Nathalie

Hi Sassy! Congrats on your approval. Oooh, your date is right around the corner! Wednesday is it? Are you nervous at all? Were you on any kind of pre-op diet? Where are you? (Plano, TX, I presume) Welcome welcome welcome! We're glad to have you. Nathalie

angyl - can you talk to any of his previous patients to see how they're doing? How long has he performed the procedure? I'm sure that he is a competent surgeon. Tell him how you feel and let HIM soothe your concerns. And stay prayerful. *HUG* Nathalie

Question - For those of you who were on a 2 week pre-op diet (or longer) did you ever get emotional while you were on it? Yesterday I cried for a while, and today I got teary eyed over something that made me really sad. I'm not usually like this. It's not nearing my time of the month or anything. Just curious to know if anyone else experienced this. Nathalie

Carlene - Show me where I typed one single thing that you didn't say in your previous posts. All of your words are there in black and white (no pun intended). I doctored nothing. I cut and pasted, then highlighted the parts that I referred to in the third paragraph of my post. I also didn't call you a racist. I didn't call you any names at all. I didn't infer you are a racist or a bigot. I didn't pull any "dirty tricks." As I said, I cut and pasted your posts verbatim, and I highlighted the sections that I found distasteful/unnecessary. I'm sorry if that upset you. It was not my intention to be inflammatory or to make you feel bad about who you are or what you believe. I would never stoop to calling someone names, even those with whom I disagree. Nathalie

Alex - I totally love you. YES! It's all better. No more scrolling to see what's to the right of my screen. Thanks for your responsiveness and all of your hard work to keep the site up and running so smoothly for us all. You rock! Nathalie

Carlene - What I said was: So why are so many people still calling him murderer? I think it's all based on the issue of race, personally. MEANING that when the verdict was read the images that were broadcast were predominately black people celebrating and white people protesting. Polls have shown that more minorities believe OJ is not guilty and more whites believe he is innocent. In this thread you have defined blacks in a negative light, made statements about blacks "making a difference" in their community, being a "credit" to their race, "acting black," blacks being "ashamed to claim" other blacks, and inferred that all blacks are "grouped" together. OJ Simpson isn't black except in the broadest sense - the color of his skin. If I were a member of the black race, I would be ashamed to claim him. "Issue of race" my happy ass....unless you're saying that all black people are insensitive, no class, publicity-seeking, do-anything-for-money, celebrity whores. Wait....that would make Paris Hilton black, wouldn't it? Oh, well....if the shoe fits... OJ Simpson has never done anything to further the cause of African Americans. He did not use his celebrity status to make a difference in the black community, (like Bill Cosby, for example). I said that Simpson was not a credit to his race, and he isn't. It's not about acting black...it's about acting like a decent human being, for heaven's sake. I was simply stating that if I were a black person, I would not be defending OJ Simpson. I would be ashamed to be grouped with him in any respect whatsoever. Suffice it to say, we think differently. Not only about this case, but about race matters in general. I believe that all people are equal and that whatever the color a person's skin, it's is not an indication of his or her self worth. Collectively your statements make me sad that people in the world still think this way. I don't know if you're just emotional abuot this situation and expressing yourself poorly, but each time you try to explain yourself you say something else that seems to underscore your previous posts. It makes me very, very sad. Only you know what's in your heart, and maybe reading your posts will help you to re-think your views of people in this world. God bless you.

