Megg40

Thank you both so much. On my ticker shows my goal weight from my surgeon...150. I would be happy at 200-215.

If the scale EVER says 199 or less....I am really going to cry...with happiness. I know many people do it. I am so committed and dedicated.....

This is just going to be wild.....:wink2:

Meg

I am pre band. If all goes well I will be banded on 3-24!!

Twoderville and Onederville seeem like only a dream to me....Especially Onederville. I haven't weighed under 200 since high school...I am 40.

Anyone else feel like its a dream? They say to dream the impossible .....

I know these are realities for many, losing that much weight over time but wow...it blows my mind to even THINK it could happen for me....

Take Care,

Meg

Hi yall....

I am ( hopefully ) a March 10 bandster as well.

I am Meg and I'm 40 in Florida. I have been obese or overweight all my life. I am very excited to be on this journey. I feel very fortunate to be given this chance for a healthier life. I know there is lots of work to be done on my part and I am willing to do it all....

I went to the seminar on 1-4-10. Got all of my medical paperwork into surgeons office and had consult appointment on 2-15-10

I have seen and passed the psych evaluation. I start my pre op OFFICAILLY on 3-10 but have started changing things now. I have lost 9 pounds in the last week. I am required to lose 12, but I have a feeling it will be more than that that I lose:smile2:.

I have my appointment for testing this coming Tuesday 3-2-10 and see my regular doctor 3-8-10 to see if more tests are needed and / or to get clearance for surgery. My surgery date is scheduled for 3-24-10.

I am going to attend all support groups and got a name for a therapist that works with bariatric patients. I will be calling her on Monday to see about working with her. I have met a couple of people online and in person that I talk to often. I read everything I can get my hands on about correct foods and exercise. I am ready to "do this right" and start taking much better care of myself. I have started to do that and I already feel like I have a bit more energy and a better outlook on life. Funny how exercise can REALLY make you feel better.....lol. My concerns right now are the slow drinking. When I walk or exercise at all I am a gulper of Water.

I hope to get to know all of you better and hope you're all doing well.

Take Care,

Meg

Surgeon: Dr. Tiffany Jessee

Hospital: Palms of Passedena

St Petersburg, Florida

Ruthie,

That was a beautifully written letter. I also agree that you need not justify your decision.

The letter is honest and insightful. It was a pleasure to read and resonated with me as well.

Take Care,

Meg

WOW...95 pounds gone before surgery...that is awesome!! Congrats!!:wink2:

When is your surgery date? How long did you "modify"?

Take Care,

Meg

Was wondering if any of you have done a PRE pre op diet??? Started before you were supposed to???

I have been doing this. My pre op doesn't OFFICIALLY start until 3/10 but I started changing my diet and drinking 1 Protein Shake a day. I have also given up soda completely and have been walking more.....I am drinking only Water and today I walked a whole mile....in spurts, but I did it:thumbup:

I am happy to report a loss of 9 pounds already....

Anyone else do or doing this????

Meg

I have been doing a pre pre op diet tha last week or so....Been walking more and watching my fat, caloric and carb content. I also have been having 1 Protein Shake a day. I have already lost 9 pounds!!!!:wink2:

I have also cut out all soda and drinking lots of water....I feel so good. Seems I already have more energy....

Meg

Well, hello everyone. It's almost March and that means the countdown is on....

I have been out of town the last week and so glad to be home. I found out that I passed the psych eval....YAY!!! I have all my pre op tests on Tuesday, March 2nd and see my reg doc on March 8th to get clearance for surgery....Pre op diet starts the 10th and surgery is the 24th. I am thinking of ways to keep myself busy pre and post op to not think about food or eating. I plan to purchase a new cross stitch pattern and thinking of re learning to play piano. Any other suggestions you guys have to stay busy? I plan to take short but frequent walks and drink lots of Water.....I may have a prat time job as well. I got a call and have to set up an interview...its a very low stress low activity job so that may help to keep me occupied....

Hope all of you are well....any suggestions are always welcomed.

