Emily'sDad

Update Thanks for your support everyone. I got my surgery on March 22nd and so far things have been progressing nicely. My weight loss has been gradual to put it mildly, but losing weight none the less. I hope you are all doing well!

6'0" 300LBS One day a few months ago my wife brought home a sticky note with a phone number one it. She had heard an add for a LapBand seminar and copied the phone number to register. At first I dismissed it as being foolish. After all I'm responsible for my food intake and my excercise level, aren't I? Well I never fully dismissed the idea and have been reading and thinking it over. What it boils down to is that I have had a life long weight problem. There have been times when I was able to lose significant weight, only to put it back on +++. Now I have one beautiful 1 year old daughter and an other kid one the way (sex yet to be known :biggrin2:). Maybe it is time I start exploring other options. I have made an appointment to discuss some of my medical issues and the possibility of Lap Band. I find myself feeling fairly nervous, as though I'm trying to get away with something. You see I don't have diabets, or high blood pressure. I suspect some degree of sleep apnea, but I have yet to be diagnosed. I wake up occasionalllyMy biggest issue is back pain at night. I'm convinced my weight strains my back to the extent that I can not sleep. Well I just needed to express my situation. If you actually read all this, I thank you! I hope that anyone who reads does well in their journey (maybe wish me luck too?). Brad Wichita Falls, TX

It sounds as though the hang up is at your surgeon's office? If so then give them a call to see what is going on. If it is your insurance, there is nothing wrong with calling them to see what is happening. In my case some of my paper work got fouled up. By calling I was able to straighten it out without too much trouble. good luck!

From what I hear from people on this forum or even folks around town Dr. Warnock is an exceptional doctor. Unfortunately my experiance with him has been less than stellar and feel I should make a note for those of you preparing for the Lap-Band journey. Dr. Warnock is a very friendly guy don't get me wrong. I think he genuinly cares for the success of his patients. The problem is that he has so many patients that it is impossible for him to give anyone a meaningful level of personal attention. When I asked questions I felt as though I was getting a canned response, rather than an answer that specifically addressed my question. Now for my biggest pet peeve, punctuality! I'm one of those folks that is always on time. While I can handle someone keeping me waiting for a little while, a long wait 1-2 hrs is unacceptable. With very few exceptions my appointments have started anywhere from 1-2.5 hrs late. This is especially troubling for a fill appointment that only takes 5 minutes once you see the Dr.. Since I have to do most of my errands during my lunch break this causes a major problem for me. Fortunately the very kind women that work at the hospital where Dr. Warnock does his band filling are understanding and do their best to help me out. If you are considering this procedure keep in mind that you will be one among many. Dr. Warnock is a competant surgeon, but the care you recieve will be fairly generalized. Just like anyother time remember that you need to be responsible for what you have going on. Ultimately if Dr. Warnock wasn't the only show in town I would be looking to switch doctors. Bariatrics of Texas Wichita Falls, TX

I'm feeling much better for the moment, so I'll try and finish my surgery experiance. For the most part after surgery I was pretty sore around the port site (the big incision). Otherwise I felt pretty good. I was up walking around and eating broth. Aside from the nurse poking and prodding me every hour all night long my night wasn't too bad either. Although I do have to gripe a little. I thought it was pretty lame that they woke me up at 4:45am to take a shower. Before the shower they had to remove my bandages. Being the wimp I am, I got a little woozy watching the bandages peel off my wounds. After my shower I went back to bed and slept for a few more hours. I felt pretty good when I woke up. The day was long waiting to be discharged. They finally let me go around 2pm. Even though the doctor cleared me to leave at 9am, I had to wait for the nurse to get her paperwork together. I was so glad to be home...The hospital wasn't such a bad place, it is just so booooring!

I'm feeling much better for the moment, so I'll try and finish my surgery experiance. For the most part after surgery I was pretty sore around the port site (the big incision). Otherwise I felt pretty good. I was up walking around and eating broth. Aside from the nurse poking and prodding me every hour all night long my night wasn't too bad either. Although I do have to gripe a little. I thought it was pretty lame that they woke me up at 4:45am to take a shower. Before the shower they had to remove my bandages. Being the wimp I am, I got a little woozy watching the bandages peel off my wounds. After my shower I went back to bed and slept for a few more hours. I felt pretty good when I woke up. The day was long waiting to be discharged. They finally let me go around 2pm. Even though the doctor cleared me to leave at 9am, I had to wait for the nurse to get her paperwork together. I was so glad to be home...The hospital wasn't such a bad place, it is just so booooring!

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..)

