LittleBird

I was aprehensive about having surgery in Mexico at first - actually it was more like "No way!" but once I found this group and heard all the wonderful success stories, I felt much better and decided it would be worth it - as self pay it was the only way I was going to be able to afford it! I think aftercare is very important and having that arranged before hand should be a priority. I'm in WA so I can't help you with any Dr. Names, but good luck to you!!

The Dr. I've been seeing for 3 years couldn't figure out that my high blood pressure readings are something that should be treated - I've seen her over 4 times in the last 6 months - 3 of those times her nurse said "oh, your BP is high" and the DR. never said word one about it. I go see this new PCP to make sure I'm ready for surgery - and the first thing she says is "you need to treat this high BP" and gave me a prescription. Jeeze. I'm really going to write a letter about my Dr. send it to her and to her "boss". So I'm on a "water pill" - I don't like the feeling it gives me this morning....Yuk. But I'm glad she picked up on this before surgery. I walked 1.25 miles in just 24 mins last night. Even did a SMALL like 1 min burst of JOGGING. I thought "It won't be long and this won't kill me!!" The other GREAT news is I'm down to 240 - for a total loss so far of 15lbs pre-op! All in all, with the great news I got yesterday, my new weight loss, knowing my BP won't be an issue cause I'm getting it treated...today is off to a good start! Still 100% smoke free. This is day 3 with no cheating.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that...I just found a new PCP myself - my journal entry is "My Dr. is an idiot..." I guess a lot of us have seen changes recently...

Have you ever tried Melatonin? It's a natural supliment - My 10 year old son takes it to help him get deeper sleep (night terrors) and I use it on those nights I know I'm not going to get good sleep. I'm not a Dr. but its what our brain produces naturally so I feel comfortable using it - non-addictive and very subtle at .75 mg. You might ask your dr. I don't know your history, but just trying to be helpful.

I just got the call from the Nutitionist at my Dr. office. She asked me my current weight and starting weight. Since I've already lost 9 lbs she said I don't have to do the liquid diet for 7 days. She said just stick to a low calorie (1000 cals) diet and drop a few more pounds that way! :clap2: That was great news for me as that was a daunting prospect for me - being only on liquids pre-band for 7 days! WHOOHOOO!!!! She suggested a low fat breakfast like Special K and low fat milk, a shake at lunch and 250 cals for dinner. Hot damn. I'm thrilled. Then she warned me - some people lie about their start weight and have problems. Not a big deal for me since I know I'm not making it up - I just thought it was interesting that someone might lie about it....

It is to shrink the liver but its more about the amount lost is what I gathered...Like as long as you lose, your liver shrinks.

I just got the call from the Nutitionist at my Dr. office. She asked me my current weight and starting weight. Since I've already lost 9 lbs she said I don't have to do the liquid diet for 7 days. She said just stick to a low calorie (1000 cals) diet and drop a few more pounds that way! :clap2: That was great news for me as that was a daunting prospect for me - being only on liquids pre-band for 7 days! WHOOHOOO!!!! She suggested a low fat breakfast like Special K and low fat milk, a shake at lunch and 250 cals for dinner. Hot damn. I'm thrilled. Then she warned me - some people lie about their start weight and have problems. Not a big deal for me since I know I'm not making it up - I just thought it was interesting that someone might lie about it.... I lost those 9 by following the "induction" phase of Atkins - limiting myself to 20 grams of carbs and only eating the allowed foods. Check out the Atkins website for more on that.

I just got the call from the Nutitionist at my Dr. office. She asked me my current weight and starting weight. Since I've already lost 9 lbs she said I don't have to do the liquid diet for 7 days. She said just stick to a low calorie (1000 cals) diet and drop a few more pounds that way! :clap2: That was great news for me as that was a daunting prospect for me - being only on liquids pre-band for 7 days! WHOOHOOO!!!! She suggested a low fat breakfast like Special K and low fat milk, a shake at lunch and 250 cals for dinner. Hot damn. I'm thrilled. Then she warned me - some people lie about their start weight and have problems. Not a big deal for me since I know I'm not making it up - I just thought it was interesting that someone might lie about it....

I wrote my LapBand related goals down last night. 1. Quit smoking permanantly. Start date 8/3 2. Goal weight of 240 by 8/16 for surgery. :clap2: Reached 240 8/4/2006 3. Maintain 8-10 lbs weight loss per month after surgery until goal weight is reached. 4. Consume proper balance of protien, fat, carbs and calories as recomended by nutritionist 5. Jan 1, 2007 goal weight 200 lbs 6. Perform cardio workout 30 mins every other day. 7. Learn weight training skills by Sept. 2006 8. Get weights for training by October 1, 2006 and begin weight training at least 2 times per week 20-30 mins. 9. Reach 150 lbs by August 2007 by maintaining discipline with excercise and healthy eating. 10. Compliment at least 3 people every day!

It's Aloha days at work and I'm wearing my hubbys Hawaiian shirt - I look like shit. I got rid of my Hawaiin stuff - I told the people at work its becuase of a month of "Hawaiian" days last year and I didn't want to see another Hawaiian shirt, but the truth is I got rid of them because I got too FAT to wear them again. Next year I'll be a Hawaiian hotty! That's my hope anyway!! Anyway, I walked 1.25 miles at 3-3.5 MPH average last night. With warm up and cool down was 29 mins. I weighed today and while my scale is still screwy, I figure I'll go with a conservative 246 right now. I'm thrilled and seeing a difference in my face - my cheeks especially. I guess this crash diet thing is worth it - at least I know I don't have to keep up this pace on my own. I know with the band I won't feel like I'm starving all the time!

