Elayne

My appointment is at 10:30 on Thursday. I'm an incurable knitter so I rarely mind waiting for my appointments. Jane warned me that there is often a wait. DH will be pacing and taking frequent cigarette and potty breaks - skinny men are like that. I hope we'll meet if your appt. lines up.

Just my own 2 cents - Both my endocrinologist and nutritionist suggested to consider a surgeon who has experience in both LapBand AND Bypass when researching your options. There is a better chance that he will not be biased and will therefore counsel you on the best choice for your own situation.

Hi Tamara, Congrats on your surgery date. I see Dr Bono this Thursday - Sept 4th. I haven't even seen him yet - He was unable to attend the seminar in July but I was impressed with Jane. Sooooo excited. - My knees are acting up again because I was energized by the possibilities of future weight loss and over-did it. I hope my surgery can be scheduled ASAP - Autumn is my best time for positive attitude and "can-do-it" spirit. Get back to us with your surgery experiences soon! ~ ~ ~ ~ Elayne

JoannMarie - I slept sorta well the 2nd time because I wore the CPAP mask and the room was much much cooler. My first experience wasn't as good. My room was too warm and I tossed and turned and with my goofy restless leg syndrome I ended up with just a couple of hours for the techs to map. Luckily they woke me up early - 5 or 6 AM and I was able to go home, shower off the gook and get a long nap in my own bed. People usually sleep ok - but not all. If you are an active sleeper - the wires are a nuisance - you can only spin in one direction. If they discover sleep apnea - they recommend a second study with the CPAP mask. Good luck.

Thanks gals (and guys???) This is a great collection of "solutions" to the craving problems. I'm trying to start now so that there won't be as many habits to break all at once. There's generally a pattern to what we eat and when (in addition to the emotional triggers) Like - a big bowl of cereal with 2% milk at bedtime. Salty crunchies when my husband and I take a long drive (not to mention the standard stop at an ice cream joint) I'll try to envision a very very large and sloppily dressed man gobbling up a huge sub while walking around WalFart (er . . . WalMart). _________________________________________________ I'm noticing a strange flux - especially the rising morning readings - in my glucose numbers. Maybe that will speed up setting the date.

Great Long2bthin; It must be a real treat to actually look forward to a weigh-in at the doc's. I hope there is an accurate scale there (or at least IN-accurate in your favor) ____________________________ It seems that I DO need the mask. I slept very well with it last night despite my squawking. A poor fella in the next room was over 400 pounds and had to have his mask re-fitted and re-adjusted several times. Another woman was soooo afraid of every little thing. _______________________________ Quick question - when your head insists that you absolutely MUST have something sweet - (some of you may have to close your eyes here) - like a chocolate bar or a frozen peanut butter cup - :tongue_smilie: other than locking yourself up in the attic - what's the best way to get past it?

Orea - I love love love your advice and no nonsense responses (Are you a teacher in "real life" by any chance?) I WILL do this test-thingy (again) tonight and consider it one of the many steps I'll have to dance to obtain my goal. and lynnt1215 - I don't remember having sleep issues before my obesity issues. just baby issues. Hopefully this OSA will be another thing of the past for me as well. I leave for the sleep-lab in less than 2 hours - so I'm going to pack my nicest ball of Opal sock yarn with a set of #1's, pomegranate flavored Water, a toothbrush, clean undies and "The Lace Reader" See ya all tomorrow after I shampoo all that gunk out of my hair! Nitey Nite. :Banane37:

It's interesting to hear responses about the "CRAP" mask. Tonite I go for my 2nd sleep study - this one will utilize the CPAP mask. I have OSA and based on my daytime drowsies, fewer dreams and more glances at the slow moving bedside clock - it's definitely getting worse. :crying: My first experience with the sleep lab was in a warm, windowless room with the control room and the technicians several feet from my door. :Banane37: They weren't loud but I knew they were there, the light under my door, the clicking of their keyboards, an occasional quiet conversation or comment. :drum: I toss and turn and spin under normal conditions - sleep in a cool room with the windows open and no curtains drawn. :sleep2: I like moonlight, fresh air, crickets and birds at dawn - :moon: My house is dead quiet. Needless to say - I did not sleep well - yet the few hours or so were enough for sufficient data. Tonight - I guess a repeat of the above? But with the contraption on my head and face (with sensitive skin and night sweats!) - how will I be able to spin and turn? I know this is long - and I realize sleep apnea is very unhealthy (and hopefully will fade with many other obesity related ailments) - but I'd like to hear some feedback from others.

