgery would that be coping out? She said she always felt bad she couldn't do more for me. I would lose 75 lbs and then gain it back again.......so vicious. The only thing I have to do still is weigh myself and measure my stomach and hips. I do not look forward to that!!!! I have stopped weighing myself about 6 months ago. I have gone up to a 22 pant....that is so not good. I will be so thrilled when I can lose enough to just cross my legs. sounds stupid I know but it would just seem so nice. I know I can do it at 175 which seems pretty good at only 4 11. Self paying the 17000 is good because at least I don't have to wait for insurance approval. I am hoping to get into my first consult in the next week to 10 days. Then psych nutrition and pre surgery diet to shrink the liver. I am so ready to do this. I just want to go out and be in public and not be so aware of my weight. Funny thing that was the best part about the seminar it had been so long since I was in a room and wasn't the fattest person in the room. Gotta go find a tape measure.:confused_smile: oh boy.

Oh I wish people would just stick to the if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all. I have been lucky everyone has been super supportive, I have 3 friends who want to have banding done with me but I am self pay so I am going to be approved before they could be. I have told probably 10 people and everyone has been Good for you! I am proud of you! Even my diet doctor that I saw for years was so excited for me she gave me free Protein shakes to do my pre diet. I feel so bad that everyone hasn't had as much support. I swear I will be here to support anyone who needs it in any way I can. Just making the decision to start this process has made my life seem smoother and more productive. I think a lot of times people are just jealous. Not necessarily outright where they know it but resent that your life is going to have this big positive change. Good for you for making the decision to better YOUR life!