When I added my photos in my Journal I uploaded them to a photo site and then used that URL...Is there another way? I use Snapfish.com to upload my photos (great service by the way). I upload my photos and then view them. When I get to the photo I want to post in my journal I right click on the image for the "properties". In that box you'll see a VERY long URL. I copy and paste it into my journal. Does anyone else have another way? I've found this the easiest...

Quit smoking and go on a crash diet - I wonder if this isn't some cruel joke! I was shocked when I read I would have to quit 2 weeks before. I've had other surgeries and they've only told me not to smoke the day before or the day of.... Today is my first day 100% smoke free - with the patch. I tried quitting day before yesterday, but I cheated and did have 2 and yesterday had one. I always FEEL better when I don't smoke - the habit is such a contradiction. Smoke and feel like shit, but no tension. Don't smoke and be tense and bitchy....I just keep reminding myself I HAVE to stay smoke free. Today its working! Yay me! Everyone else facing the same thing, keep up the good work!!!!!

So I wonder if it comes off the same way it goes on...the weight that is. If thats true, my a@@ will be the last place to lose!

So, on the advice of a local RN who's been banded I called my PCP. (primary care physician) She was on vacation, but I left a message that told her I was having weight loss surgery and wondered if she had any preventative work ups she thought might be a good idea before heading over to have the surgery. She didn't call me back. That pissed me off first. I called the office and the receptionist "read to me" what the dr. had to say. "I won't do any blood work for you. Get the surgery in the USA." That was it. What a bitch. She could have called me at least to discuss things! Seriously, I'm angry. And this is my Dr????

I found a new "LapBand" friendly PCP. Whoohoo. And she's local.

Glad I could help! :confused:

My last marriage was riddled with infedelity...on his part and mine. We talk about it now and both of us have learned the lesson. I read somewhere that if you cheat something is either pushing you or pulling you. For me I just didn't know how to say "NO" and I always got myself into situations where someone was asking me to cross the line....In the 10 years we were married I don't think there was more than 2 years we were faithful to each other. It started as fun - talking, fantasizing together and then went over the line. I kept it hidden and I knew he was unfaithful. When I decided on a divorce, I came clean. It was a relief to get everything out in the open, but there would never be trust again between us. I would never go there again. It's too painful and lying takes a lot of work! I even wrote an e-book about it! www.cheaters101.com (I hope that's ok to post)

My DH and I were going to see it but he was afriad it was a chick flick - will guys like it too?

I worry about that - since I made this decision I'm talking about it alot and I am afriad DH is sick of it...so far he hasn't said anything, but I can't help it. I'm planning, dieting, quitting smokeing, excercising - really taking care of ME and I am excited, so I talk, and talk, and talk....He says if it weren't for me, we would never talk! Reminds me of that song "I wanna talk about Me" by Toby Keith... ...We talk about your skin and the dimples on your chin. The polish on your toes and the run in your hose, and God knows we're gonna talk about your clothes...

What's the overall divorce rate? It's probabley not far from 80% for the entire population! I'm sure its over 50%. Besides, its not like the WLS surgery causes divorce. I imagine it has more to do with people making change, becoming more sure of themselves and perhaps recognizing bad pattens, habits, etc and feeling stronger about making positive changes. Let's face it, Divorce isn't always a bad thing!

I'm coming into the middle of the conversation, but I can say that I specifically asked my husband (we've only been married since Dec.) if he prefered larger women. I was worried that my size was what attracted him *that and my dazzling personality!!*. I confirmed that that's not his gig - he likes small women too. I was releived!! I dated a guy once who actually like his women beefy and wouldn't want a skinny one!

It's Aloha days at work and I'm wearing my hubbys Hawaiian shirt - I look like shit. I got rid of my Hawaiin stuff - I told the people at work its becuase of a month of "Hawaiian" days last year and I didn't want to see another Hawaiian shirt, but the truth is I got rid of them because I got too FAT to wear them again. Next year I'll be a Hawaiian hotty! That's my hope anyway!! Anyway, I walked 1.25 miles at 3-3.5 MPH average last night. With warm up and cool down was 29 mins. I weighed today and while my scale is still screwy, I figure I'll go with a conservative 246 right now. I'm thrilled and seeing a difference in my face - my cheeks especially. I guess this crash diet thing is worth it - at least I know I don't have to keep up this pace on my own. I know with the band I won't feel like I'm starving all the time!

It's a hard decision no matter what. But you should ask yourself what it is you are REALLY afriad of. Make a list of what you imagine to be holding you back, your fears about the surgery and the changes it will bring and make a list of what positive changes you would look forward to. For me, I just know sometimes I have this scary, broad fear, without knowing what it really is about....Once you know what it is you can deal with it.

So, on the advice of a local RN who's been banded I called my PCP. (primary care physician) She was on vacation, but I left a message that told her I was having weight loss surgery and wondered if she had any preventative work ups she thought might be a good idea before heading over to have the surgery. She didn't call me back. That pissed me off first. I called the office and the receptionist "read to me" what the dr. had to say. "I won't do any blood work for you. Get the surgery in the USA." That was it. What a bitch. She could have called me at least to discuss things! Seriously, I'm angry. And this is my Dr????

thank you for sharing your emotional state after surgery. It sounds fantastic. I can't wait to join you!