Hi

My name is Ellen and I live in Mt. Vernon. I have not had the sergery yeat still talking to Dr's and getting Info. Jest wandering if there is any one close by. I have lots of questions. I have a consoltaion visit with my Fanily dr on friday and am not shure what to ask.

Thanks

Ellen

:cheeky :cheeky :cheeky :cheeky

P.S. sarry about the spelling

My post op was Friday and besides having to wait in the waiting area for an hour and 20 minutes started out fairly uneventful. My incisions are completely healed and I am doing great. The doctor was very pleased with my progress and gave me some advice about continuing on... The Prilosec they gave me was to take every day for the next few months. I had no idea. I thought it was an as needed type thing. There really should have some better communication about that! But oh well, I am on the right track now. Also, the hospital preop nutrition/surgery preparation class said to hold off on exercise (besides walking) for 4-6 wks and the doctor was surprised that I wasn't in the gym 4-6 times a wk already! I was confused because I am only 2 1/2 wks out but I will be going back next week (that is my choice. Just too much going on this week!)

The part that freaked me out was that the pathology report came back abnormal on my liver. During the surgery, the doctor had found some usual tissue on my liver and sent it in for biopsy. IT'S BENIGN - but I do have a condition called Scarcoidosis. Basically it means that my liver is covered in little fibromas and I could possibly have it on another organ too. It can go away on its own, but some people require steroidal treatment (prednisone). I was so taken aback... I kept it together in the doctor's office but when I got to my car I burst into tears. I felt ridiculous because it could be something horrible (which it isn't) but still... who wants to hear that they have crap on their liver??? Anyway, I have to go see a specialist after the holidays to see if they want to do further testing or if we are just going to wait and see if it clears itself up.

I am so grateful that I did the band. For the weight loss, for the fact that I am reclaiming my life, even for the unwanted discovery. The more I know about my body, the more I can take control of it and be healthy.

I have a 20 minute rule on waiting on a Dr. I politely ask if my waiting time will be deduted from the bill? If they say no (and they ususlly do) they get me in in the few minutes they promised or reschedule. I know Dr's have emergencys but my time is worth something and I know most of the time is an over booking problem. Anyway the reason i responded is I know how you feel about hearing news on your health. I would have balled all the way home. Whenever you hear anything wierd is going on inside its SCARY! and a liver is a vital part. I had something like that happen to me when I was pregnant with my first. I freaked out when i got in the car. then relized maybe the reason i got pregnant (un planned) was to discover a tumor and not the time to have a child. it all turned out well and I have a healthy 22 year old. You just reminded me of my ride home. My prayers are with you that the discovery will turn out to be a blessing

In any other office, I would do that - but my doctor's office is notorious for running horrendously behind. I did write a polite email to the office manager stating that I was disappointed with the experience and felt that it didn't meet their usual standard of care. I did not get a response - oh well. At least I vented.

Next visit should go better because I won't be on such a time crunch to get out of there and will be okay to wait.

I think the liver thing will turn out okay too. I have an appointment scheduled with a specialist and have decided to suspend all worry until I meet with him. Things are what they are and I am not going to stress unnecessarily in the meantime. Thanks for your support. It was pretty traumatic.

Tonight I am doing a little happy dance because I am on the very last day of liquids!!! Tomorrow I start pureed and I am thrilled.

Hi Sue and All!

Just picked up the car this afternoon. It's all pretty again, and I'm definitely being more watchful now..... DH was a doll, of course.

He's going out of town for another 2 week stint beginning the 5th, coming home for a week, then going out for another 2 weeks. SUCKS, but the money is good.

I decided to find more things to do with my silly self...."get a life" as my DH put it.....So, I am signing up for a couple classes at a fashion design school in Seattle (Ballard to be exact). They start next week so I'm really excited. Got the boys to put away all the Christmas stuff in my sewing space so there's more room to spread out a little.

Christmas and New Years were nice, fairly quiet. Stayed at 178 so that is good....now for the final 30 or so pounds...THEN the major tummy tuck. Hoping to hit the mark around April.

