Penny1959

I am not in Beavercreek, but Englewood. To Kimberly J. - What I have found very helpful...is exercising in the therapy pool at the YMCA. It easy on the knees, I can do weight resistant exercises in the pool...And it is GREAT for toning. I have notice that I have the mother's apron (flabby skin on the tummy) - but totally I will tone it up with crunches!

Hello fellow bandsters, I am one that fell off the wagon with being banded :smile2:. I had a lot going on in my life and being banded was not at the top of my list. Two weeks before Thanksgiving...I decided that it was time for me to return. Since returning, I have lost 19 pounds . I am returning to the Doctor for a fill every 2 to 3 weeks. Question, have you all experienced the extra flab around the stomach area? How are you all getting rid of it? My Doctor shared that I would have tummy tuck (paid for by my insurance) if I lose 100 pounds .

I am telling on myself, I have not been following my program :tt1:. The first week was good. I followed the liquid food schedule and I only had discomfort for 3-4 days (laying down, getting up, changing positions, etc). The next two weeks... I was bad :mad:. My father took a turn for the worst and I was in the nursing home with him almost 24/7 :smile:. I did get in my Vitamins, Water, and 1/2 my portioned Protein per day (I make a drink out of the whey powder and water) :thumbup:. I did eat regular food- but did not do emotionally eating :thumbup:. I did not gain any weight- but I did not lose any either :confused2:. My father passed away last week and we celebrated his homegoing yesterday. I did call my Doctor's office on Monday and I told on myself :wink_smile:. Starting today, I will return to the full liquid stage until my fill on 4/8 . Interesting, I could only eat half the meal, I did not have any discomfort, and most of all... I did not gain any weight :confused:.

I am now a bander ! Thank you all for the encouraging words while I was going through the process :waytogo:. I was banded yesterday at 1:30PM. MY INCISIONS ARE SORE :party: (when I sit down, lay down, move in a different way) but I feel alright. I know that this too will pass in time. Last night, in between my naps (I beleive I would sleep around 20-30 minutes and wake up)- I was walking :smile:. Since I have been at home the weather did not permit me to walk this evening :biggrin:. If the weather is bad tomorrow, I will go to the Y in Englewood to walk. How long did you all soreness last? The first two weeks of liquids... what did you all discover that works- what do you all find out that did not agree with you? Please give pointers! Did you all ice the soreness or did it go away on its own? Penny Banded 3/13/08 (my initial weight lost was during the pre-surgery diet phase).

Thank you Jess, When I grow up, I want to be just like you! Nurse Teresa, Will you be working after 1PM on 3/13th? I hope so!!!!!!!!!!!

It is a miracle, The Doctor’s office called me today (Dr. Suddiqui) and said that I have been approved :party:! She shared that my insurance company called her yesterday and gave the approval :ohmy:. Imagine that :tt2:. I have a Doctor’s office appointment scheduled for March 5th (she said that it was to take a picture :eek:) and my pre-op/pre-testing appointment is scheduled for March 6th for 4 hours. She is going to fax me the two week diet today :lunch:. Interesting… My husband called the Doctor yesterday and was waiting on him to call back :dupe:. I had to fax a letter yesterday stating that my case can be discussed with my husband (I believe that I have already sign the HIPPA form stating that information can be discussed with him) interesting :tt2:. The bottom line, I am happy. My surgery date :w00t: is the exact date that I wanted MARCH 13TH. I will be on spring break and I will take a week off from work... Life is good and I am excited :bigear::smile:. Please share the pre-op/pre-testing appointment- what is the 4 hours about :thumbup:. The office shared that I will be talking to the various Doctors. Annie, the weather may be crummy outside but life is good. I see the joy of the morning :couch2:. I know that there will be trails and tribulations with the band :hurt:- but to have a tool that will assist me with my weight is a wonderful gift :present:.

Good Morning, Yesterday I received some news that I really don’t care for:cursing:. I called my insurance company to check the status of my paperwork and they shared with me that they have not received it . I called my Dr. office and the person shared that she have a confirmation number where she faxed it and she will refax it. She will call on Friday to make sure that they received it… I am not happy about this :Banane34::party:. If I had not placed a call into the insurance company, when would this had been discovered :party::piggy:? The person is a very sweet person- but she appeared to be very nonchalant about the paperwork being lost in fax/computer land :Banane25:. My husband questioned if the paperwork had been sent! Maybe this is just a rare situation… but it is interfering in the date that I wanted to have the surgery (yes, it is selfish) . I wanted to have it on 3/13/08 (I get out of school on the 12th- it would give me the perfect opportunity to take off work and recup from the surgery and rest :Banane45:). Have anyone else experienced this? My husband thinks I should jump ship and go with another Doctor :woot:. He believes that this may be a sign of more confusion/foolishness to unfold in the future. I can sort of see his point of view because when I initially called in... there was a bit of confusion :woot:. THE GOOD NEWS- IT WILL HAPPEN!!!!!!!!! WHEN? WHERE? WITH WHOM? That may be up in the air :Banane44:.

Good morning, As I am about to prepare for Church, I would like to thank you all for giving me the reality of getting the band done. Even though I know that trails and tribulations are a part of life… I always look at a glass being half full instead of half empty; therefore, I find the beauty in everything. As you all discuss your fills, head hunger (I like that term), pre-surgery expectations/experiences… THIS IS VERY HELPFUL TO ME. Knowing that I have to sign the “death form” gives me the opportunity to become one/ok with it and to prepare my husband! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The interesting part… through it all- I still am looking forward to having it done and can hardly retain myself. Question, how many people did you all share the information with pre-surgery? Did you wait until people noticed the pounds coming off? I have shared the information with my husband and one girlfriend (her Doctor has approved her to have the surgery- she is 349 pounds with a lot of medical problems that is being caused/triggered by her weight). After I get a date, I will share the information with my mother, sister, brothers, and niece- they will probably fuss and attempt to get me to change my mind- but they do know that once my mind is made up- I will move forward! My father is in a nursing home; therefore, I will not share the information with him. Thank you all again for your words of wisdom, your encouragement, your life experiences with the band, and most of all... sharing enough to share!

Hello all, I am still waiting for the insurance to get back with me :eek:. My papers were not sent off until 4 days ago- do you all think I am anxious :wub:. Zumba, I love Zumba!! I go to the Englewood Y :smile: and they have an excellent instructor there. The sad part for me is that I really won't be able to attend until after this quarter on a regular basis (because of my work and school hours :tt2:). Jesse, It is very hard to wait patiently... but I have started my pre-surgery diet (it will give me more time to lose weight- for my liver's sake). I had some medifast left over- so... I am taking it. Annie, I am attempting to join you all in the Band World :thumbup:... but I am still new to this. What does it mean that you are up to 3.1cc in your 4cc band? Teresa, Hopefully prayerfully- you can get banded sooner that later. Like me, we must remember that it will happen when the ultimate Physician says so :crying:. If it was up to me, I would have had this surgery over Christmas break... but, that was just my plan. Even though I have another plan (hopefully getting it done during my spring break) - I know that I must learn to wait p-a-t-i-e-n-t-l-y and it will be right on time with I do get it :smile:. It appears that God is opening another door for you :w00t:. PS- I like the icons

Where you sitting in the first row on the left side of the room? My husband and I were sitting on the right side front side on the second row. I met with Dr. Siddiqui after the meeting :tt2:... I am now waiting on the insurance company to SAY YES :wink:. I have talked to my insurance company and they will approve it (Anthem) . So... jumping the gun :tongue2:- I am looking at having it on a Thursday, 3/13 (that will be my spring break) :cheers2:. My last day of classes is the 12th and I want to be a different woman by the time I graduate in June :drool:. My husband do want me to stay overnight in the hospital because I think it would worry him to death wondering if he or I was doing the right thing (post surgery- he does not like to see me in pain or not feeling well) :iagree:. Interesting, my husband is trying to chew his food with the consistency of applesauce- he shared that he tried all-day yesterday and could not do it ! He is for the surgery but he is shocked that the amount of food post surgery will be 1/2 cup :eek:. He has attempted to measure food... but it does not work for him. Next week, I will try that consistency :ohmy:. Also, I will start dieting next week to lose pre-surgery weight. They did not give me a diet because Dr. Siddiqui shared that he will need to see me again to schedule the surgery date and give me the diet. I want to be pro-active and start losing before then. This week, I will eat all the WRONG GOOD FOOD... to get it out of my system :lurk5:. So, this weekend- I will research a plan to start on a diet next week :wub:. :party:

Question, How much weight did you lose pre-surgery and how much weight did you lose within the first month?

