DebHart71

I was originally supposed to be banded on Monday, October 17th but there were circumstances that kept the doctor running late and had to postpone my surgery until Wednesday, October 19th. I had to be at the hospital at the un-Godly hour of 5:15 a.m. I had the band surgery and an umbilical hernia repair done within two hours. The doctor kept me overnight (not restful at all) and was not released until about 5:00 pm Thursday. I sleep so good at home! I have had some gas pressure, not really pain. I have more pain from the umbilical hernia sight than any of the others. I have had the healing itch all over my stomach though and it drives me batty. I am finding it hard to get all of my fluids in since I always feel full. I started this journey in July 2010 when I first mentioned that I wanted this procedure to my doctor. My insurance requires one year of work: lose 10% of my weight, psychological counseling, and weight management class. I started out at 300 and got down to 262 when we turned in my paperwork to my insurance company. They took about a week and a half to approve me for the procedure. I was scheduled for October 17th so I started my pre-op diet on October 3. I lost 11 more pounds on the pre-op diet so I went in to the surgery at 251. My first visit to my surgeon's office is scheduled for this coming Thursday and I am looking forward to being advanced to full liquids so I can have creamy soups. It feels really weird not to actually "eat" anything. I don't own a scale so I will not weigh in until I go for my doctor visit on Thursday. Debora

Please call your surgeon's office as soon as possible. The nurse told me that pain in the calves is a sign of blood clots; call your surgeon's office or the ER and tell them the situation and get their advice. Better safe than sorry!! Debora

Hello Ladies, I was banded on Wednesday, October 19th and I can tell you ladies that it is not as difficult as you think it is. You will see that it will go like clockwork. My surgery took almost two hours only because I had an umbilical hernia repair as well. The extra little bit of pain I have had is also from the hernia repair. I think that if I had not had the hernia repair I would be so much further in my recovery from the band surgery. I am really not hungry - even when my stomach growls. When I drink too fast I get a tightness in my chest area and know to stop. I can't wait until they advance me to full liquids so I can have milk products and creamy soups!! Not looking forward to the mushies but I am going to be buying baby food instead of blending my food. Good luck to all of you!! Debora

http://www.tickerfactory.com

I'm not allowed to have milk products until they advance me to full liquids; although my surgeon's nurse said that if I was starving by this coming Tuesday I could have a protein shake. Your diet sounds heavenly. Debora

I have juice (grape is my favorite), beef & chicken broth, jello, and crystal light (store brand). It takes me all day to have a glass of juice but I have broth for meals. I haven't made the jello yet (jello is not my favorite thing). My stomach growls even though I am not hungry. I try to drink as much as possible so I do not get dehydrated. My first appointment with my surgeon's office is next Thursday and I am hoping they advance me to full liquids. I can't wait for the creamy soups! Debora

I did the contrast swallow the morning after the surgery and saw it with my own eyes and yes it is strange. I have had the band work for me though; if I drink too fast I get a tightness in my chest so I know it works. I am on clear liquids until next Thursday and can't wait to advance to full liquids! I want something more filling; my stomach growls many times a day even though I am not really hungry. Debora

Isn't that strange? I had to have a shot of insulin as well and I am not diabetic. Debora

If you have already been approved by your insurance then you do not have to worry about it. The pre-op diet is for shrinking your liver and it will make it easier for the surgeon to go around your liver to get to your stomach. Debora

Wow, am I glad I didn't have to go through the endoscopy. I had blood work done for pre-op but no other medical testing done. I was banded Wednesday, October 19th and had to have an umbilical hernia repaired at the same time. What is really weird is not "eating" anything since Tuesday evening. I have had juice, broth, popsicles, crystal light, and Water. If I drink too much too fast I definitely feel the tightness in my chest. Good luck to you all in your medical testing and I hope you all have your banding date soon. Debora

Well, I got banded yesterday and had my umbilical hernia repaired at the same time. I don't have a lot of pain except when getting up and down and adjusting my position. I only had to ask for pain medicine once. I was so happy to be discharged; I just got home a few minutes ago. Trying to fend off the kitten who likes to jump on me; I feel like a goalie in a soccer game! LOL! I am glad I did it but will be glad when all the soreness goes away. Debora

I am kind of disappointed! I was scheduled for surgery tonight at 5:00 pm. I was at the hospital by 3:00 and was told that my surgeon was running behind. I said okay, no big deal. He later came to my room and said he wouldn't be able to do the surgery until about 9:00. I thought, wow, that is late but okay. He came back to my room later and said he would need to postpone my surgery until Wednesday morning. This is disappointing but I figure it gives me another day to work on things around the house that I didn't get done already. So my new band date is October 19th. I am scheduled to be the first one in surgery. Debora

My mother had the gastric bypass. She was supposed to be in the hospital for one week and with complications was in for 4 months. She almost died from the mistakes the surgeon made. She also had to have about 2 months of rehab since she laid in a bed for 4 months. I never considered any procedure that would cut my stomach. Also, my mother has gained most of the weight back because she didn't follow what she was supposed to do. So no matter what procedure you decide on there is a way around it. Good luck to you no matter what your choice is. Debora

My surgery is at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 17th. I am to stop solids at midnight then have only clear liquids until 11:00 AM on Monday then nothing. I have never had an evening operation; it is kind of weird. I know you can do it. Keep your eye on the prize. Every time you are tempted repeat "this is for my new life!" We will prevail!! Debora

My surgeon does not give a choice; he and his partners use the Realize Band and that is what I am getting on Monday. I trust my surgeon and know he would not use it if it was unreliable.

