RhondaMarie

Yeah... I think I will email Vicki in the morning. Nothing alerted the team on pre-op labs so I am confident renal function is somewhere in the normal range now. I could just be over thinking it. I know how taxing surgery is on the whole body so I am just thinking out loud.

I can't even do milk with all of my shakes as it is b/c it bothers my stomach and only allowed diluted juice at this time. I am allowed oatmeal. Who knew plain old oatmeal was 150 calories per half cup? It is on my approved pre-op so even tho it's gross... it's something. I will def keep these other thoughts in mind for when I am on the other side!

Agreed... BUT... only getting 650-750 calories a day IS bad. You are supposed to get at least half of your BMR in to stay out of starvation mode. For me...that is 955 calories. I know starvation mode doesn't often - but could - start as soon as 3 days. I am finally dropping at a decent rate so I don't want to slow down. This morning I had burnt twice as many calories as I had gotten in b/c I wasn't hungry. Even post-op, my dietician recommends not waiting til your hungry to eat. The thought is something small every four hrs to keep your metabolism up. I can def tell you I had plateaued & was still busting butt at the gym. The ONLY thing that helped was bumping up intake a bit. I did that & started dropping - more than 10 pounds in a month pre-banding.

I got word from the surgeon's office Wednesday & today the black & white notice of approval from Highmark. 10 days & counting before I am on the table. Either 1st or 2nd case depending on instrumentation needs of the OR. Plus my doc will allow me to go home same day if all is well OR let me spend the night if I want pampered a bit!! He was looking at my lap chole scars & was impressed with how great they healed & how faint they are. My response.... "let's do that again this time Doc!!!" Love the rapport I have with him!

252.6 today!! Was down to 257 before pre-op diet started ... on day 4 now. Pretty excited! Some are saying I am doing great on my own & asking if I REALLY wanna do this. HECK YEAH! I feel better and believe things can only keep getting better!

I am in a similar spot, but handled it the opposite way. I work in a group of 24 women... 7 who are in my immediate area and who are vicious gossip mongers a lot of the time. One of the 7 had some kind of surgery a few yrs ago. EVERYONE believes that she had WLS. No one cared that she had the procedure, but her stories to cover it were ridiculous. She took like 8 weeks off and told people she lost weight b/c she had a tumor removed. Long story short... people around you pick up and whisper if they think there is something to whisper about. I made my choice and was about 3 months into the supervised plan before I told anyone beyond my boss. A co-worker made a rude comment about all the fatties getting lap-band (we work at a hospital) so I pulled her aside and told her how harmful comments can be. She isn't small either... I gradually told everyone about a week later. I decided that I was going to get out in front of it and cut the gossip off before it could get started. Now they are positive and supportive. Except they are ordering pizza for lunch and I am pre-op dieting it... grrr. They even planned a dessert day and didn't bat an eye when I asked them to do it while I was off. Only you know what's right for you. Bottom line, as long as your boss supports you and approved the vacation... they should have nothing to say!!

I just bought a big cannister of Pure Protein for $20 at Wal-Mart (four flavors I think). Very Similar to the Body Fortress in terms of numbers. My surgeon recommends Pure Protein for taste. It says that is 27 shakes. My experience with Slim-Fast says the protein powder is actually cheaper over the long run! Also.... Milk gets to my stomach so I mix a lot with Water. I actually put the Blender Bottle in the freezer when I get to work at 8 and pull it out at 1145... great consistency (for me) like that. Today I mixed in half a single serve Crystal Light Raspberry in 20oz of water and 1 scoop of powder... I definitely LOVED it!!

$3.95 here.... has only been as low as $3.69 in months though

I got my email yesterday with my approval, too!! 9/26 here I come!! Four shaked down... 37 to go!!!

Today was my final weigh in & everything should have gone to insurance today! My CNRP that runs the program insists I should be an easy approval, BUT it will probably be at least Tuesday before I hear! I keep having palps that I will be denied. LOL Anyway.... thanks for all the support on this site!! I am so glad you know how I am really feeling!

Aw... Happy Birthday to her! She is indeed a miracle baby! I hope the concert trip goes off w/o a hitch! I have a son who is 13 and really getting into music as teenagers do. I love it now that he gives me new music suggestions! Bless you both!