Dr. Sudduqui

Good morning all, I have been working on my blood pressure and it has been discovered that I have white coat symdrome :huh2:. Everytime I walk into the Doctor's office, my pressure goes up drastically :clap:. My Doctor had me to check my pressure for 10 days- I had good reports, when I walked into the office- it went up . She did sign off on my paperwork :mad: and I go to the informational meeting on the Lapband on Wednesday :musical_note: and I have an appointment scheduled with the surgeon the same day. I have sent all my paperwork in, it is being processed by the insurance company and I should have a date by the beginning of March :clap:. One more step- the two week diet :eek:. For the beginning of a life change- I believe I can do it :cake::clap:. I AM VERY EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:rolleyes2:Hello all, Update on my blood pressure. I am happy to report that my pressure averages 118/84 . When I went to the Doctor to get it checked... I was so excited... it INCREASED to 143/96 :eek:! WHITE COAT SYMDROME!!!!! I came home took it again and it went back down . Minor setback, I have to take it for the next ten days and report the readings back to the Doctor :tt1:. From everyone's emails- I understand that we all have our good days and bad days...but let's all remember... WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY, COME IN THE MORNINGS!! The lapband is an AID/TOOL that we need to ACHIEVE our goal :frown:. Penny

I am going to schedule an appointment to get my pressure taken next week and I will ask for a timeframe when they think I will be ready. Hopefully, prayerfully, the Doctor will sign off on that day. I just took my pressure and between this morning and yesterday- it is averaging the mid 130's over the mid 90's!! Oh, I forgot, the last time I was in the Doctor's office it was 196/157. I believe that I am on my way!!!

Yes, I have every intentions on going to the 2/6 meeting. I am taking Triamt/hctz 75-50 mg- once a day.

Hello all and thank you for your support, I have a setback to get approved- but it is a step in the right direction to a healthier life change! My blood pressure is elevated and my Doctor will not sign off on my medical form. My pressure averages the mid 150's over around 115 (today, it was down to 148/104 this morning- that is a blessing compared to 178/124 (the highest). So, to start my lifestyle change, I have reduced my sodium intake drastically (interesting, I do not add extra salt to my foods), limited my fat intake, and I will return to the Y on Monday (Zumba!). Unfortunately, or shall I say fortunately, today I will start walking 10-15 minutes a day. Even though it is a setback, it is a blessing because I will get a head start on my much needed life style change! Also, Firebolt, the: Monthly Lapband Support Groups/November 2007/Who's being Banded on 11/20 site, was very informative. It Enlightened me to a lot of helpful tidbits. Thank you all, again

I am enjoying this! Talking with seasoned people and talking with people who have a working knowledge of the program- is cool! I truly believe that information is powerful for good decision making- boy, am I getting an education! Theresa, my husband works 2nd shift and he really wants to attend with me, therefore, I have to be a little more patient and wait until 2/6. If you do not mind, I would like to get your schedule and get banded a day when you are working. I like to surround myself with good positive people! Thank you

Thanks Jess! The Dayton Bariatric Website is very informative :whoo:. I did not research or call them :faint:. I do want to attend one of their informational meetings:). My informational meeting is on 2/6/08 (I would love to attend one this month- I guess I am rushing it:car:). I am so excited :clap2:

Hello all, I live in Dayton, Oh and I will be banded this year! I have researched the information and I know that this is what I want to do. In reading this talk forum, I see that the surgery and expectations are done differently in different states, with different Doctors, and different insurances. I have Anthem BC and know that this will be approved. My requirements consists of getting a referral from my primary Dr. (which I have), have a psych eval (which I have done), and see a nutritionist (which I have scheduled). My questions... have anyone had a surgery done at Good Sam (I live in Englewood) with Dr. Sudiqui? Have anyone been to the informational meeting at Good Sam (they offer one where my husband can attend in the mornings with me)? The staff seems to be very friendly. I called Miami Valley... but did not get a warm or fuzzy feeling. They would not share any information with me- they just wanted me to sign up for the informational session. More questions... please share with me what to expect. I know that everyone's experience is different- but please, share the good, the bad, and the ugly. What was the hospital stay? Did you have to diet before the surgery? How many days were you off work? With hindsight being 20/20, what would you have done differently? I am 5'2" and weigh 225. My BMI is 41 and I have high blood pressure. My weight is hard on my knees/legs. But, I am heading in the right direction to do something about it and I have the right frame of mind for it to do successful. I know that the band is the tool to support me to change... the change will come from a different mindset. Thank you