maestrita

Wow, thanks Tiff and Cubsgirl! That sounds very reasonable. Yeah, the plane ticket to Denver just went up to 300.00. It doesn't sound like would be a realistic option for me if I am going to need to keep going in. It's so great to network, isn't it?

Bam, I don't follow you. It's not the calories I think folks are worried about. Well, at least that's not the issue for me. I am concerned about living the best life I can, and I think if I'm going to fill my belly with something, it should be something that makes me stronger. My focus is, as Restless puts it, what I put in, not what I am going to deny myself. I do love coffee, but I know I need to drink Water and milk instead. I don't anticipate having room to drink all of those things and still achieve adequate nutrition. I think if a person can, and their doc doesn't care, and they don't have trouble with acid...what the hey? go for it.

Thanks for all of the info on Dr. K. I do appreciate knowing all of your insights, as I fully understand the significance of what I am undertaking. Some of the things I have heard before, and some things I have not. I am humbly accepting all guidance, as I know that experience is the best teacher, and this is road I have not yet traveled. I am in the process of looking for the best aftercare for me, and I have some promising leads. Also, thanks to this site, I know where not to go for aftercare. In fact, I had been considering that doctor as one of my options. yikes. I am so excited, I can hardly stand myself!

Lisa, I would love that contact information. Otherwise, I will be flying to Denver for fills:thumbdown:

I don't see the big deal about the piercing. Why not just take it out? There are a lot of reasons to remove it and none I can see to keep it in. It sounds like a lot of hospital resources were wasted over something very silly. I've had lots of piercings, and none have closed up in the course of a day or so. In fact, I've not worn a barbell in my tongue for years, and it hasn't closed. I guess you won, but at what cost and to what end?

I am going for surgery on March 10 w/Dr. K, too. I was so relieved to find him because my insurance won't cover the procedure (all other state employees have this coverage, but not teachers....grrr). I am excited, and I would love to hear more about your experiences. Please do share when you get back. Also, what plans do you all have for after care?

I agree with Restless, don't mess around with the ticker. If you have any history/family history of HBP, heart disease, you get in there right away. If it's your stomach, well, you'll get to feel sheepish in front of the ER staff. If it's your heart, you'll be damn glad you went. Keep aspirin on hand, too.

coffee is also high in tanic acid which is very hard on the stomach. Black tea has more tannin than coffee, and Yerba Mate has an extraordinary amount. It is more acid than your stomach acid which is important to keep in mind if you are concerned about erosion, GERD, or ulcerations. It's true the caffeine does dehydrate, but I think you'd have to consume quite a bit to suffer that sort of effect. Moreover, coffee, like soda is an empty food source offering very little nutritionally...well, I guess you get the benefit of a tiny amount of antioxidants and phytoestrogen from coffee. Perhaps it's not quite as horrible as soda, but it's close. It's too bad, really. I do love coffee so very much.

I am also self-pay, and I do not need to go on a six month. I do have to go on a low-carb 10 days before surgery to shrink the size of my liver. Hope this helps.

OK, I am flying out for my surgery. What do I NEED to bring with me? What will I need to have at home when I return. I will be flying back the evening after the procedure, and I will not be returning to work until the following Monday. Help me figure out what to bring on the plane, and what to have at home when I get back. Oooooh, I am so excited....one short month away!:thumbup:

Jeez. the gas bubble...Have you tried the "down dog" position--yoga....? I had terrible gas pain during pregnancy, even to the point where I understood how people could make the mistake that they were having a heart attack when they just have gas. The ONLY thing that worked was down dog alternating with the child's pose. None of the meds did a thing for me at that time. Hope you're better soon.

March 10, for me! How about Mini-Marchers?

My mother is the same way! I don't know what her problem is, but I told her that she did not need to come with me on the surgery date because I could only have one visitor, and my husband wanted to be there. It was a total lie, but I just can't deal with her negativity. Thank goodness I am going out of town for the procedure! She would be so hurt if she knew my mother-in-law is going to fly in for the procedure, but I just can't deal with her. I hate to say this, but I think she is jealous in some way. I know, I know. It's a horrible thing to think about your mother, but I don't know what else might be causing her to be so nasty. I know what concern looks like with my mother, and this is not it. It is pure negativity. Yikes. I hope you get your situation figured out.:thumbup:

Amy, I would tell her what you just told us. Tell her you understand that she wants to get to know you but that you don't always get to see the same doctor. Tell her that you'd like to get moving with your healthier future and ask her what she would recommend that you could do to help her to feel more comfortable about making that referral. Perhaps you could attend some nutrition classes and send her proof that you attended? Perhaps she might like to see a written list of previous weight loss attempts you've made? Perhaps you could do the psychological evaluation before the referral. Maybe a written statement about why you want the surgery and what will change in your life. I'd show her that I meant business if I were you. I'd be pleasantly persistent until she knew me enough to send that referral over.:thumbup: Buena Suerte

There are a couple of reasons it's not a good idea. The amount of tanic acid in black tea is enough to cause me days worth of heartburn trouble. It is more acidic than stomach acid, and it is corrosive. We need to be especially aware of that. coffee has tannin, too, but not quite as much. Yerba Mate is through the roof with tannin. Seriously, I don't know how folks keep it down! This result has nothing to do with caffeine, though. Both tea and coffee, iced or hot, also are very diuretic agents, and that does have something to do with caffeine. I know, I know. It is killing me. I don't know how I am going to do it!

Hello All, I am new to this site. I will be having my band done on March 11 in order to address my sleep apnea and pain from spinal arthritis. My BMI is 36.5, and I wonder if the weight loss will be significant enough to help with some of my problems and to prevent other problems. Is there anyone here who started off below 40 who had similar goals? I will be flying from Washington State to Denver to have the procedure done because I am self-pay. I am wondering if anyone here has had his/her surgery done by Dr. Kirschenbaum. I have read several good things about him so far, and I am pleased with the process and his people up until now. I am apprehensive about the band, though solid on my decision. I have a lot of stomach acid, and I worry that it might get worse. I've read that it gets better, but I don't see how it can.... I also worry a bit about flying so soon after having it done, though it's a short flight. If you've traveled to have the band done, maybe you might share your experience with me. Thanks

You guys are awesome. Thanks for getting back to me and letting me know how it went. I have heard good things about Dr. K. I was planning to fly out the next morning. Maybe I will plan for one more day....I hate to leave my kids for that long, but I don't want to push my luck, either. When are you going mnfarmgal? I am going on March 11.