incolorado

Good luck to you, I hope you get approved soon. I am in the same boat, high cholesterol, high bp, plantar fasciitis, family history of diabetes and heart disease. About a year ago I had a BMI in the 30s (with all the same issues), but managed to "diet" my way up to BMI 40. I am paying for surgery since my insurance does not cover WLS at all. I still fit in size 16/18s, which I guess some people consider "not that big", but my health issues demonstrate that it is WAY too big for me. I live in the land of the ultra-fit, with every single one of my friends quite thin and in very good shape. Honestly, the only fat people you see in our town are tourists! So although I have less to lose than some, I am painfully aware of that weight every waking moment. I too have been dieting since I was 12, and although I could lose, I could never keep it off. This has gotten more and more difficult now that I have hit the 40s. I am still planning my strategy for keeping what I consider a private medical concern private. I have told my DH, kids, and mom. That is it.

Thanks for the encouragement! I know I can do it. Hearing that other people lived through it does help!

Wow, clear liquids only? For 2 weeks? I understand liquids including Protein shakes, creamy soups, but clear liquids are like virtually no calories! broth has like 50 calories a cup right? The rest is all sugar free, zero calorie stuff. I just read the dr's instructions again and it even said "do not strain soups, only clear broth". So much for straining the wonton soup or cup of noodles - that sounded good! Thanks for the encouragement and advice to drink constantly!

I am not even supposed to have decaf coffee on the clear liquid. Only decaf tea, no coffee at all. No Protein drinks, no cream soups either.

I first looked into the band about a year ago, ordered the lapband info kit, but thought "nah, I'm really not big enough for that." HA! Proceeded to gain 30 more pounds, try and fail WW another 10 times, Atkins another 2 times, Fat Flush once, and various other things in between. I was looking for the next diet -- thinking okay maybe Jenny Craig? I never did that one -- when it hit me: NO MORE DIETING! That very night I told my husband I wanted the surgery, he totally agreed and supported me. Within a week I made my appointment with a surgeon for the following week. At that appointment (just last week) I was scheduled for surgery 3 weeks later. So, for me, it will be almost exactly one month from first call to surgery. At this point, I am just wishing I had taken these steps earlier and not wasted this past year with useless, time consuming, and expensive dieting, which only served to add another 30 pounds. I have been dieting nearly 30 years of my life, non stop! I cannot wait to get off the yo-yo roller coaster!

oops, see below...

Thanks, I was thinking any kind of Protein would help. Like those Special K Protein drinks. I will have to see if this is allowed.

OMG you did 3 weeks of this!?! ONLY Clear Liquids? That is like 300 calories a day or something! Wow. Good for you!

Awesome! You look amazing. Thanks so much for sharing, so inspiring to those of us just beginning.

I only have to do 3 days - but it is severe, just crystal light, broth, sf popcicles & Jello. What did you do to survive? Any tips? Thanks!

Same question here - but we have 6.5 hours to drive home! DH wants to leave the day after surgery so that he can get back to work (surgery is scheduled for a Tuesday). Is this realistic? We are staying at a hotel.

I have a 3 day clear liquid diet. Seems like having a protein shake thrown in there would make it much easier, but I am sure I will manage. :thumbup:

I am having my surgery done by Dr. Brown in Denver, he and Dr. Metz at the same practice charge $9900. The surgery is performed at St. Luke's/Presbyterian hospital, with all the resources of a major hospital available. Dr.Kirshenbaum, also in Denver, is about the same. I did get some prices from Mexican surgeons, the cheapest was Aceves for $6300. Dr. Rumbaut was $7900, Dr. Ortiz $7300. I had the same concerns about aftercare, and it is much easier for me to get to Denver. Realizing now how often I will be going in for fills/checkups, I am really glad I am going to a U.S. doc. That said, I would consider Mexico for plastic surgery -- no need to go in monthly for fills!:thumbup:

Hello, I am thrilled to have a September 1 surgery date! So close! I only have to do a 3 day clear liquid diet ("only", ha ), and until then I appear to be in "last supper" mode, eating all the stuff I am afraid I will miss. I am not too worried about it since I have just 3 weeks till surgery and I know I will lose on the liquid diet (last time I did one of those, with some food, I lost 11 lbs in 3 days). Good luck to you all, and I look forward to hearing all of your stories.

