poodlecamper

CTman---How was your visit? I met Dr. Erlich when I was in for my GB in October--nice, cute, too. I'm on day 3 of Optifast--not too bad tasting, but the TV food ads sure loom LARGE and everything smells good----hope I lose a good amount to start me off. My insurance required a 6 month process--and the time went by fast, although at first it seemed like forever. Had my preop bloodwork done and saw a friend who had gastric bypass about 3 years ago. She lost close to 200 lbs. and looks great. Told me she can eat whatever she wants and doesn't feel deprived at all--good to hear. 12 days to go!!

Hi--Jan. 1 I begin my 12 days on Optifast shakes (4) and protein bars (2) each day, then 2 days of clear liquids, and surgery on 1/15. I had a preop visit on 12/28, but when I got home, I thought I might have purchased the wrong amount of shakes per day, so will check on that. My BMI is 51, and the paperwork states 6 shakes per day with a BMI in that range--so we'll see. I'm excited, and nervous. Keep having these "Last Supper" moments about lots of foods, and hope that I can handle it after.:whoo: I so look forward to less pain in my back and knees and being able to get about without a cane and scooter.I'm on Soc Sec disability, and hope to be able to work again eventually. We never discussed a goal weight, so I just picked what I weighed when I got married, which was still not thin by any means!! But I'd be thrilled to weigh it again.:clap2: So glad to have a group to follow along with starting the New Year!! Carol in CT

Thistledo: Wow 21 days on Optifast!! I started today, 4 drinks and 2 bars a day for 12 days. I don't feel hungry (yet) but with DH and DS around, a lot of food is circulating and looks appealing. The Optifast is tolerable. I agree, best to do it right, get a good start. I'm starting to get nervous now--I've been on this path since last May. Carol in CT

Chrisann, 24 lbs. is awesome!!! Keep us posted on your recovery and progress---we'll all be there before we know it! Carol

adding my name UPDATED LIST Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley) Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe, poodlecamper Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters, Laurieloo Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Noni(Mary) Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb __________________

Oh, and CTman, please don't worry about the surgery--or try not to. The guy next to me was walking all over the recovery room before I went home, and I was also up and about. I used a total of 2 pain pills. Mostly I felt tired afterwards. Hope you get a date soon!!

CANTWAIT2BETHIN: I'm scheduled for January 15 at St. V's! Dr. Craig Floch is doing my surgery. I start the Optifast diet on Tuesday. CT MAN: My insurance required a 6 month process before they would even review my records. Fortunately they approved me in 6 days. I had my gallbladder out this past October--the man next to me had lap-band done by Dr. Erlich, who stopped to introduce himself. The doctors and office staff at Fairfield Bariatrics are fantastic. And St. V's was great also--wonderful people.

When I was 19 or so, this cute , popular guy was really rude to me. I lost a lot of weight, and when he saw me out dancing with my friends, he totally didn't recognize me. I was completely rude to him, wouldn't dance with or acknowledge him---LOVED IT !!!!!!! Yes, I was $%#ch. Now, as an "oldie"---well, if someone has been that way towards me due to my weight, well , they're shallow losers, aren't they? I would be polite, distant, cool, and definitely not their friend. Because inside, that person is lacking. JMHO Carol in CT

One more try

Just checking my signature--I am so bad at this!!

i've put myself in on 1/15 and hope I did it correctly

Hi---I got my insurance approval (Cigna) in 6 days (!!!!!) and am scheduled for January 15. I have a few questions for those of you who have already gone through surgery and weight loss: For those "older" people (I'm 56) how bad is the skin after a loss of 100+ lbs? I ask because my mother (ever the optimist) said when I told her I was approved,"Then you'll have all that saggy skin". I mean really, is it THAT bad? And I have no bikini or beauty pageant aspirations, so..... Did your wrists get smaller? Did your shoe size/width decrease? Tea with sweet and low and 1/2&1/2 is my beverage of choice. Can I drink this right after surgery without bad effect? (I do know the tea has to be decaf) Thanks--Carol in CT

Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2 Jan 3-WOWOX7 Jan 4- KUgirl Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup Jan 8 Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn Jan 15-poodlecamper Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18- RuthE? Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- Chrisann Jan 22 Jan 23- min Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 31 __________________ Got approved yesterday!! My date is Jan 15, will be on a 2 week Optifast diet pre-op, plus (I think) 2 days of Clear liquids at the end. Carol in CT

Hey---I'm 56, H315 C309----and waiting for my surgery date---actuallywaiting for insurance approval----congratulations on getting a date, and I'll be following your progress!! Do you have a strict preop diet to follow? My surgeon's is pretty restrictive. Best wishes! Carol in CT

