cadencemarch

Hi April Avengers - I haven't been on the computer much the last few weeks. I was banded April 10th and I get hungry (REALLY hungry) about 4 hrs after a meal. I spent only a few days on the mushy stage and started right in on baked salmon, cooked veggies, etc. I'm also fighting the 'big bite' syndrome and have to remember to take smaller bites and chew, chew, chew. One thing the nutritionist mentioned and is also in my notebook from the clinic is to avoid liquids 1 hour before and 1-2 hours after a meal. The liquids speed the food through your stomach and you become hungry sooner. Avoiding the liquids helps you to feel fuller for a longer period of time. It seems to help me some, but if I wait too long to eat then I fall back into taking big bites and swallowing larger amounts than I should. I had a hiatal hernia corrected at the same time as the lap band and it is extremely painful if I try to swall a larger bite than I should. I am visiting my regular doctor tomorrow and will ask him about this because it is SO painful when it happens I'm wondering if something is wrong. The pain is about 2 inches up from the bottom of my breatbone, a little to the right of my breastbone. Has anyone else had a hernia corrected at the same time as lap band surgery?

Hi CinniMae08 - That's so wonderful about your Dr. calling you. They sound like really great people that are truly interested in you and your success. That's how I believe eveyone's experience should be. I'm hoping the Hurley hospital staff is more like what you described. Most of my medical experiences have been very positive so I guess that's why the staff's behavior at the Hurley Clinic made me so angry. Does anyone know how long the pre-admission testing takes? At Hurley they have you do a chest X-ray, pulminary test (spelling?), blood work, and urine sample. I was just wondering if anyone has gone through this and whether it's an all day affair?

Hi kjl315 - Congratulations on your insurance approval! That's a big milestone. I've been reading entries and the insurances are so varied and some approvals come quick, some take a lot longer. I met a man yesterday at my Nursing/nutrition class where his 1st visit was 2.5 months ago and he's already on the liquid diet due for surgery in 10 days! WOW! My insurance was approved 2 weeks after Hurley sent in the paperwork. However, it took Hurley a while -- I don't want to rant again about that. Anyway, it sounds like you'll have your band at/around the end of April!!!!! Wa Hoo!

Hi MissLady - I sure empathize with that! It will be wonderful to be active again and start to feel healthier! Also - there are such cute clothes available in smaller sizes! What a thrill it will be to shop in stores once again and not be so tired. Yes, I really understand what you're saying.

New Information about Hurley. Normally I would keep the negative to myself, but this may help a future patient at Hurley. Their office staff is the most DISORGANIZED group of individuals I have ever run in to. Additionally, I was there yesterday and signed in for my Nursing/Nutrition class and the staff just keep themselves behind the glass window, not interacting with the patients at all if they didn't have to. Now today I receive a call that unless I pay my ded. & copay immediately they will cancel my surgery! I'm happy to pay and was there yesterday and signed in. I asked the woman on the phone today if signing in and waving to the staff behind the glass window was not enough to indicate I was there, but she just repeated that unless I pay immediately my surgery will be cancelled. My surgery is 3.5 weeks away and they are worried that is not enough time to clear a check??! It's a lot of miles on the highway round trip to go back down there today. I'm calling my bank now and asking if they can increase my debit card allowance for today to cover the payment. (Normally every one's debit card limit is $500 at my bank.) I know I'm ranting - sorry you guys - but it's the WAY they talk to you on the phone. It comes across as "we've got all the power and you have none. If you want the surgery you have to jump through this hoop, now this hoop, OK, here's another hoop, etc.). I don't know who's running the show there, but they do not have a handle on customer service in even the smallest way. The surgery is a means to an end for me so I will find a way to tolerate the office staff. However, Please be aware that in my experience, the Hurley Bariatric Clinic Office staff is NOT focused on how they come across to their C-U-S-T-O-M-E-R-S. One last note - As I was leaving I walked through the lobby area where the infamous 'glass window' is located and several staff were listening to another staff complaining about someone. The talker was waiving her arms, etc., bad-mouthing an individual. I didn't stay to listen to that garbage. That kind of office gossip turns my stomach. I hope this is not indicative of the majority of patient's experiences at Hurley. However if it is, I hope Hurley is able to 'step up' to a higher level of professionalism and compassion very soon.

Hi Mamajeanne - I just joined this website and noticed you had Dr. Farhad. I am scheduled for lap band surgery in April with Dr. Farhad and wondered what you thought of him? I have not met him yet - in fact, I will be meeting him for the first time the day of my surgery! Does he take time to answer your questions or does he seem to be in a hurry all the time? Was your follow-up with Dr. Farhad directly or with other staff members? Any information you can offer would really be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Hi Turler - I think you were responding to me. I'm Cadencemarch. If I've made a mistake I'm sorry. Anyway, yes, they require me to quit. I've been researching and have learned more about cotinine (nicotine) than I ever thought I would. I have a cleansing kit and cotinine test kits I've purchased and will quit prior to my pre-admittance testing (they call it P.A.T.). I'm really not eating more volume than before, but I've noticed that I'm eating from resturants more. In the last week I went to Red Lobster, I ordered a take out pizza, and one morning I went out to breakfast!!!! This is not normal for me - usually I cook at home. Each time I have a meal I'm reminding myself to chew each bite 30 times, take smaller bites, etc. I guess if I have to practice the eating procedures I'm doing it on the foods I like the best!

I have to admit that I'm eating up a storm. They have not required me to lose additional weight before my surgery (I'm lucky there), and I'm determined to keep to the liquid diet once I start. I will be bringing a list of questions with me on Thursday to ask the nurses. Also (bad girl) the smoking thing is an issue with me too. I know, I know, please no lectures. I want to handle one crisis at a time!

Hi Turler - We sure do! I'm the 2nd surgery of the day. I tried to schedule to be his 1st (when he's freshest), but 2nd will do all right. Are you worried about being hungry on the liquid diet? I am. I have my nutrition class this Thursday to find out about the liquid protein among many other items. My pre-admission testing is the following Wednesday. I drive about 180 miles round trip to each appointment. How about you?

Hi everyone - I'm very new to this website and this is my first entry. I am scheduled for lap band surgery April 10th. I'm excited and a little scared too. My BMI is approximately 55 and I'm just unable to really get around like I used to. In my younger years I was a cheerleader and also enjoyed gymnastics. It's hard to believe sometimes but I know that gal is still in here somewhere. You are all so encouraging - thank you for that. So, here's to a new life for all of us!