Graceful One

It's nice to see you both from Spotlight...I love Spotlight...way more than Smart Bandsters...but I love this format so much better! Let's start an email to get everyone from Spotlight over here! What a great job your doing on the weight loss...wow with being that busy I would have gained a ton...that is so great to hear! Oh and Sue...they've been missing you at Spotlight from what I've seen!

Wow what a great accomplishement! Congratulations and I hope to be as big of a loser as you! Isn't that funny to hear that when it really means something good! :cool:

Lulu, You summed it up...every doctor is different. I was thinking that it was because in the past (years ago) I had reflux problems, then again I met a gal from Green Bay who is getting surgery the day before me and she had the same pre-ops... In my opinion, the barium swallow allows them to make certain the esophageal and stomach anatomy is correct and confirms that they will not have a problem placing the band...as well as checking for reflux and such...again...just my opinion. Perhaps one of the RN's (Sandy, Jessie A, Jaenene) could answer it better. I would ask your doctor why they didn't perform the BS...did you have an upper gi scope instead?

My surgery is scheduled November 5th (that's 11 days, 1 hour, and 3 minutes...I'm not excited at all!) Age: 27 Height 5'4 1/2 Weight 245 Dr. Thomas Chua - Aurora Bariatric - Milwaukee, WI Quick synopsis of my journey so far: September 3 - attended information session September 17 - nutrition and psych evals - passed with flying colors - was told by the nutritionist I eat really well - just too much - told by the psychologist that I'm one of the most informed and knowledgable patients she has yet to meet...perhaps that is because I have been eating, drinking, and sleeping Lap-Band and I've rec'd a ton of information from all of you knowledgable people! October 3 - surgical consult with Dr. Chua - he thinks I'm good to go and I got to hold a Lap-Band in my hand...I said, "hello little friend" October 4 - insurance submitted - approved per the doctors office but they had to check benefits - called me back and said I could have the RNY but the band was not covered - two minutes later appeal with Inamed signed... October 5 - spoke to benefit manager at insurance company and she checked into it further - it is covered! Surgery scheduled for November 5th October 20 - pre-op tests - I LOVE THE TASTE OF BARIUM! NOT! Blood went well - all five tubes (good veins) EKG and XRAY not a problem - radiologist said I didn't look big enough for surgery (I was also laying on my stomach...silly man) October 28 - History & Physical - go over preop tests November 5 - I'M REBORN!

I must say I too have experienced this...don't know why...I understand I'll be able to eat what I want (after healing) and most of what I've been "Last Suppering" on is veggies and dip...milk...string cheese...coffee...and Water...how ridiculous is that...if I really want to go out with a bang I'd ask my family to move up Thanksgiving to before my surgery November 5th! I guess it is more psychological than anything...we will still be able to eat...the quantity we have before won't be possible but the quality hopefully can be even better! I am thinking that stuffing myself to the gills with carrots (hey at least they are carrots) just confirms the fact that when I'm full I stop...see...the band is going to work for us!

I've probably told more people then I should...oh well...I'm excited and tend to blab my mouth when I am...most of them are close co-workers however...I guess I'm just confident it is going to work for me so who cares if I tell some one right...now that's the attitude I need to keep! Well good luck to you guys...glad I'm getting reborn on your birthday Lulu! What's up with the liquids before surgery...haven't heard anything about it yet...wonder if I will....