I haven't posted much, but here goes: In May, I started the 6 month MD supervised diet my insurance (Cigna) requires. This Tuesday is the 6 month visit, and my MD will fax his notes to my bariatric surgeon that day. I've had : endoscopy, sleep apnea, cardiac stress test, ultrasound to both legs to rule out blood clots, psyche and nutrition eval--been through it all!!! Due to gallstones, I had my gallbladdere out on 10/23, done by my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Craig Floch of Fairfiels Bariatrics. I have lost NO weight, but Doc feels I will be approved due to my BMI of 51 and co-morbidities. So now, it depends on how long Cigna takes to ok me. I'm hoping to have the lap band done before 12/31, due to $$$$$$$--I've already met my insurance deductibles for this year. On Monday I will be a 3 year survivor of stage 3 ovarian and peritoneal cancer--I am also on Soc Sec disability because I have wicked arthritis all over my body. Hoping the weight loss will help diminish the pain to my back, knees, ankles, feet. I've already had a shoulder replacement. So that's my story---can anyone contribute experience with Cigna? I know they can be a drag,:whoo: although I have no complaints as far as my cancer and arthritis treatments. With an 85% recurrence rate, my oncologist and I want me to be pain free and be able to do more of what I'd like and believe weight loss will open that door for me. I am a stubborn and determined person, but have just never been able to be successful at permanent significant weight loss. Well-----that was long, hope not too much information!!! Carol in CT

Thanks for your responses---I'm going to call today to see where my Cigna paperwork is at---I had hoped for a pre 2008 surgery date, due to deductibles already beeing covered for this year, but I guess there's no sense in stressing about it. Lots of docs take time off during the holidays, so surgical dates may be at a premium. The waiting begins.

I haven't been banded yet, but this is on the checklist I was given by my doctor: "To use papaya enzyme to relieve blocked food, try either of these remedies: chewable papya enzyme tablets,available at health food stores directions: Use 1-2 tablets. Chew well unflavored Adolph's meat Tenderizer powder also contains papya enzyme. Find it in the herb and spice section of most supermarkets. directions: Mix 1/2 teaspoon AMT, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 4 oz tap Water. Sip slowly over one hour." I hope this helps---if not this time (if you're ok now) then in the future! Carol

Thanks for your posts, no idea and faithmd. I went out today and bought some of the protein drinks, and powder, to begin trying to find some I can live with. My doc and nutritionist have a very detailed, mult-stage diet plan that must be followed pre and post-op. And definitely there are "mind" issues that have to be dealt with. No more corn on the cob?? AUGGHHH!!!! I am a corn on the cob maniac. Maybe I can chew it and spit it out? Just kidding ;>)

Hi--I'm also in the pre-approval process and my insurance (Cigna) requires a "six month Dr. supervised diet". No one (surgeon, nutritionist) has been able to tell me the rationale behind this. But the nutritionist told me many of her patients were afraid to lose any weight, fearing the insurance co would use that as "proof" that surgery wasn't needed. Frankly, after 40+ years of weight issues I don't get what this "diet" is supposed to prove and it worries me too. I have a BMI of 51 and co-morbidities. Anyone ever figure this out? what's the insurance co's point?

Hi--I'm just beginning all this, and wondered, how does one decide on a goal weight? From a "chart" based on height, or as a mutually agreed upon number with the surgeon? Or do you just pick a number yourself? Just curious as I look at all the "tickers" and wonder what my goal would be. Thanks for all responses!! Carol

Hi---I'm concerned that with the very few calories consumed, that I'll feel shaky or weak. I understand feeling full physically, but how does your body manage to keep you going on so few calories? Does the extra fat get metabolized and converted for use by the body?

Thanks for all the responses. I'm not banded yet, but looking at some of the other wls forums, it seemed like some people were eating 700-800 calories and I know at that level that I'd have low blood sugar episodes. I haven't met the nutritionist yet, but am getting informed so I ask the right questions. 1200 calories sounds very reasonable!!

Hi--I'm new here, and just starting the process. My insurance requires a 6 month doctor supervised diet. My surgeon will (hopefully) be Dr. Craig Floch of Fairfield Bariatrics. (St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, CT) So far, I've attended the informational seminar, had a visit with the surgeon, and today had the psyche consult done. Still a bunch of stuff to do. I'm curious about the reasons people choose lap band, and also the pace of their weight loss. Also, can anyone suggest an exercise DVD that would be good for someone with BAAAD :phanvan arthritis but who needs to increase their physical activity? Thanks for all replies! Carol in CT