mom2twins

Hammer, first let me say you have done a great job. This web site is a great source for support and information. When my doc first told me I needed the band I went into shock, I had never heard about the band before. My hubby found this web site for me and I became totally engrossed with this site. I sometimes even just sit and read the chat room to pick up info where I can. I haven't found a local suport group and have no real friends here yet (just moved a few months ago from out of state) so this site has been my only source of support. I feel totally comfortable with getting the band next week because I know that no matter what my question or situation the people here will be honest and helpful. Don't give up hope on your band or yourself. You have come to far to let it all go.

If you don't have a fever your chances are good that they will go ahead on Tues. Use your inhalers to help break up the stuff that has settled in your chest and keep you fingers crossed. I am scheduled for Tuesday morning also. We'll have to keep up with each other once we get back to the computers. Good Luck,

I know it's not new, but I am getting a little more nervous as today went along. I finally called my friend from all my life and told her about the band. At first she was way do you need it, and after I mentioned a few things she seemed to understand. I had a good day with my girls and went to a movie and had some popcorn. I did buy the large bag and added the butter, but didn't even eat half of it, including the part that I kept giving to my girls. We had our good bye dinner before the month of liquid and new habits. I had a Steak Fajita and ate mainly just the meat. I guess I have been practicing for a little while and can't go too far from the modifications I have already started. I know I have a lot more changes to make, but I have been trying a few at a time before I even was approved. I have bought four water bottles, 3 small remikins for soup bowls, and 2 small salad plates for my meals. I figured if I got something different from the family and smaller than we have been using it would help me to remember that I have new rules to follow. I took the advice of some of the longer banded guys and bought a couple sets of infant flatware to help remember to take smaller bites. They are cute and colorful so they can be fun at the same time. I still haven't bought a scale for the house, not sure if I really want one or not. I have three new pair of shoes, two that slip on and one that has really good support. They all have a sneaker bottom on them so they are all good for walking. I need to find my pedometer and I should be set for the first few weeks. well gotta get of my bum and move. :frown:

Go to the search tab on the forums and put in 'Shopping list' it will bring up a few different threads and then you can find the one you are looking for. I did that a few days ago and read throught them to make my list of supplies before I go in. Good luck,

You will get different stories from several people. If you have talked to the insurance company and know what they expect than the rest is just satisifing the doctors requirements. I would expect that with your BMI and co morbids you should be approved (in my opinion) but it is also not for the doctors office to determine if the insurance company will approve or not. As long as they send the paperwork in then the insurance company will do their part, and you go from there.

the band should have no affect on water unless it is too tight. Water should go right through after your healing period at first when you just sip all day long. I am thinking of it like I did after I had my kids, I just carried a bottle of water in my bag all the time.

I'm not sure about the sippy cup thing, they say not to use a straw because of the extra air that gets into your stomach. I have 2 days left until I am banded. I have not been told anything specific from my doctor, but from what i have read and gathered from this board the most important things are the water and protein. AT least 64 oz of water a day and 60 grams of protein. If I worry about getting thsoe two numbers in then the rest should go ok. The 4 rules from the doctor about life after the band is 1) protein first 2) only three meals a day, no snacking 3) drink 64 ounces of water every day 4) 30 to 45 minutes of exercise everyday. Every doctor has different rules, and every body is different. AS others have posted before you will have to find what works for your body and then stick to that. Just keep reading and researching and you will find what is best for you.

With JJ, Earle, and Josephine you are just to resourceful for me. I'm not sure if I'll stick with the Pita thing or not but will probably come up with something. Hey I call my twin girls Bubba and Jethro since w ehave moved to Texas, so I'm sure that I can find something good. Maybe Bertha, because only guys go and call Ralph, and since I don't plan on ever throwing up again in my life it might be the only time I will call Bertha again.

I had a hard enough time telling my hubby about the band. I have told my kids and his mom, but none of my family. I don't think they would understand and I really don't need the negitive crap that they would send my way. It has been hard telling my kids not to talk about this to any of my family, but since they are all out of twon from where we live that has made it easier. There are several people on this forum that have similiar stories so don't feel that you have to tell them. I do however feel that the people who live in the same house that you live in do need to know so that they can be helpful for you. It would also be very hard to hide this from people in the same house. Outside of that it is up to you who you trust enough to let in on such a personal issue. Good luck to you,

I have named my purse Gurtrude because she is always with me where ever I go. I guess if I picked a name for my band it will be PITA (pain in the a**). I had a dog that I gave this name to years ago, but it might fit again. Plus when I get done I can just say 'my pita is full'. I love the conversations we come up with on this site. I have four days left to get my PITA.

Welcome to the site, don't get to worked up about the approval process, if the deny it at first then you will appeal. If the doctor has the packet put together well then they might approve it first time. Mine was approved within a few hours of being recieved. Now i am just waiting for next week to have the band. Good luck to you!

