HI thanks Marcia..I have a freind *****commended the carnation essentials so i went to stop and shop this morning and got the dry ones and the non fat milk that also give you 13 gr. protein.  I do like it better but am getting sick of the chocolate/vanilla thing..oh well!  IM having more trouble this weeek than last week in terms of eating foods at all.  I feel like things are hurting me feels like IVe thrown my back out and my chest hurts.  I dunnoooooooo....

OMG! Sometimes when there is something I really love that someone is eating, I just want to smell it!  My husband thinks I am torturing myself but I explained that smelling some things I love can satisfy my desire to taste it.  Truly odd, but it works for me!

Glad you had such a great time, you deserve it   Looking forward to seeing you at the meetings this month. You'll have to tell me all about your trip.

See you soon,

Lisa

Hi Guys-  Just reflecting on my vacation and how far I have come since last fall.
 
Just returned from a two week trip to Europe.  This was my first major travel event since my RNY and afforded its share of challenges.  My perspective has changed so much that I really worried very little about food, where to eat and what restaurant we were going to check out that I was actually able to take advantage of other experiences this trip.  

But did find it difficult to get my protein in without resorting to my protein (shakes and bars) that I brought with me.  I was amazed at how much the European diet is carb based which is a big problem for me since they make me sick still.  Decided to splurge one night with a Strawberry/Marscapone dessert.....big mistake..the description said drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar so I though no problem...lets just say that I spent the rest of the night in hell...found out that they dipped the berries in Honey...not in the description.  Big lesson for me.  

Despite that experience I just loved the freedom I felt...both of movement and having more control over my choices. I don't think I had ever just fed my body there was always some other motivation at play.  I think I can honestly say that I a getting better at my associations with foods.  Still work to be done but the journey is still underway so each day is a new experience.

Vacation did afford plenty of opportunities to walk. Most day's covered between 20-30,000 steps.  One day hit 45,000 and was in pain for two day's but loved every minute of it since I could walk all that way.  It is amazing how far you can progress in just a few short months.  It was such a pleasure to stop and smell the roses and really just enjoy life for a few day's.  I hope that you all get a chance to step out of your reality and enjoy from time to time this life we are gaining.  
Cynthia

I had my first visit in November of 2007.  Kathy the NP told me to call the office in about one month if I did not hear anything.  I did call about four weeks out and received my packet in January of 2008.  The office submits the request to your insurance company and when the approval is received, the secretary will send out the packet to you in the mail.  This process took me about two months but I did have to call Dr. Roye's office to check on it.  So if you don't hear from them keep on it.  The office is a little abrasive but don't worry it's not you.

As soon as you receive the packet, make the appointment wtih the sleep Dr.  That takes the longest.  Next call the Psychologist because that takes long also.   There are two psychologists on the list.  The one that is out of R.I. Hospital takes a little longer but they take almost all insurance.  The other on the list is very quick but does not accept insurance.  Nothing can be done unless the sleep studies are complete so you can probably get into the psychologist while you are wating. 

The sleep Dr. really consists of a few appointments until the process is completed.  I went once for a consult.  Then they booked the sleep study.  She assumed by our appointemtn that I had apnea so she booked two sleep studies for me during my first visit so that sped things up.  The first sleep study was to check for apnea, the second to see what level of your machine will have to be set at if you have it.  then you have to go back to her for a follow up.  So book that when you leave your first appointment. 

I think the office books a couple of the other appointments like the barium swallow and PFT's.  The chest x-ray and echo you don't need an appointment for so I just did them on a day that I had other appointments.  the nutritionist is easy to get into also. 

On the day that you have your follow up with the sleep Dr., you can go directly to RI hospital and have your blood work done and then go right upstairs and ask to make your appointment with Dr. Roye.  You will have another consult and when you leave you will have a date for surgery.

I hope I covered it all but please do not hesitate to aks if you have any questions.  I had surgery on June 3, 2008.  It would have been sooner but I had to do most of my appointments around my work schedule and then he was not available until June.  I was probably done wtih appointments in May.

My appointment with the NP was a little vague also and I left there feeling like my head was spinning.  I didn't feel like I had enough information.  It 's good that you have come here.  This is where you will learn the most!

Jen