Bandme08

In regards to the itching- many people cannot stand any type of adhesive- they are really allergic to the new adhesives they put in the glue for tape. They can leave a really nasty mark and bruise behind, even take skin with it! #2- Itching could also be a sign of healing!! My insicions itched like CRAZY from the time I was 1 week post up, and itched for about a week and a half. I just scratched with a washcloth, around the insicions, and never ,ever directly on them. It felt so much better! Just remember, this too shall pass (just like the gass.....)

I have had the alpine (fruit) punch, and the orange flavor of the pre mixed Isopure in the bottle. You get 40g of protein per bottle, and alot of your liquid requirement. I also have tried the powder in the same flavors... I personally cannot stand the thickness of the powder drinks.:thumbup: They come out quite chalky looking, and settle to the bottom of the glass after a few minutes. :embaressed_smile:The girl at GNC told me that that's the xtra vitamins and minerals they add to the powder mix that settle. I still prefer the pre mixed clear kind. Get a gold card, and save $$ durring the first week of each month. I think it's 10 or 15 % off your purchase! :frown: Good luck!

Hey Kimberly, It takes me 45 minutes door to door to get to the center, in the spring. I imagine in the summer it will be more like 1 1/4 hrs with summer traffic. I usually avoid Wiscasett and go the back way Rte 27 to Gardiner, then across the Gardiner bridge, through Hallowell, and right up next to the Capitol Bldg. The center is acutally on the street just after, or next to, if you will, the Capitol. Up the hill about 1/2 mile or so. The info meeting is acutally held at the Senator, I believe. But go wherever they tell you to. They are holding their support groups at a different location now, too, so that may be where they are holding everything. I have a friend at work that may be attending the seminar as well, and she wants me to go with her- maybe we'll see eachother there! My Insurance did not require a 6 month diet, only proof that I had tried at least 6 different diets in the past 6 years. Had that...Also, my BMI (was) higher than yours is now, and, as I've said in the past, I had 3 co morbididities to boot. They used to have 3 Dr's there- but not since I've gone there. I had 1 nutritional appt the same day as one of my Personal trainer (Nate- he's awesome!) but that's the only time I had more than 1 thing on the same day. Alot of the time is spent on purpose- you need 4 weeks in between your 3 nutritional appts, and 1-2 weeks in between each of your 2 sessions with Nate, The Psyc consult is usually on a 4-6 week out from the day you call to schedule, and insurance approval or denial can take up to 4 weeks as well, depending on your ins. If you are denied, the office will resubmitt the claim for you. So, alot of the waiting time there is nothing you can do about it. They make it that way to be sure nobody just jumps into it. Any Q"s- ask away!! Sarah

Kimberly, I went home the same day, and didn't have to return to the Dr's until my 10 day Post op appt to remove stitches. I think you will find Kerri had a similar experience. I believe the only time they use the floroscope (x-ray) is when you go for your first fill. This just enables them to visualize the fluid going through, and to ensure there is no slippage of the band, or leaking of the port line. Kerri has had 2 fills already (lucky duck) and has more info than I do about it. The fireworks here ( in Damariscotta) were amazing as well! I was sitting on the docks with my 2 sons, among the 3,000 +/- people in the back parkinglot, when a rush of teenagers came on the docks and sunk it, with us on it- COLD river water, at night. At least it was dark enough so nobody could see my wet pants! (If you need some encouragement, listen to this... I was in a size 22/24 pant and top when I began my journey in January 2008. At surgery I was in a size 18/20 ish, and now, 3 weeks post op my size 14/16 pants are swimming on me. My top size went from a tight 22/24 just before surgery, and now a size Large top is loose. Medium is too tight to wear in anything but a wet t-shirt contest LOL!!) My arms are my biggest issue. I could wear smaller shirts if my batwings werent' in the way! Sorry to go on, but I want you to know what an outcome you can have in a small amount of time! Take care, talk to ya later, Sarah

Hey Kerri- Sorry to hear things are as confusing and upsetting for you. I hope things go well for you and your family. I wouldn't' worry about the scale down there! stress has its' way on us, and you might be surprised, you may be down more than you think when you get home! Travel safely, and my best to you and your family. Sarah

UPDATE- I lost 2 lbs at work today! I usually weigh the most at night, but right now I'm 2 lbs less than this am! Sarah

