nick

I am coming close to 2 years post-op. I've lost 116 pounds and generally feel great, however lately (last 3 months) I've developed this night cough that has been persistent and keeps me up half the night. Seems to come and go and no matter how early I eat, it doesn't seem to matter. Has anybody else had a similar problem? I'd appreciate any feedback. Happy Holidays! Nick :help:

Me too! I am generally very pleased and only have about 20 more pounds to go, but just can't vseem to get there. I too can't get past the night coughs. I guess I need to just bump up the exercising cause the night coughs are killing me (and my partner). Best of Luck!

Hi everyone, I came home from NYU yesterday after being banded monday.All went well. I of course have some of the usual symptons of nausea, slight fever, and light swelling and sores but not bad at all. Overall I'm doing well. Dr. George Fielding was great, the cuts are very small and not even black and blue. He also fixed my reflux which I already appreciate because normally I would have indigestion from the liquids only diet. The worst part is the nausea which hopefully will go away in a day or so.I keep thinking about this great journey I've just started. WOW!!

I too had the same concern about NYU as I am about 60 miles out on eastern Long Island. It was no problem at all. We took it slow going home (stayed in the right lane all the way). My partner had major back surgery at NYU 2 years ago with an incision about a foot long, and he did the ride 2 days after the surgery and had no problems either. We always figure, we're only 60 miles from some of the best medical care in the world, why not take advantage of it (as long as our health provider agrees). My incisions were very small, so I had no problem there. My biggest concern was the nausea, which was bad for a day or two (nothing to do with the ride home). The suppositories helped immensely with the nausea. I used Dr. Fielding at NYU and his people took care of everything with United HealthCare. Dr. Fielding and Dr. Ren are the best in the field from what my research found and I (thank God) have only good things to say about them both. Best of Luck!

You WILL, WILL WILL do this. I too was so afraid that nothing would calm down my appetite but once I had the surgery and followed my doctors orders to the best of my ability (and when I didn't, usually I didn't feel well), the weight started coming off fast. I also did begin to start walking on a daily basis. At first I could only walk a block or two. Now I do between 4 and 5 miles a day and am starting to jog as well. I'm losing very slowly now but food is no longer the center of attention in my life. I still love to eat but my tastes are definitely changing. One thing I have developed is a taste for sweets which I never had before and I try to avoid them when I can. I aslo developed a taste for chocolate which I nver liked before. Again, I try to stay away from it but when I do indulge I'll choose the sugar-free dark chocolate. Feeling good about myself and looking good is now so much more impotant and that's easy to say now that my "constant craving" has been banded. Keep up the fight! As that's how I feel about my weight, it's a constant tug of war and banding has been one of the best weapons yet for my side.

I feel so remiss at not posting to this site since a couple of days after my surgery 5/5/2005. I have lost 104 pounds as of today. I feel great and look even better. What a new lease on life! Dr. Fielding is the best! The only time I have problems is when I try to test the limit. If I stick to what agrees with me and don't eat too close to bedtime, I'm just fine. Thanks to all for the encouragement and best wishes to all.

This is amazing. As soon as I was taken up to my room after surgery I was famished. All I kept thinking was I would love a sandwich. I thought I was a lone on this. Its funny how we are all dfferent but the same. I've so far and will continue to stay focused. But for the grace of god !!

Hi Vinesqueen, I always like to read what you write

Congrats on your bandiversary, I an inspiration, You look so happy, healthy, and yes thinner. I'm feeling a little down. you know that post op thing. and reading your go and get it persoverance has brought some sunshine right into my heart.

I'm really glad to read advice from those who have gone though it before me. I too like chatrooper Find myself starving. I'm 3 days post op and have to try not to think about food to much. All I keep thinking about is a hamberger!! funny I hardly ate that many of them before. I've boiled some carrots in clear broth and put it though the blender. something about warm liquids that comforting. Also I'm having about 2 carnation shakes a day. Lots and lots of water. Again thanks to everybody for their input.

happy bandiversary , What a total insperation,you look fabulous,healthy and happy.I was banded monday and for some strange reason I'm feeling slighty depressed and might I add hungry. Looking at you made me feel like some hope has just shined in!! Nick

Good Luck porclndoll, I hope it's smooth with a real speedy recovery,I was just banded mon.2nd and I'm doing O.K. a little sore but O.K. I walked for 20 min to-day and all of a sudden I had several releases of gas and I felt even better. Good luck and let every one know how it went !!

