SillyGoose

Monkey - I guess it was a "had to be there" kinda a moment. Their reaction to the band was more of a "you're insane for choosing the band". The shock on their faces and quick judgement is what got to me. But, you're right - they were just stating their fear. It just seems that no one (even the dr) are in favor of the band. While I was in the 6 mo. classes, no one was interested in getting the band. All I heard was quick, negative comments about it. As far as their comments causing me to second guess my decision - it was more of adding to my own second guessing myself. I mean, how many times have I started a weight loss regimen and said "I'm doing it this time and nothing is going to stop me". I guess I'm fearful of failing at this too. I truly believe that I'm making the right choice and shouldn't let what others think or feel bother me. Thanks for your input - it's much appreciated!

As the other poster mentioned, it does seem to depend on which Kaiser your going to. From reading the different Kaiser threads, it appears to always be a good idea to follow up with phone calls. I would begin calling either your pcp or the health education department for the contact information about the orientation. As you can see, I began this process around June, and I finally have an appointment for the group surgery meeting next week. I'm hoping I can have surgery by January or February. Best wishes!

That's an awesome victory - congrats!

There was a comment that threw me for a loop the other day.... I haven't been banded yet and have only lost about 20lbs. I'm still wearing the same old clothes, they just fit a little better now - don't feel like I'm busting the seams anymore lol! Anyway, one of our maintenance guys asked if I've lost weight. I was shocked that anyone, let alone some guy I worked with that I really don't know well noticed (we just joke around once in a while in passing). I said "yeah, about 20 lbs - and thanks for noticing!" then laughed with him. Then I told my sister (work at the same place). And she said that's just the way he is and that he even asked another gal at another building that he works at if she'd been gaining weight! lol guess he's not one of those guys who's afraid to ask!

Sorry to hear about the complicated surgery - But I must say, you look great.... younger too! Congrats!

This sounds just like me. My mom didn't want me using tampons so it was never talked about. I remember being at someones house (can't remember who's) and started. I was too embarressed to ask for anything so I went searching the bathroom and could only find tampons and I too put the whole thing in - I was miserable! After about 30 min. I took it back out which was very difficult and rolled up a bunch of toilet paper until I could get home!

What I read on the note was: Motivation of the week REVENGE Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I will not rest until that lying B***** is out of this house.

My husband and I too were hoping that Stacey would have won the challenge but was so very happy to see Brady go! I thought it was so funny how the blue team kept saying "there's strength in numbers". Vicky didn't even see it coming! I too paused it to read the note on the door - I agree she is psycho!

Well, I've stopped smoking and feel great about that. Cravings for a cig are (for the most part) gone! But, now I'm starting to gain some of the weight back that I've lost. I haven't had surgery yet. In Mid December I'll be done with all my required weight loss classes and I can't even see the Surgeon until I've lost 10% of my body weight (27 lbs). Last week I gained 1.5 lbs and it already looks like a gain of almost 3 lbs for this week! I'm out of control and it keeps getting worse. I'm at the point that I'm starting to think about smoking again just to get the rest of the required amount of weight off. Then I'll stop smoking again before surgery. How ridiculous is that? I'm finally smoke free and I'm contemplating smoking again. I don't even want to smoke (for the first time ever!) I need some encouragement desperately! (more like a good kick in the ass!) Thanks for listening to me whine!

So happy to hear you got called back with an appointment! And now it begins.... Congrats!

I'm so sorry that no one ever mentioned that you had to quit! I'm also going through Kaiser in Fresno, CA and that was one of the first things they mentioned when starting this process. I've been wanting to quit for years and have "tried" a few times. For some stupid reason, this surgery was finally my excuse to quit. I went through Kaiser's Heath Education to help me quit. You go to their class and they give you ideas on how to handle cravings and help you pick a "stop smoking" date (mine was 10/4/08). Then they prescribed (if you want it) Wellbutrin and a patch. I tried taking them both for a week and my blood pressure got really high, so I stopped taking them and have continued to not smoke on my own. Like the last poster said, it isn't easy at first - I too cried and felt like I was losing my mind at first. But, it really does get easier each day!! Each day I think about them less and less. Don't give up! Ask your doctor about Chantix if you need help. I hear it really works - that was going to be my next step if I failed at this attempt to quit. Things that helped me through cravings was holding and chewing on straws (especially while driving). Small dum dum suckers and sunflower seeds. And, once in a great while if I'm really stressed and think I need nicotine, I suck on one of those commit lozenges (found them in the medicine cabinet from a previous attempt to quit!) and it does help. I just use them sparingly. Good luck and don't give up!

Check out the post below by Minxz - there are a few links to other Kaiser threads. As you will find, every Kaiser seems to be a little different, but usually, yes there seems to be some sort of process through each one..... Personally, I'm finding that the process is moving by quickly. Good luck to you!

Was it "Kaiser" that said you weren't fat enough or one person (like your doctor) that said you weren't fat enough? I ask this because I too have Kaiser (north). And when I went to see my Doctor and mentioned weight loss surgery, her first reaction was "usually people who are 100 lbs more than you are the ones who get the surgery" I then called her on it and told her that I already found out that am "fat enough" for the surgery because my BMI was over 40. She then started fidgeting with a little paper gadget thingy (my guess, she was trying to see if I was right about my BMI). She then said that it isn't an easy process and there were a lot of hoops I had to jump through (she was trying to discourage me) but she finally said to have the nurse schedule me for the seminar. And now I'm over halfway through the process and hoping to have surgery around the first of the year. Keep fighting & good luck!