Well, I went to pre-op today; my surgery is at 5:00 PM on Monday. I have the weekend, including Monday to get the rest of the house in order. I have to figure out the logistics of getting my daughter from daycare and all that but the time is flying by. As of yesterday I have lost another 8 pounds! [/url]

My insurance required me to lose 10% of my starting weight in a 12 month period, take a weight management course, and have psychological counseling. I would have loved only a 6 month diet. The day I mentioned that I wanted the LapBand (July 2, 2010) my doctor weighed me and I had to come see her once a month for a year to be weighed and have a little chat session with her about my diet, exercise and what all I was doing. I finally hit the mark and got all of the other requirements done at the end of August 2011. At the seminar they had told me that my insurance took 12 to 16 weeks to make their decision; it was a week and a half before I got my approval. I am on day 9 of the pre-op diet and I am scheduled for surgery on October 17th! I too thought that a whole year was a really long time, but really with how busy we all are these days time flies by. Hang in there, you will be banded before you know it. Debora

I am on day 9 of the pre-op diet and I can tell you that it gets better. I am scheduled to be banded on Oct. 17th and I am looking forward to having the surgery behind me. I am looking forward to the time after I have healed and gotten used to the band. I have always been overweight and I am currently considered morbidly obese and I am looking forward to being thin! I am also looking forward to being able to do things that I could never or would never do because of my weight! Hang in there! Debora

I am also scheduled on October 17th and I am really excited. Although now that it is so close, I have so much to do around the house that it is crazy. I have been trying to clean our house of all the unecessary stuff and getting it cleaned so I can enjoy the week home after my procedure. We will have to keep in touch and see how each other is doing. I am female also, 39 (40 in November), single-mom and live in Tallahassee, Florida.

I would go ahead and have your GYN send the letter; it never hurts to be proactive. I like to stay on top of things and get the requested things done as quickly as possible. Good luck to you!

This meal plan consists of consuming 4 Protein drinks and 1 meal at regularly spaced intervals throughout the day. For example: 7:30 am - Protein Bar or shake 10:30 am - protein bar or shake 1:30 pm - protein bar or shake 4:30 pm - protein bar or shake 7:30 pm - meal/TV-dinner (Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, etc) Note: if you still have calories available and are still hungry you can add lean meat to your dinner; such as boneless, skinless chicken Women 5'4" and below: 1100 calories and at least 60 grams of protein daily Women above 5'4": 1200 calories and at least 65 grams of protein daily Men 5'9" and below: 1300 calories and at least 70 grams of protein daily Men above 5'9": 1400 calories and at least 75 grams of protein daily Do NOT consume more than your calorie limit and get at least your protein minimum every day for two weeks. I have been using the EAS Protein Bars and shakes - specifically the carb control bars and shakes. You can get these at Walmart. The first few days can be bad due to headaches but after that no so bad at all. I usually have a protein bar for Breakfast, Protein Shakes at 10:30, 1:30, and 4:30 and then a Healthy Choice meal for dinner. Tonight I added chicken to my dinner and still had about 70 calories left over. Debora

I am on day 8 of my pre-op diet and doing well. I go to see my primary on Thursday to talk about my medications and Vitamin supplements and to start scheduling my every-six-month labs. I do not own a scale so I will weigh in when I see my primary. I have pre-op on Friday and surgery on Monday! I am really excited! I have given up soda and caffeine for the time being. I do want to have coffee again eventually since I do enjoy the taste of it. I think for a while I will really miss the soda since it was such a hugh part of my life. Debora

It is day 6 on the pre-op diet for me. It is easier during the week for me because my day is more structured. Has anyone else noticed how hard it is to not lick off something from your hand when you are making food for your loved ones? It is so hard to remember to go wash my hands! The diet itself has not been hard for me; I am past the headaches, thank God! I have eight more days to go; I don't know how much I have lost on the pre-op diet because I do not own a scale. I am going to see my primary to talk about the medicines and supplements I am taking and to start scheduling the every-six-month labs and I will weigh in at her office. I know I gained a little after I met the goal for the insurance company because I was having all of those things I won't be able to have after the start of the pre-op diet and the surgery. I am ready to have this done so I don't have the hunger. I am really looking forward to my banding day - October 17th! Debora

I am on Day 5 and doing well. What type of pre-op diet are you on? I don't have to run to the bathroom as often and sometimes things move a little slower but not too bad. I have a Protein bar at 7:30 am, Protein shake at 10:30, 1:30, and 4:30. I then have a healthy meal in the evening (more protein and veggies than starch). I have cut out my caffeine, no sodas, and no sugar. I am to be banded on October 17th and I can hardly wait! Debora

I had to go through a full year of requirements (10% weight loss, weight management class, psychological counseling) but once I had all of the requirements that my insurance company had, my doctor submitted the paperwork. There was requirement by the surgeon that I go to a three hour class on what to expect at the hospital before and after surgery and my diet post-op. However, since this was a requirement of the surgeon and not my insurance company she went ahead and submitted my paperwork. The surgeon's office said it might take 12 - 16 weeks to get approval but I was approved in a week and a half. I think it depends on your insurance and your doctor for when things are submitted for approval. Good luck to you! Debora