BlaqBeary

downey/bellflower

Hey Christie .... I'm Kristie too. You are beautiful. Keep up the good work. The hair color is HOT!!!!!!! Have fun with it. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Just think your next 3 month mark could be that you met goal. How exciting is that? Where did you get the graphic name?

gyrlie you look awesome. 3 1/2 months. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm hoping for surgery in early November. you are such an inspiration. do you have your pics on your fridge? I would. CONGRATS to you.

Gyrlllllllll!!!!!! Cracking up ova here. We can't cry no more. Laughter and happy tears is what we're all about now. Best wishes to you.

PCP today to the doctor that is over the Options departments. He is accepting new patients. I did this because I will feel comfortable with a doctor who knows the changes I will endure for the rest of my life. He may even not be around for that long, but at least I can be at ease knowing there is a doctor who will understand what I've gone through and stay on track. Am I wrong for changing? My current physician is very dry natured (sp) and seems that she cares, but I can never tell.

How did pre-op go? What are your instructions?

Whomever is going to Pacific Bariatric check with the Case Manager where you are attending classes. I'll be glad to fax to you to show them what it is. Up to 130 for gas & up to 100 a night for a hotel room. Also if your companion goes seperately, i.e. has to leave later than you or meet you there the day of your surgery they are also refunded for up to 130 for gas. I for one am not using the refund service. It's good but, my father lives in Chula Vista, 15 minutes from the hospital and we are always up there at least 3-4 times a month.

Thank you. Good luck to you on your appt. tmrw. You obviously have waited a very long time. Your new life and a new you are just beginning.

I have 2 more Mondays after the Holiday next week. I am well on to another stepping stone of my life. It's excitement flowing through me, with a lil bit of nervousness. I learned last night from the Case Manager, that Pacific Bariatric is on time with a waiting period of 4-6 weeks; if all your labs, EKG and ultrasounds are in-tact. But first, it is very important that you go to the seminar for PB, because they will not take you until you do. The next class is September 16. Be sure to lost at least 7-8% of your weight. If you use a C-pap machine, you must use it every single night before surgery or risk going into cardiac arrest. If you smoke, STOP, STOP - your will be given a nicotine test. Quit smoking 6-8 weeks before surgery. Kaiser Harbor City has a waiting list of 200 people and are not taking patients for another list nor is West LA.

Well Ladies and Gents --- Down 2 more lbs. One Holiday to get through and 2 more classes and I'm done with Options. Last nights class was very informative. I will send info on that later. One important thing I will mentioned is Kaiser reimburses for the gas to Pacific Bariatric, hotel stay-up to 130 bucks and gas for the post-op visit to Anaheim. The Nurse Case Manager stated this is something new. I'm not if we are the first group to use it or what. But I thought it to be a good thing if this is your decision. The duration of receiving your refund is about 60 days.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Checking in since now I am alone. Hubby is gone to watch the Cowboys pre-season game with his relatives and daughter is gone to work til 3AM. And I'm washing, cleaning and whatever leisure something I decide to do. Nonetheless, I had my EKG done yesterday. I rcvd a original copy of that to send to Pacific Bariatric. I have to do my last blood work on Monday. Also rcvd a call to have a ultrasound of my kidneys and liver; gallbladder removed last year. I believe my PCP ordered this and not the Options department. I say whatever, better to know something if there is anything else, right? I want to say to those that are in the Options program. I have been doing all the phone work and getting my own questions answered. I thought Options will have you referred to have all the test done. But No, No they do not. I learned that all you have to for the EKG is walk-in to where you see your PCP and say you need a EKG for the Bariatric Options program. Be sure to do your labs. Just go to the lab and have your blood drawn. Please do not wait for Kaiser to give you information. You will wait, wait, and wait. My psych, surgeon and internist will be scheduled for me because I am deciding to have the procedure in San Diego. By all means please find out and contact who your Registered Nurse Case Manager is for Options to find out what is next. I send emails to mine and she answers the same day if she is not busy. She will call me also. So if you are cloae to the 10 week mark, get those last labs in, EKG done and if you need a gallbladder ultrasound be sure to have your PCP send the referral. Any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to ask. Krys

Did you go? How did it go? What did you think?

equal opportunity

Hi Mr. Mason Thanx for the response. I think the "anticipation" and eagerness to lose SOME weight is stressing me; especially this week. Besides reading and working my Options book, I also research the internet to find all info I can in preparation for this surgery; also post-paration (if this is a word, lol) .... Emotionally I am ready, but the mental part of me is the pre-surgery weight. I exercise (walk) daily. It is part of my day. Three 30 minute walks with three other co-workers is a ritual daily. Zumba class 2 nights a week. I moving but the scale is not. Now I will continue to work hard and go harder with all my might. Feet can't fail me and God will not either. Faith is all I have.

