JudyJudyJudy

Hey Penny I am also using Dr. Ballenger in Gonzales, La. I had a Nov. 3rd date, but my blood pressure stopped my surgery in it's tracks. I'm working on my BP and hoping for a Dec. Date. Great to find some who is local and using Dr. B. PLease keep me posted, and let me hear of your glowing reviews. I also had a friend who used Dr. B. and she loved him. That is why I went to him. I was at the Oct. 22nd Seminar, with my husband. I can't wait to get started !!!! I'm from Canton, Ms. 3 1/2 hours away and 25 miles north of Jackson.

Hey Jenn I feel your pain, it's hard to know what to expect, because we've never been here before. But I do believe these wonderful ladies give great advice, in that it will get better in time. It will the best thing we've ever done. Our lives will change for the better, in every way. It will be tough at first, but what good things are not tough? We few that are blessed to be able to afford the surgery or have insurance to cover it should feel relief. In that we can escape from this prison we're in. There are those who will forever be imprisoned by weight. Count your blessings, see the good in it, be thankful there is a way out. Think positive and get ready to LIVE your life to the fullest.

Hey Lucy What an unconsiderate, jealous family you have. They are not thinking of you, they are thinking of themselves, and how BAD your gonna make the look, because you have decided to DO SOMETHING about your condition. Hats of to you, for standing your ground. Having babies is dangerous too, but people have them every day! I am very proud of you, and We will all stand behind you even if THEY don't. YOU GO GURL!!!! You will live longer, and be much happier in the long run.

I thought carbs like bread, rice, potatoes and Pasta were taboo. I was even thinking about raw lean ground beef like fillet M. because it's soft and moist. Most meats that are " well done" are hard, and I'm a rare meat kinda girl, always have been. Would that be bad? I love sweet potatoes, because you don't need salt, just butter or (smart balance). I love all the salads you spoke of, so that won't be a problem. What do you mix with your cottage cheese to make it eatable? Is there any other flavorings that you use to mix with things to make them taste good?

I had that same thought myself, along with Baby foods. I think it's a great idea too!!!! Just make sure you get your protiens first,

I am 235 lbs, and my goal weight is 135 lbx. I have 100 to loose. I truely believe it is possible to reach our goal in a year. If you do every thing right, and exercise the way your suposed to, there is NO reason not make it. I have all the faith in the world to get it done. thanks for this thread, it's good to know that much weight loss is possible the first month.:thumbup:

Well, Girls.... I went Thursday for my pre-op test. Blood work, chest x-ray, EKG, upper GI, and psych evaltuation. Pass all with flying colors. I had one last thing to do...see the Dr. that would approve me for surgery. While walking over to her office I got a hot flash, and a terrible head ache. I sat in her office and waited for about 45 minutes and it just got worse, My face was flushed, I was very hot, and felt nauseated. She looked over my chart, said everything looked great and was about to approve me. Then she took my blood pressure.....as you can guess it was OUT OF SIGHT..I have no idea why, but it was. I suppose just the stress of getting things done, the anxiety of the date being so close, and trying to get all my paper work together for my job to approve my leave of absence. But what ever the case, she stop everything. She would not approve my surgery unless my BP came down. So today at work I check it several times, and it was still high. 182/94...167/90...181/111 it was all over the place. She canceled my surgery until I could get my BP under control. I was devastated !!!! I have done eveyrthing, I'm ready, I've prepaid everything, and now I have this boulder to climb over. I went to my Dr. at MEA and he gave me some medication to bring it down, and I go back Monday to have it rechecked. Pray for me.... I will take it easy this weekend and hope everything gets better. Hopefull she will approve me if I'm leveled out. As of now though, I've lost my surgery date, and I don't know if I can can get another one soon or not....sigh....I"m so so so so disapointed. :confused1:

YAHOOOOOO!!!!! How wonderful is that!!!!!!! way to go gurl!!!!!!!

I am 5'5" and 235 lbs. NO, not that big, but BIG enough. I am 100 lbs over weight. I've been called a light weight, but that's ok, I'll take it with no problem. I was about to have surgery, but my BP is way too high, and I have to get it under control before surgery. I would love to hear more about your weight loss, trials and errors. It's always good to hear about people who are as far along as you are, with no regrets, and still doing great! I hope to make it to my ideal weight of 135 lbs. but I'd take 150 lbs. Thanks for posting, hope to hear more from you.

I don't think so, my BMI is 39. I've not lost any weight. Just taking meds, walking and eating better. I think my 5 "last suppers" probably help in pushing my BP up. pizza, Mexican food, fried Seafood, cheese dip, popeyes chicken, plus coke floats. NOT GOOD. But I have had a history of sparatic HBP. I have been walking every day. And eating salads, and lean meats.:crying:

I will not have surgery until my blood pressure is under control. Today, I went to the Dr. and had it checked again, it was still 170/110 so I have ways to go before I'll be ready for surgery. It may take a month to get it regulated. So I'm out for November. Maybe by Dec. 1st I'll be eligible. So I'll be cutting back on my salt, eating lean meat, veggies, and fruities. Avoiding anything white, and walking a mile a day. So, there it is in black & white. I have a weeks vacation, so I"m taking it now, and I'll be back at work Saturday. Although I'm disapointed, I'm better off knowing about my High BP now, and taking care of it. :mad:

Thanks Tiffykins, I appreciate your cute little crossed fingies, but twas no good today. BP is till out of sight 170/110, I still have work ta do. I'll be alright. It's good to know before surgery. I've had spurts of high BP here and there, but never realized it was this bad. I also found out today, my Dad has high BP. And the Dr.'s say it is hereditary........so.....I'll have to take the meds for a while yet. I'll be doing other things to get it regulated, with Diet and exercise. I'm no quiter !!!! Tis yet another challange!!!:w00t:

I was just quoting what my nutritionist said, I've not been down the road you've been down yet, but my time is coming. And until I do, I can't really say much. I would think mashed potatoes would be great to eat. Better than rice or Pasta anyway.