Can't WAIT to see everyone on the 14th for the Support Group at St. Joe's!

Mer

Hey Mer...

Glad to hear the car's fixed.

The classes sound great, you're going to have a blast. Some day I'll have time to do some of that too. My daughter & I watched a Project Runway show where they had women who had lost significant weight as their models. They brought in their favorite "fat" outfit & the designer had to remake it for thier new figure. It was funny 'cause that morning I altered at least a dozen garmets...trying to get ready for my cruise next week.

Speaking of the cruise (I'm so excited...I feel like a little kid before Christmas) I've been shopping, and I can't believe how easy it is to buy clothes. In my obese days I bought pretty much anything that fit, now there are so many things that fit...so many choices! I used to hate shpping, now it's fun! This could be a problem, I can realy see the potential for trasfer adiction...yikes!

SUE!

Have a fantastic time on your cruise!!!!!

Mer

GO SEAHAWKS!!

Phyl...

We are big WSU Cougar and Seahawk fans...it was a good day Saturday!!!

We're trying to find out if our cruise will have the playoff games availalbe, I think the next Seahawk game is Saturday? We'd really like to watch!

Sue

Phyl...

We are big WSU Cougar and Seahawk fans...it was a good day Saturday!!!

We're trying to find out if our cruise will have the playoff games availalbe, I think the next Seahawk game is Saturday? We'd really like to watch!

Sue

Yep, Saturday. That's the day you leave? With these post-season games, I would think they'd get them by satellite.

Hope you have a great time! Forgot where you are going... somewhere warm, right??! We're in CA for the winter in our RV, but we've been getting a lot of rain and cool weather even here in the desert (near Palm Springs).

Hey Mer! long time no see! I am planning on catching up at the support group this month with you all but i'm thinking it is on the third Monday which would be the 21st. Hope someone can clear this up for us.

your classes sound fun. I am bummed because my upholstery teacher retired in December and they couldn't find a replacement until April so my hobby has been put on hold. I did however sign up to substitute teach so we will see how that goes.

Oh, I meant to tell you that I am walking at the mall on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 7:45am. I know it's early but I go as soon as I drop the girls off at school or else the days get away from me. If anyone wants to meet up with me just drop me a line. I will need a walking partner while Sue is on her cruise soaking up the sun. . . bummer dude.

Phyl...

We get on the plane in the AM for LA. Friday we get on the boat and cruise to Acapolco and make our way up the Mexican Coast. Last time I looked it was 90+.

I'm so excited. I'm not afraid of the plane ride or the beach...it sure feels GOOD! I may not be pretty in a bathing suit (yet), but at least I'm not ashamed and exbarassed anymore. It sure feels good to be more normal.

Talk to you all in 10 days!!!

Sue

Can anyone guide me in the direction of a support group in the Seattle area?

Thanks,

Kathleen

HI! Where IS everyone? Haven't heard hardly a peep for several days! Hope to seeeeee you all at the support group on Monday.....Hope I do better driving this month!!!!!

Mer

HI! Where IS everyone? Haven't heard hardly a peep for several days! Hope to seeeeee you all at the support group on Monday.....Hope I do better driving this month!!!!!

Mer

Hmmm... Yes, drive carefully!

Sue should be back from her cruise soon, right? Like this weekend?

Any of you NW people going to the Seattle Splash?? Sounds fun!

We got home last night from our cruise...We had a fabulous time. It was even better when I got on the scale this morning and i had gained less than 2#'s!!! I ate myself silly evevery night (the 16 of us had dinners together each night...som much fun, I totally enjoyed myself...including multiple desserts most evey night) It's so great to know that some day I will be able to eat "normal" and will be able to maintain my weight loss.

i thought for sure that I would have gained 5+++ #'s the way I was eating...I am very encouraged that this will work for the long run...I love my band!!!

Sue

PS...highlights...a massage on the beach, parasailing and so much more...i never would have done those things at 270+