Waters

I first saw the Dr. at the end of March. There are a battery of tests (lots of tests) required BEFORE any paperwork goes to the insurance company. Plus you need to get clearance from specialists if you have any specific problems, like cardiac. You need psych clearance and the nutritionist must be seen. Then I had to stop and do the taxes which takes me about 2 weeks because of our business. The last test was the lower endoscopy. Paperwork was submitted to the insurance company and was approved in 3 days surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks after approval, June 28th. Here's a piece of advice, once you are sure you want to go through with the surgery, sit down and make appointments for everything! don't do what I did at first and make one or two because you may have to wait a long time to get in to see one of the docs or psychologists or the nutritionist. I hated when they would say, he's booked up for the next 12 years! OK, not years, but it felt like that. Good Luck!

Hi Everyone, It's been a long time since I posted hope everyone is doing good. I finally got some much needed sleep and have been really working at the the treadmill. I still need to play catch-up though. Was able to walk the last few days, hopefully it will continue. My weight has fluctuated so much this past week. I gained a few pounds and then they just started to fall off. Not sure what is happening there so, I am back where I started!

Anybody, If your insurance covered your surgery, will it also cover the fills?

Dear Virginiann I wish I was in ONEDERLAND like you are. You may be eating but it still looks like you're losing! Yes?

I'm a turd! I can't do squat! I can't sleep and I'm so tired. Later!

The 25th of June? Shouldn't you be on pureed or at least adaptive soft? I guess every Doctor is different. Hope you feel better. Maybe you should really drink lots of plain Water today. Good Luck!

Once upon a time... I was watching HSN. Rhonda Shear was on and a lady called in to say that she had weight loss surgery and was using Ms. Shear's Shapers and they really helped her to move around better. Well, I ordered them and I really think they do help hold your guts in place while you are trying to move around. In fact, I know for me they were a great help. The first time I wore them was to a wedding on June 30th, I was banded June 28th so still pretty sore and they were a tremendous help! They are the mid thigh length and the waist band comes up under your bra. When I went to the wedding, I used Hollywood tape (double faced) to tape them right below my bra. I was afraid they would slip down and sit on my belly button. It worked. I kept thinking that if I had had these in the hospital, getting out of bed might not have been so bad. But then, there was the catheter issue. Please note that these are not POWER PANTIES more like gentle mid thigh, high waistband type. Not powerful Spanx or Lipo in a Box, sling shot across the room shapers. Just easy and enough to make you more comfortable. I also like Shear's Shapers panties because although they fit like a brief in the back the waist falls below my belly button (incision line). I did ask the Dr's PA about using them before I left the hospital and she said yes, as long as they weren't really binding. :confused:Can't sleep for the past 2 nights, not sure what's happening?

Me too! I haven't been able to sleep, not sure why, but lost all drive. I need to move more!

That was my question. I believe you can find the answer on the Url I provided, but apparently they are to help you wipe your toush. You know, get a cheap pair of kitchen tongs, put an adult wipie in them and then wipie you self!:faint: I love that little fainting guy! I could watch him all day! I'm losin it, aren't I? God I hope you were seriously wanting to know:embarassed:! This little red guy's cute too!

I didn't make the list, just found it for you guys. You had me in "stitches" with the mental image of a new bandit laying over the car seats! Too Funny!

A little off track here. I am having trouble with the protien drinks, I don't like 'em. What's this stuff taste like and what about the texture. Thanks in Advance! <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=product_name align=middle colSpan=3> Profect� Protein Beverage </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle colSpan=3><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> MORE INFO</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> 2.7 fl. oz vial. 25g protein, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates. Available in Blue Raspberry Swirl�, Cool Melon Splash�, Fresh Citrus Berry� and Grapefruit Mango. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Dr. Trace Curry - Cincinnati, Ohio Got a question? Ask the doctor at Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band Surgeon :: Home DISCLAIMER: If am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Hi Suzzzie What protien powder do you use. I have tried several but they all have a funny taste. My doc told me not to take more than 20-25 grams of protien at a sitting, says it's too hard on the kidneys. Has anyone ever tried this stuff? Figured I could hold my nose and swill it! Profect� Protein Beverage MORE INFO 2.7 fl. oz vial. 25g protein, 0g fat, 0g carbohydrates. Available in Blue Raspberry Swirl�, Cool Melon Splash�, Fresh Citrus Berry� and Grapefruit Mango.

