Ali2010

LOL, funny how they don't think about chairs. I had the same chairs when I was in vacavlle for the pre-surgery class. I am sure you will get feedback re:Fisher. I haven't heard anyone talk negitive about any of the surgeons. That is great that you got your apt so quick. Good luck on the diet plan! Work it--you can do it.

Pam, that was a great article. I need to reread that one once in a while so I keep this journey real...I can relate to the "lottery" syndrome. Pat, you are doing great job. Keep it up. Congrats on the fill. Happy Birthday Candra! Hi Nicole. Hope your having fun? Chrissy, your so funny..if I passed the psyc part you can too...lol Lee, your doing great. Keeping busy studying hopefully helps you keep your food on track. It's this down time that is hard on me. Hi to everyone else. I'm starting to get a little restless around the house so I'm keeping busy. I am not hungry but I sure do miss snacking and watching some tv...lol those days are GONE BYE BYE! lol

Good Sunday Morning Everyone, The weather was awesome yesterday and look forward to the same today. Yesterday there were so many garage sales I went "shopping". I found some great patio furniture so it was fun to get that all cleaned up. It was also prom day so had lots of happenings helping my son get all handsome. He and his gf looked so darn adorable! So with my busy day I was up and around all day and I felt great. Soreness now is just when I go from sitting to standing, my right side really pulls, but once I am up I am fine. I am so glad to be past those first few days of bad pain....made me regret doing this. Last night I dreamed about food all night long...that I was eating and ordering food all over town! lol. I must be missing food! I have not felt any hunger so that is good but food just sounds so good! Hope everyone has a great day!

Pat, you have done a terriffic job on the weight loss--you should be proud! You are really going to win this battle. Lee, thanks for the reminder that there is no magic cure obeisty. Keep working hard and sharing your experiences--they are helpful to us just starting. I can not find that darn progresso soup- black bean and bacon--I even looked on the progresso website and they don't list that variety. I will hit trader joes and see if I can find something as that sounds good and filling. Chili always did me well so I think that soup would be a good choice. What about protein powder? Did anyone use that to sprinkle in thier food? I think there is an unflavored kind, right?

Thanks everyone for the well wishes; I do feel so much better today. Even went to the store and ran a couple errands. It felt so good to get out. I just ate some cream Soup and it tasted good! I tend to feel very nauseous in the am when I wake up--feels like morning sickness--but after I get up and have some hot tea I feel better. Glad that everyone is back on the board chatting; it got so quiet for awhile. I need some food ideas for Stage II; yougurt, cream of wheat and soup will get old real fast...anyone have some suggestions?

Sherri, How fast you move through the process has to do with the goal weight your doctor sets. They will weigh you at orientation and everything will be based off that weight so maintain your weight until orientation and then start the diet they give you after orientation. The goal weight the doctor sets has lots of variables. Seems to depend on your age, where you carry your excess wieght, and who knows what else. I think this is one time that being fat all over was a plus; I got lucky and losing 20 lbs on the 1200 calorie diet was pretty easy. I had my orientation on 1/25 and surgery on 4/26--3 months was faster than I expected. good luck!

Morning everyone and Welcome Sherri. Sherri, I just had the sleeve performed on Monday by Dr. Park. They let you chose the type of surgery so chosing the sleeve didn't delay me since all the doctors seem to do all the procedures. I had orignally been on track for lap band but switched to sleeve. I am very thankful that you guys keep this group going and didn't split up for the "pre's" and the "post's" as hearing you each tell your story about struggles is very helpful. You guys are so dedicated to improving your health and working hard at getting to goal its very encouraging. I know this journey will not be easy but you guys will keep me motivated. I feel better today, got a good nights sleep last night. Really was much more painful than I thought; just the one side of my stomach where the main surgery was I guess. I haven't been hungry at all and with the sleeve you have to have clear fluids for 3 days instead of two days so tomorrow will be my day for some yougurt or cream soup...ummm, lol. Everyone have a great day!

Congrats Ash on your date! You've worked so hard....glad you didn't have to be on the waiting list to long. I must say, this hurts more than I thought it would--had to go back to the vicoden with the creepy dreams so I could tolerate the pain....hopefully tomorrow will be better. Good luck Nicole! Drive safe!

Hi everyone! I'm home last night about 6:30 and although I felt yucky it was so nice to be home in my own bed. Monday pain was not bad but yesterday was pretty painful. The liquid vicodan gives me horrible dreams so I am trying tylenol today and it seems to be working. I really feel like I was kicked in the gut by a horse! I had an unknown hernia so I got the two for one special. yesterday was an interesting day at Kaiser as the power went out 2x's and once while I was waiting for the upper gi so that took a while to reset all the eqt and computers. Then at 3 pm the doctor released me but it took them two hours to get me checked out so I was a little ansy (hubby was even more ansy) waiting to get on the road and try and beat any traffic. I was just glad to get home. I haven't had any nausea or anything and have eaten a crystal light popsicle and some broth so far today. Ah, funny thing. Saturday my hubby and I went to celebrate our anniversary we went to the movies and lunch. The only thing we shared was an order of potstickers but we both got so sick Sunday I was freaking out that I would have to cancel surgery. I couldn't believe it! We had it coming out both ends! yucky! Well, about 1 on Sunday seemed to feel better so I didn't call and cancel. The good part is my stomach was really empty for surgery and I was down to 260! 37 pds down from orienatation day which was exactly 3 months before the surgery day! walk and rest is my motto today!

Hi everyone, my nerves are kicking in but I am trying to keep busy. I did get the call from Kaiser and my arrival time is 8:30 Monday AM. Wow, I can't believe that I am getting so close....I am trying to not have a "last meal" but I so want to go drink beer and eat french fries! lol Nicole, I wanted to say best of everything to you on your new chapter of life. It really sounds so exciting to start a new life in a new place. Keep your spirits high and your focus on your health! I was planning on coming today but I need to take my son to get fitted for his tux for prom and of course it needs to be NOW--lol. So hugs to everyone and I will post after surgery to give you an update. Have a great day everyone!

Haven't been called yet for my time on Monday, they call me, right?

Ashly, I wish I could give you my spot because I am having second thoughts! Uggg, this is so scarey! I am sure I will not change my mind but I wish they would hurry up and call me so I have a time and then I will locked in!

I will be there Saturday; I have to say "see you later" to my new friend Nicole! Plus you guys will need to keep me grounded as I am flying a little bit due to the anticipation of Monday! I have lots of clothes to bring so I going to try and talk my son to come along too so he can carry them into the room for me! If he comes he will enjoy lunch too!

I hope everyone is ok! Pretty darn quiet in here. The thunder is so loud, its really kinda cool.

oh my, I think I need to listen to that relaxation cd that Kaiser gave me....I am kind of in panic mode! I assume this is common but I don't like this feeling...I like being in control and right now I feel out of control since my life will be changing next week! Uggg, I have a busy week ahead of me so hopefully that will keep my mind busy! I will see everyone Saturday! Laurel, I will definately send you an email after the big day!

Hi there, quiet in here today. I hope everyone was out enjoying the sun. I made a raised planter box today and its the start of my veggie garden. I have never done this before so its kind of exciting. I hope to get the soil in it this week and plant next weekend. While I am home recouperating I figured I could tend to the garden. One more week, I am so trying NOT to look at every meal like its my last but damm I keep thinking that everytime I eat! Gotta shake that attitude. Well, hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Ash, that's lots to think about! They talked in one of the classes on how the refulx was a common side effect after sleeve surgery. You might want to look at verticalsleevetalk.com as there are posting about that subject and not everyone ended up with it. That's a tough choice, the RNY has been used for a long time and I know lots of people that are very successful with that surgery and many of them have never had any pbing. On the other hand you could sleeve and you may be fine and not have reflux. Good thoughts to you in your decision! Happy tax day! First time in many years that I did my taxes before the 15th so I am proud of myself! I only did them on the 13th but that is still better! LOL

Way to go ASH! That is so exciting! Your next through this journey! Chrissy, I had to stop weighing myself everyday because like you I dropped real fast and then it slowed way down and it was frustrating. Now I weigh myself every 4 or 5 days and it has seemed to help keep me not in so much turmoil. On the tmi subject, when I take the vitamins I have always taken 1 stool softner as just that extra iron gets me plugged. When I told Liz my list of vitamins she kinda freaked and told me to stop taking those stool softners as your bowels begin to depend on them. I am stopping for now but I won't let myself get plugged...lol tmi, I know. So, I had my preops today with Dr Paks and Dr Chen and all set to go! 13 days until surgery! oh ya, I was down more so my total weight loss thus far is 31 pds!

Jes, that is so funny that you saw her at the store...what a riot! I would love your broth reciepe, I am not much of a cook but part of the new me is to cook more so send me anything you got. Laurel, I love won ton soup so that is a great idea on getting the broth. I for sure going to do that. Tamara, so proud of you being so focused! Keep it up. Chrissy, you rock baby! Whoo hoo! I got my walk in today before the rain came down to hard so I feel better that I am not to far off track now. I have presurgery apt with Dr Park on Wednesday. Need to make sure I don't gain anything.:confused:

Ash, great photos of your family...adorable little boys! Thier outfits are so so cute. Chrissy, great job! Keep focused! I felt really bla today and snacked some and didn't do any excercise...:confused: I hope tomorrow I wake up with my mojo back but its supposed to rain so that is a bummer! Felt so good last week with the sunshine. I did make it to Trader Joe's today to buy some staples for my stages...I pu some chicken broth, some of the latin black bean soup, decaf tea, and some unsweetened applesause. Anyone have any ideas of foods I should have on hand? 16 more days!

Great job Chrissy! Go for it while your motivated! I actully have clothes to bring to this months support group meeting. My neighbor recently had the RNY and she has donated lots of clothes to pass on to the group also! I have on a pair of 20 pants today...started at a 24! Now if I could only lose it porportionitly so my big fat ass would dissappear I would be even more happy! Happy Friday.

saying the surgery is for female problems is a good idea, there usually aren't a bunch of follow up questions to that one. I was going to say I am having galbladder surgery but don't feel comfortable in making up symptons or rolling with any follow up questions. It's hard, I am not sharing my journey either!

Ash, I like that they are checking before hand; I wish you luck. Hope all the Sacto people are planning on coming to group on the 24th!

Good luck Ash, I know you will do fine! You have worked so hard. BTW, what's the berrium swallow? Is that another apt I will have prior to surgery? Maybe they talked about it today in class but my brain must have been on info overload... Rachelle, Sacto doesn't have anything up here for fills. As Heather said, call member services and write letters, and maybe it will change. I think Laurel contacted them and they said they haven't had enough requests for it which sounds weird since there are many people in the Sacto area driving to Richmond.

Rachelle, I love the humor...it sure is needed in here as everyone has been a bit bummed lately! Welcome and keep the jokes coming! I just got back from my sessions on nutrition and pre op stuff! It was ok, Robin gave the whole thing and she is different but explained everything well. No on warned me they weighed you in....yikes...I didn't wear my "weigh in" clothes and was up a pound (couldn't have been from my vacation last week..lol) anyway still under goal so I'm ok. If any one wants to find me on facebook you can add me as a friend...my name is Alison Bermudez but as mentioned earlier I don't talk about WLS on there as its a secret! TTYL