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Everything posted by steph_co
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I can hardly wait to be able to say that. Congratulations on the good work!
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Pre Surgery Checklist or Suggestions?
steph_co replied to happysilly307's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks. I'll have to look around for it - I have never seen it here (western slope of Colorado). -
Pre Surgery Checklist or Suggestions?
steph_co replied to happysilly307's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm trying to figure out the protein water thing. I've heard others mention it. What brand, exactly, is it? I couldn't find anything. I thought maybe Propel, but it didn't have any protein listed in it. -
I thought once I got my financing approved and my surgery date set that I would be SO excited. I can't help being a little nervous. The thing is, though, I'm not worried about the surgery - I know it's going to go great. I know I can succeed on the band, stick to it and exercise and that I'll end up looking awesome in a swimsuit. What I'm worried about is leaving behind this comfort zone. That's exactly what it is. I can eat when I'm sad, I can eat when I'm worried, I can eat when I'm bored. After the band, I get to change all that. In addition, I conveniently use my weight to keep from having to engage in life too much (major introvert). Too much of my life has revolved around food. Now I have to find new things to do with my time, new things to think about and plan for, etc. I am already starting down that path. I have a therapist lined up for afterwards/during to deal with the emotional issues that are tied to the eating. I fantasize about what I'll look like in a certain outfit (I know what my adult body looks like skinny - I was a size 8 in my senior year of HS). When my sweetheart and I were out grocery shopping for some last-minute food that I plan to say goodbye to, I found a page-a-day calendar that teaches origami (314 different ones). I figured that's at least ONE thing I can do when I'm bored and looking for something to keep my hands busy. My social worker at the psych consult told me to find new coping mechanisms and I'm taking that seriously by keeping an eye out. So I KNOW I can do this. I have every faith in myself. The band is something I have considered and looked in to for about a year. I know it's the path for me. I think it's the fact that I realize how PERMANENT this is as opposed to all the diets and exercise in the past. I'm preparing to say goodbye to the fat suit that has been my comfort for too many years. Please tell me I'm not the only crazy person that is scared of the success!?
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Feeling a little crazy
steph_co replied to steph_co's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you, ladies. This is what I needed to hear. One day at a time, I guess. I appreciate the responses. Thank you! -
I'll be paying $10,850. Doctor: $3,300; Medical center: $7,000; Anesthesiologist: $550. I think it's a dang good deal based on everything I'm seeing around these boards!
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Couple of random questions
steph_co replied to JenniferMason77's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
As long as you meet the criteria of being over 40 BMI or being 35-40 BMI with co-morbidities (diabetes, arthralgia, acid reflux, infertility, etc), you can qualify for the band and go straight to a doc that does it. I don't even have a primary care provider. Technically, nobody can MAKE you do anything. But smoking is really hard on the healing of your pouch/lapband, so it would probably be STRONGLY recommended that you quit to get the best results. As to if they'll decline to do the surgery unless you quit, I don't know for sure. YES, you can get pregnant on the Lap Band. When I went for my psych consult the social worker asked me to consider getting on some kind of birth control because as I get smaller, it could get easier to get pregnant (unexplained infertility for 4 1/2 years and one miscarriage). If you DO get pregnant, they can monitor the amount of nutrients in your blood and your OB can determine whether or not it'll be necessary to unfill your band to get more. I've read people on here that didn't need an unfill at all and had a perfectly healthy pregnancy, didn't gain very much, and lost the weight pretty quickly afterwards. I look forward to this benefit. :clap2: -
I was nervous about this portion, too. I had read people online saying that they had been denied because of depression. I was worried if I was honest about it, I would be, too. But I have a good handle on it and I have realistic expectations for the band. Even if you might have emotional problems (I haven't run into many overweight people that don't), if you are well-adjusted, you should be okay. She just recommended to me that I start seeing a therapist for unrelated issues (which was already a pre-req that I set for MYSELF to be sure that I succeed), but she gave me a thumbs-up to get the band. Know what your limitations are, be honest, make sure you have a good support system (mine happens to be my husband).