That's actually a poor example. Guilt or innocence infers INTENT. Unless the people who installed the heater intended to electrocute the person who got into the pool, there is no reason to speak in those terms. That's why they were sued for negligence. That's also why people in service industries have insurance - to protect them from mistakes such as the one you just described.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and mine is that since he was found NOT GUILTY he is free to do whatever he pleases as a free man. He shouldn't pay those people a thing. The criminal courts found him not guilty. A jury of our peers had reasonable doubts. It seems unfair that since the family was pissed at the outcome, they were able to take a 2nd shot the only way they could to punify the man. It's the system, but it's not fair. He's not culpable for the crime, but he STILL has to pay them millions of dollars? I'm not saying OJ is a hero, or that he is someone I'd want to be around. But like it or not, the courts found him NOT GUILTY. And the fact that the crimes happened over 10 years ago and people are still polarized by the case, typically down racial lines, says a lot about what the case turned into. I didn't make it about race, but the race card is there. Blame Johnny Cochran or Mark Fuhrman - but "the N word" has crossed many a lip when referring to OJ. Carlene, I don't know what you mean by "OJ Simpson isn't black except in the broadest sense - the color of his skin. If I were a member of the black race, I would be ashamed to claim him. "Issue of race" my happy ass....unless you're saying that all black people are insensitive, no class, publicity-seeking, do-anything-for-money, celebrity whores. Wait....that would make Paris Hilton black, wouldn't it? Oh, well....if the shoe fits..." You'll have to explain that one to me. I don't want to draw any conclusions about you based on that description of what you apparently think black people are. Or what you yourself have called OJ in the past. But your description is really close to being offensive, as far as I'm concerned. You probably didn't see anything wrong with Kramer's little rant in the nightclub either, did you. And speaking of money, Nicole's family had their hands out the whole time OJ and Nicole were together. They spent up his money and bought themselves a whole new lifestyle. They never said a word about what a terrible person OJ was then. All of a sudden he's the worst person in the world when she turns up dead. Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry she's dead. It's a shame that the Goldman boy got caught in the crossfire. But as much as we rely on the court system to fairly do their job, it is counterintuitive to me that this one instance has people so convinced that he is guilty of murder. If it was so apparent, he'd be rotting in prison right now. Maybe he did it, maybe he was involved, maybe it was her drug dealer - but the bottom line and end result is he is not guilty according to our judicial system and is a free man with the ability to do whatever he wants.

I would have watched it. I would have bought the book. The courts found him not guilty. I don't understand why everyone is out to villify this man. He's not a hero or a saint, but he was found NOT GUILTY in the cases of murdering those people. He was found not guilty in the system that was designed to free the innocent and jail the guilty. So why are so many people still calling him murderer? I think it's all based on the issue of race, personally.

WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks SO MUCH - I couldn't *see* the little arrow because the stupid stats stretched my screen to BFE. Thanks, Alexandra. Problem solved.

Hi Ladies - I'm also a single woman. Mother of a 17 month old boy. I've always been "thick" but after my son was born I got fat. I have gained 70 pounds since he was born, so I am being banded on 12/14. I've never been married, but have never had a problem finding dates. I'm curvy and pretty with a sparkly personality; I've always kept a man. Athletic, educated men with ... well, you know. (laugh) Since becoming "Mom" I have moved to a new city, gotten a new job, and am a single mother - I have no energy or interest in finding a new man right now. I was th inking about joining Match Makers International, but don't feel ready for that at the size that I am. I am interested in talking with my ex (not my son's father, the bf before him), though. He has been in touch with me, and I can't stop wondering why he's emailing. I just ordered that "Lost and Found Lovers" book. I plan to go to ATL to visit friends in the springtime and will see him then. It would be fabulous if I were smaller than the last time I saw him. I'll show up curvy and smelling good. How can he resist, especially if he is interested? Anyhow, I read this thread, but haven't ever posted before. You girls rock. I love your dating stories and your heartfelt advice. I will, of course, keep you posted on the situation with the ex. The reason we didn't work out was "timing" more than anything else. I still adore him, and he always thought we were good together. As far as I'm concerned, it's only a matter of time. Have a great day! Nathalie

My surgeon has appointments set up thusly: 2 weeks post op 6 weeks post op (when I get my first fill) 3 months post op 6 months post op 1 year post op Annually They suggest that the band will be adjusted every 6-8 weeks while I'm losing, and if I have trouble. The great thing about going to this practice is that they have a hospital floor and nursing staff dedicated to treating bariatric patients. So if I have a problem, I can go to the hospital directly and be treated by someone who is trained at addressing bariatric specific issues. (overfill, port issues, etc.) No emergency room, just call the doc and go right to the bariatric floor.

Hi All - My first day on the POD (pre-op Diet) was good. My surgeon's office uses the Bariatrix line of products. I get 10 "points" worth of food, and today that translated to 1 cup of hot chocolate, 1 cup of cream of chicken Soup, 1 package of soy nuts, 2 Protein bars and a cup of chili. I also had 2 containers of sugar free Jello. Oh, and a gallon of Water. I was on my elliptical for 35 minutes today - tomorrow I want to go longer on the elliptical. I feel pretty good, a little tired, definitely more "empty" inside since I don't have tons of carbs trucking through my intestinal tract. Day 1 down, only 11 more to go! The hardest part was not pouring myself a glass of wine tonight after the little guy went to bed. Hope you all are doing well! Nathalie

