JudyAnticola

the day before surgery, at least here in Buffalo is supposed to be clear liquids, not protein shakes. I think the protein shakes are for after surgery. I guess it might differ between doctors, but I think it is CLEAR liquids the day before surgery.

I was saving the big news to tell until you returned, LOL--JULY 17 is my surgery date. Less than one week. I am excited and nervous both. Trying to clean house today so I can come back to a comfortable spot. Enjoy this (ugh) heat!

Actually, it is two miles each time, Linda, so glad we fooled you into walking four miles--it does go fast with the gang. I started to tell a friend about your work and I did not even finish my story, she is familiar with your place on Seneca. I was very impressed.

We meet at the Juicery, 8 am. I doubt that there will be a July seminar, the seminars are usually the first Wednesday of the month. If Dr. Hoffman is at the park I will ask him if he knows if there is a August seminar. Take care.

I was thinking of going and getting the book, but will it freak me out reading it before surgery?

Clinic update, I was at the bariatric clinic today, everyone was very friendly and helpful. They were probably glad it was friday, as was I, LOL.

I will also be there tomorrow (Saturday) for the park walk. Sometimes Dr. Hoffman comes. Hopefully it will not get too hot too quickly!

Linda, a few of us will meet at the park Saturday, maybe you can join us? Val, Nicki and I will be there so far. also, a few are planning on going to the support group Wednesday. I hope to be there but it depends on when I get home from work.

See you there then, you are going right? I am giving up going camping on Friday so that I can walk. I like meeting up with the group. We can talk about some way we can all communicate who will be there in the future, so no one gets there and is alone.

Yes, so is Nicki. I have been out of town all week and could not come on line. I will be at the park at 8 am (or so!) Any new walkers out there???

I belong to the Orchard Park YMCA too. I still prefer my jazzercise. Be careful getting the evaluations too early, I think that some have to be within 30 days of the surgery. Best to check with the clinic though.

Of course you would still lose weight with 1400 calories a day. If you weight 200 pounds for example anything less then 2300 a day and you will lose. Is the band keeping you at the lower calorie level? I am curious, I see your BMI is 35, how did you qualify for the surgery? Congratulations, seems like you are doing well.

Way to go Val, I guess I did not realize that you had not had a fill. I think it works for you because you do things the right way with exercise and diet. I hope I can follow in your footsteps!

Loraine has not been on much, and I can not speak for her, but I can tell you what she has told me, she LOVES it! And by the way, she has never had a fill and continues to lose weight. I think she follows the diet and exercise plan exactly. So for those who say the band is useless without a fill, talk to Loraine, she is more than six months with no fill and a 65 pound weight loss since surgery. She looks fantastic.

Let us know how you make out. Congratulations on this first step in your progress.

Not sure if there was a June seminar, I have not heard anything about it. As you see from reading we have all experienced a loss of documents and approximately 4-6 months from start to surgery. We all sympathize with you, there seems to be no way around it at least if you use BGH. I would walk on weeknights if I am available. Where do you live and where would you want to walk. Just FYI my jazzercize class has summer special, $48.00, there are about 10-15 classes to choose from each week. the location is Ridge and Abbott and Transit and Clinton. I can give you more information if you need it. They will want you to be involved in a physical fitness plan, the sooner the better. Good luck with your quest. I started my process in February and will have surgery in July, 5 months.

I am hoping to leave Friday and stay at camp until Sunday am. I will call you though either way. I think Loraine might go. Maybe there will be some new walkers to accompany you?

Any walkers for this Saturday? I am not sure as I may be camping. I know Nicki will be in NYC, lucky girl. I will call you Val and Lorraine and let you know either way. If I am in Buffalo I will walk for sure!

You could always check with a time frame from Caruana. There is a thread on this website about his group, you can get some information. I think they are a little more flexible about their arrangements than Buffalo General, but I do not want to sway you one way or the other. Lisa and Dr. Hoffman, the NP and dietician have been great to me, but the clinic secretaries are a little abrupt shall we say. Since your paperwork is already in at Posner it might be better to continue to work with them, that is half the battle. Not really sure. Let us know how you make out.

I was there from 8:45 until 2, but I was closed in the room most of the time. Were you there with your husband? I am vaguely aware of a couple coming out of one of the rooms, but I was focused on myself. It had occurred to me that both of you would be there post-op, then is slipped my mind. Oh well, another time!

My surgery will be in July, we are still hammering out the details. For clear liquids I just drank canned chicken broth, popsicles and jello. Do you have diabetes? I used jello with sugar and it really screwed me up a little, too much sugar too fast. As a reminder, you can not eat red jello or popsicles. Where are you going? I live in Elma, I went to a guy in West Seneca.

I saw him about a month ago. I was only there about an hour. He is very direct, does not waste time. I would not be nervous. Of course he said I was not psycho, so I am not sure if he is such a good judge of character, LOL. A number of us have used him, and we have all been approved.

I was there today, darn, I would have looked for you. I was at the center almost the whole day. Was Brubear there too? Darn! Congrats on the weight loss.

Contact the patient advocate at BGH. I do not know the name of the person, but just call the operator and ask to be connected. Their role is to guide you through a process such as this. You may encounter different issues then the rest of us because you are speaking for her. One more question, how old is she? If she is younger then 18 the procedure can not be done currently, however, by the end of the year she might be able to be seen at Childrens, where they will start a program for 14-18 year olds. Best wishes.

Hi Val, Nicki and I walked. It actually did not rain in the park while we were there at least, but yes, you deserved your birthday off! As long as I lost 3 pounds or so by Tuesday I am happy! I will stay off the carbs then because the surgery will be in July sometime. Yes, I will go to the support group next month, July 16 I think. Hoffman may be doing the group. I am working in Erie that day, but will come to the group when I get back to Buffalo, which should be in plenty of time. Happy Birthday!