sleclerc

My doc would not allow me to drive for 14 days. Appreciate it - when I did go back to work, I was exhausted. Rest. SHirley

Thank goodness - I didn't know what was happening but I have had that pain in my left shoulder. I was banded on 1/4/08 and I am due for a fill on 2/14/08, I am permitted to eat solids 2 days prior so that my surgeon can decide how much to fill. I am thinking of getting it tight since it seems I can eat a lot of mushy food. SHirley

THank goodness someone else is feeling the same way I do! I was banded on 1/4/08 and lost 14.6 pounds the first 2 weeks but in the last week I have lost nothing. I emailed the dietician but I haven't heard from him yet. I am on pureed food but I still do drink a Protein Shake and have an Isopure each day so I get my Protein. :tt1: When I hear from the dietician I will post his response. Shirley

I was banded on the 4th and came home on the 5th - I am SOOOOO hungry! Apparently I am that 1 in 4 that still feels hungry after the surgery. I have spoken with the dietician who tells me to get the Protein in but quite honestly, I HATE the smell of the stuff and I just can't do it. I want to try out some baby food because I can't stay on this for another 4 weeks! My surgeon wants everyone to have 4 weeks of liquids after the surgery before moving to soft foods. Is anyone else facing this? I had hoped I would be one of those bansters that was feeling great, walking the mall (no CHANCE of that happening) and loving life - I'm not. I want some food and right now I want my old life back! help! Shirley:help:

I have to have 4 weeks of liquids - not even creamy soups - just liquids. I just hate the protein stuff - I have every type available and I just don't like them. I can tolerate the ATkins and the Isopure but I just want some food!

Hey Jim, Glad you were successful - I'm wondering why I ever did this! I'm starving! Apparently I am the 1 in 4 that is hungry after the surgery and I've had it with the Protein - you know EVERYTHING smells like that durn protein! I can't sleep because I'm hungry, the meds that I crush up in applesauce are absolutely raunchy and I'm just plain hungry. THe dietician tells me to eat some chicken broth with protein, etc. but I just can't have another protein ANYTHING! Any advice from someone that has gone through the same thing? THose who have sailed right through this - congrats but I need help from those who haven't. S

Try your own insurance first - my surgeon and I discussed me going to Mexico if I was not approved but the caveat is fills and visits. Some Dr.'s in the states won't touch a patient done outside of the U.S. due to lawsuits but I understand that there are some willing to do fills in New York and another person mentioned that her Ob/Gyn did it. I'm not sure about that but...there are options. Good luck and do your homework. Shirley

Gingerbug - you're home!!! So, how was it? Help me since I'm going on Friday. How are you??? Shirley

Jim, I am scheduled for Friday and my surgeon only requires 2 days of liquids. Today is my first day and I'm ready to eat the wallpaper. I saw a salad at school today and was ready to steal it and eat the whole thing! I had my "last supper" last night. I'm with you and I worry that I won't be able to eat food again. Shirley

Adding my name to the list! good luck everyone UPDATED LIST: Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley) Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianego Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb

Ginger, Thanks for asking the question - I'm scheduled in 4 days. PLEASE post after the surgery to let us know how you are doing. Shirley

I would suggest you contact the insurance company to see what is required for YOU. Each insurance company and program is different. I attended 3 different sessions within an hour from my home and each one had a different program and my insurance company was willing to go along with their program. The first program was in a teaching hospital and had a 6 month diet program included in the process - I believe that was so they could do studies in the program. When I submitted for pre-approval, I was denied. Two months later, I attended another orientation at another hospital (closer to my home) and within the last 2 months, I have gotten all my pre-approvals and pre-certs and have been approved for surgery on the 4th of Jan. In my initial conversation with my surgeon - I asked about Mexico because I too was prepared to be a self-pay and she told me that very few doctors will do fills for those who had surgery in Mexico and would not even see those patients because of insurance concerns. If something has not been done correctly in Mexico and the patient comes to the US for a fill and something goes wrong, they will sue the US surgeon. She told me of a patient of hers that went to Mexico to be banded and came home and when she didn't lose weight went to her primary physician and SHE HAD NO BAND!!! THe surgeon took her money and there was nothing she could do about it. Look at your options and try to find a program with a coordinator - they are worth gold and are much easier to contact than a surgeon. I found my surgeon using this website and my surgeon in Delaware seems to be a keeper. Shirley :cry

Glynda, One thing to consider is insurance and location. I will be banded in Delaware but I did look in to going to Mexico. After attending an information session, I found out that if you have your surgery in Mexico, you may have trouble finding someone in the states to take care of your fills and often the doctors will not see anyone that had the surgery outside of the states. I would caution you to look into options in the states before looking at Mexico. Good luck! Shirley

I am scheduled for surgery on the 4th and wonder how long you will stay home from work? I am a high school librarian so I'm on my feet and active all day. I don't want to miss too many days but I also don't want to return too soon. Any advice? Shirley