Florida Pete is right; Let me play the "devil's advocate" here. I've been going to a psychologist/therapist since puberty. I have bipolar disease with some lovely childhood trauma thrown in, suicidal tendencies, body dysmorphic disorder, agoraphobia because of humiliation of my weight. Based on this assortment of "stuff" - I am NOT a candidate for bariatric surgery. Reason is that the weight loss is not going to make it all go away and quite probably based on my behavioral history - the potential failure of weight loss will likely put me over just one more edge. However - I'm BLESSED with Diabetes II, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, fatty liver, peripheral neuropathy, arthritic knees and some other delightful gifts from my severe obesity. Based on HEALTH issues first and foremost - I'm a wonderful candidate - now. So I can understand the theory behind weight loss surgery as a treatment for depression is NOT a good recommendation by a good psychiatrist - a focus on the health issues should be the legitimate "arguing point" And further counselling is an important step to achieve both mental and physical health. Good luck- My own psych evaluation is Sept 11.

Hi Suezip - Moving along slowly but surely. PP says OK (I was afraid he wouldn't) I have to go for a 2nd sleep study (apparently my Obstructive SA needs a session with the "CRAP" mask. Can't wait for the consultation appt. Sept 4 (now less than a month away) I can't believe I've been at this nearly 2 months already! Why do you have 5 more months? Is it an insurance requirement? Do you have a date yet?

Maybe you are not sleeping as well through the night. I have sleep apnea (which I didn't know until recently) and I wake up ok but I can take cat naps all day. And maybe your pre-op diet needs to be adjusted for more Protein or maybe an appropriate vitamin/mineral supplement.

I went to an endocrinologist when I was diagnosed with Diabetes (2) - He said NO undiluted fruit drinks (like my all time favorite - Orange Juice) He recommended - just eat the fruit instead. And NO diet anything - he was a big ANTI-artificial sweetener guy And NO prepared foods - just scratch cooking. Like packaged meals, boxed rice blends, bottled salad dressings. Too much salt, sugar, preservatives, fillers, etc. :w00t: Well - that's a nice list, but not always easy or practical to follow. But I DID make better food choices. little by little I changed some of the "bad" habits. Not to mention that my children have moved on and took their Cocoa Puffs and Hot Pockets with them. :cool2: I love the flavored "health" waters - but they do have a lot of calories (2 1/2 servings per bottle - Give me a break - that's like 5 potato chips per serving!) not to mention pricey. Now I use Brita filtered water and add a glug or two of real juice to a sport's bottle. Real yogurt with fresh seasonal fruit "Grow my own" - herbs that is. :thumbup: Rarely go to the Deli (THAT I miss - I grew up on pepperoni and Genoa Salami and provolone) Little changes - before the big day :thumbup:

long2bthin - hmmm . . . how much does a gall bladder weigh? :thumbup: But seriously - hope you feel better soon

The Good - :biggrin2: Despite my consternation and rehearsed speech - My doctor said Yes, Yes, yes I thought I would go into cardiac arrest - my BP soared after his nurse said that ODs generally are against such intervention as Gastric Surgery. He was pleased with my decision and promised to communicate with my surgeon at the proper time The Bad - My sleep study showed that I have definitely have sleep apnea (that's no surprise - just add it to my ever-lengthening co-morbidity list) and aforementioned doc insists that I go back for the "CRAP" mask (who called it that?) The NotSoUglyAnymore - Dr. McMacho has been re-christened - Dr. McNiceguy

I assume that the nutritionist-pre-op part of the process will go into depth with this chewing business. A pencil-width? Hmmm I guess I have to envision a funnel overflowing. Thanks everyone. I'm going to scrub out my juicer and play with my smoothie maker. strawberry margaritas and pina coladas before it's too late :thumbup: GP appointment tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it. Dr. McMacho hasn't been in favor of this surgery in the past. Hopefully - he'll listen to my well-prepared speech and reconsider. (and review my latest glucose readings!) :wink_smile:

orea15 - that long - 5 minutes? I'm in deep doo-doo. :wink_smile: And applesauce consistency sounds just yucky. I see many bowls of soup in my future. Pour an ounce eat it and leave the room go back and repeat.