White06 - I think colon cleansing is entirely beneficial. My friend swears by hydratherapy (colonics) and reports that her mood changes with the colonic. She feels lighter, sleeps better, etc. I think that a person doesn't have to resort to herbology to clean out their innards. If you eat living foods, it will clean your insides. Personally, I'm taking a series of colonics prior to my banding. It is my understanding that a person has quite a build up of fecal matter stored in their intestinal tract and colon. This decaying matter is believe to be a contributor of disease. And of course, leave it to the resident naysayer to post a single link detailing the quackery of colon cleansing. (laugh) GeezerSue, gotta love ya! :confused:

I am feeling so good about my life and about the upcoming changes headed my way. I have a rosy outlook of my future, and am looking forward to writing the next chapter in my life. My current "theme song" is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Hearing the "life your life with arms wide open" part makes me want to open my arm and hug my life. It is so inspirational to me right now. It makes me want to move my body and make it happen. Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words That you could not find Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost taste it Release your inhibitions Feel the rain on your skin No one else can feel it for you Only you can let it in No one else, no one else Can speak the words on your lips drench yourself in words unspoken Live your life with arms wide open Today is where your book begins The rest is still unwritten Do you have a theme song, or a song that totally inspires you right now, or maybe even encompases the way you feel about your life right now? What are the lyrics? How does it make you feel?

Devana - Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. And yes, it is amazing that she was banded 16 years ago and that antiquated technology (smile) is still working for her. Nathalie

Hi Audree - Did you set your profile picture or your avatar? My avatar picture did not need any approval from a moderator or anything. To my knowledge no one else did either. I can see your signature now. Keep testing. :confused: _ _ _ _ _ _ Carol - I am in Eastern time. My little one doesn't go to bed until 7:30 (6:30 Central) but I can meet you then. If I try to chat while he's awake he acts out because he wants Mommy's attention. Let me know if you want to chat at 7CST. That should give me enough time to get settled. _ _ _ _ _ I have been up since 6:30. Also couldn't sleep. I am stressing about losing this weight before my surgery. My surgeon told me he wanted me to lose 10 pounds on my own, plus the 10 pounds on the diet. Well here it is, less than 2 weeks before my surgery and I actually GAINED 9 pounds in the past 3 months. Once I realized I had my date, I lost the 9 pounds (which was great) but now I still have a generous 10 pounds to lose. My PA said he would be happy if I lost 12 - 15 pounds before my next appointment (12/12). SO I am up and at 'em this morning. I broke out my pre-op diet. It's not liquid as I thought. It's high Protein and pre-packaged. I will be eating hot chocolate, Protein Bars, Soup, soy nuts and chili/spaghetti for the next 2 weeks. I am also drinking nothing but Water in that time. I hope to take in a gallon per day - I know water flushes the fat out of your body. And if I can exercise an hour on my elliptical each day, I am nearly guaranteed to lose the weight required. The PA said my surgeon is strict about his patients losing weight on this diet. He said that one person gained weight on the pre-op diet and he refused to do the surgery. HA How can you gain weight on a pre-op diet??? ahahahha Cracked me up. All I can think about is my life after the band. Being thinner, nearing goal, getting under 200 pounds, feeling stronger and healthier and happier about my appearance. I wonder how much I'll lose in the first month. I wonder how much I'll lose between now and January 2. I think close to 30 pounds. Maybe more! I am so excited about my future!!! I still haven't told my Mom and Sister about my surgery. Now they are horning in on my Christmas celebration. I don't want them over here. They'll try to force food down my throat, first of all (I think they like me fat) and they will question and question and question me if I tell them I'm not eating. Maybe I'll put dark circles under my eyes and tell them I'm sick. I will sip tea and dare them to say something. Hateful jealous old goats. They have always been similar sizes, usually an 8, maybe a 10. Meanwhile I'm a 24 right now. I have one pair of size 26 jeans. My thighs are the bane of my existence. I know, I'm rambling. but I'm so excited and I don't have anyone to talk to! I daydream about seeing my ex boyfriend again in April when I'm about 220 lbs. I daydream about wearing a leather coat again without being responsible for the slaughter of a herd of cows to make it. I daydream about wearing skirts above my knees - or at my knees - and not feeling like people behind me are remarking at the muffin tops aka my knee fat. I have visions of being lighter, slender, thinner and more energetic; I just want to dance to express my joy at my outside me matching my inside me. Do you all know the song UNWRITTEN by Natasha Bedingfield? That song is my theme song lately. It makes me teary eyed just thinking about the lyrics: Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty window Let the sun illuminate the words That you could not find Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost taste it Release your inhibitions Feel the rain on your skin No one else can feel it for you Only you can let it in No one else, no one else Can speak the words on your lips drench yourself in words unspoken Live your life with arms wide open Today is where your book begins The rest is still unwritten That's how I feel. TODAY is where my book begins. I want to live my life with my arms wide open and experience all of the things I have denied myself because of the shame I've always felt at being so friggin fat. The rest is still unwritten. I feel so grateful. I feel so lucky. I feel like I am in a healing place, and losing weight will bring me to a higher quality of life. My life is already a beautiful gift, and this will help me to reach higher goals. I am so happy for us. Sorry for getting all sappy and chatty, December Bandivas. I just got myself all filled up there for a minute! Let me redirect this crazy energy to my elliptical. 60 minutes pumping it out. Big love to you all! Nathalie