Leo, Thanks for a GREAT aticle on the benifits of drinking large amounts of water!!! I like and drink lots of water and I remember reading some good stuff about it But your extensive and precise post is reinspirering thanks again Nick

I've just scheduled my banding for May 2 with Dr .Fielding in NYC. They scheduled me w/o approval from UHC and scheduled me in less than 2 weeks. I'm confused. I've done lots of studying up on this surgery but it seems like they've just blindly scheduled the surgery and now will keep pushing it back until I'm either approved or disapproved and decide to pay myself. In the meantime I've started liquids but am finding it difficult, as in my mind the May 2 date isn't very realistic. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I am posting this for Nick, I'm his life partner, Bob. He had the surgery on Monday and came home today,Tuesday. He's feeling some nausea and some pain. Afraid to take the pain med as it might increase the nausea. He drank one of his shakes around 1pm and has been nauseous since. I think it was a little too rich for him yet. Don't know what to do for him other than be here for him right now. He's not too happy right now but from reading lot's of stuff here, seems to be pretty normal. You are all miracles and I wish all of you the best! Bob

Hi Everybody. Nick's my name and tomorrow banding will be the game !! I'm so Exited that tomrrow mon. 2nd I'll be banded at NYU in new york !! Can't wait .I hope its a breeze for all those being banded this week. good luck and GOD bless!!!!!

Hi Alatina, I've been on liquids for 11 days now I know what you mean about HUNGER. I'm trying to stay busy and that seems to help a bit hang in thereit gets better !!!

Hi Angel, I'm Nick. I too am new to this and I'm also being banded on mon. may 2nd. I'm having mine done in NYU by Dr. George Fielding. I'm a little nervous but also very excited. It's been a bit of a road but of course it's going to be a great payoff !! Good luck on your surgery I hope all goes smooth. And I too will check in after my surgery.

Hi everybody, I checked in wed. to tell everyone, that by some grace of god I had been approved. I don't know what I did wrong because I tried to post it and it didn't get posted. Anyway my approval scenario went like this: tuesday Dr. Feildings office called and said I had been declined. At that point I was frazzled and heartbroken, A little while later they called back and said UHC put my claim up for reveiw. I didn't get excited, if anything I was prepared to be declined again. Wednesday, my doctors office called back and said I had been approved. Well I was so moved that I started to cry. I never knew what it was to cry out of sheer joy. I found out later that Dr. feilding had called UHC on my behalf. What an extraordinary man he is !!! I finished my pre-op yesterday and I'm all set for Monday morning at 8AM. My partner is a wreck but very happy for me and becoming much more supportive. I can't Thank everyone eough for their replys and support .

Hi everone, thanks for the strong support. My other half of 24 years has been moping around like someone has died. he keeps asking me not to go through with it,that I am perfect the way I am. I know in my heart that this is a wonderful opportunity to get myself back to a healthy weight , raise my self esteem and in general my overall quailty of life. He has told me that this will affect our ability to eat in fine resturants and to enjoy the eating experiances of life. he is sad and uncomfortable with the change. I.m personaly a little nervous but excited buy all the possibilties. My surgery is secduled for monday may 2nd. and things are a little tense around here. I know that ultimatly it will be O.K. but right now being on liquids and the last min. pleading is a little stessful. Has enyone gone through similar experiances .!! I appreciate any feedback I feel like I've Had to carry this alone!

Wow I cant believe I got approved.Tues.UHC called Dr. Feildings office and outright denied the claim , what I was then told, was that they called back asked for updated info and somhow said the claim was being reveiwed,this after inital denial, goodness. Today Dr. Feildings office called and gave me the wonderful news!! It literally brought me to tears. At this point I was expecting to be denied again. And figuring out a way to accept it for now was really tough. Life has been hell around here with pre-op looming and no appoval as of yet.Thank god for All the great people on this Fabulous site, with out them I would really have been in a bad space. Anyway tomorrow is pre-op and monday off to NYU to become a banster!!

I'm glad to hear that most of everyones partners,husbands,wifes have all had reservations.My partner is very well informed,even has spent hours researching all the aspects of banding, offered all kinds of help until it became a reality. Now all I hear is any possible negative one can come up with. All I keep doing is reasuring him that it will be alright. well if all go's well monday may 2nd i'll be banded and on my way !!!

WOW thanks again for the support.Anytime we make a major changes in life there is either pain or just reajustment attached. Ive made lots of major changes, some being forced apon me, others out of self betterment. I'm really happy to hear that I'll still be able to enjoy a meal out especially when I'll be able to sit comfortly without this darn big o'll belly in my way!!! I already have a repretation as the slowest eater at the table.I guess there are gifts in even the smallest of things.As for my other half, he'll just have to give it a chance, cauz as I see it only good can come out of this.Well this has perked up my motivation a bit Thanks again Nick

thank's for the replys, Yes those darn emotions do seem to be, soooo ... emotoinal. I'm just kicking back and letting it go the best I'm able,I do believe things will work out as they are suppose to be. Sandie I to have sleep apena [about 90 occurances a night] high triglicrites and lots & lots of back pain. No surgeries thank God . I dont have a documented diet plan for the insurance. hope they don't ask !!!

thanks Jenna, I think I'm just going to hold tight. worst case senerio is a little work at a gain ,I've always been good at gaining weight !!!