carcol54

I have been on paxil during menopause. I gained alot of weight, know it is not all the paxil but think it contributed to the very quick weight gain. I am concerned that my weight loss is slower being on it. Any suggestions or has anyone changed SSRI's since surgery? Carol

I was banded on August 14th . How have you lost so much weight so fast? I have lost only around 30 lbs? Lost of excersize, what is it you eat? Carol

Hi, My insurance with Wellmark went through in just one day. I am very pleased with them. I have had the best care with Dr. Teresa LaMaster's and her office team. She is with the Iowa Methodist bariatric center. I would love to share my experience with you if you want more informaiton. I had my surgery on August 14, 08 and have had 5 fills so far. I think one more fill and I will be right where I need to be. If you have any questions, just ask. carol

I was banded on Aug. 14th. My doctor told me that the first 6 weeks after banding are about making healthy choices and healing. You need good healthy food to help yourself heal. You will have fills and begin the process of eating less. Try to eat all of the food groups. Please be gentle with yourself. You have been through surgery and need to heal. Carol

Glad you wrote about this. I had my band on August 14.I had my first fill today and it was a difficult procedure. they tried multiple times to with a two inch then three inch needle. I did have pain killer, lidacane which helped alot. We tried on my right side, on my back. Finally sitting up with my arm over my head worked best. My doctor says as I lose weight it will get easier. Yeah ! She also warned me I would be very bruised. I had 3cc put in today and will have another fill in 2 weeks. Liquids today, muschies tommorow and food on Wednesday. If they could not have gotten it I would have had to go to the hospital to have it done there. My nurse drew a map and put it into my files about where my port it located. Today I regretted every M&M and every chip I ever ate ! I am sure it will go better for you when you go in again. Carol

I would like to know if you are using a CPAP or have seen a sleep doctor. I made a world of difference in my life to use my CPAP for two years. I understand that I may be able to not use it someday but it has changed my life so much. You will feel better if you move around. Start with something very simple like walking around the living room during commercials or putting on some great music when you do housework. I call it aeorbic housecleaning. You can move a little today, a little tommorow. Carol

Follow what your doctor tells you after surgery. I think of my diet as a prescription. Ice chips and sugar free popscyles were good as I had a sore throat from the tube down my throat during surgery.I spent the night because I am slow to wake up after surgery always. I was a little dehydrated so got extra fluids. I only needed tylenol after surgery. Laying down and getting up is a little tricky. Using a pillow under my left side when I slept helped me. I went back to work two half days on days 7 and 8 after surgery and then full time the next week. I have been very tired the first part of this week but better as the week goes on. My surgeon says it is all normal. I ate cream soups, protein drinks, sugar free pudding, sugar free jello,applesauce, water, Crystal light, yogurt. I was not hungry as long as I had enough protein. I have lost 17 lbs which feels really good.I moved on to mushies at 14 days for the next two weeks. I hope your surgery goes well. You are very courage to take this action to improve your health. Carol

I have been using a scale I got a Wal-mart from the tv show the Biggest Loser. I like it, it is readable and seems to match my doctor's scale perfectly. Carol

I was banded by Dr. LaMaster in the same clinic on August 14th. I have only good to say about the clinic and about the process. I am very pleased. I see Dr. LaMaster for my post op check in the morning. As you get closer to your surgery date if there is any way I can be supportive please let me know. I live in Des Moines. You can reach me at cacol54@yahoo.com. I wish you the best. Carol

Some good news....I only had tylenol after surgery nothing more. I have been surprised at how pain free I am. I did spend the night but could have all of the sugar free popsicles I wanted ! I would suggest you use a pillow at night under your left side as being flat in the bed and getting up or rolling over was a little painful and tricky for me. Healing has been good. I took a week off and then have worked two half days and hopefully all day today. I am still tired, rest as much as you can and follow the doctor's orders about lifting etc. Do expect bruising and too look a little banged up for a few weeks. The liquid diet has not been so bad. Yougurt, sugar-free pudding, Soups, applesauce, protien drinks,sugar-free Jello and popsclyes. I feel full. I see the doctor tommorow. It does hurt a little when I laugh.I took a pillow to the movie yesterday to hold against me so I could laugh. I bought several new books to read while at home resting. Good news, yesterday I fit comfortably into the booth of a restaurant that I have avoided for awhile because I knew I could not fit in the booths. Good luck to you all. Carol

