ladybugchaser

Hey Brandie! Good luck!! I work on a college campus and sit at a computer. I was banded on a Friday...(at home resting Sat, Sun, Mon. and half of Tuesday). I returned to work on Wednesday fulltime and was fine..but the anestesia didn't fully work out until 3 days later. lol...they say not to make big decisions even a week after a surgery because of that. I was able to focus better the following week.

Someone posted a while back that they still had a Water with them (especially at restaurants) because if they started to 'feel' an issue...a tiny sip would settle things back down. I must say I do that too...if I don't like what I am feeling...I take a sip and then all is well! GOOD LUCK! and it does get easier...

Just try your best to remember ...each of us are different and we will lose/gain differently...ie. I have a hormone disorder and only lost ONE pound pre op..following the diet to a T! And since then...well, you can see below. Everyone who has gone before us says try not to look at the 'number' because it could fluctuate quite a bit until things get settled down.

Jason...buddy....don't beat yourself up. If those were your only slip ups!! You're doing great! While we all agree each of us should follow our own doctors orders...I am 2 wks out as well. Doc told me...you can eat anything you could get through a straw (BUT NEVER USE A STRAW)...mashed potatoes/gravy, pudding, applesauce, soups from my favorite restaurant (run them though the blender if that makes you feel better!! It did for me! No chunks). I sneak Protein powder in practically everything I eat as well. A coworker of mine who was banded 2 years ago yelled at me (in a joking way) for having a saltine cracker in my hand..she said..I am just kidding...anything you can get down to 'mush' in your mouth is fine. I do the EAS Protein drinks too. LOVE EM. GOOD LUCK!! Everyday you are getting closer to normal foods!! WHOOP!

wow...what sweet deals! :thumbdown: For life, for a few years.... lol I asked how many were included and was told...the doc has the vast majority of patients where they need to be within 3 months...so you won't be needing years of free fills. I was like...oh...okay, then.

I got my first fill (TOTALLY UNEXPECTED, I might add!!) yesterday and they used that LOVELY freezy spray...never felt a thing... agree with above posters...felt much, much less than when I have blood taken. :thumbdown: GOOD LUCK! Call the doc office and ask how they do it so you can relax some!!!

Rick... Have you been to an educational session with any docs in your area yet? If not, do so....and talk to their bariatric coordinator. They are your GOLD MINE. Talk to them about your situation....they work with ALL the insurance companies and can give you a pretty good idea about the outcome with your situation. They know who is difficult and who demands what....ie. They can assist you if you need it and know the tricks - for insurance. Self pay on the other hand is straight forward. Good luck!!!!

Hi Pug!! So lovely to hear from you! I would totally recommend my doctor (Dr. John Mason- Brazos Bariatric :: Dr. John Mason). I was considering him because he was the only area doc that was recommended on this site by people in my area, have a coworker who was banded by Mason and LOVED him, Mason's staff LOVES him, and when I mentioned to my mother I was 'considering but not yet sold on him' she said...he did my second mastectomy surgery....do you want to see his work? (I didn't recall HE was HER doc!!!) Perfection and flawlessness compared to her first mastectomy. That was the exact moment I knew he would be banding me. Here is what I paid...(I did compare to Houston docs/prices for fun and feel great about staying in CS). Surgeon - $2500, OR Assistant - $500, Anesthesiologist - $900, Hospital - $7300, Half Day Education class - $250...I think that's all. Wait - Two pre op appts with Dr. Mason - $150. They don't require the heart test if you are under 50, I did the mental eval by the people they recommend and had a GREAT experience!! That was covered by insurance for me, I already had recently had blood tests done by my PCP, so that was covered by insurance, I did have to get a chest xray but had my PCP request so insurance would cover. Let me know if you have any other questions! I would love to help you and your daughter!! LBC

Hi there!!!!! My body odor changed from hormones and has been 'odd' for a few years. I was hopeful that the band would balance my hormones and correct the weird body odor...and I am happy to report it already has changed. Your body is going through many changes now...your hormones may be adjusting for a few months until all is settled. Nothing to worry about. GOOD LUCK!!! :thumbup:

I have two coworkers who were approved with them. They wanted me to be 100 pounds heavier with more comorbidities...lol...my comorbidities are covered in Kansas...just not here, go figure! So we happily sucked it up and went self pay. Best choice EVER. Bless you all who are fighting with insurance and paperwork and documenting crap. I had to do a few pre op tests...but I basically paid and was 'on the table' a few weeks later. * * * Advice from bariatric coordinator at my doc's office... DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. She said the main reason people are turned down by bcbstx is that they don't have enough documented proof of everything. Get letters from everyone stating your case.

