OpenHrtOpenMind

Dr. MacColl was also my surgeon & everything had been wonderful. Shellie, his PA is truly amazing and has made this journey always a positive one. Although Dr MacColl has now moved on, the Altru system is still THE place to have this done!

Just an FYI.. I've been looking at Bodybugg too & right now until 12/1 it's $149.50 at 24hourfitness.com.. lowest I've seen it!!!

I just read a thread that reminded me of when I went shopping for a few new things last week (it's starting to get pretty chilly here in ND & none of my shirts or sweaters fit anymore - they're TOO BIG!!!!). Anyway, I found a few sweaters & even though I've lost a considerable amount so far, I find my head still can't wrap itself around my smaller size sometimes. I still go straight for the Plus section & seek out the largest size they have, only to try them on & realize..hello!!! that looks WAY too big on you!!! :cool2: Anyway, so I finally found 2 sweaters & a suede jacket (in a 16W by the way), only to find I needed a new pair of pants to go with the suede jacket for the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert coming up on Nov 1st. I searched low & high amongst the plus size for a 16 or 16W anywhere & almost gave up, when a funny little mule musta kicked me upside the head for not checking in the Misses Dept. I walked over thinking what are you doing, Liz.. you're fat butt is not gonna fit in stuff over here.. this is Skinny Land!!! :smile: 'Lo & behold there are the 16s, not even 16W mind you right there & sliding up over my much smaller behind (even though I was still thinking "THIS IS SO NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!"). Anyway, they fit perfectly, not too loose, not too tight...call me Goldilocks!!! Anyway, just wanted to share that sometime our funny brains don't seem to catch up with our smaller size & you get to have these great moments to laugh at yourself & then smile because it's you that brought you here!:frown:

Hi, & welcome!!!! Although there are so many factor that affec this process (namely insurance & doctors & individaul programs), I'll answer as best as I can from my perpsective. -Time from beginning to end: 3 months (seminar 2/14/08 & surgery 5/7/08) - Yes - you can keep it private. Only my family & close friends know & only my HR at work & one close friend at work know. It's up to you to tell whom you choose :frown: - Can't really answer the specifics for your areas, sorry :smile: I wish you well & seems like you've made some great choices already!!! Don't be a stranger as this is the most amazing place for info & support!!!

Congrats to you!!! What a major milestone :smile: Be so proud of yourself & all you've done! Keep it up!

OMG!!! I can't believe the treatment your are describing. As many others have stated here, you are a paying customer and deserve to be treated with dignity & respect. I highly encourage you to both put them in their place at the next visit & also write to the highest source you can at that facilitiy to make a written complaint. I know for me it took a lot to get to where I am today & to have to deal with this kind of additional burden would leave me wanting to run for Cold Stone (ice cream). Still, be strong, you make the choices for you & quite honestly.. to the @%ll with them!!! Give it right back at 'em!!!

Awesome, job!! Keep up the great job!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Hey, all~ It's been a while, but wanted to check in with you all & see how everyone is doing! It's been a pretty amazing journey thus far. I'm hovering right at around teh 200# mark & eager to break that barrier (201.3 to be exact). Anyway, would love to hear how the May 2008 bandsters are doing :wink2: Take care all!!!

I second the advice to call you doctor's office to request your records and/or get as nurse to clarify this. I think maybe there is some misunderstanding as I find it hard to believe he'd fill 5cc - may fill up to 5 ccs ??? I know I had 2.5 in at surgery, then 1.5 for my first fill to bring me to 4. I've had 2 more fills now at 1.0 cc each, so I'm at 6.0 currently (& hopefully nearing the sweet spot!!!). I also know that each time before a fill, they actually extract all the fluid to measure to ensure no leaks. Again, knowledge is power & I'd either get with a nurse at the Dr.'s office or get a copy of the records yourself. Best of luck & let us know how it goes

