keri

Alex- You inspire me- After just reading several negative articles about WLS I was feling a little blue- just got my band on 6/15-feeling fine- but worried about the pyschological effects, I want to be healthly- I already feel beautiful. But...I just read about that Lisa Sohr that everyone was talking about and although she is remarried she has lost her first husband and lots of friends. Yikes- I'm very confident in my 13 year relationship and when we started dating I wasn't that heavy. But my girlfriend totally accepts me and I have no doubt about that. I do know however that I need to go to counseling to really "deal" with whatever food was covering up for me, because I want to be successful- I'm still on liquids and will be for another 1 1/2 weeks so that will make 4 weeks total and gosh darnit I'm ready for some purreed food! I won't do it- I want my stomach to heal- but yesterday out shopping at Target and last night out with friends I have to admit I was feeling very challenged by food demons...and I struck out twice at my girlfriend for no good reason. I know though that the band was the absolute best decision I have made. A decision to be a healthy person who will not get my fathers diabetes and will be able to feel better than my current 325 self. I WILL DO IT--- LOOK AT YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THIS BOARD, Thank you

I GOT MY BAND!!! I had my surgery yesterday at 6:30 am- I'm sore but feeling pretty darn good- just took a walk around the block and had some Chix broth- I need to drink more water- gas pains are uncomfortable but not constant I'm so excited to be a bandster- for all you nervous folks out there- the surgery isn't rough- a little discomfort- but I'm feeling GOOD! Keri 339 pre-op/330day of op

Hi- the heating pad feels good on your back- which for some reason feels a little ache-y--I think from the gas pain? Before surgery I had 10 days of liquids- not easy- but I managed. Now- I'm on liquids for another 2 weeks- it's fine cause I know my tummy needs to heal, heal, heal. I do miss solid food- but on week three I can have purreed foods- looking foward to that- I used heating pad on my back and a cool pack on my tummy(port site) that helped me- also walking lots- it helps the gas pains- and don't be surprised by left shoulder pain- it is "referred" pain from the gas- not terrible just a little discomfort- allow plenty of rest and stay hydrated- my dr. recommended 64 oz. of Fluid after surgery per day- I do have to sip all day to get it in- but it helps you feel better. Best wishes

Hey Karen- You'll do great- here I am 2 days out of surgery- forcing myself to take it easy- I know not everyone has it this easy- but I'm grateful for it. Best wishes to you! I'll be thinking about you on the 23rd. p.s.- get your heating pad ready- it feels great on your back when you get home. Take care

Hi Lynn- Yes I had my surgery at MIBC with Dr. Horgan- they are very nice there. Is that where you are going to have surgery? I would recommend it to anyone- they have been great. Good luck with the insurance battle- Aetna immediatly declined mine and then we sent in an appeal with a letter from my regular dr. and they said another gastric surgeon reviewed the case and they have reversed their original decison. Yahoo- So far so good- little pain --not bad. Feeling good- looking foward to live as a bandster- Best Wishes to you- if you have any pre-surgery questions let me know. Take care.

Hey good luck to you- I feel so good about my decision to get the band- and I had a pretty good experience with surgery- pain but nothing I couldn't deal with- You'll do great!

Hello All- I'm still feeling okay- I definatly have gas pains and sugery site pain- I've been taking my liquid tylenol as needed. I was able to sleep a little more last night- heating pad on shoulder cold pack on tummy- helps alot- I had a hard time getting in my 64oz of fluid yeterday! I get it today for sure- Boy- there are some STRANGE sounds coming from my belly! I know it sounds crazy but I can't wait for purreed foods un two weeks! I've been drinking so much water and broth- I'm over it- I want cottage cheese, yogurt....some substance. I'm worried about going back to work on Mon- I don't think I'll feel 100% but I'll be careful. Good luck to all you new bandsters- be gentle on yourself and Viva la Pain Meds!!!!!

Hey- I have Aetna and got approved- with my Dr's note indicating the different "diet" stuff I had done and weight history- I didn't have to wait 6 months- Did you appeal yet? I get my band tommorow!!!!

Hey- I hear all you guys talking about Starbucks- I work for Starbucks actually- and my pre-band(i'm getting banded tommorow) treat is a tall sugar free hazelnut coffee frappuccino light. YUMMY- I also enjoy sugar free vanilla skim milk latte's- Thank God I don't have to give up Coffee- my drug of choice. Check out starbucks.com for calorie count

Hello All- Dr. Horgan in Chicago requires all patients go on a 10-14 Clear liquids diet(and no that doesn't include gin and tonics!! My first thought!) It helps to shrink the liver so the operation is easier and can help prevent nicking the liver? He will not perform the surgery if you gain 1 pound- this has been a challenge for me because- I weighed in many months ago (Dec) and that had to be the weight I used for pre surgery- anyway it took awhile to get approved and so by the time they scheduled me I had gained 6 lbs. since Dec!!! So I had to lost at least 7 lbs before surgery- I'll tell you what- the liquid diet did that and more- I think I've lost about 12 lbs. from the 10 day liquids- My surgery is tommorow am at 6:30- I'll let you all know how I feel when I'm done. YAHOO CAN"T WAIT!!!!!

Hello All- I'm getting my band on 6/15!!! Is anyone else struggling with the pre surgery liquid diet?

Alex- I'm not sure what my surgeon sent in- the letter I received back from Aetna indicated that they had a gastric surgeon review the orignal submission and he said he would reverse the original denial! I also had a letter with weight history from my reg. doctor- I don't know what did it---I was just thrilled. I will be banded on 6/15 and started my clear liquids today--thank God for sugar free popcicles and Crystal light!

Hi Birdlady- I have Aetna too! I recieved the very same letter- but my surgeon appealed and they are covering it now! The surgery is considered out of network- but they are still covering a huge portion. Did you appeal? My surgery is 6/15!

Hello- I will be a full fledged bandster on 6/15!! I'm wondering if anyone else had surgery in Chicago at MIBC? How was your experience? Anything you'd like to share--so far they have been great especially Ryan(insurance goddess) she helped me get my appeal for Aetna to cover it!! Yahoo..

Hello All- I'm nervous and excited about getting my band from Dr. Horgan in Chicago. I do have to follow the clear liquids for 10 days before and am feeling a little anxious about getting super hungry- but I also need to lose 6 lbs. before the surgery- so I'm ready. Any advice? I love this site! Keri:paranoid

Hey Chicago and Jammin and losin- Thanks for your replies- Chic- how did you feel after surgery- anything I should have handy round the house that'll help? How much time did you take off work? Any advice for after surgery? Thanks