I had a little girl send an intivation home with my daughter that had a suggest gift list on the invitation. Needless to say she just got a card. I have protested the whole birthday party out do each other thing for the last 9 years. We have a family birthday thing where we go out to dinner, and then (when we had one in town) we would go to the book store and let the girls pick out a nice book. It was fun for them to have the waiters sing to them and then getting to pick out a really good book was enough to make my kids happy. If parents keep setting the bar higher the kids will never grow up to be happy with what they have.

Congrats!! I am a few days behind you (next week). I am getting nervous as well, but did find a pair of shoes that have great soles and just slip on so I won't have to work to put them on (unless my feet swell) to go walking. Later,

Glad to see you found this site. Use the search at the top of the forum to help find more information about things you have more questions. I have found that reading through the new posts has also helped me find other things I had not thought about. Good Luck, when is you surgery date?

When I went t my seminar they said you need to carry a card for the lapband just in case it does set off a very sensitive detector. They said it is like having a prostectic just ours is inside and not at the end of a limb. If your doctor won't giveyou one I know there is a website you can go and get them from. I will have to look it up so if you want me to find it send me a message and I will try to locate it in my book.

Way to go! I have a semi-supportive hubby and realize how hard it can be to stay on track when they are not much help when you need it. You are on the right track, not much longer until you get your band.

My doc recommends 24 hours liquids, 24 hours full liquid, then mushies and then regular food. I have read a lot of post about people having problems after a fill and having to get an emergency unfill, and that scares me. If nothing else we will get a few more pounds out of the fill diet every once in a while.

It is so hard to believe that the summer is over. Everything is going so fast. I have my endoscope this week and get the band next week. I knew that TriCare moved fast but I am still shocked by the whole thing. I am glad that it is going fast so that I don't have time to get scared and talk myself out of this. I have been buyin a few things the last few days. I found a little bowl with a lid and a small strainer that fits over the top. That way when we go out I can get the soup and strain out what I can't eat in the liquid stages. I can't not let the rest of my family not enjoy their lives just because of my rules. I want to learn how to live with them and my new life at the same time. This will be changes for all of us.

It is so hard to believe that the summer is over. Everything is going so fast. I have my endoscope this week and get the band next week. I knew that TriCare moved fast but I am still shocked by the whole thing. I am glad that it is going fast so that I don't have time to get scared and talk myself out of this. I have been buyin a few things the last few days. I found a little bowl with a lid and a small strainer that fits over the top. That way when we go out I can get the soup and strain out what I can't eat in the liquid stages. I can't not let the rest of my family not enjoy their lives just because of my rules. I want to learn how to live with them and my new life at the same time. This will be changes for all of us.

Hey, if cottage cheese is on the mushie stage I have a good recipe for you gals to try. I will post it on under the food and recipe section. It is called Mandarin Orange Salad. I have really liked this salad for years and it is easy to make. Once you get to the soft diet you can add the oranges back in.

Don't torture yourself. Find something to distract yourself from the thought of food. I know that the liquids are no fun, I will be joining that song this week, but it is such a short time compared to the rest of our lives (which will be longer now). I plan on doing a lot of crocheting instead of eating when I am not sitting here with my little fingers getting their workout on the keyboard.I want to make a wrap for myself that is not added to to reach around me. If you try to think of something you enjoy half as much as you are trying to remember how something tasted, you can find something else to occupy your time. Lots of luck to you all,

PS to last post. I can't wiat to get thin again so I can wear some of the really cool ones they have now, maybe even one that dangles!!

When I had to take mine out for a surgery while pregnant with the twins at first I had trouble getting it back in. I used a toothpick to make the hole straight enough and easier to work with, and pushed the toothpick out with my belly ring to get it back in. It sounds worse than it is but if you have had your piercing for a while I would try to use the toothpick trick before I would give up and let it close. For the person who has never seen a bellyring on an overweight person, well I wasn't overweight when I got it 15 years ago, I just stopped wearing shorter tops so the only person who sees it is my hubby and kids. I have had it so long I can't imagine myself without it even for a few days. It will be one of the first things I put back on when we get home from the hospital.

WOW, with 5 kids I couldn't imagine being pregnant again. My girls wanted me to have another one for a while, then a little boy was always taking their toys while they were playing and that changed their minds quick. I don't have good pregnancies either, bed rest from the positive test, so next time I will adopt if I have any more.

Hang in there with the pre-op diet. I will be there with you this weekend. My doc only wants one day of liquid, but I an going to do a few more because of the benefit for myself. After reading so many post on this site I understnad how important the pre-op diet is and I want to decrease the chances of problems if I can at all. Just think by Christmas we will look back and think 'that wasn't so bad after all' as we all put on our new skinney pants and grin from ear to ear.