JudyAnticola

Val, I sent Dr. Hoffman an email to see if he will be there. We all need a boost of his energy I think! Thanks to you and Brubear for your supportive notes. I did go last night and buy sugar free fudsicles and that helped. I am still eating too much but am essentially carb free. Even went to an outdoor concert at the Saranac brewery in Utica NY and did not have a beer. That was hard, let me tell you. One beer was free with admission. I love their pomegranite wheat. Maybe on phase II!!! Take care, see you at the park Saturday at 8 am. Debbie Maj, hope you can make it!

It will be months before you have the surgery, if you talk to her about it during that time maybe she will be ready. I do not have kids, so I can only guess what to do. Not sure about you but I always seem to be talking about it so maybe she will get used to.

I have been on SB for 5 days. I am dying for some chocolate, otherwise it is going ok. I am also getting cold feet about having the surgery. I just have too much time to think about it. I wish there was some other way, but I will never keep anything off if I do not do this.

I am still slightly hoping for July, but August will be fine. I just want to get a date before I have second thoughts, LOL! I have to admit, I was nervous today, but it went very well. I have to get off this computer, I am leaving for Syracuse at 6 am. Was supposed to leave tonight but got back from BGH too late and was not packed. So I am off to bed. Thanks to all of you for your input and suggestions.

For some reason they were planning on setting up the appointment with Hoffman today, but it was too far away so I told them I will talk to him directly. There is no reason to wait two months, everything is done except two lab tests. I think the girls at the desk just have a routine and just give eight week appointments. I will talk to him tomorrow. Can you believe I had all the stuff done that they wanted? I think Barb was surprised. He will do it soon, he just wanted to be sure I had all my tests done. I did pretty well with the physical therapist too. .71 miles in 12 minutes. The diet is going ok so far (only two days, LOL!). I will really have to behave to lose the 10 lbs in one month.

Lisa's fax is 859-4580 and marietta's fax is 859-3352. I faxed it to both. I had my 3 hour today. I only have the blood test for h. pylori and urinary cortisol to do. It went very well, I liked all 3 ladies that I saw. I will see dietician in 4 weeks. Not sure when I will see Dr. Hoffman, but soon after July 1 hopefully. No idea when surgery will be but I will let you know. August perhaps? Why so long you ask? Dont know, it just seems to be the system. Anyway, I am on my way.

I am going out of town in the evening tomorrow, but you can BE SURE I will update you before I leave. Thanks for the good wishes from everyone! I am excited, but nervous.

No you do not need your referral before getting invited to a seminar. You need it when you go for the three hour visit which is about a month after your seminar. It is a frustrating experience that we have all been through, but once you get to a seminar it seems to move along pretty well. Get that paperwork in asap, then call for your seminar once you have given them time to look over the paperwork. Best wishes.

Bugs, did you call for your application yet? It is a long process so do not get discouraged. Get your application in right away so that you can go to a seminar, I think they are having one per month at BGH. Good luck with everything.

I am sorry we missed you. We were there and waited a while and went for coffee. We will get your cell phone next time or give you ours. Yes, it was nice when I left my house and raining on the way! We are doing the ALS walk tomorrow, so I will get some exercise then. Take care, sorry we did not see you. We sat in Lorraine's car.

Thanks Rainwi. Your time frame and time line was not too bad. I am hoping for a July surgery, so we shall see! I guess it really depends on what testing I have left to do if any.

Had my psych appointment today. Not really sure how it went. He did not seem to think I should be having the surgery, but perhaps that was just my interpretation. I did not expect to come out of that meeting confused. Any idea why we have to do the psych consult? He said the decision to do the surgery is between me and my surgeon, so I guess his report does not impact on that, but then what are they looking for? 3 hour blitz on Monday, pretty sure all of my tests are done. Hey, did you all need a chest xray? One of my MD friends said he thought I would need one, but no one has mentioned it.

I guess you answered my question even before I could get it typed!! I think it looks like an easy diet to follow. I am glad you are doing well. I may have to wait until August. There is a slight chance I can get it done in July, but I will know more Monday and for sure I will let you know!! You sound so positive, it is so nice to hear. The support pre-surgery has been great!

Bloomerific, how are you doing on South Beach? Great I hope!!!! I will start it Monday. I only have to lose 10 pounds, but it will probably be the hardest 10!!!

Not everyone has met twice with the dietician. Rainwi did not mention it so I was wondering if she had to go twice. One person that I talked to did not even go to the 3 hour blitz, not sure how he worked that out. My 3 hour is Monday, but since my insurance does not require the weight loss I am hoping to see Hoffman soon after the 3 hour blitz. I guess I will know Monday. Actually Rainwi was able to get through it in about 3 months, I am hoping for the same since I already have insurance approval. How are you doing with it all?

Sorry for so many questions, did you have to see the dietician two times or just at the 3 hour meeting? Thanks.

Did you have to go on South Beach and lose 5% of your body weight? I already have insurance approval so hopefully that month can be eliminated.

What was the delay between 3 hours and your meeting with Hoffman any idea? Why did you have to wait a month between meeting with Hoffman and surgery? Thanks.

You have worked hard and deserve the compliments! yes, I am looking forward to it but a little nervous as well. Will you be at the park Saturday?

Nicki, I will call you Wednesday

Hey Bloomerific, glad you are on your way!!! As my blitz gets closer I am really getting more energetic at home getting things done. I will be unstoppable when I get a surgery date!!!

Nicki is looking for a support group tonight, does anyone know if there is one? My 3 hour blitz is less than 2 weeks away. Colonoscopy today and shrink next Friday. I still think the surgery will be a few months away, the process is a little slow.

Opps, I meant Livelovelaugh and Lorraine, did you need two dietician visits?

Brubear and Lorraine, did you have to have a second dietician meeting? Sally, at least you will probably have it in July. I did mention you to him so he is aware that you have asked for him. I will tell him when I see him about the 2 month thing. I am trying to quit fighting them all, but we will all be curious about the outcome of your blitz. Le tus know!!