JudyAnticola

Linda, what machine are you talking about getting in time? I thought you had your CPAP. I am confused!!! See you Saturday?

No, it will not be that much with insurance. You pay a monthly fee, can not remember what it was. I thought you were just going to go out and buy one. CPAP express can use your insurance. also, Dr. Rifkin may have them at his office on Davison Road. The insurance company monitors how much you use it, so if you get it be sure to use it or I was told they may not pay. I did not use mine at the hospital anyway, no one asked about it. So you are not "F'd" after all. The week before surgery is emotionally crazy isnt it?

PS to Bloom and Linda--YES, KNOCK IT OFF AND CHILL!!!! Honest to god the worst is over (dealing with the office people, LOL). The ice sheets I am talking about is from Walgreens, it is like a bunch of little ice cubes frozen in a 9 x 12 sheet. Will just fit nice across your belly. Otherwise bring two gallon size zip locks to the hospital and then the ice cubes they give you will not melt all over the bed. The ice is heaven on your stinging belly.

I had polish on my toes, since I had socks on no one said anything. they check your pulse ox with your fingernails, so you need to have at least one nail paint and acrylic free. Why are you rushing out to get a CPAP, it is a few hundred dollars. Were you just diagnosed? I did not use my CPAP when in the hospital, just used the nasal oxygen. they did not let me sleep long enough to fire up the PAP anyway. You need a prescription to get the CPAP machine, but there is a CPAP express near Lockport on Transit Road. masks are about 200, the machine is about 800 or more.

I did not have a catheter in for the band surgery. Pee as much as you can and ask him not to put it in if possible. The bad thing is that you pee so much from the IV that you have to keep taking the things off your legs and moving your IV into the bathroom, I think the catheter is better. I did not have one in for the band surgery though. I thought your surgery was today? When the heck is it?

If you have a health care proxy bring a copy with you, otherwise you will have to complete it again. Just thought of that.

I think about 2 hours. Bloodwork, EKG and chest xray. Saturday might be faster but you never know.

I think I only needed the ice when I was in the hospital, so the frozen vegetables might not be such a good idea there! I can not remember if I needed it at home but I was probably just too lazy to go down and get ice when at home, LOL. It was really helpful in the hospital right after the surgery though, I think it relieved the pain as well as the drugs (well, almost). I just remembered that my skin burned from the cutting and stretching and how great the ice made it feel, but they had to change my bed since it dripped all over, which is why I suggested a few baggies or the ice sheets from Walgreens. We will be thinking of you Bloom, write when you feel better. I bet you will be on line with us on day 2!!!

OK, call me in the morning if the weather is questionable. I will call Nicki and Linda. Of course if it is pouring we would all know!

Linda, The pre op diet is just South Beach Phase 1, the big key is NO CARBS and your liver will be fine. Good luck Monday Bloom!!!

Bloom, one more thing-others have said to have your husband bring a pillow to hold for the ride home in case of bumps in the road. I did not need this, but again, you might be different. I was so psyched to be feeling so great that I do not even remember the ride home! I was actually discharged hours early, before noon the next day. Do not hesitate to call me, I do not think I will be very busy this weekend, especially if it rains then I will not camp, but I have my phone there too.

Linda, I can tell you why you will chew and eat slow. At my last visit he told me that vomiting is not acceptable and that if it continues he will remove some of the fluid from that band. He put the fear of God in me, and I have eaten slow and chewed and have not vomited since he told me that. Knowing he would remove some of the restriction forced me to eat more carefully. So far so good, no vomiting since seeing him. Pain preceeds the vomiting, so I have also had no pain. Keep in mind that he will remove restriction, that will remind you to eat slow and small.

He does not access email often. Wear clothes that will allow blood to be taken. I wore regular clothes, T shirt and Jeans. I doubt that he would cancel your surgery, you have already lost 40 pounds right? Only if you gained it all back then perhaps they would cancel due to insurance. I did not lose any weight prior to surgery and they did mine. Stay as carb free as you can and your liver will not be any problem (and yours is not OLD!). You could tell him where you want your port (I forgot to do so) but I doubt that it would matter, it is placed in a specific spot on all of us, the same spot, so I doubt that you have a choice, but you can ask him. You will see him that day before surgery. I did not have much post op pain, but everyone is different. The thing that I wish I had was more ice packs post op. I meant to tell you and Linda this. After surgery they give you an ice pack for you abdomen. It leaked all over. Have your husband bring two zip lock bags so you can have two non leaking ice packs. The best thing would be those sheets of ice that they sell at Walgreens, no leaking and they would fit across the entire surgical site. The ice was the best. My skin burned after the surgery. I took all the pain shots they would give me the first day, and then only needed tylenol after that. I used the liquid Lortab prescription at home, but mostly at night when I wanted to sleep. Call the clinic and ask for the NP (or Hoffman if he is there) for better answers, I have always had a good response when I called the clinic and needed help. There was a big to-do by someone recently over emails, which is why I would suggest that you not do it via email. Please call me if you need to talk, 997-4945. Of course I can only tell you my opinion and preferences but I would be glad to talk. Do you want to meet for coffee at all? I would be happy to help with your anxiety. I will come to Lockport if you want (I would go to Jane and Co). I have no bad experiences to tell you really, my discomfort was minimal and is gone now. Oh, one more thing. If you even think the anesthesia might make you sick ask for the scopalomine patch and Zofran before surgery. One further thing, I was back to work 5 days after surgery. At about 10 days I did get tired easily and that passed after I got more rest. Dont hesitate to call.

