NYSparklegirl

I am really really sorry...I did get it the SN wrong..I am so sorry!

Hi everyone...good evening, Hope all is well with everyone. Kulzhawkrulz..... is this right? Im sorry if it isnt as.....I cant see the SN on reply posts. Ill get it right eventually. Promise. Glad you posted!! We seem to be getting banded the same week.....you before so you will have to let me know how it goes....lol. Until then we can support each other! You seem to know exactly what you are doing and are determined to see it through...AND AS YOU SAID....your SO will def come around when he sees your new you!! How are you children about all this? My daughter is scared of all the pretests and consults she thinks Ive got some diagnosis and is not telling her everything....it does seem some what scary to see someone going to see so many doctors for a consult... Finailly I let her come with me to the surgeon and he laid her concerns to rest. She really liked him.... he is cute and charmimg lol doesnt hurt. Today, My daughter baked her first homemade cake um twice. I gave her all the ingredients she needed and laid it all out and went to work. On the phone I walked her though the recipe and had the babysitter supervise and make sure she was doing everything right and they were! It was me...I gave her a container of what I thought was flour but was actually confectioners sugar. oops. The babysitter obviously hasnt done to much baking....as she didnt notice anything weird or a little strange when the batter looked more like frosting as opposed to cake. My daughter phoned me three times.....while it was cooking after 1/2 hour saying it wasnt looking like cake...I said let it cook some more.....after 40 min...I asked the babysitter what it looks like and she said...it looks like a molten lava of chocolate. hmmmm I said...take it out and dont eat it...Ill be home soon. When returning....I looked and said....you put in flour?? They said yes....hmm then I looked at the container of so called flour I gave them...and opps...not flour! Now, I understand the need to label containers when there are going to be others cooking in my kitchen!! This should have been a sign that we shouldnt be making cake with sugar and flour...however, its a Holiday this weekend so we are having guests... needless to say we will be doing a do over tomorrow and Ill be here. lol well....have a good night all. Tomorrow I need to phone the pulmonologist to see whether the CPAP came in so I can start my six weeks with it to get clearance for surgery. I need to phone the Endocronologist to see about the lab reports and make sure all is good.....and get that letter of clearance, and to phone the psychologist because as of yet his report that he said he would mail....didnt come..suprise, suprise. (not) I seem to be spending more time chasing people to get those reports/clearance letters in. I hope this is the hardest part of this whole process!! My second consult is on Feb. 3rd. and Im supposed to have everything in before..otherwise they might push back surgery....once again. welll. Have a great night all and a great week Jodi

aww thank you!! This is something ive been looking for...however ive been trying to download applications to myphone.....not much luck there...and havent found much online.... much appreciated...cant.wait to check it out.....ill let you know.....

Your in Palm Desert?? My dad and his wife are also in Palm Desert. I was there last year this week actually..This time of year is vacation week for my daugter. You mentioned the beutiful Santa Rosa mountains...they were gorgeous! They are there 8 weeks a year. I usually go to visit..but this year I opted out as I have so many apts..with consults and tests. I didnt want to wait....besides the orriginal plan was for Feb 8th.so surely didnt want to waste vacation time....if I didnt need to. But..next year for sure...and perhaps then we can get together! Jodi

Hi all...good morning, Its been one of those weekends where there is noplans. Bad idea to have no plans as then there is plenty of time to sleep and eat and eat. Cannot do this again. Today was not as bad organized my kitchen and got rid of things that were starting to clutter up the small space in my living area. My daugter decided to clean up her room and is still working on it. My daughter is off this week from school and most of friends are offon some sort of vacation. I am working so we arent. I have the babysitter all week....sometimes I wonder if its cheaper to go on vacation. lol well...this week I meet with the pulmonologist to get my CPAP, and the nutritionist for a second meeting. I have started the Prev-pac antiobiotics that the upper GI doctor prescribed after the endoscopy was done...and showed I have some wierd germ in my stomach.Apparently alo of people have this and the main effects are severe reflux...which I knewI had...but the endosscopy proved. It causes ulcers but I didnt have that. I have to be on two strong antibiotics and prevacid for two weeks!! If I dont he wont clear me for surgery. I am so sick from this three pac...I have this weird taste in my mouth and my stomach is beginning to hurt. I have been taking acidophilus pills because if I dont ill end up with a yeast infection and that will be yet another reason for surgery to be pushed back.lol so, i will be sick for two weeks. owell Hope you all well and are having a good weekend...have a great week..... Jodi

Hi all...good morning, Its been one of those weekends where there is noplans.Bad idea to have no plans as then there is plenty of time to sleep and eat and eat. Cannot do this again. Today was not as bad organized my kitchen and got rid of things that were starting to clutter up the small space in my living area. My daugter decided to clean up her room and is still working on it. My daughter is off this week from school and most of friends are offon some sort of vacation. I am working so we arent. I have the babysitter all week....sometimes I wonder if its cheaper to go on vacation. lol well...this week I meet with the pulmonologist to get my CPAP, and the nutritionist for a second meeting. I have started the Prev-pac antiobiotics that the upper GI doctor prescribed after the endoscopy was done...and showed I have some wierd germ in my stomach.Apparently alo of people have this and the main effects are severe reflux...which I knewI had...but the endosscopy proved. It causes ulcers but I didnt have that. I have to be on two strong antibiotics and prevacid for two weeks!! If I dont he wont clear me for surgery. I am so sick from this three pac...I have this weird taste in my mouth and my stomach is beginning to hurt. I have been taking acidophilus pills because if I dont ill end up with a yeast infection and that will be yet another reason for surgery to be pushed back.lol so, i will be sick for two weeks. owell Hope you all well and are having a good weekend...whats your schedules for testing and cosults this week??? let us know sowe can support you!!! have a great week..... Jodi

Hope the position works out for you! Yes, my doctor has said clear for the first day...second. jello and then so on. thanks...for the input.

Good morning all. Thanks for all the responses regarding "soups" Im excited because I do cook alot of soups....and freeze them for later use...especially in the spring I make for the summer because its so hot! Friday nights its a must for shabbos to have soup. lol tradition.....Its a little funny but the little boy who I work with everyday he has a feeding tube and is able to eat blended food and mom has described what she prepares for him daily....meat soup, with meat bones, all sort of vegetables, added rice protein...and then she grinds it all up including the marach and the bones and then blends it further. Ive told her....to start making double and ill join in for his meals!! She wasnt at all scared at this prospect...lol Trying to break these traditions and begin some healthy ones...this is my personal challange...its not going to be easy...as the sabbath comes every week and every month there are at least two holidays or reasons to celebrate.....hard habbits are hard to break and when there are social engagements involved for all of the holidays ..Im guessing...these social situations are going to have to change or diminish esp if its not me who will be doing the cooking and you cant just ask for seperate food when the hostess is allready cooking for at least ten or more people at a time and to invite friends and family over to me all the time..well who can afford to have guests and feed them three to four course meals?? It costs me at least $100 a weekend... just for myself, daughter and one friend. Not to mention the time consumption to cook all the time as a single parent. wew,, as you can see this is my concerns....how the heck??? but, I must....because the bottom line....if I want to be alive for a long time..further....all socializing, traditional fat foods arent going to mean much! well....today is DD first day of vacation....I didnt plan on a vacation..and as I will be taking off for for "surgery week" and possibly the following I didnt take off...so Ive arranged the babysitter, my mom and playdates. More work, organization and time running around doing drop offs and picks up. oh not to mention having to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Have a great day all......

Hi. Indigo....glad you got your fill in spite of the rain and taking so long. Regarding the soups...can you eat any soup??? I just found this amazing soup place where I work....and I had the soup there this week for the first time and it was so delcious....I thought wow...if im only going to be eating broths and soups for the first day or so....this would be soo amazing...I would be soo happy be with lol. The best so far has been the butternut squash soup. so my question is again...can it be any soup like you metioned above?? or just clear broths to start?? Well glad you are doing good...and all went well today... Jodi

I think my sister bought this last month as well and she is ranting about it!! My mother told me she looks great and it really does work!

Welcome Ms. Cherita!! We will be your support until your family and friends support you and if they dont...then we will be here for as long as you need it!!! I think after a month I can say.,...I truly beleive everyone here would say the same!!! Welcome aboard! Jodi

