gilta

My surgery is tomorrow. I live in upstate NY with my husband. We have a 19 year old son. I have been overweight my entire life (well except for a few years). I gained a tremendous amount of weight, about 70lbs, from trying infertility treatments. They unfortunately did not work and I was left with all that weight. I was already about 40 lbs overweight so it did not help. I have been considering lapband for about 1.5 years and decided this January to move forward. I am very excited to meet others having the surgery this month too. Gilta

My surgery is tomorrow too! Good luck. Gilta

Hi All, Sorry I have been MIA. I am trying to get everything ready. My surgery is only 2 days away!! I start liquid tomorrow am. I won't find out until tomorrow afternoon what time my surgery is. I found out I have to stay overnight, which will be ok. During my pre-op eval, I gained. I was not happy about that. I am sure I will lose it tomorrow since I can only have clear liquids. I will let everyone know how it goes either sat or sun. It just depends on how I feel and if I remember. Good luck all. Gilta

Pre-testing was very easy. The hardest part was waiting to get called! I had bloodwork, an EKG, a mini physical (BP, HR, Listen to lungs) and my instructions for surgery. Very painless! I was weighted and I am up 5 lbs according to their scale and am sitting at 225 which I was hoping I would not see that number again. Oh well, it will be off within the month! Gilta

Hi All, I go tomorrow am for my pre-surgery work up. I was told that I would be in the hospital overnight. It is what my MD prefers. I guess that is ok, but I would prefer to go home. I heard that I need an upper GI prior to being discharged to make sure there is no blockage. I cannot believe that it is only 14 days away. I plan on starting the liquid phase a few days prior to surgery. I am breaking it down by days so it goes a bit faster. July 18 - presurgery work up July 20 - stop all advil and any other types of blood thinners July 30 - start liquids only July 31 - no more food or liquids after midnight Aug 1 - surgery! Gilta

Hi Kel/Barbie, I think it is just the 3 of us now! I am just 18 days away and getting a bit nervous. I am not nervous about the surgery, but about being able to lose the weight. I have started to gain a few pounds (3) and am just worried after the surgery I will continue to gain. I know I probably won't, but that is my major concern. I go this Friday for my pre-surgery work up. Kel - I have heard very nice things about Dr. D from this group. I feel like the odd ball out here since I went to Highland. Oh well. Hopefully you all will still let me stay. Barbie - you will lose those 8 lbs quickly when you do your pre-surgery liquid phase. My MD said that I don't need to do it, but i will about 2 days prior just in case. Is there anyone else still on? How are the people who have had the band doing? How much have you lost so far? Any words of wisdom? Chat with you later!

Hi All, I hope you had a great 4th. I really need to get into the swing of the new me. I have not been watching what I am eating and I am eating way too fast. I am only 25 days until surgery and am getting a bit nervous. I am going to start putting together a list of "supplies" to have on hand after the surgery. Gasx strips liquid tylenol broth jello protein shakes lactose free milk Any other suggestions? thanks! Gilta

Kel, I don't have any statistics about band vs the bypass except that after 3 years the weighloss is the same. Things I was told when considering the two was that bypass is typically for those with higher amounts of weight loss. I decided with the band because I needed the continuing evaluation, such as the fills. I know when I lost weight with WW, when I would get close to goal I would fool myself. With the band, the restriction is there. With bypass, your pouch can stretch. My one friend who gained back some, did do a recheck and was able to lose again. My other friend is back to the same size of meals. Look around at a bunch of forums. More people may have the statistics than I do. Gilta

Hi Kel, Welcome! We are all in different stages of our journey. I wanted to let you know that I am going through Highland. I have so far had a very good experience except for my surgeon went out on disability! I guess no control over that. The team has been very responsive and helpful. I have 3 friends who have gone to highland and 2 to RGH. The 3 that went to highland recommended them highly and the 2 that were at RGH, one loved it and one was so/so. It sounded like an RN had a really bad day and took it out on my friend. Of the 5, only 2 have had the band. The other 3 are struggling with gaining back some of the weight, one has gained back almost all. You need to feel comfortable with wherever you go. Some here absolutely love RGH and will be able to give you more information on their program. You are more than welcome to contact me directly for my experience and any questions. My surgery is slated for 8/1! Gilta

