Chickadee

Hi again Maurine, I'm so glad your surgery's still on. I was so thrilled and relieved to get insurance approval that I never looked back. I started the whole process in January of 2003, messed around with Kaiser for too long, researched having surgery in Mexico, changed insurance companies and finally had surgery in April 2004. I obsessed about it for so long that once that letter from UHC came, all I felt was joy and relief. Don't talk yourself out of it - it's the best, most life-changing decision I've ever made. My surgery was really easy and I had very little pain afterwards. I'm 46 years old and my only regret is that I couldn't have this done in my 30's. If you need some hand-holding let me know! Becky

Hi, Maurine, I hope you got the good news you were looking for yesterday! Like I already said, I was really pleased with my experience at Dr. Johnell's and even more pleased that I decided to be banded. After doing lots of research I felt like it was the only surgery for me. I thought dealing with UHC was a nightmare too, but at least they came back with the answer I was hoping for. Denise, We are nearly neighbors! I filled in as editor of the Berthoud Recorder for one summer as a favor to a boss/friend. I spent a lot of time up there - loved your police chief. As a matter of fact, my daughter is playing competitive softball on a Berthoud team this summer. Small world! I hope you've heard something by now. I wish insurance companies could look at the long-term instead of just immediate payment out, but I know that's not the way it's done. If there's anything I can do to help either of you, please let me know. I really, really hope you're both able to have this done. It's giving me my life back - dramatic, but very, very true! Becky

Hi Hopeful and Barelythere, Hopeful, you sound like you're doing great with the band. Sorry about the unemployment situation, but hopefully it improves soon! Denise, I'll try to answer your questions the best I can. I was also really worried that I'd be the patient who didn't lose a single pound with the band. I think it's very common to worry! 1. It hasn't been that difficult to change my eating habits. I am a dedicated non-dieter though! I know a lot of people follow diets after they are banded, but that just doesn't work for me. I eat what I want (always following the Protein first, veggies second, everything else after that rule). If I want some ice cream I have a little. The great thing is that I just don't want very much crap anymore. 2. I lost about 5 pounds before surgery. Dr. Johnell was not really specific on how much I was supposed to lose, but did say not to gain any. 3. I think I was on liquids for two weeks following surgery. It wasn't that difficult and I was surprised. I bought unjury Protein powder (which I highly recommend) and had a lot of shakes, juice, broth, etc. I thought the pureed stage was harder than liquids in some ways. 4. I live in Lyons, which is a small town about 17 miles north of Boulder. 5. The tests! I had an EKG, full blood tests, pulmonary function, AGB (arterial blood gas - which is probably the one you've heard horror stores about) and somethine else I can't remember right now. The scheduled them all in one day and it wasn't too bad. Even the AGB wasn't as bad as I feared. Trust me, it was definitely worth it! I hope the insurance nightmare comes to an end soon. I thought 8 weeks was horrible. Hang in there! Becky Banded April 6, 2004 Dr. Johnell -55 pounds (two more!)

Hi Denise, I haven't been to this site for a while and just happened to click here and found your post. I guess it was meant to be! I was banded by Dr. Johnell on April 6, 2004. It's the best thing I've done for myself in years - maybe ever! I am very pleased with the program they offer. I don't know how far you are in this whole process, but I felt like the education I received pre-op was outstanding. I read this and other boards and realize how great the information and classes I took were. The nutritional info they give you is really good and the notebook you'll get is packed full of stuff too. Anytime I had a question, the information was at my fingertips. To be honest, I had very little contact with Dr. Johnell. I met with him before surgery one time, saw him immediately after surgery and then again the day after when he released me from the hospital. Most of my other contact has been with his office staff. His wife, Patrice, is a nurse and does some of the pre-op classes. She's great. Paula, a Nurse Practitioner, does my fills. I also like her very much. They did have a PA who was wonderful, but when they moved from the medical center into the hospital, they had to let him go. Insurance approval took forever! I have United Healthcare and they took about 8 weeks to get back to me. I called them and Dr. Johnell's office about once a week. They were pretty good about it, but the waiting was hell! Dr. Johnell's philosophy on fills is to be pretty conservative, which works pretty well for me. I have had three so far and am at 1.7 cc and feeling very good restriction. Paula was going to add .4 last time, but after talking to me added just .3. At the time I was worried it wouldn't be enough, but now I'm glad she was conservative. They get you in quick too, which I like since I am such an impatient person. Speaking of quick, once I had insurance approval, they scheduled surgery in two weeks. Be prepared! I know this was long, but I wanted to give you whatever info you're looking for. Please contact me if you have any questions or just want to talk. It's a pretty intense time and it's always good to know that you're not alone. Becky Banded April 6, 2004 Dr. Johnell -53 pounds

Hi, I'm with Jennye. I think the unjury Protein powder is the best. I am enjoying a shake at this very minute made with orange juice, a few frozen strawberries and some unflavored Unjury Protein Powder all blended into a smoothie. Delicious! I also like the vanilla and chocolate versions. I look forward to Protein shakes now. Good luck! Becky

Thanks Alexandra! I was banded April 6 and feel really great. I am so glad to be on this journey. Becky

Hi Mickey, I'm your bandster twin, as I was banded April 6 too. Everything's going pretty darn well and I'm so excited to be on the losing end of things. Hopefully we'll both big losers with our new tools! Becky

Hi Melissa, I was banded last Tuesday, so this is all very fresh in my mind! You really don't need much. The lip balm is important, because they won't let you have Water. I thought I was going to dry up right there in the bed. I bought a couple kinds of Protein powders before surgery. The one I like best is the unjury brand (available online). I also bought some Carb Options (or something like that) and found it almost intolerable after surgery. Remember, you're going to be consuming very small amounts at a time at first and it's really important to be able to get the protein in. The wierdest thing I've found is that sweet things tend to taste too sweet right now. I had a popsicle last night and almost didn't eat it because it just seemed overly sweet. I'm sure everyone is different though. I also agree on bringing comfortable clothing to go home in. I wore some comfy sweats and said to hell with the bra (which I never, ever do). I figured no one really cared if the girls were well-supported on the walk out of the hospital, and it was more comfortable for me to be a free woman. Good luck! It really wasn't bad at all and you'll be on the losing side in no time! Becky

Hi Darcy, I recently bought some unjury unflavored Protein, and am really impressed with it. It doesn't add any flavor at all to things and doesn't have that nasty smell that some Protein shakes do. I've only tried it with juice, but their website says you can mix it with all kinds of different things. I'm going to try one of their flavored versions next. Becky

Shelly, All I can say is "WOW!" Simply amazing! You're a wonderful inspiration for this soon-to-be-banded girl. Becky to be banded 4/6/04

Hey Al, Congratulations! That is so cool. UHC finally approved me too. The funny thing is I'm having surgery on April 6th. Are you my evil twin or something? I'm pretty nervous right now, but also very excited. I bet you are too. Good luck to both of us! Becky

Wow! That's such an amazing accomplishment. I'm sure the next 54 pounds will come off too because it sounds like you're willing to walk the walk and use this tool to it's fullest. Congratulations! Becky to be banded April 6!