tiffnie

Hello! I did my Options at Kaiser Sunset (LA). I ended my Options class last May and was set for surgery last Dec, but I had to postpone my surgery until this Dec.. I actually had to do labs three times, once at the 3 or 4 month point, again after class was over last May, and then again when I was approved the second time around. They gave me the option of going to PB in San Diego and getting on a 6-8 week waiting list, or going to Kaiser in South Bay (or Bellflower, not sure which) and getting on a 6 month waiting list. The obvious choice was PB. The only thing is that with PB I was required to see their own therapist, dr and surgeon for approval, even after I completed those appts at Kaiser. Good luck!!

Thanks for the info! I just ordered the sample pack of the Chike

Wow, congrats!! I am still struggling with my pre-op diet. I havent even weighed myself since i was approved because I dont want to see if I have had a gain, but I know I need to get over that really quick. My surgery is Dec 27 so Im planning on going on a low carb diet a month before, then probably a liquid diet or a 1 meal a day diet a week or so before. I read on a different thread somewhere that one technique to help manage pre-op weight is to make small goals, a new one each week. This last week I made it a goal to document everything I ate, and I was able to see how foods really add up over a day. I did notice a change in the amount that I have been eating, it has been less, and I am becoming more aware of my habits of eating just to eat, not because Im hungry. This next week I am cutting out ALL sweets, even though we have so much candy floating around the house from trick or treating :wacko:All in all, my goal is to lose 15 or so pounds before surgery. I know this isnt too hard to do, considering I have just under 2 months to go, but I need to get on it!! Good luck with your surgery

Im super nervous about this part...I am already suffering from hair loss due to my high testosterone level, which is causing me to literally go bald on the top of my head. It is very obvious if I brush my hair straight back or part it in the middle, so I do a side part and its not so bad. I hope hope HOPE that after surgery my hair loss doesn't get too much worse, even though I think it probably will. Either way, I hope my testosterone level will go back to normal after my surgery, and one day Ill have a nice head full of hair again

I am a full time nursing student set to graduate in January 2011. I am having my surgery this December, thankfully a few days after my exit exam. However I am a little concerned because I am scheduled to take the NCLEX exam in Feb or March of next year, and I remember being told by my Kaiser Options leader that people are usually a little fuzzy headed for a couple months post op due to the severe calorie restriction, etc. Can anyone give me a little info about their experiences with this? Also, I am nervous about some of the other complications like dumping, etc that I have been told about. I will have about 1 week to recover after surgery at home, then will be headed back to the classroom a few days a week for a couple weeks of NCLEX prep. and am curious about how I'll feel sitting in a class for hours at a time so soon after surgery. I would appreciate any insight to ease my mind a little, or at least let me know what to expect so I can be prepared Thanks!

Thanks! Its a relief to have one less thing to worry about Good luck in Med school!!

Thank you that is so good to hear! I have been fretting about this for awhile, and not sure if i should be worried or not, but this eases my mind a lot. It definitely feels like I am redefining myself, new year, new career, new person Good luck with nursing school!!

So I received the call last week that I hav a surgery date of 12/27/10. BUT Im having a really big problem losing pre-op weight. I exercise about 20-30 min 3-4 days per week, but my main problem is that I do not restrict my portion sizes. Just today I had 5!!! pieces of pizza for dinner. I know this is a humongous no-no but I can't seem to break my old habits, even with my date 2 months away! HELP! I am not a picky eater so I can eat veggies as much as anything else, I just have trouble with keeping healthy foods available and cooking them. Is this just an excuse or what? I was told by the surgeon to eat 1 Protein shake and 2 meals a day but Im having trouble doing even that! How did anyone else work through this mental sabotage??? Thanks!!!!

Hi! My surgery is Dec. 27 in San Diego. It still seems a ways away but I know the time will fly. What are you doing to prepare for surgery, as far as stocking up on foods, vitamins, protein shakes, etc?

ITS OK TO WORRY!!! I was scheduled for my surgery last December, but I started going through the whole "am I ready" phase and all the worrying and sabotage that went with it, and...I wasn't ready. It took me a year and a lot of re-educating myself about the whole process - AND reattending some of the Kaiser Options classes - and now I can say "Im ready!" I have my surgery scheduled for Dec 27th. So basically, really be honest with yourself, dig around and figure out what the problem is, then you can address it, because it does sound like you are stalling

CONGRATS!! Im having mine at the end of Dec and I still dont believe its gonna bappen Good luck and hope everything goes perfectly! Looking forward to your post surgery posts!

My goal is to lose 15-20 lbs, Ive been exercising but the food restriction is hard for me. Im gonna work on it!! Thanks!

The surgeon told me that as long as I dont gain weight Im fine, but to exercise 4x a week and eat 2 meals and 1 shake ONLY, so Im assuming he expects that I am going to lose some weight. Thank for the advice, I am starting a food journal and I have a calorie king book so Im gonna use that too

1) Because I want to be able to go out and ENJOY life, and not sit on the sidelines thinking "One day I'll be able to do that..." 2) Because I want to walk down the street and NOT see people look in the opposite direction as they walk by me. 3) Because I want to be able to shop WHEREVER I want and not have to stick to Walmart or overpriced dept store Woman sections 4) Because I would love to go out dancing with my husband and not feel ridiculous in tight clothing or a dress. 5) Because right now I feel as if my life is on hold, and if i don't make a change I'll spend the rest of my life thinking "What if??" 6) Because I don't want to feel as if people are laughing at my dreams just because I'm fat. 7) Because I hate to feel that there are 2 strikes against me when I am at work/school and having to work that much harder to prove myself to people. 8) Because I don't want my son to grow up with an obese mom and have to be excluded from social events just because I am. 9) Because I want to feel beautiful, and its really hard sometimes. 10) Because if I can beat my weight I can do absolutely anything!