Cocoabean

Hi Suzle, I was wanting the r-n-y myself but my hubby was not supportive of that at all. He felt it is too drastic a step for me (my BMI was 38 when I started researching). When I went to my first info seminar I heard that insurance companies would soon cover the lap-band (which mine does now). My surgeon said either procedure would work for me. He doesn't do lap-bands on diabetics, but as I was pre-diabetic he felt I would do well with the band. He said a 40-60 lb loss over the course of a year would do wonders for my health as opposed to someone with a higher starting weight--40 or so lbs would mean very little. So for a higher BMI he recommends the r-n-y to lose the weight more quickly. This is what my surgeon said, I am sure other surgeons have differing ideas. As my DH was supportive of the band and not the r-n-y that did influence my decision, but only from the stand-point that I looked into the band more. I came to realize that I prefer the idea of the band for many of the reason listed earlier, my innards were not totally scrambled, weight-loss is more gradual, the pouch does grind with the band, it doesn't with the r-n-y. If food gets stuck, they can release the band instead of doing endoscopy to go retrieve it. If I become ill and need more nutrition the band can be released. I am a very fast eater and learning to slow down and chew-chew-chew has been a huge challenge for me. It seems the band is more forgiving. I am one month post-op with no fill yet. Today I ate very quickly and felt like I had a knot in my stomach for a while. It passed, but if I had had r-n-y, maybe it wouldn't have...and maybe I'd have learned to eat slowly by now! Don't get me wrong, the r-n-y is a very effective procedure and has alot of pro's. I did a lot of pro and con weighing in my decision. For me the pro's of the band were stronger than the cons and were stronger than the pro's of r-n-y. Just my 2 cents worth... Denise

My doc said coffee can be harsh on the stomach, he recommends quitting, but did not say I -have- to give it up. I have one travel mug's worth per day, I sip it on the way to work. Sometimes now, post-op, I can't even finish it. I gave up the diet-soda with no arguments, but decided to keep on the coffee and would give it up if it bothered me. So far, so good. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post-op. Denise

I was denied a consult with my surgeon due to lack of a 6 month supervised program. I appealed due to the fact that the National Institues of Health does not recommend a 6 month program as a requirment for bariatric surgery. I quoted info from the following: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity I also included diary entries from previous attempts and Weight Watchers attendance records from past tries. I won the appeal :drool: However, the rest of the hoops I needed to jump through for my insurance took about 6 months, but I didn't have the "supervised program" to contend with. My surgeon has a dietician on staff that I met with monthly after my consult so that if the insurance went back and required it, I'd have it started. But if not for my appeal, I'd not have been able to see my surgeon until AFTER the 6 months. Denise

Jaque, My doc in the US let me switch to soft, easy to chew foods after my first week. My only restrictions are doughy breads, sticky rice, corn, and stuff I think would be very sticky and could sit like a rock in the stomach. He said to slowly introduce new foods and take small bites and small portions. He said he bases his post-op diet on how the patient is doing, nothing is set in stone for him. My portions are about half what they used to be and I am tolerating them well. It seems odd how different docs do different post-op instruction. I keep reading here what people who were banded around the same time as I are eating and feel guilty. I have asked my DH over and over if I heard the doc wrong because it is so different from others here. He assures me I did not, so I'll stay with what I am doing and continue to heal. Everyday I feel more myself! Denise

I'd hope it would take a BIG cough to rip a stitch. My port site was VERY sore for a couple of weeks. It still reminds me it is there (3 weeks post-op). I caught a chest cold right after my surgery and was a coughing fool. It hurt like heck, but all seems OK now. The hospital told me to cough for several days post-op to help clear the anesthesia gunk. So, I'd think it is not too dangerous a thing to do. But, if you feel something is not right, don't hesitate to call your doc. I saw my surgeon just as the cough was kicking into high gear, he was not concerned. I was given a stuffed moose at the hospital to hold against my abdomen when I coughed. It was a huge help. Now when I cough or sneeze it doesn't feel as though my innards are going to spill out through the incision. Denise

Banded 2-15. Today was weigh in day (once a week) UP 2 lbs! So, I was 202 the morning of my surgery at the hospital. Now on my scale I am 193. Was down to 191. I know I am constipated, hopefully when that resolves, I'll be back down. BUT---I do measurements when I weigh in and I am down in the upper abs and upper arms. My lower abs are up, further evidence of the intestinal back up. So, I am happy with the measurements. Doing measurements gives me another tool to gauge success. We cannot control what the scale says due to unforseen factors like Water retention and poo retention I am hungry often, first fill not for a while yet. I love Kat's reference in another thread to an unfilled band being like getting a new car but not having gas, so you can't go anywhere! Best wishes to all Victorious Valentines!!! Keep up a good attitude. Denise

