pandabear

So, went to my first dr appointment, and went in there pretty much set on the lapband. Talking to the RN she pretty much said that she recommends the sleeve more because of the NSAIDS that I take to help with the arthritis that is starting in my knees. Now I just don't know. Went on the vertical band site and, it just kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps people were cranky today or I am just cranky today ( which I am around all my family right now visiting and they are at each others throats so that doesn't help). Sigh, and I have to wait two months to see their nutrionist because they are all booked up. Blahhhh day

I have actually been told to lay off of Advil and ibuprofen because it was making me sick, but then I was diagnosed with gallstones so that might have been the pain and the nausea for months. Have just been taking meloxicam for my knees and man, still have pain so bad when the weather changes that I am in tears. I know when rain is coming before the weather men. I have dislocated my knees at least 4 times,(I think it might be up to 5 now but it all melds together after awhile). I can't imagine not taking something for the inflammation, but I don't want to hurt my stomach or band when and if I get it. Being on my feet at work for sometimes 9 hours at a time just doesn't make me want to "tough" it out on those bad days. ::sigh:: The surgeon I have picked does like to do sleeves more than bands from the feeling I got in the seminar, but he totally respects the band and actually says if I want kids (which I am at about a 70% negative on that) the band is the way to go. It is just disconcerting to go in on one path and totally liking that path, not really entertaining the thoughts of other paths and then poof! Lookie Lookie here, look at these other options! And then just getting confused. Anywho... It is looking like next year will be the closest I can get the surgery anyways after all my appointments (and my crazy schedule at work, compounded with vacations and weddings of friends) so I know I have time to research and change my mind a bizzillion times. (just I really like this forum... They don't seem as cool as you guys here :: pout:

Wonderful!

Well after nearly 2 months of waiting I am going to my first consultation! Have no idea really what to expect. I wonder if he will send me to my other appointments with the psych evaluation and the nutrionist? Or maybe I will have to go to his counseling groups? I know I will have to drop 10% of my body weight before he will do the surgery to weed out the people who are not serious about lifestyle changes. Oh man, I am all a flutter. Next I will be nervous about them denying me insurance. GAH! ::deep breath:: I am just so happy at least this day is here.

Oh man! That stuff is better than the full sugar one!

MJV totally agree with you! I am an avid reader of almost everything, and I could not get past the first few pages. Then I did the "cliff notes" versions of it from peoples blogs and goodreads and I was shocked that a Twilight fan fic turned major novel got published. I mean, ladies.... There is some good erotica out there! With plot... And grammar, and editing. I mean really? There's a scene with a tampon? ::covers mouth and dry heaves:: Sorry men for that little tidbit. Anywhoooo... That is my two cents on a side track of the original topic. Personally my thoughts on the original topic is that we as women can be shy (god knows I am, except after about three drinks) and to put yourself out on that limb to be judged is hard, and to have someone you love of all things judge you is even worse. ::shrugs:: Just how I see it though.

Wow... Just wow. Anyways, lord help me if I have a typo writing this since my auto correct gets wonky every once in awhile, forgive me oh gods of grammar and spelling that exist out there: ( is this a proper usage of a colon... Gah! I am all a flutter that it is wrong! The internets will be angry!) be brave! You will do great and there are tons of people on this site that are here to support with kind words. (swear it! Typos and all!)

To indyhandmade go to finecooking.com for a video. You can use foil and temp and reseal if not done. Get a feel on how long your fish takes before trying this technique because it really depends on the thickness of your meat. I also forgot the poaching technique which is a classic for salmon. It infuses flavor and keeps moist.

To pink delhia. I have had farmed salmon and wild caught ( god who has the 20 dollars and up a pound for that and get it once a year?) have been cooking with the farmed for years, and can't taste dirtiness. If you buy your food from a respectable market with high standards you shouldn't have a problem with so called "dirty " tasting fish. The real culprit with "fishy" tasting salmon is on how long you cook it, or should I say to what internal temperature. All fish should be cooked to a final temperature of a 145 degrees for maximum taste and the best texture. A little hint for rookie salmon cookers: if it has skin ( you do get more Omega 3s from the fat layer between the fish and skin, but a lot of people can get it from pills too) start the fish skin side down in the pan and then flip when you see the color start to turn half way up the fish ( if you have a thick piece you might have to finish it in the oven) Start with a hot pan, add oil if using ( your oil will shimmer when hot) Make sure your fish is blotted dry and seasoned if you want If your fish doesn't have skin place "presentation " side down first ( this is the side that doesn't that've the dark gray on it from the skin) Give the pan a little shake when putting it in so it will have less chance of sticking Brown ( remember you are the master of your pan, if it is cooking too fast take it off the fire, if needs be take it out of the pan until it cools down enough) the first side is most important for browning, this "crust" will give you excellent flavor. Flip gently and brown other side This is where a lot of people kinda ask a lot of questions ( like my husband) "well how do I know it is done?". Stick a digital thermometer ( get one, it will make your life in the kitchen much more simple) into the thickest part of the meat. I pick it up with a pair of tongs And put it straight into the side half way through the meat. When it reads 135-140 degrees it can be taken out of the pan and let it rest for 2-3 minutes and it will pop up naturally to 145 degrees from what is known as carry over cooking. Bake, pansear, broil, steam: it doesn't matter the flavor will be good if it is a good quality piece of fish and not over cooked. Try it grilled on a cedar plank on the grill with a little Dijon mixed with orange marmalade. ( I do the brown sugar on it like someone else mentioned before. But a toe of advice look up the technique of using the planks before using them) Getting fancy? Wrap it up in parchment paper (like a little envelope) with white wine, lemon slices, capers and dill ( the technique is called "en papillote" literally means in paper. Sounds fancy but actually really simple. Sorry if I got a little long winded but I am extremely passionate about cooking and can give a few pointers on the how's to the people not in the know. It is my job to know a lot of this stuff and to learn how to teach it to others. Lol kinda funny a professional chef trying to learn to eat to live when I work in an industry born from the pleasures of living to eat. At least I learned how Healthier cooking along side unhealthy in culinary school.

