heavy duty

Well, my surgery was Aug 21st and I came home 22nd (Fri). Today I feel almost 100% (little sore & still a little tired but overall I feel good). My main complaint is that when I checked in on the 21st, I weighed 212 and when I checked out on the 22nd, I was up to 220 (I guess it is from all the IV fluids & swelling, but it was still hard to see that scale.) 4 days out and I am back to 211 so I am happy. Everything went really well and I am so glad it is over. Just wanted to report in!!

Thanks so much for the well wishes!! I am not nervous yet, but I am sure I will be a wreck tomorrow morning on that drive to the hospital. I am looking forward to a new life!! I will post again on the flip side!! Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

My surgery is TOMORROW and I hope it goes as smoothly for me as it sounds like it has for you!! Very excited to hear how your process went. Congrats & wish me luck!

Harley, Actually our situation is very similar. I am going first, not sure when my mom is going (she has no date yet) and I am self-pay where she is the one in insurance limbo. I am looking forward to sharing the experience with my mom. I am glad things went well for you all & am glad to not go through it alone. I think her date will be October, so it wont be quite 5 months after mine, but long enough after mine that she will know what to expect. Thanks for sharing your similar situation with me.

Hi all, I finally have my surgery date on 8/21 with Fontana and I am so excited. I just wanted to tell everyone who is stuck in insurance limbo to hang in there. My mom & I are going through this process together and I got in & got my date without issue but my mom got caught up in the insurance red tape so it looks like we wont be banded around the same time. At least I will have gone through it and she will know what to expect. She is more nervous than I am. Even if it takes awhile to get that magical surgery date, it will all be worth the wait. Now, if I can endure that pre-op week of liquids that starts for me this Thursday, I will be fine. I am not worried about the week or 2 on liquids after the surgery since I wont want to eat then anyway, but this upcoming week while I am still starving will be rough. And finally saying my forever goodbye to my beloved diet soda. I have gone down to one per day (before that is ALL I drank morning, noon & night) but that final soda will be sad for me. Wish me luck! :thumbup:

Hi all, I am having surgery 8/21 with Dr Fontana and I wanted to get the firsthand scoop on the hospital stay and the post-op. How sore were you and how long did you remain out of work after the surgery? I am planning on taking a week, but wanted other opinions. Also, I was told in my pre-op class that there is no sensation of restriction until the first fill. How can that be possible? There are folks who have gone 6 months without one.... Just curious. Any other tips, advice would be great. I start the pre-op liquids this Thursday. Also, what Protein drinks do you recommend (best tasting) because some of those shakes are not good!! Thanks!

Holy Cow George!! 125 pounds since January? Wow. I am being banded on 8/21 with the realize band. I can't believe you have had no fills yet. That is awesome. I was originally told by my Dr's nurse that the initial placement of the band offers no restriction and that I would not have restriction until I got filled. Clearly you are an exception to this rule!! Well, good luck Monnie & congrats George!! I will keep the board posted on my progress. I start liquids this Thursday for pre-op and I am not thrilled about that, but I cannot wait to be a normal size again!!

Hi, I am getting banded on August 21st in Norfolk - Dr Fontana. I am stressed about doing 2-3 weeks on liquids myself. JennyVA, how was post-op? How long were you out of work? whippoorwillow - I know how you feel, I am paying for this myself too, but you sound like you got a better deal. Mine is $23,000. Yikes, still not as much as a Volvo but close! I am looking forward to hearing about your surgery. As my date approaches, I am getting anxious.

Della, Yes that was the same meeting. It is a small world. My mom is waiting for them to call her for her initial appt. I ended up being impatient and taking an appt 2 weeks earlier rather than waiting for an opening with Fontana, so I will be using Snyder. Brooks did my original seminar & I wasnt that impressed, but now that I have seen Fontana I can see why is popular because he seems straightforward and easy going. Brooks was kind of dry. Bummer about the 1-year MD managed weight maintenance. How far through that are you? My insurance requires 6-mos and I have 2 already with my PCP, so hopefully that 4 months will fly by. I am hoping for an Aug. surgery date!! Thanks for all the info & support!

Well, I made my decision and made my first appt with the surgeon (Snyder) at NSG. It is on 5/8 and I took my mom to a seminar last night (4/23) and she is calling today to make her appt. I am excited to finally get things rolling. I had been on the fence about getting started in the program because I was about to accept a new job & knew nothing about the insurance they provide. Luckily, the new job didnt work out & I am going to stick with Cigna for now. The rough part of the whole thing is not knowing if the insurance will ultimately approve it. I have the coverage, but have heard horror stories about appeals & denials so I am nervous about that. How many diagnostic tests, labs, etc are required before surgery? I had blood work done & I am having a mammogram tomorrow. I know the psych & dietician are required, but I was wondering about x-rays, scans, etc. Thanks, Heather

I went to the NSG seminar but have heard alot of good stuff about the one on the peninsula. How much of a cost difference is there between the 2 locations (aside from the program fees). I have been contemplating this surgery since November & I really need to get on the ball & stop procrastinating. :frown: I will probably end up going with NSG but I didnt like the guy who did the seminar. I am going to try for Fontana since he seems to be a forum favorite. How long did it take to get the first appointment after the seminar? My seminar was 3/26 and I have all the paperwork filled out, I am just not sure what is holding me back from the appt. Any recommendations or words of support that will get me on track to just do this? Thanks!!! Another Heather in Chesapeake.