Meg

Today was a wonderful day. I met my surgeon for the first time. Walking in the office I immediately felt comfortable, understood and like I was among family. 3 in her office have been banded or bypassed. Everything was explained to me by her staff and I had all of my questions answered. The surgeon herself, made me feel so welcomed and that she genuinely cared. We talked about past attempts, what to expect, what her recommendations are, what her RULES are etc....I could feel some compassion and i did not feel rushed. She made me feel like I was her most important patient of the day. She eased a lot of my fears and anxieties ( for now )...lol...I can reach her or her team anytime by phone or email. My pre op diet is not what I had expected. 2 Protein Shakes and 1 sensible meal a day and she wants me to lose 12 lbs by surgery.

Now I feel like its really "on"....like its going to happen. I can not express how grateful I feel that I have this once in a lifetime opportunity to get my life back. I do feel fortunate. Tomorrow I meet with the psych and nutritionist....I am getting the ball seriously rolling and no matter what, I deserve this!! I want this....regardless of pain or emotions, I want this. I will continue to make every day a learning more day...

Here I come...3/24 is the day. It is my re birthday....

It is a gift and I fully intend to treat it as such.

Take Care All,

Meg

Hi...I am new here so I have not "spoken" to you before.

But WAY TO GO!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!

Meg:thumbup:

Here's another THANKS to all those who have replied. I do feel the "love" of this board....Each one of you is exactly right. I like the comment about this being a disease...its true. Betsy, I will be very kind to myself from here on out....I had a great day!!

Take Care All,

Meg:thumbup:

Oh Jacquie.....

I found out today that my pre op diet will not be so bad....

I will have 2 Protein Shakes a day and 1 sensible meal. I am to lose 12 lbs before surgery. What is a sensible meal??? LOL....

We can do this!! I know yours may be more difficult, but I am right here with you and we will hold each others hands and cry and laugh with each other....I am sure some emotions will come up for me. I'm going to give you my email too....and I have a blackberry so it lets me know every time I have a new email, so I'm always around!!

Take Care,

Meg mgam40@gmail.com

Don't hesitate to email me please......

HECK YEAH to the 24th of MARCH!!!!

I am not even on the pre op diet yet, but wanted to tell you to hang in there and that you and others who have gone before are an inspiration to me.....I am cheering you on.

Take Care,

Meg:thumbup:

Thanks to each and every one of you. I feel so supported here and that I'm not absolutely crazy. You are all right about missing out on life, and I know I am right now. I refuse to miss out any more. I am 40, finally got my head right after a horrible past and now its time for my body to become healthy. It's not like I haven't tried on my own to lose weight. I have a million times and it doesn't work for me....so I need a doctors help. There's nothing wrong with that and I'm not a bad person because of it. Sometimes, a doctor can help us with things that we can't help ourselves with. This is one of those times for me. It's better to get a professional, than to keep going at it alone and the problem just gets worse....

I really am appreciative of all your input. If I can ever be there for yall, just let me know. I will post after I see the surgeon tomorrow.....

Take Care All,

Meg

Hi all...

I am in pre band. I have been feeling so excited and was apprehensive, but the more I have researched, the less anxious I have felt. Tomorrow, I meet with my surgeon for the first time. Today, my mood has been low. My head is really talking to me and it's not my friend today. I have been having thoughts like "I am a failure...I have to take such drastic measures to lose weight. " " I'm such a loser"...."this won't work for me either".....

I know these thoughts are not rational, and they're not how I truely feel. But my head is really attacking me today....

Anybody else have this....??? What did you do??

Thanks,

Meg

Welcome Buddy...

I, too, am still in the approval process. I do have my first appointment with the surgeon on Feb 15th and a prelemenary surgery date of 3/24. Wishing you luck, speed and health....

Take Care,

Meg

Hey Yall...

I am a March 24ther as well.....And on the 10th of March, I will start my pre op diet. I am actually starting to prepare for this now.....drinking lots of Water, reducing calories, and trying so hard to walk a few steps more than I did yesterday....

Meg

Yes!! It's very exciting, but it doesn't seem real yet.

I guess since I see my surgeon Monday, then it will be more real for me.....

Meg

Ok, I probably don't have one. Thank goodness. I never had heartburn a day in my life. The only thing I ever had was one time I had some acid come up when I was sleeping and I'm figuring it was because I drank a big glass of orange juice before bed.

