waitingpatiently

Nice to meet you Tina......I'm Tina too!!!haha I official start my pre-op tomorrow...well actually today (since it is after midnight). I have doing it the last few days just to try out the Protein power and stuff. Wasn't too bad, might be a different story 10days from now. It's important to stay on your diet. You wan that liver nice and small for surgery. If its enlarged it is more likely to lacerate. If you absolutely know you are going to cheat, then make sure you do so wisely. Stay away from the carbs!!! just eat a small amount of lean protein. or extra low carb veggies you can do this!!Your mind is just self sabbotaging you!! I know it was a threat to keep me in check, but my surgeon told me that if he sees that one of his patients liver was enlarged , he wouldn't do the surgery. He wasn't messing his prefect record up because patients won't follow the rules.

Great Job!!! 33 ils in 6 weeks. Thats awesome!!! Keep up the good work!I hope I have numbers like that. I start my pre-op officially tomorrow.Surgery scheduled for March 19.

Hey Hick Chick, The group here was awesome helping me Stock My Pantry you can fined lots of suggestions on the thread I start a few days ago. Just look for "help me stock my pantry" under forums-pre and post op questions hope that helps

Hi there, Just wanted to encourage you to not give up. My best friend and I decided to get this done together that way we would have each other to rely on. She had tried before in the past and was turned down twice. But this time she has a different insurance. We started the process together in december and on February 29 i got the call that Iwas approved and 15 mins later she got the call that she was turned down. She had done the 3 month supervised diet with her doctor like the insurance requested, now they want her to continue for another 3 months. The nurse told her not to give up. Thats what the insurance company wants. You see she had a bmi of 44 but no comorbidities. in other words she wasn't costing the insurance company any money. I on the other hand was only 35 bmi BUT have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. My machine alone is $6,000+ (and I'm due a new one). They know its in their best interest to help me get the weight off. I jokingly told them when I called that they might as well pay for they surgery because if I was turned down, my next call would be to buy another sleep apnea machine......24 hours later I had my approval. The nurse also told by friend, that since she meets the bmi requirements and has passed all her other requirements....psych exam, dietian and supervised diet that there isn't anythiong else they can require from her and they will eventually be required (by law) to give her the sugery. So just hang in there and play the game.....and whatever you do don't miss one of your supervised diet check ins....the insurance company can make you start all over if you simply miss one visit by one day. Good luck...it won't be much longer now.

Im sitting here this morning reading everyones thoughts as sip down my very first pre-op Protein Drink. I really didn't need to start until tomorrow, but wanted to make sure I had a Protein powder I could drink. I went with Jullian Micheals. It not too bad. But really I have nothing to compare it to yet. I wanted to make something like a starbuck foo-foo drink and I think it was pretty good. I started with 1.5 scoops of Protein I mixed with 4 oz coffee (i have a keurig coffee machine and love the Butter Toffee--made 12oz, but only used 4oz. that way I have some for tomorrow), 6 oz of skim milk, 1/2 oz vanilla sf syrup, 1/2 caramal syrup, 2 truvias (sweetner) and 6 ice cubes. I blended in a blender. It actual was really good! I can see where its only to be hard to get these shakes down after surgery. I have been drinking this one for about 20 min. Iam so full I don't want another sip, but I still have about 3oz to go.----ugh I hope when I talk to my doctor on thursday he will let me try the powders with collagen in them. I think those will add a lot of variety. Anyway , Let the count down begin....15 days until the big day. oh yeah----I found the sf syrups at SAM'S Club they were only $4 for a huge bottle!! Walmart had some by the same company 1/4 the size for the same price.

You guys are great!!! this has helped me so much!!. I think after I have completed my 2 week pre-op (that way I can add some things I found useful) I will make a complete list and attach it to the thread that way others will be able to down load the list and take it with them to their dietian for approval and then to the store as a grocery list. Keep the tips coming they are great!!!

I was so excite to see new flavors to choose from (like in the New whey) but when I checked he nutriantion label it lists collagen and my doctor said to stay away from those. I'm not banded until March 19 but start my pre-op Monday. I didn't think to ask why collagen was bad. I will see him on thursday and ask him, but I justed wanted others to know, that it may not fit into everyones diet.....I'm sad now. I thought grape might be fun. I'll let you know what he says.

I was wondering the difference too. My doctor has wrote down to stay away from foods made of collagen.... Of course now I want the foods made of collagen, because he told me to stay away. hha But I will be a good girl and listen, even if I don't understand why. I will see him on thursday and askhim the difference.

I agree with judych. Sounds like you need a small fill. remember you loose fluid just from osmosis. If your last fill was a year ago, you are probably low.

The best predictor of future behavors are your behavors of the past. Stay on course. No regrets!

Having your husband's support is so important!. My husband is very supportive.....but he is a man and sometimes he speaks before he thinks about what he is saying. So when i have something that I need him to think about before responding...no knee jerk reactions. I tell him so. I start with. I need to discuss something with you that has been on my mind but i need you to do me a favor and hear me out completely and then take some time to think about what i have said before you respond. This is important to me. I would then explain how you feel emotionally and physically with being so over weight. That you have none your research, (make sure you have none your research-haha) and insurance will pay for you to have lapband surgery. And that it would mean a lot to have his support if you decide that this is what you what to do. That you would like for him to do a little research and see what others are saying. Show him this site. Let him read from others how it is unlikely that you will be able to lose 100lbs and keep it off without help. and that is more likely you will be facing heart disease, sleep apnea and being diabetic if you don't get this undercontrol. And finally tell him you want to take responsiblity and break the cycle for your children. That it isn't good for them to see their mother so out of shape....there is a 50% chance that they too will be obese simply because you are. (that satistic was in todays newsletter from mr. lapband on this site) Tell him that you will answer any questions he has, but to please not make you feel ashamed for wanting to be healthy again. Hope that helps. I will be praying for you.

Looks like we should start a PCOS group support group too!!!haha I too have PCOS...but now that I'm forty things don't work well any more and since I'm not producing estrogen as much my testosterone comes trough more...tthus I have more libido now than ever....so there is hope But you should really see an endocrinologist or at least sstart with your Primary Doctor. He can run some hormone test and see where you stand. However, I also want you to know that every marriage has peaks and valleys. And that's normal. I don't know how old you are, but if you have children ...they suck the sex drive out of you. And its important to realize stress will kill it too. There were times when my husband and I were young that with the stress of work, kids, and lack of money.....i had Zero interest in sex. But when those outside pressures were removed the spark would slowly return.

Wow that really helps out a lot!! Thanks everyone!!

Glad things are getting back to normal! I just figured the ticker thing out so I thought I would share.....since it isn't easy to find. go to www.tickerfactory.com and make you one. when you are done with the process save the page in your favorites you may want to make a new one later. on the last step, you will see some computer talk in a box labled bbCode copy the computer talk and paste it under the signature tab under your settings....you can then type other important information in the signature box under your ticker.

Congrads!!! I know it seems like the day will never come, then it does and you are on the fast track to buy protein powers and vitamins, and scouring the web sites for all the info you can find. What a ride!!! It's very exciting!! Welcome to the March Bandsters!!!

If don't mind another newbie, I would be glad to be a "band buddy" . I'm a few days behind you. I start my pre-op diet on Monday (5th) and will be having my surgery on March 19th. You can find me on face book too at http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1092394804 if you want to look me up. Right now I'm trying to decided everything I need to get for the pre-op diet and for the first week after the surgery. That way I'm well stocked and won't need to make any grocery runs. Talk to you soon

I have Tricare standard (North). If I look in the benefits section online, it said I had to complete a six month diet. But when I went to the doctor seminar, they said I didn't. I didn't want to take a chance of going through the process and getting to approval time for them (insurance) to say "now you need a 6 month diet". so i went ahead and saw my GP doctor monthly as I waited on my first appointment with the surgeon, through all the testing and dietian, psych appointments....that way when it was submitted for approval I already had complted 4 months of the diet. Worst case senerio I would be delayed 2 months. All this being said, tricare didn't require it and the doctors office was actually correct. I was worried because I am only 36 BMI but I do have 2 comorbidities.----I would suggest you call the insurance person at the surgeons office. They work with the insurance companies so much, they usually know what is expected.

patience is definately something we must have!! I find I'm constantly waiting on someone. My Gp to send records, the scheduler to call my back (after I left 8 messages),the insurance company to approve me, the scheduler to make all the pre-op appointments.....the list goes on and on. But you are correct it is all worth it. As for a bucket list...hmmm i absolutely can't wait to hike again!! I had to stop about 2 years ago...This was the first realization that I had to change. I have been heavy for the last 10 years, but it realy never kept me from doing the things I wanted to do, so I always put it on the back burner. Then about 2 years ago my family and i went on a hike. it never occured to me that I wouldn't be able to do it. But sure enough about 30 mins in, it hit me....I can't do it!! I had to watch my family continue on as I sat on the edge of a beautiful mountain by myself crying. I gave myself until my 40th day to get control of the situation. Well I turned 40 last week...I have tried over the last 2 years even lost several pounds....but always gainned them back. So now its time for something more effective and permanate solution....so lapband it is!!! Surgery in about 2 and a half weeks. Next on the bucket list would shopping!! I have deprived myself long enough!!! I can't wait to shop in the stores I like and not half to be pushed to the one or two racks that have the plus sizes.

I would think that you would have met your doctor before sending your paperwork off for approval. Although I only spent about 10 min with him, I did get to meet him. Have you done all the other appointments? Dietician, psychologist.... Probably would be best to give the docotor's office a call.

Well maybe we can support each other. I just found out that my surgery is set for Mach 19 as well....and I even have the same pre-op date of Mach 8....I even start the diet on the 5th.....kinda of funny how that works out. Anyway, My friend was going through this process with me, but 15 mins after a got my surgery date, she got the call that she was denied. I feel bad for her. So now I'm a little scared not to be able to experience this with someone. If you are interested in keeping up with each other you can find me on facebook under Tina Sigmon Noel of roanoke virginia....might say salem virginia. I have a great family, but as much as they want to help or understand, I just don't think they will completely understand what I'm going through.

I am now officially a March Bandster!! I just got the call from my surgeon's office with a March 19 surgery date!!! I'm very excited, but a little nervous. My best friend was going through this process at the same time and she found out 15 mins after I was approved that she had been denied! So now I feel a little scared not having her going through the process with me. So I need all the support I can get from my fellow march bandster!! If you want to keep up with each other on facebook you can find me at Tina Sigmon Noel in Roanoke Virginaia.

I'm not a doctor, but have worked i the medical field for years.....there is a condition common after abdominal surgery where fuild gets trapped between the out layer of "skin" and the abdominal linning at the site of an incision. Usually it will go away on its own (can tke several months) or sometimes the doctor will either lance it or use a needle to pull the fluid off. I can't be postive, but this looks like what I have seen many times before. So know need to panic.....but you do need to see you doctor.

Well i don't have bcbs, but I did find out today that I was approved!!! I decided to just call my insurance and inquire. She was able to tell me I was approved but said it could take 7-10 days for my approval letter to arrive. I hope they don't make me wait for that to come in to get me started. I'm going to call the office in the morning and see if I can squeeze a surgery date out of them. Good luck everyone!!! Waiting is the worst part