I feel your pain & am right about where you are, with the exception that I had my first fill today. But prior to today, I have been C-R-A-Z-Y hungry really for about the last week & a half. I have been able to eat so much more than the 1/2 c or so that was pretty typical about week 2, & was forcing myself to stop long short of satisfied, let alone full. Hang in there! This is really almost the hardest part. You've come this far, so give yourself a little room & know you're not alone :wink2:

Welcome!! You've taken the first few steps on a very exciting path :thumbup:

Try not to be discouraged :thumbup: I think Debbie may be right in that it was possibly the way the question was worded. We have BCBS Federal & it has covered nearly about 90% of the entire cost including all the pre-op work ups, tests, & visits & even surprisingly the EGD (endoscope) which most insurances don't' cover (this procedure runs about $1175). Our Bariatric center had a insurance checklist that even contained the medical codes they use so we could reference these with our insurance company. You may see if they have something similar they could provide to you. In a pinch, here's the wording in our policy regarding what is covered: "Gastric restrictive procedures, gastric malabsorptive procedures, and combination restrictive and malabsorptive procedures to treat morbid obesity – a condition in which an individual has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or an individual with a BMI of 35 or more with co-morbidities who has failed conservative treatment; eligible members must be age 18 or over. Benefits are also available for diagnostic studies and a psychological examination performed prior to the procedure to determine if the patient is a candidate for the procedure." Maybe this can help to give you some more specific wording when you talk to the insurance company again :tt2:

Hi, there. I was banded on 5/7 and our program too called for a nutrition program before (12 wks) that was $350 & also a program fee for after of $275. It was explained to us that both are to help ensure the success of the Lap Band by prepping you with the nutrition, exercise & fitness know how before surgery. The program after is to cover the cost of dietitian visits after as research has shown that people are often much more reluctant to seek these out, even though they are very necessary, because they are typically only partially covered by insurance and subject to deductibles. Interestingly, I found it a very concrete way to keep me grounded as I have spent this money, so I'm certainly gonna get something for it!

Hey, all...it's great to see how everyone is doing Our program was a bit different as we had a 12 wk class before surgery & this is when my weight loss began. I started 2/14/08 at 282.2; day of surgery was at 244.0 (so a loss of 38.2 prior to surgery). Today I'm at 230.8; so a total loss all together now of 51.4!!!

I don't blame you! I was expected a full week to maybe 1.5 week reprieve!! It could still be gas though too. You might try some Gas X, wait a bit (15-20 minutes) & if it still persists, it probably is hunger :blushing: Just look at it this way, hunger is our body's way of telling us that it needs some more energy & I'm totally okay with it taking it from my right hip, or thigh, or any 'ol place there's too much junk in my trunk!! LOL :thumbup:

I know exactly what you are talking about!!! 4 days after surgery I was asking myself the same thing! For me, hunger reared it's ugly head way before I was expecting it to I actually had a follow up the next day & talked to my Dr about it. She said everyone is so different that it was certainly possible. She suggested I try some cottage cheese or maybe a scrambled egg ( was currently on full liquids). Sure enough the next day, I tried some cottage cheese when this new "mystery" feeling surfaced, & it promptly dissipated after eating it (slowly of coarse). I could only liken the whole scenario like my body had this brand new language that I had no translator for. I really had what "hungry" feels like down before surgery hoping this would help post op, only to find that "hungry" felt a bit different. Just listen to your body, work with your Dr, & start to learn (or perhaps re-learn) what your new stomach is trying to tell you :blushing:

Hang in there! A new friend of mine banded on 4/22 was so desperate for something crunchy & salty, that she raided the Cheese Nips box, poured a handful, sucked all the salt off them, then one by one, actually put them back in her mouth to chew them like crazy & then spit them out before swallowing. We both laughed ourselves silly at the wacky things we do sometimes. All in all, it was pretty harmless & seems quite logical because of the food sensations we are missing with the liquid phase. I'm sure it will pass :blushing:

Hi & welcome!! I was banded on 5/7 & took a full 2 weeks off. Today was my first day back & I am wiped out. I really had considered taking a bit more time but only had to work today & then again not until Sunday, then off Monday, so I hope the few staggered days off between will help. I guess in retrospect after the day, I really should have pushed for more time as my Dr. was more than willing & my time off is covered under our Short Term Disability. I guess my advise/opinion is listen to yourself & your body & by all means if you can take the time take it ~ whether it be just a few days or a few weeks.