Hope you are doing better. So many things are about to change. I had my surgery on the 14th. While I have been on this liquid stage before and after surgery I have had several days of no BM but it is looking a little more regular. This experience is like learning to feed a brand new baby. I am getting to go back to the very beginning of my life of food and begin all over again. I hope to be off of all liquids in less than a week and move from my "formula"stage to my "baby food" stage with mushies. Don't hesitate to call your doctor about any concerns. We are courageous women who are going to become healthier, stronger and sassier. Carol

I was banded two days ago. I lost 11 lbs pre sugery. My doctor told me 3 times what a difference it made for her as my liver was not as fat. The more you can loose the easier time your surgeon will have doing the surgery and getting your port in. You will be okay and so pleased with your self when you have to weigh right before your surgery. Hang in there, stay busy. Do some of the thing you won't be able to do for a few weeks after surgery like cleaning out your car. Just look at this one day at time. Carol

Congratulations. It sounds like you are finding ways to meet your needs. I was banded on the 14th, spent the night in the hospital. I have been surprised at how little pain I have had. Lemon pudding was the best thing I have had today. I always have trouble with the anethesic and when it is totally out of my system I will feel better. I have had a few moments today feeling as though I might be crazy be banded. Hope those are just fleeting thoughts as I heal. Carol

I have had my CPAP machine for almost 2 years and I love it. I am so rested, and my blood pressure went to normal in two weeks. I just put it on and go to sleep each night. I have travelled with in, taken it on planes with no problems. I wish my Dad would have a sleep study. I am being banded tommorow. Maybe someday I won't need it but it is a wonderful tool that can save your life and make your life so much better. Carol

Hey all, I see my surgeon next week, then do a two week pre-surgery diet. I have been working towards this since Februrary and now that I am getting closer I am a little scared. I plan to take only a week off after surgery. How long did you take off ? How will I feel a week out? It usually takes me two days just to get the medication out of my system. I have not found a protein powder or drink yet. Any recomendations? Thank you for your support. Carol in Iowa

Good news, once everything was sent into my insurance we got the response in just one day. I am seeing the cardiologist today and then can go back in and schedule my surgery. You can reach me at carcol54@yahoo.com if you would like to chat off of this site. I have gone to the support group 2 months ago, I took a friend and was a little intimidated by all of the people. I hope everything goes well for you. Carol

So what if others are outraged ! It is your body , your health and your choice. It is just a tool you choose to use. the other women may react out of jealousy. You are very brave to choose to live ! Carol

I am in Des Moines also and waiting for approval from the Methodist bariatric center. My Mercy doctor recommended your center. I hope all goes well for you. My information was submitted to the insurance company today. Carol

I had heard they are quick. Thank you for the encouragement.

Not at all but they will want to see what efforts you have made toward weight loss. The three years of medical records is just what my bariatric doctor looks through.

I am working on getting everything ready for the insurance company. I attended a 3 hour seminar, met with the surgeon and nutrionist, went to two appointments with a counselor, had my doctor send over 3 years of records, attended a bariatric support group. Now my bariatric surgeon wants a letter from my doctor to the insurance company. I am hoping this is the last step. The big thing your insurance company is looking for is information about diets and converstations your doctor has had with you in the past 3 years. Go for it. carol

Am still waiting for my doctor to submit to my insurance company. My POP sent all of my medical records to my GYN instead of the bariatric doctor. How frustrating. Had to have a D&C and biopsy's two weeks ago after having had no period fo 4 years. I have been reading that being overweight can create too much estrogen. I did not know this. Is this true? Having trouble driving because I have a stick shift car and my stomach is now becoming an issue. How very embarrasing. Have a bad knee and am using that as an excuse to look at an automatic. I really hope I can get this lap band surgery done because I feel I am just about out of options and the extra weight is compromising my ablility to live the life I want.

Am still waiting for my doctor to submit to my insurance company. My POP sent all of my medical records to my GYN instead of the bariatric doctor. How frustrating. Had to have a D&C and biopsy's two weeks ago after having had no period fo 4 years. I have been reading that being overweight can create too much estrogen. I did not know this. Is this true? Having trouble driving because I have a stick shift car and my stomach is now becoming an issue. How very embarrasing. Have a bad knee and am using that as an excuse to look at an automatic. I really hope I can get this lap band surgery done because I feel I am just about out of options and the extra weight is compromising my ablility to live the life I want.