Introducing myself

Hey Everyone!  I've been visiting this board for over a month now so I thought it was time for me to finally say hi.  I am recently starting this journey and have loved reading about everyones experiences. 

I have my surgeon consult this coming up thursday with Dr. Panemanglore over at Ellis Hospital.  It was originally scheduled to be Jan. 20th, but I had a pretty severe gallbladder attack night before last so they squeezed me in earlier.  Guess one good thing came out of it!  If anyone has some experience with the process over at Ellis I would love to hear about it.  I'm hoping to get my surgery date and then start all the pre-op testing and liquid diet phase to get this show on the road.

I have soon to be 4 year old triplets and a soon to be three year old so I'm looking forward to getting this weight off of me and hopefully having more energy to be able to chase after them all day.  I have an amazing supportive husband who thankfully can take time off during the winter so I should have a fair amount of time to recover before I have to take over again.

Well thanks again for all the great info on here and you are all amazing!

-Jennifer

Hi! It is nice to hear from you, glad that you decided to post. I love this website and have found so much support here.
Geez! 4 year old triplets and another three year old?? I got a puppy and I can't even control that!! I gues you really do need ample energy! It's great that your husband will be able to take the time off so you can heal properly.
I hope everything moves quickly and smoothly for you. "talk" to you soon!

Welcome Jennifer!

I am a mom to three young daughters ... busy ... but not as busy as you!!!! God Bless you :) My life has changed so much since surgery ... before i felt as if i was watching from the sidelines - NOW I AM A FULL PARTICIPANT. I play with my daughters like never before - now i am swinging on the swings with them, not sitting in a chair watching ... life is good!

Congrats on your decision to change your life. What a gift you are giving yourself and your family.

keep us posted on your progress!
hugs,
Britt

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement!  I'm very nervous about this whole process, but I know in the end it will be the best thing I could ever do.  I know I find myself watching my kids more than playing with them..so I'm definitely looking forward to living a much active lifestyle.

I'll definitely keep everyone posted on my progress.  I am quite positive I'll need the support soon enough!

-Jennifer

Jennifer,

I had the same Dr. you are going to and was very pleased.   All of the Dr.'s, nurses, PA's, office staff are fantastic.    I can say that Dr. Pandemanglore has a wonderful bedside manner and will answer all of your questions (as will all of them).   The first time I met with him of course I was nervous but soon realized he is a skilled surgeon.   The program can move swiftly - they will set up most of your appointments.   There are a couple that you may have to sched. the Physch being one of them and if you have diabetes, heart problem you will need to sched. with that specialist.   You will feel sooo much better after the surgery and with 4 very young children you certainly need it.   I was operated on RNY on 02/13/08 and returned to work March 3rd, 2 and 1/2 weeks later.   Of course everyone is different.   The main thing is - do what the Dr. and staff want you to do - you are only fooling yourself if you don't.   The Medifast is not the easiest thing in the world, but it gets you where you want to be - and that is in the OR for the surgery lol.  

Feel free to send me a message and I will answer (or try to) answer any questions you may have.  

Congrats on your decision!

 

 

I'm so glad to hear that you were happy with Dr. P.  He was the one who gave the seminar and seemed like a good guy, but I haven't yet met him in person.  I've heard other good things about him as well so I'm optimistic!

-Jennifer

Hello,
Dr. P is my surgeon over at Ellis. I have met with him and he seems like a great doc. Cute too!  I do not feel nervous about him doing my surgery at all. I am scheduled for 1/12. Kim had my appts all scheduled as mentioned above. I did have a choice of a few Psychs and chose Katherine Hastings in Saratoga. Very nice and nice office. I had my sleep study done last night through Ellis(Dr. khan). It went ok. I did not sleep well though. Alot of wires. If anyone has to go, bring your own pillows. The bed is comfy but the pillows were not. Nice staff. Most of the rest of my appts are 12/23. Medifast on 12/29. The time is actuually flying by. I think my first appt was at the end of October so it really hasen't been that long.
Well, good luck Thursday! I am sure we will catch ya on the boards!

Lisa

 Wow you are lucky to only have to do two weeks of medifast.  He has said at my seminar it would be 6...they probably custom tailor it to each person though.  Yeah, I'm dreading having a sleep study done...I have insomnia so it will probably be impossible to sleep.  

-Jennifer