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Love, Family, Weight, Hip Hop & Vegetarianism
 

August 5th Fiesta Party - will I be thin yet?

:mad: My fill hasn't restricted me but I'm trying to eat just bits because where I'm from we have Fiesta once a year and celebrate Old Spanish Days. It is very important to us hispanics in my community. I recently ran into one of my old friends from a fraternity my 1st love was in - Q-dogz Omega Psi Phi! My first love was soooo sweet to me and we stayed in touch for about 10 years before finally losing touch. He invited me to a Fiesta Party where all the old peeps from our group will be there - including some Kappa's, Sigma and Alpha's. It would really be nice to see some of them including one of the Delta girls I was really good friends with when I was younger. I haven't seen anyone since my mid-twenties and when I was a size 7/9. I really hope I lose a lot of weight b4 then, I don't want everyone to be like "DAAAMMMMn girl, you blew up!". LOL....we'll see. I'm gonna work out every day this week. Crossing my fingers.
BeacheeGirl

BeacheeGirl

3
LittleBird's Journal
 

Day 5 - the treadmill

I've been faithfully doing the low carb diet - the one I love - for a week or two anyway - until anything green makes me want to run and hide! The good news is I've lost 5 lbs in the few days I've been doing it. Considering that is the first time the scale has moved THAT direction in about 6 months, thats a real high for me.   Taking in less carbs I feel my energy slowing coming back...Enought that I dusted off my treadmill and took a "walk" last night. Did just over a mile - slowly so as not to overdo it - overall with warm up and warm down I walked about 27 minutes. Now the trick is to keep that up -every day!   My dad is having a breakdown about the surgery. He is sending me some article from USA today. I looked it up online. It's an article primarly about Gastric Bypass surgery that is based on old data and stats. I don't need his approval, but his attitude is frustrating. If I had cancer would he tell me not to do chemo?? I don't think he realizes LapBand and Gastric Bypass are totally different things.
LittleBird

LittleBird

2
kutia's Journal
 

07/25/06 ~

The doctor's office called yesterday and left a messge asking me to call them back. I didn't get the message until much too late to call. So I called them this morning.   I got transferred to three different people before finally getting the one with whom I needed to speak. Seriously, don't they talk to each other in that office?   The whole point was to tell me to arrive at the Surgery Center at 11:30 a.m. instead of 10:45 a.m. I guess my surgery has been pushed later in the day. That's fine, I guess, I did double check to make sure it is at least the same day.   I just the hope the doctor is more on the ball than his office staff. :mad:   **Just got a call from the Surgery Center of Richardson (that's where I'm having mine). They just wanted to confirm that I am indeed a self-pay and they let me know which types of payment are acceptable: cashier's check, money order or credit (not debit) card. I was also told to expect a call from them on the 3rd. (the day before surgery). I assume that is for the anesthesiologist to tell me which meds I'm allowed to take. Which will be a short conversation as I don't have any meds. I'll probably also be reminded not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Maybe SCOR's staff is a little more competent than the office staff.
kutia

kutia

2
My Journey
 

What does my doctor think?

Yesterday I called my general doctor of whom I have been seeing for about 10 years now. She was kind enough to speak with me over the phone about me considering the lapband. Unfortunately, she has not had ONE patient that has had the procedure. The receptionist that I left the message with had never even heard of it before! Must be nice not to have to worry about WLS and be oblivious to what it is...:mad:   My doctor understood my feelings about being overweight at my age and getting ready to have babies in a few years and wanting to be at a healthy weight. However, I found it very interesting what she said to me..."I would hate to see someone so young go through something so drastic." Aren't doctors usually all about you losing weight and being at that right height/weight that their little charts show?   She actually wants me to see an endocronologist before further considering the lapband. My sister just won a battle with thyroid cancer :clap2: and she is only 29! The doctor wants to make sure that everything there is ok and that nothing with my glands is causing this weight problem...i kind of doubt that, but we will see...:straight
Veggestyle

Veggestyle

2
TX_Quilter's Journal
 

St Laurent office calls

Monday July 24 - Paloma calls, indicates paperwork was filed today! Wow! Should know something by Aug 6. Please call and we can probably do surgery by end of August.   This would be great as Labor Day is the first Monday and would give me extra recovery time.:omg:
TX_Quilter

