travel_anna

LJM - I have loved following your progress. A real inspiration to me, recently banded last week. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery - I'm so glad it is a go!!! There is nothing like a near setback to make you even more grateful to write that big 'ole check. Anna

I just had my surgery last week at Park Nicollet with Dr. Weatherille. They are completely organized and it is an easy and informational process all the way from the initial seminar to surgery. I have loved the Park Nicollet system and Dr. W and would highly recommend them. As for getting the surgery done quickly, all of the well respected programs in the twin cities have a process you have to go through including psych evals, visit with nutritionists and physical therapy, as well as a visit with the surgeon - all of this happens before you schedule your surgery date. Also, some insurance programs require 6 months of medically supervised diets...not really a "tight timeline" Good luck with your journey!

I have BCBS Minnesota, and they also require a 6 month supervised diet. I went ahead and schedule visits with a nutritionist, even before seeing the LapBand folks, just to get the process started. In the end, the insurance was willing to accept my 7 months of Jenny Craig that I had done the year before. If you have any diet program that you did consistently for 6 months in the last 2 years, you should get the documentation from them and give it to the insurance folks at the surgeon's office.

I was just banded last week (2/13). I'll admit that doing only liquids for the week before surgery was incredibly difficult. I was so hungry and just wanted to eat. After surgery has been completely different. I don't feel hungry, and when I do, eating 1/2c. jello or drinking a cup of milk totally settles me for several hours. I'm still on full liquids (broth, milk, yogurt smoothie, etc) and haven't had any trouble sticking with it. Good luck with your journey!

Hi everyone! My surgery is tomorrow morning early - I have to be at the hospital by 5:30am - YIKES! Glad to see that people are doing well this week as they get banded. Anna

Bummer! Sorry about the complications. Glad to hear you are on the mend! Good luck with insurance!

Ok. According to the official surgery date thread, we have a lot of folks getting banded this week. Good luck to Janis, Dineen, Ko, Susanne, Babe, Patti, Russ, Amy, Michelle, Alisa, Shannon, Amanda, Karen, Ruby and Melissa. Again, my apologies if you are not listed. I wish you luck too. We'll all be thinking about you this week. 4jin02.......................Janis...............................4 February 2008 Neenco.......................Dineen...........................4 February 2008 Kittenquite..................Ko.................................4 February 2008 slbindc......................Susanne...........................4 February 2008 Babedoe....................Babe...............................4 February 2008 patticNJ....................Patti................................5 February 2008 petergriffin.................Russ................................5 February 2008 Big marathoner...............Amy.............................5 February 2008 Michelle9003.................michelle.........................5 February 2008 Beachbum0519.................Alisa...........................5 February 2008 girlsmack....................Shannon..........................6 February 2008 Peabody......................Amanda..........................6 February 2008 JaxBandster..................Karen............................7 February 2008 EnchantedRuby................Ruby..........................7 February 2008 Shinyhappymommy.........Melissa.........................8 February 2008 Anna

BeachBum - What a horrific ordeal to go through. Just when you thought you were taking a step forward... Honestly, I have no idea what I would do. It is inevitable that even the best of surgeons will find themselves in an unexpected situation even when they do everything right and they are good surgeons. As for the sloppy staples, not what I would want, but maybe she was in a rush to get you to Xray and actually acted in your best interest not to waste time with stitches? Can you tell I always give people the benefit of the doubt... That being said, I have no idea why she hasn't taken the time to come and talk with you personally - that is unprofessional and rude. I'm hoping for her sake that she was just in surgery and came to talk with you tonight. Back to your question though, I still have no idea what I would do. Likely I would go back to the research stage, ask anyone and everyone who has had interactions with her about their experience, find out her numbers for good/bad outcomes (not the whole clinic, but her personally), and then see if she comes and talks with you personally. If she never comes and talks with you, I would DEFINITELY not continue on with her as the surgeon. Best of luck...and a quick recovery from this ordeal Hoping you are still a Double V.

Thanks. That is what I needed to know. I figured I couldn't go in the pool with it since you have to take it off to shower, but I didn't know you could add activities using the online system. Thanks.

I'm hoping some of you who use the Bodybugg can answer this - I am thinking about getting the Bodybugg. But, I do a lot of swimming and kayaking. Can it get wet? Can you take it in a pool? I'm assuming I can't, but I couldn't find any information on their website. Just curious what y'all do, particularly those of you who swim or train for triathlons. Thanks. Anna

Your other option is to look into medical evacuation insurance. I worked in remote Africa for a month last year and it cost me about $62.00 to ensure evacuation insurance incase of a medical emergency - I wasn't banded at the time, so I don't know if there are restrictions to that. The only restriction I saw was for things like getting injured while bungee jumping or white water rafting (ie: you put yourself at risk). Typically, if it is a business trip, the company you work for will have some type of coverage for employees. Anna

Good luck to Jennifer, Cynthia and Sarah who are today and tomorrow! If you aren't on the official list, sorry if I missed you! DxMOM........................Jennifer.........................1 Febuary 2008 CynthiaMcC ..................Cynthia....................... 1 February 2008 Sadie........................Sarah..............................2 February 2008 Anna

Amanda - There is a thread called Victorious Valentines Blinkie where you can get it. Only, I have no idea how to get it from that thread onto the signature. Ask someone on that forum. Anna

Congratulations!!! Awesome News!!!

Crystal - Congrats! Glad everything went well. Anna

Congratulations!

Wow! What a close race. I don't think we could have gone wrong with any of names. But, I'm officially proud to be a member of the Victorious Valentines! Anna

Julie - Hang in there - life is full of ups and downs. The downs just make the ups feel so much sweeter. Eventually, these seromas will resolve and you will be able to look back on this journey and you will feel so good. Here's to hoping the seromas clear up fast! Anna

Just here to wish Crystal (crystalcml) good luck on Monday 1/28, when she gets her band. I'll be thinking of you. Anna

If only Minneapolis wasn't so far away - I'd be there in a second. Sounds fun - have a good time with the photo shoot! Anna

Can't wait to hear how your surgery goes! Kick us off to a good start! 8 weeks off, huh - I only have 1 week off, then back to work. I'm on my feet all day - no desk job for me. Definitely an interesting comparison. Anna

What a great photo and a great accomplishment! Congratulations! Be proud of what you have accomplished and what you are getting ready to accomplish.

How about Sunday night - so people who can only get on in the weekend can vote?

If only we didn't have so many good names to choose from!!! Anna

I agree - there were a couple of new names since the original poll too - we should include those as well.