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OMG!!! Totally Gross!!
steph_co replied to mescla808's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
That has to be the most graphic, disturbing and INFORMATIVE description I've heard given of a PB/sliming. I didn't know how to describe it to the nutritionist when I went to my consult, but now I can when I go back for my nutrition class. LOL Seriously, thank you. It's good to know what CAN happen, and now that I have that image burned into my brain, I'll remember it every time I go to take a bite and I'll be thinking, "chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, chew..." LOL I'm seriously not being a smartass - this was interesting. -
So excited! Got my surgery date: November 15th. I added Cynthia, too. 1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy 2nd lindata lizzie_07 KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u 5th DLW Forest Cat Hungryforchange 6th ndmom 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 MyLady 8th anw5102 Cota129 needto 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob 13th vanessav Princessannod1 CCFRA 14th dream'n2bthin 15th steph_cn 19th Mrs Smartypants 27th 731Shawty Julie-Ann 28th lukin 29th Sassafras
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I've posted here and there. I keep coming up with questions, but always seem to find the answer where you guys have already talked about it. The board is VERY informative and has helped me to make my decision. I have my consult on Thursday. Since the surgeon is 2.5 - 3 hours away from our house we're going to stay overnight at a hotel out there. I'm excited! Every once in awhile I get nervous, but the excitement by far outweighs it. I'll be self pay (no insurance...self-employed). The surgery will be $10,800 to include the anesthesiologist and 3 months of aftercare. I know a lot of people have been to Kirshenbaum, but I went to a seminar of Dr Brown's and I really like him. I think it's important to be comfortable with your surgeon (the thought of somebody poking holes in my stomach, KWIM?). I didn't look any further once I was sure of Dr Brown. I know I have to go through the whole approval to get the procedure done, but I see it going through relatively easily. I have a BMI of 37 with several weight-related health problems (although nothing severe like diabetes). I've read bits and pieces of what people went through during their consult, but I'd love if any of you would post here so I know what I'm getting in to. I've already started buying items on the shopping list. Can you tell I'm excited!? LOL I've lurked more than posted, so most don't know me, but I'll say there are several here that I respect and look up to and I thank you for sharing your journey.
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I haven't read the whole thread, but probably will, now. Just responding real quick. I'm 27 and I don't see it as giving up. I see it as seizing the moment NOW instead of waiting until I'm in my 40s and regret the time I wasted (I'm not saying that anybody that waited until that age to do this wasted anything - it would be wasted time in MY life) because of everything I missed out on. I stand outside my own life a lot and hold back because of my weight. I want to claim back my life NOW and in mental preparation, I have already begun doing that. I know it's a psychological change that has to happen now rather than after the weight loss - but I'm so ready for the lap band that for some reason my view on life is already shifting.
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OK...prepare to be crazier than I already am after I get banded. Check.
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I can pretty much relate with everything in this thread. It'll be nice to feel normal and I can REALLY agree with the getting pregnant comment - it's been 4 1/2 years and only one miscarriage to show for it. And miscarriages/trouble getting pregnant does NOT run in my family at all (they're SKINNY, though).
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I'm waiting to be banded, but I've been thinking about this a lot. I wasn't even going to tell anybody in my family, but I *might* tell my mom once I've lost some weight. But I don't imagine I would tell anybody else. Of course, my DH will know - he'll be taking care of me.
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different types of bands? where do i find info?
steph_co replied to catnip_addict's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
THANK YOU for asking this question. I was meaning to get in and do a thorough search to see if I could find a thread here that explained it, I just haven't gotten to it. I assume you're referring to AP & VG, right? I'm wanting to know more about them, as well. Because the surgeon I'm looking at says he does not have AP bands at his hospital practice, but my DH seems to remember hearing him say that he has them at his outpatient place. I want to know if I should wait for an AP band, or what? -
I've heard a lot of stories about people being treated differently by people in their life that knew them when they were heavy and then after they lost weight. I'm just curious what kind of reactions you guys have had with people actually treating you differently. Good or bad. I'm not banded, yet. I'm getting on the waiting list tomorrow. I'm just preparing myself for every possibility of life with the band. Thanks, guys!
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Viva my beautiful body!!!
steph_co replied to cookielover's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
What an awesome post. I have to agree with you 100%. Everything you talked about have been major things I have struggled with. I know if I am to be successful getting a lapband that I have to start from the inside. Thanks for your post - you've given me a lot to ponder! -
Hey, fellow Coloradans. I live on the western slope. Planning to go to Denver possibly for a patient seminar. I'm still doing my research as to if I want to take the Lap Band journey. But I am pretty positive it is the road for me. I was wondering how many of you had been to a patient seminar before scheduling? Is it important? I've read the good, the bad, the ugly, so it's not like I have rose-colored glasses on. I'd just much rather just schedule for a consult and the surgery and get moving. Has anybody heard much about Dr Thomas Brown in Denver at the Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute? That is who I'm looking at. I will also consider a doctor that is located in Grand Junction, but I liked the fact that it said on Lap Band's website something about Dr Brown having done over 100 in the last year, or something. Also - for fills/unfills, do I HAVE to go back to Dr Brown? 2.5 hours to drive each time is kind of a strain. I'm happy to see such an active Colorado group! Look forward to hearing from some of you.