Our Idaho thread has been quiet for some time and I know we have some new folks in Idaho on LBT now.. so Im starting a hello thread! :wave:

To SheryBery - You asked about my pre-op situation with Dr. Cahn. I was only on the pre-op for about two weeks and lost 16 pounds. I was also suffering with a hernia just above my belly button that Dr. Cahn was worried about and planned to repair at the time of my banding. So, I was fortunate in that I made it thru the pre-op steps fairly quickly. I was self pay, which also helped. I dearly love Dr. Cahn and have a great respect for his approach to post op care. You will be in good hands!

My first consult with Dr. Cahn was July 12th where he set a 35 lb. weight loss goal for me! Yikes! I ended up only losing 15 of that and he said it wasn't enough. The thing that bothered me the most was it was almost like he didn't even acknowledge that I did lose 15 and for me that was a huge accomplisment. I haven't LOST any weight in years. So now I've gotta get rid of another 15 by Sept. 7th. As of this morning I was down a total of 20 so I know I can do it. It's such a mental thing with me. This not eating thing. But I'm starting to catch on and to actually believe that maybe I am worth it. That's a big part of my problem---not being sure that I'm worth all this trouble. I also am a self-pay so I've got a lot of guilt going on in my head too. Not wanting to let people down that are helping up pay for this. But I'm also realizing that I'm doing it for myself more than anyone else and that's a big step. I'm always doing things for the rest of my family and not for me. I know I have to take care of me so that I can continue to care for them.

Ok---enough rambling---I'm excited to find someone close!

Thanks again!

~Cheryl

Wow, you sound so much like me! I felt so guilty spending the money on myself when the rest of the family had needs. My mom gave me the money for mine, a bit of an early inheritance thing, and that was a tough gift to accept. However, my family rallied around me and fully supported me, knowing that something had to be done or I just wasn't going to be around much longer. So by the time my date had arrived, I was at peace about it and haven't regretted it or felt guilty about it since.

As for the weight loss expected by Dr. Cahn. I think he bases each decision on the person's indiviual case. As I don't know all of the facts about your case, I can't really make any comments. But I can tell you that Dr. Cahn makes your health and success his priority. Just hang in there and do your best to follow his guidelines and you're guaranteed to see that success and his excitement.

And youre right, 15 pounds is great! 20 pounds is better! And YES you can do this! Your journey doesn't start when you wake up with that band inside of you. It started when you made the decision to take back control of your life and get healthy. So buckle down, don't look at this as a mandate made by someone else that you have to follow, get exicted about what's just around the corner for you, and stay true to yourself.

Oh, there are quite a few bandsters in the Boise area. Two support groups that I know of. One meets at St. Al's on the second Tues of each month. I'm sure Dr. Cahn has told you of that one. And the other is the Idaho Bandsters. They have a Yahoo Group you can join, and they meet on the 4th Thursday? or Tuesday? of each month for dinner out together. Next week they will be meeting at PF Chang's. If you're interested, let me know and I'll get the info for you.

LindaV is a regular on LBT who lives in Eagle. She will be at the dinner, but I won't this month. Hey LindaV! Say hello to Cheryl!

Welcome to LBT! Have you been to any of the St. Al's support group meetings yet? If so, we may have met. There havn't been too many presurgery people there the last couple of months so I would probably remember you if you have!

The Idaho Bandsters Yahoo group is meeting for dinner at PF Changs on Thursday at 6:30. This is not the most weight-loss freindly restaurant so you might want to opt out this month. I'm thankful I'm going for a much needed fill on Wednesday so I shouldn't be able to over-indulge too much! :guess

My surgery was done by Dr. Anderson. His presurgery requirements were not nearly so strict. He wanted me to lose weight but I didn't have to do the "slimfast/veggie" thing. He didn't care how I lost and only didn't seem to care how much as long as I showed progress. I can't imagine the mental struggle you must be battleing. (Well, yes I can and i know it sucks). Don't feel too bad though, you are definately not the first of Dr. Cahn's patients to have to reschedule!

I know you will make it though! And it will be so worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep us posted on your progress and feel free to pm me if you have any more questions or just need some extra motivation!

Cheryl, where are you exactly?

Oh and Susan, are we still on for bowling tomorrow? I havn't heard back from you!

Linda:

Thanks for the encouragement. As of this morning I'm down a total of 25 lbs!! Wow----that's so huge for me! And yes, I was at St. Al's support group this month (the 8th I think). It was very informative. I know that others of Dr. Cahn's patients were there and told me they'd had to wait. But it was still a blow when I had to reschedule. But now I'm back on track and feeling much more confident.

Thanks for the invite to your Yahoo group dinner. But my youngest son is in Optimist football and our evenings are full of that at the moment, but maybe at a later date.

And to answer your another question, I live in beautiful Emmett. I'm a native Idahoan!

I think I remember you! I think you sat across from me! Do you have longish dark hair? I was the one trying to find out who left the Starbucks Water container from the previous month and the one who got a little annoyed with the "oh so happy" lady who was sitting (I think) a little to your left. I think I might have suggested she uses here band as a"crutch." I don't know what got into me that night!

Anyway, again welcomet to LBT! It's nice to have some more people from the area. Will you be at the next support group? I'm planning on it.

I'm not from Idaho, but wanted to say "Hi" nonetheless. :scalesno:

Linda:

LOL!! I remember you too. But I was sitting next to the young lady you're talking about. I was to her right. I have short reddish hair and my mom had come with me that night. Nice to put a face to your name now. I probably won't be at the next meeting as my banding is scheduled for Sept. 11th and the meeting is the 12th. If I'm feeling like SuperWoman, I'll be there---but I wouldn't count on it!

Tricia---"Howdy" to you too---where are you from?

Hi Cheryl :wave:

Love what you have in your signature line. Realizing the joy in doing something for you. That is awesome!

You're going to love Dr. Cahn. He's a very compassionate man.

Tricia K, you sweetie! :wave: Hello to you too. Can we adopt you and make you an honorary Idahoan?

Idaho, he da pimp *laughs*

Hey there Cheryl :scalesno:

The wife and I have been pretty busy recently so we missed the last two support groups.

Dr. Cahn is a fabulous doctor and he just wants the best for you. Congratulations on losing the 25 pounds and I have every faith that you will charge on and hit the goal.

We ARE worth saving. Every one of us!

We may well make the Septermber group, I think it helps us keep focused on the commitment even if the group has caused frustration in the past.

Charge on and keep being a loser!

Ok Cheryl, I remember you and your mom! You only have a few weeks to go before being banded. It sound like you're doing great on the pre-op diet.

Good luck and keep us posted.

And Susan...You should have studied! ;P

Hey, I paid $40 for a retake!

*bows to the Queen of Me*

I'll help you study next time--or I'll help you find a way to cheat!!!!!!!!!!!

Veritas.. ohh Veritas.. where are you? Linda and I talked about you at lunch today. I heard you were at the last support group meeting and that you're doing really well. I hope to see ya or hear from you soon. We keep losing touch with one another.