Kerri- I'm so sorry to hear your nana isn't well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Working in a hospital for 10 years has showed me that even people the Dr's never thought would make it, thrive with treatment! It sounds like she is in good hands. Keep the faith, and just know that just you being there means the world to her! Congrats on the landslide wt loss! Man, I told you it would all come off at once! I'm glad you have good restriction. I tried very well chewed chicken breast today, about the size of a dime... chew ,chew, chew, and it went down ok. I had about 4 pieces that size,and about 3 tbs of cottage cheese, and was full. About 1 hr later I couldn't stop coughing! I read on here that couhing is a sign of beign too tight...Idunno. Sorry I'ts take me so long to type here- busy as all out- Well, I;m goin to the gym. I' m stuck at 222 for 3 days now. Last time I went to the gym the next morning I was down 2 lbs, so we'll see. Take care, good luck, I'm thinking of ya! Sarah

Kerri- So, ya got stuck...AND STILL LOST ANOTHER POUND!!! ONE MORE TO GO!! Yeh!!!! Man I bet you were so uncomfortable! Thanks for sharing that experience, as we all learn from eachother's bad and good stuff! You're gonna drop those lbs now with that much restriction! Do you think you need a little bit of an unfill? You said liquids were barely going down! Maybe it's just whyle the swelling and irritation of the fill go down... So, last night, we went out to dinner. I ordered 1/2 portion of the child's plate mac and cheese- well, let me tell you, it was the stuff from the box... yuck! I so wanted some homemade mac and cheese- but oh well... so, the portion I was served was about 1 cup. I will tell you that there is more than 3/4 of a cup of it sitting in the fridge right now. I was actually more worried about doing damage- even though I only put 4-5 pieces of that really tiny box maccaronni in my mouth at once, and chewed it until there was nothing left. I think I have developed "liquid mushie syndrome". I feel so safe eating the really liquid mushies, but I think I just need to know at what point am I out of the woods from hurting the band, and just into the phase of actually eating until I am full- a sensation I have yet to feel- I have just kept to the 1/4 cup or so of food at a meal. Idunno... I just never thought I would ever be afraid to eat! I was hoping to have an earlier appt with the dietician, as it was rescheduled from mid july to late August! I really think I need to meet with her earlier than later- as I can't see myself eating even chicken or hamburger next week...Scared, I guess. Well, good luck with the restriction, and stay away from flesh eating pizza! Sarah

Kimberly, Yep- I'ts Friday! I'm sorry- yes, you do have to go to the info seminar first!!! What a dufus I am! I had gone to the info meeting, and then seen my Dr- it will only go that much faster for you! I actually stumbled upon the meeting on a whim. Someone I know's daughter had it done, so that day I went online to get the info- and the seminar for that night was 1 hr from then! I hopped in my car and drove the 45 minutes to Augusta- kind of a last minute thing, but boy am I glad I didn't wait until the next day to look up the info!! Thank you so much for correcting me! Sarah

Hey Kerri- Glad the interview went well! Yeh, seems strange that someone going for their PhD would want that position! Glad the fill went well- It must have been a normal one in the office this time- Watch the restriction now!!! Well, today I cheated- I ate the chocolate top layer off the top of a mini Peanut Butter cup- it melted on my tounge, so I think that's safe!! lol! Man, that 1/2" wide thin layer of chocolate never tasted so good!! Anyway, I'm trying to find out what I can eat now- I dont' want to damage my band, but I am going out to eat tonight with my family, and want more than a scoop of mashed potato (sf/ff of course...), or soup- I've had it with blender-soup! It looks the same going in as coming out, if you know what I mean!!! (ewwww...!!) SO, on tuesday I will be 3 weeks out- what do you think I can eat??? Just asking the expert, here! Take care, talk soon- Sarah

Kimberly- WHoo- WHooo!! Yeh for you and your very supportive Dr!! Man, that's so cool what he did for you! I imagine, of course depending on the contents of the report, that you should be all set if all they require is past documentation of frequent dieting! Yeh for all of your past attempts being documented! You don't have to wait for the insurance approval to come thru to have your consult with the surgeon. If your dr has submitted the referral to the bariatric center, call the center and schedule that first appt! There is so much that you can get done in the meantime! Glad it's good news- Sarah

I was banded 6/10/08 by Dr McKee from Me General Bariatrics in Augusta. Dr Trieu is the other surgeron there. They accept transfer patients who already have been banded. They require a program fee of $500.00 to transfer to their office, so if it's only for fills, I dont' know if it's what you want. IF you were to transfer for long term, it's worth it! Sarah

Hi Connie! Yeh, there's about 10 pages of Kerri and I chatting back and forth...I had Dr McKee at Me general, and Kerri had Dr Trieu, so, both of us can be of help, I think. These are the only 2 dr's that preform the proceedure there. The staff is wonderful, and they accept transfer patients, if you are established already in Portland, or somewhere else. I have had a wonderful experience with Me General, and I can't speak for Kerri, but I believe she feels the same. I'm not sure where you are in the process, but feel free to ask any questions. I'll put a bug in Kerri's ear to look here and respond too! Take care, ask away!! Sarah