Hi there Teri, I have the Wii Fit but haven't really broken it in yet. Let me know how the Jillian Michaels game is....

I agree with all of you! What do you think their friends and family think of them? Imagine acting like that and then watching it later.... Do you think they would be embarrassed of themselves??? I know I would be humiliated to see myself behave like that!

Haven't had surgery yet but I feel your pain! As you can see from my ticker I'm quitting smoking. It has been the hardest thing I've ever done. I haven't been perfect yet either. I find the weekends are hard. I did smoke a couple last weekend and a couple yesterday. But I haven't given up. I too don't do drugs or drink... now I can't smoke or eat what I want. Ugh! I'm hoping I can find a new vice - something healthy like exercise! I just haven't gotten my butt up to doing that one yet! Anyway, don't give up either. You know you need to quite to get healthy. You don't need me or anyone else to tell you that! Good luck to you!

Hollie, I'm so proud of you. Not just for the weight loss (which is outstanding and quite inspiring) but also for having the courage to share with the world your experience for others to see. I think you did a fantastic job! My Opinion - no, she didn't come off sounding like an expert.... She sounded like an 18 year old who was prompted by the person giving her the interview to say something negative about Mexico. When I was 19, I already had a daughter and a husband in the Navy, we moved to San Diego for almost 2 years. I was young and naive. I was told by my family not to go to Mexico because someone might kid nap my child and sell her off. (Yes, I know, that could have just as easily happened here as well) I could see Mexico from where I lived and not once did I cross that boarder. Now that I'm older, I've since taken my kids to Mexico. Maybe Hollie is just basing her info off what other people have told her as well. Was it the wisest opinion to give, probably not. Am I going to base my decision on her opinion? No, never would I do that. I'm going to research other's experiences such as your own who have actually gone through it. And I think that it's fair to assume that most people are going to do the same. You know Wasa, I've read many of your post's. And you are always right, you make valid points and you have truly done your research. I guess the part that is so irritating for me is that you are so quick to point out the wrong thing someone else post's and often very harsh while you do it. Give the girl a break. She is only 18. I personally hate confrontation but I felt I needed to speak up. I hurt for Hollie after reading your post's to her. It would be nice if you could at least show some compassion and congratulate her for the outstanding job that she did do. She really did do a great job aside from the Mexico comment that only shows her age. I don't think anyone would base their decision from that.

At first I felt the same as you. I guess what got me is that we keep hearing about it every week. So much drama! And the way they edit things, it can be very misleading. It appears that she was "abandond", but we don't know the whole story. By doing the math, the daughter is 26 years old. The mom left 6 years ago. So, she was 20 when it happened. I'm sure that divorce of your parents at any age isn't easy. Maybe the other sisters were younger and still in high school. Maybe she is daddy's little girl and wouldn't leave her dad. Maybe she didn't want him to be alone because everyone else was leaving. Maybe she wouldn't talk to mom for 6 years because she was mad at her for leaving him. They just don't give us the details. They only give us what they think we want to see to keep their ratings up. All I see right now is whining. And I agree - the trainers are not counselors!

Thank you! I don't know about you, but this has been one of the hardest things I've ever done! Even harder than trying to lose weight. But, I'm very happy that I'm finaly doing it. I agree with you here - this episode was very confusing. Not so sure I like Heba anymore.... Agree again... I'm sick of hearing about this every week! I always look forward to watching this every year. Kind of a let down this year. :regular_smile:

That's so awesome! Congratulations! I see you were banded in June 2008 - Did you lose a lot of weight before being banded? Hope to see some before and after pics!

My Psych appointment consisted of a several questions and a 30-45 minute chat with the Psych. He immediately tried to explain why he thought this step in our weight loss surgery was mandatory. He thought, just like anything else, someone, somewhere had WLS and then sued their doctor because the outcome was bad emotionally for them. Makes since really. During my appointment, he simply talked to me and wanted to determine that (from my paperwork) the little bit of depression and difficulty sleeping I have was caused from being overweight and not some other major underlying issue. I guess those were the only things that were questionable from looking at all my answers. I also answered a lot of his questions about lap band, because until recently, Kaiser only did the GB. Good luck on your appointment - I hope it goes well.

Wow... Ok, now I think I remember why I could never stick with Low Carb in the past.... There's so many hidden carbs I would never think about. How do you do it?

Ok, Yesterday was my first attempt at seriously trying low carb again. I'm not banded yet and am having a difficult time with my mind. As many of you, I've been on so many different diets that I can't seem to keep it straight. A part of me wants to do low fat, part wants low carb another part wants to do the Glycemic Index.... and so on. I started low carb yesterday just going by memory for the most part. I don't have an atkins book anymore and it's so hard for me to count net carbs in recipe's that I make. For instance, I made a crust-less Spinach Quiche last night so I have an easy breakfast for the next few days. I think I put 6 eggs, 1/2 package of frozen spinach, 6 slices of bacon, some Cheddar and parmesan cheese, onion, and garlic salt. I divided it up into 5 servings. Any suggestions on how much the carb count might be? And the fat, it seems so high, but if I remember right, the fat count doesn't really matter as long as I don't go over my carbs... right?

Who do you have to pay the deductible to? Your doctor or the hospital? I know with past insurance that I've had before, I've been billed for the deductible after I've had a procedure done. If this is true for you, then couldn't you get the procedure done and make payment arrangements for the deductible? Just a thought - I hope it helps.