daniela531

Hi all, As some of you may know I was scheduled for surgery this past Friday (9/9/05). Thursday night my mom passed away and obviously I cancelled my surgery. I know she wanted me to have it so I have to reschedule....just have to work it out with work and all. Anyway, say some prayers for me. I have never felt so much pain and anguish ever in my life. She was sick and I knew this day would come but I never thought so soon and never expected to feel the way I do. Love and Peace......Daniela.

Hi Everyone, I am going to be banded on 9/9/05. (nervous wreck). Anyway I am paying a discounted rate because I am entering a clinical trial for those who have a BMI below 40 and do not have "significant" comorbidities. My husband, however, does have a BMI of 40 and moderate HTN. He however has GHI through the NYC Sanitation Dept which excludes the Lap band but covers the bypass (according to the physicians office he is going to). Has anyone ever appealed and had success with GHI where it excluded lap band surgery. He does not want to do the bypass. I would appreciate any input anyone has. He has the option to chose another insurance during open enrollment in Sept. His choices are Aetna HMO or QPOS, CIGNA, Empire EPO or HMO NY, GHI HMO, HealthNEt, HIP Prime HMO or POS, MetroPlus, or Vytra. He currently has GHI CBP/Empire BC/BS for hosp,which, like I said, excludes the Lap Band. Anyone know which is the best for the Lap Band??? We had decided to pay for his too which would leave us pretty broke but what's money in comparison to health right? I'd rather get it covered if possible. Again thanks in advance for any support you can give. I would be so happy if we could do this together.

Hi And Welcome, I Just Wanted To Let You Know That I Was One Of The People That Took A Couple Of Weeks To Heal And To Feel Back To Normal. I Had Esophageal Spasms After My Surgery That Also Made Me A Bit Nervous But Thank Goodness Those Passed. I Can Feel My Port But Its Not Visible. I Dont Think Fills Are Painfull. Just A Little Pinch And Burn And Its Over In A Couple Of Minutes. I Haven't Pb'd Ever. I Try To Listen To My Body And As Soon As I Start To Feel Full I Stop Eating. At The Most I Feel Discomfort And Sometimes A Little Pain If I Overeat But If I Stop It Passes. So Far Since 9/19 I'm Down 34 Pounds And I Am Oh So Happy With That. I Love This Band - I Would Be Very Upset If I Had To Remove It. It's Such A Great Tool. Good Luck To You. The Anticipation Is Worse Than The Experience. Most People Are Pleasantly Surprised.

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!! I HAVE BEEN BANDED SINCE 9/19/05. ABOUT ONE WEEK AGO I NOTICED MY HAIR FALLING OUT MORE-SO THAN USUAL IN THE SHOWER. NOW IF I JUST RUN MY FINGERS THROUGH MY HAIR 10 - 20 STRANDS COME OUT AT A TIME. I WENT FOR MY 3RD FILL YESTERDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE 2 VITAMINS WITH IRON PER DAY BUT THEY SAID THERE'S NO GUARANTEE - THAT UNTIL MY WEIGHT STABILIZES IT MAY KEEP FALLING OUT. I PROJECT 5 POUNDS PER MONTH FOR AT LEAST 8-9 MORE MONTHS. I'LL BE BALD FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!!!!! ANYONE GOING THROUGH THIS? ANY SUGGESTIONS. I AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP. IT'S JUST HORRIBLE. MY HUSBAND IS NERVOUS TOO. HE SAID IF IT DOESNT STOP HE WANTS ME TO TAKE THE BAND OUT. WHAT TO DO???? :) DANIELA

Oh Thanks Everyone. I Have Been Buzzing Away On The Interenet Here Trying To See What I Can Do To At Least Slow It Down...like Biotin, Protein Powders, Vitamins, Zinc, Lots Of Water. It Is Definately Scarey But Calming To Know It Comes Back. I Feel Kind Of Selfish Being So Vain. I Mean For God Sakes Those Poor Families Of The Miners Today - What A Horror. I Guess I Have To Just Keep Things In Perspective.

