moosey52

Well I was banded 4/9/08 and as of to date I have lost 26lbs. I choosed the band because I wanted a more slow way to lose, and I feel the band I have more control what I want and when I want it. I always felt at the begining that what if I really got sick and I needed all the nutrition I could get in to me without them putting a feeding tube in my nose. Well with the band I can get the Dr. to take all the band fluids out and eat whatever I needed. With the band I know I have control of my body and I would never go for anyone taking parts of me apart or disconnect here or there. Oh I know we all heard the saying well I wouldnt want a object laying around inside of me. Well believe me there are more people with something in them eventually. Knee or hip replacements, breast implants, a screw here or there. The Band has come a long way now. My Dr. used the new 10cc band on me called the realizeband. Go to www.realizeband.com there you find the new band they are using, and they even have a number you can call to ask any questions and its a real person you talk to. My neice had the gastric and now she is so sorry for it, she cant keep protein in her long enough to do anything for her so now she has to go get a IV of protein once a week, and her hair keeps falling out. Oh she has lost alot of weight but she is paying for it now. So whatever you deciede good luck and besure to check the website I think you will learn alot more there.

No problems here, my Dr. said I could drink any diet soft drink after 4 wks post op. So I average 1 a day now since I was banded 4/9/08. I drink alot of ice tea with splenda, and sugar free koolaid. I use alot of single koolaid cause it is so much easier to add to a cold bottle of water and you dont get tired of the same flavor. So your doing fine, just don`t drink a whole drink after your meal. Just drink a 1/4 of it after your half hour wait. Take care.

Hi everyone I`m the old kid on this new block and having my surgery 4/09/08. Dr. Thomas Sonnastine is my Dr. and I will be having my surgery at St Luke Hospital in Florence, Ky. I plan on going to the monthly group meetings there and hope to meet someone thats in the same boat with me there. Dr. Tom said it`s great to go to these meetings to talk with others about your past month and to maybe find a buddy to help each other down the road with problems that might come up time to time. So if there is anyone out there that goes to the meetings please email me so I can look for you next month. Like they always say....you can never have enough friends:iagree:

Hi Busy great to hear how great your doing. Well tomorrow is my big day and I can`t wait. Have my jam-jams pack and even pack me some single sugar free koolaid. They will keep me overnite, but home early the next morning. I went to the grocery today and spend 150.00 on just me. Well I have enough in my house for almost a month, hubby will get my milk as I need it. My main thing is to do what my dr and nutrionist tells me and mostly want to get the protein they want me to have for I dont want my hair falling out. So take and will look u up in a few days.

I think I have the most pickiest taste buds around. Ok get the unjury unflavored protien powder, then add that to your fatfree milk in a blender mix well, then add 2 Tbs. of sugarfree nestle quick powder to the mixture with crushed ice. Let set for a few minutes then mmmm enjoy. I also use a sugar free fudgecycle in place of the nestles. Plus the unflavor is great in applesauce, warm soups, puddings, & make your own jello with it. I even mix it in with my sugar free koolaid, ice tea, and just a reg glass of choc milk with the nestles. So check out their site cause they have receipes also you might like. Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage You can also bye the sample packets to try first. I try the unjury at a pre-op program my dr required with the nutritionist. So good luck.....

I`m heading to the grocery now for last minute foods or shall I say liquids I will need the next 2 wks. I`m so excited about my road to a lighter and healthier me. I`m taking a hankercheif to wear across my nose like a bandit when the dr comes into see me later after my surgery. I know he will crack up. I plan on getting up out of bed as soon as possilbe to start that walking. I know one thing after all this work and money I will do exactly what the Dr. and Nutrionist orders me to do. If your Dr. used the realize band then check out their website they have a 3 yr success plan for you to work with and your Dr. can check on it time to time. www.realizeband.com So good luck April banders. Keep us all inform how things are going.