I have gone up and down a little in post-op. I think it is fairly normal. As someone here said to me, this is the time for healing, not so much for weight loss. I have chosen Saturday as my weigh and measure day. I am taking measurements as often our inches change when our weight does not. You are down 22 lbs! That is fantastic, something to be very pleased about!! Take care of you!! Denise

Hi all, I am one week post-op. Surgery went very well. I am eating soft foods. Here's the thing..I have not lost any weight since being released from the hospital the evening of my procedure, 2-15-2008. While in the hospital, I caught an upper respiratory infection and got a yeast infection from the IV antibiotics. Done with yeast medicine now and still have just a bit of a cough left. Anyone else not lose anything immediately post-op? I am hoping it is the infection causing imbalances in my Fluid retention, I am certainly eating less than I was pre-op, except for the two week supervised fast right before surgery. HELP! Need some advice/cheering-up. Denise

My 2 cents worth: I scheduled 2 weeks off. Had surgery on a Friday. Caught a cold somewhere around the time of my surgery. Cold symptoms were just kicking into high gear at my 1 week post-op. Doc said I could return to work the following Monday. I returned part-time and wish I had taken the second week off. This week (week 3) I am back full-time and felt ready to return. I have a desk job and found it uncomfortable to sit last week. I had to remember to get up and move and stretch often or I'd pay when I tried to stand up. My back is very sore every day by the time I get off work, but it is bearable and I use a heating pad when I get home. Denise

Hi again Crystal! Wow..to be told I have a low weight! (grin) Yes, my lower starting weight enters into the speed of my losses, I am sure. It is sort of mathematical--but not totally, I know! Funny story, I went to lunch yesterday with a slim friend who really watches her diet. She looked at my plate, looked at her plate and said she felt like a "pig" because she had so much more than I did! I am trying not to focus on the scale (ok, not really winning that battle!) because we all know that you can be doing everything right and still not see a loss. So, we should reward ourselves for doing things right. I bet you will "catch up" with me pretty quickly and we'll both be lookin' and feelin' fabulous!! Denise

Hi all, I was banded 2-15 and am doing very well. My first fill is scheduled for 3-27. Here is my quandry..on 4-12 I am leaving on a two week cruise. Is 2 1/2 weeks long enough after a fill to know that all is well, or would I be better served postponing the fill until after I return? The more I think on it, I think I should postpone. Just looking for input from those who have had fills already. I am NOT thinking of postponing so that I can eat more. Just thinking of possible troubles! Thanks!! Denise

Thanks for that input! All opinions are welcome! Today I have felt the most "normal" (and hungry) since my surgery. I am not going to cancel the appointment just yet. It is still a ways away. I am playing it by ear, but will talk with the nurse before I go in. Such a decision! I want to take the next step, but at the same time I don't want to ruin a very expensive vacation!! Denise

The flu? Poor you! I thought I had it bad by bringing home a cold from the hospital. I just had a cough...but vomitting after surgery? eeek! Glad you are feeling better. Denise

Hi LadyDee and welcome! I finally reached the point in my life that I knew I needed surgery or would be obese for the rest of my life. I am nearing 3 weeks post-op, so cannot speak to the long-term. But here is my experience: Surgery is never to be taken lightly, but we have to weigh the benefits against the risks. I have been under anesthesia several times, so I was not too worried about that--yes, I know there are inherent risks, always. Each person recovers at a different rate. The only other abdominal surgery I have had is getting my appendix removed. I can say that this recovery has not been as easy as that one, but I was 14 years younger, and 50 pounds lighter when that surgery happened! I have seen some folks here write of returning to work within a few days of being banded. For me, I was not that quick to recover. I had two weeks scheduled off, but my doc said I could return to work after one week off. A few days after my surgery, I came down with a cold--perhaps this is why I was "slow" in recovery. I returned to work after a week, but should have taken that week off. I only worked half-time, but very much regretted my decision to return. That said, I am now in my 3rd week of recovery and am feeling much better. The cold is gone, I am back full-time, and feel that I am getting back in the swing of things. So far, I do not regret my decision and I am looking forward to getting back to 100%. Only you can make the determination if this route is worth the risks. For me, it was. I was tired of fighting obesity without a full aresenal of weapons. Now I feel as though I have pulled out the big guns and will win this war! Take care of you and do loads of reading and asking questions. It is a big decision! Denise