Hi everyone, Hope all of your holidays are happy and healthy. I've been so busy I haven't been around. The last time I posted I was telling you guys how I felt so restricted even without a fill. Well I got my first fill in early November and for a couple of days, maybe even a week or so, it was good but now I feel like I have no restriction at all!!!! How I came full circle I don't know. I was supposed to go back in December for my second fill but I moved it up to this Tuesday. My doc told me I may not feel restriction with the first one and his reason was because I am considered a "light weight." Ha ha. I think that's so funny. My whole life I was always the heavy girl, the biggest in my family and now I'm a light weight! Anyway, I hope I feel some restriction soon. I also hope I didn't gain weight. I've been eating more lately. Has anyone else gone through this? And if so how may fills did it take? Between this and the holidays without my mom I'm feeling so down in the dumps.

ZAN, i was banded at NYU on 9/19/05- Dr. Ren. I actually went to columbia pres for a consult but chose nyu b/c it was closer for me - for the surgery and the follow - ups. My surgery went pretty good. I had a hietal hernia repair as well which was a little more painful due to the stitches. I kinda wasn't expecting the pain I had though to be honest. They make it sound so in and out. I had to stay home about 1 1/2 weeks til I felt myself. Maybe that was just me though. they say people have the surgery on thurs and go back to work on monday. Now, I feel great. I stuck to my diet of 2 weeks liquid pre-op, 2 weeks liquid post op, then 2 weeks mushies, now solids for 1 week. no PBs yet - thank goodness.I haven't weighed myself since my 1 week f/u. I go back on Nov 1st for my first fill and for a follow up nutritional consult and I guess " weigh in." I'll let you know how it goes. Pathworker - how did you like Ren? How's it going? Debbydoo - Yes LI counts! At least I think so.

Hi All, Sorry I Haven't Been Around For A While. My Husband And I Are Moving - Going To Move In With My Dad. Since My Mom Passed Away He's Been Really Lonely. I Think This Will Be Good For Him. Needless To Say It's Been Hectic. What I Am Coming Here For Is Some Support. And Thanks In Advance - As Usual You Guys Are Great. My Prob Is That Since I'm Banded (9/19/05) I Am Affraid To Eat. I Followed The Doc's Instructions To The Tee. 2 Weeks Liquid. 2 Weeks Mushies. And Just 2 Days Ago Started Solids. I Won't Dare Deviate. I Know It's Inevitable And Something Will Get Me To Pb Eventually But Why Am I So Affraid? Also I Get Hungry But Only About 2-3 Times A Day And A Small Amounts Of Food Does The Trick. I Haven't Had A Fill Yet So How Is Ths Possible? Is It All In My Head? Or Is It Really The Band? I Live In Ny And It's Been Cloudy And Raining For A Couple Of Weeks. Could That Be Contributing Also? I Don't Know. I Go For My First Fill On Nov 1st. That Should Be Interesting. I Am Already Eating Very Little. I'm Not Complaining, I'm Actually Very Happy. Fear Is Good In This Situation. But Will I Ever Go Out To Eat With Some Friends And Not Be Nervous That "this May Be The Food Or Bite That Does It." I Hear So Many Horro Stories. O.k. A Little Rambling - Sorry. Just Want To Know If There Are Other "affraid To Eat After The Bandsters."

I haven't seen you here for a while. I was wondering about you - I remembered that you weren't feeling well before your surgery. Congratulations on getting your band!!!! A friend of mine was recently banded and is going through tthe same thing as you - hunger. She went to the doc and they advanced her to mushies. Ask...u never know. But be carefull - try not to do solids to frequently before your swelling goies down. You don't want slippage. Good Luck to You.

I'm a NYC (Brooklyn) Bandster. Welcome!! There's a few here. How did it go? I'm fairly new to the band myself. Had it done on 9/19/05. Hope all is well.

I DON'T MEAN TO BE DIFFICULT BUT RANDY JACKSON IS DEFINATELY A BANDSTER. HE WAS ON OPRAH AND MY DOC HAS THE LINK TO VIEW THE SHOW ON HER WEBSITE BECAUSE MY DOC WAS ON THE SAME SHOW. PEOPLE USE GB INTERCHANGEABLELY WITH THE BAND BUT HE CLARRIFIED IT ON THE SHOW. THE LINK IS HERE: YOU CAN VIEW THE CLIP. AT FIRST THEY TALK ABOUT GB BUT THEN HE TALKS ABOUT THE BAND. NYU Surgical Weight Loss - Welcome

I TOO HAVE PCOS - THIS #@&%*%$# SYNDROME. I THINK THAT HAVING IT ADDED TO THE REASONS WHY I DID CHOOSE TO BE BANDED. MY DOC TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE WITH PCOS WILL LOSE SLOWER BUT THAT THEY DO LOSE. I WAS JUST BANDED ON 9/19/05 SO LONG TERM ADVICE I CANNOT GIVE BUT IF YOU STICK AROUND I'LL LET YOU KNOW.

