NMYDASH

Dr. Schulman, What do you do for saddlebags under your eyes. After losing weight before I had saddlebags. Even when I had weight I had them. What can be done. Thank you nmydash

Alagirl-i am so excited for you! The 14 days will pass by very quickly-i promise. I strongly suggest- if you are in a position to be able to take off a couple days that would be advisable. I am not in a positon to be able to take off. being a single mother of three with only my income and with one in college-i just had to suck it up and work. thats the only reason i went back so quick. The extra days would have benefitted me better but it just wasnt feasable. Everone else done the right thing by taking some time off. So dont put me in the equation to judge how long to take off work. If at all possible get all that you can done ahead of time-supplies, household chores, etc. You would be better for it. Everyone on this forum will have greater success with quantity lossed than me cause i have the lowest bmi (i think) starting out. But i really needed this surgery(tool) i had my uncontrolled high blood pressure as well as diabeties. But in addition - these co-morbids were already affecting my body causing irrevicable damage. I have a detached retnia that was caused by my co-morbids. I am blind in that eye now. So i had to do something dramatic to preserve my other eye as well as the rest of my body. So this was definately not just a vain thing with me but a necessity. Just like the rest of you. God has blessed me way more than i deserve-so i truly give him all the glory and honor for my successes that i will be gaining. It wont be easy- but i feel he made this tool(surgury)possible for me in order to make my body/his temple more healthy to do his work. Just like i believe he sent wendy, you , jason and all the rest of the angels on this forum to give me encouragement. But enough said this installment -i just wanted you to know everything will be ok and soon you will be on your path as well and i am looking forward give any support i can to you.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! Isn't life wonderful! The gas pain was VERY harsh and I was sore getting up and down but overall everything was bearable. I almost feel normal again. Everything is going great-i'm on just the liquid diet and the protein shakes don't taste very good-not any I've bought anyhow but i'm still ingesting them. :seeya: Tomorrow is when I go to get my stiches out. My incisions look great except one little tiny spot that looks like it has gauze packed in it. Ya'll are truly angels, folks. I am here to testify on ya'lls behalf. I know I sound like a broken record-but with ya'lls PRAYERS, compassion, support, AND guidence I have been able to do so well. So thanks, again everyone. I hope everyone has a great day!

:thumbup:Hello, my band angels! Thanks to everyones love and support and most of all PRAYERS, I am back in the real world. Everone of you is very accurate on everything you've told us to expect. The nurses were absolutely wonderful, Dr Miles was wonderful, the anastesologist(sp), post care, everyone was great. I am back at work. I have a easy desk job. And taking it very slooooooooooow and eassssssssssssssssy. I am getting up and walking every few minutes and sipping away(today is day three). If I get to where it hurts they will let me go home at any point in time. But right now I'm doing fine at this moment. It feels so good to finally be banded and started on my new journey to ME. I will follow Dr's orders to the T, I promise! Yesterday morning was rough getting used to getting up and down but it got better each attempt. I want to Thank all of you for your support. I wouldn't be here in this good a shape if it hadn't have been for you and of course GOD! Until later.........:wink2:

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the hospital just called and told me I was #2 for tomorrow and I have to be there at 7:45am. I am so ready. I've done the clear liquid diet today. Jason, Have a Happy Birthday tomorrow. Say a prayer for me. Until later.....

I thought of another question. For the life of me I can not figure out how to paste the progress and other timers with my posts. I can develope them but I cant get them attached. HELP!!!!!

Pre-op like all of you said was a piece of cake. An expensive piece of cake:ohmy:(deductable). But it is gonna be well worth it. I can't quite figure out how I went from 220 to 217.7 pounds between pre-op at the hospital and the dr's office one right after the other. No restroom trips and I drove straight around the hospital. Boy don't we all wish we could lose 2.? pounds every time we drive around.:w00t: (Ha Ha) It must have been the difference in the scales. Listening to Dr. Miles-It sounds like I will be getting the realize band. And I will probabally be the second surgury on Tuesday! I am so.........ready. I am so tired of being overweight. I do request everyones prayers on Tuesday, please! Another question. I have the urge to eat my favorites tonight, Sat and Sunday for one last trip down memory lane. Did anyone else do this or is it not recommended. Starting Monday morning bright and early I go on clear liquids in preparation for Tuesday. Grace, bamagirl, Jason, and all the rest of you- ya'll are a true godsend!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well ladies and gentlemen-tomorrow is my pre-op visits and Tuesday is my band-date. I need ya'lls prayers please. I am getting very anxious but at the same time nervous. (I have white coat hypertension on top of my regular super high blood pressure. :cursing:ha ha) Everyone seems to be doing exceptionally well lately. Horray!!!!! Very, very soon I will be following in ya'lls foot steps. I've not looked at the nutrician guide of any of the energy drinks- but I would guess we could not because of carbs over 15gm and fats over 5gms per serving. To much sugar that defeats the purpose I suppose. In the small redneck town I live in there is no personal trainers. I would have to travel at least 30+miles to see one. So I have no clue. But maybe after you see one -maybe you will share info. I am so.......excited! Any last minute pointers besides the liquid tylonal, gas x, etc.

