PSJ71

Hi Meghan, I think decaf would be fine, but I would be sure to speak to your physician about it. I can no longer drink caffeine and was actually glad I kicked that habit a few months back. I have ulcers I didn't know I had. Caffeine actually increases acids in your stomach, which is why I can't have it anymore. But, I would definitely talk to your doc about the decaf.

Yes, I had to go through it. It's no big deal. I didn't sleep well though. But, I am glad I did it; otherwise, I never would have known I had sleep apnea. If you want the surgery, then you will need to have the test. If it turns out you have it, then you will need to bring your CPAP to the hospital with you when you go. As I was told on my preop appointment on Tuesday, depending on how I do in surgery will determine if the anesthesiologist will have them put my CPAP on me in recovery. Honestly though, it's really not a big deal. Good luck, hon!

Well, let's see here. I guess I should just start at the beginning. I began my quest for lap band last July. I started the process by going to a seminar, actually two seminars by two different docs, in August and another in September. It has now taken about 8 months to finally get to my date!! It has been worth waiting for! I am so fortunate to have gotten approved so quickly and on the first time. I will be banded on July 7th. :rolleyes2:

Well, let's see here. I guess I should just start at the beginning. I began my quest for lap band last July. I started the process by going to a seminar, actually two seminars by two different docs, in August and another in September. It has now taken about 8 months to finally get to my date!! It has been worth waiting for! I am so fortunate to have gotten approved so quickly and on the first time. I will be banded on July 7th. :thumbup:

Congratulations on your band! I hope it's smooth sailing for you the rest of the way to your goal :tt1:) Can't wait until I'm banded. :thumbup:

Hello all, I am looking so forward to being banded and losing weight! I am fortunate enough not to have a lot of comorbidities except sleep apnea and my BMI. I just got my CPAP machine on the 22nd and this will be my third night wearing it and I am so sleep deprived from it. I know if I could just get comfortable, as I am a side/tummy sleeper, sort of on my tummy, but mainly on my side, I might get a good nights' sleep. But, I just cannot get comfy. I chose a face mask because I tend to be an open-mouth sleeper. So, last night, I tried to sleep on my side, but I woke up a couple of times because I was leaking air at the side of my cheek. So, I opted to sleep on my back and ended up with a crick in my neck, which was bad. I do have 30 days to return the mask for another one if this one doesn't turn out to be successful. Anyone have any suggestions that has sleep apnea and CPAP? Thank you for listening. :thumbup:

Mrsaxlrose All of us here have or do have a problem with food or stuffing ourselves to some point. I will be getting the band on July 7th. I feel that having surgery is my only chance at becoming a normal weight. I, for one, am thankful for your honesty, because I have many, many times ran through this very situation in my mind. I have always stuffed myself as well at one point or another, not for fear of being hungry later or anything, but just for the mere love of the taste of whatever I was eating. IN 2001, I lost a significant amount of weight by cutting out all carbs and doing high Protein that my trainer had me on. I lost weight fast, loved the way I was looking and then became pregnant. As soon as I started eating the carbs again, I felt like a drug addict. I could'nt stop eating mainly sweets. So, I am finding more and more in order for me to avoid this type of behavior, I am a person who HAS to stay away from those foods. For me, one little taste has proven to be a HUGE downfall. You have a long, long time to work through certain issues you may or may not have. Don't beat yourself up about it, get up and ride again. :confused:) Take care and good luck with your band.

Hi Rutiglius! That is wonderful you had a great experience!! I will have my band placed in a little less than 2 weeks. So, I really, really, hope that mine goes as smoothly. I wish you wonderful weight loss :confused:)

How do I get the sparkly freedom fighter banner down below?

Hi Thats, How is the diet going so far? I am not going to cheat either, as I have a chance to have the single incision operation!! I really, really want that. So it's important for me to follow this diet to a T. I start on Saturday so we will see how all goes!! :bored:

Hi Tracy!! Welcome and congrats on your band!! :bored:) I would say the majority of docs have the patient follow on a diet, but not all. I will have to start a 10-day preop diet on Saturday, no more than 130 to 150 carbs and 50 to 60 grams of Protein a day. Can't wait to see all of our progresses :thumbup:)

Mary, How is your diet going?

