ihomeschool4

I'm closing in on the end of Day Two of the Pre-Op diet. My family is upstairs eating dinner...grilled pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. My hubby is feeding them, thankfully... I think it's really starting to sink in...I'm realizing the depth of the changes we are getting ready to make in our lives...wow!! As I look through the pantry to decide what to feed the kids for lunch, I see things and think..."I'll probably never eat that again..." I guess I've just gotten so tied up in food (I suppose that's why I have a problem to begin with), that I just think about it too much. Is anyone else around here doing pre-op liquid/protein right now? I know I can and WILL make it through, but my problem right now is that I really don't WANT to. I get a rumble in my tummy and just want to throw the whole thing out the window...:hungry: I'm just griping...sorry!!! I'm determined ot make it through and excited about what's in store...I think that when I start to see results post-op, it'll make it a whole lot easier!! Well, I guess that's it for now...thanks for listening!

How are you doing? Hope all went well!!!! If you have any details to share, feel free. I started my pre-op diet yesterday YUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK!!!! The protein shakes are DISGUSTING!!! I had dreams about cheating...maybe the dreams will satisfy my urge to cheat and I'll be able to make it through the next 9 days! Anyway, surgery for my husband and I is next Thursday with Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. It's sneaking up SO quickly! So, like I said, any details of your experience that you want to share are welcomed!

I'm into it 5 hours and counting... (i'm actually not really counting yet - so far, so good). I'm hoping it won't be too terrrible...it's good to know that this means I'm in the countdown to surgery (10 days)! My hubby doesn't have to start until Thursday because his BMI is lower than mine. My biggest challenge is feeding my four children (8 years and under) when I can't eat...I'm really worried that this is going to be difficult. I don't want them to have to live on soup and sandwiches because I'm too selfish to cook them foods that might make me want to eat solids... Well, you'll probably see me posting as the days go by...I'll need an outlet to whine and complain LOL!!

We have the Taylor digital scale and have been happy thus far. It weighs us the same as the Dr. office and seems consistent. My hubby and I are both over 350...I started at 374 and he started at 393. I weigh first thing in the morning ONLY...I typically get up and go pee, weigh, drink 32 ounces of COLD water then wait 30 minutes and eat b'fast and take a vitamin B supplement. Ours only takes about 5-10 seconds to start reading...I wonder if you guys are having battery issues??? I don't even know if there's a place to change the battery or where the battery would go if you did change it. We've only had ours for about 1 1/2 months. I'm sorry yours isn't working for you...when all else fails, try eBay...maybe you can find one there that's somewhat affordable. If you're not happy with the one you have, you ought to take it back! At least you could use that money towards another one... Hope you have a great day...I'll be posting on another topic in a few minutes...started my pre-op diet today....UGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico...my hubby and I are going together and we will both be having Lapbands placed. We start our pre-op diets on April 2 (me) and April 4 (him). I am researching the Protein shake thing and trying to figure out which ones are the most palatable. If anyone cares to share any opinions, they would be greatly appreciated! 374/358/160

Thanks Sonia...I am going to look into the isofruit. I just ordered some of the unjury samples to try out. Hope you do well on the Easter Challenge...you can make ONEderland!!!

THanks for the links...I just finished reading all of them and copying and pasting into a word document to take to the store with me...I'm gonna try walmart, GNC and Tony's Vitamins... 3 days til pre-op diet starts!!! Please be praying for my hubby and I...personally, I'm beginning to get a little nervous! <><

Tears are rolling down my face!!!!! That's hilarious!! Oh my gosh!!! I needed a laugh...does this mean I have to share one of mine?!?! I'll have to ponder this for a while and try and remember a good one!!!

Hi Vanessa, I don't have any help to offer...just wanted to check and see if you have found anything out and if you are doing any better... sorry that I'm no help...my two c-sections came before my band (i'm having the surgery on April 12...woohoooo!!). With much empathy,

:help: I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico...my hubby and I are going together and we will both be having Lapbands placed. We start our pre-op diets on April 2 (me) and April 4 (him). I am researching the Protein shake thing and trying to figure out which ones are the most palatable. If anyone cares to share any opinions, they would be greatly appreciated...I'm gonna ask here (on my favorite thread) and post a new thread in case everyone doesn't read our EXCELLENT WONDERFUL BEST EVER THREAD IN THE UNIVERSE.... :biggrin1: Seriously...you guys have been my encouragers and my sanity over these last few weeks of finalizing my decision to do this... Thanks SOOOO much for everything! 374/358/160

I'm curious about that as well...is there actually a tool made for that purpose? My brother was disabled and couldn't clean himself, so my Mom had a bidet installed...surely it won't come to that...or maybe I could just hang at her house for several weeks...:biggrin1: ...or not... Once again...thanks everyone for being willing to share your experiences - good or bad - on this board! I have spent hours reading and researching and this place has been invaluable!!