How many chews does it take to screw in a light bulb? :thumbup: More importantly - How many chews before you swallow? DH seems to have food in his mouth for a full sitcom before he finally swallows. :glare: I'm on to the next bite before the first even hits the tongue. I know this is potential trouble so we practiced on grapes on our canoe trip Monday. (I know - too much thinking again) :cool2: I counted max of four chews before my grape went down the chute. He was still grinding away. :wink_smile: Am I going to be in trouble? Should I take lessons from him? :tongue:

Just "waxing philosophically" this morning. :drool: about SAGGIES - I can live with them! - definitely better than bulgies. Finding a waistline under all that unhealthy abdominal fat is two-fold pleasure - both external and internal. about FOOD - Just my own observation but a pet-peeve after countless diets! Why oh why must 99% of the discussion be about food? I/we obsess about it enough without having to have our consciousness directed back to it continuously. We're grownups - we've read the books, followed the guidelines, educated ourselves ad nauseum - most of us know what good food is and what we're supposed to eat for health and nutrition! :ohmy: How about focusing some of our new-found mental and emotional energy toward other things - creative, social, humanitarian, educational - whatever . . . Speaking for myself - I eat less when I think less about food. My inner-dinner bell rings often and loudly enough. Just my early morning ramblings on a pre-breakfast empty stomach and a post-sleep active mind. :cry_smile:

This is premature as I don't even have a surgery date set yet - but I'm so gosh-darn optimistic about this band thing and want to put my nervous energy to good use. :cool2: About the saggy baggy skin thing - Bellies, arms, thighs, etc. What is your experience with this - Can it be prevented - before and after surgery exercises? Have many of you opted for plastic surgery? My BMI is below 40 and I don't anticipate too much saggy baggy - Heck - I've had 3 full term pregnancies before this weight gain and it never bothered me greatly. To have waistline again and be able to tie a robe around the girth and not have my tummy enter the room 1 second before the rest of me will be in itself a dream-come-true. :thumbup: And to wear sleeveless tops would be nice if the upper arm flippy floppies aren't too bad. Are there any ongoing exercises to keep this at a minimum? Any feedback from anyone? :confused2:

(I don't know how I ended up in the men's room - but I hear it moves faster than the women's room) dwrd73 - I'm also in PA, with 1st Priority HMO (BC BS - part deux) Low BMI - 36ish Diabetes type 2 (I guess this is the "Good News") I see you sped thru the process in record time! (see - I told you the men's room moves faster) What's the secret? I called the 1st priority - they said go ahead Chose a Dr. mid July went to the Seminar Consult is September 4. So that's a little over 1 month so far. Psych eval is soon after that - I have his blessing already Endo said yes - albeit unofficially Weight management BC BS said - please DO Had sleep study early this year for other reasons - yay! I have apnea Blood work is constant GP is problematic - but this is where the diabetes is a good thing. What sped your Quest??

Right click it - Select "Open Link" That should open the page where you can update your weight

Hi chicalynn - After staring at my silent phone for 2 1/2 days, waiting for the promised call from the surgeon's office, it rang at 4:50 on Friday afternoon as I was ready to head out the door (without a cell-phone) Sept 4 - the REAL business starts. I have a speech ready for Dr. Macho. He can't argue rising glucose numbers! Another wonderful benefit of this Quest is the pro-active self respect we can learn and incorporate along the way. As for the psych appointment - (I see a psychiatrist/therapist regularly) I suggest that you acknowledge the body-image-appearance factor BUT - more importantly - make a clear statement about how your major concern is for your health and quality of life for your future. They want to make sure that you are not deluding yourself about the "happily ever after" a slimmer body will bring. Assure them that HEALTH is the first priority of your decision.

I had my first yoga class yesterday (after 3 decades) I thought no-impact would be good for my 2 arthritic knees. Nope - Lotsa kneeling and bending and now my knees are quite sore (not muscle sore - inner-stuff sore) Very discouraging (followed by drive-thru-chocolate-milkshake-large-'my bad) Doubts and thoughts about my body-image / 0 self-esteem - blah - blah - blah My BMI is "only" 36-37 and even with diabetes II - will I still be dis-qualified? :tt2: If my husband is thrilled, supportive and talkative finally (after more than a decade) - where was he all along when his involvement would have meant the world to me. (too much - too late?) Crapola thoughts are edging out my excitement and 99.9% pro-active desire to get my life back. :confused2: then - just before 5:00 pm on Friday afternoon I get the call (that didn't come when promised on Wednesday) :cool2: Yay - I got my Consult date for September 4 - I'm returning to 99.8% surety, Does anyone else get flooded by doubts and self-defeating attitudes> Is this something I have to battle along the way? How do you fend off this negativity? :wink2: