amm.imperial

I don't miss any foods. I know that I can have a TASTE of whatever I'm craving. That way, I'm never feeling deprived. After only one month, I'm finding the two things I need to work on more diligently, is working out regularly. I don't have a routine yet. I also find a house party with food spread out is difficult for me. I'm actually avoiding going to one right now. I'm picking and choosing which ones I can get thru, and which ones I won't be strong enough for. I let the hosts know the issue is me, not their party, and when I am stronger, I'll be back. :-)

I go to Worcester, I live east of Worcester so going to Dudley would be further away. I didn't even know they did meetings in Dudley, that's cool.

How Awesome, I was at Thursday's meeting too! I'm down 17 lbs this morning since surgery, and it is working. I feel like it's slow, but then I think, I'm not even 4 weeks out. 17 lbs is awesome. :-) I brought a friend to the meeting who is going to start the process in May. She wants a friend to go with her, so I'll be attending the orientation meetings with her. I've actually overeaten a couple of times since surgery, and I'm getting used to what that feels like. It's not nice, very different from pre-surgery. The first time I was concerned it was a serious problem. Then I realized what had happened. It's all about learning new skills and practicing new habits. By the way, I'm the one who brought up the information I had seen online in forums and was shocked at how people in other programs seemed to be less informed. Nice to meet you all, virtually.

Dr. Perugini did mine, so I don't think I have the Realize one. They didn't mention it one way or the other. Dr. Kelly was doing a procedure on Wednesday then came and released me from the hospital, that was probably the one you are talking about. They made me stay overnight because of the sleep apnea. There are no exceptions to that rule, but I was home by noon on Wed. I actually went to work today for a couple of hours, and my boss has some work I can do from home. So I am laying in bed with my laptop, dozing and working. How great is that? I feel pretty good, a little sore, but I'm not even taking tylenol for that. They prescribed pain meds and seemed surprised that I didnt' need them, so I might be the exception on that issue.

How was the consult? My surgery was great!!! Because I have sleep apnea they made me stay overnight, but I was home around noon today, took a quick nap and feel great now. A little sore, but not even enough to bother with the pain meds. I'm resting, and wandering around the house, and hoping to go to work tomorrow. I feel good enough now, if I don't in the morning, I'll rest some more.

surgery happens in the Memorial building, not the university campus. I only found that out later in the program. :-) Good Luck on your consult, and see, didn't the time go by faster than you thought it would. Remind me in June, I'll wear something, so we can find each other.

Did he tell you to stay with the behavior program? Denied is a strong word. Did he offer other options? One of the reasons I like this program is the fact that they aren't just cutting into everyone that wants it, but their strict guidelines (maybe too strict) carefully evaluate the reasons one is looking for surgery. Keep looking for help, I look forward to my BMI being under 40, it just barely snuck under 50.

I did!!!! April 1st. I can't believe I forgot to post it on here. I started a new job a week ago, and my whole schedule is upside down.

I start a new job on Monday, with regular hours. It may delay my surgery which isn't even scheduled yet, but I gotta do what I gotta do! At least I won't be home struggling with the fridge anymore.

Welcome Kim, I'm in Milford. Where are you having your surgery? I don't have a surgery date yet, and am chomping at the bit to get one. Trystelle, Fantastic progress!!!! Where did you go? A size 16 real clothes in a real dept, in a normal store. OMG, I can't even imagine that yet!

you have 17 in your class, holy cow!!!! We were about 10, and I think there was only one other that wanted LapBand but we didn't talk about it much. Usually the person leading the group, kept that 'debate' type talk to a bare minimum. I didn't have to declare my choice until this time when I went to the surgeon. I knew what I wanted, but I could still change my mind. My concern has always been the absorption of the nutrients after surgery. I know what to eat, and overeat all the things that are good for me too. I just need something to stop me at a taste (which for me is the same as a normal portion) Fills didn't scare me until I started reading these discussion groups. With all that UMass goes thru, I'm not going to worry about it, they will address all questions as they arise. They always do. Silicone allergies? It's latex allergies that are on the rise, it's a different material.