Congrats! I bought a Tanita a while back that also measures body fat. It's been great & I believe measures up to 350 lbs & will hold info for 4 people. There's lots out there, but this is a great brand :thumbup:

Hi, all. It certainly seems as if everyone is different here as far as food plan & I myself am no exception. In fact I was quite stressed about it, but have been working closely with my Dr. as this was our initial plan: (1) Day 1: in the hospital: Clear liquids (2) 1st Week: Full liquids (3) Wk 2 - Wk 4: Soft & Moist, Ground & Pureed However, I found myself doing really well getting the protein in & on the evening of Day 4 actually felt hungry!! I was shocked. I was expecting the bliss of not having to be hungry for at least a week, maybe into 2. Fortunately, my first post op was the next day & after speaking to my Dr., she suggested to move on to some cottage cheese & eggs if I was able to tolerate them. I was just concerned as this seemed to soon, but also know that she does know what she's doing :thumbup: So on I moved to these & what we all affectionately call the mushies. There hasn't really been anything I haven't tolerated so far, but I proceed cautiously, chew like crazy & eat very small bites (I've become quite fond of my son's old toddler spoons & forks!). Despite the hunger, I can still only manage to get in about 1/2 c of anything before it starts to feel uncomfortable (guess this is my "new" full) . I do have to say one thing though & this seems to be more prevalent with insurance vs self pay, that the insurance route that really frustrate most people (short version: initial meeting, primary dr physical w/ 5 yr hx, diet & exercise class <12 wks>, behavior change <6 wks than ran concurrent with 12 wk class>, 1st appt w/ surgeon, mandatory weight loss of 5% body weight, 2nd appt w/ surgeon, pre-op testing including EGD & then finally a surgery date & surgery), is what really helped to prep me mentally with the "head & heart hunger" & really set me up for the right path to follow for success. My Mom, who was self pay & banded in Jan 08, just seems to have a whole different approach - she eats what she wants, just small portions. She's doing well & lost right at about 70 lbs. I myself lost 38 prior to surgery & about another 8 since surgery 5/7 (also a bit surprised here as I've very careful about what's going in & only getting betw 800-1000 calories a day, 50-60 of protein - think my body is just fighting the calorie change). Anyway, that's my 'lo down with a few side commentaries thrown in Just keep remembering that this is a journey & everyone's will be a bit different

If I've learned anything, so far, it's certainly that everyone is so very different as are our bodies after banding. I myself, expected to not be hungry at all at least until day 7 or so, but have found that I'm healing well, & my Dr okay'd me to move on to some cottage cheese & "pureed" egg salad (whole eggs, bit of FF mayo & mustard). I tolerated these well. I think there are no really defined lists for anyone & that we just have to work with our Dr.s & re-learn how to listen to our bodies. As my Dr said, "if you're getting in enough liquids (64 oz +), enough protein (50-60g) & then you're still maybe hungry.. it's time to move to the next food phase...don't be ruled by guidelines - be ruled by your body (& a quick check in with me of course)" Gave me the reassurance to trust myself a bit here & do what's right for me....don't let other make you feel badly for what you are doing for you :tongue2:

In the hospital, it was a combo of Roxicet & then Fentanyl until I could have Roxicet again. Went home with Roxicet & Reglan (anti-nausea)

