LynnN

necerae...where and by whom did you have your band placed? I had Dr Nimeri who is with the Boone/Higa group, Just had surgery on the 20th in Clovis Community. I am very pleased with the outcome. Still on fluids, so I haven't gotten stuck yet, either on entry, or exit from my pouch. I have watched my daughter take "one bite too many" and have to "productive burp" the offending bite out of her esophogus. She says she's never eaten rice or soft bread that might ball up and plug the exit. I'm sure that's a WHOLE other story! Good luck!

Was your surgery covered by Medicare? Pls let me know how that went. I have not heard of issues, but I'm pretty detail-oriented and want to be sure I have crossed the T's and dotted the I's. Thanks for the help! JoannMarie Sorry to take so long in responding! I spent most of yesterday napping! I got a little over-confident and may have pushed myself a little too hard on day 2 !!! I was so happy to have it over with! Okay, new day today. I fell rested and refreshed. No, I didn't use Medi-Care. I'm covered by Anthem Blue Cross, and they are wonderful! They really want me to succeed at this, and have assigned a case worker to me for support! She's had a band placed 18 months ago, and she's been very supportive. I'm rather excited about having the Realize band. They have a web site support program where you can set up your personal account, enter your personal information, and monitor it daily...food diary, exercise diary, personal diary, fills, etc, etc, etc. It's very comprehensive and helpful. Your access account number is associated with the very band that you received. The doctor gave me that number on release from the hospital. The doctor can also access the site, if you wish. There are three doctors in my Medical Group...each has done over 50 Realize placements, according to the web site. (WOW! Considering bands are still nowhere near as popular as gastric bypass!) The Medical group chooses the Realize Band simply beacuse they're happier with the long-term results, as their studies show fewer problems and better results 4 years out. Have a great day, everyone!

I've been Realized!!!!! I had my surgery Monday, came home on Tuesday, and I feel absolutely wonderful! Moving a little slower, but I'm not having any problems....well, except for hicups! The only pain I've experienced has been in my neck, but I attributed that to the bricks the hospital called "pillows". I used the PCA several times for neck pain. My doctor said clear liquids only for this week...no protein drinks. He says I don't need them. I didn't tell him about the bunch of powders I've collected in preparation for this!!! I am SO glad to have the surgery behind me! I was really anxious that my "advanced" age would make the process more difficult, but I'm really pleased with my outcome. I hope everyone else is doing as well as I am!

I've been Realized! Had my surgery Monday, home on Tuesday, and I feel absolutely wonderful! Moving a little slower, but I'm not having any problems....well, except for hicups! The only pain I've experienced has been in my neck, but I attributed that to the bricks the hospital called "pillows". I used the PCA several times for neck pain. My doctor said clear liquids only for this week...no protein drinks. He says I don't need them. I didn't tell him about the bunch of powders I've collected in preparation for this!!! I am SO glad to have the surgery behind me! I was really anxious that my "advanced" age would make the process more difficult, but I'm really pleased with my outcome. I hope everyone else is doing as well as I am!

I LOVE this thread! I feel so connected to everyone! ((( Group hug!!! )))

Elfaba Glad you're doing so well. My surgeon is not requiring a pre-surgery diet, either. I know I will not be losing much immediately after the band placement, so I'm planning on starting a liquid protein diet anyway, just to give me an initial feeling of accomplishment! My surgery will be Oct 20, and I plan on going back to work (as a nurse working 3 12-hour shifts) on Oct 31. I'm a whole bunch older than you, but I'm sure I'll be able to handle it! I'm on my feet for the first 5 hours, but get to do a lot od sitting after that. I'd like to hear how you feel when you go back to work. Good luck, and continue the good work!

Wow! I got the call today telling me my surgery is set for Oct 20! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!!! I'm a nurse and work Fri Sat and Sun. My surgery is on Monday, so I think I'll be okay with only taking one week off...that'll actually give me 11 days to get on my feet. I've got my cupboard stocked and all the liquids and chewable meds I'll need. Hope I've thought of everything!!

Please add my name to the list!!!! I just got the call telling me OCT 20 is my date!!!!! I've been dancing on a cloud ever since the call! YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!! Glad to read every one from the 1st and today are thru the worst part and on to business. Oh, happy day, oh happy day....

I don't care for the "milkshake" type drinks at all. What I prefer is a fruity type drink, and I really love the Syntrax Nectar powder. There are a number of flavors, and I mix them with different flavors of Crystal Light to add even more variety. They don't leave any aftertaste for me, either. LOVE them.

