Beth Pets

It only took BCBSNJ four days to approve my application! My surgery date is confirmed for Sept 16th. What a relief! After reading so many delay horror stories I was in dread of being turned down. Now I just have to worry about my pre-surgical testing. I made my appointment a whole month in advance (the maximum) of my surgery in case there was a problem. I have also read of last minute delays because of EKG problems. I also made an appointment with my cardiologist just in case I there is a problem and I need his OK. My doctor only recommended that I cut down on my food intake and chew my food thoroughly so I have only lost 16 lbs so far. I may ask him about a liquid diet in September to lose a little more. I have enough sample shakes to live on for a year! I'm so happy that I can't sleep!

When I had my sleeve done about one third of the other folks on the Bariatric wing were originally banded and had to go through getting it taken out in order to be sleeved. Frankly, I think she's right. There may be some successes with the band but the lower rate of loss and the even more rapid rate of regain seems to indicate that, in general, it isn't the optimum choice if you want to lose weight and keep it off.

When I quit smoking I went through almost a year of depression and anxiety. Finally, my body became adjusted to the intense change I had put it through by breaking an addiction. I fully expect to face the same problems with weight loss. If it were easy to break an addiction, everyone would just toss their cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and chocolate cake and take up knitting! Even if you can mentally adjust it takes many months, even years, for your body chemistry to calm down. I would not be surprised to hear that there is an increase in chemical imbalance after weight surgery but I have not found any legitimate studies that indicate an increase in suicide. Can you please provide a link to these studies that you mention? Otherwise, it seems a bit irresponsible to drop a subject line like that on a message board like this.

I cannot wait to fit into all of those beautiful shoes that I bought but never wore because they were just too tight. Yes, I kept them enshrined in my shoe closet...soon they will walk back into the world!!!!!!!

Dr Schmidt is one of the five surgeons at Advanced Laparoscopic in Paramus. My surgeon, Dr Doug Ewing, is also with AL. I haven't had my surgery yet but the group has an excellent reputation among the doctors in the area and Dr Schmidt is the one my cardiologist and PCP recommend. I chose Dr Ewing because he recently sleeved 3 of my clients and they loved him. He is very low key and kind. Dr Trivedi is also supposed to be really good. I have met at least 20 of Dr Schmidt's patients in the past three months and they all have had glowing reviews. I think the whole group and their support people are very good.

Why don't you just keep up the good work and decide when the 6 months are up? I assume that you are losing weight now, so see how it goes. Have a long talk with your PCP and get a realistic idea of how long it will take to lose the weight without surgery and what your track record on diet and regaining is. That should help you decide one way or the other. Either way...congratulations on starting your journey and best of luck with attaining your goals!

Hi, I am in the exact same boat and my Endo is taking me off of some piils 2 day before, some the day before and he cut my insulin (I take a very small amount) in half before surgery. I was told to bring a detailed list of the medications I take as the hospital will provide any drugs I need while I am there. I am guessing that most folks going out of the country need to take their meds with them. I have an appointment with my PCP 10 days after I am scheduled to come home and he can help adjust my meds if necessary. Since I check my own blood sugar I can easily adjust my insulin or even eliminate it (I sure do wish). I hope this helps you decide how to deal with your meds.

I have a very high BMI and I was only asked to reduce my intake by 20% and not to eat a giant meal the night before. Then the usual 12 hours of no food before surgery. So far I have lost about 20 lbs.

Why don't you check out the Health Care Exchange at WWW.GOV. You sound like you are eligible for a help paying for your premiums and most Silver plans cover this. If you are low income the out of pocket and deductible is very low and in some cases zero. You may find that under Obama Care your surgery will be fully paid for.

Can you provide a link? I'm sure more people would visit if they could click on a link instead of searching around the site.

I was planning on filing the freezer with stock reductions. I have just about every fresh herb in my garden and a good relationship with my local organic butcher. I ordered plenty of unjury unflavored Protein powder and a nice warm (140 degrees) cup of home made Soup fortified with 20 grams of protein should be great in the fall. Much better than an artificially flavored, sweet shake.

Have you considered getting the band removed and getting sleeved? I have met quite a few people who have and they are very happy.

I'm going to sound like a broken record around here but....Yoga. You need to find a gentle yoga group. It will help with your anxiety and depression and it incredibly energizing! Just make sure the class is held in a climate controlled studio.

My date is September 16. I have all of my approvals and pre-opt testing done and I have lost 20 lbs since June. Now All I have to do is wait for the phone call on the 15th telling me the time to be at the hospital. I'm lucky that HUMC (a center of excellence) is only ten minutes from my house and my best friend and favorite cousin are coming with me to keep me entertained. Now, if my nerves don't fray through in the next four weeks, I'll be all set!

If I can pass a psych evaluation anyone can! Actually, they just want to know if you have realistic expectations and understand exactly what you will be going through. It's just a tool etc...

Get back on that annoying diet horse, make sure you are getting a balanced diet, double up on your Vitamins (if it's ok with you PCP) and ride that horse to the finish! Find a way to relax and focus that works for you like yoga, meditation or prayer and focus on your goal. People get cranky when they are breaking an addiction. It doesn't last forever and you can explain later when you are on your way to a more healthy and balanced life.

Aren't the chewable? There are plenty of chewable bariatric Vitamins on the market. I thought we couldn't eat anything bigger than an M & M the first few months.

What an adventure! I think you are doing great to arrange all of this and to fly off for the first time to start a new and better life. Good for you! I am having my surgery 9/16 here in the states and even that has been a challenging for me. You must be a very strong and determined person. Just the qualities you need to meet your goals.

When I quit smoking 13 years ago I went through a rough patch. Honestly, breaking an addiction and drastically changing your body chemistry is bound to wreak a little havoc. Have you thought of yoga? It helped me a lot, it's good for you and no nasty side affects. In the end, it was like the hair loss problem. Once your body get used to it's changes I am guessing you will level out emotionally as well.

Holy Cow! Who has to mow and blow it?

Best of luck! You are doing great!

Next time you go out to eat with friends, prepare yourself with scintillating conversation and interesting news and stories. I am not kidding. My Dad is a raconteur and he misses half his meal because he is entertaining everyone else while we are stuffing our faces. There are other things to do at a dinner party than just eat (you realize that I am telling myself this as well). You may end up being the best looking, healthiest and most fascinating person in your social group.

I don't want to sound snarky but....maybe stay away from rich foods. At least for the time being, you may need to stick to a simpler diet. I hope you feel better soon.