Hi, there & welcome. I'm 5 days posting banding & hanging in there Your post really struck me as I was/am this way as well. I only told work that I was having surgery & only one person in HR knows what for. This honestly was a personal decision for me & not one I want and or need to feel I have to justify to anyone. This was largely part of why I haven't been telling anyone other than close family & friends. The other really stems from the fact that I know for many they think this is the "easy" way out. As all of us that go through this can attest to, there isn't much easy at all & frankly I just don't even want to deal with this or the gossip that may ensue, especially as my job is a "gossip pit" and I manage a team of 20. As far as my reply to losing weight, my answer so far has been, "Yes. I have lost some weight. I'm eating right & exercising to make sure I'm setting a healthy example for both myself & my son." This is just enough info, but not too much & honestly hasn't led to much further with other people that have commented or asked. Keep in mind this weight loss will be slow & steady so you won't be accounting for a massive loss of lots of pounds in a short time :thumbup: Best of luck to you!!!

Hello, all & greetings from the other side ~ Just as many others remarked, reading these stories helped so much, so I wanted to share mine as well. Drugs are making me a bit disoriented, so forgive any weird typos or something that makes absolutely no sense at all!!! I was banded May 7th, 2008 at 8:30am. The morning started off at 4:40 am & I had trouble sleeping the night before, waking every hour or so. After getting up, a crazy nausea set in that kept me running to the bathroom (in retrospect this was probably a good thing!!!). 4 bathroom trips later, & everyone dressed, we left the house at 6:10am on our way to drop off our son at daycare. We turned it into a special day where both Mommy & Daddy got to drop him off (it helped that his favorite day care worker comes in at 6:30). We (hubby & I) arrived at the hospital right about 6:30am, I checked in where the registration person put on my name band that was so loose I could literally pull it off. Immediately though this is NOT good, unless I ended up with a free boob job or something!!! Anyway, she re-did the name band, upside down no less, and then I was off to pre-op. It was about 7am or so by now, & after getting asked about dentures, jewelry, pacemakers etc…got changed into a gown (keep in mind that you don’t’ get to wear a stitch under there except our new "oh so stylish" sticky socks they give you). This process in & of itself seemed to be my first ordeal, as the nurse so kindly mentioned the pocket was in the front ( I thought, well DUH!!! What would it be doing in the back) as the minute I picked it up, I it was like looking at a Chinese jigsaw puzzle with no instructions!!! Yes.. I was nearly bested by the sad hospital garb!!! Then, embarrassingly remembered the tip about the pocket & at least knew where to start…Turns out these weird flaps were the sleeves that you had to first snap together, then it all made sense, but man, up until this moment, I truly felt stupid and wondered if this was kinda a sick joke that all the nurses get a kick out of..to see how it takes the patients to get into the gown!!! Anyway after the gown was finally on & I got strapped into the circulation boots, next came yet another drill about jewelry as I was able to get all of mine out with the exception of my nose ring, which I had tried repeatedly the night before & again in Pre-Op. I just would not come out without ripping it out. My thought is – do no harm, right?? Anyway, after many a lecture by the nurse about how the electrical impulse from possible cautery during surgery could reach the metal & leave a horrible burn/scar on my nose, and did I want to try one more time (this was getting really old already!!!), the Dr. swung by & said it was fine, and to just to put some surgical tape over it. Next came my blood thinner shot which surprisingly went straight into my stomach & even more surprisingly I barely felt at all (thank goodness the fat was finally good for something!!!). Then, we had a bit were we waited together & goofed off until there were ready to take me to the holding area. Then it was time. I kissed & hugged hubby, & off I was wheeled into the holding area. At this point, I had to go to the bathroom yet again (this was #5) & settled back in my bed with my cozy warm blanket. The anesthesiologist came along next & actually ended up starting my IV as he was ready to get going. Soon, everything was a flurry of activity, meds were being added to the IV bag, another nurse came by to give me a “feel good” cocktail, & frankly it goes a bit fizzy form there. I remember being wheeled to the OR & thinking what a great big room this was for little ‘ol me. I then kinds remember being scooted over & a mask over my face asking me to take a few breaths…and then nothing….. I honesty don’t remember anything about recovery & only was vaguely aware when I was being taken up to my room (despite my request for a private room, I ended up with another in my room later that day that was also having the same procedure. The next few hours were in & out & not too terrible, even gas pains weren’t hardly bad at all. I had to go down for my swallow test about 3pm & this was the first really of the nausea. I made it thought the test with no vomiting (although very difficult..lots of pretty visual imagery & deep breaths) & got back up to my room. My hubby & son came by just a few minutes later (4ish I think) & my son (5 yrs old) was a bit taken aback. They had just taken the other lady down for the same test & she was moaning crazy when she came back up & scaring my son, so they headed out pretty soon. I told hubby to not worry & to just take care of him & to not worry about coming back. Honestly, there’s nothing worse than feeling really bad & having a roommate whose feeling worse. This was the very reason I dreaded a non-private room and it became even more dreadfully apparent as soon this lady had her Mom, husband, son, then later daughter all up in this very small room with the kids running over my side to keep looking out the window & playing. Not a good moment!!! Fortunately, soon they left & I was left in the great hand so my nurse Becky who was a godsend & took care of everything, well except the poor lady laying next to me that was moaning, groaning & wailing most of the first night (she had another nurse). I honestly was feeling quite lucky hearing how badly she felt. Anyway, then hell began about 3:30 that morning with insane pain right at the 2 incisions & on either side of my rib cage & nausea beyond belief . By this time a new nurse was in, & promptly brought some liquid pain meds (who thought of this one!!! To give HORRIBLE tasting liquid medicine <Roxicet> to a severely nauseated & in pain patient). Anyway, I struggled over the next about 10 hours as pain was hard to control & was always back with a vengeance before I could have the next dose…I finally got an order for something else that could be given in conjunctions, Fentanyl which could be given about every hour if needed. Anyway, my moaning lady next to me was doing remarkable well & already getting her catheter out. I was jealous, but also still in so much pain & so nauseated I couldn’t’ yet get up out of bed. She was already asking about going home, and here I was thinking I can’t even get up & walk. What a changing of tides!!!! Shortly after, I was determined to get up & with lots of drugs on board, got moving around, got the catheter out (yes, they do that too!!!), & was due to head out about 1pm on Thursday to go home. Fortunately, our ride home was about 6 minutes (of bumpy torture, but at least mercifully short). The next obstacle was to choose to take the 3 short flights of 5 steps up to the house or use the underground garage elevator & walk a long, long way….I opted for the long way (smart move) & got settled at home. In my own jammies, pain meds on board & about 6 hours of sleep later, I was feeling much better & certainly past the “Why did I do this?” part”. I’m just now getting more liquids in & tolerated a Protein shake & low fat cream Soup yesterday well. Pain meds are only about every 12 hours or so & I’m moving much better…Well, there’s my 36 hour journey thus far…. Just know that this is a real as it gets, no “fluff” or sugar coating things as I know for me it was just as helpful to know the worse parts as well as the funny and silly ones too. Best of luck to you all still waiting…talk to you soon J

Hi, to you all. I was banded Wednesday & all of these same things have been running through my mind. I just know I can only go very slow...micro baby sips I call them....and the best advice I can give is listen to your body.. that uncomfortable pressure, any pain..all signs to slow down & back off a bit. I was interested to read that your Dr said clear liquids for 2 wks as I was told clear liquids only in the hospital (Surgery was Wed morning & went home about noon on Thurs). I was then told to move to full liquids...milk (1% or skim, FF yogurt, reduced fat cream Soups, etc) & was really only able to manage this yesterday. Again, just trust yourself, & if anything hurts or is very uncomfortable..STOP & WAIT. Let some time pass & then try again later...