Sorry to all of you that have this. I'm sure heartburn is no fun....

Meg

I have a date!! If everything goes well, ( tests and all )

I have a surgery date of 3/24!!

I am feeling very excited and know that this will be so worth all of the efforts....It will be worth my life!!

Meg

I have seen several posts where patients say their doc fixed a hernia.... How Do you even know if you have one before surgery? Is there any symptoms?

Meg

Hi Jen...Welcome.

I am quite new here as well. I have my first appointment with the surgeon on Monday and I have a preliminary surgery date of 3/24. I am looking forward to getting to know some of the people here and I am actually looking forward to my journey. I'm in it to win it!!

Meg

Hey Larri and Sandi....

You guys are terrific. I am feeling positive about the whole experience. I have been doing lots of research and the more I learn the less anxious I feel. Sandi, I did register at your website...the info or blogs are great!! Larri, I don't know about in Mass, but down here you can get "scholarships" to the YMCA if you have a limited income or are just barely making it financially. Luckily, I have a pool at my apartment complex that is right next door to my building... I believe that was done by my Higher Power. I believe my HP has his hand in this whole thing.

I have noticed in the last few days I have been having more pain. Turns out, I weighed today and I am up even more...I can't believe this. I just keep gaining like there's no tomorrow.

I know its because I can't walk much. I truely love to walk and I love how I feel afterwords. I just can't do it like I used to at all. 6 months ago, I could walk a mile or so. My knees after would burn, but I would just ice them down. Now, I can hardly walk all around my building and when I stand up straight, and don't move, I can't lock my knees so I'm kinda bending forward slightly at the knees. I know I need a knee replacement but my last ortho doc said not until I lose weight. it's a double edged sword. I want to walk, to reduce weight, but I can't because it huts and then I just gain more weight. :biggrin:

I am hoping and praying there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I can kinda see it, it's just not very bright right now....I made a post it note to self to google chair exercises tomorrow. I'm gonna try to learn a few and get a resistance band. Maybe if I can drop 10 lbs I could walk more. I also know the pre op diet will help me lose some weight, hopefully.

Larri, I hope you are feeling better and you can message me anytime, my friend!!:thumbup:

Take Care Yall....

Meg

Hi Larri...

Congrats on your surgery. I will be there soon...what are you doing for exercise? I plan on doing some chair exercises, and walking as best I can in the beginning. Then when I get the ok...I'm off to the pool!!

I lived in Mass for a bit. I lived in Fitchburg. But now, I reside in Florida. I can not tolerate the cold anymore. Here in Florida, the temp is like 65 and that's cold for me.

How has your journey been? What was the whole process like for you? I am trying to get educated as much as possible...I am reading everything I can, and my surgeons office called yesterday. If everything goes well, I will be banded on 3/24. I am very excited and I will keep posting on the process...

Take Care,

Meg

Hi there Sandi....

Thank you for replying to my post. This is exciting and confusing and stressful and emotional and hopefully, in the end, there will be some physical healing. I get scared of having the surgery ( all the changes, emotions, ) and I get scared to not have the surgery ( how will I continue to exist with all this pain ) Yes, I said exist because I am in no way living life right now. I don't know how I would cope without having this surgery. I'm so afraid they will find a reason to not do it....My head the last few days is not my friend. I have lots of screwed up thoughts. But then I remember to just breathe....and I feel less tense and can be more rational about all of this. I am going to attend some support groups in my area this week. I meant to look on my surgeons website to find out when and where they are but I forgot til now...I've been busy doing school work. When you first were banded, how long was it before you felt less pain and could walk a distance? My plan is to use the pool in the beginning. I have a pool in my apartment complex that is less than 100 yards away from my front door I plan to get in it and walk, and maybe learn some other pool exercises. Here in Florida, I should be able to use the pool by late March. I'm really not concerned at this point with the pre-op diet. Although, when I get there, I will probably no like it. I am determined to make the best use of this "tool". I'm am in the fight for my life...I know what is ahead of me if I don't do the right things for myself.

I did visit your website last night and read some of you blog posts. I liked it....Maybe the more I learn in this week, the less anxious I will feel at my first appointment. I hope you are well and having a great day. I would love to hear from you again....

Take Care,

Meg