Bostongurl

Cheri, I started using Sparkpeople and LOVE it. IT's very user friendly, a little more "glamerous" then Fitday. Thanks so much.

This is all very good info, I think I may reconsider my current choice which is the weight watchers point system. Although it is a bit quicker to track, i'm affraid it's not accurate enough.

So I had my MMPI test today. I arrived at the Boston Medical around 7:40AM. Tony checked me in, I payed $160.00 then I filled out a couple page multiple choice. Then Tony brought me and one other women into another room, told us what was in store for us, then we watched a TERRRIBLE video from i kid you not the 70s. Then towards the end of the video the therapist came in and took me to another room to basically interview me. She was really nice, and she asked me TONS of questions about my state of mind, my support system, basically evaluated me mentally. She said she had never given such a glowing report, which felt great!! She said I seem like I will do really really well with the surgrey and that she is not used to seeing people who have lost weight at this point. So then when we were done, I went back into the other room and took the MMPI test, which was close to 600 t/f questions which were very intersting. I finished around 11:15 and was back to work by 12:00. So now I guess the results for this come back in about three weeks. At that point Tony submits the paperwork to my insurance company, which can take another 3-4 weeks. Then from there when I'm approved, then they set a surgery date, which is usually about 3-4 weeks out. So bassically we are looking at Mid May sometime. Next steps: tomorrow, call PCP to make an appointment in a month for a letter of medical clearance from my PCP. Three weeks from today, March 29th, call tony to see if my test results were in. I'm in a great place though, i'm loosing and am happy. So i'm down 12lbs, and if all goes well, I could loose another 18lbs or so for a total of 30lbs before the time of my surgery. So that's my next goal. It's an aggressive one, but I know I can do it.

So I had my MMPI test today. I arrived at the Boston Medical around 7:40AM. Tony checked me in, I payed $160.00 then I filled out a couple page multiple choice. Then Tony brought me and one other women into another room, told us what was in store for us, then we watched a TERRRIBLE video from i kid you not the 70s. Then towards the end of the video the therapist came in and took me to another room to basically interview me. She was really nice, and she asked me TONS of questions about my state of mind, my support system, basically evaluated me mentally. She said she had never given such a glowing report, which felt great!! She said I seem like I will do really really well with the surgrey and that she is not used to seeing people who have lost weight at this point. So then when we were done, I went back into the other room and took the MMPI test, which was close to 600 t/f questions which were very intersting. I finished around 11:15 and was back to work by 12:00. So now I guess the results for this come back in about three weeks. At that point Tony submits the paperwork to my insurance company, which can take another 3-4 weeks. Then from there when I'm approved, then they set a surgery date, which is usually about 3-4 weeks out. So bassically we are looking at Mid May sometime. Next steps: tomorrow, call PCP to make an appointment in a month for a letter of medical clearance from my PCP. Three weeks from today, March 29th, call tony to see if my test results were in. I'm in a great place though, i'm loosing and am happy. So i'm down 12lbs, and if all goes well, I could loose another 18lbs or so for a total of 30lbs before the time of my surgery. So that's my next goal. It's an aggressive one, but I know I can do it.

I am currently going through my pre-op testing, in fact Wed. is my last test, which is very exciting. Just curious if anyone out there has any experince with Harvard Pilgrim HMO, and if so, how long they took to approve you. Thanks!

So I called after my last appointment to see when I could schedule my MMPI test, and Felicia said that she didn't have the calendar yet, but that they were now booking in May. After you take the MMPI, it takes 2-3 weeks before you get the results, then you have another appointment with Dr. Hess, and another with my PCP. Then when that is all done they submit your paperwork, and THEN you get to schedule your surgery. so at the very least we were looking at July, Aug. maybe even september. So per Liv's recomindation, I emailed Dr. Hess and very nicely asked if I could possbily get a sooner date for my MMPI, he emailed me back and said he was sure he could arrange something. Then this Monday, 2/27 I finally got on the calendar with my MMPI, which was for MAY 3rd!!!!! So crazy, I was feeling really down that day, thinking 2 whole months before the next step, but then I thought, this just means I will have more time to loose some weight, and become more healthy. So after thinking about it for a while I became okay with it. Then, on Tuesday Felicia called and said that she had a couple of cancelations and could I come in on March 8th, I said absolutly so now i'm scheduled for a week from today!! I'm so excited about that. So that's today's update. Other then the surgery updates, I've lost around 12lbs and am doing really well with the eating as well as excersising regulally.

