ShelbiCallie

Want2Be -- I don't know what your profession is, but I really believe you could write for a living (if you don't already). You have a gift with words, at least this non-writer thinks so! I hope you're keeping a blog/journal or maybe thinking about submitting something about this journey to a publication. About the pre-op diet: Dr. K told me no sugar, potatoes, bread or pasta. In other words, nothing white. ( I learned the same from the women here.) Paula told me protein and veggies only. I immediately questioned Paula about the lack of fruit to which she replied, well maybe one fruit occasionally. (In my brain that means one per day -- I do love me some fruit:kiss ) About the fear of not waking up from the anesthesia -- Yep, me too. I told Dr. K that there was nothing in the world that was more important to me than getting back to NC to my boys and I will tell the anesthesiologist that too as soon as I meet him/her. Happy, positive, peaceful day to all my fellow travelers wherever you find yourself on the journey today!

Mare!!!!!20 pounds!!!! You go girl!!!! That's great!!!! Taynuh & Littleroo -- will be thinking about you tommorrow! Please post as soon as you can and let us know how you are! Lap dancer -- gorgeous photos. That sunset takes my breath away! (I'm getting alittle manic with the exclamation points, so I better stop here.)

Jennifer--- I am sorry about your grandfather's passing. I am sure that you brought joy to his life and I know that your grandmother is especially appreciative now to have you. I'll be at the Crown Point on 9/19 for surgery and have my pre-op appointment late afternoon on the 18th. Maybe we'll cross paths in Dr. K's office!!! Want2B --- I think it's very normal to be having doubts. At least I hope it is because I'm having some, too. But I am taking getting so much strength from the successes of the women here. We are going to be successful with the lap band. I feel it in my bones! I have been very protective of my decision to do this procedure and almost ending up telling my sister and father last night. I am so glad that I didn't, because the negativity would have started and I know that I would have ended up probably not having the surgery. I have an ongoing issue with expecting acceptance and understanding from family who are not capable of giving it; it is constant work on my part not to let myself be hurt by them and to value my own opinion more than my extended families. I'm rambling, sorry. About the hotel -- I'm going to call and check too. I don't know why they didn't give you the medical rate! There's also a Hampton Inn across from the surgical center too.

Hello Everyone! Lap Dancer: thanks so much for the dailys thoughts; they are helping me tremendously. NMsunshine: Good Luck in Mexico. Littleroo and Want2B: I can't wait to hear all the details!! Good thoughts are going with you! LSzeliga: Welcome! Marcy: Wow! You look great. Mama mia, that's a big zuccini your daughter's got there. Dynamo: I hope you had a good weekend with your son's birthday celebration,,,sorry about the raw sewage and the plumber's fee! Ouch! Mal: How are you and how does your son like college? Woofay: I hope you're doing well. Haven't read you in awhile. Nicanut: Hi and I hope you are doing well. All other new people: Hello! Welcome and glad to meet you. If I have left anyone out, I apologize. I am wishing you all a healthy and happy holiday!

Hi Skye! Which fill center are you using? I'm in NC too. Are you using theone near Charlotte -- Denver, NC I think it is -- what do you think of it and how much is the cost with fluro? Thanks!

:girl_hug::girl_hug: Lap dancer :girl_hug::girl_hug: I'm sorry, but I'm also very proud of you. You are becoming so healthy & strong and they (sister,mom) feel threatened as they lose that power and control over your emotions-- they have to sit and watch while you set the new boundaries of your relationships. Hold strong to your progress and don't let them take anything away. I love the way that you've already put a smart plan in place to take care of yourself while they learn the ways of the new world. I have worked for years not to have any expectations of some of my more toxic family members. That way I'm not let down and their choices don't bother me. My mom was notorious for pitting one sibling against another, so I'm feeling these posts today. Hugs, friend.

Thanks, Mal, for your very kind words. So your son is off to college soon! I'm sure that's scarey AND exciting for mom. You really don't look like you're old enough to have a son in college!! He'll probably mature so much this coming year; most boys seem to be late bloomers -- mine is for sure. Have a good evening and a great tomorrow!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know that my friend Ann's dad passed on to the next life this morning. You guys were so right -- I absolutely needed to be here. My sister-in-law's mom passed on as well on Monday night. Things/plans have a way of righting themselves so that people are where they should be, when they should be, ya know? Thanks again for the prayers that you said and the positive thoughts that you shared -- I have passed them on to Ann. Did anyone ever hear from Justplainme/Tiffany? I sent her a PM that my surgery had be postponed, but never heard back from her. I hope she is doing ok; she should be one day post op today. I'm sending rash healing vibes to Dynamo and healing vibes to Lap Dancer. I hope you guys find the source of these issues soon and get them resolved. I have an $89/night medical discount rate at that Holiday Inn Select. Surgery on 9/19 now. The hotel and the airline were both very flexible/kind about re-scheduling. The rental car company wasn't. So let me just annouce -ahem- BUDGET RENTAL CAR SUCKS. They wanted a note from my friend's father's MD??? Do they honestly think I would bother my friend with that BS? I was about to show my grits eatin', NASCAR luvin' red neck to that poor phone rep, but I just decided to let it go. I'm tired, so I just wimped out instead. There are more important things in the world. I am thinking of you all and wishing you well. I can't wait to see the pictures of the new-and-improved gals from your 9/11 meet up!!!

