pugsx3

Very impressive. I'm sure you worked hard to be able to do this. I thank god every day for people like you, cause I could not do it. I worked as a ccna through college, and it was too gruesome for me. I stayed mostly watching the monitors, because I would get depressed for days when I had to work with patients. My aunt and former sister-in-law both have doctorates in nursing. My Aunt taught clinical pediatric nursing in Pittsburgh Pa. My former sister-in-law is an administrator for St. Davids in Austin TX. Both of them are very supportive of my decision to be banded, and are careful not to go into detail about the procedure, as they know my limits!

Thanks for the explanation. It makes me feel better. I'm not having any regrets about the decision, and am really anxious to get this over with and leave these protein shakes in my past. I think it was all at once finding out that there was something that was unknown to me. I'm sure I had it for both my gallbladder and hysterectomy, and never knew about it. It never bothered me then - so I sure as heck am not going to let it stop me now! And I guess I'll let the anesthesiologist or crna make the call on what they are most comfortable with. They certainly know more than I do! I don't ever remember feeling weird from the happy juice - I just was talking one minute and out half way through a sentence! I do feel incredibly groggy upon waking up, it seemed to take a long time. When I had my gallbladder out, they wheeled me back to the room, and helped me get up to go to the bathroom, and they wanted me to get dressed and go home that quickly. I remember thinking are they kidding me? I couldn't get dressed if I wanted to! When I had bunion surgery, they just gave me propofol - and they did succeed in getting me out of there as soon as I woke up from that!

Hi Lisa, I'd check on this with BCBS directly. I started my 6 months of diet at the beginning of April, and had my 6th appt in August. It only took BCBS-IL a couple of days to give me my approval. I'm getting my band on Thursday and I can't wait. And don't give up - cause that's what they want you to do!! Show them you're going to do whatever it takes to get this and get healthy!! I was ready to give up a couple of times - but I'm glad I stuck with it!

Hi All! I live in Aurora, and will get my band on Thursday! My surgeon is Dr. Woodard, and I'm getting it done at Kendall Pointe Surgical Center. I'm thrilled with him and all his staff, so feel quite good about my decision. I can't wait for this to be a part of my life!

Ok, I didn't think I was nervous, and thought I understood what was going to happen, but the intubation thing is now scaring me. Is that standard procedure when you have surgery? I've had my gallbaldder removed, and have also had a hysterectomy - and if I was intubated - I did not know it. What's the difference between LMA and an ET tube? What are the side affects/complications of them? Is this something you think we all should be asking for? I'm a bit of a control freak, and would appreciate any info you can give me on this subject! My day is Thursday - and let me tell you, if I never see another shake after tomorrow it will be too soon! I don't care how hungry I am, at this point I'd rather be hungry than have another shake!

I have never blogged before, but I feel like I need someplace to vent my thoughts and emotions, so I'm going to try this and see how it goes. I'm not having a bad day, but I'm feeling very anxious. I'm not a procrastinator - I get things done as early as I can, so I can take advantage of other opportunities that may arise. I'm on day 14 on my pre-op diet, and I still have 7 days to go. I can't wait to taste real food again. I don't have a scale, so I don't know how much I'm losing on this diet, but I can feel a difference in my clothes, so I'm sure I'm losing something. I was on vacation last week, and I sat at the table and ate broth while everyone else ate most of my favorites. I was really proud of myself, and that gave me the will to keep going into this week. I know I can do this - I have to do this... My friend that was taking me to surgery just told me she can't get off work. Now I've got to scramble to find someone else to take me, and that is going to be tough, as most of my family is not close enough - and everyone else has to work. I thought I had everything set, I should know that I always need a back up plan. I've got a week to find someone, but hopefully it won't take that long. Moving my surgery is NOT an option I will accept!!

Thanks so much for the ideas!! My surgeon requires someone to be with me, so I'm hoping that he'll settle for a phone number to my mother. She'll be a better resource should anything arise anyway. My mom is having a really hard time dealing with the fact that she isn't going to be there anyway, so this may make her feel better. And if I do find someone to go with me, I may get the limo anyway!! My initial reaction to that idea was that I LOVE it. The more it sits with me, the more I like it!!!

You are not alone! I'm allowed 5 Protein Shakes, 16 oz of broth, and all the sugar free, carb free, calorie free "clear liquids" I want - except I have to do it for 3 weeks!! It has definitely been tough, but after the first week it becomes "what you have to do to get what you want". My friend is waiting to see how I do with the lap band, but she's seriously thinking about getting a band too. I spent the past week on vacation with her, and she was amazed at my will. I told her it was like getting your first house - you do all kinds of things you never dreamed you could do to get into that home. It's a tough road to haul, but the day after you move in, it all seems so worth it. I told her the bottom line is - I want this enough to do whatever I have to do to get it. In a year from now, I won't even remember how hard these three weeks are. There is also an added bonus to this diet. I don't have a weight on the same scale I started with, and checked two different scales after my first week. One had me down 11 lbs., the other had me down 18. That really helped to keep me focused, knowing that it is working!!!

Sorry to hear this - I can't imagine how you must feel. I get my band on the 15th, and now I'm really worried about my bp. I already take meds for high bp. Now I'm checking it twice a day to make sure this does not happen to me. I'm not nervous about the surgery at all - so hope this helps! Thanks for sharing, as hopefully you'll be able to help others (me!) avoid the same complication!