Hi all. I am reposting my initial post....as I couldnt find it before....but just came upon it when someone responded to it!! lol so here it is.....would love to get to know you all and hear your stories...and share your experiences and be a support system...along this journey..... so here it is!!! Ive recently had to change my surgery date from Feb 8th to March 15th due to my sleep study results which demonstrated severe sleep apnea and will need at least six weeks of treatment before the pulmonologist will give surgical clearance. So I hope you all will allow me to join your thread.....I am now olmost finished running from doctor to doctor recieving consults and having exams....this was so exhausting but apparently necessary!!!! I have just one more consult to schedule...Psych! Saved that one for last. lol Figured if im still sane after all the above.. then I must be ready for surgery! I decided to band for several reasons. They are really all connected as you will understand as you see......before I married I was a size 12 and 145 pds. I lived in NYC, had no car so exercize by walking was natural. After marriage at 32..I began to gain some weight....then became pregnant. High blood pressure put me on bed rest for 6 months. The weight continued to 190. My husband wasnt really helpful in the healthy food dept so while on bed rest..fast food was really what we lived on. After the baby was born....ten yrs ago....the weight stayed. The typical stressers of life after having a baby while working full time set in and the weight still didnt come off. At the same time my husband at the time decided he didnt want to work anymore and wanted to just sit home and do nothing. well, not nothing but which ammounted to nothing but schemes and pyramids....We divorced after 7 yrs. Three months after we divorced he had a massive heart attack and died after not following doctors orders about taking medications daily which he refused to take/do. (like work) leaving me and my daughter without any support or insurance. (just a note to all parents..get life insurance...and never put a minor childs name to be a beneficiary to anything ever)! Since then....the stressors have increased with being a single parent with no support. So another 20 pounds have added since..the divorce and his passing. I want my life back!! Ive decided in the last year....it was time to begin to get it back and be in control again. I want my premarriage/ pregnancy/ high blood pressure/cholesterol/ asthma/sleep apnea status!! Now is the time to do it..... Ive had all first consult....visits with all the doctors and have recieved all the consults needed except for the psych. I am now waiting for all the written reports to come in and the second consult is next week and surgery set for...February 8th. Im ready to get my life back in control....so this is the first step in getting a healthier me. Im so glad to see so many others here to share their experiences before and after. I hope I can contribute possitively and help others through my experiences. I also hope that I will be able to get help with questions and concerns that I know I will have before, during and after!!! To all.....good luck, thank you in advance and and looking forward to sharing!! Jodi

Welcome....Glad you joined. Sounds like you are on your way! Whats a CNA? Listen.....they will understand or they will not.. if they dont..well....Ive got two words lol Its not about them is it?? Sometimes its hard to deal with all this and carry on a work life, family life etc while we are engaing on our new life...and their will be people who will on board and those who will never be...so just take it one day at a time. Ive heard that people have gone back to work after a week. Can I ask why you think you will be out for six weeks if its not too personal to ask that is. I am a teacher and work with Early Intervention..running from house to house all day....lifting and climbing stairs? Should I be taking off more then one week? I did let them all know...that I might take the 2nd week off...but im hoping not. well we will be banded the same week..if all goes well from now on..... Good luck to us. Jodi

So glad you joined.....not knowing for sure...afterall until we are banded its all up to what I call "Beseret: a hebrew word. the meaning whenn and what is meant be!! No matter when...well be here for you!!

thanks for asking.... funny thing....my dog is seems to be um overweight apparently too (she needs band) shes old and a rescue soo I kind of spoil good food not enough exercize but thats going to change too!!.....not so funny..my daughter is 10 shel be 11 going on 16 soon anyways..so your close!! lol She right now is at a healthy weight and goes to this kids gym we have close by called "Fitwize for kids" it is a simular to a curves with kids size equipment and its a 45 min cycle. She loves it...so she goes here twice a week and to karate twice a week.... all the above costing a small fortune however, I know if she didnt have these mediums shed be sitting in front of TV after school till I got home to releave the babysitter. Sleep study went so well that im awake tonight still and its 1AM! Im not tired but sure will be tomorrow~i best try and go to sleep!! I used the CPAP it wasnt bad at all....they have a new one thats a soft CPAP and that is what im getting its comfortable and made of cloth supposed to be more comfortable then any other...but we shall see!! Have a good night.. Jodi

Is it like any other operation?? I remember hearing this after I had surgery when I had a cyst in my ear drum...when I had by daughter and when I had something else that I dont remember,,,,,hmm

Thank you so much!!! These tips....the best so far....I know the exp is diff for everyone..however constructive tips.....like these...very concrete to use as guidance has set my mind as ease!!!

OMG you have made my day...im not to assure you laughing at you but with you and do truly hope you are feeling better now about things...but what I really wanted to say was...I just finished reading an article about exactly what you were talking about!! Which is why I was laughing as I finished it I saw what you wrote and said..BINGO here it is in the print! I cant scan this article..as um im technologically challenged however im sure you can find it....I think it would be really Helpful!!! This is coming from the "Health and Nutrition Letter" from Tufts unviersity. February 2009. The Articles research comes from the book "The Instinct Diet." This is research out of Tufts, "that reveals how to get your food instincts to work for you not against you, in the battle against excess weight". This article discusses why we crave the foods that we love and the need to continue eating them....as you have described above!!! Hope this gives you something to laugh about...or at least makes you feel even better!

Hi all....last night met with the nutrtitionist and had my second sleep study with the CPAP. It went okay...however really tired now...not sure why they call it a sleep study....when there isnt much sleeping with all those adjustments!! lol Good luck....Northern Mist...tomorrow is the 20th!! Hope all goes well!

Originally Posted by Manda87 For some reason, my dr schedules all pre-op tests in one day. We couldn't do the psych eval because they are closed for the holiday. But I could do Upper GI, EKG, Chest x-ray, and labs and the consult with the nutrionist. I was supposed to go to one hospital in Raleigh, but when I got there the lady at the desk said I was scheduled to go to the main hospital which is on the other side of town. I couldn't see my nutriontist because she was the one that I should have gone to at the hospital that I was supposed to go to, plus I was more than 15 minutes late. UGH. I was and still am frustrated. When I called my dr. I was about to cry. So, they have to reschedule that appointment. I thought this was supposed to be happy? I'm just frustrated and stressed out. This is the hardest thing that I've ever done. I'm alone in this process. My family isn't supportive and when I talk to them they get negative. I mean, really? They see how big I am, but apparently they don't care? I remember a couple of years ago they cared. I know there are support groups and the such, but it will not replace what I should have. Sorry to rant... I so feel for you!!! I have been running around with consults as well....tests and more tests. Unfortunately the consults and med tests are recquired....and I find this the most frustrating of all procedures..but we must be in good health with no complications in order for us to be able to have this surgery... My orriginal date of surgery was for the 8th of Feb however, when doing the sleep study...one of the recquirements in NY they found I have severe sleep apnea..SO, I need a CPAP fitted which means another sleep study..before and after treatment starts with 6 weeks in between. My sleep doc..(pumonologist) will not give clearance till after this is all done....this will put me at March..15th the new date. He also did a full lung work up and my lungs are not working as well as they should...so he changed my asthma meds. After the endoscopy the upper GI Doc.,...found I have a germ testing positive that Ill need to take an antibiotic for two weeks straight. This would not have interefered with date of surgery however left untreated causes ulcers. I needed to go and find my own nutritionist and psychologist...because the centers...didnt take oxford my insurance...and they wanted $250 each...as opposed to a $30 buck copay each..I called the insurance and called anyone on their provider list and asked if they had exp, with LAP-BAND® if yes...how soon can I see them? I got one of each which was all I neede..turned out I really like the nurtritionist so Ill be seeing her on a reg basis. Im still waiting for the lan results from the endocronologist....and i wouldnt be suprised if they find I have some weird diagnosis...lol but im hoping not! I get them back today. I was told this is the harderst time period of the whole prodedure...I feel like im running from work to doc to doc to work to home to doc to home to work lol however, it all needs to be done,,,,so im just doing it... This is what helped me.....perhaps it can help you I have a pocket calendar, in addition to my blackberry. I write everything down each doctor, date of consult,phone number, address in full....I know ill be calling each to hound them for tests results, scripts and the clearance letter. I do this for every apt..regardless if ive been before ..this way I have the info in several places if needed. (and youl need it multiple of times) I made an excell spread sheet...(had help here) with all the consults needed and then spaces that I can check off each with the headings....consult date, test done, results, consult letter, in to LAP-BAND® center. at the end of each I put a big check showing everything was done. In addition to above...I tried to find all the doctors in the same building or area..so if I need to run from some office to another for any reason....I can...and have. In LI, NY this is possible most practices assoc with one Hospital are usually in one location. This has been a harrowing experience and I can understand your frustration! This all is hard enough with support...I cant imagine it without!!! SOOOOO let us be your suport family. come talk to us...yell with us cry to us, laugh with us..believe me their will be plenty of all the above....so far...Ive been here two weeks...and I thank my lucky stars I fell upon this site.... Dont give up,.just keep going it will be over before you know it and surgery will be just around the corner!!! Good luck!!! Jodi

Hi Wow...its been a heck of a week so far. Last night...I took my daughter with me to the nutrtionist we started working with. I firgured its important to bring my daughter and start her seing the nutritionist as well..... I found some interesting new things about my daughter that I thought she had outgrown however, what I discovered that her charachter traits are still the same as when she was a baby however they have just manifested into different areas...one being eating certain foods and how she eats....she eats pretty healthy and has some good habbits...however across the board she is has a somewhat obsessive personality....and she responded to questions about what type her foods she eats and her activities she engages in....it was clear that she when she eats....she eats foods that she likes and only those items until she is sooo totally sick of em and the same goes for engagement in activities, excersize, homework etc....the nutritionist...realized this as well...and we both nodded in agreement....hence this is why I relay this experience....a prelude to the following ideas..... The focus of what we talked about for the remainder of the hour was about moderation..... Important of moderation for all our behavior....esp in regards to foods, activities, and exercise..the importance of sheduling in exercise and physical activity into our schedule every day other wise...we might not engage in that as that may not be our favorite activity..to engage in like we do for all activities... homework, cleaning room, reading for enjoyment etc....otherwize we might just end up only doing those things we love.....like reading, knititng, drawing and eating whats tastes good is not a good idea because we must excersize as part of our daily routine whether we like it or not. Maintaining a balance in our day to include whats important for health and fitness. Eating different foods and sweets and fats in moderation. I thought I would share this information with all...

Hi Amy, Hi Nicole.....Glad to see you guys posted!! Yes, a social group seems great....I started a social group it has the same name as this thread.....that I started before I figured out how to post new threads...so join it...soon we will have a whole bunch of March Bandsters to support and recieve support in return. im going to copy some posts that I posted about my experience with the pre-op testing...which im still going through even if I thought I was done! lol I live in NY. Long Island. Im a special educator. Im 44 and have an 11 yr old daughter. We just went to the second visit with the nutritionist last night...that was fun lol Learned some very interesting behaviors that my daughter has...involving beahviors, some really good habbits and umm some bad she learned from me. After the nutritionist I went for my second sleep study with the CPAP....which is the reason why I was bumped 6 weeks... for the surgery... well, nice to meet you both....any information that you think is helpful that you found, heard or learned....post them...so we can all benefit!! Have a great night Jodi

I so feel for you!!! I have been running around with consults as well....tests and more tests. Unfortunately the consults and med tests are recquired....and I find this the most frustrating of all procedures..but we must be in good health with no complications in order for us to be able to have this surgery... My orriginal date of surgery was for the 8th of Feb however, when doing the sleep study...one of the recquirements in NY they found I have severe sleep apnea..SO, I need a CPAP fitted which means another sleep study..before and after treatment starts with 6 weeks in between. My sleep doc..(pumonologist) will not give clearance till after this is all done....this will put me at March..15th the new date. He also did a full lung work up and my lungs are not working as well as they should...so he changed my asthma meds. After the endoscopy the upper GI Doc.,...found I have a germ testing positive that Ill need to take an antibiotic for two weeks straight. This would not have interefered with date of surgery however left untreated causes ulcers. I needed to go and find my own nutritionist and psychologist...because the centers...didnt take oxford my insurance...and they wanted $250 each...as opposed to a $30 buck copay each..I called the insurance and called anyone on their provider list and asked if they had exp, with lap band if yes...how soon can I see them? I got one of each which was all I neede..turned out I really like the nurtritionist so Ill be seeing her on a reg basis. Im still waiting for the lan results from the endocronologist....and i wouldnt be suprised if they find I have some weird diagnosis...lol but im hoping not! I get them back today. I was told this is the harderst time period of the whole prodedure...I feel like im running from work to doc to doc to work to home to doc to home to work lol however, it all needs to be done,,,,so im just doing it... This is what helped me.....perhaps it can help you I have a pocket calendar, in addition to my blackberry. I write everything down each doctor, date of consult,phone number, address in full....I know ill be calling each to hound them for tests results, scripts and the clearance letter. I do this for every apt..regardless if ive been before ..this way I have the info in several places if needed. (and youl need it multiple of times) I made an excell spread sheet...(had help here) with all the consults needed and then spaces that I can check off each with the headings....consult date, test done, results, consult letter, in to lap band center. at the end of each I put a big check showing everything was done. In addition to above...I tried to find all the doctors in the same building or area..so if I need to run from some office to another for any reason....I can...and have. In LI, NY this is possible most practices assoc with one Hospital are usually in one location. This has been a harrowing experience and I can understand your frustration! This all is hard enough with support...I cant imagine it without!!! SOOOOO let us be your suport family. come talk to us...yell with us cry to us, laugh with us..believe me their will be plenty of all the above....so far...Ive been here two weeks...and I thank my lucky stars I fell upon this site.... Dont give up,.just keep going it will be over before you know it and surgery will be just around the corner!!! Good luck!!! Jodi

Meredith...I am so sorry about this, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend!!!