Cingulus

It is not that I don’t love you, but you’re not good for me. As they said in the movie…I just not that into you. I am sure you won’t take this news well and fight the inevitable. Please don’t. We got together when I was young and stupid and did not understand what I was doing to myself. Yes, we will have to see each other on occasion, but I promise it won’t be awkward. We will have a more business like relationship. I wish you all the best, but it is time for me to move on and correct the mistakes of my youth.

It is not that I don’t love you, but you’re not good for me. As they said in the movie…I just not that into you. I am sure you won’t take this news well and fight the inevitable. Please don’t. We got together when I was young and stupid and did not understand what I was doing to myself. Yes, we will have to see each other on occasion, but I promise it won’t be awkward. We will have a more business like relationship. I wish you all the best, but it is time for me to move on and correct the mistakes of my youth.

Hi Folks, Just got back from the doctors and after a few hours of forms, rapid fire questions, poking, prodding and credit card charges we are moving forward. I weighted it at 373 lbs. with a 56.8 BMI and lean body mass of 206 lbs. This gives me a target weight of 240 based on a 20 BMI. So next steps are: 1. Read the patients manual 2. EKG and blood work the week of March 30, 2009 3. Lose 20 Lbs before the surgery date 4. Pre-op meetings and registration on April 21st 5. Surgery Date May 6th I look forward to sharing this journey with you... Shaun

Elwood: It’s a 106 miles to Chicago…We have half a tank of gas…It’s dark and we are where sun glasses… Jake: Hit it. Just got back from the doctors and after a few hours of forms, rapid fire questions, poking, prodding and credit card charges we are moving forward. I weighted it at 373 lbs. with a 56.8 BMI and lean body mass of 206 lbs. This gives me a target weight of 240 based on a 20 BMI. So next steps are: 1. Read the patients manual 2. EKG and blood work the week of March 30, 2009 3. Lose 20 Lbs before the surgery date 4. Pre-op meetings and registration on April 21st 5. Surgery Date May 6th The shrink questions were a predictable combination of pabulum, inane drivel and obvious traps. I am not, really, sure what they were looking for in this process. All of that aside, I liked the Doc and we are on track to complete the mission. He suggested starting a pre-liquid diet for the next few weeks on protein drinks for breakfast and lunch with small dinner of protein and a salad. Then move to the full liquid diet two weeks in advance. I was surprised to find out one of the key reasons for the liquid diet before the surgery was to shrink the liver, which provides more working room during the surgery itself. So, tomorrow is the beginning of my mission to hit the target weight of 240 lbs.

Elwood: It’s a 106 miles to Chicago…We have half a tank of gas…It’s dark and we are where sun glasses… Jake: Hit it. Just got back from the doctors and after a few hours of forms, rapid fire questions, poking, prodding and credit card charges we are moving forward. I weighted it at 373 lbs. with a 56.8 BMI and lean body mass of 206 lbs. This gives me a target weight of 240 based on a 20 BMI. So next steps are: 1. Read the patients manual 2. EKG and blood work the week of March 30, 2009 3. Lose 20 Lbs before the surgery date 4. Pre-op meetings and registration on April 21st 5. Surgery Date May 6th The shrink questions were a predictable combination of pabulum, inane drivel and obvious traps. I am not, really, sure what they were looking for in this process. All of that aside, I liked the Doc and we are on track to complete the mission. He suggested starting a pre-liquid diet for the next few weeks on protein drinks for breakfast and lunch with small dinner of protein and a salad. Then move to the full liquid diet two weeks in advance. I was surprised to find out one of the key reasons for the liquid diet before the surgery was to shrink the liver, which provides more working room during the surgery itself. So, tomorrow is the beginning of my mission to hit the target weight of 240 lbs.

Hi Folks, So I go in for the first doctors consult on Friday 3/27/09. Although I have only been to the introductory session, I already find myself examining my pre-op meals. My mind is determining if I can have the food consumed in a post-op world. It is not a craving, or a sense of loss, but merely a scientific curiosity about how, or if, this food could be processed through the band. The thing that has really stuck me in mentally preparing for the LB is how much is to be gained through this process. I am sure during the pre-op diet and post-op liquids I may feel different, but I already find my mind set changing about food. I am acknowledging, to myself, that I can live without food X, Y or Z for the first time in my life. My biggest concern is addiction transference. In reading many posts, some people are offended to be labeled as food addicts, but I know that I am. So what will I do to control and manage the addiction? How can I positively use the obsessive nature of additions as a force for bodily good vs. evil? In my mind transference to exercise must occur to provide the tools for dealing with emotional/stress eating. Second, I need to find a new reward system other than nice meals. Thoughts and/or suggestions?

Thanks for all the great feed back. I will see the Doc in a few hours. Ready to get going.

I have been doing Bikram Yoga for about 2 years and love it. I am glad to here that post LB this is still a good thing to do. Shaun

I would suggest three exercises: For each exercise do 3 sets up to ten reps, if you go beyond ten reps add more weight. Do this twice a week. 1. Triceps push downs 2. Overhead triceps extensions with a dumbbell really helps the underside of the arms 3. Lat Pull Downs with a wide (slightly wider than shoulder width) Even though this is primarily a back exercise, it helps the triceps area from a firmness and skin "pull" perspective.

I am paying $16K. I found US prices ranging from $10-18K. Mexico and India between $6-7K. I finally picked the doctor I felt most comfortable with here in the states.