Wagnerd, I just needed to know if you were the least bit afraid when you ate the solids. Curious and curiouser:omg:

Faith is absolutely right, an informed patient is a compliant patient. The guidelines weren't established to jerk us around. I also refer to the band as my tool to aid in weight loss. One day my husband saw me eyeing up a scrambled egg! He said "You better let that concrete set before you use that tool!" Sometimes he's smart! Good luck Wagnerd!

And another: Post-op Checklists - Things to have before surgery. Some time ago, Mandy posted this excellent list and I thought this would be a good place to put it for all the new folks coming in. Maybe we could get this sticky? Other suggestions have included have your laundry all caught up, and make arrangements for someone else to take care of the family meal preps (you might not feel like cooking for some time). If anyone esle can add to this it would be great. Try to avoid conversations so the info is easily seen. Thanks everyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------- lab-band shopping list: heating pad flexible ice pack liquid tylenol (they make adult strength) chewable or liquid gas-x a few books or movies comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers) squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt) a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days) protien shakes flavored Water make sure you have a good blender I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart) broth or stuff to make broth sugarfree popsicles and Jello sugar free gum (ask your doctor) sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor) *Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home, our walgreens has to order liquid pain meds and it takes 3 days to get them. And another: Gauze Pads 4x4 Paper tape Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals) Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottleled water mix - different flavors Wet Wipes Toilet tongs ( don't spend a lot of money get long BBQ tongs) Stool Softener more when I remember it....__________________ C. The link does work http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-have-before-surgery-14814/

I copied and pasted the list just in case the url didn't work. I didn't need any of the sterile 4x4's since I was glued. I did get some liquid benadryl for itching which sometimes happens with the pain meds. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-hav-before-surgery-14814/ Here's a list our support group came up with - Pre-Surgery Shopping List - by LBSG Patients Here's a list that some of the patients suggested at some of our support group meetings after their surgeries. It’s a list of things that they wish they had before the surgery but didn't think of till later. Remember this is from the PATIENTS - if you have questions or are in doubt - PLEASE call the office and leave a message for the Dietitian. Feel free to send me your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. • Popsicles (SF as needed) • Crystal Light • Jello (sugar free as needed) • Gatorade • Bouillon • Bottled Water – some like Propel, Fruit 2-0, or plain • Cream of Wheat • creamy Soups • applesauce • yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever Protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history • chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed) • Protein powder for shakes • frozen fruits for Protein Shakes • soups & broths • liquid Tylenol • liquid Gas-X or Phazyme • heating pad • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • chicken – cook before surgery, and save the broth, and freeze it in very small containers. Less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness) - Nancy • Soup-at-Hand - soups - for creamy stage - great "comfort food" • Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt - I would take a spoonful to get my meds to slide down easier - Nancy • Pill cutter • Chewable Vitamins • Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of Soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better - Cindy • Chicken – cook before surgery, and save the broth, and freeze it in very small containers. Less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem - Toni • Post-operatively I wished I had liquid Tylenol or Motrin on hand. Sometimes all I needed was something just to take the edge off instead of Vicodin. Also, one of my incisions was irritated from my bra. Bandaids or gauze and tape were a must for me. Have plenty of soup on hand. Something warm always makes you feel better. Hope these suggestions are helpful - Del • I would have wanted my meds right away. I had a terrible time finding the meds in a liquid form. Either check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or if possible have the Dr. order them one-day pre-op so that you will have them ready when you return home. – Cindy • get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital • make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work • buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery __________________ Nancy* Banded: 9/24/04

CBM818, Nausea and lethargy are sometimes indications of dehydration. Maybe you need to keep a diary of what you are actually drinking. Sometimes we think we are drinking enough but when we write it down we can see that we aren't. Nausea can also be caused by a lack of oxygen to the gut. After surgery, even weeks after surgery, we "train" ourselves not to take deep breaths because it hurts. When you feel yourself becoming nauseated take some nice slow deep breaths and see if that doesn't help. Don't forget to breath while you are eating too! Nice SLOW DEEP breaths. Hope that helps

I did put up a sign today, my husband was stunned! It simply read: THIS KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED AFTER 1 PM SUNDAY He took it down brought it to me and said " What about dinner?" I replied "Eat a big lunch" He just went and put the sign back up. So we'll see how this goes.......... I love to laugh, it makes my head feel better and most of the time gets me in a good mood. Maybe I'm closing the kitchen too early? HMMM?

We are close! So what's the scoop? Where are you going for your banding and when and who's doing it? I could maybe help drag you out of bed that first night!:biggrin1: I just love that person that told me to check my emails so that I don't get lost on this site anymore!:ranger:

Girl, You will NEVER be a slacker! I don't think anyone who has jumped through all the insurance hoops and stayed on a liquid diet for what seems like forever to have the banding is a slacker! In fact, that's the one thing my husband tells me over and over "I can't believe you stuck to it!" Well believe it bud! I wanna lose this poundage or should I say tonage! I do ask myself why I couldn't stick to it before? I can't quite answer that one. Any insights?

Hi, The ticker shows up with a copy and paste. Once you have made your ticker, go to the first box with the bb code stuff, right click select all, then right click copy. Then in this message box right click paste and you can preview it before posting. Hope that helps, I am not a computer expert so I have to tell you like I do it!

Another update I have also been riding the aerodyne, but it hurts my butt! Does going in the pool count? Wait, I can't go in the pool yet!:omg:

Hi, I have been having a time finding my way around the site until someone told me to use my emails to find where I had been!?:omg: I had my appointment with Dr George Eid at Magee and I found him to be very approachable, helpful and more importantly, my husband, who doesn't like everyone, thought he was trustworthy. In fact, I liked him. I was able to joke with him and he actually laughed and joked back! My stay at Magee was alright, after all it is a hospital, and I don't like any of them. The staff was really nice. The beds were OK the first night but I couldn't have done 2 nights in it. All the rooms are private. Dr Eid keeps his patients overnight and you can't go home until you have an upper gi to check placement of the band. No slippage, no leaks and you can go home! I had no nausea or vomiting, he gives meds to prevent that and he sews the band in place to help prevent slipping. I had no problems with the gas in my shoulders or chest. The three patients that Dr Eid did on my band date were walking in the halls and whining and laughing with each other. I really only saw one other patient in the hall who refused to move out of the wheelchair. I don't know who did her and what her problem was, except she looked so tired! I do know she was banded. Before I left, Dr Eid told me if forget everything, not to forget to stop eating before I am full. He said that is the key. If I can do that, I'll be OK and I have been. He told me and my husband that I was not to lay in bed once I got home, to keep moving to prevent clots. He said you can take rests throughout the day but DON'T lay in bed all day. Can't comment on the food!:sick Didn't get any! The first night getting out of bed was bad, but if you keep walking it gets better. I live 16 miles east of Pittsburgh, in the Monroeville area. If you want you can email me privately if you have any questions and good luck with your banding.

Kland, I did want this, I wanted it soooo bad, if they would have told me to stand on my head in the middle of the Pennsylvania Turnpike for 1 week, I would have!! I may have challenged 2 weeks but I definitely would have done one week. AND without peeing! The bottom line is, you're right. My incisions on the outside aren't healed, I can just imagine what the inside is still looking like and I AM grieving. HOWEVER, today I'm gonna give up the ghost! I'm going to do what I can and not kick myself for what I can't do. I don't have babies anymore, just the grandkids, and my kids are going to have to ask before they drop them off cause gramma's going to bed for a minute and she's not cooking. I told my daughter, when she decides to get banded (and God knows she needs it, which is another reason I have got to do well) I'll take the kids for a couple of weeks! But right now, I need some space! Hey, I cooked a meal for 5 adults and 7 grandkids everyday since I came home except for the first day! I am done, done, done! I'm NUMBER ONE!! I even rode the aerodyne bike today before I put the potatoes on the grill. How's that for selfish!! Good Huh? Good gravy, my emotions are everywhere! Oh yeah, they took me off estrogen before the surgery! No wonder I'm nuts!:omg: I'm making a Sign and posting it on the door: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK HUNGRY FAT WOMAN WITH HOT FLASHES INSIDE! Tick her off and she may EAT you one limb at a time!:faint: Yes, I will be OK as will YOU and YOU and all of YOU! Night, Ladies & Gents!

Thank You Heather! You're the best!