Lets talk about the races on Saturday. Light the night sounds fun. Is the "making strides " walk that same weekend? I have to close down my campsite that weekend too. We can talk on Sat and figure out what we need to do. See you all then.

Bloom, You do not need a liquid diet, you need carb free. It is the carbs that make the liver bigger. A liquid diet may have too many carbs? Not sure. I ate meat, cheese, veggies for the week before. He said my liver was good. I did not have to starve myself, just stay carb free. Dont panic!!! You have done so well.

Val, I saw Dr. H today. He said throwing up is never supposed to happen. Are we doing something wrong? I guess maybe I am eating too fast. Today I did not have a problem, but I did not eat anything really solid. He is seeing me in four weeks, I have to get the vomiting under control before then. Anyway, one day down, 29 more to go, LOL! My Protein level was good, my HgA1c is 6.1, lowest ever, BP, 111/71, again, lowest ever. Am losing an average of two pounds a week (sure hope that continues). He said I have the bloodwork of an 18 year old!!!! Unfortunately the sag of a 56 year old (my words, not his!). He said the only way to lose faster is to exercise more.

Hi, I will be at the park this Saturday at 8 am, September 6. Turkey trot, is 5 miles, 8K; Making strides is 5K, 3.5 miles (I think).

Has anyone heard from Loraine or did anyone see her at the clinic? I think maybe she got so thin she fell through the cracks? She was doing very well last time I saw her a few weeks ago. Anyone else keep in touch with her? Let me know if you have seen her, I hope things are going well for her.

Oh my, this is the most conversation going here in a long time. The lady in my room at the surgery was well over 400 and Posner did her band, so I would not worry about that for anyone who gets Posner. Also, the support group is for Bandsters only, they have split up the groups. The next one is September 17 and I can not attend as I will be out of town, so you will not meet me, boo hoo. Oh wait, you did meet me on the first walk I think LLL? I was not banded at that time. I am down about 17 pounds since my July surgery. If we can not meet at a support group we could always have our own, we Love Hoffman group, LOL. Really though we could all meet to chat, even Saturday after the walk for those who are not up to walking. We are done about 9:30 am. It was so good to hear from you LLL. Bloom, can not believe it is your time, it seemed like September was never going to be here for you. I would come to see you post surgery if you want a visitor in late afternoon. I am leaving in the am for NYC. Let me know. Not sure if you have a ton of family that visits. Nicki came to see me and it was great. Otherwise I will meet you soon. Take care everyone, have a good weekend. I am actually skipping the walk for only the second time as I am going camping and I CAN NOT WAIT. Take care.

I will be back at the park September 6 (Saturday). See you then. Debbie, hope you can make it.

Val, did they have the old scale back or were you on a different scale?

China, dont worry, now that you went to the seminar they will call you with a date, probably in a week or so. You will probably be seen within the next month. At this point you can not just call for an appointment, you have to wait until they put you on the schedule as they start scheduling the new people soon after the seminar. How many people were there at the seminar? Hoffman will be off for two weeks in September I heard, and Dr. Forbes is gone, so it may be a little slower. You are on your way now. If you have not heard from them by next week then I would call again. I am sure they are working on the schedule-that is what they do after a seminar. For me, surgery was 5 months after I applied, 3 months after I went to seminar. I had all my testing done and insurance approval, so it went a little quicker. I would guess it is about a six month process. Plus you have to lose your 5% weight. I know how frustrating it is, I was at the top of the frustrated patient list!!! It will come fast. For me I am now at a 16 pound weight loss after 5 weeks.

Great! Look forward to seeing you again.

Hey gang, a few of us have talked about the Making Strides for Breast cancer walk, I think October 4 and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. If anyone is interested we can make plans. I hope to do them both.

Bloom, we come around the juicery again at about 8:45, perhaps you could make the second circle with us? When fall comes perhaps they will make it later, not sure. Would love to meet you. Your surgery is almost here-that is so cool! I did go to REO speedwagon. Where about in Lockport do you live? You dont have to give an address here. I know Lincoln, Davison (go to Dr. Rifkin), Main Street, Transit Rd. I might have told you I am dying to go to Jane and Co. in Lockport. Talk to you soon.