I am getting very excited as well. Next week pre-op and week after "banding." I am a little nervous but overall wanting it to get here-already-I've waited a long time for this. I am soooooooooooo.....ready to start the new me. I have ignored my body for far to long. Like ya'll, I'm a HUGE dessert freak. Jason, cgirl, april-hows the recovery coming- and what type of exercise are you doing? Grace, Di, and fordgirl-it seems all of you are doing exceptionally well but may have hit a small bump in the road at the moment if I am understanding ya'll correctly. Is this something that you think we will experience at about 4-5 months out? Can we have your thoughts, please. I haven't really heard a definate answer on this question. Can someone help me to know the best answer on calories vs. Protein intake. What is the minimum calorie intake you can have as long as you are getting your protein quota(plus vitamins) daily? I am getting alot nervous-I guess cause I am starting to think of a million question now. Thanks everyone for putting their own two cents in. Ya'll are a great bunch of winners in my eye!

Dr Shulman, this is unrelated but part of my new me along with the lapband, and future tt and breast reduction. My vagina is so stretched after 2-10lb babies and kegal and ben-wa hasnt helped. It is rare to reach a orgasim due to lack of tightness i guess. Any suggestions if ps can help?

AG-I got a verbal approval from bc/bs on 8-16 and got my tentative date from Neoami on 8-26 for Oct 7th. You have to keep calling and keep calling and keep calling. Notice I said tentative date. As of last week when I was following up to confirm my pre-op she told me the same thing that she has not gotten the surgery schedule yet to confirm. She told me to call back this week.

YEA alagirl! Looks like we're gonna be smashing pumpkins together. Jason-I am proud to be banded on your birthday. Everyone hang in there. Re-dedicate and lose some more weight. Ya'll can do it. You've proved you can already. I am still proud of ya'll. Even with vacations, etc. Time is flying by! But still can't wait.

Its so good to hear from you CG and AA. I put in a prayer for you. Please enlighten us will all the details. Isn't it good to be on the banded side with Grace, Ford, Di, Jason, etc. instead of the almost banded like me. Ya'll are right-time is flying fast. My Nutrician class was the 10th. Pre-op is Oct 2nd and surgery the 7th. Everyone reliving their experiences has helped me tremendously! Everyone keep up the good work! Roll Tide Alabama! Maybe before long my roll's will be disappearing

Thank you Shawana and April for clueing me in on the nutrician visit and pre-op visit. Your answers will allow me to have less anixety over it. Great Job everyone. :thumbup: Great job lose-ing. Bravo-Bravo Crazygirl I am saying a little prayer for you today. And Aprilapple-I will say a little prayer for you also-tomorrow. I am so happy for you! I will be thinking about ya'll until we hear from ya'll again on how the surgeries went.

OMG!!!! Congratulations Jason!!!! You're already a winner and you barely are off into the race. Absolutely wonderful. Craz and April, how is it coming. "THE" day is fast arriving. Di, Shawana, Wendy, etc.-you continue to be our inspirations. Question. And it seems as though I am a broken record but I am asking again. (I have looked over the past responses and didn't find my answers)the nutrician class- do you weigh in, is it one on one or group discussion, approximately how many people attend. Someone please give me the play by play on it. I go Sept. 10th and am nervous of course. Next Question- pre-registration and pre op visit. Would someone indulge me of the play by play on these items, also. do you weigh at the hospital,get blood drawn, any other tests, bp, vitals,etc and same at drs. office: wt,bp, vitals,other tests. I know they ask questions and collect their money. Its the other tests I'm curious about. If I know what to expect I would be less aprehensive when my date to go comes. Any details would be appreciated.