I have until Sept. 20th to finish my Options class. I have weighed in up and down, and technically have only lost 2 pounds since June 21st. I am thinking of going straight liquids with 3 Optifast with 24g of Protein and have 2-22 grams of protein for the day until the end of class. I want so desperately to lose something and with this program I have in mind, I know I can. I have been on the Optifast program with Kaiser before and know what it entails. Soooo, on September 1, I will be going "Cold-Turkey".

I have until Sept. 20th to finish my Options class. I have weighed in up and down, and technically have only lost 2 pounds since June 21st. I am thinking of going straight liquids with 3 Optifast with 24g of Protein and have 2-22 grams of protein for the day until the end of class. I want so desperately to lose something and with this program I have in mind, I know I can. I have been on the Optifast program with Kaiser before and know what it entails. Soooo, on September 1, I will be going "Cold-Turkey".

Yes Yes ....

Sharing with you all part of the msg. I rcvd from my nurse case manager for Options. It may be helpful to others. RE: Edema Received: 08/24/2010 9:45 AM Hi K At the same token, I know how discouraging it is to have edema setting you back each time. Do remember that physicians do not just take a look at the over-all weight loss; they check on you over-all, they look at the whole story. They will know what medications you are taking, what the effects of it are, what other conditions you are having, your support system, how ready you are for a life-changing surgery, etc. Please call me anytime you need to talk. Your facilitator is also there to support you. -

Thank you. A good friend of mine since childhood, had the sleeve procedure exactly a year ago. She began at 433 and is now 278. she is about 5'9. She still has 100 to lose. I think she looks awesome. She has had fainting spells because she has gotten dehydrated. But overall she has been very helpful. And to add to your post, she said she gained a few pounds before surgery after waiting 6 months to have the surgery; as well as other members from her class.

It's good to know others have or are going through the same ailment. I have three weeks and have nothing about happy thoughts. Edema or not, 10% lost or not, I'm gonna win.

I forgot to mention I lost 5 pounds this past week. I actually began at 313 and have been up and down because of the edema. Currently I am at 311 and that's okay. All previous weekly logs I turn in, shows the changes in weight.

Sweet and very uplifting, Thank you so much. I am sticking with it, I decided that I can no longer fight this edema without the help of a tool that can change my life. I have to do this and I can. I went to last nights class very apprehensive and even spoke with the instructor before class. I think her hug did it for me:001_smile:. She says everything is being accounted for and not to worry.....I will have surgery. My main concern is not being able to lose and going through Pacific Bariatric one day consultation and I am denied and must lose the weight before surgery. Soooo, if I want it that bad, guess what I will fight all the way to the end. Again thank you for your encouragement.

Hello I am feeling so down at this moment. This past week have not been a good one. Here in So. Cal it has been hot and my edema flared so much that my legs and feet swelled enormously. Tomorrow I attend my weekly Options 9th (3 more to go) week class with Kaiser. But I am seriously making a decision to stop. I hate feeling that I need to give up something. Especially when this procedure is so important to me. The thing is my weight fluctuates with this edema. I am losing 8-9lbs and then I gain 12. This is happening every week I stand on the scale. Now I do feel light and i can tell how my clothes fit, especially my shirts. I need help.

I tell all who will listen. The hardest was thinking how to discuss with Mom. When I did (twice) she totally understands. It's nothing like having your parents approval no matter how old you are. While she has never had a weight issue, she says to me, "I know who have tried losing and suffered long enough, I just want you to be okay". I explained everything i could to her, and answered some questions she had. I know she worries about me in general, but I assured her everything will be good. For you, think about what you will say to your mother. But know that you MUST do this for yourself and NO ONE ELSE. I'm 43 and want to be here for least another 30. Relax and let your mother know. This surgery is major. People are different and funny. SHE IS YOUR MOM. Maybe print out some materials from the internet, a lil synopsis about the procedure and maybe show her a picture of someone who has had the surgery to show the end result. Good luck to you. you will do find letting her know.

Biggest Loser Protein - 2GoPaks