Caolin

Carebears - it seems, after reading a lot of varying posts, that everyone has different things happen to them.....but I have not heard of a stomache after eating soup. Please, keep us informed on how you are doing! Once again, I'm reaching out to someone to give me the info for the Silverdale support group, please PM me! I would really appreciate it.

Nelli - I just got done driving for the past two weekend straight! The first weekend was to Oregon to see my friend graduate from Oregon State University (we are late bloomers!) Then this past weekend I drove to Idaho to visit with my sister for her birthday. The next time I go anywhere it will be on a plane!!! lol I love watching "Big Medicine." I could totally empathize with those people. I may not be that large, but I knew I could be someday, the way I was going. I knew I needed to stop myself now, not later! Have fun in Montana.....and yes, next year it will be nice to go on vacation without this other person on my back.....lol:)

I don't see how this can be a mistake when, in the end, it is saving your life! As women, we invest a lot of ourselves into being wives, mothers, careers and anything else that may need our attention. Having this surgery is for YOU, you deserve to be happy and healthy so then you can do all those things listed above. Good luck!:clap2:

Thanks Nelli - I never even thought to go to the "advanced" settings....hope you enjoy your vacation. I have one coming up in August, for three weeks, to Scotland to visit my DH family....that should be interesting. Hoping for a fill before I leave, but might not get that lucky:confused:.

Thank you so much!! I wondered where all these icons were hiding!!:mad:

Good evening......I get to start my liquid diet on the 4th of July.....my independence from food, I suppose. Hope to see that Dini is back and finally feeling better! Congrats Sunny on finally getting approved, it's nice to have a date. Can anyone tell me how you get all the icons in your messages? I think they are funny! Thanks

HELP! I need some information on a support group in Silverdale, WA. I can't seem to find a post that told me about it, dang it. I would really like to meet others over in this area. Thanks.

Whew....finally, after 3 hours, I've gotten through all the posts!! How wonderful to read and share experiences with others who are going through all the same stages that I will be going through myself shortly. Dini - I've read your story and hope to hear from you soon, would love to know that you are ok! Marcy - A fellow Alaskan! I've transplanted to Washington State, but spent most of my life near or in Ketchikan - the rain country - lol. I chuckle at your bluntness and admire your forthrightness about the daily struggles we all are going through. Breadlady - Thank you for sharing our first experience of July bandsters, by giving us all the "scoop" on how it all happened for you. I am going to the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery where surgery is done there, barring complications and I will be released later that day. Fortunately, my sister lives 5 minutes away, so I will stay with her overnight to make sure all goes well! Congrats on your weightloss! Chimboree - Just can't thank you enough for the warm welcome and the constant updates with the calendar (thanks for adding me, btw). It makes us all feel like we are in this together, even though we all have to fight our own personal weight battles with our new tool. Laurend - I would love to be added to your stats sheet, but I haven't a clue how to do a PM on this site yet. Can I just give you my stats here? Yes? No? Ok, thanks (lol) 5'7, 321 lbs. Thanks a lot for doing this! There are so many more I would like to say thanks and a personal hello to, but after 40 pages, I apologize, I can not remember all the wonderful conversations that I've read through, but I feel glad to be among such a warm group of people. Thank you all! A little bit about me: *Always have been heavy....just progressing as I get older *Spent many years experiencing low self-esteem and hid myself away, but something in my 40's said, "What the hell? Who you hiding from?" So I choose to have this surgery so my outside will reflect this newfound confidence on the inside. *I returned to school, first community college and then decided why not go further, so I now attend the University of Washington, Tacoma and will be starting my senior year this fall - Business Administration (Finance) *With only a year before I have to go out there an compete with those young and beautiful 20-somethings, I figure I better get myself in the best shape I can!! *My husband is an instructor at the community college I attended (no, I never got to take a class from him, which is probably just as well!! lol) We have no children (got married to late to make that a reality), but have two dogs we love to death -- those little monsters! Ok, I've blabbed on and on......I hope this gave you a little insite into who I am. I'm looking forward to getting to know as many of you as I can as well.....take care!