So I called after my last appointment to see when I could schedule my MMPI test, and Felicia said that she didn't have the calendar yet, but that they were now booking in May. After you take the MMPI, it takes 2-3 weeks before you get the results, then you have another appointment with Dr. Hess, and another with my PCP. Then when that is all done they submit your paperwork, and THEN you get to schedule your surgery. so at the very least we were looking at July, Aug. maybe even september. So per Liv's recomindation, I emailed Dr. Hess and very nicely asked if I could possbily get a sooner date for my MMPI, he emailed me back and said he was sure he could arrange something. Then this Monday, 2/27 I finally got on the calendar with my MMPI, which was for MAY 3rd!!!!! So crazy, I was feeling really down that day, thinking 2 whole months before the next step, but then I thought, this just means I will have more time to loose some weight, and become more healthy. So after thinking about it for a while I became okay with it. Then, on Tuesday Felicia called and said that she had a couple of cancelations and could I come in on March 8th, I said absolutly so now i'm scheduled for a week from today!! I'm so excited about that. So that's today's update. Other then the surgery updates, I've lost around 12lbs and am doing really well with the eating as well as excersising regulally.

got your attention, didnt I? Just curious what the rules are about how long we are supposed to wait after surgery to have sex. This is one of those questions i would feel a bit wierd asking my doctor, so thanks in advance for your replies.

1. loose another 10lbs 2. get control of evening snacking 3. edjucate myself to diet and excersise SMARTER - get the best possible workout and diet results from what I'm doing 4. get a new scale 5. short term goal, get under 250 6. get my BMI below 40

1. loose another 10lbs 2. get control of evening snacking 3. edjucate myself to diet and excersise SMARTER - get the best possible workout and diet results from what I'm doing 4. get a new scale 5. short term goal, get under 250 6. get my BMI below 40

So on 2/15 I had my appointment with the dietician (Dr. Isfan): He and I know eachother well from previous vistis, so there wasn't really any surprises there. The good news is that he backs me getting the surgery totally. Then on 2/21 I had the full abdominal ultrasound, which hurt a bit more than I had expected, but was fine in the end. Then later that morning I had appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson). She is a funny woman, but very nice, and very knowledgeable. She was very happy with the things I was already doing and basically said keep up what i'm doing and I'll do great. I called to schedule my MMPI and Felicia said that they don't have the calendar yet, but that they are now booking in MAY... that was a real blow that that test wont be until May, then the results for that don't come back for 2-3 weeks. Then you have a couple more appointments and have to submit insurance, wait to get a response, etc. so we are now basically looking at July, August, or even suptember.... So I emailed Hr. Hess on 2/22 just to ask if it were a possibility to get in sooner, and he said he would look into it. So hopefully he will follow-up on that. As of now, I have to call felicia again Monday and at least get a date on the calendar. So for now, I'm just going to continue with my diet and excersise (i've lost about 10lbs) so that is excelent, but I'm just going to keep on going with that and be in the best possible shape before surgery so that it goes as well as possible. we'll see

So on 2/15 I had my appointment with the dietician (Dr. Isfan): He and I know eachother well from previous vistis, so there wasn't really any surprises there. The good news is that he backs me getting the surgery totally. Then on 2/21 I had the full abdominal ultrasound, which hurt a bit more than I had expected, but was fine in the end. Then later that morning I had appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson). She is a funny woman, but very nice, and very knowledgeable. She was very happy with the things I was already doing and basically said keep up what i'm doing and I'll do great. I called to schedule my MMPI and Felicia said that they don't have the calendar yet, but that they are now booking in MAY... that was a real blow that that test wont be until May, then the results for that don't come back for 2-3 weeks. Then you have a couple more appointments and have to submit insurance, wait to get a response, etc. so we are now basically looking at July, August, or even suptember.... So I emailed Hr. Hess on 2/22 just to ask if it were a possibility to get in sooner, and he said he would look into it. So hopefully he will follow-up on that. As of now, I have to call felicia again Monday and at least get a date on the calendar. So for now, I'm just going to continue with my diet and excersise (i've lost about 10lbs) so that is excelent, but I'm just going to keep on going with that and be in the best possible shape before surgery so that it goes as well as possible. we'll see