Hi MK...My Dr. said I had to quit at least 6 wks before surgery. It helps the healing and then when your under you will have less complications for your breathing, and less chance of going into pneumonia. I had smoke for 40yrs and finally quit. I needed the help though I use the Zyban prescription, and used alot of tootsie roll pops. I just needed something in my hand once in awhile. I know one thing I feel alot better since I quit, and talk about more energy. My last day with a cig was Jan. 8, 08. So it`s been 3 months for me now, and my surgery date is Apr.9.08. I have that extra money in my pocket now to spend on my grandkids since I quit. Good Luck

:biggrin2: Hello All.... Well I`m excited as heck. I did all my pre-op April 3, and saw the Dr. and did my final weigh in. Been great for me haven`t had to do any pre-surgery diet or anything. Going to finish some last minute shopping as far as fatfree milk, puddings, jello, and etc that I`m allowed to have post-op. Have all my protein in for a good month or so, even bought me a little non electric chopper that I can take with me everywhere when I can get on solids. Order my sugar free- low fat fudge sticks, popsicles, and vanilla ice cream all from Schwan`s. They do home delivery every 2wks., and their products are good but you just have to read all about the nutrition of their products. I figure I can use a fudge stick or 1/2 c. vanilla ice cream in a protein shake once in awhile. My only worry is when I get bored with the liquid diet...WILL I DRIVE MY FAMILY NUTS!! So I wish every1 a fast recovery from their surgery and enjoy that new road ahead. :purplebananna:

:rolleyes2: I have been waiting for this for a long time. I guess I`m not nerveous since I had 2 back surgerys, 1 partial, and then 1 complete hysterectomy, and then wrist surgery. Out of all of them this will be a breeze to me. My surgery date is Apr.9,08 at 11:00am. So at least I don`t have to worry about over sleeping to get there.:teeth_smile: I`m just happy to finally get there to have this done so I can start to get back to being my old self again. So just go in and just tell the Dr. I`m all yours so lets get started because you know you won`t be bad to the bone anymore just the DNA....:party:Good Luck New Banders.....

Moy what part of Ohio are u in? I have Dr. Thomas Sonnanstine of St Luke Hospital in Florence Ky. he does all his Lapband surgerys as outpatient but you don`t go home, he keeps you overnite, but it will still count as a outpatient, and his staff are really great to work with. I hope this will help some....Good Luck. I will be banded 4/9/08

Hi Blue I know you feel like that day will never come but time will fly by before you know it. We got a great Dr. and his staff is awesome. Keep in touch and maybe we will meet up at one of the meetings soon. You can go to the support group meetings before surgery, just call to find out when at the drs. office. Take care and keep in touch...

Hi Busy, well thank you, cant wait until I get this started the 9th. I hope your doing ok. Keep in touch with me time to time and I will do the same.

Welcome Nikki !!! This is all new to me also, I`m being banded on 4/9 and I can`t seem to get the dang food stuff off my mind. My husband asked me where do I want to go for my last supper. lol!!! I told him Im not having a last supper just a real good meal the Sunday before because I getting myself ready for my surgery and do plan on eating lite the last few days before my surgery. I feel if I don`t then it will be that much harder when I get home afterwards when my stomach will be growling from no food in it just liquids. Oh I have been shopping only for me also. I even made a place strictly for my foods away from all the other stuff, so I wont be opening this cabinet and that one. I got on line and order all my protien powders and some soups. I`m getting mentally ready for this. I go 4/3 for my pre-register then afterwards I am going to go buy me a blouse and a pair of capri pants 6 sizes smaller so I can look at it everyday after surgery so I have something to look forward to getting into in months down the road. So good luck girly and let me know how your doing time to time.

I am having my surgery Apr. 9th and my Dr. doesnt require any diet just be sure to drink plenty of liquids the day before my surgery. Amen to this because I dont think I could handle the 2 wks before and 2 wks after on a liquid diet.

I just ask my nutritionist the 20th of March about the hair loss thing and I told her of all the things I heard of and she said it is a protien thing. I am due for my banding Apr. 9th, and she wants me to get at least 65-80 grams per day with 3 meals and 2 snacks everyday. Now of course the first 2 wks will be liquids, but she said she still wants me to get into this habbit right off so I will be fully ready when I can get on solids. So with my protien drinks and with my 4 flintsone vitiamins (different times daily) I should be fine as far as my hair goes, so you should talk to your nutritionist soon. Good Luck.:thumbdown:

Updated the list with posts from the other thread Hope I didn't make any mistakes...If so be sure to update/fix and repost the list. April 1--Bunky1965, April 2--MissLady April 3--GiGiRN, ebowling, alicia99 April 4--magic 1127, ColoradoChick April 5-- April 6-- April 7--davisd April 8--Carol422, CinniMae08, carol4784 April 9--Natasha, bft33, lizalee,moosey52 April 10-Turler, , cadencemarch April 11-Lynne (countingthedays), tatt2, LisaB411 April 12- April 13- April 14- DaNieLLe (Dshea8285) April 15-Chilly April 16-nurse7263, Bea1128 April 17-Johnst027 April 18-Astrid(scarlettbegonia),JennyLynn, April 19 April 20 April 21 April 22 - Pat (Tricia1105), April 23 April 24-Savedbygrace April 25-bling April 26 April 27 April 28 April 29 April 30

You might want to try unflavored unjury, it is great in just skim milk with crushed ice in a blender, and also it is great mixed up in applesauce. Besure you let it sit to really soak in what ever u mix it in. I bought some on line and I just love it, can mix it in with my cream of wheat also. If you want just order a few samples. They even have some reciepes that you can print out later. Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage

By all means though make a appointment with a Dr. as soon as possbile.