Hello carebears, welcome aboard, unfortuately I have not been banded yet (July 11th!), but am excitedly and nervously awaiting a sleep testing date or otherwise it will hold up my surgery! I'm from Bremerton, WA, sorry, not from anywhere near Spokane, but this place can make it seem like a very small world..... :-)

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site, but I do have a banding date: July 11th! I'm excited, nervous, anxious and not sure about it all, but excited to join the banded. Caolin Seminar: Dr. Oh, Federal Way, WA 4/16/07 Seminar: Dr. Michaelsen, Everett, WA 5/10/07 Going with Northwest Weight Loss Surgery (from second seminar) Consultation/Psych./Nurse-Nutritionist: 6/19/07 Sleep Test: Still awaiting a day! Pre-Op liquids: start 7/4/07 Pre-Op Appt.: 7/6/07 Surgery day: 7/11/07

Hello all -- got my surgery date yesterday!! July 11th is the big day...all my consults went well and Dr. Watkins was nice, as was everyone else there. I do have to have sleep testing done and wonder if anyone knows someone who does that in the Bremerton area? PineNut -- sounds like you are ready for a fill!!! Good luck with your first one.

Hello all, My name is Celeste and I live in Bremerton, my is consult coming up on the 19th at the NWWLS and Dr. Watkins. I'm excited and hope all goes well for me, as it has seem to go for all of you. Just wanted to say thank you for the 47 pages of insight and personal thoughts on pre-op and post-op reactions. It seems everyone has had a little different experience. I loved hearing the positives given to those who were soon to have the surgery and for those encouraging words to the few who had yet to make up their minds on the best way to lose weight. Again, thank you so much, all your words have made so many question I had or hadn't even thought of, more clear. I'll let you all know when my surgery count down day starts!!

ShellMarr, Thanks for the feedback!! Was really hoping to make it to group this evening, but I had to go in an see another Dr. for some other tests, just got that call this morning! I'm hoping to make it to the one on the third Thursday at 10am. Living in Bremerton makes planning more complicated. Enjoy group tonight and bring back some good stuff to share!

Hello all, Just found this NWWLS site and was excited to find others talking about the place I chose for my surgery. I go in on the 19th for consult with nurse/doctor/psych. The doctor I'm seeing is Watkins, any info on him? Both people I talked to in the office said they used him, but it seems everyone here has used Montgomery (my first choice) or Michaelson. I see that they is a support group on the 11th of June and wondered if I should attend regardless of the fact that I have yet to speak to a doctor. Can anyone help me with this question? One thing I have found about all the comments on this site is that it looks like it NW was the right choice to make. The first seminar I went to was with Dr. Oh, the downside with him was his requirement of the $60 supplements for the rest of your life......just couldn't see myself paying for that, AS WELL AS the years worth of fills. Thanks for hearing me out, if you have helpful hints for me, I'd love to hear them. **Hoping to be banded in mid-July**

Gina, I've yet to get it done myself, but one thing I did do was go to several seminars and not limit myself to what one physician has to say. But most of all good luck......my consult is June 19th and hoping for surgery in July! Caolin

Phyllser, just curious, how did you come to choose that place? I'm going through the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery. I went to their seminar last, but did attend another by Dr. Oh, from a hospital in Federal Way. I'm always interested in why people choose the place they do. I haven't had surgery yet, but have my consult with nutritionist, Psych and Dr. on June 19. Excited and nervous, but mostly excited about it all. It will be nice to finally be able to maintain weight loss....... Caolin

I'm new to all this also, I went to several seminars, but pretty much made up my mind on the LapBand due to the quicker recovery and less envasive surgery. One of the semiars, that doctor did all types of bariatric surgeries, he just said choose the one that is right for you and he would do it. He also taught other physicians all the procedures. The second seminar was at the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery and they only do LapBand, but each physician there, at one time, did all the different types of weight loss surgeries. As another poster recommended, to find the right surgery for you, go and visit several different places and see what they have to say. To me, it sounds like the doctor you chose Dr. Schumacher is selling that particular "sleeve" surgery because it's something he's created and wants to promote as an alternative. I'd almost say he was biased towards that type of surgery. Just my opinion, from all you have said.