Actually getting a bra that fits right (sheesh, I guess big girls can't be barely a b cup) Stop paying 40-60 dollars for one damn pair of jeans (thanks lane bryant, now how about upping the quality on the fabric now that they are that expensive) Wearing short sleeve shirts without a long sleeve over them. Wearing shorts (haven't worn shorts in 10 years, no matter how hot it is, I wear jeans) Getting off of painkillers so I can get through my day at work. And being able to dance without fear of being that fat girl that the skinny girls and the "hot" guys make fun of, because I got moves.

Just got my skindura anti chaf stick and used it today. First time I have ever worn a skirt and walked around comfortably.

I have my initial consult with the dr on August 16th and then they have to put in the insurance stuff. I already checked with the insurance to make sure it was covered and it is with no restrictions so I am hopeful by at least November. Maybe late October. I have a big vacation in early October so I don't want to travel after getting the band for only a few weeks sowe will see. Hoping they don't deny me, already have had two MRIs on my back within two years and have two degenerating disks and a bulging disk, along with pre arthritis in the knees, at 32 I feel like I am 80. I have been over 240 pounds for almost 16 years and I am tired of it. Hell, I was over 200 pounds at 11 just thank god I was really tall for my age back then. Just seeing 230 would make me cry with happiness. ~Casey

That's great! I have been slowly trying to tweak my diet before the band and can't wait to see 240's because I haven't seen them since early 2003 and I haven't seen 230's since....well.... I can't remember. I can't wait! So congrats!

I have just ordered skin dura chaf stick on etsy.com I haven't tried it yet, but a lot of people says it helps the "chub rub" lol their words not mine. I will let you know how it goes for me.

I want to go down to Mexico and renew my vows with my husband on the beach, in a summer wedding dress and actually take a honeymoon this time.

Did you talk to your doctor about the sleeve/band and later becoming pregnant? My doctor, when I told him I was just THINKING about having kids in the future, said hands down go with the band because if you need more nutrients and such it is more flexible than the sleeve and he actually likes doing the sleeve surgery more than banding. Just might be his opinion though and doctors do tend to differ in opinions. Find a doctor you trust and who will be with you through all of this (mine will track me down for aftercare, and not let me get lazy about my follow up).

Try looking in the portion of the site called "nutrition" I think I saw some recipes there. Also I saw that people were putting up websites just for lap band recipes. Try googling it. You might find something. ~Casey

Happy you got green lit so fast. I have my initial appointment in August. Love me some manga, anime, (god help me, got all sorts of addicted to kdrama love stories much to my husbands dread) and my final fantasies. ::sigh:: I kinda never let my teenage guilty pleasures go. ::shrugs:: though I am an avid reader too, so it stimulates the mind. . Nice to meet you. Casey

My stomach has been super sensitive lately. (have had problems for years though) and they don't know if it is an ulcer or my gallbladder. I am going for more tests (ultrasound tomorrow) but I was wondering if there was any symptoms anyone,else has gone through? Mine: sensitive stomach Nausea Loss of appetite (which hey not so bad on this one) Stabbing pains in my right side after eating And I am exhausted all the time And just a pain ol' feeling like crap 24/7

My doctor said hands down that if I wanted a kid that the band was the way to go because of nutritional reasons. You have more sway with the band than the sleeve, though he prefers the sleeve procedure.

Haha, no, actually just saw a bunch of skinny farmers. (live in western rural ny) but pretty sure they just live on black coffee.

Was at a dunkin donuts and couldn't make a good decision so I walked away! Most people wouldn't understand why I would be happy about this since I was in line for five minutes but I thought you guys might!

I am pretty good about staying away from places that make me weak unless I have to be there. I work at Wegmans ( imagine trader joes, or whole foods ) so I am around smells of food (hell I run a kitchen) so almost every single day is a mental game. I usually tap my nose like a bad dog and wander away muttering at myself. It is almost sad that when I am at work around food every minute I barely eat, but get me on a day off and I make bad decisions, like I can rationalize that I had a super stressful week, I deserve that donut for not freaking out. Or get togethers with friends, out comes the bottle of rum (though this doesn't happen often). Food and alcohol is such a big part of my life (literally taking up most of my waking life) that I start to freak out about wanting the band and losing the only way I know how to have a good time and celebrate.

So. Sitting here at lunch and had to make a conscious desicion to throw out half my food. No way for me to take it home and I hate leftovers anyways. Half of me is proud I put the fork down and let it go, the other half of me is screaming at me for wasting money! Grrr. Am I alone on this?

I just had a seminar at rgh with dr. Anthony d. He seemed great and right to the point. I liked him and I think hands down I will go with him, though he is taking July off so it might be awhile before I get in.