MINI-Me

Yes, they are made by BMW. And, that have a fantastic safety rating for such a small vehicle. And, unfortunately, my husband put those safety features to a test in a very bad accident last September. Over $20K damage to the car, but he walked away without a scratch - not even tissue damage like a sore neck/back. When I saw the car, I just couldn't keep from hugging my husband and thanking God that he was ok. Believe me - I will definitely be on here and telling everyone how we are doing. :thumbup1: The 27th can't come fast enough for me.

I asked my doctor for a copy of my labs that she sent to Dr. Umbach for my surgery. These were all standard labs, but the only one I was worried about was sugars since my levels have been increasing & I was close to pre-diabetic stage last June. The good news is that my numbers have dropped by 10. The bad news??? My Triglycerides were sky high - like 513 when the normal range is 100-200. I have never had cholesterol issues & this is really flooring me. Does anyone know if this could delay my surgery? I don't know if Dr. Umbach has seen them yet, but I'm scheduled to fly out on the 25th. And, of course it's the weekend, so I can't call anyone. Yes, I'm freaking out a little bit (ok A LOT!!!!) - I am mentally prepared for 1/27/10 to be my "rebirth-day" and I think a delay might put me over the edge. :biggrin0:

You'd be amazed how much room they really have in them. Not only are they cute, but they can fly. My husband tracks his & has a blast. Of course, if I buy another one, he will kill me. I guess my NSV will be feeling cute and sassy while driving it!

That is great news! Thanks. I guess I'm just anxious to get things started & I overreacted when I saw those numbers. I don't want anymore delays - I am ready NOW!!! Whew! As far as my name - it stands for 2 things. One is obvious, a minature version of the current me. Two is my obession with MINI Coopers :biggrin0:. I have a MINI Cooper S Clubman (Hot Chocolate), my husband has a MINI Cooper S Coupe (British Green) and over the summer, we purchased a Classic Mini Cooper (English White). Our families think we need an intervention, but we know how much fun we have when we drive them. :001_tongue: Plus, I've met so many friends because of the MINI Club to which we belong. Two friends had a gastric bypass and three had lapband. So, I guess you can say I'm surrounded by a bunch of Losers! :w00t: They are very excited to see how the Sleeve does for me.

I sure hope so! :biggrin0:

I am so glad to have seen this. Great information. Tiffykins - you are a wealth of information and a great inspiration. Thank you!

Congrats on your success thus far - sounds like you are doing great! Do you have any hobbies? Even though my sleeve date isn't until the 27th, I've found that knitting keeps my mind off food & it helps me relax when I'm stressed. And, you can't hold food in your hands if you are knitting!

Congrats from one January 27th'er to Another! I know what you mean about the wine trips - we do that a lot as well. But nothing says I can't go with my hubby. I can always smell it with him! (Luckily he prefers red and I still like my whites - I won't feel left out when he opens a bottle.)

I am scheduled for a sleeve on 1/27 ... just 3 weeks away. I've heard so many amazing weight loss stories and I am very psyched. :thumbup: But then, I start reading about people who plateau after just a few weeks - going weeks without losing anything. I said my goal was 10 pounds per month, but now I'm afraid I won't make that. My head knows it's all about losing weight and getting healthier, but my heart wants to be THIN. Any advice for someone freaking herself out? PLEASE?!?!?!?!?

VegasAngel - Definitely doing the measurements. I never did that before on diets & while I really don't want to know what those are, I know it will help when I feel like I'm not making progress. Thanks!

Youknowit - Have you had any luck? My friend and I are going down in 3 weeks to be sleeved by Dr. Umbach. I've been very impressed by our research of him and his background.

Congratulations! I too am going out of state. Having it here was twice the price. My girlfriend and I are both getting sleeved on the same day. My mother-in-law (a retired RN) is going with us while my husband stays home with our boys. Strange way to take a "vacation" - huh? :001_tt2:

Thanks everyone. I am glad to see that we are all in this together.

Thanks everyone. My birthday is really in February, but I have a feeling that January 27th will be a "re-birthday" for me.

I am the "close friend" and cannot wait. Nice to have another person changing their life on the 27th. My husband is a little lost in all this, but definitely supportive. Dr. Umbach had some webinars he wanted us to watch and my husband sat down with me to watch them last night. He kept saying "It's going to be weird having you thin. Not that I'm complaining!" :001_wub:) Of course, he can eat anything and stay slim and trim - he doesn't really understand how I can overeat and get fat. He watches me dilgently trying (and somehow failing) and understands my need for this tool. congratulations - let's get our journeys going now!

How does that work? I have several areas of my closet with various sizes, but hope to under-grow them by summer. I would definitely be interested in a clothing swap process - especially since I NEVER plan on wearing those sizes again! :001_wub:

mb20mom - I was required to have a physchology visit prior to my surgery. I told her while I heard all the information about not being hungry and having to remind myself to eat, but just couldn't quite believe it. She just smiled and said "you'll see soon enough what I mean". (Yes, she has WLS 9 years ago & is down 140 pounds and maintaining. WOW!) While, I want it to come off fast (who doesn't really want that) ... I think I will be fine with slow and steady. But reading about 4+week plateaus with the sleeve is very depressing. I guess it really is "I'll believe it when I see it".

Talk about timing ... My husband asked the same thing last night. I've always been "taught" to eat between 1200-1500 calories to lose weight. Sounds like I might not be able to get that in with 3 meals and 1 snack a day. Any long-time sleevers have input?

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement ryansgirl. JeepChick - I don't know your height, but our weight numbers look almost identical. Good luck with your surgery. We'll have to keep check on our progress together.

I just wanted to say thank you for all the valuable feedback. I think for pre-op & a bit post-op, I will meet with the nutritionist who works with my surgeon. In the meantime, I will look for some local options. After surgery, I'll make a decision on whether I need face to face, phone, or no individual counseling. I am looking forward to attending the monthly support group with other sleeved patients - I think that (and this board) will help a lot. Merry Christmas!

I live in a different state so I have to get my PCP surgical release, labs, and pysch eval done here. Looks like I'll be able to meet with a nutritionist via phone. I have found a VSG Support Group for when I get back home. (Labs and surgical release area also completed.) I need to find someone for a physch eval and letter. AND, I need to find someone fast, but good. My work EAP wasn't any help, since they do not have anyone on their lists capable of writing such a report. Anyone know of anyone good in the North of Seattle area? Thanks in advance.

Why did you leave the 2nd one? Sounds like the two of you clicked.

By the way DeeDee - I noticed your weight loss. FABULOUS job! I'm trying not to compare myself to all the great success stories out there, but it's going to be hard.

Thanks for the advice and the welcome. I actually was able to get an appointment at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery after putting out my plea for help. The doctors there is independent and can provide services for patients outside of the surgery center's business. I should be getting my first nutritionist appointment via phone with the clinic at the hospital where I'll have my surgery. I have a lead on one nutritionist up here & I've already found a monthly support group. Any recommendations on what to look for in a nutritionist? I have to do all of this self-pay - so if I'm going to pay, I want someone good (who doesn't cost TOO much). How often do you seek services?