wifeytmp

I am scheduled for May 9th and my insurance has approved it so it should work!

I finally have approval for the band and am scheduled for May 9th - a week from today. I have been scheduled twice before and my insurance company refused both times. This time looks like it will actually go through. I started the process in November of 2009 but have looked into surgery before. Many years ago now I was contemplating it but my husband was against it because he was afraid something would happen to me and our children were younger. I lost a hundred pounds on my own at that time but subsequently slowly gained it all back. I am disappointed with myself and somewhat apprehensive about the process and my main reason is they have a very hard time getting needles in my veins. I am not at all kidding. I have had two times where they have had to go into my jugular vein for access just to get through the surgery. Feet, ankles, etc... no luck. I have lost over 9 pounds in the past week pre-op diet and would like to lose about 125-145 pounds. That's it for now. Wish me luck!

Thank you for your suggestion. I have had a port-a-cath placement in the past for access since I have had a lifetime of renal lithiasis (kidney stones) and many surgeries. I drink a lot always. The port was removed because they were unable to keep it working, in fact, it really only worked for one procedure. The last time I had surgery (just a few weeks ago) the anesthesiologist was using the doppler and I am not joking here, it took him over an hour to get in (with the jugular the final outcome after lots of sticks). Of course, it was done with no sedation so was probably more traumatic than it needed to be but I am used to the sticks and they don't bother me much except I am not crazy about jugular and the length of the tubing they put in there was impressive I have to say. I do hope I can lose as much weight this time and keep it off for good. I also believe that the kidney stones were less frequent when I was thinner. The problem is I am now unable to take my stone inhibitor (potassium citrate) because my potassium level is too high. I do have palpitations and two leaking valves (aortic and tri-cuspid), though they are mild leaks. I pray this is the right thing for me and do worry. I also could kick myself because of all the weight I did lose and gained back. I know what I have to do to get there and wish I hadn't let that all go. Anyway, there is no sense crying over spilled milk so onward we go. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

I have had many, many kidney stones and know they can cause substantial pain but also vomiting. For me the pain can be in my back or as it moves down the ureter can be in the front groin area. Because you have a band and a stone and other issues it would be hard to determine exactly what is causing your symptoms in my opinion. I have felt lightheaded from the nausea of stone pain. You would want to be followed closely though with all of that going on. You may be able to pass a stone that size, though if it is sitting in the lower pole in the kidney it can stay there for a very long time with no problems at all. Good luck!