What is VG or DS? I'm not banded yet, not even close to getting a date, and am still learning. thanks!

i consider myself a pretty patient woman, but today I found out that my MMPI (physch test) wont be until April. Which means I'm looking at another couple months at the soonest. I feel like i've been waiting soooo long, and now another few months before I even have the procedure. How long did all the Pre-op stuff take for you all?

January 29, 2006 - So today I joined Healthworks gym in Copley Square. I signed up, and then I worked out. I did 35 minutes on the Elliptical machine, then 20 or so minutes lifting. I'm going to plan to take as many classes as I can, b/c I know classes keep me more motivated, and make me work out longer and harder. I'm feeling very motivated to work out as much as possible, which helps me to eat better too, as I feel like the work-outs are a waste if I just come home and eat crap. It's also good to keep me busy, instead of sittin on my ass all the time...as much as I like doing exactly that.

January 29, 2006 - So today I joined Healthworks gym in Copley Square. I signed up, and then I worked out. I did 35 minutes on the Elliptical machine, then 20 or so minutes lifting. I'm going to plan to take as many classes as I can, b/c I know classes keep me more motivated, and make me work out longer and harder. I'm feeling very motivated to work out as much as possible, which helps me to eat better too, as I feel like the work-outs are a waste if I just come home and eat crap. It's also good to keep me busy, instead of sittin on my ass all the time...as much as I like doing exactly that.

November 15, 2005 – I make some phone calls and do a lot of research about WLS, particularly the Lap-Band procedure. My research shows that Boston Medical does not do the Lap-Band, so I look into BWH November 17, 2005 – Had my appointment with my PCP to get referral to BWH November 22, 2005 – Attend aFree Info Session @BWH, Dr. Luatz is there, who I like very much. November 23, 2005 – Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Luatz @ BWH. Appointment set for Jan. 26th December 9, 2005 –My sister tells me that she spoke with the doctor from her hospital and that he does not recommend Dr. Lautz, so I call and cancel my appointment with him and call to make one with Dr. Ashley Vernon, which is set for Feb. 10. Long story short, I have to call my PCP again to change my referral, and when I do, they say that I need a special referral to see a doctor outside of Boston Medical, as there are doctors there who perform the Lap-Band…now that would have been helpful to know BEFORE… Anyway so things change, I called to set-up an appointment with Dr. Hess from Boston Medical, and canceled my appointment with Dr. Vernon. January 12, 2006 - Met with Dr. Hess for the First time. Went over the different WLS options and he confirmed what I was thinking which is that Lap-Band is the surgery for me. Dr. Hess gave me a packet of info and said that his assistant would contact me to set up my necessary appointments. January 17, 2006 – Got call from Dr. Hess’ office to set-up my next four appointments! I was so happy to hear from her, I was afraid I would be waiting for her call for a while. Also, All my appointments are pretty soon, so that’s great news. 1. PFT (Pulminary Function Tests): is scheduled for Friday, January 27th at 8:00AM 2. Appointment with dietician (Dr. Isfan): is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, at 4:00PM 3. Ultrasound: Scheduled for February 21st at 8:00AM 4. Appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson): Scheduled for February 21st at 9:00AM 5. MMPI test ($160): Cant be scheduled until the other four are complete January 19, 2006 – Attended my first support group meeting at Boston Medical Center, run by Wendy Anderson. It was good, although the majority of people were waiting for surgery, and there was only one other Lap-Band person. Everyone else was doing the bypass surgery. Everyone was talking about the weight they were told they had to loose, and I asked when they were told this, and they said during their first meeting with Dr. Hess, but he said nothing to me about loosing any weight. Wendy did say that sometimes they don’t ask people to loose any weight, but that I have to be careful not to gain any before the surgery. November 15, 2005 - I made some calls and do a lot of research about WLS, particularly the Lap-Band procedure. My research shows that Boston MEdical does not do the lap-band, so i look into BWH. November 17, 2005 – Had my appointment with my PCP to get referral to BWH November 22, 2005 – Attend aFree Info Session @BWH, Dr. Luatz is there, who I like very much. November 23, 2005 – Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Luatz @ BWH. Appointment set for Jan. 26th November 24, 2005 - Went home for Thanksgiving and told my parents about the surgery and what I was thinking. THey were both very supportive and backed me up 100% to go through with it. December 9, 2005 –My sister tells me that she spoke with the doctor from her hospital and that he does not recommend Dr. Lautz, so I call and cancel my appointment with him and call to make one with Dr. Ashley Vernon, which is set for Feb. 10. Long story short, I have to call my PCP again to change my referral, and when I do, they say that I need a special referral to see a doctor outside of Boston Medical, as there are doctors there who perform the Lap-Band…now that would have been helpful to know BEFORE… Anyway so things change, I called to set-up an appointment with Dr. Hess from Boston Medical, and canceled my appointment with Dr. Vernon. January 12, 2006 - Met with Dr. Hess for the First time. Went over the different WLS options and he confirmed what I was thinking which is that Lap-Band is the surgery for me. Dr. Hess gave me a packet of info and said that his assistant would contact me to set up my necessary appointments. January 17, 2006 – Got call from Dr. Hess’ office to set-up my next four appointments! I was so happy to hear from her, I was afraid I would be waiting for her call for a while. Also, All my appointments are pretty soon, so that’s great news. 1. PFT (Pulminary Function Tests): is scheduled for Friday, January 27th at 8:00AM 2. Appointment with dietician (Dr. Isfan): is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, at 4:00PM 3. Ultrasound: Scheduled for February 21st at 8:00AM 4. Appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson): Scheduled for February 21st at 9:00AM 5. MMPI test ($160): Cant be scheduled until the other four are complete January 19, 2006 – Attended my first support group meeting at Boston Medical Center, run by Wendy Anderson. It was good, although the majority of people were waiting for surgery, and there was only one other Lap-Band person. Everyone else was doing the bypass surgery. Everyone was talking about the weight they were told they had to loose, and I asked when they were told this, and they said during their first meeting with Dr. Hess, but he said nothing to me about loosing any weight. Wendy did say that sometimes they don’t ask people to loose any weight, but that I have to be careful not to gain any before the surgery. January 27, 2006 - Had my PFT's which consisted of blood being takin from my wrist...which KILLED. He warned me that it was apianful, but damn. Plus he had to stick me twice. The second test was the breathing test, which was very interesting. He said my numbers were really good, and that he wasn't used to seeing such good numbers. So that's good news. Now I have to wait three weeks for my next appointment, which seems like forever, but I know it will be here sooner than I realize.