TX_Quilter

1
TX_Quilter's Journal
 

Choosing a doctor

July 5, 2006 - called UHC, they indicate that lapbanding is covered on our policy provided we meet the BMI criteria.   Researched doctors, and decided on Spivak (out of Network), Spiegel and St. Laurent (both in network).   July 8 , 2006 - Dr. Spiegel seminar & consult. Supposed to hear from case worker by Friday July 14.   July 14 - I called, they did not ask name, they asked for what insurance, then indicated they had just filed UHC on Wednesdays.   July 18- Cypress Support group.   July 19 - Called UHC, they have not received anything yet.   July 24 - Called Spiegels office. They can't locate chart, will call me back. (never did)   Friday, July 21 - Appointment with Dr. St. Laurent. Brought records for past 10 years. Talked with Jasmine & Paloma (insurance girls). They indicate they will expedite my paperwork on Monday.
TX_Quilter

TX_Quilter

1
Ali's Musings and Meanderings...
 

Well hello there everybody...

Yo! I'm in a pretty good mood today :omg: -yeah- shock, horror, gasp! I haven't done anything special to warrant this, I must have just gotten out of the right side of the bed., I'm really happy and excited about going on the LBT cruise. I will get to meet some of you and it'll be a big adventure. It's a huge motivator too, simply because I want to be fit and healthy to both cope with all the travelling to get there and to be able to make the best of the whole trip. So it's on with the exercise and staying good with the food. Having it so far ahead of me gives me something good to focus on for those days when maybe I'm not feeling so motivated. I am doing well with getting lots of protein in these days and I am using my new shampoo and capsules that hubby got me and we will see if they make a difference to my hair. Right now I'm not sure if its staying the same or getting a little worse, depends on how my hair lies at any given moment. Still, if this is a downside to losing the weight and getting healthier then I will take it. My diabetes doc was chuffed to pieces last night when we told him my levels and how much I have lost :clap2: He said that once I can take 10units only of insulin a day and not have my levels rise above 150 then I'll be at the stage to cut the insulin altogether and have a general maintanance pill like avandia...he also said at this rate I'll be completely drug free at some point very soon :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: For someone who has had unstable levels and high levels since diagnosis 7yrs ago this is the best news and worth the band even if (and I know I will) never lost another pound. Oh happy me :biggrin1:
A1ikou

A1ikou

3
kimkimmie's Journal
 

Getting started...

Hello all! Welcome to my journal! Thanks for stopping by :welcome: So far I have been to a Lapband seminar and had a consultation. I will have to be self pay unless I learn that my company insurance covers Lapband surgery, in which case I will wait till my open enrollment in October. I also would like to attend seminars for 2 other local surgeons to get as much insight as possible. I will probably go with Dr. Webb. I am adding a 'before' picture of me which I took yesterday. Once I begin to lose weight I will occasionally add pictures so that 1 I can see the progress and stay motivated, and 2 help others. I really have been motivated to do this as a result of looking at everyone elses pictures, so I think it is important that I add pictures as I go along, and I have to add the first one to show the starting point. This one was taken yesterday (July 23rd 2006)... Below are 2 pictures, both were taken within the last 2.5 years... Weight is probably about the same, but I want to have a few for reference a year from now, and I take very few pictures, so this is a good place to store them. None of these are 'after pictures...I'll let you know once I have some of those :biggrin1: This one was on my 10 year anniversay on a cruise to the Bahamas...Taken in May 2004...   This one is when I was clowning around with my friends singing karaoke - no I really can't sing, but it is fun anyway and we all get a good laugh lol (not sure of the date) I hate it, but it was the only one that had my body, and I no longer where shorts... maybe next summer?!     Stay tuned... I expect to have the surgery within 2 months most likely! I have about 150 pounds (preferably 170) to lose to be at my goal, but I think I will set goals in 50 pound increments. I won't say how much I weigh here until I am at a goal :tape:
kimkimmie

kimkimmie

1
Berri Patch Thoughts
 

Pre-Op testing

Today I found out that all my tests turned out okay. I had some sludge in my gall bladder, but no stones, so Dr. Wheeler said he was not going to remove it since it was still functioning. That's a load off my mind!   I am to attend PRE-OP class tomorrow from 8am - noon...that's going to be fun considering I am working tonight from 7pm-7am...lol   ChampVA sent a letter saying I had met the criteria for my surgery, however, they state they pay secondary to my primary insurance. I have NO PRIMARY insurance besides them. The billing dept. at Dr. Wheeler's office says I have to straighten this out before I will receive my surgery date...grrr!   But at least I know I'm a fairly healthy fat woman now...lol....nothing major wrong. I was worried about my heart and gall bladder. They did find some benign polyps in my stomach but he said those were nothing to worry about either.   So now I play ChampVa's game and try to find out how to get them to send another predetermination letter so I can finally get a DATE for my surgery.   I think I'm happy...nervous but happy!
mlt45