Thanks so much to all of you. You are all so right. Now was just not the time and things worked out this way for a reason. I fully believe that. This is where I need to be to support my friend. There are hard days ahead for her. Thanks again everyone~~~ you guys rock so very much.

My friend Ann who is traveling to CO with me for my surgery is not going to be able to come with me tomorrow. Her dad had a car accident and is not doing well -- the injuries from the wreck were not life threatening -- cracked ribs and lacerations, but he's elderly and in poor health and has had complications bilateral pneumonia, pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis. His oxygen saturation has been poor even with 100% oxygen delivered via face mask. Things don't look very good. I am waiting to hear back from her. He was driving after she had already taken his keys away weeks before, found a spare set and took off. She found him im the hospital. I've rescheduled my surgery to 9/19. Honestly, I'm just selfish enough to be disappointed; I was so ready to be banded this week. But, it is what it is. And my band is so small in comparison to what my friend and her dad are dealing with this week. My husband encouarged me not to change the date and said we'd all (the 4 of us) just come to CO, but my kids just started school today and buying 2 more tickets at last minute prices is just not in the budget. Anyway. Please pray for my friend Ann and her Dad/family. :think Thanks.

:whoo: Shesa! That's great!!! Way to go-- you're an inspiration for us all!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

:high5: You.. look.. marvelous!!! Seeing is believing -- your band suits you quite well, Lap Dancer! W:)W! The difference is amazing.

Hey Marilyn-- :clap2: It's good to hear from you and I'm glad you're doing so well! I know you're relieved to have the sugery behind you. Keep us posted. Nickanut -- Good to hear from you, too! I felt the same way when I had my consult with Dr. K. In fact I told him that I felt like I already knew him. Dynamo, what are these painted ladies you're talking about? I would love to see a photo. Is there one in the thread somewhere? (I'm too lazy to look through all 100+ pages again.) Hope you're feeling better soon, Mal; those summer respiratory infections are the worst. :notagree Nighty, night everyone. Sweet dreams to all.

I researched Dr. Ponce. His credentials are very impressive; he's a lap band pioneer, for sure. He has a good private pay, outpatient package price. I called his office to ask questions and schedule a consultation. The person who answered the phone asked for my contact information and said that she would send me an information packet which would answer my questions and would have some forms for me to complete and return. My impression was that my call was burdensome. But, I shrugged that off because I knew that he has a great surgical resume and everyone has a bad day. That's been about a month ago, and I still haven't received any packet. So, perhaps my feelings were correct? In the mean time, I've had lenghty personal communications with 2 other surgeons, have made my selection and will be banded by this time next week. Again, just my experience. I hope your experience is excellent.

Maare/Marilyn--- Happy Band-day! You're going to do great.:confused: I can't wait to hear about your experience. I said a prayer for you and will be thinking positive thoughts for you all day!

Woofay, I'm sorry about the band leak, but glad to hear that it will be taken care of soon. 9 days on SB before any diversion -- that is an excellent accomplishment!! I want to thank you for making me laugh out loud TWICE this week, (when I've been stressed & crying over stupid work). I think I've been on the North Forest eating plan myself on one too many occasions! And of course, good old Cartman gets me everytime. I love South Park, but ssshhh...don't tell my 10-yr-old. You guys look so beautiful and healthy in the new photos from your group meeting! It so nice to see your smiling faces AND Mal's handsome son! Welcome, welcome to all the new folks! This is a great place to learn from the masters. (I'm a gonnabe and this is the place that made me pick Dr. K) Patty, kudos to you for seeking out some treatment for the attention problems. Both my boys have ADD and I know I do as well. I have a very hard time focusing and staying on task (as evidenced by the problems at work I've been having and the ongoing state of my house). I've taken Strattera for awhile, but am not currently on medication. I am struggling, but want to wait until my surgery is behind me before I seek out another medication. I'm feeling somewhat overwhelmed right now, so it's a one thing at a time deal for me. Sometimes I worry that I'm putting too much faith in this band to fix everything -- my weight, my PCOS, my ADD, my depression -- only to find that as the weight comes off, those other things are rearing their ugly heads. I'm taking Cymbalta right now and feel like that has made my focus worse. Anyone else here take Cymbalta? I had my phone consults with Dr. K and with Dr. Paula, the nutritionist. Both went very well. Dr. K was very reassuring. I ask about the new AP bands and he told me that the company rep was coming out to talk with him about them on Friday (was either the 10th?or 17th?), & depending on how the ordering goes, we may be getting the new bands soon after that. My surgery is the 22th so I'm crossing the old fingers. Have great weeks eveyone -- sending positive vibes out to you all from NC!