Hi All, It sounds like everyone is moving along: TJ - great job on 33lbs down! I am glad for all the advice. I have heard to slow way down when eating Barbie - how did the psych eval go, easy? HN - wow - that is a bad spot for the port. I will have to mention it to my MD so he can be careful Well, as of today I am 30 days away from surgery. I am extremely excited! I have been busy with work and my son's medical issues which takes up most of my time. I think organizing my lap bad is easier than getting a child help with mental issues. I hope all is well. Gilta

No I don't have to do that. They told me, yes I had to laugh when they said this, that I am not too heavy so I was ok with not doing the liquid! They did recommend I cut my calories 5 days prior and do not eat anything fried or heavy within 3 days of the surgery as they have had patients who comment that the it is more uncomfortable. Ok - 43 days!

I received my insurance approval letter yesterday! As you can imagine I was excited. I was also surprised by how excited my husband was. Of course I was thrilled about his feelings, but I had to ask him why. He said that he is so excited because this year, he can shop at Victoria Secret for my Christmas presents! (I think he means his presents!) So of course, now I am trying to figure out if I actually will fit in their stuff by Christmas. I know everyone loses differently, but I am just trying to guage if I will be in their sizes by the holidays. Scheduled band - 8/1/08 BMI 41 Hope to lose 110-115 lbs Size 18/20 (sometimes 22) I think the largest size is a 14/xl, which would mean I need to lose about 40/50 lbs. Do you think it is reasonable, or should I advise him to wait a year? Thanks! Gilta

I will have to check out VS to see what is on sale. Why do you have a vendetta out for VS? I personally refuse to shop at Burlington Coat Factory. They were extremely rude about a return and I tried shopping there 2 other times with similar problems. I have since "fired" them and will no longer shop there. Gilta only 45 more days until surgery!

You bet! I am now down to 46 days!

That's great Barbie! I am only about 49 days away from my surgery. It is easier for me to see days instead of weeks! Gilta

Thanks for the support! I like the idea that even if it is snug - so what!

Christine - no worries! He is just a fun loving guy who has one thing on his mind, if you know what I mean. He would never, ever pressure me. If I told him to stop, he would in a heart beat. He is one of the most supportive people I have ever had the honor to meet. He is also starting to work out with me on a regular basis. Maybe I should say, when I fit VS and HE fits VS, then he can buy!

That is fantastic! You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Good luck on the next one! Gilta

Wow - all these stories! I wish you all luck. Gilta

Hi All, I just received my approval letter from insurance, yeah! I was wondering anyone on this thread, when did you have your band placed, how much have you lost so far and how much more did you want to lose. Hope all is well! Gilta

Congrats! Sounds like we will be banded around the same time together. I am scheduled for August 1st. I was also told I don't need the liquid diet prior either. Gilta

I am almost afraid to ask, but what happened? I have had a wonderful experience at Highland. I actually used to work there. I had my abdominal surgery there as well. The staff there was wonderful. I have also worked at RGH and have had a positive experiecne there as well. Gilta

I was referred to Dr. Boss as well. The group is not saying very much about what is going on except that he will be out for 6 months. Dr. Johnson did impress me with his knowledge and capability. I know he is the one that is the "least" experienced in the group, but he has been doing surgery (lap) for quite a while. He reviewed my chart prior to seeing me and saw I had previous abdominal surgery and discussed what would happen because of scar tissue. When do you go for your information meeting?

I was with Dr. Boss, but he is the one going out for surgery. I am now having Dr. Johnson perform the surgery. I can hardly wait! Gilta

Hi All, I finally was given my surgery date of 8/1/08. The MD who was originally going to do my surgery ended up having surgery himself and will be out for at least 6 months. I was switched to another MD, who I love, but I cannot get in until August. All of my insurance has been put through and the center tells me I should not have any problems getting approved. Now I feel like I am at a standstill. I don't have to lose any weight and I should not gain any. I am just anxious to get this done. Anyone else have to wait 2 months after getting approved? Gilta