November 15, 2005 – I make some phone calls and do a lot of research about WLS, particularly the Lap-Band procedure. My research shows that Boston Medical does not do the Lap-Band, so I look into BWH November 17, 2005 – Had my appointment with my PCP to get referral to BWH November 22, 2005 – Attend aFree Info Session @BWH, Dr. Luatz is there, who I like very much. November 23, 2005 – Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Luatz @ BWH. Appointment set for Jan. 26th December 9, 2005 –My sister tells me that she spoke with the doctor from her hospital and that he does not recommend Dr. Lautz, so I call and cancel my appointment with him and call to make one with Dr. Ashley Vernon, which is set for Feb. 10. Long story short, I have to call my PCP again to change my referral, and when I do, they say that I need a special referral to see a doctor outside of Boston Medical, as there are doctors there who perform the Lap-Band…now that would have been helpful to know BEFORE… Anyway so things change, I called to set-up an appointment with Dr. Hess from Boston Medical, and canceled my appointment with Dr. Vernon. January 12, 2006 - Met with Dr. Hess for the First time. Went over the different WLS options and he confirmed what I was thinking which is that Lap-Band is the surgery for me. Dr. Hess gave me a packet of info and said that his assistant would contact me to set up my necessary appointments. January 17, 2006 – Got call from Dr. Hess’ office to set-up my next four appointments! I was so happy to hear from her, I was afraid I would be waiting for her call for a while. Also, All my appointments are pretty soon, so that’s great news. 1. PFT (Pulminary Function Tests): is scheduled for Friday, January 27th at 8:00AM 2. Appointment with dietician (Dr. Isfan): is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, at 4:00PM 3. Ultrasound: Scheduled for February 21st at 8:00AM 4. Appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson): Scheduled for February 21st at 9:00AM 5. MMPI test ($160): Cant be scheduled until the other four are complete January 19, 2006 – Attended my first support group meeting at Boston Medical Center, run by Wendy Anderson. It was good, although the majority of people were waiting for surgery, and there was only one other Lap-Band person. Everyone else was doing the bypass surgery. Everyone was talking about the weight they were told they had to loose, and I asked when they were told this, and they said during their first meeting with Dr. Hess, but he said nothing to me about loosing any weight. Wendy did say that sometimes they don’t ask people to loose any weight, but that I have to be careful not to gain any before the surgery. November 15, 2005 - I made some calls and do a lot of research about WLS, particularly the Lap-Band procedure. My research shows that Boston MEdical does not do the lap-band, so i look into BWH. November 17, 2005 – Had my appointment with my PCP to get referral to BWH November 22, 2005 – Attend aFree Info Session @BWH, Dr. Luatz is there, who I like very much. November 23, 2005 – Call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Luatz @ BWH. Appointment set for Jan. 26th November 24, 2005 - Went home for Thanksgiving and told my parents about the surgery and what I was thinking. THey were both very supportive and backed me up 100% to go through with it. December 9, 2005 –My sister tells me that she spoke with the doctor from her hospital and that he does not recommend Dr. Lautz, so I call and cancel my appointment with him and call to make one with Dr. Ashley Vernon, which is set for Feb. 10. Long story short, I have to call my PCP again to change my referral, and when I do, they say that I need a special referral to see a doctor outside of Boston Medical, as there are doctors there who perform the Lap-Band…now that would have been helpful to know BEFORE… Anyway so things change, I called to set-up an appointment with Dr. Hess from Boston Medical, and canceled my appointment with Dr. Vernon. January 12, 2006 - Met with Dr. Hess for the First time. Went over the different WLS options and he confirmed what I was thinking which is that Lap-Band is the surgery for me. Dr. Hess gave me a packet of info and said that his assistant would contact me to set up my necessary appointments. January 17, 2006 – Got call from Dr. Hess’ office to set-up my next four appointments! I was so happy to hear from her, I was afraid I would be waiting for her call for a while. Also, All my appointments are pretty soon, so that’s great news. 1. PFT (Pulminary Function Tests): is scheduled for Friday, January 27th at 8:00AM 2. Appointment with dietician (Dr. Isfan): is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th, at 4:00PM 3. Ultrasound: Scheduled for February 21st at 8:00AM 4. Appointment with the Nutritionist (Wendy Anderson): Scheduled for February 21st at 9:00AM 5. MMPI test ($160): Cant be scheduled until the other four are complete January 19, 2006 – Attended my first support group meeting at Boston Medical Center, run by Wendy Anderson. It was good, although the majority of people were waiting for surgery, and there was only one other Lap-Band person. Everyone else was doing the bypass surgery. Everyone was talking about the weight they were told they had to loose, and I asked when they were told this, and they said during their first meeting with Dr. Hess, but he said nothing to me about loosing any weight. Wendy did say that sometimes they don’t ask people to loose any weight, but that I have to be careful not to gain any before the surgery. January 27, 2006 - Had my PFT's which consisted of blood being takin from my wrist...which KILLED. He warned me that it was apianful, but damn. Plus he had to stick me twice. The second test was the breathing test, which was very interesting. He said my numbers were really good, and that he wasn't used to seeing such good numbers. So that's good news. Now I have to wait three weeks for my next appointment, which seems like forever, but I know it will be here sooner than I realize.