Oh that's BRUTAL!!!

So when is your date??

Kathy emailed this morning & I am officially approved!! So excited & survived Day 1 of pre-op! Great Day!!

Kathy just emailed about 20 mins ago... I got my approval from Highmark BCBS!!

TRUST ME! I def empathize with you!! I swear it's b/c my CRNP dots every i and crosses every t TWICE before sending it in. So great to know you are in caring and compassionate hands!

Sept 26th.... I have had the date since July, but this approval was the last big hurdle. Plus pre-op diet started today!! So knowing I am good to go... WINNER!!

Day one... halfway thru first shake (41 more to go!!) 257 as of post-workout last night. Down 20# since my highest recorded weight ever which was March 2012. I never wanna see 260 again let alone 277!! Thanks to this tool & ALL YOU INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE I never will!! Cheers!! (Cinkink blender bottles! ;-P)

Latest are added!! Up to 71 scheduled and 5 still in a holding pattern. Goalseeker 9/4 Iv2nurse 9/4 Juliemarie777 9/4 Kathy_a22 9/4 Wisdom to know the Diff 9/4 Anesheim 9/5 Change4Dee 9/5 Poohbutt=) 9/5 Xobklynqt143 9/5 Chunky Mom 9/6 Heatherm82776 9/6 Kandikay76 9/6 Kaytlyn Allen 9/6 Kinley7390 9/6 Kristinsmom 9/6 Joyband 9/6 Meggie805 9/6 YumaCuen 9/6 Five71202 9/7 Fostermomma 9/7 Scooterbug (& wife) 9/7 yankeeChick75 9/8 Debprobst 9/10 Duhs9919 9/10 ElliesMommy 9/10 Kasper23 9/10 Kykhinkle 9/10 Shira 9/10 Twinskins 9/10 Angelle 9/11 Goingforit 9/11 Hls50 9/11 JackieC 9/11 Lynn Stewart 9/11 Mgilbert0429 9/11 Motherlaura 9/11 Suzeeq67 9/11 Visionary444 9/11 Jacki3 9/12 Ready for 50 9/12 Shermck86 9/12 Mimi Canada 9/13 Banderama 9/14 Dljonline1 9/14 Jazz70 9/14 Miranda4635 9/14 Aferreira14 9/17 JJ&E 9/17 Shanc625 9/17 Steve Paul Smith 9/17 mikeW 9/19 Morganjm 9/19 Georgeeileen 9/20 Prettygirlswag 9/20 Straughn 9/20 Aprilsnewlife 9/21 Nacol 9/21 Robesondenise 9/21 Tiggergramma 9/21 Tkleer 9/21 Corgimom 9/24 Disney Nut 9/24 MJ1996 9/24 Tlm1120 9/24 Wgbem 9/24 Millsy 9/25 Mummymeagan 9/25 Cindroo 9/26 Bandedinky12 9/26 RhondaMarie 9/26 Buplee 9/27 Prinxs 9/27 Rocio43 9/27 Andwhatrea 9/28 LYDSSS 9/28 MGP713 Maddysgram Bree Price Vmarlau fallonB

Nothing!! UGH!!! Everytime I peak at my email I hold my breath first!!

Today is the day I should hear!!! Start pre-op diet tomorrow so c'mon Highmark!!! Going nuts!

Yay!! Not too many PA peeps on here! ! I get banded 9/26 in Erie! I get to the Burgh every few months... we should keep in touch!!

Since our first fellow Sept Bandsters were scheduled for today, I thought I'd start a post for them to share their experiences when ready and able. Here are today's lucky contestants!!! And yes, I am bitter I have to wait alllllllll the way to 9/26 Sept 4, 2012 Goalseeker Iv2nurse Juliemarie777 Kathy_a22

That is exactly why the no drinking... food slies through and doesn't keep you full. I will warn ya to ask, but my doc has a no gummies rule. In part b/c of their sugar content & because they coukd sit on top of the band and be very uncomfortable. My team also suggests Calcium CITRATE supplements... and ferrous sulfate form of Iron depending on individual needs. Welcome to LBT!! There is so much knowledge and support here!! It is truly a blessing on this journey!