mlt45

1
Kathi's Journal
 

the mom factor

My B day was really nice this year. My kids were awesome and my cake rocked! Although I gained 2.5 lbs over the long weekend (I already lost 1.5 of it by this am) but ya know.... It is no biggie because I am really working hard and I will hit my next mini goal by the end of the month ( to get <241). Back to the B Day.... If anyone is reading this, I welcome your input... I am one of 4 children. I was "given up" when I was 14 years old. "Given up" meaning that my parents gave me up to custody to the state of michigan. I was not a troubled teen, and not ever in any legal trouble. Plain and simply put my parents really never loved me and I sincerely believe that. I was the only one of the 4 children given up by the way. My oldest sister is 8 years older than me and she and her husband petitioned the court for guardianship of me. After about 6 months in foster care, I was sent to live with them in Texas. It took me until this past year to finally put the hurt away and try to reconcile with my mom. My dad died last year and I think that that was the major factor in my decision. I am now 37 years old, so I did not have ANY contact with my parents for 22 years. ANY at all. I never got to speak to my dad again since that day in the courtroom when I was 14. I reached out to my mom. I really do want her to be my mom. I want to believe that she is not a monster anymore. She remarried a nice man, and I really love him. I invited them to come stay with me for a week earlier this spring and they did and it was nice. My kids got to meet their grandparents for the first time. O.K... This is where my B Day comes in.... This was my first B Day since reconciling with my mother and I did not even get a card. She called me on my day, but not even a card. I sent her and my new dad both cards on their B day's and a $50 gift card to a steakhouse. That was alot for me to give, as I am not rolling in the dough but I wanted them to have a nice gift from me. Two things exasperate (sp?) this in my head..... She sends my older sister substantial amounts of money constantly. I am talking so far about $10 k that I know of. No, I don't want her $$ but I don't know how you drop loads of $ on all of your kids and not even send a card to one. She calls both of my sisters all of the time. She never calls me. If I don't call her then we don't talk. I have told her that I want her to call, and hinted that it was hurting my feelings that she calls the other girls and not me but it does not change. Also my oldest son, her first grandchild to graduate, graduated this year. No card. She says she sent a card and a check, but when I told her that it never arrived she did nothing about it. He was pretty hurt by this as well. This is hurting me really bad. It is really reminding me alot of my childhood. I was always left out. Maybe it will help that I wrote that down. I did not sleep last night. I keep checking the mail, even today to see if a card arrives. It is pissing me off that I am letting this hurt me so much. Onward with the weight loss stuff.... I haven't missed a single day of excercise in 3 weeks! I am up to 25 minutes on the dreadmill at 3.3 mph with a 3% incline. I am very proud of that. I can also do the second level of aerobics on my workout dvd (even if I am ready to pass out when I am done, it still counts). O.k... enough drama.
Kathi

Kathi

1
chameleon's Lap-Band Journal
 

Still unbanded and waiting for ins approval....

Ok...this is really ridiculous. I am still waiting to hear about this damn surgery. I have been trying to get this for 6 months now and I don't think that the cleveland clinic has even sent my stuff into my insurance company for approval yet...it's been bad enough waiting for the half assed letter my pcp finally sent, but I have been telling them to take my weights and dates from their records since I have been a patient for 5 years at the clinic and they have weights for me every 6 months of that time...WTF...I am just soooo frustrated:angry
chameleon

chameleon

2
My Journey
 

7-24-06 The insurance and doctor phone call

I finally got up the courage...and the patience to call my insurance company and see if they cover the lapband surgery. After waiting on hold for about fifteen minutes, surprisingly, a very friendly voice answered...I get very discouraged when I am calling about such personal information and the person on the other line sounds like they cannot be bothered. However, unfortunately, the insurance representative said that my insurance company shows that it neither includes or excludes the procedure. After all that I have read and researched (mostly on this board, thank you!) I am assuming that means that it depends on my medical history, current stats. and weight loss attempts. So that answer is in limbo, which I guess is better than just a "no" it does not. :mad: As soon as I got off the phone with the insurance company, I called up my doctor who I have been seeing for about seven years now. The hang up there is that I recently moved about 1 hour and a half away from her location...I left a message with the receptionist, hoping that the doc. would consider discussing this with me over the phone....Well, we'll see. ...It is therapeutic for me to write about it in this journal and I hope that detailing my journey is helping someone out there
Veggestyle