Have fun tonight at Red Robin, ladies! I am so inspired by all of you who are doing whatever is necessary to get healthy. I luv seeing all those weight tickers moving to the right in your signatures. You all casually say..... well, I've lost 25, 30, 40 .... I am so like HELL YEAH!! you have just dropped a toddler from your body!!! YEAH BABY!!!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2: Ya'll are DOING IT!! You rock AND roll!

Maare/Marilyn :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug: I'm sorry. Is there some underlying reason that maybe your husband is afraid of the changes that are about to happen? Maybe you could thank him for sharing his feelings, but ask him to from now on to only express his feelings that are positive in terms of your health? I'm a grazer AND a bulk eater, too. This surgery is our committment to change that and get healthy. Please don't let anyone, for any reason, stand between you and your health! You can do this, girl!!!! Mal & Lap Dancer & JFK -- Thanks for the pre-op appointment stuff/details. I hope you know how much you are helping me. You guys are the best! Anita -- 2 days of SB and 6 pounds up??? Are you sure your scales are right? Are you retaining fluids? Somethin' ain't right here. I'd be heading to Target for some new scales. Tiffany -- My friend and I are staying at the Holiday Inn. My surgery is at 11:00 on the 22nd. I'll pm you my cell phone number -- let's try to get together while we're in Parker! :clap2: In my last post I was referring to Lap Dancer's pre-op thumbs up picture on page 44!:D I'm coming from NC; where are you? I didn't think it was possible, but I am getting more and more excited. I am such a dork -- I've already started packing and I don't leave for 17 days!

Hey Maare/Marilyn, Only 12 days left until your big day! I'd like to hear the answer to your pre-op appointment questions too. Anyone? Anyone? (said in my best Ferris Bueller's teacher voice)

Shesha -- congratulations on that pound gone and the new port!!:whoo: Justplainme --- Hi, it's great to meet you and so cool that I'll probably see you on the 22nd!! Marilyn has already told me that I'll be having surgery at Crown Point. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn across the way the night before so let's really do try to get together, even though we'll both probaby be NPO at that point. Maybe we can re-create the Lap Band Dancer pre-op thumbs up pose in a photo? (See page 44-- it always makes me feel better to look at that shot when I'm nervous about this whole deal!) This is so cool!!!!

Hey Biggest Loser ~ Thanks for the info and congratulations on your surgery last week! Good to hear that it went well for you and that you're doing good. I'm scheduled for surgery at Crown Point Surgery Center in Parker and it sounds like you were at the Health South Surgery Center in Aurora. The Holiday Inn is right across the way from Crown Point, but if I were going to the other facilty I'd absolutely check out the Extended Stay -- that is a great rate! I'm just too chicken (since I've never driven in Denver) and want to stay as close to the hospital as possible. I'm thinking that the Surgery Center where I'll be at is about 10 miles away from Dr. K's current office and Health South. But actually I may have dreamed that all up in my mind, because I'm pretty clueless. Thank goodness I'm bringing my very calm, pratical friend with me. Otherwise, I'd be lost. I saw in your previous post that you have PCOS -- me, too! Ain't it grand!!? (NOT) I give full credit to my PCOS for blessing me with a body that's not an apple or pear shape, but exactly like the letter "D". Along with adult acne from hell. It's the gift that keeps on giving. (insert smilie with acne here ha!) How are you feeling with the post-op diet, pain, etc. etc......?

I'm an August girl too. August 22, to be exact. I'm more of a lurker than a talker, probably due to my limited typing skills. :rolleyes But want to say hello to everyone.

ShelbiCallie -- August 22

I made the reservations at the Holiday Inn Select, bought the airline tickets, and rented a car. :whoo: It's gonna happen!! :clap2: By the way, how many carbs per day is considered a low carb diet by the good Dr. K?

Thanks, JKF! That's was a great synopsis of your Crown Point experience. I was wondering if Dr. K did a pre-op EKG, anticoagulant and it's good to know he does antibiotics during the procedure. All very reassuring to me! I'm off to see if I can find out anything about Dr. Green and team. TGIF, folks!