First of all, I awoke last night with a full blown panic attack about this LB! I had dreams of going to "gatherings" with my sister Jane, and came to find out we were the "guests of honor." Everyone there had been banded and wanted to sing the praises of banding to us... It was ok until we wanted to leave.... and they wouldn't let us! It was a big struggle...

I ended up staying home from work all day -- just too worn out from my night!

I went to my 4-hour Team appt. Two others showed up - all of us were interested in Lap Banding... We met with a nurse practioner, signed some forms, found out about the cost of surgery... detailed break down... Dr Sunby came in to talk to us, and seemed "friendly" enough.

Shirley Shelly: From there I met with a dietician. She asked me to explain the lap band as I understood it... and the food routine. I did very well. :car: She did contradict what Dr. S said... water up to meal, nothing for 2 hrs after. (He said 30 min before and after).... hm... She also stressed that I will never be allowed to eat anything other than three meals a day. Very adamant about that... hm... We talked about my chem panel, and what supplements I should be on... suggested if I feel I need a medicine to help with hunger during the 2 weeks prior to surgery, to see Dr. Becx at Fish Hatchery. He's an endrocronologist. I am pre-diabetic... : ( Hopefully that will straighten out with diet.

Dr. Scott Bohon: Next I met with a psychiatrist. I liked him a lot. I did break down a little bit when I talked about Dick's depression and his suicidal thoughts. He was pleased to hear that he's working with Dr. Ishii. I talked to him about my panic attacks... and said they are triggered by breathing problems (root canal was the 1st... last night was in part due to the cold I have, and "stuffy" breathing/coughing...

Then to a computer True/False questionaires... 700+ questions on one test... @200 on the other. The psychologist said I did just fine... no red flags. She said she could tell I'm on the shy side...

The team will meet on Monday to discuss the three of us... so I guess I'm on the track for now - will see what happens next.

Misc. things I found out:

• keep options open to gastric bypass
  
• band is a tool (I knew that)
  
• the work is up to me... surgery just puts the tool there
  
• only THREE meals a day - NO SNACKS!
  
• lots of support groups available
  
• my time w/WW was not all for nothing... it proved I could stick with a program (loyalty)...
  
• i could die in surgery (psych)
  
• breakdown of costs
  
• i need to contact Aetna, and get a printout of their requirements and give them to Theresa
  
• protein is most important because it's one nutrient the body can't manufacture on it's own
  
• no fruits or veggies will be off limits (unlike Atkins) with the exception of stringy things like Celery
  
• exercise is key - make it a priority (PAC, here I come)!