jbflorida

Put me down for a surgery date of May 20.

Just get better! Listen to what the doctor tells you and use us for support in hanging tough! I had cancer last summer and ALL is well. I am sending you good thoughts of a complete recovery....and then, back on the BANDwagon for you! Really, take care of yourself.

My psych went fine too. The doc sent me the 370 questions in the mail and I did it at home. I was given approval (fooled him!) The surgeon made me feel comfortable and answered questions. I was able to get my 2 weeks of Optifast. Tomorrow I will call and make the surgery date.....May 13. Lots of different emotions going on.

I am going for my psych and surgical consult tomorrow too! I am not nervous at all--I want this! Just go in, be yourself, follow your heart and speak sincerely. If you have to "go through some hoops," just take each step one by one. We'll get there. Let us know tomorrow what the outcome is.

OK--I've been to 7 weight loss seminars (I could probably give one myself!) I have narrowed it down to 2 doctors. I would like YOUR advice as to what personality is best: Doc # 1 has a fun, witty personality--but I know that he will be STRICT with me--pre-op 2 weeks Optifast, Post Op-2 weeks clear liq., 2 weeks full liq. He will be kind--but demanding of me to succeed, and succeed well! He has done many bands. Doc#2 is laid back and easy going. Pre op--10 days of any liq (even pudding, etc.) Post op-1 week liq, 1 week soft. He has done 250 bands. Advice? (one of the docs is $2100 more than the other...trying not to let that make a difference for this self-pay future bander )

Thanks, Sue and Mommy2, for your thoughts. Tomorrow, I am seeing the psych. and then, the surgeon. I am going with the more experienced and more "involved" surgeon. My gut is telling me that this is the right way to go! (I have learned to listen.) Also, without mentioning names, someone else on this board used the other doctor I was thinking about and has had some problems where the doc made a bad mistake! Tomorrow, I should have my surgery date.

come visit me and bring your bathing suit--85 degrees and blue skies! I'll make lunch!

I agree with Headhunter. If you feel "negative" now, run! There are other surgeons. This procedure is not a one time deal. We are going to form a relationship with the surgeon and her/his practice that will last for years. My doc is working for me and he wants me successful to make his numbers look good! Find one with a caring staff that you feel is on your side, wants you healthy and will be cheerleaders for you. I went to a bunch of seminars til I found the doc and staff that "fit." Others were cheaper (I am self-pay), but my instincts told me this was the one. I sound like I am talking about a lover. ??!!!!??!!!???

happy birthday to J! Think of how many MORE birthdays there will be to celebrate! From another Floridian--Sun City Center--near Tampa (I went to a seminar with Tampa General--the patient coordinator did not want to answer my questions--hope you had better luck)

I came right out and asked!! Also, I spoke to others who went to him--that's the best way. You know how sometimes you just get a good feeling from someone? That's what happened at his seminar. I went to SEVEN seminars (is everyone laughing yet?), but I like to research (that's the teacher in me!) and hands down, this doctor won. Good luck in your search! Big decision, I know!

I am going to Dr. Ernest Rehnke in St. Pete--I am impressed with him and his staff. He has done a thousand procedures and his complication rate is less than .5% He is strict, but I like that! Are you anywhere near St. Pete?

The biggest reason I will lose weight is all the time I am spending reading LBT!! Who has time to eat? Janet, LOVE your warm-funny-tell-it-like-it-is posts. If anyone gives you heat about your grammar, spelling, etc., tell them you were out smoking in the girls' bathroom the day that was taught. I AM an English teacher (retired--thank You, God, for pensions) and though I do not mind errors and can read around them, any error "screams" out at me. It's like the red pen is a permanent fixture in my head. Still, remember why we are here. Everyone, let's hold hands and sing Kum-Ba-Ya! (to someone many posts back--you weighed the girls? funny!)

Karel, if you don't mind me asking, why didn't your band work? That must have been disappointing.

Janet--I KNEW I liked you! I am a poodle mommy too! Two white toys (one is a rescue and may be a bichon, but I converted her to poodlehood!) In my next life, I am coming back as a poodle and in the NEXT life, I am going to be a tall blonde with a fast metabolism. That's great about your trip!

