mscarly

I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience. - Shelley Winters

I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience. - Shelley Winters

I have to say, this has been the easiest thing to do. When your mind's made up, when you're committed, when you've visited this tremendous supportive site about a million times in 6 months, you're ready. My surgery is Wed Jun-3. Got a pretty French pedicure today as a treat. Got all my chewable vitamins ready and waiting, C-PAP machine ready to take with me. Nurse and hotel are arranged. All that's left to do is pack my bag and show up. Made a cut and color appt for next Mon, so the hair will look nice when I go back to work on the 10th. My plan is to grow out a great mane of hair in the year+ it takes to lose the weight. Whole new look for a whole new me! :biggrin:

I have to say, this has been the easiest thing to do. When your mind's made up, when you're committed, when you've visited this tremendous supportive site about a million times in 6 months, you're ready. My surgery is Wed Jun-3. Got a pretty French pedicure today as a treat. Got all my chewable vitamins ready and waiting, C-PAP machine ready to take with me. Nurse and hotel are arranged. All that's left to do is pack my bag and show up. Made a cut and color appt for next Mon, so the hair will look nice when I go back to work on the 10th. My plan is to grow out a great mane of hair in the year+ it takes to lose the weight. Whole new look for a whole new me!

What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease. - George Dennison Prentice

What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease. - George Dennison Prentice

Went to my final appt today before surgery. Met with anesthesiologist and surgeon. I asked the surgeon the merits between Lap-Band and Realize. He said, "You're the first person who's ever asked me that." He said they do both. That I should research and decide which one I want. Most of it seems to be about web-based after care. Any thoughts / experience? Surgery is Jun-3.

Went to my final appt today before surgery. Met with anesthesiologist and surgeon. I asked the surgeon the merits between Lap-Band and Realize. He said, "You're the first person who's ever asked me that." He said they do both. That I should research and decide which one I want. Most of it seems to be about web-based after care. Any thoughts / experience? Surgery is Jun-3.:devil:

Thanks for the tip - I'll try them!

The skin on my upper arms isn't very pretty - little pink bumps. Some years ago, when I asked my (rather insensitive) dermatologist, he responded to his medical intern (like I wasn't even sitting there), "We see that a lot in overweight people." I hope as the weight comes off, and with some TLC skin care, I'll have decent upper arms ... even if they'll be a little flabby.

The skin on my upper arms isn't very pretty - little pink bumps. Some years ago, when I asked my (rather insensitive) dermatologist, he responded to his medical intern (like I wasn't even sitting there), "We see that a lot in overweight people." I hope as the weight comes off, and with some TLC skin care, I'll have decent upper arms ... even if they'll be a little flabby.

This morning, after the first 2 full days of my pre-op liquid diet, I'm down 6.6 pounds already. I am very much at peace with this decision. Not eating isn't bothering me in the least. I'm not hungry. It's very easy. Of course, after my cancer scare earlier this week ... liquid diet? No problem!

This morning, after the first 2 full days of my pre-op liquid diet, I'm down 6.6 pounds already. I am very much at peace with this decision. Not eating isn't bothering me in the least. I'm not hungry. It's very easy. Of course, after my cancer scare earlier this week ... liquid diet? No problem!

Last week I had my pre-op testing, which included a chest xray. The results came back that I had a "nodule" in my lung. (What the sam heck is a nodule?!) My doctor said it had to be tested further before she could sign off on my surgery. So, for SEVEN DAYS I've been waiting to get in for a CT scan and get the results back - sweating out a cancer scare, on TOP of all the emotions of this surgery. :smile2: I was out of my mind, worried not only would I not get a "second chance" at life with this surgery, but I'd be facing a serious illness that would have made the last 6 months useless - that I'd be getting chemo instead of fills ... On the eve of starting my pre-op diet, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I got the call from my doctor tonight the tests came back COMPLETELY NEGATIVE - no sign of cancer whatsoever - just an old scar from a childhood respiratory illness. :tt2: I swear, Bandster Hell will be a cake walk after this harrowing experience. Whew!

Last week I had my pre-op testing, which included a chest xray. The results came back that I had a "nodule" in my lung. (What the sam heck is a nodule?!) My doctor said it had to be tested further before she could sign off on my surgery. So, for SEVEN DAYS I've been waiting to get in for a CT scan and get the results back - sweating out a cancer scare, on TOP of all the emotions of this surgery. :cursing: I was out of my mind, worried not only would I not get a "second chance" at life with this surgery, but I'd be facing a serious illness that would have made the last 6 months useless - that I'd be getting chemo instead of fills ... On the eve of starting my pre-op diet, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I got the call from my doctor tonight the tests came back COMPLETELY NEGATIVE - no sign of cancer whatsoever - just an old scar from a childhood respiratory illness. :cool2: I swear, Bandster Hell will be a cake walk after this harrowing experience. Whew!