I am still liquid/mushie...we went to dinner at Jason's Deli where I knew I would order a cup of Soup. But for a SPLIT second...my mind took over and thought...should I get a cup or a BOWL? I snapped out of it laughing...WHAT WAS I THINKING? I could never finish a bowl! I got my cup of soup... We ate. I started laughing as I stared down at my half empty cup of soup...it's so lovely to eat so cheaply. Got the rest to go! * * * I also ordered a glass of Water (not thinking) and when I got to the table...I was like...I can't even drink this....no biggie...new habits to be made people. And we can do it! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hi Carol... GET EXCITED!!! A few more days!!! WOOOHOOO!!! You will do great. My doc allows me to drink anything I COULD easily get through a straw but DO NOT USE A STRAW. :girl_hug: I have used gatorade, water, water with those pour in flavored things...Crystal Light..etc..., melted milkshake, protein shakes (love vanilla Myoplex from EAS), vanilla protein powder have added to : milk, yogurt, sugar free pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes. Sugar free popcicles, soups!!!

ME!! ME!! I don't own a scale and don't intend to buy one either. Why torture myself with minimal losses (THANKS PCOS!)? I want to set myself up for success, not failure. I will weigh in at the doctor office, once a month...and that is plenty. :girl_hug: GOOD LUCK CYSTER!!

Patty!!! I LOVE that you identify with the books!! I was so obsessed with Janet's books...I got worried when I need the next one, they would be checked out...I told my hubby...I will just be a minute in the library..I am getting the next book...lol...I walked out with 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13!! I would turn it in as soon as I read it! Then I got mama hooked...she's turned very sassy since reading them... lol..she dyed her hair RED 3 wks ago!! She's 68!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE GETTING BANDED THIS WEEK AND NEXT!!!! I got banded on Friday 9/19 and each day I wake up I feel so much better and stronger!!!

* * * DON"T BE AFRAID TO ASK THEM FOR 'CALM DOWN' juice before you get to the OR.... lol...I wasn't nervous until I was in the Pre Op room...she offered it, I said YES!!! I was calm and smiling until I was knocked out in the OR!!! GOOD LUCK!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Hi! I was banded last Friday morning (Sept 19) and I took Friday/Monday off...I worked a half day yesterday and am back fulltime today. Of course I work at a desk/computer so I can get away with it...plus...I am just good at recovery after a surgery. So I was resting for....4.5 days. :rolleyes2:

I was banded on 9/19...took my Twilight series (book 3, cant think of the title) to the hospital with me and didn't read a page of it!!! GRRR... If you are looking for another book series to keep your mind busy, try Janet Evanovich's NUMBERED books...she has 14 out and they are a riot. Once you get past book 1 (One For the Money) the books just get better and better and it's like crack...you can't put them down! Two to Get Deadly...etc... Four to Score, High Five... They are extremely popular at the library! :smile: Good luck to us all! I am back at work today (4 days after sugery) but have decided to go home at lunch and rest this afternoon....

Surgery is set for Sept. 19th...it finally feels real!! Dr. John Mason in Bryan/College Station, TX I started my pre-op diet today. Two week of lean meats, fruits, veggies...lots of water! Self pay...

Hi all. Thanks for sharing so much of yourselves in your posts. I am humbled to read your stories. Why am I fat? I have never been fat or struggled with it. My mom used to tell me I ate like a bird. That was until the age of 31 when a switch on the back of my neck flipped and I started to eat like a Hoover vaccum cleaner. I packed on 80 pounds in 2 years with no change in diet. I exercise and still gain...23 doctors and 5 years later...I am 36 and almost 100 pounds overweight. I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and IR (insulin resistance) both of which are being put in 'remission' with WLS. I will be self pay, have done all the tests, and have my first mtg with the surgeon next week. I am very excited. I have to share that the weight gain while painful in different ways...has also been a blessing. I am very empathetic and literally being in someone else's shoes...who is overweight is interesting. How things change for us that once were taken for granted...has been a helpless feeling. I WILL PREVAIL. I will run a 5k this fall. I will run a half marathon in the spring. :smile2: PCOS/IR SUCK!! We can do this!!!

A coworker just called Scott and White YESTERDAY and was told they don't do/cover this surgery....odd You post gives me some hope for her.

HI ladies... A doctor told me to look in to this surgery as a way to reverse my symptoms but she said insurance probably wouldn't pay as PCOS isn't considered a co-morbidity, nor is IR. High cholest. is the only thing plus my BMI just on the line of being considered (35). I have 80 pounds to lose. I have a high heart disease risk too. I am going to a forum with a surgeon in 2 wks for more information... Just wondered if anyone had any personal stories on Mexico surgery if your insurance doesn't pay. My gut is telling me that may be my only option. Or just suck it up and stay in TX and pay out of pocket. Thanks... LC

There is a great forum for PCOS. www.soulcysters.net Enjoy!!!!!