Try some desitin diaper rash creme, I use it along my pantie line where the elastic lays and under my breast where my bra is. Or if you rather the dry way, just use corn starch. The desitin just works better for me because it puts a protective film on my rash and heals it at the same time.

Hello everyone, well Monday March the 10th I got my approval from Tricare standard. My husband got his military retirement for putting in 20yrs with the Ky. National Guardsmen. Now my Dr. and Hospital are in Tricare network so that`s when you get Tricare Extra, which helps because I still will have to pay something but not as much. They told me approx 2400. If you can get a letter from your primary care Dr. before setting up a appointment with a surgeon then you will be one step ahead when you walk through that door. I had the Tricare Regional Office North, and they really help me along. This is what it saids Gastric Bypass (Surgery for morbid obesity) – Limited Benefit – Gastric bypass, gastric stapling, gastroplasty, and vertical banded gastroplasty may be covered when one of the following conditions are met (view Hospitalization Costs): The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has an associated medical condition, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. The patient is 200 percent or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure, regardless of associated medical conditions. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. The following are not covered:Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) (CPT codes 43645, 43845, 43847 or 43633). Gastric bubble or balloon Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT code 43843) Unlisted CPT codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum). So I`m sure you will qualify with one of these. Try these sites also. https://www.hnfs.net/provider/home/ https://www.hnfs.net/bene/home/ Good Luck and let me know how you do....

Is your friends insurance with Tricare military insurance, if so tell her they cover the lapband, and you can get approved in a matter of a month, as long as all her test are done. So tell her to set up the first appointment with the Dr. and get it started. If she needs any help with that just tell her to email me anytime. It really is easy to get approved compared to so many insurance companys. So tell her to email me and I can tell her all the ropes... constancekid@fuse.net Good luck.

Yes do call they have a way of saying they didnt get them and the drs. office have to resubmitt them all over again, believe me I was never so angry at a insurance company. Every time you call ask the person for their name and keep documentation on everything, extra copies of this and that 2. Whatever you do dont give up, even if you have to appeal, go through with it. Alot of insurance will turn you down just for the heck of it so people will just say ok I wasnt approve and that is that. So keep on them and please if it does come down to appeal do it.

I like the unflavored unjury protien with skim milk and I use sugar free neslte quick in a blender with crush ice and it makes a great shake. Just let the unjury dissolve real good, its good in unsweeten applesauce 2.

I havent been banded yet, but got my approval Mar 10, 2008. So just waiting on a date now. I live in florence, ky., so Dr. Thomas Sonnanstine will be doing my surgery. He is located at St Luke West Hospital in Florence, Ky. I had to put up 300.00 up front before I went to all their classes, and then I will have to put up another 300.00 the day of the surgery. Which I can still turn that in to my insurance. The total 600.00 covers, pyschologist, nutrionist, group discussion, office visits for 4 fillings the first year. After that each filling will be 150.00 and that isnt covered by insurance. Dr. said 4 should really do it. Will have unlimit monthly post-op group discussion from now on. Staff is great, and Dr. Sonnanstine is one in a million. Can`t wait until I`m banded then I will be a happy camper for life. His staff really works for you, and believe me this has been a long running for me since my insurance kept giving me a run around. Just hang in there, I got 3 denials before I finally got what I wanted and needed. Good luck to everyone on their life long road of happiness.

Look being banded isnt a easy way out for any of us. It is a life time commitment to eat less, eat our food different, drink different, and taking multivitamins the rest of our life no matter what. So I dont think any of this is easy, but we are willing to do it to be a healthier person. So I dont see anything wrong of thinking of yourself for once. So tell her she has not a clue what this is all about and to take a open session about this with others there and the dr. also, and ask how would her instructor like the way she approached you about your own business, then look her straight into her eyes and say I rest my case..... good luck on your surgery.