Excellent post - I'll heed your good advice. Thanks for sharing! - mscarly

I read an article last night on Kirstie Alley in the recent issue of People magazine. I feel sorry for her. She may be rich and famous, but why-oh-why she just doesn't get a lap band and be done with the chronic yo-yo dieting thing is beyond me. :ohmy: Now she's creating her own diet and writing a book about it. It might make her some $$, but it doesn't take a crystal ball to see she'll be right back where she is a couple of years from now ... There is peace in knowing you're moving past "just one more diet" - "just one more book" - "just one more gym membership" and that you're getting a tool that can help you permanently.

I read an article last night on Kirstie Alley in the recent issue of People magazine. I feel sorry for her. She may be rich and famous, but why-oh-why she just doesn't get a lap band and be done with the chronic yo-yo dieting thing is beyond me. Now she's creating her own diet and writing a book about it. It might make her some $$, but it doesn't take a crystal ball to see she'll be right back where she is a couple of years from now ... There is peace in knowing you're moving past "just one more diet" - "just one more book" - "just one more gym membership" and that you're getting a tool that can help you permanently.

Cardiologist at Northwestern knows of Galvani, too - sounds like he has a great reputation in Chicago.

Cardiologist at Northwestern knows of Galvani, too - sounds like he has a great reputation in Chicago.

Congrats, Pete - you must be really happy you made this decision. When you see these silly weight loss commercials on TV, you can see it's almost impossible to lose this kind of weight "the old fashioned way." Good for you - keep posting! - mscarly

My internist strongly advised a couple other things today: 1) GET LOTS OF SLEEP in the next few weeks before band surgery [Jun-3]. It's one of the things that will boost your immune system and stave off getting sick so close to the date. Avoid people as much as you can (trains, etc); and wash your hands a lot / use hand sanitizer. 2) USE YOUR CPAP MACHINE and TAKE IT WITH YOU TO SURGERY OVERNIGHT. I quit using my cpap machine a few weeks ago, thinking tra-la-la it's just a little while before surgery and not having to use the darned thing at all anymore. But she said that's incorrect thinking. I'm staying at a hotel downtown Chicago after outpatient surgery, and engaging the services of a nurse to stay with me overnight. Again, my doctor said to BE SURE TO BRING THE CPAP along, because additional drugs in the body with surgery can really effect your sleep. 3) Check your meds. Some are crushable, some are not. Some have liquid forms, some not. If you have a lot of pain issues like me, you need to plan for your pain management ahead of time. Also, she advised to wean off of Lexapro (antidepressant) before the surgery. I really don't need it that much, just take it as a hormone therapy substitute instead of estrogen - but she looked it up and it's not the greatest thing to be on if you're having surgery. Also, Celebrex isn't that great to be on before surgery, either. Of course, consult your own physician - but these are a few things I learned today that are worth asking questions about. - mscarly

My internist strongly advised a couple other things today: 1) GET LOTS OF SLEEP in the next few weeks before band surgery [Jun-3]. It's one of the things that will boost your immune system and stave off getting sick so close to the date. Avoid people as much as you can (trains, etc); and wash your hands a lot / use hand sanitizer. 2) USE YOUR CPAP MACHINE and TAKE IT WITH YOU TO SURGERY OVERNIGHT. I quit using my cpap machine a few weeks ago, thinking tra-la-la it's just a little while before surgery and not having to use the darned thing at all anymore. But she said that's incorrect thinking. I'm staying at a hotel downtown Chicago after outpatient surgery, and engaging the services of a nurse to stay with me overnight. Again, my doctor said to BE SURE TO BRING THE CPAP along, because additional drugs in the body with surgery can really effect your sleep. 3) Check your meds. Some are crushable, some are not. Some have liquid forms, some not. If you have a lot of pain issues like me, you need to plan for your pain management ahead of time. Also, she advised to wean off of Lexapro (antidepressant) before the surgery. I really don't need it that much, just take it as a hormone therapy substitute instead of estrogen - but she looked it up and it's not the greatest thing to be on if you're having surgery. Also, Celebrex isn't that great to be on before surgery, either. Of course, consult your own physician - but these are a few things I learned today that are worth asking questions about. - mscarly

Great story re skinny relatives. True, nobody can relate if they haven't walked in our "sensible shoes." I love the declaration of war - the visual of chains that keep you down. Well said. Keep your head up! - mscarly

Went for my pre-op testing today with my internist (standard questions and tests such as blood pressure, blood work, EKG, chest xray, etc). She said typically an INTERNIST can give cardiac clearance before surgery; but she looked closely at the order and called to make sure - my surgery center requires a CARDIOLOGIST to give the clearance. This is usually even more the case when you're having ELECTIVE surgery, she commented. They are being very sure to have complete due diligence on you ... Word to the wise - it would be a heck of a note to not have that correct on surgery day. When in doubt - CALL! :ohmy: