Who'sThere

Well, I have been sick since last Friday. I am really hoping to be at the meeting tonight, but I wasn't able to work today. If I don't get to come, I will definitely be at the November meeting.

I sure don't know because I'm not yet banded. However, I'm terrified at the prospect of having to take fish oil. If that is a requirement, I won't be able to be banded. I am allergic to any and all kinds of seafood. Do you know if this is required of everyone?

As I think more and more about becoming a bandster, I keep adding more goals in my head. Today, I decided to record these goals. As I meet these goals, I will record the dates. I AM going to do this! I will be able to do the following: sit comfortably in any type of seat tie my shoes without gasping for breath see my collar bones again wear a normal necklace get my wedding rings sized down wear some of my old rings again cross my legs in a ladylike fashion wear my denim Tommy dress again (and maybe shrink out of it) buy clothes from the regualar section climb stairs without losing my breath walk to the mailbox without getting tired wear sexy lingerie comfortably have me on top sex! not be the biggest person in every group photo walk 5 miles ride a roller coaster have someone call me a skinny bitch! I'm sure there are plenty of things that I will add to this list, but these are the ones that come to my mind today.

As I think more and more about becoming a bandster, I keep adding more goals in my head. Today, I decided to record these goals. As I meet these goals, I will record the dates. I AM going to do this! I will be able to do the following: sit comfortably in any type of seat tie my shoes without gasping for breath see my collar bones again wear a normal necklace get my wedding rings sized down wear some of my old rings again cross my legs in a ladylike fashion wear my denim Tommy dress again (and maybe shrink out of it) buy clothes from the regualar section climb stairs without losing my breath walk to the mailbox without getting tired wear sexy lingerie comfortably have me on top sex! not be the biggest person in every group photo walk 5 miles ride a roller coaster have someone call me a skinny bitch! I'm sure there are plenty of things that I will add to this list, but these are the ones that come to my mind today.

I'm one that would tell anyone. I'm just not that private, but I can certainly respect your decision not to tell. I know that you will be under extra scrutiny if you do tell. With that being said, I would not tell anyone you had gallbladder surgery. First of all, I wouldn't say that because it's a lie. Also, with dramatic weightloss, there is a stronger chance that you WILL have to have gallbladder surgery later. What would you say then? (Awkward!) If people start to ask about your weight loss, just tell them you are working really hard. You will be!

Oh, okay....thanks. I did email the question to the surgeon's office, but I haven't heard anything back yet.

I'm not sure what you mean by diet center. Is there a special department at my insurance or at the surgeon's office or something else?

Okay...here is the exact wording from my health insurance policy. (This is one of the requirements, but it's the only one I'm worried about.) (2) History of failure of medical/dietary therapies (including low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral reinforcement). This attempt at conservative management must be within two years prior to surgery, and must be documented by an attending physician who does not perform bariatric surgery. (Failure of conservative therapy is defined as an inability to lose more than ten percent of body weight over a six-month period and maintain weight loss.) I have done lots of other things in the past, but not necessarily doctor supervised. I was on Fentermine earlier this year for about three months along with a reduced calorie diet (that's as long as my PCP will prescribe it), and I did lose 10% of my weight. However, I did not keep it off for three months, let alone six months. Do you think this would count, or should I be starting a 6 month diet now? My initial consult isn't until Dec., and I certainly don't want to wait until then to start if I have to. I really want to have this done ASAP!

I wear short skorts even now. Being 5'3" nothing is really TOO short on me, maybe 2-3" above my knee. My MIL says I need to show off my legs while I can. After years and years of cheerleading when I was younger, my legs are the only part of my body that still look decent. From mid-thigh down, they are still pretty muscular even if they are too big. If they still look decent when I loose weight, I will continue to wear short skorts; however, I'm no where near graceful enough to wear true short skirts. My "hotel" would show for sure. (When my niece was younger she would say "whole tail" and it sounded like "hotel".) As for high heels, not now, not ever. One other thing I still have from years and years of cheering is weak ankles as they have both been sprained. I'm way more a flip-flop kind of gal.

I'll be there starting this Thursday. It'll be good to meet you!

WOW! That's great. What insurance co. do you have?

Congratulations! What beautiful eyes she has! I am of the opinion that all babies are precious, but not all babies are truly beautiful. Your baby is BEAUTIFUL!

Heather, I'd bet a large sum of money that you are, in fact, pregnant. I was pregnant a few years ago (unfortunately miscarried), and the first test I took was so faint I disregarded it completely. I took another one a few days later, and it was still faint. I went to the doctor anyway because we had been trying for like two years at that point. They did a blood test and sure enough I was preggers. My line was so faint I almost couldn't see it, but they told me ANY line at all means pregnancy. They said there are more often false negatives but almost NEVER a false positive. You have to have Hcg to have ANY pink, and you wouldn't have it otherwise. If you had some, but didn't have quite enough it might show a false negative. (If that makes sense.) So to you I'm gonna say CONGRATS! Your life is now and forever changed.

As to losing and regaining weight, here is my two cents worth...There is a girl that I work with that weighed over 500lbs. and had RNY. Before she ever had surgery, the doctors told her she would probably end up around 300lbs. She lost down to about 160. Yes, 160. Well, that was about 6.5 years ago. Now, she is back to around 285. While she has packed on about 125 pounds in the past several years (and after two babies), she is CERTAINLY better off than she was at 500+. (She is nearly six feet tall.) As for looking sick after weightloss...About 5 years ago, I lost 100lbs. on LA Weightloss. I went from 273 to 173 in 7.5 months. I got a new hairstyle and my aunt from out of town wanted a picture, so my husband took a snapshot, and I emailed it to her. Her comment was that I looked awful. My mother-in-law said I looked frail. Both of these comments really hurt my feelings. I had lost 100 pounds and was really proud of myself, but I was still about 40 lbs. overweight (I'm not quite 5'3"). How could I possibly look frail? Anyway...looking back now, I did look awful. I was frail. I started passing out about a week later and was sick for nearly three months. In fact, I nearly died. I lost so fast my blood pressure was bottoming out. It wasn't that I was too thin, but I was too thin too quickly for ME. (I have borderline low BP even at 277lbs.) I eventually gained ALL of my weight back plus 4 extra pounds, but I didn't start looking healthy again until I gained at least 20 of those pounds back. These are some of the reasons I want the band. I want to be able to lose weight at a reasonable (not too fast, not too slow) pace. I am excited about 1-2 pounds a week under a doctor's supervision. (All LA Weightloss was interested in was my weighing in and getting my money, not my health. They "forgot" to take my BP as regularly as promised, which I figured out all too late.) I am also excited about the adjustability so that I can continue to use the TOOL to keep the weight at bay.

Yes, Jessica, that is kind of what I went through. I decided I would rather see Doctor Hodge or Watson. I had my MIL call the doctor for me this morning and ask them to get me a referral to these doctors instead. By 10:45 when I called her on my planning time, I already had an appointment with Dr. Hodge. Granted, the appointment isn't until December 15, I still have an appointment. I called to ask what I could do to prepare in the meantime, and they were VERY helpful. The told me I could go ahead and attend training seminars. I called the lady in charge of this, but she wasn't at her desk. I left her a voicemail with both my phone number and my email address. Before noon, she had sent me information on what seminars would be required and an attachment with the schedule of when they are. She also encouraged me to call and see if I could go ahead and meet with the nutritionist. In my opinion, they are very on top of things. I appreciate that. Also, they told me I can call once a week and see if there are any cancellations. If so, he will see me earlier. I am very pleased so far. I'll keep posting updates on here as anything develops.

This is good to hear. I will be seeing Dr. Hodge for my first visit on Dec. 15. I just got the appointment today. I'm very anxious. I was disappointed that it will take 10 WEEKS before I can even get it, but I suppose that speaks for their skill. Everyone must want to see them.

I assume from this statement that you are a teacher. I assume you teach college (or at the youngest high school). Were you still in school when you had your surgery? If so, how long did you have to take off from work? If not, how long do you think you would've had to take off? As I've mentioned before, I'm a teacher.

Thanks...after reading lots more (I've been online all night) and talking to my family, I think I am going to go with Watson and Hodge. They seem to have a lot of experience, and I know that I like JCMC. My MIL had two hip replacements there in the past few years, and I am really fond of the place. I live in Rogersville, but I work in Bulls Gap, so either place is equally convenient to me. However, if I go to the JC office and feel put off, I can always make an appt. with the Drs. in Kingsport. Thanks again for all the advice. I'll keep posting updates on this thread anyway.

WOW! Thanks for the information. You've given me a lot to consider.

Deciding to have this surgery is one of the biggest, most life-changing decisions of my life. I am a person who likes to do everything right! Obviously, I want to pick the best surgeon. I need some advice. What questions should I ask? What should I look for? Here is what I've asked and the information I have as of now. Surgery Group A: *Two doctors...one with 1 year experience, one with 5 years experience (no number of operations quoted) *Lady at office helpful but only answered direct questions, didn't volunteer any extra information *Recommended by nurse at PCP's office *No website to speak of *Program fee of $150 for "educational materials" Surgery Group B: *Two doctors each with 6 years experience, over 1000 bariatric surgeries between them *Lady at office helpful and offered extra information about insurance requirements, number of surgeries, etc. *Heard only good things about surgeries, but heard that bedside manner may be lacking (from other LBT posters) *Website, although mostly links to outside information *No program fee...just co-pays for various appointments such as psych, nutritionist, etc. (I'm assuming I'd have to pay these co-pays with either group.) What else should I consider? Does anyone have an opinion of which you would chose?

Okay...I just got off the phone with both offices, Drs. Kappa and Kramer and Drs. Hodge and Watson. I asked questions about how long the surgeons have been doing the gastric banding procedures, requirements for first appointments, and program fees. I am now thinking I might rather see the JC doctors. Dr. Kappa has only been doing this for a year, and Dr. Kramer for five. Both doctors Watson and Hodge have been at this for six years. (The lady I spoke to, Christine, said they have around 1000 bariatric surgeries under their belts including both by-pass and band.) Karen in Kingsport didn't offer to quote any numbers as to how many of these surgeries the doctors in her office have preformed. Also, Karen answered only my direct quesitons, while Christine offered other information. Also, Kingsport charges a program fee for "educational materials." In Johnson City, there is no program fee. All the educational training is provided as part of their services. Overall, the Johnson City office just seemed more accommodating and friendly. Does anyone have any advice? How did y'all pick your surgeon?

Thanks to all. It's neat to know there is another area teacher going through this, too. You know what I mean about it being a hassle to be away from work. I was hoping to have it sooner than Spring Break, but I know that may be totally unrealistic. I did hear from the doctors' office today. They sent me an information packet with "homework" to do before they will schedule the appointment. I am anxious to get all that done and have my consult. I can't wait to see today's mail. (Hubby will be here with it any minute.)

Oh, also, I am interested to know what type of work you do, Lotstolose. I was certainly hoping not to be out of work more than a few days. I'm a teacher, and being off work is a big hassle for me.

I don't have one. Whenever I am on a diet, I weigh at work. I'm a teacher, and there's a scale in the office bathroom. It's the kind where you move the little bars, so I feel that it is pretty acurate. I can't handle having one at home.

Lotstolose, thanks. If I don't hear something from Drs. Kramer or Kappa soon, I may have to send my info. to Drs. Watson and Hodge. Thanks for the insight.