dglaeser

Yep, I finished my 3 month supervised diet and exercise on 5/9/08. My final appointment was delayed until 5/13/08. All the weight lost on my ticker so far (37 lbs) was from those 3 plus months. The doctor's office was supposed to submit for approval last Wed, but when I called today, they hadn't done it yet. I was really hoping to have the surgery done before our trip to the Rocky Mountains in July so that I was past the mushy stage (6 weeks post op), but now that will be impossible. Who knows when I will get approved by Aetna. This means I will have to wait until Aug at least since it will be tough to take off 2.5 weeks for vacation and then turn around and take another week off of work. Needless to say, I'm very frustrated and depressed today. The past few months haven't been very easy, I've been hungry a lot, but stuck with it. I know I can continue, but the band is a tool that can help me get through the rough spots. I lost all the weight by watching calories, fat, and carbohydrates in addition to doing cardio for 30-50min 3-5 times per week. I'd love to be an athlete again like when I was younger. I guess I'm just ranting, no questions or answers today!

I'm in the Austin area and was banded on the 12th. My doctor has a support group for his patients. I haven't gone yet, but I know that Seton Medical Center (35th and Lamar) has one. I think it's held during the 2nd Thursday of every month from 6pm to 7:30pm. I haven't attended a meeting yet. You might be able to call Seton at 512-324-3404 to get more information.

I was also banded on 8/12. Feeling somewhat better today. I also have the moving gas syndrome and right now that is the worst part. I also can't tell the differnence between gas pains/pressure and hunger pains. It's been a while since I've had neither. Yes, I also struggle with getting enough Protein and Water because I also feel somewhat full/sick. I'm probably not moving enough, but I'm doing what I can. At least I can now sleep on either side without much trouble. Anyone who says surgery is the easy way out, is way off man!

Yep, this has been one of the hardest days yet. I'm really glad I didn't work a full day, I would have been worthless. Clear sugar free liquids all day doesn't give much energy......zzzzzzzzzzz :wink2:

I have the same problem. My surgery is tomorrow, I've been doing extra low carb, extra low fat for my pre-op diet (surgeon required) for almost 2 weeks and didn't drop a pound. That's about 700-1100 calories (depends how much Protein I get). However, I did lose over 60 lbs in about 6 months doing the low fat, low carb diet (insurance approval required the 3 month comprehensive diet), so I guess it's my body's way of saying "whoa!! what you doin?". Today is only sugar free Clear liquids. Thank goodness, I only have to do that for one day. Looking forward to reduced hunger pains!!! I've been trying to appreciate all the Non scale victories I've had and remembering this is a process. It will come off, I'm determined it will. It will come off for you too!

I'm a bit concerned about my energy level when I get back to work. I have surgery on the 12th and will be going back to work on the 20th. Most of my job is a desk job, but mentally it can be quite exhausting. At least I will only have a 3 day workweek. It should be interesing. Folks at work pretty much know what I'm doing, so I know they will be pretty ok with it and understanding. They are quite proud of me already. But, it's stilil a concern because I'm an over achiever and have a tendency to overdo it. I've been really trying to keep the stress level down these days before surgery (especially at work).

I've been ranging between 750 and 1100 calories a day (depends how much Protein I get in). My surgery is on the 12th and this is day 10. I seemed ok early on during pre-op, but the last few days, I also have been very tired when I get home. Sometimes, I'm ok right when I get home, but then about 1.5 hours after dinner, I get very sleepy. It's strange, this is kiinda how I used to feel before losing a bunch of weight on the 3 month diet I needed to do to get approved for insurance. My doctor has me on max 30g carb, max 10g fat, and min of 70g protein. Only a few more days to go. I'm really dreading the clear sugar free liquid day before surgery. I've been losing energy and focus at work too. So, I decided to take 1/2 day off the day before surgery. Good Luck!

Well, I got a call from my dr's office yesterday and they said that they had to move my date to the 12th (instead of 13th) and even changed thehospital branch. Ok, at least I get it done a day earlier, but I had everything already setup for the 1st hospital, gave them my co-payment. I had to re-arrange work too. So, it's good and bad. Hopefully, my Dr and I will be at the same place on Tuesday. I like to have things somewhat orderly and taken care of. Thank goodness my workplace is very accommodating. Good luck to all!

No, other place isn't much further. Even though I signed everything at the 1st Hospital, I have to go to the other one to sign it all again. I just had my last pre-op appt with the surgeon, so everything looks good for Tuesday. At least I will take an extra 1.5 days off of work than originally planned. It's really hard to concentrate on work these days!!

I'm in too. I try to come to these boards often enough, so I will try to log it on Fridays. I'm the type of person who has to weigh every day. I don't let the lack of change or little changes affect me since I've been weighing just about every day for over 6 months and track it. So, I can see on the graph that when I don't have much of a loss, a larger loss follows. It also helps me see how my "little friend" affects me. I'm a data geek, so I guess that's why I do it. Dawn

Well, I started the 2 week pre-op diet today. My surgeon requires the following: maximum of 30g of carbs maximum of 10g of fat minimum of 70g of Protein Clear liquids for 24hours before surgery. I have a feeling I'll be a bit hungry over the next couple of weeks. It's about 1/3 of the 3month diet I did for about 4 months (90g carbs, 25g fat). However, I spent a couple of weeks on vacation with family so I didn't stick to it very well. I'm sure I'll have to go through carbohydrate withdrawal again. Thank goodness for CalorieKing (PC software), it really helps me stay on track. Good luck to everyone on their pre-op diet!!

Hi, my name is Dawn. I'm 38 years old and have been living in Austin, Texas for almost 16 years. I'm an Engineer at a large company, which has been quite stressful lately. I have a daughter who is 12 (going on 25), but she is a great kid! I also have a wonderful and supportive partner that I've been with for over 7 years. My friends, family and co-workers know that I'm going to have the surgery and they have all been supportive. It was too much work to keep it a secret. I started my journey Oct 2007, it's taken me this long to make the decision, do the 3 month diet and then get approved. I would have been banded earlier this year, but I went on a 2 week vacation to Colorado this summer. I will be banded on the 13th. I started the 2 week pre-op diet today and have all my pre-surgery tests scheduled for Friday. Then one more appointment with my surgeon on the following Friday (8th). It's all very surreal. I've been reading the message boards for a long time now, but just started posting. Good luck to all!!!

I'm scheduled for 8/13/08!! I will start the pre-op diet about 2 days after I get back from my current long vacation in Colorado with family. It will be very restrictive compared to my vacation eating. I started my journey in Feb. I had to do the 3 month comprehensive diet/exercise with the surgeon, but lost about 55lbs. So, now I've been giving myself a little break these past two weeks. However, we've been doing some walking and hiking (trying to stay active). There are many days that I wonder if I really need the surgery, then I remember that whenever I thought I could do it completely on my own, I ended up failing. So, this time I plan on following through. I have all my pre-op testing scheduled for Aug 1st. I'm very lucky that my work is supportive since I'm currently out for this vacation and then plan on taking another week for the surgery. On a personal note, I have a 12 year old daughter and a partner that are both very supportive and love the progress I have made. My daughter says that it seems I'm younger and yes, I do feel that way. I love the name of the August bandsters since one of my goals is to get back an athletic body. I'd love to be healthier than I was even in high school when I was playing sports. I also have a couple of extremely supportive friends that are wonderful. I am lucky!! I look forward to keeping up with this forum as we go through this process.

:biggrin::Banane42::thumbup::frown: Well I finally got approved by Aetna! I had to do the 3 month comprehensive diet and exercise. Then the doctor's office didn't submit it for over a week, then Aetna needed the sleep study results (which I had done over 2 months ago). Finally found out today that I'm approved and surgery is scheduled for Aug 13th. I would have done it sooner, but I'll be heading to the mountains for 2 weeks at the end of July. Now the nerves set in!! Good luck to all.

Just wanted to say Hi!! I just found out that insurance approved it, and the doctor is scheduling surgery for Aug 13th. Whoo Hoo!! I've been a lurker for a while and posted just a few times, but now that I have a surgery date, I hope to be more active in this site. It's been a great place for information and support!!

Congrats!!! I was also approved today by Aetna POS II! The only hoop I had to go through was getting the sleep doctor to give the surgeon the sleep study results from 2 months ago.. Oh and that the doctor's office dragged their feet submitting it in the first place.

Yep, sounds like we are in the same boat. Usually, the Dr.'s office is very responsive and good about insurance submissions (at least that's what I've been told). I just found out today that the main office person is no longer there. Just feels like one road block after another. Keep me posted on your progress too!!

Thank you to all who responded, I really appreciate it. I have personally spoken with a couple of people who have the band (one has had it since 2002, the other since Oct). As of today, I plan on calling the surgeon tomorrow and starting the 3 month diet & exercise with him. Thanks again!

:help: I'm trying to decide if I want to go through lapband surgery. I rarely use message boards/forums, but I'm confused. I've been reading a number of threads on this site and it all seems so scary and a lot of doom and gloom. Maybe I'm just not reading the right threads. I've been through a consulation session. I'm 37 years old, 5'3" and 263 lbs. I'm about 80% sure I want to do this, but it's a big decision. However, I don't like my physical self very much at all. I'll need too do a 3 month diet/exercise program with the surgeon before my insurance will even consider it. Out of pocket, I'll need to spend $175 a month. However, that is a lot less than food for a month from Nutrisystem. I feel like a failure because I haven't been able to lose weight and keep it off. I've tried diet and exercise alone over the past 18 years. I've had some great success, but could never keep it off. Most recently, I worked with a personal trainer for 18months, lost almost 40 lbs, but pretty much gained it all back since I stopped working out with him. I know I'm an emotional eater and if I do the WLS it's not a cure, but a tool. I also understand that I will have to change and find a way to break the emotional eating habit. I keep thinking: What if I have so many problems with the lapband that I just give up? Can I live with eating so little for the rest of my life? This is voluntary surgery, is it really the right thing to do? What if I don't get the surgery, will I be around long enough to see my daughter have a full life?

Thank you for all the information in this thread. It really helps seeing the positive impact the band has on your lives. I'm still trying to make the decision myself.