lgl4726

Here is the chili I am making for tomorrow: Ingredients 2 pounds ground turkey (very lean) 2 cups diced onions (I use sweet yellow onions) 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto Beans 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles 2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles 1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional 1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional 1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix 1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix Corn chips, for serving Fat Free Sour cream, for garnish Low Fat Grated cheese, for garnish Chopped green onions, for garnish Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Don't feel bad Heather. You will fit into those boots soon. Last summer when I was in Paris, I wandered into a fancy boutique and was just browsing in the underwear section and a french woman who worked there came up to me and said, 'Madame, you are much too large for this shop." I could have died. I plan on going back when I am thin and buying a fancy bra and pair of panties while snubbing my nose at that woman. Just remember it took a long time to put the weight on and at least now all of us are going in the right direction.

I am not sure who we need to write to, but I will start checking around and post it when I find out. I am in the 50 plus club too. I am finding this group really helpful and online works best for me with my busy schedule. I think we each have to do what works best for us. Anything that makes this journey easier and more successful is a good thing in my mind.

That would be great Cindy. I for one am going to write to ask why we can't have fills in Sacramento. It seems silly to have to drive so far and wait so long.

Hi, My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd. It can't come soon enough. I am so ready. My surgery will be in Richmond, CA. My doctor is Doctor Baggs. Insurance: Kaiser Seminar date: Nov. 6, 2009 Orientation: Jan. 21 Met Surgeon: Jan. 27 Psych Evaluation: Jan. 27 Tests: EKG, Blood work Reason for banding: I am tired of being fat and tired of working so hard at dieting and getting nowhere. Concerns: I am just hoping that everything goes as planned and that this will be the tool that finally works.

Thanks for posting that! I think I may give it a try.

Hello Fern, I have a March 22nd date and couldn't find a March 2010 board either. I did find a group from my area though.

Thanks everyone for the kind words of welcome and support. Maybe I just caught Liz on an off day, but her bedside manner seemed a bit gruff. I am probably just overly sensitive. So, a question. Why is it that we can't get fills in Sacramento? Should we write Kaiser to inquire? It seems with so many of us in this area that it would be a reasonable request. Have a great day everyone.

Dr. Baggs didn't make me lose anything. I was 247 at my referral appointment with Dr. Foster in November 09 and he told me that I would have to lose weight on my own before surgery, so I just kept going to Weight Watchers and got down to my current weight of 233. When I saw Dr. Baggs a week ago he was happy with that weight for surgery so he moved me forward. All good :-)

I think they have a meeting room at Raleys for groups. Just ask at the customer service desk. And...no, Liz did not send me to this group. She told me about the Raleys group, but nothing about online groups. I don't think she and I hit it off too well for some reason.

Hi Ali, I started exploring weight loss surgery in September 09 after thinking about it a long time and trying everything else. I had Orientation in January and was at my pre-surgery goal weight when I met my surgeon 2 weeks ago so they moved me forward and scheduled my surgery for March 22. It was all done rather quickly. At least quicker than I anticipated. Dr. Baggs will be my surgeon. I am glad to hear that people like him.

Be careful to not accidently swallow a shell. That would probably not be good.

I don't know why they picked Raleys. Maybe they have menu suggestions and it would be convenient to pick up the recommended items. Anyway, it might be worth checking it out since it is close to you. It isn't too far for me either as I live in Fair Oaks.

Yes, it is held at Raleys. I don't know why they hold it there, but Liz at my last appointment told me I should go. It is supposed to be Thursday nights at 7:00 PM.

Hi, I am doing the pre-op diet too, but am still going to Weight Watchers for that accountability factor. I think it will help me in the long run as I am used to tracking and watching what I eat now. My scale was down 4.2 last Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how I do when I weigh in tomorrow. I hear there is a support group that meets at the Raleys on Hazel and Madison on Thursday nights at 7:00. I am usually in my jammies by then, but I know I should check it out.

Thanks for the kind words of welcome. My surgeon is Dr. Baggs. I have done my meet with him and the psych evaluation. I have been pronounced sane :-)

Hi group, I am a Kaiser Richmond patient with a surgery date of 3/22/10 looking for others from the Sacramento or Northern CA area to buddy up with as we go through journey together. Does anyone need a buddy? Laurel

Hello everyone, My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd and I am nervous, but reading all the posts is helpful. I started my journey at 247, but am down to 233 now. I really want this to work for me, but I know it is going to be hard. Anyone else feeling nervous? Laurel