looking for an angel in the Land of Oz

I am getting ready for a consult in Junction City w/ LivLite, waiting on the only thing missing from my file... my pcp's letter of referral.... anyone in the Wichita area to buddy-up with?

I live in El Dorado but my referral from McConnell Base allowed me to go see Dr. Steward and Dr. Berntsen in Topeka at Tall Grass.. was so darn happy to meet these wonderful surgeons and to have surgery there a year ago.. The support meetings are terrific too and we all get together once a month on the second saturday. Have also heard some wonderful things about the LivLite and wish you the very best of everything. This is a life saving procedure and a terrific journey but so worth it all. Good luck to you, Hugs, Fran

Anita, You and I have a little in common! I live in Haysville and grew up in Wichita. I'm wondering if you're doing bypass or lap band. I had the lap band done last May and love it! I see so many with side effects of the bypass and it scares me. I know the LivLite folks do both, so I was just curious. Also, I started with a BMI about the same as yours. I could probably give you some clothes on your "weigh" down once you have your surgery. I also have two cats that for now are our babies. I'm really hoping that losing weight will help my PCOS and fertility chances. I'm always looking for friends in the Wichita area! Eryn 420/350/under 200

I've spent this weekend reading all the patient materials from LiveLite regarding the gastric bypass procedure and the food regimen aftermath.... i'm a chiropractor (disabled due to a nerve injury in my right arm from a car accident) and my medical knowledge is making me freak out inside about the nutritional ramifications of the bypass... my support people say that "too much knowledge is a bad thing " and i am just projecting too far forward as to the side effects of the bypass. TELL ME ABOUT THE LAP BAND! I don't know that much about it as far as post-surgery, how the weight loss goes and how fast are you losing the weight and so forth. Where did you have it done? i go to Junction City tuesday for the initial consult with staff, dietician and surgeons. of course, nothing is FINAL until the surgery actually happens, but i would appreciate ANY info you could give me. Yes, we're just about neighbors! I grew up in Derby, had my chiropractic career in Colorado, but after i had to go on disability i had to move back here (one of those 'never say never' things!). i now have only one cat: the 19 year old kitty, Cagney, suddenly was very sick in early November, advanced cancer, and had to have her put to sleep on November 9........ sooooooo hard, still grieving. I have a 4 year old maniac named Clover, she has been such a blessing, she is so affectionate and funny, we are missing Cagney together. I have never been able to become pregnant because of the PCOS, diagnosed in the early 80's, and as i understand it, weight loss and the ensuing balancing of the hormones because of the fat loss can turn things around. I hope you have a turn-around in your fertility status as the weight comes off...... this has been a long response, sorry.... i am just needing someone to help me with the realities of this decision i must make.... later............... Anita Trainer Wichita

thanks for the email, eryn... i have not been able to reply due to home computer problems, but i am sneeking a few minutes at work this pm to let you know HOW MUCH i apppreciated your helpful post. i spent last thurs and fri in junction city, consults and testing, a bit more rigorous due to my having had gastric stapling in 1982 and this surgery being classified as a 'reconstruction'..... they have done 500+ roux-n-y but only 10 like mine, so i did not know if they would accept me or not... i have to lose 30 lbs to reduce fat in the liver prior to surg, but the dietician will help me with that. i inquired about the lap band, and they have stopped doing it, plus i would not be a candiate for it due to prior surgery. surgery date: April 6! lots of scheduling conflicts to work out for them and for me, as i have two important functions in March i wanted to attend and i just could not do it so soon after surg if i had it in feb... will write or perhaps call soon. don't you love this weather?????? it was 8 DEGREES in jct city last week when i was there, and they have had a lot more know than us... later, anita

Hi Anita, I don't live close, I am in Lawrence, but I had By-pass in Junction City in November. I absolutely loved Dr Stevens. I have had no complications from surgery. My incision took along time to heal, but there were no complicatinons from surgery. The liv-lite staff are excellent. I wish you the best, I think you made a great decision going with Liv-lite.

thanks for the input, Joan! I spent last thursday and friday in jc for interviews and testing... whew!!! but, they accepted my case and i have a date......April 6. would have been sooner, but #1 Dr. S wants me to lose 30 pounds to reduce fat in the liver, and #2 schedule conflicts between what i had going on in March and the doc's being gone a few days here and there in feb and march... so, Jennifer is going to work up a plan with me for the 30 lbs, i am tryin g not to spaz out too much......... it is ALWAYS helpful to know of someone who has 'been there' and how it can be after the procedure. Thanks! keep in touch! anita (i too feel very good about my decision to go with Liv-Lite)

Anita, you will need the 30 days to prepare yourself, not just physically, but emotionally too. Dr. Stevens had me loose the 30 pounds before surgery to. Basically I ate salads and protein. Salads with chicken, salads with hard boiled eggs, salads with cheese. That was lunch and dinner. Breakfast was always yogurt. During that 30 days, I also gave up diet pop and drank chrystal lite or iced tea and water. I also got used to NO SUGAR!! I also had a protein supplement daily (to aid in healing). I was really nervous the day of surgery since I had not weighed myself at all. But I lost 27 pounds in that month! If you have any questions about the hospital, feel free to email me directly, hopefully we will meet at support group

THANK YOU for the input... the food plan sounds VERY GOOD to me, i will be talking with jennifer this week, and will bring it up..... also, did you start exercising prior to surgery? i am more at peace today... your email really helped! Also, the NO SUGAR rule is one i MUST get on board with... again, THANKS!!!!!!

No, I didn't start excerzizing. I am so out of shape, it has been really hard for me to get started. I just recently won a free memebership to a local gym and am starting to walk the treadmill 3 times a week. I know I have to, but I have sever arthritis in my right knee, that gives me a great deal of pain. I know this will get better in time. I didn't ahve any problem giving up pop, but giving up other forms of sugar was challenging. Like what to have for my birthday in place of cake!! I have found many sugar free options that are good. Tryt Blue Bunny no sugar added ice cream, can only have a scoop now and then, but it sure is good!