I struggled with this choice for many years. For me the tipping point was when I cared more about taking care of myself and in turn my family, than I was concerned about what others thought. No one can tell you if it is right for you. It is like asking someone if you should get married? Or are you in love? If you can’t look inside yourself and know…no one else can either. However, I can tell you, once you make the commitment to get it done, some doubts will always surface, but the conviction that it is the right thing to do will overcome all of the objections and concerns.

The Check is in the Mail So I got a call from Dr. Oliak’s office yesterday outlining the exact payment details, $16K total: • One Check for the Hospital $7,000 (cashier’s check or CC) • One for the doctor $8400 (Did not specify the grade of payment?) • One for Anesthesiologists $600 (But leave the name blank so it can be filled in after the surgery, and they will take a personal check for 600, ahh…the trust I realize they need to be paid, but they really need some polish in how they deliver the message. I know some other places cost less, but I felt comfortable with the team and that is worth a bit more. I continue to be filled with anticipation and ready to get this going. 24 hours to get the show on the road. I hope I can start the pre-op diet on Saturday.

The Check is in the Mail So I got a call from Dr. Oliak’s office yesterday outlining the exact payment details, $16K total: • One Check for the Hospital $7,000 (cashier’s check or CC) • One for the doctor $8400 (Did not specify the grade of payment?) • One for Anesthesiologists $600 (But leave the name blank so it can be filled in after the surgery, and they will take a personal check for 600, ahh…the trust I realize they need to be paid, but they really need some polish in how they deliver the message. I know some other places cost less, but I felt comfortable with the team and that is worth a bit more. I continue to be filled with anticipation and ready to get this going. 24 hours to get the show on the road. I hope I can start the pre-op diet on Saturday.

Nickleback - Shakin Hands

Hello, As noted before, I will have to self pay for the LB. I had been trying to figure out what combination of funds to jungle to make this happen and we figured that out last night. I find myself wanting to go in now and get this thing moving. I want to start and keep my motivation high. Second, despite not feeling the feeling a loss for foods I won’t be eating going forward I seem to be doing a final rush of eating in anticipation of the stringent changes to occur. The competitive side of me wants to peak my pre-op weight to set a “bigger loss” number. Intellectually, I recognize this behavior as childish and detrimental, but I have been thinking that way. In a twisted way, part of it is my competitive nature and part of it is the self destructive tendencies that got me in this whole in the first place. Go figure… Third, I think reading and car modification will become my new rewards system to celebrate vs. meals. That’s all for today.

Hello, As noted before, I will have to self pay for the LB. I had been trying to figure out what combination of funds to jungle to make this happen and we figured that out last night. I find myself wanting to go in now and get this thing moving. I want to start and keep my motivation high. Second, despite not feeling the feeling a loss for foods I won’t be eating going forward I seem to be doing a final rush of eating in anticipation of the stringent changes to occur. The competitive side of me wants to peak my pre-op weight to set a “bigger loss” number. Intellectually, I recognize this behavior as childish and detrimental, but I have been thinking that way. In a twisted way, part of it is my competitive nature and part of it is the self destructive tendencies that got me in this whole in the first place. Go figure… Third, I think reading and car modification will become my new rewards system to celebrate vs. meals. That’s all for today.

I have the same concerns. I just stay focused on what I will be gaining, not what I am giving up. Because...despite all the comfort I took in food, that is what got me into this predicament in the first place. Shaun

Hi Folks, So I go in for the first doctors consult on Friday 3/27/09. Although I have only been to the introductory session, I already find myself examining my pre-op meals. My mind is determining if I can have the food consumed in a post-op world. It is not a craving, or a sense of loss, but merely a scientific curiosity about how, or if, this food could be processed through the band. The thing that has really stuck me in mentally preparing for the LB is how much is to be gained through this process. I am sure during the pre-op diet and post-op liquids I may feel different, but I already find my mind set changing about food. I am acknowledging, to myself, that I can live without food X, Y or Z for the first time in my life. My biggest concern is addiction transference. In reading many posts, some people are offended to be labeled as food addicts, but I know that I am. So what will I do to control and manage the addiction? How can I positively use the obsessive nature of additions as a force for bodily good vs. evil? In my mind transference to exercise must occur to provide the tools for dealing with emotional/stress eating. Second, I need to find a new reward system other than nice meals. Thoughts and/or suggestions?

Hey, I am also in the same boat with self-pay. I see Dr. Oliak on Friday to get things going.

Hi Evobuilder, For the arms I would recommend the following. 1. Find a weight for each exercise that you can do up to 8 reps. 2. Keep using the same weight until you hit 10 reps then add 5 pounds. 3. Keep to three sets per exercise: Biceps Upper Arm Mass – Supine Grip (palms facing in) pull ups on assisted dip machine Full Bicep – Preacher Bench Kink Bar Curls Bicep Peak – Concentration curls Triceps Triceps Mass – Dips, use an assisted dip machine 3 sets up to 25 Inner/Mid Triceps – Overhead dumbbell French curl Outer Triceps Head – Triceps pushdown I hope this helps…

Hi Folks, My insurance does not cover bariatric procedures, so I am left with self play. I saw Dr. Oliak and really liked the guy and his team. They quoted me $16K for the LB procedure, I don’t what price to be the only factor, but it is a consideration. I am in Temecula, but anywhere is southern California is OK. So I wanted to see: 1. Recommended Doctors? 2. Going price for surgery? 3. Did it include everything pre and post op? Thanks, Shaun