MassMom01527

BaileyRose, Glad to hear that someone else was in the same boat with the pre-op diet. At first I felt lucky, but hen after I thought about it some more I decided to put myself on a pre-op diet for the week before surgery. I've only lost about 5lbs so far, and I'm terrified of complications. So to make surgery as safe as possible, I'm going to have protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, and low carb or no carb dinners and snacks. I think that ought to do the trick. I see my surgeon on Wednesday for my pre-op appointment. I'll let ya know what he says. When is your surgery date?

Congratulations on your weight loss!! I can't wait to begin losing weight at a steady pace like that. I want to correct myself, I called the test the other day an endoscopy, but it was actually an esophageal manometry like yours. I didn't realize they weren't the same thing. Thanks again for all the information! It has helped me so much! You can probably tell by all of my questions, but I have a pretty intense fear of the unknown. It makes me feel so much better to get as much info possible before hand. I appreciate you taking the time to answer all of my questions. I am 10 days away from surgery and I'm feeling really good about my decision. My husband has been so supportive so far, but he's starting to get nervous, which of course makes me nervous in return. Are you married? If so how has your spouse or partner been with everything? My husbands biggest problem is that he thinks our lifestyle is going to change afterwards. I'm sure it will to a point but he thinks he'll have to change his eating habits as well. He's an athlete and has the luxury of being able to eat whatever he likes as often as he likes. (He make me sick lol) What has your experience been?

Hey there! I just wanted to give you an update. I had my endoscopy today and boy were you right! That was not pleasant at all LOL On the bright side, it is over and done with and I am one step closer to getting banded...woohoo!! Next week I have all the pre-surgical testing at Memorial. Did you have to do that too? If so what did it entail. The notice says I could be there for a few hours. What was your experience? You said in one of your other posts that the endoscopy was the worst part of your whole surgical process...how is that compared to how you felt right after surgery? Enough about me, how is everything with you? How have you been? Last time you mentioned weightloss, you were down 48 lbs (congrats btw) Did you reach your first 50lb milestone? If not don't worry, I'm sure you'll get there soon!

WOW!! I haven't been on LBT for a few days, and what a difference a few days can make!! SO much going on and so many new folks...welcome all!! It makes me feel sooo good to know that there are so many other people out there going the same emotions and fears as me. (good and bad) I had my upper GI and my endoscopy today. Two words.....NOT FUN! The upper GI was a piece of cake (cake sounds good lol). The endoscopy was horrible, They used a tube the size of a vacuum cord and I was awake for the whole thing. My throat is still pretty sore. But the good news is, as the dr quoted, I have a "beautiful esophagus!" So to look on the bright side I am one step closer to band land...woohoo! For the first time in my journey so far, I actually had doubts today. I had a quick spell of "Am I doing the right thing?" So I decided to come catch up on LBT. Can I just say, you guys are amazing! And exaclty what I needed to get my head right! After reading everyones progress and comments, I knew again I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing! Thanks to each and every one of you! Is anyone else from Massachusetts? Or New England? I am from Central Mass and it would be really cool to meet some local folks who're walking the same walk. Oh and Shauna...you're the best! I love how you seem to be the glue that holds this thread together Thanks for the list and the time you put into putting that together. My name real name is Steph if you'd like to add that.

Yaayyy Shauna you got your ticker working!! One another note, I am 13 days away from being banded. However, I just found out this morning that I have a sinus infection. I have to be on antibiotics for 10 days beginning today. Do you think I this could cause sugery to be put off? I have my official surgical pre-op next week, I'll be sure to talk to my surgeon about it then. I just wanted to you guys' opinions or see if you've any similar experiences...

Also, i think you're totally right! Actually going to the store and trying things on would be FAR more fulfilling of an experience! My husband better watch out...I'm a shop-a-holic in the making LOL Who am I kidding, I'm one now, but I can't wait until I NEED to go shopping because nothing fits.

Nechama, What a silly question...of course you can join the thread! We're all here for the same reason aren't we? To support, encourage, uplift, listen to, vent to, and experience our healthy lives with each other. We'd be happy to have ya!

With only 2 more weeks until surgery.....I'm sort of tempted to go buy something that doesn't fit. Like a pair of jeans that is a size or two too small. I'm a size 20, and most stores don't sell size 20, they stop at 14/16. I don't really have a difficult time finding jeans, I just cant fit into the jeans I like. I'm a sucker for a great pair of jeans! I love to wear them and can't wait until they are comfortable again...lol Do you think i'm torturing myself, or giving myself a goal to reach with some incentive? I can see both sides, what do you guys think?

Shauna, I just figured mine out today... go to http://www.tickerfac...er_designer.php click on weight loss then set up your ticker style When your done, copy the code and ans paste it into your signature in your profile settings. Hope that works, if did for me...i think lol

Thanks Jlynn!! Glad to hear that it wasn't bad. The only thing I'm worried about it my case, is that the dr doesn't just want to see my esophagus, he wants to see how I swallow. So during the test we are required to do a series of sips of Water. I don't hink i'll be able to do the test the way you did. Either way I'm going to look on the bright side because horrible or not, this test is the final step before getting banded on July 5th!! I'm so excited to finally move forward that i'm not going to let the anxiety of this get in my way. Thank again for the info!! When are you getting banded? (sorry if you already told me the date)

Thanks JLynn! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes

Again, thank you SOOO much for all of the useful information. I have been expecting the nausea after surgery, its the gas pains after that came unexpected. Why wouldn't they take the air out when they're done? I'm sure there is an explanation for it, but it seems silly doesn't it? Maybe they get as much as they can, they just can't get ALL of it? Who knows, either way I'll just have to deal because they outcome is going feel so much better than any gas pains. Did they give you any pain medication? The weight center recommends the book Weight Loss for Dummies (which I bought) and it doesn't really address the issue. Basically, I just want to know if you get something more effective then tylenol or ibuprofen? I am a bit anxious about the esophagus testing, thanks for being so honest by the way! Some people on this site are so band-happy that they leave out the negative aspects. When you had the test, was getting knocked out an option? HA

Thanks so much for the info. I recently heard from someone else that the esphagus testing was actually the most unpleasant part of thier journey so far. This person wasn't knocked out for the procedure (I believe) and had to do a whole bunch of swallowing. If anesthesia is an option...I'm taking it! It does NOT sound pleasant. As far as the bloodwork goes, I'm not worried, just curious is all Anyone else had any other types of experiences?

Jenjaw, I think she's right, when it comes to taste...you definitely get what you pay for. I would be careful with GNC products though. Most of their products are WAY overpriced! Once you find what you like, try to get it online. Also, some stores, such as walmart, (who acutally have ALOT to choose from) will let you buy online and ship to a store near you for free. That way you just pick up your purchase, you don't have to worry if they have what you like in stock. One other suggestion...Glucerna has a butter pecan flavor that will do the trick when you need something different and sweet.

Hi Shauna! My BMI is 44, and when I met with my surgeon last week, he did a pretty thurough exam (external) of my stomach and liver. He did say that he was pleased with what he felt. I've been preparing since Dec/Jan and the liver shrinking is what they've been preaching all along. My WLS team put so much emphasis on losing wieght before surgery too, I've only lost 3lbs. My surgeon wasn't concerned about that either. Now that I'm less than 3 weeks out, neither seem to be a deal breaker. I think your right on target, maybe my liver isn't as enlarged and hardened as some folks. I just wanted to see if anyone else was in the same boat, thanks for the reply!

Hey Jenjaw! I am so relieved! Trying shakes, thats what I've been doing too. My husband runs a company that distributes nutrional supplements, so I've been able to try just about everything under the sun. So far, I really like Boost Glucose Control strawberry and the Carnation Instant Breakfast chocolate. What have you found that you like?