Hello everyone! Everyone seems to be doing good. (Except the virus and post-surgery aches.) I am so proud to be a part of you guys! All the encouragement, the stories of accomplishments, trails, and most importantly success in achieving our goals. Not to mention Newbies going through and getting the long awaing insurance approvals and SURGERY dates. The Lord is truly blessing all of us. Jason keep the info coming you sound as if you are doing wonderful! Fordgirl, I hope the virus will completely leave you now-I'm glad you are feeling a little better. Di and all the successful achievers keep the pointers and tips pouring in. Everyone-Thank you for being a part of this thread. Its the best I've found. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!! Until later...............

I hope everything went well Jason. I was praying for you. Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus-I have a Date!!!!!! Its October 7th. I am-I am very elated!

i'll be praying for you jason! during the fleet and during impending the surgery!

Thank you for the heads up! I will need to know this and I probablly would have been to embarassed to ask about it. So thanks for sharing. Keep the tips coming!!!! Have a wonderful day! Also, what are ya'll doing about pictures. How often are you updating for yourselves?

I sure do hope so-the wait is mind boggling.

I think, possibly most of us had done most of the stuff before we got the insurance approval. And now me- I got approved yesterday but now I have to jump through hoops while Neoami faxes my diabetes doctor(something about finding out what to do about my medicine during the preop temporary diet since I wont be taking in as many calories) and I have to have the pshch fax(for the third time) my notes from his visit. Then I will get a date-supposedly. I am jealous but proud for you Crazgirl for getting a surgery date so close to now. Neoami told me it will probally the end of Sept or First of Oct on mine. It does sound like God is blessing us all!!

Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! I just got off the phone with BC/BS and the lady said I was medically approved!!! Hal a Lou ya! She said my letter to Dr Miles and me will go out today. Praise God, Praise God! I am bubbling with excitement. Oh boy, now ya'll are talking about the realize band. I will have to do research on that one. Any explanations from ya'll would be appreciated. I want to be fully educated. April-it sounds like you've got a good plan. You go girl! Jason-plese continue to keep us updated. I am so proud for you. Alagirl-your day for approval will come to. Keep praying. Wendy-you are one of my inspirations. Everyone-you're looking good-keep up the good work. The progress is really paying off. Have a great day!!! Praise the Lord!

I agree----wa hoo! I decided to call her again this evening to see if she can send my stuff in; after having it over two weeks; to bc/bs again for approval. She said she will "try" to get it out today. All she had to do is attach the one page to the previous submittion and hit send. Gosh. So I am gonna take ya'll advice and nudge more often. I am thinking what if something happens to me because of my co-morbid "blood pressure" going up causing a stroke or something from the frustration of not getting things done more efficiently. She has ALL of my paperwork from every doctor. All I need is the ins. approval. Maybe now I will get something going. Everyone have a nice weekend!!!!!!!

CG-I AM SO PROUD FOR YOU! YEA! Hey Wendy-we've missed you! Jason-continue to keep us posted with your feelings and emotions of the last few days before your surgery. welcome rdoty. I wish I could be with ya'll saturday. I need input from ya'll at what if anything I should do now. I personally am very disappointed at Neoami right this minute. My stuff has been in her office for submittal to bc/bs the second time since July 30th and as of this morning still has not been submitted it. She said it will be next week that she is training someone to help her. Yea, for her training someone, but its been 16 days and I could have possibly had an approval by now if it was submitted. Suggestions welcomed, PLEASE!!!!! Its so good to hear from everyone.

It is a small world. Yes i would love to meet everyone. Ya'll are my band family. (i have a big family-7 bro/sis-but i choose to not tell them until after the surgery. My boyfriend is my family support at this time.) and i love having all the support and confidence ya'll are helping me with. Thank you! Keep it coming. Especially ya'lls progress! That just makes me want to be at that point also. Ya'll are doing extremely well. I wont be able to attend the support group saturday b-cause i am helping my 18 yo son move over to huntsville to go to college. (a happy but sad moment in my life). But i will attend one soon. You are correct about neoami- she knows her stuff. I just remembered that when i turned my paperwork in was the same day as the last seminar. I can just imagine the preparatins for that. Cause i can remember the seminar i went to. So i know she was swamped.