I really feel for those of you who have families to cook for! I just got back from vacation and sat down at the table with my Protein shake at every meal, while watching everyone else pig out!! They had most of my favorites, and I'm proud to say that I did what I had to do, and stuck with my Protein shakes and broth. Now that I'm through the vacation - I feel a real sense of accomplishment - but it was hard. Anyway, my one firm rule was that I could not be in the kitchen with food. When they were cooking, I went outside so I did not have to smell it because it made me nuts. Actually having to prepare the food would be a killer for me!! I'm on day 12 of 21 for my preop diet, and it is getting easier. I'm excited - 9 days till Band day!!

My nutritious said caffeine dehydrates you, and the liquid diet already dehydrates you. She said I could have 8 oz per day. I'm on day 9 of 21 for the prop, and I've been off caffeine for 2 weeks today. The first week was hard, but now I'm ok! It's rough at first, but it gets easier! I just keep saying I can do anything for this short time frame!

Sorry - smart phone corrected me when it shouldn't have. He's doing a liver biopsy. I did not have a gi, but he did say that he'd fix it if he found one. He said it was pretty common, and thinks there is a good chance he'll find one.

Good luck to all getting their band tomorrow and Friday! I'm going on vacation but will keep my thoughts with you. I have a question for the rest. I got my final clearance from the surgeon today - yeah!! Although I'm excited, I got a little nervous, as he said my liver function tests were slightly elevated, so he's going to do a liver tipsy at the same time. Does anyone know what this could mean? Should I be afraid? Will it cause more pain? I'm only scheduled to be off work for 2 days - Thursday and Friday, back to work on Monday. Should I request addl time? I have some available! I wasn't scared at all, but I am now. Ps - I don't drink more than three or four drinks a year!

I'm so sorry you've got so many people that don't support your decision, and glad you can come here for support instead of giving up. My pcp was a bit of a downer when I first talked to him about it, and one of my coworkers was a bit nasty about it, but all in all I've found most people to be very encouraging and helpful. My pcp told me a story of a woman who was banded and went out and ate 12 whoppers and died when they got stuck. Hello - it wasn't the band that caused the problem, it was a dozen hamburgers! I just went to my pcp for surgical clearance, and lost 18 lbs since 8/2. I was so excited I didn't care what he said. To my surprise, he totally turned his attitude around, and even said he thought I would make this work now that he sees how committed I am. So, don't let it get to you if people try to bring you down. They're probably afraid you will make it work. Just think of how great you'll feel when you start looking amazing and are healthy. I can tell you that you won't have to ever say a word when you prove them wrong. This is your life and your decision. You're the only one that needs to approve of your decision!

I just mixed crystal light lemonade in an unflavored shake. It's way better than the "sweet" flavors.

I'm on day 4 of 21 of the pre op liquid diet, and having a hard time - my own fault for not planning. I'm required to get the bariatric advantage shakes, and they do have a bad after taste. I've fixed that by having a pc of sugar free gum when I finish. It helps clean my mouth. My favorites are the dessert flavors. Hope this will help others having the same challenge!

I'm getting my band on 9/15, and my surgeon wants me to do 3 weeks of a liquid diet before surgery, because my BMI is above 50. I start today, and just finished my first shake. I was really afraid it was going to taste horrible, and I kept telling myself I can do anything for 3 weeks to get the rest of my life back. I just finished my first vanilla shake, and am very happy to find out that it tastes ok!! I'm still hungry, but I guess I'll get used to that after a while. The next thing I have to overcome is all the food in the office today - we're celebrating a birthday for a co-worker and there are all kinds of really good foods everywhere you look - ugh. They all know what I'm doing, and are very supportive, so I'm counting on them to help me out!! I do have a question for everyone - I have an unflavored shake, and they say I can add home flavoring to it. Does anyone know if you can add things like lemon or peppermint extract for flavoring? If not, what can we add to flavor it?

I'm getting banded on 9/15, and am really nervous about the liquid diet. They told me I can't have caffiene, as it will dehydrate me. I am addicted to my iced tea (not sweet tea), to say I drink a gallon of it a day is pretty close to being accurate. I just don't know I will be able to function without it. I suppose if that is the biggest challenge I've got, I should consider myself lucky, but this does affect every aspect of my life, as I always have an iced tea in hand.

I have BCBS IL, and I did have to have 6 months of dieting. In that 6 months, I lost half of a pound. I also have high BP, asthma, and joint pain. I don't think they considered the asthma or joint pain, but I was approved last week after my first try. My BMI is over 50, so not sure if that played a part or not. I start my liquid diet Thursday, and will be banded 9/15. I can tell you from my experience, the last 3 months of the medically supervised diet were torture. I just wanted to get on with it. The nutritionist told me not to give up, as that is what the insurance company wanted me to do so they don't have to pay for it. Find out for sure if that is why they denied you and don't give up. It only took 3 days for me to get my approval once I gave them everything they asked for!

I live in the far west Chicago Suburbs, and I'm getting my band 9/15. I have a long way to go - about 160, maybe more, and I'd love to have/be a part of a support group too.

I just got my insurance approval and band date of 9/15!! I'm in the Chicago area, and I'm so excited that I can't sit still. It seems like such a long process, and I'm so relieved to finally get started with this!! It sounds crazy - but I can't wait!

I just got approved!!! I'm so excited that my co-workers think I've gone off the deep end!! Called the surgeon, and I'll get banded 9/15!

My surgeon will not give me a date until I have the approval. I talked to BCBS yesterday, and they said they should have a decision early next week. I'm saying my prayers, crossing my fingers, and picking up every penny I can find 'till I hear. This waiting is sooooooo hard.