I have Harvard, which was the best back in July when I started going to meetings. They are submitting to the insurance now that I've passed both the Barium swallow and the manometry. i guess the clinical visit will decide whether I'm still going in the right direction. My impression was they will have the insurance approval, determine whether I am still losing, or at least not gaining weight, then chop, chop, chop. I have just started to get crazy about the time. I lost my job, and have two potential offers now. I was hoping to get this done before I started a new job. Doesn't look like that is going to happen. What did you think of your nutrition classes so far? And did they talk about the exercise classes yet? Did you have to eat a raisin yet?

Well, I went for the 2 last tests before they will schedule my surgery. I apparently passed them both. Neither were any fun, but still pushing closer to finish line. I was not thrilled to find out, I have one more clinical visit before the surgery. They do one more check to make sure you haven't put on any significant weight. I'm nervous about that one, because I lost my job at the end of january, and it has been SO difficult to eat smart. My scale says I'm holding at least.

Thanks, I hope there are more than just 2 of us.

Dr. Kelly and his associates at UMass Medical Center in Worcester are awesome. It is a very comprehensive program, with before and after support!

I had my first orientation meeting in July 07. I met the surgeon in Sept. did the nutrition meetings in Dec. at the first one of those, they showed us the schedule of physiological meetings, which I signed up for right away. at the last nutritional meeting they will tell you your next move. Have you gone to the Thursday night meetings at the end of the month? They are great.

Hi Vicky, I'm in Milford and am going to UMass Worc. Don't have a band date yet, but hope to get one on Wed. when I meet with Dr. Perugini.

KathrynRose, are you going to Worc? Your program sounds very similar to mine. There is a meeting every month on the first Thursday of each month, people of all stages in the process talk about all sorts of different things related to either the bypass surgery or the band. I haven't had as much trouble losing weight as you have. I did the 4 nutrition meetings and the 5 physiological meetings pre-surgery. After that they meet with you and figure out when to send your papers back up to surgeons. I have my sugeon meeting Jan 30. I'm expecting to get my surgery date then. Nice to meet you.

I am going to UMass in Worcester, and don't have a band date, yet. Glad to find other people in my area. Hi All!

Didn't your Doctor's tell you what to expect for a diet post-op? I know exactly what I will eat after surgery, why, and what to expect. Clear liquids for one day, two weeks of Carnation Instant Breakfast/Clear Liquid. I need to make sure I am getting at least 45 g of Protein every day.

I am in MA, and have been involved in the program at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. They have an extremely comprehensive program that I love!!!! I don't have my surgery date yet, but I see my surgeon on Wed. and will get my date then. My first intake appointment was back in Sept. of 07. There was a series of nutrition classes and physiological classes, as well as meetings with a nutritionist, an psychologist, and a surgeon. I want to make sure I am still going to be successful 10 years after surgery. They also have monthly meetings(included in program fee) for support, information and chat with other patients in all stages of the process. My insurance is covering mine, so I'm not sure how expensive the self-pay plan is there. I highly recommend you get some info from them. Dr. Gitkind is the Head Surgeon.

checking out my ticker

I wanted it to be a long process. Might sound crazy, but my brother had the gastric bypass several years ago and failed. I wanted to make sure I was going to make it 3 years out, not just immediately. The program I am in has a lot of people that meet once a month in all stages pre-op, post-op, just thinking. Some for LapBand, some for bypass. It's a support group I can go to for free for life. My first appointment with surgical intake was in mid Sept., then behavioral, physiological, nutritional classes, and exercise classes. During all those, they monitored my weight. If I had weight loss, then I could get my papers sent up to surgery. That took a couple of weeks. From what people are saying in these meetings most people take at least 6 mths, some over a year. Depends on the person's behavior changes, and insurance, and past medical complications. Everyone says it is worth every day!!! Don't be impatient, it took a long time to get as big as we are, and it will add years to our lives to take off the weight.

I'm new too. I have been going thru the process for several months, have met all the requirements and meet with my surgeon on Jan 30th to set a surgery date. I'm so excited!!!!! I'd like to know how to get that ticker, too. It's cool.