pandagirl

I write and do art, but I recently added crocheting to my outlets. I tried the knitting thing and I just can't get the hang of it!!!!

I'm going in Monday (9-15) for my surgery. Had my pre-op visit last week. I'm going from excited to nervous and back again. Though I'm sure I'll get the band this time since I'm going to consent to an open surgery if the lap fails again.

I told everybody and even had them sign my fat pants!!!!

September 15th.

I'm going in on the 15th and coming back on the 22nd. (So, 7 days) Unless, they do an open then I will take an additional week off.

Hey I'm getting banded Monday, Sept. 15th and in honour of that day I brought my "Fat Jeans" to work and am having all my friends and lovely supporters sign it. I'm of course going to include my family and even my wonderful surgical staff!!! Did you guys do anything to commemorate the day? If so what did you do? Here are my pants. I've got a few sigs, but I'll have more by Friday!!!!!!

I've thought about getting a tat as well. I'm not sure about it, but I have been doing some artwork and trying to figure out what would mean a lot to me.

My Docs orientation seminar had a lady who did that. I thought it was a great idea, but forgot all about it. But the other day it just popped right back into my head. I'm also going to do a tape mold of my body. (If I have the time.)

Oh cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We should have a special elite 9-15 club!!!!!:omg_smile:

My Doc's info list says I can take Tylenol and nothing else. But it didn't mention aspirin.

I have thought about saying no to the open and switching Docs if she can't do it. I'm sticking with her for now though and haven't commited to the possibility of open surgery yet.

I had my pre-op appointment the other day. It was my second one of the year. It went well, but there was one question I can’t seem to answer. Do I want to be opened up if they can’t do it laprscopically? The first time I went in it was an adamant no. I didn’t want the scarring, I didn’t have the time saved up for the amount of recovery time required for an open surgery. This time the time element remains the same, but this time I’m not so sure that they can do it. I’ve already been to the table only to be sent home cut in and un-banded. I’m not sure if I can go through this again. I don’t know what to do. I’ve thought about it to the point that I’ve ignored the whole thing, but I know that come September 15th, I have to tell the Dr, before we go into surgery. What would you do? I know you can’t make the decision for me, but maybe your reasons as to why or why not may spark some conviction. You know I should be head over heels right now. I should have that tiniest bit of worry, but the joy of finally getting into surgery should overwhelm that. Last time I was elated. I felt like I conquered something. This time I’m worried that the fates don’t want me to have this surgery without huge down payment.

It's not my weight that's the issue, nor a hernia or a liver. It's the placement of my fat. I carry the majority of it in a cirumference around my belly button. If my fat were evenly distributed like many, there wouldn't be an issue.

If I were paying out of pocket I'd feel the same way. My surgery is completely covered, so money is not an issue.

I wonder why he wouldn't commit? My Doc told me it's my decision if she's going in. If I say no to it, she says the only reason she would do it is to save my life. I guess in essence they are stating the same thing, but at least I understand my Docs game plan. But all worked out for you. That's excellent. I hope you are happy with your band. :shades_smile:

My two main issues are the down time and scarring. I still haven't settled on a decision.

Thanks for the advice. It helps really. Just so you know the scar thing is partly from the fact that I've had two surgeries this year. My band scars are minimal like yours, but my g/b surgery produced a nasty one inch scar. The other issue is that I have skin damage from being overweight and for the longest time I would look at the skin on my stomach and say "at least that looks good". The current scars are somewhat of an issue. Not too much, but I think this one might. It's estimated to be from 4 to 6 inches long. I know some of it will be chopped off when I have plastic surgery. (more scars) So, it really shouldn't be too much of an issue. Unfortunately it is and I've gone back and forth as to why I should consent to an open surgery and to why I shouldn't. I also keep telling myself that all this worry may be for nothing, they may not need to open me up. Anyway, thanks so much.

I asked about that and the answer was no. She says she won't know until she's in there. I've gone to a strict liquid diet to lose more weight. It's killing me though since I've been on some form of a liquid diet for over a year now. I'm hoping to be comfortably under 300 when I go in. Thanks for the support!

Having the co-morbidity helps. My insurance would cover it, but coverage varies so much that it's hard to say for sure. I would keep track of your weightloss attempts and anything you can think of to "prove" to them that you've tried to lose weight. I would also go to BandstersInsurance : Bandsters-Insurance They might have the information you're looking for. As far as your Doc is concerned...I had trouble with mine. A lot of it and spent a months trying to get an referral from her. I ended up changing insurance and having no trouble after that. If I could go back in time, I think I might have been more adamant about my desire for the band and take control of my own healthcare.

The area around my stomach is "thin". I carry all of my weight around the belly button area. When they went in last time, they said the fat in that area prevented a proper sewing of the band to my stomach. Apparently, the instrument started to bend. I was adamant about not having an open surgery last time. (Or else I'd be banded now.) So, she pulled out and had me lose more weight. I think I weighed about 339 when I went in. I'm roughly at 300 now. I hope that is enough of a difference, but really the fat around the lower half of my stomach isn't gone. It's softer, but it's still there. The rest of me is looking good though. I've thought about the possibility of saying no to the open surgery, trying to lose more wieght or even trying a brand new Dr. I'm not sure. Right now I have so much emotion surrounding this surgery that I'm not sure I'm thinking logically.

It will go from my belly button to my stomach. It will be 2 days in the hospital and about 3 weeks out of work. I only have enough time for a week and a half, but like you said I've come this far... I also have some other emotional issues with the scarring. So, I will have to get through them if I'm going to be able to consent to an open surgery.

Yeah, but since I've already been in for surgery and they were unable to do it. I'm not so confident that they will be able to get me banded without opening me up. But....it happens to rarely so I dunno. Thanks.

THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THIS QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked this twice when I first got here and no one would give me a clear answer. I just kept thinking throwy uppy Peanut Butter ick!!!!!!!!!! I even googled it and got nuffin. Anyway.....:biggrin:

I used to hate it a lot, but on South West they let you go first to make sure you fit in the seat and you get to pick the one you want. So, I'd choose the one up front with alll the leg room!!!!!!! But I'd rather be thin than have that. So, off with the rest of the cattle I go. I hope your trip goes well and the flight won't be as bad as you fear.

Program fee? Are you self pay?