steph324

Ive actually done all of that. My surgery is scheduled for Thursday. I was just wondering what tests they will do at the hospital prior to surgery. Will they do an Upper GI?

I am still pre-op but as of today I have lost 43 pounds from my high weight. Very few people have noticed even though I have dropped 18% of my body weight. I certainly can not see a difference, but people who know I'm dieting have said that they see it, but I won't believe it until it comes from people who are out of the loop! It has only been within the last week that clothes I have been wearing from the beginning are starting to look big on me. Through previous attempts I knew that it takes almost 50 pounds for me to start moving out of my initial size but from there they tend to drop away. Just be greatful to know that those pounds are dropping away, never to be seen again and know that the sizes will come eventually.

I actually had another patient at my doctor's office go off on me in the waiting room about the fact that I don't need surgery. She started off by asking when I had my band added. When I informed her that I was scheduled for the next month, she started getting very upset at me saying that I don't need the surgery and that people like me waste the surgeons time when he could be working with people that need it. I was floored. I am 5'6. When I started my 6 month doctor supervised diet, I was at 243 pounds. I have Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and anxiety attacks. When we submitted to my insurance company, my BMI was right at 35. They obviously felt that I had enough serious health concerns to approve me for the surgery with no money out of pocket so why is this woman judging me? As of today I am at 203 pounds and a BMI of 32.8, but that has been through hard work. I know I can lose the weight on my own. I've done it before, if I don't get this surgery, I would continue to do it again and again. This is a tool to help me KEEP IT OFF!

Go to Walmart and buy a bra extender. It will cost you less than $5 and can give you another few inches around!

I haven't been to any of the support group meetings but have to second (third, maybe?) the stellar review for the whole staff at Dr. Aguila's. I am scheduled to be banded on September 22nd and feel like I have really been supported throughout the whole process. Good luck to everyone!

Congrats! I'm scheduled for the 22nd as well. Started my liquid diet this week which overall hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating. Good luck with your surgery!

My surgery date has been set for September 22nd. I start the liquid diet on the 7th and go for all my pre-op on the 19th. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I lost 18 pounds during my 6 month supervised diet so know that I have the committment it will take to be successful! Good luck to all the September surgeries!

I got the call from my surgeon's office today that they had received approval from my insurance company. I actually got lightheaded and had to sit down. All this time while I have been going through the 6 month supervised diet, all of the psych visits, nutritionists visits, testing for sleep apnea, finding out I was now diabetic AND have developed high blood pressure (try to get tested for one co-morbidity - find out you have 3) and after losing 28 pounds on the supervised diet ending up 2 ounces above the minimum weight that my insurance will approve for surgery, it's hard to believe that it is finally coming together. I should be getting a call later this week to start actually scheduling the surgery so should be sometime in late September or October. I am nervous about the liquid diet, but I'm sure I will be able to get through it. I've been doing a lot of research on this site so know that you all will help me get through the next few months!