I was instructed to do clear liquids only (broth, crystal light, sf popcicles, sf jello) for three days prior to surgery. I have never fasted, so this will be interesting....

I have my surgery date! Sept. 1 with CBSI - Dr. Brown. I really liked everyone in their office. So excited!

He was very much like a psychologist. We went over many, many things, including possible stressors in my life, what I think my eating issues are, whether I had any trauma in my past, who will serve as my support system, and how to handle telling certain people and not others about the surgery. He talked about handling social situations with the band, and issues that come up in families. He talked about "addiction transfer," where someone who no longer overeats turns to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc. addictions, and how to watch out for that behavior. He gave me a list of recommended reading, including books on general well being. And he was just a really good listener and gave me great ideas and feedback. I can see how meeting with him in the future would be really helpful. Okay, I just read what I wrote and I am going to edit this to say he was better than the one psychologist I had way back when. (Many psychologists don't talk, they just sit there and let you talk). This guy at Dr. Brown's had a real kindness, compassion, and obvious desire to help. It was not just about assessing whether I was psychologically suited to the surgery (that was part of it), but also an effort to help, and let me know that he would be there to help in the future as I progress with the band. I really, really appreciated that meeting.

Awesome!!!! Way to work the band! The Dr told me yesterday he thought I could lose 80 lbs! Which is more like 95% of my excess weight.

Just an idea - I know many love Dr. K here, he sounds great, but Drs. Brown and Metz in Denver also charge $9900 and they were able to schedule me VERY quickly (3 weeks from first appointment, 4 weeks from first phone inquiry - I skipped the seminar). I was impressed with their office staff - they have you meet with a social worker to chat about various issues and I found that helpful. They totally stress the importance of follow up visits with the nutritionist, social worker, and support groups. Good luck!

Another Colorado newbie here...I have my pre-op consult tomorrow with Dr. Brown in Denver. Looking forward to getting to know you all! :tongue2:

Following up on the thread below, I am just wondering how much surgeons in Mexico charge? I am self pay and probably will go with a Dr. in Denver (Drs. Brown and Metz charge only $9900 for self-pay), but curious if it is really that much cheaper in Mexico?

Thank you, more helpful insights! I understand that losing 100% of excess weight does not happen for everyone. Still, amazing!

Thank you. I think I am starting to understand what you all are saying about this surgery being a "tool." And I am hopeful because I do think a big part of my problem is constant hunger. With that removed, I really hope I will finally find success. I did have a small glimpse of what life could be like as a "not always hungry person" when I started taking Wellbutrin for depression. It really helped reduce my appetite, and I found it much easier to stick to a diet. Sadly, that effect wore off after 6 months or so......And my hunger returned with a vengeance. I also am in a good place (mentally and literally) for exercise - I currently run/walk several times a week, and one of my big motivators in getting the surgery is the desire to go back to running like I used to. It is a life-long love of mine, and not being able to run without stopping constantly just makes me sad. I live in a place where EVERYONE is extremely active and in good shape (including my husband and ALL of my friends). I want so much to be like that again. So, I am hopeful. Congrats to all of you, and thanks again.

I have my first appt with the surgeon this Friday, and will be doing all the psych and nutrition consults on the same day. I was told my surgery could be scheduled as soon as Sept 17! Next month! I am paying myself since my insurance has a blanket exclusion for WLS. Thanks again, it truly sounds like the band has been miraculous for you and so many others.

Restless, Thanks so much for the very helpful reply. Your way of eating makes a lot of sense and seems very reasonable and do-able. I am so excited!