Oh yeah, one other thing... Does anyone have problems with itchy rashes under their stomach or underarms or (excuse me guys...) boobs? Is it yeast? If it is, can it be treated with the stuff you use for yeast infections, or should I find some topical cream? Since I've been exercising, I've been showering twice a day and trying to keep dry, but it doesn't seem to be helping very much. Thanks for any help you can offer!

major newbie here... I am somewhat ignorant of the acronyms used on messageboards...anyone have a second to fill me in on some (like DH - i know it has to do with husbands, but what does it stand for?). If anyone wants to make a quick list and post it, that'd be fabulous...then I can post with all of you professionals hubby and i got plane tickets to Monterrey and have made the deposit on our surgery...scheduled for April 12th with Dr. Rumbaut...excited and nervous. hubby is a bad example...i've really been trying to be good, but he keeps wanting to go out and get "this for the last time" or "that for the last time"...anyone else understand that thought process...I figure if I really start altering my habits now it'll be easier after the surgery...

Hi! I am new to the site and have not "been banded" as of yet. I went to an open seminar in Chattanooga, Tennessee with Dr. Jaime Ponce at the beginning of February. My husband and I have been researching this option for about 6 months but have been interested in it for about 2 years. ROAD BLOCK: I had my initial consultation today and found that I am too fat to do the surgery at a non-hospital medical facility. Our insurance doesn't cover it and we don't qualify for the payment plan, so we have had to come up with $14,000 for the cash pay option...okay, so we now finally have the $14,000. When I went today, I fully expected to leave with a surgery scheduled but found it will take losing 40-50 pounds or coming up with another $5,000. I'm really having a hard time dealing here...the self-derision for letting myself get to this point is awful. Now I have to do what I've never been able to do before in order to have the surgery. The most I've ever lost with any single diet plan is about 35 pounds. I have about 200 pounds I need to lose...if I can lose the 50 on my own, do I even need the surgery?!? Anyway, I thought I'd vent and see if anyone else has had the same problem...maybe there's some encouragement out there.:cry Thanks for "listening," Christy <><

I love reading this thread!!! Synicalchick - did you regret the egg? I've been waiting for an update! How was work this week? I hope all has been going well! Wheetsin - you truly inspire me...I'm at the very beginning of this journey and have so many doubts...do i really want to do this? CAN I possibly do it? What if something goes wrong? Have I chosen the right doctor? If I get rid of food, who's gonna be my best friend?...seeing your pictures this evening has given me a new resolve...thousands of other people with the same doubts and questions I am asking have already done it and are succeeding. Your post was just what I needed, just when I needed it! Thank you! On the home front here, we have a surgery date!!! I say "we", because my hubby is going to have his as well!! We're going to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterry and our surgeries will be April 12 - for $1000 more than it would have cost for just me to have it here in Chattanooga!! We're pretty excited! In preparation for the surgery, we are really watching our calories (daily - 1100 or less for me and 1600 or less for him) and we are walking for 30 minutes everyday. We start the pre-op liquid diet 10 days before the surgery. Other than what we are already doing, does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm open to anything anyone has to offer! Thanks for all the support!

