cara51183

I will be doing my pre-op stuff soon, and I was uncertain if I should share that I am a lesbian. I come from conservative west Texas, so if I were having the surgery here, I probably wouldn't tell the doc. But I'm having it in Colorado with Dr. Kirshenbaum, so I thought I'd see what y'all thought. :rolleyes2:

I've found two centers in Lubbock, TX and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. One is Advanced Bariatrics and the other is through the Texas Tech medical system called TTUHSC Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. I live in Odessa and wanted to find something a little closer than Dallas/Ft. Worth so that going for fills and whatnot isn't such a hassle. So anyone that has any info would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking into financing for my surgery, and I was wondering how each of you chose to pay for the surgery.

Here's my question - What do you feel like post op? Like a horse kicked you in the stomach? Like you have a bad stomach bug? Do you have nausea, diahrreah (sp?), headaches, what? I had the stomach bug to end all stomach bugs this weekend and it really got me to thinking about it.

That Chike is awful stuff - tried it last weekend. I'm going to ask my doctor if the Boost Protient would work - they are yummy!

Here's my question - What do you feel like post op? Like a horse kicked you in the stomach? Like you have a bad stomach bug? Do you have nausea, diahrreah (sp?), headaches, what? I had the stomach bug to end all stomach bugs this weekend and it really got me to thinking about it.

Shelbi - Don't give up on quitting smoking! I am so glad I quit. There are of course moments when I see someone smoking and I reach out in my mind to take a drag, but even those moments are fewer and farther between. I just smoked the last one out of my pack and refused to let myself go anywhere that I could purchase them. Counseling can be an awesome ally, let us know if there's anything we can do to help!

I called the office this morning and basically Natalie said she's the reason for the mixup - that she'd neglected to put it on his schedule. She also tried to say he was in surgery all day and that was part of the reason, but when I relayed my conversation with Marilyn the previous day (in which Marilyn said he was with a patient but that I should get a call shortly and she'd check with the doc to be sure he had the correct phone number), she backtracked and said again that she'd neglected to put it on his schedule. We rescheduled for April 9th. So sad about that...I had my printouts and questions and everything all ready to go! It seems like maybe they're having a bad month for mixups, I guess. It may be just the Texan in me, but I sort of expected an "I'm SOOOOO sorry about that." or something a bit more effusive than "it was my fault, let's reschedule." Anyway, I'm back on schedule now and I hope things go smoothly this time. BTW, did anyone else have problems logging into the message boards last night or today? Thank y'all for your support...I'm soooo lucky to have a group around like y'all!

Ok so I'm freaking out a little. I was supposed to have my consult with Dr. K at 4pm mountain time today. I called about 10 til and checked to be sure they have the correct phone number for me. They (Marilyn?) took note and said he'd be a few minutes then he'd call me. He never called! I called back about 5:15 mountain time and the office was already closed. I'm stressin...is this normal? I hope everything is ok with him, and I really hope that this is not a reflection of him and his office as my surgeons. Any input?

I have my phone consult today! I can't wait!

Ok, so I didn't even take a minute to get caught up on the thread - I just had to post this! You know how we all have those happy memories from younger and/or skinnier days? And then we decide to try something "for old time's sake"? OMG! Bad plan...such a bad plan. In my memory ice skating came so easily to me, I stepped onto the ice and zoomed around without inhibition. I skated around and around and around without stopping to rest. SOOOOOO not that way anymore! A friend of mine was in town to visit and we have the only ice skating rink in west texas right here in our very own mall. We decided to go shopping a bit and then "Oh! Ice skating! That sounds like fun! Let's go!" Again, bad plan. So we go and rent our skates and put our stuff in one of those little lockers and then we head for the ice. Let me tell you, that rail around the edge is now officially my best friend. Heck, we might even be a little more than friends, I'm not sure, lol! I did occasionally venture away from the edge but then some tiny thing on skates would whizz by and cut me off, and I'd be attached to the edge again. I literally did one of those "cling to the glass like a frog" things...the bad thing was that there was an elderly indian family at a table on the other side of the glass...they just looked at me like I was crazy. I think I was crazy to listen to my buddy about skating. :: So I made it a full 11 laps around the rink. Lap lap rest. Lap rest. Lap lap rest. Lap rest. Lap rest. And so on... But I did survive, and so did my dignity, as I made it out without gracing the ice with the presence of my posterior. My shins hurt, my calfs hurt, my back hurts, my arms are sore, my feet are barkin, and I used sweat pores that I'm not sure I even knew existed. In short, I now know what one of my non scale victories will be - to skate! LOL!

Ok...I guess I see it your way. :shades_smile: I will just have to do some serious suckin' between now and bandation.

I know I'm obsessing a bit, but why no straws? That's gonna change my whole outlook on life...

OMG?! No straws? Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? That might kill me...

Elliptical, all the way. It is all about the low impact. Treadmills hurt my back, knees, and ankles. Plus the elliptical is all moderny and newfangledy. :smile2:

Tied - Wow...so jealous! and I'm not even banded yet! If I had that much self control I might not be "fluffy" to begin with, lol! Ok, so there are many locals and some travelers on here - anybody have any experience with the Best Western, Comfort Inn, or Fairfield Inn in Aurora? I like the Best Western price best, but wanted to check on the quality. I am an ex-smoker so I need a never-been-smoked-in room to keep me from tackling someone for a cig...lol! If you stayed somewhere else, I'd love to hear location/price/experience about those places too! So where is everybody from?

KayKay - Be sure you read your school's BCBS policy carefully. I have BCBS Texas and my school district elected to not allow any WLS or diet programs. I guess they did it to save money. Beyond that, it seems like every individual policy is a bit different as to the requirements. Just find out the requirements, put the steps on a calendar, and take it one step at a time. Find out if anyone else in your school has had the surgery or another WLS and ask them about any potential pitfalls. Before you know it, things will work out!

I've been chatting with some teachers in a thread that had gotten pushed down the list for awhile and forgotten. We know that there are many banded teachers that have not seen this thread. Teachers face unique band concerns because of scheduling, requirements, and foods/eating times available to us. So we were wondering if there's any way we could have our own board, like under "special interest groups" or something. We'll deal with it no matter what your decision, just thought we'd throw it out there! Thanks!

You guys are awesome. I didn't post this question and just disappear, I've been following responses. I think I will tell him because I do want him to know that my partner has the power to make decisions about my health. I've heard horror stories about "only family allowed" situations where the partner was not allowed to see the patient...that would be awful. I guess I have a phobia just because of the general enviornment we live in. If I were out and proud in my town I'd lose my job, many friends, even some family. :: I look forward to the day that it doesn't matter one way or another. I know my coworkers are straight and I couldn't care less. Yet I struggle when questioned about my personal life as to if I should or shouldn't share. Even when you do tell someone and they say that they're ok with it or don't care, many times they really do. They suddenly develop strange looks if you give them a hug or they shift or fidget nervously if you talk about your 'room mate.' And heaven forbid they should ever actually meet your partner, they just stare and you can see their mind working..."they've seen each other naked...they sleep together at night...I've shaken her hand....ewww!" And, to their credit, they do make the effort to appear that its truly ok with them. And over time many of them do get comfortable enough that it's not even a second thought. But it is still a strain on all parties that I hate inducing. Anyway, I appreciate your replies! You've made some awesome points!

I've posted a message in the suggestions area asking for our own board. Oh, the suspense! lol

Ivy - I don't know what y'alls teacher shortage situation is like up there, but just the fact that you love teaching Title 1 kiddos should land you a job in a heartbeat. Just smile, answer questions fully without babbling in a rambling way forever, ask questions in return about the potition, and you'll be great. Have prepared answers to questions like, "Why do you want to be a teacher?" or "When did you decide to be a teacher?" or "What qualities do you possess that you feel will help you be a good teacher?" Good luck! Zeta and Cheer - From what I've read everywhere, spring break should be plenty of time to recuperate. I thought about having it done then but didn't get financing in time and was sorta chicken about doing it and going back to school before I learned what I could and couldn't do. I'd take soup for lunch every day and save the food experimenting for home. Longhorn - Thanks for the warm welcome. Any idea how we go about requesting a board?

Howdy! I teach high school math in west Texas. I'll be banded about a week and a half after school gets out - I can't wait! Maybe we could ask for a folder thing in the Special Interest Groups section so more teachers would catch sight of the thread? I'm super excited about finding it, I am sure others would be as well.

Yeah - I avoid mirrors. When I do have to look in one or pass one I focus on my 'best' features - eyes, hair, um....ok, so my eyes or hair. But it does help some.

OK - on a different note - I did the worst thing a newbie to be could do...I read posts for a few hours in the "problems" section. Does anybody know Dr. K's rate of removals? I'm terrified that something will go wrong and I'll be out 10,000 dollars plus the cost of removal.

Woofay - I know that around here (west Texas) we are having the worst flu epidemic in forever, so maybe that's what is going on with you? The flu has lasted about 1.5 to 2 weeks, gotten better for 3 to 5 days, and then relapsed for another week or so. I've had students out of school for weeks at a time, there aren't enough subs to fill in for all the teacher absences, and the waiting room at the emergency room and the urgent care is taking 8-12 hours. Its crazy. Be sure you are taking plenty of vitamin c for your immune system and zinc will help dry you up some. Theraflu was my best friend for about 3 weeks! I'm so sorry to hear about your prolonged illness...wish I had better advice for you! (I know you don't know me from a hole in the wall, but when I decided I was going to have the surgery with Dr. K I started browsing the threads, so I kinda know yall.)