H8thew8

Oh my goodness, you are so right! When I read your link title I was like "yeah, right!" I will not have a fill until nearly six weeks after my surgery date (due to my trip to Vegas, not by choice - my doc did not want me to get my first fill five days before my flight.) So, I WORK extra hard to keep the pounds away. And, I don't beat up on myself when I see that such and such lost one million pounds in two days. I also realize that muscle weighs more than fat and since I weight train every other day I am convinced that the one or two pounds that I lose and gain back are due to that. The tape test does not lie and neither do clothes. When I can wear items that I have not worn in YEARS, I know I am doing something right! I also agree with you about the board and the state of everyone's emotions. I was really excited to find an outlet like this one where people could truly identify where I was coming from. Although I have the best support base in my home, it was nice to hear from people that were having the same experiences. Now it seems a little "whoa is me!" I wish the best for everyone and hopefully those that are not having as much success as they wish will stop blogging and start exercising! Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing even the smallest of weight goals. To those that are doing well, keep on trucking and I hope to meet all of you in Onederland!!

Try TriWest Healthcare Alliance. All of my information is listed there. Congratulations and good luck!

We were banded around the same time and I have the itchies too! It is not as bad now that I have all of the excess glue off, but to find relief I just gently rub over my shirt. The friction eases the pain just a little bit!

I have always been a pretty "thick" girl, but over the years the weight has been creeping and creeping. I had recently resorted to putting a belt around my middle tire, pulling my pants up as high as they would go and putting on another belt and covering with a fitted top to accent the "girls." Well, it was getting harder and harder to pull this off. I was in my room stuffing, stretching and pulling when my five year old daughter walked in and said "Oh Mom, you are just so FAT, look at you! Do you see me, I am skinny and you are just... oh! Here let me help you." I stood there horrified when she came over to me and tried to pull my pants up for me. First of all, I had never heard her speak like that and I was so embarrassed. I could not even say a word. We were on our way out of town and my husband and my daughter always swim. Usually I sit and watch them, but due to our earlier conversation I was feeling down about myself and went to the room to relax. When they came back from swimming my daughter came and sat beside me and was looking very upset. I asked her what was wrong and she told me that she was sad because I never swim with her it is just always her dad. I didn't even realize that she noticed. That day I decided right then and there I had to do it as much for her as myself! Best decision I ever made. I had toyed with the idea for a long time, but that was definitely my last straw!!!!!!!

I was told anywhere from 6-10 days. I am 8 days out and nearly all clear!

Gatorade and PhillySwirl popsicles have been working wonders for me!

Just wondering how many people have utilized a surgical center vs. a traditional hospital. The vast difference is that most surgical centers will place the band without a psychological evaluation and meetings with nutritionists and so forth. Before I was actually banded I went to multiple seminars and meetings with different doctors. I'm just curious ithat if the people that were "just banded" feel they are receiving the tools that they need to succeed.And, if the people that went to the hospitals feel that everything they are/went through is worth it. It seems that it was the generalization at the seminars that without the team of doctors either a person would fail or at the least have difficulties.

Thanks everyone for all of the responses. A little information on why I was asking in the first place: I was originally approved for a surgical center that is in another state, but I also found a surgeon located at a hospital that I liked just as well and was only one hour away. My insurance dragged their feet on approving me for the surgeon at the hospital. I got scared that my approval for the surgical center was going to run out (only had until 19 May), so I went ahead and went with them. The facility was awesome with a great caring staff, but I was just curious as to if I was missing out on anything by not having all of the prerequisites. I basically had my blood work done, got my heart checked out and I was banded a few days later. (That's the short version.) Everything is going very well for me and thankfully I have a wonderful support base on this fantastic journey. Best wishes to each of you and I hope that we will all use each other to learn from, lean on and support.

I have a tip... when you are taking off your band aids, take a little rubbing alcohol and rub around the outside edges and they will peel right off. Only problem, my skin is still sticking together. I have tried alcohol, soap and Water, peroxide and nothing seems to work. Any ideas? Found the solution... Vaseline!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi ladies, I can answer apart of your question. I was banded on Monday and I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the time I received my band. I have insurance, so I will keep you posted how it pans out.

When seeking a referall with Tricare, you really have to lay it all on the line with your PCM. If all of your previous weight loss attempts are documented and you are overweight with other weight related health issues, you will have no problem. Mine went through in exactly two days. Due to the weather it took me another month to get the surgery, but now all is well! Another tip is if you are fortunate enough to find a surgical center like the one I went to. No liquid diet (except for one day prior), no psych evals or visits to the nutritionist. Made the whole process tons easier.

My doctor only required a liquid diet the day prior to surgery.

I had such a crazy experience, my original doctor had a minor heart issue and was taken to the emergency room. My surgery was of course at that point cancelled, but then it was realized that my insurance had just approved me for the center and not that particular doctor. Another surgeon graciously took me on, but of course after his regularly scheduled patients. Good thing I had extensively researched all of the doctors at the center, or I would have ended up coming back home unbanded!

Hi everyone, I think that I just might have been the last surgery for March! My surgery began at about 7:30 last night and concluded nearly aroung 10. (I have a hiatal hernia that had to be fixed.) I am happy, sore and excited!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I have Tricare Prime and I was banded on Monday by Dr. Ellison at the WTLSC in Overland Park, Kansas. A word of advice to all of my military family, when you get your approval make sure that the doctor's name if at all possible is not specified on your paperwork. Here is my story... My doctor, Dr. Nigro, was to perform surgery at 11:30 am, I received a call at 9 am stating that Dr. Nigro had a health condition, was in the hospital and WOULD NOT be able to perform my surgery. Because I was going through insurance, they were not going to be able to offer me another surgeon. Fortunately, I recalled that there was not a doctor listed on my referral, only the actual center. After calling to verify, I was allowed to be transferred to another doctor. I was very familiar with each of the surgeons, from my extensive internet research and was very comfortable with transferring to Dr. Ellison (who the staff calls "Dr. McDreamy" a very fitting name!:huh2:) Anyway, I had my surgery at 7:30 at night and was released right before midnight. I am little sore, but very, very happy!