Today I told the lady behind the counter at McDonald's that I was having WLS next month! Then I told her to watch out because McD may have to declare bankruptcy.

BooBoo--a real inspiration! I don't even know you and I am so proud of you!! YAY, BOO!!!

Please remember that therapists are first--human. They have their own "stuff" too. A good therapist can separate her/his stuff from yours. Allow your therapist to take responsibility for her reactions. If she is supportive, great. If she is not, oh well. This is your life. Your health. I had a friend that went to a therapist because her boyfriend would not commit and get married. (not me, I would have tossed him out on his tush!) The therapist encouraged her to wait it out... and she did...17 years! My friend finally told him goodbye; he married someone within 6 months. My friend was 39, couldn't have children now--and starting all over again. TURNS OUT, the therapist was waiting for HER boyfriend to commit. She told my friend to wait to VALIDATE what she was doing! Sorry--off the subject. What do you expect--I'm old and feeble.....

Kalypso-- This is written with support and compassion. Most of us did not get the nurturing we deserved. Same with your mother. She did the best she could. She is human. She is who she is. Do not wait for her to give you permission to be happy. Do not wait for her to treat you as you expect or want and deserve. It may never happen. Here's the good part of that: YOU ARE A GROWN UP AND CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT NOW! YAY! If someone(mother) is disappointed and angry, oh well. "I'm so sorry that you're disappointed and I know you wanted something else, but this is what I need to do." Then do it. No fighting or arguing. After all, you are who you are too. And that is a STRONG woman who is taking charge of her rest-of-her-wonderful-to-be-'cause-that's-what-you're-choosing-life! Fat was never a punishment; it's just fat. Again, it is what it is. For some reason, we have/had it and now, it no longer serves us. Now, we are taking back our control, our health, our lives and with OUR decisions made, the fat will leave. I am 56, a self-pay bander this May and sometimes, I forget and still wait for my mother to love me like I want. But she is who she is--and I am a grownup. We're all sisters here......even the men!! haha Sending hugs! Judy

Mom03-- I am in Sun City Center--what doc have you chosen for your surgery?

I imagine that a lot of the fear right before the surgery is really GRIEF. We are saying good-bye to our dear, reliable friend--not just food, but the kind of food we ate and the way we ate it. It may have been the one thing in life that we could depend on being there. But it's kind of like when an abused child wants to return to the abuser. It's what we KNOW. But I am a grown woman and food no longer serves me. As much as I do enjoy it, the way I eat is making me unhappy, matronly, shameful, and yes, it is killing me. My mantra is--WHO AM I KIDDING? Could I have a stroke? absolutely. Could I gain another 100 lbs? Probably. Could I die from this way before my time? I'm already on that road. I've had enough. I am ready to live a different way. I want to. I deserve it! I've been healthy (thinner) and I've been obese. I choose health now. I'm tired of having my weight "color" every aspect of my life, every thought. This just doesn't serve me! And so, I am making plans for my life change. First, I will grieve and mourn the loss of the fat me and the way I ate....and ate and ate. I will cry and wonder and write in my journal and read LBT and learn from my new "family" here. And then I will begin my next chapter. When I feel a temptation, I will be ready with the thoughts of, "I used to be like that. Not anymore." I also know that I am human, but I am going to try my best...when my mind is made up, I plan on being successful! So there! Who's with me?

I have been working on the small bite and the chewing. The first time--I got BORED with eating! (a new experience) I can hear it now, "How did you lose the weight?" " I got bored with eating."

75 lbs lost? Way to go! I am close to making my decision about the band. People like you are an inspiration. Be patient, you'll get there---and promise me, you'll tell me the same when I am where you are! haha

And i don't mean sipping---I mean drinking it all down at once!

Sometimes you just want a nice tall glass of cold water! (not with a meal) Is it possible to do that? (this message board is a Blessing!!)

These posts have me worried. I have not been banded yet. If I could be successful weighing and measuring and using willpower and changing my lifestyle, then I would go to Weight Watchers for a lot less money! The question is-- The band is a TOOL. If I eat right and exercise, I will lose weight. Weight Watchers is a TOOL. If I eat right and exercise, I will lose weight. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?