SillyGoose

Thank You

I might be mistaken, but I thought the guy from the orange team went home last week.... I hope I'm wrong, because I agree with you guys, Can't stand the brown team.

I don't know who my favorite is either, but I can't stand the girl in the brown. Some of the things she has said during the little interviews bugs me....

I look forward to some of your posts - it gives me insight on what I'm to expect lol! Thank you! I'm glad to hear he was happier with you this time (I was starting to get worried). It sounds like over all, your fill went pretty well. I sure hope your feeling better today. This morning I have my Psych and Nutrition appointments. I'm so happy I can finally get them out of the way. I didn't sleep well, and cravings for cigarettes are getting better, but they are still there. At work and at home, I find myself more irritable and sarcastic and not too afraid to show it either. It's kind of a joke at the office because they all know what I'm going through. Hope I can contain it with the appointments! LOL Have a great day!

No, Sorry. All I have is the book as well.

My husband and I have known for over a month that our stop smoking day was going to be 10/4/08. So, today is day #3 without a cigarette and it is so freaking hard! Our insurance wont prescribe chantix until we can prove that taking wellbutrin and the patch together don't work. We don't want to get to that point, we both want to quit now and are putting in an honest effort for the first time. We made it through the weekend. It was very hard, but got through it. This morning, got up before everyone else as always, started my normal routine (except the smoking part of it of course) and about halfway through, I broke down. I mean I was seriously sobbing because I wanted to smoke so bad. I hate that smoking has this much control over me. It's like I've lost my closest friend. It has always been there when I needed it in good, bad and stressful times. My husband is having a pretty hard time as well. Thankfully we have not turned on each other like I thought we would. And I swear that this patch the pharmacy gave us is fake! I've used Patches before and I could feel the nicotine hit your blood stream. I can't feel anything with this one! I'm probably better off anyway. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I just wanted you to know that I totally understand how hard it is. And just because I'm whining and crying (literally) like a baby about this, I'm not giving up. I'm not doing this just because I have to for the band, I'm doing it for my husband, my kids, and my health! You can do it too. If I can do anything to help, just let me know. Good Luck!

You know, they still really don't talk about it much. A few weeks ago we had guest speakers who had the bypass done, and one person who had the lap band done a month before. She tried to answer the questions the best she could but she was still so new and had never really considered banding until the surgeon mentioned it to her. Peggy even mentioned that she doesn't have a lot of info yet either. My own opinion (which is most likely wrong) it feels like most of the people in the class, and the nutritionist who came to speak as well, are not interested in banding because you don't lose as quickly as bypass and diabetes wont disappear over night like it will with bypass. I really hope the surgeon comes and talks about it more just so they can have more information about it and be able to weigh their options better. I'll be sure to tell Peggy "hi" for you. She is great. Her dog died a couple weeks ago though. I felt so bad for her. Anyway, thanks for the information. Hope everything goes well with your fill. Be sure to post about it, I'd like to know how it goes!

Thanks for all the info. I'll check out that thread as well.

Minxz, Thank you for the information. I see that you've also had a sleep study. I haven't heard anything about our area requiring that you have it done. I wonder if the surgeon will require it. I've never been tested, but I know I have sleep apnea. My husband tells me that I scare him sometimes because I quit breathing for a little bit. Anyway, thanks again and good luck to you on your journey!

I've done low carbing in the past and remember how well it worked. Only problem, I always gave up too soon (as with any diet). How long does it take for your body to be in ketosis? Where do you get the strips to check for it? And, how long did it take you to lose those awful carb cravings? And, one last question - how many carbs are you allowed per day? It's been so long since I've put an honest effort into low carbing, I just don't remember! I'm staying on plan today because I only have 10 more pounds to lose to reach my required 10% before I can see the surgeon!