Renita, I hope you get your approval as quickly as I got mine!!! I had to undergo more pre-surgery testing than most due to my age and recent cancer history....otherwise I'd be banded by now! Good luck to you!

Yes, I'm older than dirt (65), and I anticipated a problem being accepted as a surgery candidate because of it. My surgeon said he would prefer the Lap-Band over gastric by-pass due to my age and his anticipation of my healing abilities. I'm fine with that decision! I just need a tool to help me learn and adopt new eating habbits! I can lose weight (I've lost 100 pounds on three different occassions in my lifetime, but then go back to my old habits of over-eating. I just LOVE to eat! No binging, don't care for sweets, just give me another plate of FOOD and I'm happy. I eat so fast that I've consumed a ton of food before my brain can tell me I've over-done it. My most difficult learning curve is going to involve chewing long enough to mush the food...and s l o w i n g down! I will be scheduled for surgery in October, and I will NOT allow my age to delay my healing! I CAN do this!!! We can all do this together!

Ohhhhh....I can hardly bear the wait!!!! I've been approved by insurance, (took 3 days!) but I can't take time off from work until October. I was told I'd be told of my date by end of the week. Until then I'm holding my breath!! I've read every weight-loss surgery book now, some twice. My life is just revolving around this waiting!!! I am addicted to this site and read most threads. So much great information here! I had an interesting phone call from my insurance co yesterday (Anthem Blue Cross). A bariatric case worker has been assigned to me!! She's had a Lap-Band for 18 months and loves it. Obviously, Anthem REALLY feels it is in their best interest that I succeed at this! I understand that's not the way all insurance companies feel, with all the trouble they give some people!

Great work! And I love the fact that you named your tool!!! She's now your best friend on a very intimate basis, isn't she? Hmmmm....what am I going to name mine? I'll have to work on that...

I'm in Mariposa....surgery will be done in Fresno, hopefully by September.

As a newbie to your group, I am enjoying getting to know all of you wonderful people! What a gold-mine of information this forum is! I am getting close to the end of my pre-surgery requirements and am getting more anxious every day...as I see many of you are. We are truly a group united by our past, present and futures. Not knowing you well, yet, I would REALLY appreciate it if everyone would expand their signature area with: date of surgery, or if not yet done, add that info, any other surgeries, any other interesting statistic you'd like to share as part of the "YOU" package. Some of you show beautiful weight loss per your ticker, but you don't say how long you've been banded...or even IF you've been banded. I am SO curious to know your whole story! Thanks, and hugs to all!

lkgrubb Hmmmm....I didn't read your post very carefully, did I? In order to update you ticker, just click on your ticker, which takes you to the Ticker website, enter you PIN number and click on "update your weight".

lkgrubb After trying and failing several times at adding a ticker, I found that the forum has a tutorial! On the Home page under Forum listings there is a forum Frequently Asked Questions, that takes you to a list where you'll find "General Forum Usage", which takes you to a list where you find "Adding a Ticker". Easy, once you know how! :smile2:

I have to admit, I really like RR. She's worked hard to get where she is. The comment does seem insensitive...but what the heck would someone expect her to talk about???? After all, she's not Dr. Phil....she's Rachael Ray!

My body, my choice. Your body, your choice.

Carol111 Please don't leave the forum! Many of us have been "lurking" here trying to learn as much as possible about all of our options before we decide on a procedure. I'm still only about 75% convinced that Lap-Band is the best alternative for me. I want everyone's opinion on their surgeries. I want to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly. This thread said "gastric sleeve" and that's what I expected to read about.

I'm still in the process of pre-surgery qualifications: seeing the cardiologist today to set up a stress-test, and seeing the psychiatrist tomorrow. When all results are back to my surgeon, my case will be presented to my insurance company (Anthem Blue Cross) for approval. So I guess I'm looking at a couple of months. After being fat for most of my 65 years, I guess I can wait a couple more months! Not happily, tho! I am so anxious to get going. I'm sure every one of you has been in this position! I can't wait to start swapping "war stories" with you as we all fight this battle together. Nice to meet you all! Lynn

Thanks for the welcome! No, I'm not awfully close to the fires, but the smoke is just horrible. At least there is some containment on the Oliver. I'll pray for the safety of your DH and the rest of the fire crews!

Brandy, How do you attach the Weight Loss Ticker to your signature? I can't figure it out!!