Hey there! I have also been seeing Kathleen for nutrition. I find her a bit dull, but then again how exciting can her job really be? LOL She has been great all along and her suggestions are always soooo helpful. I am so encouraged to hear that your experience has been so wonderful at/with umass. They've been awesome so far but it was starting to weigh on me that I hadn't met anyone in my boat. Dr. Perugini even seemed to lean towards the bypass method, but I stand firm that the band is the right choice for me! I just found out today that I can take 4 weeks off of work using my sick and vacation time. AMEN! Now I don't feel like i'll be rushed afterwards. I'll have time to properly heal. How long did you need to take off after your band? How did you feel right after you woke up, and then at home? Did they give you pain medication? I am so paranoid that I'm going to be in a lot of pain and not get any relief. After having both of my children I breastfed so I was only allowed mortrin. I know its a completely different circumstance, its just makes me worry. Also. do you go to the monthly support meetings often? I was hoping to go this month but I'd have to miss my little guys last t-ball game...he'd be crushed! So I am going to attend next month, post band. (Can't believe I'll be "post-band" then) If you're there, we'll have to say hello! Thank you SO much for all your information and well wishes!!

I seriously think that I am the only one on here who doesnt have to do the pre-op diet. I keep reading about how much everyone one is dreading their pre-op instructions and thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I called and spoke with my surgeon's office today and asked if I should be starting soon, and they said no, just Protein shakes the day before surgery and nothing after midnight the night before. Is anyone else's doctor saying the same thing? Why do you think he is so relaxed about this? Thoughts?...

HI! I am so happy to hear from Umass folks! My surgeon is Dr. Perugini. I've only met him once but he was pretty straight forward and confident. Who did you have? I was going to request Dr. Kelly only because I had met him a few times, but I think I'm happier with Dr. Perugini. I'm being banded on July 5th..woohoo! You were banded in February huh? How are feeling and doing? Being 4 monthes out, how do you feel about your decision? How is your progress? How have your fills been going? As you can see I have lots of questions (LOL) I haven't met any banders from Umass at all. In fact, when I took my pre-surgical skills class I was the one and only bander. They were ALL having by-pass surgery. It made me second guess my decision at first, but after ALOT of thinking, I've decided its still the right choice for me. I look forward to hearing back from you!

Hello Everyone! I am also being banded July 5th! So excited and anxious at the same time! I am 29 years old, I live in Massachusetts, married and have 2 great kids. I wanted to say that I agree with Shauna! Aly, don't feel bad about being young! I think its wonderful that you are doing something now and being proactive...Good for you! If I had known about the Lap Band when I was your age I could have saved myself years of tears and frustration and yo-yo dieting. I have been preparing since December and can't wait to start my new healthy life! My husband is great and has been so very supportive in the process, he's nervous about the anesthesia but then again so am I. I'm glad you guys started a July Banders Topic. Now we can all encourage and uplift one another.

Thanks so much for the advise! I am taking all of the advise and encouragement I can get right now. I have som many things going through my....eager to get it over with and start my new life!

Hi Maria! I just got my surgery date today too...July 5th! I wish you many blessings with your band! Best of luck! Are you just as nervous as I am now that you have an actual date? I was SOOO excited all along and felt so prepared. Now that I know my date I'm so anxious...in a good way of course!

Just got off the phone with my surgeon's office....getting banded July 5th!! I am so excited, yet so nervous. I thought I was ready, now that I have a real timelime, I am having lots of different emotions. Is this normal to second guess the whole thing in the weeks and days leading up to WLS? If so how did you overcome it? I'd love thoughts and encouragement

Just got off the phone with my surgeon's office....surgery is scheduled for july 5th! I think I'm even more nervous now!

Definitely check your insurance plan's requirement for coverage of the procedure. I went through this just last week. I was sooo nervous even though I met the requirements (according the benefit hankbook). I was paranoid that the authorization wouldn't come though. The suspense got the better of me in the and I called my provider directly and asked if it had been approved. I couldn't wait to get the call back from the surgeon. They told me that it had been authorized. Woohoo! Just call your provider and ask directly