new_me_2008

awesome!!!!

I am on day 9 and doing great too. This has been really easy except for the GAS! I am starting to be hungry but when I eat/drink something the ravenous hunger goes away. I am on full liquids - mushies and I have found a new love for hummus. I have cottage cheese for breakfast, soup for lunch and some hummus for dinner - I have also just had a sugar free popcicle for the first time which was good. All in all this has been great- wish I was not hungry - and really cant believe that I have to wait until NOV 20th for my first fill. I have to wait longer than most becuase I am travelling for business around the world (literally -India and Asia) and my doctor wants me to take that trip before I get my first fill. I will be on food by then. I have lost 12 pounds and hope that I don't gain any back before the fill.

I had surgery 3 weeks from my consult - I was a self pay. I am 9 days out and feel great - definately wish I would have done this sooner.

I was very happy with their 'hands off ' approach. Once we determined that insurance would not pay (due to lower BMI) then we were off and running, no useless processes just needed to satisfy the insurance people. I did alot of research on my own, read the lap band book they provided and then met with the surgeon (1 week prior to surgery) It has been a little over a week and I feel amazing. Wish I had done it sooner.

Amy - thanks for the post. I get hungrier every day and tonight around 6 is was the worst ever. I dont even feel like I have a band and I feel like I could eat like I did in the old days. It has helped to drink more water and of course protein, but I am getting very sick of that. I am on full liquids and transitioning to mushies (probably a little faster than Im supposed but I am only eating things on the list. I will not have a fill until Nov 20 and I just cant imagine waiting that long. God help me if I have to start exercising in place of eating!!!!

Thanks. I was going to use it because I thought that it was made for just that, right? I will do some more research to find out.

Please let me know what you think. I was banded on the 8th and the strips are starting to go and just wondering if I should immediately start using mederma (or another product) to try and reduce the scarring?

Mine too! I actually am getting tired of it. It is kind of funny because 'in the old days' I NEVER heard my stomach growl because I grazed all day long.

Amy - great job and thanks for the posts. I always enjoy your perspective and you are just ahead of me so it is nice to 'see what is coming.' I was banded monday 10/08 and am now back to my first day of work. I am down 12 pounds - but am totally prepared to see that slow way down as I am now on mushies. I am not hungry and even the mind cravings have gone down significantly. Although being home m-f and watching TV could kill a person with all of those food commercials!!!! Anyway, this has been amazing for me too - WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? No pain at all now, I was at the mall all day Friday, did a spa day all day Saturday (the facial lady was really peeved that I didnt want to take off my robe so I told her I had surgery and I think the thought of it just grossed her out - oh well.) Gas is weird and not painful anymore - LIFE IS GOOD!

dont do the hot bath - baths are not allowed as they can impact your incisions.... I have the same issue with the gas although it is getting better every day

Tulip -thanks for the post. We have alot in common. I was banded on Monday (10/08) and I travel ALOT for work as well. My next trip is the 24th and I will be on mushies - so I am nervous but hope it will go well. socal- I will be in India and the Philippines on Nov 9 - exactly a month after my surgery. I will not have my first fill by then but I am still anxious about the whole thing. I eat meat but still worry about the travel. Thanks for the post, it is helpful.

Wow! great job - I hope that I can have the same results in two months!

Thanks for the question and the posts. I was banded on 10/08 and thought about postponing it many timesdue to business travel. I am leaving for NYC in 10 days then in early November I will be going to India and Manilla for about a week. Wish me luck.

I was banded monday 0ct 8 and I am supposed to take a week off. I have not felt like working until today, I probably could go back if necessary. It is so boring at home. This morning I cleaned out my closet and that was extremely motivating!!!

I was banded on the 8th too! I have no real pain except for the GAS!!! The GAS is a pain in the A&$!!! I am not sure what to do at this point.

carrot: it may be different for everyone...I told the dr to add medicine to the IV since I have been known to throw up after surgery. I made it through, no problem. It is a little sore, nothing even worth complaining about. The worst part for me is the sore throat and scratchy throat - I sound like a man! All this and my surgery was just this morning!!!

I was banded this morning and I am feeling really great. I lurk on these boards and the support is really amazing. I am so excited for this new way of life.

It was a breeze. I was at the surgery center by 6:15 and in surgery at 7:40 (early)....I was back to my house by 10:15. So far so good. Thanks for all of your help. Tina p.s. I will write more tomorrow

my surgery date is tomorrow 10-8! My internet is down so sorry for the brief note. I will check in soon. Tina

The Dr says this is fine and that I will not have a fill until after I get back, but I am very nervous about travelling 22 hours by plane so close to my surgery date. In addition, I am going to New York on OCT 24, but this seems more doable. -:help: What do you think? Are there any of you out there that travel alot for business and face the same challenges?

Too funny - actually my DR was born in India and when I expained my fear of travelling there she said no problem, if something crazy happens they will have no trouble helping me through it! Thanks for all of the advice - I feel better about it.

Today is my final meeting witht the surgeon before my banding on OCT 8. I just want to thank you all for writing on this board, I have read it many times over the past few weeks and I re-read it this morning as I was feeling like I should cancel the whole thing because I am scared that it will not work. Your words got me through this little rough patch and now I am back to knowing that this is the right thing for me. Have a great day

nic: According to the Dr., I do not qualify as my bmi of 38 is too "low" unless I do the whole supervised diet thing for 6+months. Additionally, I do not have any co-morbities at this point, so that is just another strike against me. Once I finally sat down with my husband and explained how I really feel about my health, he was fine with the expense and we are both just happy that I can get this done quickly and get on with life. Why are you self-pay?

I posted on the OCT board but will post here as well. I went for my initial consult last TUES! When they told me that I was not going to qualify for insurance pay I had a moment of clarity and just decided to go for it and self pay. As a result, they have scheduled me for OCT 8. This is a very fast turn around for me but I know that if I put this off any longer, I will just come to the same solution but at a higher weight. So, here goes! I love these boards and hope to maintain contact with you all as we move through this journey.

I am joining the team! I am scheduled for surgery on OCT 8 and I am self-pay here in Arizona. I am very nervous but excited at the same time.