Randiscan

Hi, I am just starting this journey and my insurance (highmark) requires that you are on a supervised diet program before they will approve the surgery. They want you to lose or at least maintain your weight throughout that time period and you have to keep a written food diary that lists every single thing you eat. They want you to stick to 1400 calories a day. I was just wondering if everyone had to do that on every insurance? I don't want to wait 6 months to have the surgery but I have no choice. That means no surgery for me until Oct. Randi

Hey Lisa, Sorry can't help with your question but where are you from in Pittsburgh? I am in South Hills. Who was your surgeon? Mine was Dr. Mccloskey. I had my surgery on Oct. 14th. Randi

I burp a lot!

Hi, I was banded Oct. 14 th and got diarrhea 3 days later and have had it since. Today I am being tested for c-diff ( infection of the bowels) and won't know until Monday. I go about 11 times a day. I am nervous and just wondering if anyone personally knows about this. Thanks! Randi

If you remember I was banded on Oct.14th. I have had diarreah for 4 days now so i called Dr's office today. I have lost 13 lbs. But I haven't progressed off of clear liquids except one day. I went back to the clear liquids because of my problem. I feel pretty good ( well maybe a little weak) besides the diarreah. I have to go tomorrow morning and get a test for c-diff. I won't know till Monday. I am praying it isn't that! I read a little bit on the internet but none of it was good! Anyone know anything personally about it? Any info would make me feel better. I am trying very hard not to get dehydrated. Randi

I thought I was done with the diareah but it decided to rear it's ugly head today. Ugh! I have lost about 9 lbs. Since Oct. 13. Weighed 259 and now 250. Today with this diareah I am thinking oh, what did I do to myself but I know that inthe future (hopefully near) I will be happy. Anyone else feel that way?

Hi, thank goodness for this board! Makes me feel so much better reading everyone's experiences so I can relate. I had surgery Oct. 14th. Came home Saturday on full liquids. My one incision hurts worse than the others, it feels like a bee stinging when I roll over or bend over. Other than that the pain is manageable. I had severe diareah yesterday but that has subsided...Thank Goodness!!!! I am looking forwardvto getting to know all of you better and to share our successes and also our low points. Randi

Hi, I am 4 days post op and doing pretty well except diareah. My stomach gurgles and gurgles and I don't dare let it come out unless on toilet. Ugh....my bum hurts!!! I hear others complain about the gas but not diareah. I am taking liquid roxicet and all liquids. Wish I would go away!!!! Any suggestions? Thanks, Randi

Thanks everyone! So glad I have company on this journey!

Wish it would go away...lol. Darn auto correct.

Good luck to you too!!!! We will have to try to stay in touch with each other!

My surgery date is almost here! It is on Friday. I am a little nervous but more excited. My Dr. Has you stay in hospital overnight. Good luck to everyone else having it this month!! Randi

Hi, I am having surgery Oct. 14. I am getting the lap band with modified plication. My surgeon has found that it keeps the chances of the band slipping , down and helps with the weight loss. Anyone else having this? Good luck to all!!! Randi

Thank you or taking the time to post. That is what support is all about!

My Doctor is from a very large well known hospital in Pittsburgh. I do understand that there can be complications from any surgery including the band. I appreciate your info but I feel very confident in the expertise of my Dr. She is definitely NOT from a band mill. Bromo...I am getting better at navigating this forum so I should be able to "find" you. So excited for the 14th to get here!

That's great Bromo! I will try to follow you on here but I find this forum a bit confusing.

The plication is similar to the very old stomach stapling. The outer curve of the stomach is imbricated (the middle is tucked in) and sutured to hold it there. The normal risks are associated with bleeding due to severing the blood supply to the outer stomach curve (it still has other blood supplies). I asked if there were higher risks of ulcers at the suture sites or problems with food getting stuck in the folds and was told no to both of those. The plication is being done as a separate surgery. It is also being done as a combination surgery with the lap band. With the band, they are already doing a form of Plication when they surgeon pulls/folds part of the greater curve of the stomach up over the band and sutures to keep the band in place. In the band with Plication combination procedure, they go another step and fold the remainder of the outer curve of the stomach in, and suture. The end result is similar to a vertical gastric sleeve (without removing part of the stomach). The weight loss results are coming back to be higher than lapband alone (40-50% excess weight at 1-2 lbs per week), and more along the results of vertical sleeves (76% and a more rapid weight loss) (a higher % lost at a faster rate) than the band alone. It has the benefits of the vertical gastric sleeve without removing part of the stomach muscle. Unlike the other surgeries, it is (somewhat) reversible in that the band can be removed and the sutures can be removed so that the stomach regains it's original size/shape. How is everyone doing with the combination compared to lap band alone? Any info bad or good is welcome! Randi

I am Oct. 14th too!!!

Hi, just got my surgery date today. It is Oct. 14. So excited and ready for this. I go on Sept. 27th to get all my info and pre op diet, I quess. Just wondering if any of you on meds can continue taking? Glad I have this board to come to!! Randi

What insurance do you have? I have Highmark BCBS of PA and I called surgeons office today ( last visit was Friday) and she told me that they take 6-8 weeks!! That is so far away. =(

I don't have a date yet. I just finished my 6 months and it is being submitted. I am hoping for a Sept. Surgery date. What is the pre op visit for?

Hi, I just completed my 6 months of meetings and my surgery was just submitted to insurance also. I have BCBS of Pennsylvania. I am hoping I can have my surgery sometime in Sept. But we shall see. So we all have company while sitting back and waiting. Good luck to all and post when you get APPROVED!!!

CONGRATS TO ALL YOU MAY BANDERS!!! You all know you can do it! Randi