Cindy2013

4 days though, better take some good books to read or something. I would go stir crazy too. Please report and tell us what they have you doing during those 4 days.

I have to stay overnight because i have a history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, but from what I am reading here on this site, most US patients seem to be going home the same day. Maybe it varies by each individual patient's needs and/or doctor preference.

So super excited for you ladies. Just a few hours left and then you will be off to the hospital to take the next step in this process of becoming the women you are meant to be. I'm praying that all goes well for my new friends here. May the doctor's hands be steadied and guided to perform well. You will all do great. Remember to please post here when you can. Happy sleeping through the anesthesia. It is so weird to be talking and then all of a sudden you are awake and can't remember a thing.

Yeah, I understand about the $300-400. That is where the $380 I pay comes in. But I have so much medical that it would cost me way more than this if I had to pay the extra 20%. I can never let my supplemental coverage lapse because we would be bankrupt. Medicare requirements as of a couple of months ago were still what you listed above. My doctor has all of my information together "in case of an audit" so I felt relatively safe until you mentioned that lapband requires pre-authorization. I will definitely call tomorrow just to make sure everything is set to go for my surgery on the 11th. I can't even begin to imagine how I would ever self-pay for this. It would not be happening.

Aw, that is sad to have to lose your pets. I hope you will still be able to visit them at their new owners. What kind are they?

Kate, one last indulgence isn't all that bad. I agree, don't beat yourself up over it. So tomorrow is your big day. I don't recall if you are staying overnight, but if you are, here's a few suggestions of things to throw in your bag. I've always found it helpful to take chapstick, lotion, gum, and a robe! I hate walking the halls wondering if my backside is showing. Of course if you don't have one you can always ask for a 2nd gown to put on backwards (open in front). Oh, and bring your own socks or slippers. Those hospital socks feel awful on the feet. Good luck, and report in when you can.

Day 6 of my pre-op diet has been difficult. With weird noises coming from--well, everywhere, sugar lows, weakness, headaches, and even envy as I watch my family munch down on mint chocolate cookies and milk, it has not been a good day. I'm almost watching the clock until I can say 6 down, 8 to go. It has always been difficult for me to diet. My stomach rumbles telling me that it wants food, any food, all food, and quick. I've always been able to lose 20-30 pounds as I diet, but eventually I would quit and then gain back everything plus some. I will not repeat that cycle this time, because I am not going to stop until I make my goal, and then my new way of eating will be habit and I won't go back. I am more committed to this plan than I've ever been to any of the other myriad of diets I've done. So while doing all the reminiscing of diets through the years, I am reminded of one in particular. One of my doctors graphically explained weight loss in the following way: He said it comes down to the basic fact of less calories in than you burn, and that he has never seen a picture of a prisoner of war who wasn't skin and bones. He showed me a couple of pictures even, and gave me a chapter of text to read where some POWs were starving to death, yet they still had to drag themselves to the local coal mine for 12 hour shifts with nothing but a handful of rice for the entire day. Then they drug themselves, step by step, sometimes crawling, sometimes pulling or pushing one another, back to the prison camps where they were lucky to get a small amount of water and another handful of rice. If they searched for a morsel of something else, or complained that it wasn't enough, they were tortured even more. Often these POWs prayed that they would pass during the night, knowing that their frail bodies just could not continue on. Others prayed for help to sustain them just one more day. As we are struggling through with our limited shakes or various different diets, I am reminded of those POWs and how they survived on a handful of rice for days, months, even years, all the while working hard labor in their camps. Tonight when I am hearing my stomach rumble, I'm trying to be thankful for what I have. With that in mind, 700 calories doesn't seem so small when compared to the lives of our brave prisoners of war in history.

Spaness2012, you are very welcome. I'm glad I remembered about it. Today has not been so hard, and if tomorrow is, I will come back here and read it again. I'm happy that my words helped you. Good luck on your surgery. I'm just a few days behind you.

Mis73, This concerns me. I too am on medicare for disability (C5-6 spinal cord injury and tethered cord, among other spine related issues). My surgeon's office told me that medicare does not pre-authorize the lapband procedure and there is no guarantee that Medicare will pay, other than making sure I fit within their requirements. They said they have been on the phone many times and are told no pre-auth required every time they call. I called CMS and verified that my situation meets the requirements, but I didn't ask if they need a pre-auth. . Are you certain they require pre-auth for lapband? I think I better be on the phone with CMS again in the morning. Also, who is your supplemental plan with? I really need to reduce my costs. My BCBS 20% supplemental plan (covers JUST the 20% that Medicare does not) costs me $380 per month. I don't have any co-pays up front when I go to the doctor, but if Medicare denies something, BCBS won't pay for it either. Interestingly enough, my high deductible plan that I had prior to getting Medicare was about the same price and it covered everything after the deductible was met. Insurance isn't cheap. And as you know, on top of the supplemental plan, it is about $120 per month for Medicare. And my prescription coverage is $45 with ridiculous co-pays. We actually don't have health insurance for my family because we can't afford to pay anything else. And now I'm getting depressed just thinking about money.

HELLO ALL! I found a place to order a couple of free samples of Protein Shakes. It is a vanilla ice cream flavor. Says it takes 4-6 weeks, don't have to pay shipping. You have to sign up to receive a magazine by email, but I'll unsubscribe to that later if I'm not interested. Here is the link if any of you are interested. I'm all about saving money any way I can. http://www.mysavings.com/free-samples/pro-complex-protein-shake/3319/#

I have a wonderful husband whom I adore. I love to hold his hand, or lay my head on his shoulder, or have him give me a backrub. But the moment he wants to take it further, I just can't do it. I feel so ugly and sex is the last thing I want to do when my big belly gets in the way. I was joking around with my husband earlier today that he better watch out when I lose 100 pounds. He liked that statement. I fully plan to deliver on my promise, and if I don't have a sex drive at that point, I will get some hormones. I'm too young to only have sex 5-6 times a year. That is not good for a marriage. It is a good thing I have a wonderful husband whom I know will never look elsewhere. Jenny, I honestly do think that when we feel attractive again, things will get better. So tell your husband you are committed to making that happen too. He'll be happy.

thanks for posting the photo. I've been wondering what it will look like. I'm sure every doctor is a little different with how they position everything. which side is your port on? I can't tell from the incisions. Can you feel it under your skin? Sorry you overdid it a bit. But how amazing for you to go to a 6 hour class. You are made of steel. Is orange juice not recommended during this first week?

Day 6 here. My diet is a 14 day 700 cal one, consisting of 3 oz Protein at Breakfast, 1 fruit, 1 nonfat dairy. lunch is a protein, 2 cups veggies. Supper is a protein, 2 cups veggies. I can do Protein shakes rather than other sources of protein during the meals. And then of course I am supposed to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of Water, which can also include any sugarfree less than 15 calorie per serving flavor, such as crystal lite, chicken broth, etc. I didn't know they make diet hot chocolate. I wonder if that would be permissible on my diet. Don't know my weight loss yet. Haven't been on the scale for a few days, but I do know I have lost a little. I almost don't want to know until the day of surgery so that I can be pleased when they tell me the amount. But then again, my doc requires at least 10 pounds or he won't do the surgery. Something about the liver needs to be shrunk or it puts the patients at risk. So I better find out soon so that I know if I'm losing enough. Good luck to you. We can all do this!

akwright68, your goals sound a lot like some of mine. Other than the sailing, and scuba diving. I would be a beginner and scuba diving has always been a goal, but now I'm chickening out. I would love to be down with the colorful beautiful fish among the coral and reefs and undersea beauty. My oldest daughter and I used to talk about it and I said if I ever get to where I would look good in a wetsuit, she and I will do it. I'm hoping she doesn't remember that promise. My surgery is just a few days ahead of yours. I will try to post daily for the first few days with my perception of the procedure and recovery. When you get to that point, if you have questions, please ask. I may not know the "correct" answer, but I can tell it how it was for me.

meganb0216, It is reassuring to hear that it is getting easier. Good job on making it 11 days. Tuesday doesn't seem very far away. Good luck to you.

Laughter in everything! Even hurling.

I agree! It is very hard. I'm told it gets easier though. How many days do you have to do?

Where are you flying to/from? Will you always be far away from your doctor? I hope you are able to get a good support group close by. My doctor is 1.5 hours away and I that is too far!

Hey me too, my date is the 11th. But today I am starving. How is your day 6 going? Just 9 more days...

It is so hard to keep everyone straight when we haven't met face to face. Manda, 50for50, Danielle, and Florida Sunshine, I hope your day 2 is going well and that the pain isn't too bad. Let us know how you are doing soon. Cindy

Day 6, I'm starving! But I'm sticking to the diet. How are the rest of you doing with the pre-op diet?

That is so cool! Congratulations.