Dayle

I use a Sassy Baby Warming Dish. You put warm water inside the dish and it keeps the food warm for quite a long time. you can use it divided to separate food or take the divider out for a warm bowl.

I took Two weeks off. I don't have a desk job. I'm a phlebotomist and I stand when I draw patients blood, and am up and down at the computer with each patient, and I have a difficult co-worker. I want to be as near 100% as possible when I go back. I also want time to get used to the new way of eating, and decide what meals I can take for lunch and not embarrass myself. If I had a desk job I could have probably returned after 1 week. It took a good 5 or 6 days just to get my strength back, probably due in part to the lack of calories, etc. I would suggest taking 2 weeks off and go back earlier if you feel like you can.

I went into surgery about 8:30 am and walked out of the hospital at 11 am. They were all amazed at how well I recovered, and I did have lots of help at home if I needed it. All I needed was the company. If your insurance demands you stay overnight, why not? It's nice to be pampered and waited on for once, especially if they're picking up the tab.

Congrats! I was also banded on Monday. I went into the OR at 8:30 and was able to leave the hospital by 11am! I'm up to full liquids and doing fine. Only have some pain at the incision sites and occasional heartburn. I wanted to go watch my gransons baseball game last night, but just didn't have the energy. Guess it takes awhile to get the strength back. Keep on keepin' on!:thumbup:

HI, I've decided that the band is probably my last hope for health and am waiting for Healthnet to approve. Then I can get things started. I have about 110 lbs to lose. I have high B/P, asthma, a bad knee, and rising glucose levels. I have tried every sensible diet and a few stooopid ones with limited success. I did Nutrisystem twice and lost a lot of weight, but put it all back on. I did weight watchers also. Seems like Healthnet is taking an awful long time. Dr's office tells me they've been taking 8-12 weeks to respond to referrals. It's been 6 wks now. I'm anxious to get started. I bought a cute little blender and have been practicing chewing my food really well. I didn't even realize how I just gulp it down. I will do a happy dance when I get my surgery date.

:thumbup:Congrats!!!!!!! I wish I had the means to front the money. I'd sure like to get on with this. I'm getting recipes in order and it's turning into a cookbook. I'm as ready as I could be. Now you can buy smaller clothes with your reimbursement!

Just to update, it took 14 weeks to get Healthnet approval to see the Obesity coordinator. I saw her last week. I got an EKG, and did the history, etc. Now I need Healthnet approval for the psych, nutritionist and cardiologist. Another 14 weeks I'm guessing. Obesity coordinator said she doesn't see any problem in getting approval for the band because of my medical issues. At least the ball is rolling now. Hope it's downhill.

I'm a Sutter patient with Healthnet HMO and have seen my PCP. He sent in for my referral to Bariatric Surgery 15 weeks ago and I have not heard anything yet. I called my PCP a couple of weeks ago and she called Healthnet. I'm calling her again tomorrow and asking for Healthnet's phone number. At the very LEAST I want to know how much longer I have to wait for approval. this is rediculously long! Dayle

I have been waiting for Healthnet approval for 8 weeks now. My drs office told me it's been taking 8 to 12 weeks for a response from Healthnet. I have HMO and am in California also. good luck. I hope to hear from them any time now, and I'm gonna be really cheezed off it I get a denial after all this time!!!!! Dayle

droppindown, Jeez. Good luck getting reimbursement. My doctor wrote a detailed letter re: my health concerns and my failed attempts with both Nutrisystems and Weight Watchers. I hope it helps me get approved.

Gaila, Absolutely! Let's take this adventure together! It'll be helpful to have someone going thru the same stuff at the same time. My family is very supportive. I have two adult daughters and an adult son. My oldest daughter is married and so is my son. I have two grandchildren. My youngest daughter has one more year of college and then I'll be facing the empty nest phase of my life. My family lives close by and as I said, they are very supportive of my decision to pursue the lapband. My best friend, however, went ballistic and started screamint "NO,no,no" at me and didn't shut up long enough for me to explain that it's NOT bypass surgery. I don't think I'll mention it to her again until after my surgery and she notices that I've lost some weight. Don't need her negativity especially when she doesn't know what she's talking about. Where are you in your process? Have you spoken with your doctor? Got a referral? It's quite nerve racking. I'll relax some when I have insurance approval. Are your family and friends supportive? Dayle