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..). Now the two nurses started my IV which for the first time in my life was difficult because my fat hands hide the veins, now I have a nice IV bruise on both hands. I also recieved a shot of something to "calm me down." I figure I was already fairly calm, I did fall asleep. Next I'm off to some sort of surgery holding area. Here I have several differant nurses, specialists, chaplain all come over and ask me the same questions. Ths holding area was interesting, full of pre surgery patients all for various reasons. I was in here for about a half hour, then it was time to go in to the surgery room. I roll in to the surgery room and am asked to scoot over to a differant bed. Then someone hooked up my IV. I was sort of hoping that I would be told when I was being put under. I thought it would be fun to see how long I could hold out. Unfortunately the last thing I remember is someone attaching my IV then wammo I'm in a recovery room and my wife is holding my hand. After surgery and recovery I was wheeled to my room. Now my recovery for the most part wasn't that bad. I didn't seem to be in much pain, only the port site hurt. The nurses had me up and walking around with in a few hours. I was terribly thirsty I think I must have had ten of those little ice chip cups. Ok I'm sorry I'm going to have to continue my tale a little later....I'm having so much gas pain I'm about to blow up...I'll tell you all about it next time.

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..)

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..). Now the two nurses started my IV which for the first time in my life was difficult because my fat hands hide the veins, now I have a nice IV bruise on both hands. I also recieved a shot of something to "calm me down." I figure I was already fairly calm, I did fall asleep. Next I'm off to some sort of surgery holding area. Here I have several differant nurses, specialists, chaplain all come over and ask me the same questions. Ths holding area was interesting, full of pre surgery patients all for various reasons. I was in here for about a half hour, then it was time to go in to the surgery room. I roll in to the surgery room and am asked to scoot over to a differant bed. Then someone hooked up my IV. I was sort of hoping that I would be told when I was being put under. I thought it would be fun to see how long I could hold out. Unfortunately the last thing I remember is someone attaching my IV then wammo I'm in a recovery room and my wife is holding my hand. After surgery and recovery I was wheeled to my room. Now my recovery for the most part wasn't that bad. I didn't seem to be in much pain, only the port site hurt. The nurses had me up and walking around with in a few hours. I was terribly thirsty I think I must have had ten of those little ice chip cups. Ok I'm sorry I'm going to have to continue my tale a little later....I'm having so much gas pain I'm about to blow up...I'll tell you all about it next time.

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..)

I found others accounts of their surgery experiance to be very helpful, so I am going to do my best to recount the events of my surgery and the past few days. The morning of surgery 27 March I got up at 4am and had a friend pick me up to take me to the hospital. My wife had to stay home, we didn't want to wake out infant daughter up that early. I arrived at the hospital at 5am and checked in and was immediately taken to my room, where I was given a hospital gown to change in to. Since it was so early I hopped in to bed and proceeded to fall asleep for about 45 min until a couple nurses came in to get me prepped. After several questions, (why are you here? what is your name? ect..)

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm so tired of the protein diet I'm actually very excited to have the surgery, because I know it means that some day i'll be able to have something more substancial than a protein drink. I had purchased Essence Vanilla protein mix and it was very tasty for a few days. Now everything smells like the proten shake and i feel like gagging when I drink it. Anyways I'll be able to move back to more normal food before long. My doctors instructions told me to take the magnesium citrate two days before surgery. Well this was a bit of a challenge because I have grad school untill 9pm. When I got home I decided to take the laxative, thinking that it would run its course in a few hours later. Yeah right!! Here I sit 12 hours later and I'm still making emergency trips to the bathroom. Note to anyone who reads this, block off a big chunk of time to deal with it. I basically spent my entire night on the pot feeling beat up. I can't wait to go home so I can take a nap! Tomorrow is the big day. I have to be there at 5am. A friend of mine is going to pick me up so that my 1year old daughter doesn't have to get up so early. I am told that my surgery should be about 830am. It kinda sucks that I have to wait 3.5 hours, I'm hoping that they will give me a bed so I can take a nap while I wait.

Angelica, Thank you very much! I'll post my surgery experiance shortly. I appreciate your support.

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm so tired of the protein diet I'm actually very excited to have the surgery, because I know it means that some day i'll be able to have something more substancial than a protein drink. I had purchased Essence Vanilla protein mix and it was very tasty for a few days. Now everything smells like the proten shake and i feel like gagging when I drink it. Anyways I'll be able to move back to more normal food before long. My doctors instructions told me to take the magnesium citrate two days before surgery. Well this was a bit of a challenge because I have grad school untill 9pm. When I got home I decided to take the laxative, thinking that it would run its course in a few hours later. Yeah right!! Here I sit 12 hours later and I'm still making emergency trips to the bathroom. Note to anyone who reads this, block off a big chunk of time to deal with it. I basically spent my entire night on the pot feeling beat up. I can't wait to go home so I can take a nap! Tomorrow is the big day. I have to be there at 5am. A friend of mine is going to pick me up so that my 1year old daughter doesn't have to get up so early. I am told that my surgery should be about 830am. It kinda sucks that I have to wait 3.5 hours, I'm hoping that they will give me a bed so I can take a nap while I wait.