Veggestyle

3
vinesqueen's Journal
 

Cushing's in the News

My Cushing's was found because I refused to give up finding an answer about why I couldn't lose weight. Weight issues are one of the more obvious symptoms of Cushing's.   Anyway, right now I'm on a cortisol High, and I'm testing. Keep your fingers crossed for me to get really high numbrs. One more high number and I'll be on my way for my Pit surgery!   http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/j...hings_disease/ You will need quicktime7 to play the video, but you are offered a download.   I continue to believe that some of my beloved Turtles are also Cushing's. Especially the ones who've mentioned that they have new stretch marks, etc. Because almost all Cushies are fat, if not MO, I suspect that there will be a higher proportion of Cushies who've had "failed" WLS. That their choice, no matter which WLS they chose fails them because food is not our issue.   I had a therapist who specialized in eating disorders tell me that I didn't have any eating disorder, and that baffled him, because he'd never run accross someone who was MO who *didn't* have some sort of eating disorder. :guess Turns out I have a BRAIN disorder :mad:   I told my DH yesterday that there is a significant portion of the population that need a second Pit surgery because they often don't find a cure on the first go. Then he started singing to "my boyfriend's back" substituing 'the bitch" for "my boyfriend" in that silly way he has :clap2:. He makes jokes when he's uncomfortable, but his song was sure appopriate! I really was a bitch yesterday, pissed off at the whole world.   We sat outside lastnigh for more than an hour, just enjoying not being hot. He sprayed the swing down with the pressure washer, playing more than anything, but it sure was hot. While we sat out there, I explained to him why I get like I get when I'm on a High. He knows some of it, but he didn't realize all of it.   You see, when I get on a High, I for the most part, feel really good. Except for the being a major bitch part that is, wanting to throw dishes and tantrums. But I basically feel physically good right now, except for the chronic headache. I have ENERGY, which is something I don't have when I'm on a Low. When I'm High, I have the drive to tackle all the big projects that I want done, like painting and gardening and pressure washing and basically taking over the world. And because I only feel like this for a few days or a week at a time, I feel that I *HAVE* to get busy and get things done because in the past I didn't know how long I will be able to feel this way. And I get mad at Mike and Spud because they don't share my sense of urgency.   I suspect because I have figured out my cycle, or think I have anyway, I might be able to mitigate this sense of urgency. Until I have my surgery and am cured anyway! I'm hoping that this will be so soon. But until then, I feel very confident that I'll be able to tell the Guys that I'll be feeling good again in 10 days, and that they'd better be ready for the next project. :biggrin1: I'll be able to give them a schedule so they can prepair for the next round. So they can start getting ready *now* instead of having it sprung on them with no warning :bandit
vinesqueen

vinesqueen

2
sbest's Journal
 

7/24/06

well, I'm taking another shot at this journal thing. Maybe it will help me think a little clearer. I am so stressed right now. Maybe if I write down all of my stresses, I can see them for what they really are and figure out how to deal with them. Here they are:   P- I weighed myself and I am up to 139lbs. I haven't seen this number in a long time. The problem is that I haven't really found any restriction lately and I have been drinking more. It's all a domino effect. I am drinking more because I am more stressed. I stress, drink, eat, and stress about eating. I am stressed because I am on paranoid mode and am scared that something has happened to my band.   S- 1. Limit the drinking to one drink. 2. Don't get up to eat at night. 3. Keep a bottle of water next to my bed. 4. Find other things to do with my time. 5. Start cooking better meals.   P- I am being sewed for the car accident. I have to appear in court and there is a possibility that the judge might rule against me.   S- 1. This is not in my hands. There is nothing I can do about this, except to let what is going to happen, happen. Stressing about it is not going to improve the outcome. Don't stress about this.   P- There are several new people in the clinic. I haven't made the very best impression. I haven't been very friendly, and I don't think they like me. I wish I was more social towards people instead of being so reserved. I am reserved because I am scared of being rejected. I'm scared of looking stupid. I feel so alone at work. I don't know why I even care. I've been at this job for 4 years and don't really have any co-worker friends. I guess that it has just hit me all at once because I realized that not a lot of people like me. My fellow coders at the RBO don't like me either. The only people that truly like me is my family, and that's because they HAVE TO. Just realizing this makes me want to cry. I truly am a good person. I realize though, that I don't put forth enough effort to be a good person and to help people. I AM SO SELFISH! I realized anothing thing, just by typing this. The little voices in my head, the ones that put me down, the ones that used to come every time I broke my diet and ate something bad, their back. They have just taken over my key-board. NO I am not a schizo. Most overweight people know what I'm talking about.   S- Try to be more friendly. Let go of my inabishins (sp?). Don't punish myself. Let it go. Don't drink to drown out the voices and the stresses in my life. Don't worry so much about what other people think.       I think that's it. I will start today by only having one drink. Change one thing at a time. Don't stress about making changes. Go with the flow and realize that God will see me through anything that comes my way. And most importantly, appreciate everything in my life.
*JASMINE*

*JASMINE*

1
avilla's Journal
 

Working It!!