Amlodipine-Benazepril is the medication I'm taking once a day. I feel good. I"ve been walking a mile and a 1/2 the last two days, and getting some good fresh air. I go in the morning to recheck my blood pressure. I'll post the results tomorrow after noon. think happy thoughts !!!

I was informed you shouldn't eat mashed potatoes....too much starch...too many carbs.....and cause you to stall/stop loosing. This maybe part of the problem.

Thank you all for you sweet thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate it more than you know. My husband and I had a talk this morning about it, and he said "It's not like your not going to be able to have the surgery, it's just been postponed for a bit" "you'll still have it, so stay possitve, take care of yourself, relax, get some excercise, take your meds, and it WILL happen". He is really supportive, I'm very lucky. I knew something was wrong, Thursday. When I finished my upper GI. I started having a head ache, weak at first. But by the time I walked over to my last stop of the day, which was the Dr. who would approve my surgery, after all test had been completed. When I was in her office, I Had to wait for about 45 minutes. The longer I waited, I began to have hot flashes, my head was pounding, and I felt nauseated. I wanted the surgery so bad, that I was stressing out over the entire process. Funny thing is, I felt great most of the day, and past every test with flying colors. Seems like the closer I got to the end the more anxious I got. I hadn't eaten all day, I was stress out over paper work for my job, and my jeep was acting up, while I was 200 miles from home. It all added up to desaster for the day. But it will all be alright, everything is in order now. Paper work is done, I have a temporary replacement, while I'm recovering from the surgery, and everything is paid for. Just waiting for my blood pressure to level out. Keep your fingers crossed.....

THank you for the website, I just ordered my Calcium Citrate Chewable orange/vanilla flavored.

These are things I plan on buying and having ready for each stage. Sugar free pudding, sugar free Jell-O Sugar Free Popsicle Baby food fruits pears, applesauce, plums, bananas. Ready to drink Atkin?s Nutritional Shakes. Chicken broth mixed with mashed potatoes any blended soups. Boxed pureed soups from Kroger, butter nut squash. Cream of broccoli or shrimp. Refried beans, soy milk. Low Fat/low sugar yogurt & cottage cheese. deviled ham Chicken broth with lemon Fish tarter sauce and cheese pureed. Humus, pureed carrot, lentil soups unsweetened Grape juice, Nectar protein mix with crystal light light prune juice, Un-sweetened apple sauce. Luigi?s lemon ice SF boiled shrimp, baked fish, salmon, chicken, ground turkey, peanut butter, liver, cheese, eggs, cooked beans.

My nutritionist advised me to avoid carbs/starches all together, because: They will stall/stop your weight loss, because your body wants to hold on to them, because it hasn't had them in 3 weeks. Pasta and Rice swell up in your stomach and make you miserable. very low nutritional value and too much starch. Things to avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, corn, crackers, grits, dry cereal, oatmeal, Chips, etc. Hope this helps.

I know the feeling Ruby, I am in the same boat or was....I HAD a surgery date Nov. 3rd...and my blood pressure has brought everything to a screeching halt. I have to get it under control before I get re-scheduled. I'm really disapointed....anyway Thinking about the life changes, especially when surgery is so close gets overwhelming. Just make a priority list... 1. gown, robe, no slip shoes, pillow 2. chewable vitimans, b-12, Calcium citrate 3. Protein powder, sugar free pudding, Jello, crystal light chicken broth, etc. 4. stock you pantry and fridge with things you eat. This is what I am doing to prepare. read these blogs daily and you'll learn all you need to know. It's tough to think about the food you will not be able to have anymore, it is hard for me, but you have to focus on the prize. A Brand NEW BODY. I chance to start over, to make things right permanently. Those of us that are fortunate enough to have the surgery are truely blessed. Forget about the food that gave us the body we have now. And that will keep you focused. I hope this helps JudyJudyJudy

Thank you girls...I love prayers....I'll just do the best I can, and get my BP under control. Everything happens for a reason....Maybe GOD's not quite ready for me to go under the knife just yet. If it's meant to be, it will be.:confused1:

I have an unusual question, has any body ever tried baby food as muchies? Will that work? I mean it is in small amounts, and pureed and not additives, am I off base here? :biggrin0:

Hey Guys Well my day is right around the corner, NEXT Tuesday!!!!! I'm getting ready, making plans, and so happy and excited. Going for all my pre-op test and psych evaluation Thrusday. It's gonna be an all day thang !!! If any body has and last minute instructions or advice, now's the time :001_tongue: I'm all ears. BTW My Doctor is Dr. Drake Ballanger, of Gonzales, La. Weight Loss Surgery Center of Louisiana If any one is interested check out this site.:sad0:

Where do I find that thread?

I have a very handsome normal sized husband, he has been very patient with me, because he knows how ugly I feel being so FAT. He also knows when I feel good about myself, our sex life improves drastcially. So he is 100% suportive of my surgery. I look forward to the time when that part of my life is the way it should be. Right now I just feel like a slug, very unsexy, very unattractive. I KNOW, once the weight comes off EVEYRTHING will change in that dept.:001_tongue: