Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum

mare and shelbi~sorry, I wrote a reply to yoiur preo-op yesterday and lost it, so here goes from what I can remember. Dr. K will go over more details, questionss and concerns, he wil give you a packet of papers to take with you on your big day, give you some prescriptions for post op (pain meds and anti nausea suppositories), ummmmm tell you to buy some hibicleans stuff to wash your abdomen with a day or was it two days before surgery?? sign some papers, go over when and where you are going. I think that was about it??? Gals, did I miss anything????

Shelbie breath some of that mountain air for me!

Michelle I love ya! It only makes sense to me to add yet another tool to the plan. You asked the question will the family win? Ouch. Zinger hit me where I live. Try having a sister who is 4'11 and 95 pounds and a mother who has always struggled with weight issues who thinks she is SOOOO cute. LOADS of pain there.

Anita I will PM you after my visit.

Mal best healing to your son. Tissue damage can almost be worse than a break. Atleast with a break you have a timeline and get the drill, soft tissue, although not as extreme, is still painful. Hugs and comfort his way.

First visit to the office.
You will be educated on the band and Dr. K's procedure. He is very methodical and patiently answers any questions you have. They will take your weight/BMI, BP, the usual. Nothing out of the ordinary there. Enjoy the journey. In hindsight the surgery was a minor portion of the overall plan. I didn't find any huge discomfort and actually felt like it was a day off from work, a few weeks of good rest and not feeling hungry for the first time in years. What a success there.

Good morning!
Okay, I lived through my first day of the SB diet...and my weight is up 2lbs this morning...whatever! I'll give it 2 weeks though. (someone help me quit being such a scale whore!) Everyone keeps saying how good they feel when they work out...I need to get the paper work signed over at my place. If I remember correctly, 3X a week is the goal?? Or do you guys go more?
Dynamo~ Your right...it sounds like you don't need any more of a fill. However, Dr. K said it's not a bad idea to touch base with him monthly and see him even if you don't need a fill. If you are having a hard time with the healthy foods too, maybe a little out? What day were you supposed to go? I'm scheduled for Aug 7th. Think I will try a little more in mine. Maybe like .3 or .4 of a cc. Don't think that I will go by "swallow". Hee hee! We all know what can happen! ha!
It just so happens that that is the day of the Group Counseling in his office. I was going to stick around for it, but remembered that my hubby has a meeting that night. Oh well. (got my gals on the 9th!:))
Well, happy day all! On to another day of SB diet! Give me the power to avoid the yummy foods!!!!!! (that sounded wrong, didn't it?:D)

Oh man Anita, I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing at myself. Up 2 lbs. See that's what happens TO ME. I lost my appetite a few days ago and didn't eat 200 calories that day. Next day I gained 2 lbs.!!!! It's cruel. I wish so much I could see all of you on the 9th. My Colorado Coquettes!!

Lap Dancer~ Yes, its very cruel! Wouldn't you love to know what is going on with our bodies during this? There can be a group of days that I do soooo well, I'm so proud of myself. Then I step on that *@**!!@ scale and I'll be up.:angry I think that's when the bad choices comes in. I figure if I'm going to stay fat anyways, I might as well eat the stuff I want. :speechles Why suffer to "gain". Bad theory, I know. But my mind does not work correctly when it comes to food and eating. (That's obvious) Not sure how to fix that mind-set, but everyday I try.
I really wish you were coming too. You'll hafta let us know as soon as you can come so we can arrange things! :)

That's a plan!

I'm stuck around 30 pounds. I know because it is summer and I'm less active it has had an impact on me. I'm thinking of having one more fill adjustment before I go back to work. I've already got 7cc's in my 10 cc band and with around 200 pounds to go, I need to do something else besides rely on the band. Head work.

Woofay and Lap Dancer - Don't be so hard on yourselves. You are doing great. The scale is only one indicator, not fool proof, and very changable. I was doing the exact same thing, hopping on that stupid scale three times a day, then I started focusing on using my step counter and reporting the numbers all the time, driving my trainer nuts and she really got on me to put the scale away!

Check this list:
1) Are you exercising 45 minutes 5 days per week (not hard but medium, like active walking not jogging - and still be able to talk while moving)
2) Are you eating healthy foods?
3) Are your portions controlled?
4) Are you drinking at least 48 oz of water daily?
5) Are you making sure you have enough protein?

She swears that if you do those things, you don't need the scale. I have to remember I am not a number. In fact I stopped going to the onederland thread because it was by definition a number oriented place. I have to tell myself that all the time. I did put my scale away for a week at a time. Then had an official weigh day at a diet place that owed me a few weeks, but now I weigh at home. I do an official weigh in on Mondays. I am certainly not doing this perfectly, but I hear what you are saying and I know that "number crazy thinking" and well, been there, done that, and will probably do it again. So you all remind me when I go backwards to being a scale whore.

On the other hand being "good" and gaining weight totally SUCKS!!!
Hugs!

mal - I am glad you are getting outta dodge. I hope you have a great weekend. I feel your frustration with your son, it is so difficult seeing them in pain.

Lap Dancer - I am soooooo proud of you. It takes a village and I sure have to use lots of support systems.

Including our Red Robin group. So how many of you are coming Next Thursday? Lap Dancer (I know) you will be with us in spirit and maybe we can all meet somewhere in a couple of months when you have your flying deal back.

Hugs.
Michelle

My cheerleader if not our cheerleader.

I normally am a water drinker but since I'm out of my routine of working, I'm out of the water habit. That will change shortly. Protein ...sometimes yes, BUT sometimes no. Excercise, I just bought my Carmen Elecktra stripper DVD for working out. Walking for me is next to pulling teeth, in fact, I'd probably arm up to go to a dentist because it's an immediate productive result. Walking seems redundent to me (where am I going?) at the end of the block (to see what?) nothing. The joint discomfort is still there so that would put a stop for me on it. Plus it's Florida so the sun is a beast. I hate to sweat and be sticky. Pools are my dream. Working out? Really? Could have fooled me.

Today is a good day. I am in full makeup, dressed and going out of the house this afternoon and evening. That's an A Plus for me for a good day. Need more protein though.

I'm working on a trip to Colorado in October/November. When do the leaves change there?

Patty

Hi all ! Just wanted to share, I had my consultation with Dr. K this morning! He sounds wonderful! He answered all of my questions without hesitation, and completely made me feel at ease with my decision. The only thing I have been worried about was the fact that I am breastfeeding my 6 month old son. He told me there should be no problems at all, and that motrin should work just fine for my after surgery pain. I am so excited!! This seems so real now!! Im going to do some research and book my fight and hotel stays here in a bit. Any recommendation for hotels? I will have surgery in Parker :)

Justplainme --- Hi, it's great to meet you and so cool that I'll probably see you on the 22nd!! Marilyn has already told me that I'll be having surgery at Crown Point. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn across the way the night before so let's really do try to get together, even though we'll both probaby be NPO at that point. Maybe we can re-create the Lap Band Dancer pre-op thumbs up pose in a photo? (See page 44-- it always makes me feel better to look at that shot when I'm nervous about this whole deal!) This is so cool!!!![/quote]

I'll be having surgery at the Crown Point also! Woohoo! I'm going to look into Holiday Inn also, do they have a medical rate?
My MIL is coming with me. One of the only people that is supporting my decision to do this. My husband is even against it. But Iv'e made up my mind, Im doing it.
Not sure what the lap band dance is ::::::going over to page 44:::::::::

I can recommend the Holiday Inn Select to you all. Lovely accomidations, small business center with one computer and printer to check emails, dining room (for family who may be coming to catch breakfast or dinner). This one is located in Parker and is right next door to several restaurants (the one with the mural on the front has great food for a "last supper"). I think the other one is a Crabby Bills or Crab Shack.

Coming back for your fills I recommend the Best Western in Aurora. It's one half block from Mississippi Ave. and about one mile from Dr. K's office. They have a pool (albeit small) which is indoors and also free breakfast which is not shabby at all. They also offer the medical discount so be sure and mention it when you make reservations. Tell them you are a patient of Dr. Kirshenbaum coming in for surgery and at the Best Western tell them you are in town for medical follow-up with Dr. Kirshenbaum.

There is a shopping center behind the Best Western and up the street from it. Discount stores, good shopping!

Hope this helps,

Patty

Im bummed!!!!! I had the support group on my calendar and the Red Robin and low and behold, my husband has a business dinner tuesday night which I have to attend, at least good food, and Thurs we have out of town relatives who just called to spend the night. It is a good thing I like this niece and her husband. Thought about all of us coming for about 2 seconds and since I haven't told any family about the surgery, decided NOT.

Just got my call from Robin. I'm am now officially locked in as I am paid. It is beginning to get REAL.

Just found out my regular doctor scheduled me for a bone density and a colonoscopy on the 13th of August. Since my surgery is the 15th, might as well stay on clear liquids the whole time, so the sleepy gas wont mess up my gut.

Marilyn
:faint:

Hi all!

Thanks for the well wishes! It is so nice to see the scale go down again. Let's hope it continues.

So, tell me more about this Red Robin night. I obviously won't be able to make this next meeting, but, if you can tell me when you have them.. (third wednesday of month..whatever) Maybe I can schedule my airfare around it and join you this fall sometime! I'll need a fill by then...

Shesha you started a great thread here.

The gathering at Red Robin is a meet and eat thing. We talk, getting to know eachother better, bring PICTURES of spouses, kids, pets type thing. I wish I could go every month but I live in Florida. I'm hoping to make it in October or November.