Tomorrow is my first day on the medically supervised diet. I am currently 291.5 pounds. I have 20 pounds to lose in the next 2 weeks. I figure that means drinking as much water as i can get in (at least a gallon per day), exercising as much as possible (at least 1 hour per day) and following the diet to a T. I will be banded on December 14. My best friend Roslyn is coming to support me. Dad is coming to drive me to the hospital. I am staying over night and the following day I go on short term disability for a week. Over the next 2 weeks, I want to get my house cleaned. I want to bring order to my mind, my spirit, my home. I want to prepare myself for the next chapter in my life. A chapter where I am the heroine, slender, strong, healthy, happy, fulfilled life and a positive role model to my son. We deserve good things. Healing myself is the way to accomplish that.

Tomorrow is my first day on the medically supervised diet. I am currently 291.5 pounds. I have 20 pounds to lose in the next 2 weeks. I figure that means drinking as much water as i can get in (at least a gallon per day), exercising as much as possible (at least 1 hour per day) and following the diet to a T. I will be banded on December 14. My best friend Roslyn is coming to support me. Dad is coming to drive me to the hospital. I am staying over night and the following day I go on short term disability for a week. Over the next 2 weeks, I want to get my house cleaned. I want to bring order to my mind, my spirit, my home. I want to prepare myself for the next chapter in my life. A chapter where I am the heroine, slender, strong, healthy, happy, fulfilled life and a positive role model to my son. We deserve good things. Healing myself is the way to accomplish that.

Hi Audree - At the top of the page there's a blue menu bar. It's under the LapBandTalk.com banner. User CP stands for User Control Panel. If you click it, you can add your avatar, profile picture and signature. Welcome! Evathenurse - we need to talk! I'm going to PM you. Nathalie

For me it's not a matter of shame, it's a matter of privacy. I'm new to my job, new to the city, new to the area. I don't have friends here, and I'm not so open with my private decisions as others. I've told my close friends and my father. My mother and sister are size 6 and 8; they think I'm fat and lazy. No need to talk with them about what I am thinking, because they won't understand. If people at work were to ask, I may tell them, but I certainly don't want to turn into fodder for watercooler conversations. I've heard how they talk about the man in the office who openly had an RNY - they are merciless. Why add fuel to the fire? Why make myself a target. Those people aren't my friends, they don't care about me, and sharing my procedure with them won't improve the quality of anyone's life. It's also coming at a perfect time. I go out of work for the year on 12/14. By the time I go back to work I should be a good 20 pounds thinner. Happy New Year! Nathalie

Oh man Carol! I am so excited for you! You will be in ALL of our thoughts on Monday all day long. I know you'll be safe and in good hands. Can't wait to hear about your banding experience. I had my pre-op workshop today. I'm officially on the medically supervised diet starting tomorrow. They encouraged us to go out and get a "last meal" - and I had a guilt-free turkey reuben. I'm drinking Water right now and am mentally prepared to lose 15 - 20 pounds in the next 2 weeks. I have gotten back to my initial weight from my first visit 3 months ago. In other words I have already lost 9 pounds. I have another 20 to go. *sigh* I am going to work it OUT! I've got the eye of the tiger! :confused: HOpe you're all having a fabulous day!

apinksoprano, tell him to suck your dick and keep on moving, girlfriend. If he was so great, he'd have a girlfriend right now. Don't internalize his hatred. You have as much to be there as anyone else. And don't let anyone else make you believe otherwise. Just my $0.02. Nathalie