All I can say today is that I am working it and its working me!!! About time!!! Still waiting for my first fill on the 4th, cant wait!! I sticking to my 4-5 ounces of good food...Every morning I have a protien drink for breakfast and have started only having 1/3 of a can of soup (no creamy soup of any kind) with a couple crackers crushed up in it...Then for dinner i only have meat and veggies (usually about 4 1/2 ounces but no more than 5)...There is no snacking in between anything and no sweet of any kind regardless...I have been getting in 64 or more ounces of water each day and last but not least doing my 30 minute workout every single day...I am trying to stick by the rules cuz if i slip a little i will end up slipping alot and i refuse to fail...Anything under 200 lbs and I will totally be happy and satisfied!!
avilla

avilla

3
Teresita's Journal
 

Lovely Monday

I don't drink often but I had wine coolers Saturday......I just found how many calories is in them......500.:faint: No wonder they were so good. It's not worth it, I'd rather have a lemonade.   Today is Monday...TTC this evening and I will run in place for 1 minute periodically in the office.
Teresita

Teresita

2
LittleBird's Journal
 

Day 4 - McDonalds

Hubby and I went to Wal-Mart today to buy some stuff for the pool (it turned green overnight) and Atkins shakes - Wal-Mart is the cheapest place I know to buy them! While there, my husband, who is diabetic, said "I have to get something to eat". There is a 24 hour McDonalds inside Wal-Mart - go figure.   Sitting in McDonalds - (the side salad tastes like plastic by the way) I looked around. There was a woman there in a mobile shopping cart - very obese. My heart went out to her. I realized how lucky I am to be able to give myself this gift. An opportunity for a new, healthier me. I realize not everyone is able to or even knows that there are options for themselves.   I weighed this morning - I know, I know...but I'm eager to see SOME results - and it looked like I was down 3 lbs. I'll weigh again tommorrow to be sure.   My husband realized today that when I'm banded I won't be able to drink carbonated beverages - he was upset about that. I'm not sure why. I told him he could drink whatever he wanted, but he said he would feel guilty about it. I reminded him that soda wasn't healthy anyway....
LittleBird

LittleBird

2
kutia's Journal
 

07/21/06

I went back today for my bloodwork & EKG. It didn't take too long. I was surprised though that the bloodwork ($295) was more expensive than the EKG ($85). I've had blood taken before, so there weren't any surprises (except the cost!). The EKG was completely new territory though. The technician just stuck a bunch of magnets on me: one on each wrist, at least 5 on my chest & stomach. I wish I had known to lie completely still.
kutia

kutia

1
kutia's Journal
 

07/19/06 ~ 272.5 lbs. (gave up sodas & popcorn)

Just had my "consultation with the doctor." I had to wait over an hour past my appointment time for them to call me and I'm a little irked because I still have yet to meet the doctor. I don't like the fact that I won't meet Dr. Jayaseelan until the day he sticks a scalpel in me. Anyway I did meet the Nurse again (Arlene) she is very nice. They checked my height and weight, asked about any medical allergies or previous surgeries and that was it for the physical part. I went back up to the scheduling desk and got a surgery date of August 4th. I was also told to get an EKG and have bloodwork. I'll have to go back for that tomorrow b/c it was so late in the afternoon that the cashier people in the lab were all gone. One of the downsides to being self-pay I guess.
kutia

kutia

1
kutia's Journal
 

7/8/06 ~ 280 lbs.

Hiya. Let's see, where to begin? How about some stats? 28 yrs., 5'4'', 280 lbs.   I'm still deciding whether or not to get the band. I'll be self-pay and I'm afraid it's just too expensive. I went to a seminar today at the Surgery Center of Richardson. From what I saw it looked like a very nice facility. The presenters were great, but I was a bit disappointed not to actually get to meet the doctor. His Nurse was there and she was very competent and seemed nice. She has the band herself and has lost quite a bit of weight. I've got a consultation with Dr. Jayaseelan on 7/19/06. We'll see how I feel then. I have started buying (and sampling) the liquids that I would have to be on before surgery. I've even given up Dt. Pepsi. Which is a major sacrifice for me. I'm still worried about the money, but I'll probably take the plunge. I'm tired of cringing every time I catch sight of myself in a mirror.
kutia

kutia

2

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