Hello to anyone who's keeping track...We have a surgery date!!! I say "we", because my hubby is going to have his as well!! We're going to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterry and our surgeries will be April 12 - for $1000 more than it would have cost for just me to have it here in Chattanooga!! We're pretty excited! In preparation for the surgery, we are really watching our calories (daily - 1100 or less for me and 1600 or less for him) and we are walking for 30 minutes everyday. We start the pre-op liquid diet 10 days before the surgery. Other than what we are already doing, does anyone have any advice or suggestions? I'm open to anything anyone has to offer! Thanks for all the support! Christy <><

I think I'm okay with the Mexico option. I did some checking (not much - just one phone call thus far) and was told that the surgery in Mexico plus post-op care in the states would end up totaling the same as if I just went ahead and did it in the US. I think I'm going to continue with some research...can't hurt - only helps! My husband and my mom and dad aren't comfortable with me going to Mexico (that is probably why dad offered the $5000). I have searched all over the web for negative remarks on having it done in Mexico and I just haven't been able to find but one - and it was from a surgeon - not a patient! I am an eternal bargain hunter - yes, I even haggled on the cost of my brother's cremation. It's just so hard to justify spending $18,000 if I can get the same service, the same quality and the same results for $8000 less!!! I am going to do some calling in the morning to the Topeka Kansas and Colorado docs...that seems like a decent option as well... Thank you all SOOO much for your input! I will be sticking around! This seems like such a great group of like-minded folks! Everyone is so different, but we all have the same struggles! Well, I'll check back in tomorrow...as for today, 1,100 calories, but couldn't walk because of the HORRIBLE storms! Christy <><

I made it through the day (with a lot of prayer) and consumed under 1000 healthy calories and walked just under a mile in 30 minutes (sad, huh??? - in junior high I could do an 8 minute mile). The REALLY good news is that my Dad wants to chip in the extra $5000 for me to go ahead and get the surgery in the hospital facility (rather than the non-hospital facility). Now it's time for nervousness and doubts...$18,000+ is SO MUCH MONEY!! I'm actually considering Mexico - if anyone wants to chime in on good or bad experiences there, please do..I'd like to examine both sides!

I'm a "supersize" as well...5'6" and weighed 374 at the dr. yesterday (had my initial consult). Did anyone else here have trouble with being told they were too fat for the surgery? My BMI is just over 60 and in order to qualify for the cheaper option (non-hospital facility), I have to have a BMI of less than 50. It's a considerable price difference and we're doing cash pay because our insurance has an exclusion on this procedure. I'm also having trouble with displaying my ticker... Thanks for posting...I have gotten alot of encouragement from reading back through these! Determined to make it work!! Christy <><

Thanks so much for all the encouragement! After waking up this morning, I still have some of the negative thoughts, but I've been awake for 2 hours and have only had 220 healthy calories and am optimistic. My kids want to go walking with my husband and I this evening...maybe I can do it... In regards to the extra $5000...it's a facility charge. It doesn't even go to Dr. Ponce. Looking at the breakdowna dn how much I have to pay him, it stays the same no matter where I have it done. Christy <>< <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wO53L38/"> <img border="0" src="<A href="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wO53L38/weight.png"></a">http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wO53L38/weight.png"></a>

Cindy, Twenty (or so) questions...:biggrin1: Have you had any trouble getting adjustments? How much does it cost to get down there? Are the facilities there good? how long did you have to stay? Thanks for your encouragement! Christy <><

I was reading over my posts and realized that I am sulking and having a pity party...SORRY! My question here would be...what happened? Did you lose the weight or opt for the hospital surgery? I really want to have this done yesterday...we've been researching it for so long and I just want to get it done and move on!! Thanks for any follow-up you can offer! Christy <><

i was just reading back over my post and want to apologize for whining...What I am specifically looking for is anyone who has been in a similar situation and has overcome it...i really need encouragement!!! Thanks! <><

Hi there...I went to Dr. Ponce today for an initial consult. I am 372. He told me I would have to lose about 40-50 pounds to have the cheaper of the cash-pay options...our insurance won't cover it and has an exclusion policy in place (my hubby even works for the insurance co.). I've been crying all afternoon...I don't want to wait another year and keep on with the same fruitless struggle I have faced all my life!!! I don't know how to come up with the additional $5000 for the hospital facility, though... Christy <><

Hi Tracy...i was reading your signature and noticed that you have BCBST and were apporved for the lap-band procedure...do you mind sharing what you did for your approval? We have BCBST and there is an exclusion policy for WLS, so I haven't even pursued it any further. I went today for an initial consultation with Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga and found that I am too heavy for the outpatient procedure at a non-hospital facility. If I want the surgery, I have to come up with another $5000. The first $14000 has been difficult enough!! Any help you can offer would be SOOO much appreciated! Thanks a bunch! Christy <><