Thanks for the support December Bandivas! I've never been nervous about anesthesia. So I don't need to read what you've found or I'll START being nervous about it! HA! I had my gall bladder out in 2005 (I was 24 weeks pregnant), and I was "sleeping" during my c-section because the spinal didn't work. I've never had problems with anesthesia, and as a matter of fact the anesthetist is one of my favorite people. I'm feeling better this morning. About to make myself a protein shake and toddle off to work. I definitely got the bloat, but honestly, I have until Friday morning to tighten back up. And then it gets REALLY serious. Have a great Thursday! Nathalie P.S. DS is Duodenal Switch. My surgeon recommends it when people are 400 lbs or more. Here is information on the uncontrollable gas, undigested poop and swamp ass. http://www.duodenalswitch.com/faq/faq.html#13 The infamous “intestinal bypass”, first done in the 1950’s, is no longer performed; this is the procedure that many people are referring to when we hear horror stories of severe diarrhea and malnutrition. Modern obesity surgery has progressed beyond the point of causing these very unpleasant effects. It is true, however, that because of the reduced absorption of nutrients and fats after a distal gastric bypass, patients can experience loose stools and bad-smelling flatulence -- but this problem generally improves and resolves itself within 6 months after surgery. This doesn’t just affect duodenal switch patients -- it can affect anyone who undergoes a distal bypass. There are several remedies that you can use to minimize the problem: Avoid high-fat foods. This is probably the most effective way to combat the problem. Many people report that they suffer from this problem most when they eat fatty foods. Through trial and error, you will learn what your system can and can’t tolerate. Devrom Chewable Bismuth Subgallate tablets. These “internal deodorant” tablets were initally devised for ostomy patients, but many gastric bypass patients report that they see great improvement in bowel odors with the use of this product. The manufacturer, Parthenon, Inc., accepts online orders for Devrom chewable subgallate tablets. Chlorophyll tablets. Some patients report that taking these tablets on a regular basis helps to combat offensive intestinal gas odors. One brand that has been recommended is “ENNDS”. Activated charcoal tablets. These tablets are claimed to reduce the amount of intestinal gas produced. One brand that has been recommended is “Charco Caps.” Warning: Activated Charcoal may absorb medications (such as heart medicine or birth control pills). Consult your physician before using these. Ozium odor eliminator is widely reported to be very effective in erasing odors from the air around you. Ozium is sold in a tiny canister, small enough to hide in purse or pocket, and can usually be found in discount stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart, as well as in many car washes. Too many people worry needlessly over this issue. You will learn how to minimize and cope (just as RNY patients must learn to minimize and cope with issues related to their tiny pouch). It’s not as if we’re all walking around, like Charlie Brown’s Pig Pen, surrounded by a cloud of odor. :-) Really!

Me again -- Beversman - you stinker! You almost got me sucked into that debate over there. You handled yourself well, girl. Especially for an unbanded newbie. I had a hard day, ladies. I'm on my pre-pre-op diet. I've been doing protein shakes, protein bars and light dinners. Until tonight. I had to cook for my 17month old, and ended up eating 2 plates of his casserole. And 3 cookies. I had to put the rest of the cookies down the garbage disposal or I'd be sitting here right now eating them. I totally feel like crying. I just drank a bunch of water, and tomorrow I'm determined to go back to the shakes all day. Friday I start my pre-op diet. I have to lose 15 pounds by the 14th. I swear I need StephC's driver to guide me. I also found out I have to go out of town for work next week. IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LIQUID DIET. I don't know how that is going to work out. I'm already irritable. Now I have to be away from my baby AND wing it on my own with a bunch of goobers from work? UGH. It's only 3 days, so I should be okay, but still. GS's posts scared me. I don't want slippage or erosion. I don't want PBing or golfballs in my chest. I just want to be skinny. I also don't want the DS. I heard that people who get the DS have oily stinky poops, they fart all the time and smell like swamp rats. Their poopy has undigested chunks of food in it, or so says my surgeon when he said "You don't need that." I was about 210 in college. I thought I was so fat. I look back on those pictures now and I WAS A GODDESS! I hate that I allowed myself to believe I was so fat and so worthless. I was 224 right after my son was born. Now I'm 291. WTF happened? (cookies, Nathalie... COOKIES!) I just need to get it together. I know I'm rambling. I'm sad and lonely tonight. I'm also full. I wanted to take laxatives to get this food out of me, but that's not healthy. I just have to suffer through it. I always feel bad the evening after I've been to therapy. Fixing my head makes me hurt inside. It's a healing hurt, but it's a hurt nonetheless. Hope you guys are having a good night. And Beversman? Stop fussing with the trolls! Nathalie