Hi all, I am going for my preop visit tomorrow and wanted to know if anyone can give me some ideas on what questions to ask? I have a list and I will post it, but please feel free to add to it if you can think of anything. I have decided to go with the Realize band, but I am going to talk to him about it further. So far, my questions are as follows: 1. When will my husband and I be able to resume sex? 2. Which band are you most comfortable placing? 3. Which band seems to show obtaining quickest restriction? 4. How long should I take off work? 5. Which band has shown more complications that he has placed with tubing, ports, etc. 6. Hair loss? As I said, if you guys can think of anything else, please let me know. Thank you bunches!

Hi All, I went for my preop visit today. I learned that I will be injecting Lovenox everyday for 10 days. Also, while in the office, he went over recommending a vena cava filter to have done prior to surgery to "catch" a blood clot should one arise and break off and go the the lungs or heart. Has anyone had one of these placed prior to surgery? I know they will and can be taken out at about 6 to 7 weeks after surgery. I am so excited though. I am scheduled for July 7th at 8:15 a.m. and have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. :thumbup:) Starting preop diet on Saturday, that's going to be the tuffy! :thumbup:)

That's true, Lolagirlie. My husband is the one who actually talked me into having it done, just as a precaution. My doc "recommended" it, as he does to all of his patients. It would be great to have just for piece of mind.

Hi Headhunter! I attended two different seminars for two different doctors. The first one I almost went with, but as soon as he finished his 30-minute lecture he was out of there! He had about 10 minutes of questions and then he was out of there! He left the rest of the answering of questions up to some other staff. They were talking about all of these things that the insurance did not pay for such as the psych eval, which would have been 250 dollars. Nutritional consult with their nutritionist another 200 dollars, their "own" preop diet 200 dollars, postop diet 150 dollars. All of that the insurance didn't pay for. So, I called my insurance and asked about covering psych evals, nutrition consultations etc, and they told me yes they do. The NUT and the psychiatrist would have to be covered by my insurance, but they would cover it. I didn't like that about that doc. So, I attended another seminar with my doctor I have now. VERY meticulous during the seminar ( although he was a little late due to surgery) but very, very thorough! I asked them up front about the psychiatrist, nutritionist, etc. My insurance covered them all and I only had to pay 10 dollar copay each time. Except for the NUT class and that was 50, but still lots cheaper than the other doc. Also, my doctor has not lost a lap band patient. I don't know about bypass, as I didn't ask that. But, he is very careful and makes sure everything is safe for the patient before doing any surgery. I am on medication now for a peptic ulcer, but I can still have the band placed. He said once I am banded for a few months he wants to do another EGD to check things out down there. He stressed how important it is for me not to indulge in alcohol, NSAIDs, aspirin or even caffeine due to my ulcer situation. He sold me the first time at the seminar and I felt comfortable with my decision. I hope that answered your question If you want to ask me anything else, ask away.

I surely will, Iris. You know everytime I see your name, I think of that Goo-Goo Dolls song from the movie City of Angels. )

Hi Cleo's mom! Thank you so much for your reply. They do have an answering service. I am really excited I found out that he is doing the one-incision procedures now and if I do well on my preop diet (starting Saturday) and my liver has shrunk and it is good and soft and mobile, then he will do the one-incision procedure. I would love to just have one incision.

Yes, I am most definitely going through with it. I have been going through all of what was required since September beginning with the seminar. I will be at the hospital at 6 a.m. on July 7th! My next steps before surgery is going to be some preadmission testing next week sometime. As well has having a vena cava filter placed, just for precautions. So, I am good to go )

Oh! I forgot to post that, huh? lol Well, I asked the question and he told me basically when I felt up to it, but not to get too rigorous LOL And if it got to be too uncomfortable to stop. :thumbup: Well, (duh) LOL :thumbup: