erikaw1971

Oooh...that's very good news about quick results...thank you! I'm doing the study at one of the large medical group offices here in the Chicago burbs, and since they are all on the same computer system as my surgeon, I'm hoping that they can share the info fast!

Hi Megg. I am preparing for surgery early as well. No pop/caloric beverages, 1-2 Protein shakes per day, more protein, less carbs, trying not to drink 30 min before and after eating. Regular exercise is next on my list - chasing after the kids apparently doesn't count for "regular" exercise. :laugh: I'll attempt walking on the treadmill tonight after the kids go to bed. 30 minutes is doable. I'd love to run but I really need to lose about 20 pounds before I venture into that again, or my knees will be the next things in surgery. What you are doing is such great preparation...I really think it helps to get your brain wrapped around some changes before surgery day hits you like a brick wall. I just wanted to say that I attended a required Lap Band support group meeting last week - about 75% were pre op - more than 25 people there! I was astonished at the lack of research some people have done and the lack of motivation they seem to have. In fact, I found myself getting angry with a couple of people (only in my head...I chose not to strangle them). They hadn't even read the information packet about the band and were already almost done with their pre-op tests. Holy heck people...it's surgery. If you don't know what a Protein shake is, you're in a sorry situation. :biggrin: Anyhoo....good luck with your upcoming banding! I hope to have a date set this month since I finish my testing March 2nd.

Wow...this is really strange to read. I'm so sorry some of you have had such annoying and time-consuming psych experiences. I went to my psych evaluation the same night I had my initial bariatric doc appointment; he was through my HMO and not my doc. Anyhoo, I showed up and filled out a brief form about my life in general, he asked me some questions and in less than 10 minutes I was outta there. I asked..."Is that it?" and this is a direct quote, "We don't like to mess with people who would be just fine if we left them alone". I LOVED this guy! He noted my Zoloft use for post-partum depression briefly and said it sounded like I had dealt with it fine. To be noted: I was able to answer no to all medical issues except mild depression, my parents are still together, I have great relationship with my husband, and we don't have any history of any illnesses, mental or otherwise. But heck, I'm still overweight, so there must be something, right?:tongue_smilie: He wrote up a one page eval and faxed it to my surgeon's office in a couple of days. Maybe you just need to just keep trying to find a psych with a sense of humor. Apparently, not many have one.

Hi there. I just wanted to introduce myself here before I start posting in other forums. I am being banded in March (unless something horrendous comes from my tests) by Dr. Van Vallina out of Central DuPage Hospital (suburbs of Chicago). Psych is finished, I do a group meeting requirement tonight, Barium swallow and blood tests Wednesday, PFT and exercise physiologist March 2nd and then I'm done. It's through BCBS HMO so I did a 6 month diet through the end of December. Looking forward to getting my date in mid-March. I have three children ages 6, 3 and 1. Unfortunately, having all of those babies in a short span of time gave me an umbilical hernia, but that is going to be repaired at the same time. So, I do have a little bit of a different situation in that I will probably have more lifting restrictions than most after surgery. Tough when you have little ones, but with planning, it should work out fine. I've been trying different RTD shakes and powder and finally found some I like, so that's a bonus. In fact, I really prefer to use these as Meal Replacements sometimes now. Taking 30 minutes to sit down for a meal is just not always possible around here. If I can drink lunch instead, hey, that works for me. I lost nothing on the 6 month plan, but my nutritionist was a bit of a moron. I've already dropped about 5 pounds just from using these shakes for a week instead of grazing Snacks. Can't wait to see what I lose on the pre-op diet! Can't wait to read everyone's stories and see how the band is working for them. I'm so excited. (While I was busy having babies, my best friend was banded by Dr. Sarker at Loyola and lost over 100 lb - she's now below her goal weight!) Erika (I'll figure out the siggy thing later)

Hi Mimi. I just wanted to say that I also have a nasty case of PCOS that I'm hoping will be put into remission after banding (and subsequent weight loss). I also had the infertility issues from PCOS, but, well, I ended up with three kids. Kid two was with injectables and kid three was Surprise! from taking Vitex for a year for the PCOS symptoms. I hope to get my date set for the middle of March...glad to see you'll probably be banded around then, too! Good luck! Erika

Hi Jeff. I was going to do my introduction first in this forum, but thought I would reply. I graduated from Penn State in 1993. I haven't been back since (live in Chicagoland)...was wondering how the campus life is there these days. I lived in East Halls my first year (Stone Hall) , then West Halls (Irvin), South Halls (Hibbs) and then Simmons which used to be Centre Halls. Can't believe that I can remember all of that. Yikes. Glad to see a fellow Nittany Lion on here. So glad to hear of your luck with the band. I can only hope for the same! Erika