Well, I have my Psych and Nutrition appointments next week and was kind of curious what to expect. Especially the Psych appt. Do they test you or just ask questions. I'm really not all that worried about it, I'm just being nosey! I had my appt scheduled for 9/30/08 and they cancelled it. Now it's set for 10/8/08. AND my stop smoking date (DH too) is 10/4/08. So, today I'm a smoker - tomorrow a non-smoker! I'm so happy about that! Have always hated being a smoker, but love to smoke. Stupid I know. Anyway, just imagine what kind of a nut case I'm going to look like for the Psych without having a cig for 4 days! :tongue: Thanks in advance for your input! P.S. heartfire - congrats to you! Your doing such a great job! Keep it up!:tongue:

I agree with you on this. My doctor is female and doesn't like the idea one bit. I've bugged her though email once to try and get my Psych and nutrition appointments out of the way and she wrote me back telling me I can't "short cut" the system. I waited about a month and wrote her a second time telling her that wasn't my intentions and that the instructor has told our weight loss class (twice) that we need to get these appointments done now. Well, she never bothered to email me back - but those other departments have now contacted me with appointments. I wrote her a 3rd time to say thank you and still no response. I'm definitely changing doctors. Good Luck with your appointment!

I too have to quit for surgery, and want to quit for my health. Watching my mom suffer after so many years of smoking is awful. She is only 67. She is chained to oxygen 24/7, she can hardly walk, she rarely goes anywhere, let alone outside because everything bothers her breathing. I don't want to wind up like that. I don't want my kids to see me like that. I went to a Kaiser meeting last weekend and was given a lot of good information and now have a stop smoking plan for my husband and myself. We will be taking Wellbutrin and a patch at the same time. Our stop smoking day is 10/4 and we start the patch. Wish us luck! And send your prayers - we need them. We both can be pretty irritable at times. I hate to imagine how it is going to be with both of us feening at the same time! lol As some of the other posters have said. I too like to smoke, but hate being a smoker. I'm not at all proud of it, never was. I too have been smoking for half my life (amazingly quit when I was pregnant with both kids) I too don't know what I'm going to do on breaks - I so look forward to my breaks, what will we do now? And the rewards! You are so right about the rewards! Cooking, Dishes, laundry, cleaning, SEX! lol - oh boy, this is going to be fun! Good luck to all of you - we can all do it! :crying:

I currently am a smoker and have wanted to quit for a very long time. I was able to quit while I was pregnant with both of my kids but always picked it back up again. Knowing that I can't have this surgery unless I quit is giving me the kick in the butt I needed. My husband and I both went to a stop smoking class through Kaiser two days ago. We now have a plan of attack - We are both going to be taking Wellbutrin and the patch at the same time. Our stop smoking date is 10/4/08. They won't allow us to take Chantix unless we can prove that the wellbutrin and the patch together don't work together. I know it will work, because this time I've made up my mind. Before I was always too afraid to quit (if that makes any sense). Just like the other posters have said, if you want to get healthy, you need to make a 100% effort. If you have a Kaiser near you, you can also go to one of their classes even if your not a Kaiser patient. It's free to the public. Good luck to you

I work in the office during the day (resident manager at night) for a huge building through HUD housing where we provide low cost apartments for seniors and those with physical disabilities. I absolutely love my job and am thankful for the blessings that have come with it. We have a lot of Ukrainian residents who bring us wonderful food that they make a couple times a week at least. Holiday time... almost every day! Today a lady brought my favorite that they make. I have no idea what it's called, but it's like a doughnut consistancy (not sweet though) and just as greasy as a doughnut. Some are stuffed with potato and some with sausage. I absolutely love the potato ones!:thumbup: Well, I broke down and had 1/3 of one. Not too bad, but still now that I have the taste, I want more! I haven't been banded yet and am trying to lose the required 10% body weight that insurance requires. So far, the loss is slow, but steady. I wish there was a way to turn them down on their generous offers, but I simply can't. This is all they have to give, and they love to give. They are some of the nicest people I've ever met and would hate to hurt their feelings. Plus there an the issue with the language barrier. I know they would not understand if I tried to explain to them that I'm on a diet and their wonderful food is too tempting! ugh! I know, self control right?! I wish it were always that easy, if it were, I wouldn't be here! Anyway, just needed to vent a little to help me be more accountable and keep me from eating more. Any words of wisdom are welcome and appreciated.

On the nights that I just absolutely don't want to cook, I warn the family ahead of time that they are on there own for dinner because I'm not feeling well or because I'm tired. When I do this though, I make sure there is something easy for them to make in the freezer or pantry. My daughter is 14 and she pretty good at throwing Frito boats together! lol. Then I'll just make myself a small bowl of cereal or throw a south beach meal in microwave, I may add a salad too. I probably do this about once a week.

I think you should tell your dad before your surgery given how close the two of you are. I would probably start the conversation off by telling him that you were hesitant and even considered keeping it from him for fear of his reaction. Let him know how much you love him and respect his opinion, therefore decided that it was best not to keep this from him. At this point the poor guy will probably be worried sick about what you are going to tell him. But, possibly, it will give him a chance to realize how serious this is and how important this is to you and maybe his reaction won't be as bad as you think. Even if his reaction is still exactly what you think it will be, just let him know that you will consider his feelings and think more about it. Give it some time and then later let him know that you have decided to go ahead with it. I also agree with the other posters and come prepared with information to answer his questions. If he is still not a happy camper, just remember that in time he will get over it and calm down. Especially when he sees how great your doing. I remember when I was 18 years old, and my father was (and still is) the person I respected most in my life. I was terribly afraid to tell him that I was pregnant and see the disappointment in his eyes. Well, when I finally told him, his reaction was even worse then what I expected. He was more hurt and disappointed then I could have even imagined. But it didn't take long for him to get over the hurt and come around and was and has always been there for me. My daughter is now 14 and I have an 11 year old son and he couldn't love them more. And he is always telling me how proud he is of me. He is still one of my best friends. My mom and I have never been as close as I am with my dad. Just remember that it will be ok and your relationship will also be ok. Good Luck!

I live in Fresno and until last month, Fresno only offered the open bypass surgery. We finally got a surgeon in Fresno that will do the laparoscopic bypass and lap band. It's my understanding that previous to last month, patients in my area had to travel to the bay area to get the lap band done. Maybe So. Ca. Kaiser hasn't gotten a surgeon that will do the lap band yet. I would suggest bringing that up with your PCP or even contacting the surgeon's office in your area to see what they recommend. Maybe you could travel up north? Or, Maybe they are in the process of getting a surgeon in your area? Good luck, I hope something works out for you!

About three or four years ago I lost some weight (from 245 to 208). About the same amount that you have lost. Co-workers, family and friends were constantly telling me how great I looked. But when I tried on clothes, or looked in the mirror, all I could see was how fat I still was. When I tried on the old clothes that were too big, I could see the difference. But, it was so hard to find new clothes that fit me. I was constantly in between sizes - nothing fit just right. It seemed like my stomach was even more flabby then before! And I worked out at least 4 to 5 times a week at curves. Now, I've gained it all back plus almost 30 lbs more! I would give anything to be back at 208 feeling like I was fat instead of where I am now. Talk about embarrassing! :w00t: Anyway, I'm back on the wagon again and hope to be banded by the end of this year or early next year. Anyway, Long story short (sorry for the rambling) I understand how your feeling. Just enjoy the complements and keep on keeping on. One day you won't see that fat person anymore! You're doing great!

Well, I live in Fresno and the process so far has been: Met with PCP and told her that I was interested in being banded. She told me I have to go to the seminar. About 5 weeks later I went to the seminar (which was mostly information about Gastric Bypass and very little on banding because Fresno just started doing it) The next week I started the required 20 weeks of weight loss management classes. In the mean time, I need to have my PCP refer me to the Psych and Nutrition appointments and lose the mandatory 10% of my body weight (about 27 lbs.). Once I'm near the end of my classes and lost most of the required weight, then I'll have my PCP refer me to the surgery department for approval. Also, your BMI has to be at least 40, or lower with comorbidities. Hope this gives you at least some idea what So. Kaiser may require. Good Luck!

I have Kaiser Insurance and it is mandatory to attend weekly classes and lose 10% of your body weight. So, right now I'm learning (or re-learning) how to eat healthy. When I'm finished with the classes and have lost the amount of weight required, and have a surgery date scheduled, then I will go on a 10 day liquid pre-op diet. So, maybe my wording (6 mo pre op diet) was incorrect. A lot of insurance's out there have requirements like these, and I'm actually glad that they do. This way I can't just jump into something. I have a lot of time to learn and prepare ahead of time.

I don't know a lot about sleep apnea because I've never been tested. I do believe I have it though. But from what I understand, having it will only greater your chances for being approved for WLS. In a lot of cases, losing weight will significantly help your sleep apnea. I'm sure there are others that will respond with more experience and better information.