Just wanted to say it is a pleasure reading your experiances thus far. My surgery is the 27th and I plan on going back to work Monday if at all possible.

Gina it depends a lot on your insurance. I'd recomend clicking on the advanced search link at the top right of the page and searching your insurance company. You can also view my blog, i've tried to detail my process thus far. Hope this helps, good luck. Brad

Proud-dad I figure us dads have to stick together. Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I recomend you spend some time in this forum, post as often as possible, don't be affraid to say what you really think. Most any question you could possible have can be found here.

I'm been on the pre op diet for three days now. I've lost 10 lbs already. The preop diet my surgeon prescribes is fairly extreme, judging by other diets by folks on here. All I get to have are protein drinks and two protein bars. That is it...oh and all the sugar free jello and crystal light I want. to be honest the drastic change in my food intake has left me feeling fairly weak and crummy. I've been battling urges to go get some "real" food. this morning I did cheat some and had some scrambled eggs. I felt light headed for a few hours after eating them, but now am feeling much better. Only one more week and it is surgery time!

I'm been on the pre op diet for three days now. I've lost 10 lbs already. The preop diet my surgeon prescribes is fairly extreme, judging by other diets by folks on here. All I get to have are protein drinks and two protein bars. That is it...oh and all the sugar free jello and crystal light I want. to be honest the drastic change in my food intake has left me feeling fairly weak and crummy. I've been battling urges to go get some "real" food. this morning I did cheat some and had some scrambled eggs. I felt light headed for a few hours after eating them, but now am feeling much better. Only one more week and it is surgery time!

I'm on day three of my pre-op diet and have been struggling already. Yesterday I had to go grocrery shopping and talked myself into and out of a hamburger about ten times. I told my wife that night that I am no longer going to the grocery store by myself. My nutritionist talked about avoiding, "food triggers." I guess the grocery store is one, because I used to go get a burger after grocery shopping in the past. I've been reading the various pre-op diets various folks are on and most of them seem much less restrictive than mine. All I get is four Protein drinks a day and two Protein Bars. Total calories per day is only 660. I did cheat a little this morning with two scrambled eggs, because I woke up feeling sick. I don't feel really torn up about it, but I am a little bummed, because I wanted to be able to say I passed the pre-op diet with no cheating. 10lbs lost in three days...that seems like a lot

My doctor has a very strict pre-op diet plan. I'm drinking Lemon Tea Nector, which isn't too bad at all. The only problem is that it is difficult to mix. I am using an electric baby formula mixer that works great (purchased in the baby section of wal-mart $4). All I'm allowed to eat is four 90 calories each Protein drinks, and two 150 calorie Protein Bars. Thats 660 calories per day!! YIKES that's it? I'm only on day three and having a rough time. I feel weak and generally crummy. In the past four days I have dropped 10lbs... I've noticed that other doctors pre-op diets aren't nearly as restrictive as mine, but am none the less going to be my best to stick with it.

That's right the family should suffer too!! haha Are you waiting for insurance to come through? If so, stick with it. They'll come around.

Getting my insurance to approve lapband turned out to be the easy part. Trying to coordinate the time off with my job is a pain in the rear. Since I haven't been at this job for a year (two months short). I don't qualify for the familily medical leave act, which would allow me to take a medical leave of absence. While I'll only be out of work for a week or so the small amount of sick leave I have accumulated won't cover it and my company requires me to be on paid vacation or leave of absence if I am gone. What I've had to do is move my surger date closer to the weekend so that I am only taking two days off then two days of weekend and back to work on money. I really hope that i am able to return to work after only 4 days!? New surgery date 27 March

Hi Newbeginnings I am scheduled to be banded on the 27th of March..19 more days! I have a one year old daughter (who rocks) and am expecting an other kid in August (don't know the sex yet). From what I've seen on this website it seems like weight loss is highly variable between differant folks. In my case I have a pretty big frame which means I won't be able to lose as much, at least not easily. My surgeon thought 235 would be a good goal for me (186lb is my ideal weight by the books). I'm hoping to get a little below 235, but it won't be easy I am sure. The most important thing is how determined you are to stick with the guidlines that we have to follow as new bandsters. Like staying away from the cheater foods like shakes and juice. Best of luck to you, let me know how your surgery goes!?!