I Asked The Same Questions. I Am A Fairly New Banster Myself - 9/19/05. Go To The Search Option And Put In "weird Questions." I Started That Thread And Had Some Good Responses.

I'm Not Sure If You Guys Are American Idol Fans But Randy Jackson Is One Of The Judges And He Is Pretty Outspoken About His Lap Band. Sharron Osbourne Has A Band But It's One Of The Originals....and I Have To Say I Agree With You Guys Kirstie Alley And Oprah Probably Do Too.....if I Had That Kind Of Money I Would've Done This Years Ago. It's A Shame That People Are Not More Public About It - I Bet A Lot More "famous" People Have Them Too. If More Young Girls Knew That Maybe They Wouldn't Be So Hard On Themelves.

I had my psych eval with a Dr. Warren Huberman - I thought he was great. You can get his number on this website. Not sure if he's psychiatrist or psychologist but he's pretty good, very knowledgeable about the band. I really liked him.NYU Surgical Weight Loss - Welcome

I hope all goes well for you. I'm so sorry to hear about your possible cold. Just try to relax - stress will just make it worse. Eat a well balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, (especially orange juice for the Vitamin C), I also recommend Cold Ease (aka zinc lozengers), and maybe a little alcohol (yes a cocktail) or nyquil - the alcohol kills germs. My pharmacist friend told me that little tip. I really hope you're o.k. Let us know what happens and take care.

You may think I'm a little crazy for wondering about this but..... Since I'm very new to the band (one week post -op) I have been wondering about some things...... What happens when you get sick?, for example a virus. If you eat and the food passes through the stoma, can it get back up if your body needs to vomit?....for example if u get food poisoning???? Also, as far as erosion and perforating the abdomen, are there any movements I should avoid....like stomach crunches or any positions? And one more thing.....did anyone else feel a little freaked out in the beginning that you actually did go through with this and this band is really on your stomach????? Every once in a while the reality runs deep and I just can't beleive I did this. Thanks for all the advice...u guys are always great.

I Am So Sorry To Hear About Your Friend. I Recently Lost My Mother And Know What It Is To Feel Such A Loss And To Ponder The Mystery Of Life And Death. Keep Your Faith.

Pre-op 2 weeks of liquids (50g protein per day), may have veggies with lunch & dinner. No sugar popsicles/beverages. Day before surgery clear liquids after 3pm. Post - op 2 weeks liquids trying to aim for 50g protein per day if tolerated. May have drinks with calories during this time but stop when switched to puree,then 2 weeks of puree/mush. Then finally regular food after 1 month post -op.

You are one brave woman for sharing your story. Thank you for your strength - it's admirable. I wish you well and much success.

I was banded on Monday 9/19/05. I expected the pain and bloated feeling but I keep feeling a pain in my stomach that radiates up to my throat which I was not ready for. It only last a few seconds but it's a little scary. I called my doc and I was told it's spasms - stomach and esophagus - which should go away when the swelling subsides. Anyone else ever experience this?

Hey Steve, I was banded on Monday 9/19/05 at NYU too!!!!!! DR. Christine Ren though. But I've met Fielding - he's funny and a great guy. Congratulations!!

My surgery date is Monday, Sept 19th.

Thank You All So Much For All Of Your Kind Thoughts And Well Wishes.....it Means So Much. I Rescheduled My Surgery For This Coming Monday. I Know It Seems A Bit Soon But I Already Did The Pre-surgical Testing And If I Wait Any Longer I Would Have To Do Them All Over Again. I Know My Mom Wanted Me To Do It And I Need It So There's No Use In Delaying It. Wish Me Luck.....and Thanks Again For All Of Your Words Of Wisdom, Advice, And Thoughts. I'll Let You Know How It Goes.

Hi Everyone, I am scheduled for the band on Sept 9th. My doc requires a 2 week high Protein liquid diet to "de-fat" the liver which I have been on since last Friday......however - today it's really getting to me and I am just about ready to break. I am hungry 24hrs/day. That and I'm so moody. Did your doc's require the same. If so how did you get through it? Thanks for the support.