Hi Crystal! I am happy you are doing so well. I am on relatively solid foods now and have started losing, about a pound a week. So it is not as fast as I would like, but then again 1-2 lbs per week is expected--long term. Eventhough I haven't had a fill yet, my appetite is reduced. Maybe I still have some swelling, I don't know. But I am pleased to be seeing the scale move downward! Denise

Thanks WABB and MSS, I appreciate the input. I plan to call the doc and speak to his Nurse Practitioner about it, but the more I think on it, the more I think postponing is the best choice. Like someone on this board said, this is a marathon--not a sprint, and I don't really want to risk ruining my vacation because I was antsy to start on fills. Denise

You could call them and ask if you can be called if they get a cancellation. I have had several docs (PCP's and other specialists) who keep lists so that they can fill the appointments that cancel at the last minute. Denise

I saw on a TV show about the band that it can be a good choice for someone who is at risk for cancer because you "can" un-fill it if you need more nutrition. So, it did not sound like it has to be unfilled, but can be if you need more nutrition than your band currently allows. Denise

Hi Becky, The lack of a 6 month program is the only reason my insurance company quoted for my denial. Here is the link to the NIH Opinion: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity If you can see a copy of Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, it has several ideas for an appeals letter. This is what I used as the basis for my appeal. I used my own info of course, but it was effective. I pretty much plagerized the part about the NIH in their example letter. I said something along the lines that the NIH 1991 consensus on obesity surgery does not mention a 6 months physician supervised diet program as a requirement for obesity surgery. I went on to cover my co-morbidities and made copies of diary entries from previous diet attempts and also previous Weight Watchers attendance information. I stated that will all of my previous attempts, one more is unlikely to produce sustainable results. Good luck! I hope you do not need to file an appeal, but it is good to be thinking about what you will write if needed. I sent it to my insurance company and my primary care doctor. Denise

It is such a personal decision whether or not to tell, and who to tell or not.. I have decided to be very open. So far, I haven't encountered any negativity. Unless you consider the reaction of normal weight people not understanding why I made the decision I did because I "am not that big." I explain that it has been a life-long battle and I was pre-diabetic, had high-blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease. That usually gets a nod of semi-understanding. That is my decision... I have someone at work who had gastric bypass. She is a huge support to me. Although the surgeries are very different, she is a great cheerleader. Denise

Thanks Gwen, the doc said that "many" of his patients lose weight during the post-op phase. Today, at long last, I am down 2 lbs. From when I began the pre-op diet on 2-1-08, that is 10 lbs. total at 4 lbs. since surgery two weeks ago. I am pleased with that! Apparently it took my body a while to get the flick after surgery. :w00t: Eventhough I have no fill, I am still eating less, thus I feel I "should" lose weight. But my brain knows that they body doesn't always do what we think it should. But, for today I am very pleased! Now, if I can just get rid of this back-ache.... Denise

Hi Wendy, Glad you are losing so well now! I had what I call an "explosive decompression" of my bowels yesterday and today. I was on the pot for a while. I am pretty sure I am down now, but tomorrow is my "weigh-in and measure" day at home. I am trying not to weigh myself every day...well, OK, Friday was my first day not getting on the scale first thing in the morning. I'll post my findings tomorrow. Denise

I drink the K20 Water, it is good, I think. I like it much better than the propel Vitamin water. I know it is a different type of drink, but it goes down well and increases the Protein count. To those with gas issues, it does get better, I am 2 weeks post-op today...much better! I, too, get the uneasy have-to-burp feeling. Moving around helps me with this and will sometimes work up a nice burp. I have just started having back pain just below my bra line. Heating pad helps. But I am wondering, is it because of the surgery scrambling my insides or my horrible posture due to discomfort? I try to stand and sit up straight.... Now, I just wish I could get to sleep (not surgery related!) Denise

My experience with Blue Shield is very similar to Sophie's. I was denied consultation due to lack of 6 month program. Submitted Weight Watchers booklet and a few other diary entries of other attempts I had and got approval without the 6 month requirement. After that, did the testing and psych thing. Submitted pre-auth mid December, approved mid January, banded mid February. Denise

My denial for consult was due to the fact that I had not done a 6 month physician supervised diet. I appealed with weight watchers records, diary entries from other attempts I had done and also that the National Institutes of Health does not state that a 6 month plan is necessary for a good outcome from WLS. I won the appeal and did not do a 6 month plan. Although it took nearly that long to get all the paperwork in order! Denise