Kimberly, I would do it again in a heartbeat! The dr. regulated dieting does come from your primary care dr. SO, see what they have for weight tracking for you, and see what your Dr will do for you. Some insurances require monthly weigh in's at the Dr, some only require the Dr to say that you have done the 6 months of dr regulated dieting. If your wt has yoyo'd between diets, then I would have to say that is a good place to start your argument! Good luck, keep us informed! Sarah

Hey Kerri- wrote ya last night- didn't go through! ANYWAY- Good luck on your 2nd fill today! Bring on restriction!!!! Sarah

Kimberly, One thing you may want to find out is what does your insurance company require for you to qualify? Alot of insurance companies require 6 months of physician regulated dieting, or several attempts as documented by your DR. Did you have Gestational Diabetes with your pregnancy? Toxemia or preclamsia ( high blood pressure) aren't considered a problem after the pregnancy. The diabetes is. Yes, an acurate glucose is supposed to be fasting, however, many Dr's only want a standard glucose- to see how your body reacts on a normal level. (I work in a Lab in a hospital, so I see this stuff all the time!) SO, I would call your insurance company, and find out what they require for bariatric lap band surgery. Good luck! Sarah

Go Kerri! Congrats on the extra pound! You must be so psyced to see the scale move! Quitting smoking is the hardest thing to do... Congrats on your efforts! YOU CAN DO IT! Just think about how great you feel about yourself now! You are really turning your life for the better! Good luck with the fill! Next time I see you I wont' be able to recognize you! One day at a time,,, Sarah

Kimberly, Comorbidities are what they are looking for. High blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, prediabetes, hypertention, your back issues will work in your favor too! Let them work with you! When I met with the dietician at the center, my comorbidites were iffy. Not diabetic, but I do have asthma. The dietician went through my history and saw that I had a preterm delivery 10 years ago. She asked about the complications with the pregnancy, when I told her I had gestational diabetes. She said that that works in my favor for approval, because a very high % of gestational diabetics develop type II diabetes within 10 years. I happend to have a "fasting, uhm..." blood sugar of 101. That qualified be as prediabetic, and therfore, the band. Let them work for you! Sorry to go on... I am so happy for you that your Dr approves! As far as bills, you have your insurance co pay for your first consult with the Dr, and the next copay is with the final consult before surgery! I did have a copay for the psyc eval, but that's it. I didnt' pay for each nutritionist appt or appt with the trainer... I hope this helps, keep us informed! Sarah

Hey Kerri- you need to update your ticker!!! The rest of the day went ok. I went in to work at 6:00am and worked until 6:00pm, then I went to the YMCA and worked out until 8:00pm. Really long day... I don't know when I'll get back to the gym- I'm working mega overtime the next 5 weeks, going in Monday and Tuesday at 6:00am, and getting out of work at 10:00pm. We're short on Techs, and I told them I could help out. OT for me! Hey, question- did your stomach growl constantly about 1/2 hr after a "meal" for the first few weeks? My stomach has never growled like this before, and I't kinda embarrassing to say the least to have patient's look at you like that. I told one lady today that we are to be considerate of our fasting patients, and are required to fast 6 out of 7 days a week- she just laughed- SHE wasn't fasting!! Anyway, good luck with the fill on THursday, and good luck with the interview! Wow! a whole new life for Kerri! _ I promise, I won't break out into song... Later- Sarah

Kerri- I hate it when you can't get assistance from somone in our country!! Yeh, dodged that what are you doing question today too- they saw me mouthing a tbs of egg salad and drinking broth- they said," is that all you're going to eat? I felt like saying- no, I already ate my lunch and barfed it up... this is dessert! Just for a look! COngrats on the 1 lb! It sould and will drop from here! Just think, you haven't gained any, so nothing gained is something lost! I confused myself on that one too... SO, you have a fill coming up my dear??? Yeh! That'll really kick start everything- like you said just after your first fill- you arent at restriction yet! Give it time, and it will happen! Well, I'm going to sit down and enjoy my 1/4 c of cottage cheese that is my dinner! (yeh, right,.. enjoy my A$$!! later gator- Sarah

Kimberly, the program fee at the Bariatric center for lap band is $500.00. You pay it after insurance approval. How did your appt go?? I hope you have a Dr who in encouraging for you. Mine certainly wasn't- I had to go to his PA-C to get the referral. Jury- havn't see that one- Unjury is a brand of protein drink mix- maybe that's what you've seen. Sliming is, well, what happens in your mouth when something gets stuck in the stoma. Your body natrually increases the amount of saliva in your mouth as a way to try to "wash it down." It's kind of like - sorry to be gross here, but you asked- when you are naseaus, and feel like you are going to vomit, and you keep on getting tons of siliva in your mouth from the sides on your mouth. Another phrase seen here alot is "pb ing" or productive burp. also the result of eating somethign you shouldnt have! For my liquid diet, for the 1-2 weeks post op, I have been drinking water, Isopure from GNC- protein drink w/ 40g of protein per serving, chicken broth, sf/ff popsicles, anythign liquid that has no sugar. Absolutely no carbonated drinks are allowed with the band. The carbonation will build up in the pouch and dialate your esophogus-! I hope I answered some of your questions! Good luck! Talk later- Sarah

My stomach growles constantly!!! The only thing I can think of, is it's the thin muchies, creamy liquids, that I am on are making thier way into my real stomach, and it's saying " uh, hello! Where have you been??":eek: I was to be on liquids from surgery day until day 7, day 8-14 on mushies, and so on and so fourth. I am 12 days post op, and my surgeon put me back on liquids from 3 days on mushies, because I was stupid and told him I woke up that morning very nauseated, and felt like I was going to vomit for about 1 hr. I didn't, but I was swallowing some serious siliva for that hour-:ohmy:(yeh, just like that guy!) I can only describe it like sliming, but This was as I was waking up in the morning! How can you slime with nothing down there!!??:confused2: I would love to have some insight on that if anyone would like to put their opinion out there!

Not sure if you can have it or not, but Melatonin has worked wonders for alot of people! It's natural too! DBF is yawning and practically sleeping 10 minutes after he takes it, and wakes up very refreshed! :sad:(or maybe he's refreshed because we "talk" all night.. tmi, lol.:ohmy::thumbup::thumbup::crying:)

Hey Kerri- Glad DH made it home safely! It looks like we may have a trio on this thread- Kimberly has made an appearance, and seems to be in the same boat both of us were in! Craving info! I think we can both be a source of info for her! She's been looking into Dr McKee, but I think you can give her some info on Dr Trieu as Well! We're all it this together! Soft mushies, to me are watered down mushies. Ok, I have a way of sugarcoating things,( ummmm, sugar:rolleyes:) but I can say that everything I have eaten,I could have sucked through a straw (if they were allowed!). I go back to work tomorrow, so I won't be home all day staring at food! I think that will make a huge difference! I work 12 hr shifts, so I will have Breakfast before I leave, lunch at lunchtime, and dinner when I get home! Plus sip on H2O and protien Water all day. Maybe that is my problem! Being stuck not working has made me resort to beign boored, resulting in eating because I am boored! I have worked 40-60 hrs a week since I was 16-18 yrs old, so I have never had the time to think about it! Man, I've never been so happy to return to work in my life! Plus, so everyone can see that my scrubs which fit snugly when I left, now fit me like a Tent! :crying: I might have trouble explaining that one! Only 3 people at work that I trust know what I did... :cool:Humm, lets see... They removed my stomach instead of fixing that hernia???:sad: um, I'm going to have to get good at making up excuses!!:ohmy:. Anyway, I'll chat with ya later--- going to call DBF, then going to sleep, prob. whyle on the phone w/ him! have been sleeping in for the past 2 weeks, it's going to suck to get out of bed in the morning. ~ sarah

Kimberly, Let's see, First you need to attend an informational seminar meeting held by Me General. You can find the calendar on their website. My info meeting was on 1/10/08, Thurs. On 1/11/08, Friday I made a same day appt with my pcp for a referral. The referral was rec'd by the bariatric center on Tuesday, 1/15, and they scheduled my first appt with Dr Mckee for that Friday, 1/25. Dr Mckee had just begun to see patients on Fridays that week, so that time may have been shorter that it may be now. After the consult, you will have to schedule 3 nutritionist appts, (mine were 1/29/08,3/10/08, and 4/15) aprox 4 weeks apart, make an appt for a psyc consult,(3/14/08) which was 6 weeks waiting for me, and attend 3 support groups held by the center. These are in addition to the info session meeting you will have already been to. After all that is complete, they will submit to insurance for you, if you have ins. The wait for approval for ins is usually 2-4 weeks. I was approved in 24 hrs- just depends on your insurance. After approval, you have 2 sessions with Nate, the best personal trainer in the world! He's awesome! Then you pay the program fee. SO to sum it all up, my info seminar was on 1/10/08, and I was banded 6/10/08. I am 12 days post op, and am doing fine. The worst part, is the liquid diet. Man oh man- at least Dr Mckee dosnt' require a pre op diet- you only need to be within 5 lbs of your initial consult weight. Kerri, the other bandster on this thread is a huge support as well- she was banded 2 months before me- nice to see what I can look forward to! Hope that helps, Sarah