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Merry Christmas!



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Brez, keep up the good work. Your dieting is working and the end of the year will be here soon. Then you, too, can have a surgery date.

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I'm scheduled with Dr. Gonzalez in Tijuana for Dec 7th. I'm hoping that will be enough time to recuperate before the holidays. I bounced back really fast from my C-section when I had my son, so I hope that bodes well...

It has been so reassuring reading these boards and hearing everyone's experiences and results! I'm nervous about the liquid diet and since no one but my husband knows, I'm trying to figure out how to eat mushies for Christmas dinner. Any thoughts?

I'm traveling from Philly too. Southwest had great fares for my surgery week - $229 roundtrip!

Can't wait until we're all on the other side.

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One suggestion for coping with the holidays is to tell people you are having some stomach issues and doctor prescribed eating only soft and pureed foods for a while.

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Greetings, fellow Merriers!

I'm still in pre-approval stage (my surgeon doesn't submit for ins approval until ALL pre-op testing is complete), but I did get a date yesterday when I went for my consult. Dec 31! (can't really push it much farter than that and maintain the 2007 inpatient co-pays - they double on Jan 1 from $240 to $500!).

I told DH today, and he's bummed it's on a holiday, but personally I'm thrilled. I'd do it today if I could, regardless of the upcoming holidays. I know what turkey tastes like already! ha!

I already did my sleep study (no apnea - just hypoxia - apparently that means that they've confirmed I sleep like sh*t but can't give me a CPAP to help. ugh. But at least that test is out of the way. Still have nutritionist, psych (although they're checking if my regular therapist is good enough), GI and the zillion xrays yadda yadda. I'm hopeful we can get all this done and cruise right along.

Got all the blood taken yesterday, too - LOTS of vials. Freaked me out a little!

Aneeway, I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to have a date to look forward to - I'm ready to start this new life. Now that I have an "official" weight recorded, I can start working to lose a little prior to surgery and start exercizing as well (I am a low BMI-er and worried about dropping below 35 and getting denied due to that). I'm sure both factors will help my sleeping, too.

I hope you're all doing well - I'm thinking about writiing a little theme song for us to the tune of a carol or something. I'll let you know what I come up with. Right now, all I have is "Lap-band-ers, Lap-band-ers, chewing all the way!" to the tune of jingle bells. I'm SURE we can do better - ha!

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Hey all,

I just came from my consult with the surgeon and have my surgery date of Dec. 17!!!!! I'm a STAHM and a student so I'm doing it on my Christmas break also. I'm so frigging excited I'm about to pee my pants!

This has been a quick journey (since Sept really) because my husbands work decided that as of Oct 1, they no longer cover bariatric surgery. I was just getting started jumping through the insurance 6 month diet and exercise, sleep study etc etc..then wham, they shut the door on me!!

I want this so bad I thought, screw it, we are taking out a loan and here I go. I'm doing my surgery here in Nebraska. Its $14000, way more than Mexico but I have 3 little kids and no family support to take care of them so I have to stay close to home. Interesting about Ortiz tho, I have a friend who almost went to him but then decided on another doc here in the States. Good Luck you guys. Keep us posted on your progress! funny, 2008 will be the year I KEEP that NEW YEARS resolution to lose wt!!!

My vote is for the Merry Losers!

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congrats to you nytrink and 100lbsforsale,

that is awesome that you have your dates !!!!!! i am soo happy for you. i can't wait. my 6 months is not up till dec 4 then on to the insurance co. my last nutritionist is this week. everything else is done. i am so excited for the both of you. what a good christmas gift...

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I have my consultation tomorrow and am soooo excited! I think the waiting list in Australia is only 4 weeks on average and luckily we don't have to go through any insurance approvals because the doctor can tell me what is and isn't covered! so I am hoping to be banded in NOVEMBER, yay!

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I am so freakin excited for this band. I am hopping to get mine the week before christmas. It is like the only week I dont have school or some work thing. I am so happy this year I dont have any family arround. I think it will make my healing and eatting so much easier.

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I've got my doctor picked out, my surgery date allllmost set, airfare figured out for that day, my RN mom coming with me, and good idea of my aftercare doctor.

This is getting kinda.....real.

I'm scared and nervous, but everytime I look at the before and after photos I think to myself "it could be real, you can really do this".

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Another Merry Loser here too.

My surgery is scheduled for December 17th. I start the pre-op diet on November 12th (early, I know.. by my choice)

Here was go!!!! I just hope I don't ruin Christmas for the rest of my fam!

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I have my consultation tomorrow and am soooo excited! I think the waiting list in Australia is only 4 weeks on average and luckily we don't have to go through any insurance approvals because the doctor can tell me what is and isn't covered! so I am hoping to be banded in NOVEMBER, yay!

Sorry guys ignore my original post - a friend of mine who had her band done a couple of years ago only had to wait 3 weeks for her band but I had my consultation yesterday and it seems waiting periods have blown out to 4 months now - YIKES!

Looks like I won't be getting banded till the new year..:omg:

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So sorry, Jessica. I can only imagine your disappointment.

I officially ended my 21-week Optifast program at the hospital today. I did this on my own - not a requirement for surgery that is. I lost another 3.1 pounds this past week. I am so excited. I still plan on dieting on my own until I go on my cruise on the 24th of November for 8 days. I have my pre-op appointment the day after I get home from the cruise, start my pre-op the next day, and two days later have surgery. I am so glad my doctor only has a 2-day pre-op regimen of Clear liquids. I drank nothing but liquids for 14 weeks - not one bite of food. At least I am expecting my 3 weeks of liquids for post-op will be much easier from those 14 weeks. At least I think I have learned how to separate head hunger from actual hunger.

Welcome aboard, MissSac.

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WOW SGHATI!!!!!!!!! If you can do that I can do the month I am going to do... the doc requires two weeks I asked to be on it for 4!

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Hi All!

I just went for my full day appointment to get my surgery ball really rolling. I met with the Nut., Psych. and had my physical. the only extra test I need is an EXG which I hope to get soon. I then have to have two more visits with the Nut. that my Dr. requires, even though my Ins. does not. I also need to talk to the Ins. girl to see when she'll be submitting me for approval... I'm hopeful she'll say next week. Then after the Nut. clears me I can get a date... long story longer... hopefully mid-December!

Now, Christmas is MY time of year... I bake and bake and make candies and everyone expects them from me... and I just know if I'm on a liquid diet there is not going to be any motivation for me to do all of this creating and tempting of myself. I think having this Surgery in December will be very trying... but also a good thing as I won't have to deal with the typical extra Christmas weight I tend to gain from Nov-Dec.

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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