I am doing ok, I go to my first psych appointment tomorrow morning.
Are you getting ready for your surgery?

Things are going good.  I just had my diet and exercise class today at the Mercy center for weight reduction.  Tomorrow I go back for the pre-op lab and x-ray and whatever test.  So yes, to answer your question my surgery date is still 01/27/09.   Thanks for asking.  Did you get a date yet?

I am not in the DM area..........but wanted to say *HI* none the less.......I am in upper eastern Iowa.  Was it hard to leave Portland to come here??  I lived just over the bridge in Vancouver and I miss it a lot.....I go back to visit as often as I can.  Best of luck finding a support group......we don't have many options up here either   Take Care!  ~Jesi

Just thought I would jump in and offer some advice....I also had surgery at UIHC but over 5 years ago.  Debi does reccomend the double milks over protein shakes (as does their nutritionist) ...but double milk is made with powdered milk, not the evaporated stuff in the can.  I can tell you from personal experience that the double milks get old really fast.....and I actually became lactose intolerant after awhile.  To make the milk taste better I would add vanilla extract or banana extract, anything to add flavor.  There reason for avoiding the protein shakes is the calorie counts.....but there are a lot of great tasting shakes made with water that are less than the calories of the double milk and more protein.  You'll have to experiment for yourself.  And I saw that you already ordered samples.....no point trying them now, your tastes will change after surgery.  One thing that was a LIFE SAVER for me was the Elite chocolate mint.....with water it made an AWESOME minty hot cocoa.......plus it was lower calories than double milk and higher protein.   Best of luck!!!!   Take Care

Hi, my name is Kristi.  I live near Des Moines.  I just completed the 6 month supervised diet visits and Dr. LaMaster's office now has all the info.  I've completed all the requirements so now it's time to wait and pray! 

I actually went to the informational meeting regarding the lapband in June 08.  Went to my first supervised diet visit  in July.  It didn't go well because my Dr.  tried to talk me out of it and told me that if I just ate 500 calories less a day, it would solve my problems.  I told him he didn't realize my history of losing and gaining for the last 25 years and I'm only 44 now!  I showed him several years of WW records of my weight.  He advised me not to get the lapband.  So I called LaMaster's office and asked if they knew of a friendlier office that I could go to.  I felt very fortunate with the suggestion they gave me and for the next 5 months I didn't feel like a failure going to the "diet" visits.  My weight right now is 270.  ughhhh

I was told it would take two weeks to submit the info to the insurance company.  And another 4-6 weeks to get an answer.  Then if all goes well, it may take awhile to get on a surgery schedule?  Does this sound right?  I have Iowa Health Insurance and unfortunately it's 60/40, so it's a lot of money.  If I don't get to have the surgery I have a lot of flex money that I could lose.

Sorry to be so long winded, just really don't have anyone to talk to, that has been through this.  I have a very supportive husband that has loved me through thick and thin.  Try 300 pounds that I have lost in my life, and I should be invisible right? hahaha  Unfortunately that means I also gained that amount!

When I first started this I thought surgery could possibly be in Feb and now I'm thinking it could be March or April?  IF the insurance company approves it.  I'm really nervous about that.

I haven't bought any protein drinks yet, with not knowing if I will get approval for the lapband.  What drinks do you like?  Where do you buy them in the DesMoines area or online?
I'm also trying to figure out how to decrease my pictures for the avatar.  Any suggestions?
I would love to hear from you, whether you are an old pro, or just starting out on this journey.

Thanks for any help you can provide!
Kristi