susancarole

Hi Ladies! I think it is great that Cappy and Chris met yesterday and Lisa will be joining very soon! You know what Chris, I definitely know of the "strong" personality you are referring to atleast in the surgeon's office! You are right to use the bee and honey approach as well. I just will say that they misplaced my medical records twice. One woman in Powers/Geiss office kept telling me that the cardiologist did NOT fax in the consent...yet, when I went in personally to the cardiologist, they gave me PROOF that they had faxed the clearance. SO, I politely asked them for another copy of my clearance and drove it directly to their office (surgeons.) and personally handed it to Ms. "J". When I called a few days later to see why Liz had not called, MS J told me that she was still waiting for cardiac clearance. I said to her....."You have got to be kidding me, I personally handed it to you last week" Then, I backed off, and told her to please call me back after they check the records again. I guess it all of a sudden appeared again, because the next call was from LIZ. I think they are all overwhelmed in that office. They get soooo many calls a day. You will notice that when you go in for your follow up appointment and hear all the phones ringing. But that just means that those doctors are great! Chris, the best part of my lifestyle now is really that I have such a great attitude and feeling of getting healthy! Lisa, I am not sure which band I have, because I never asked. But I am assuming like Elisa said that I have the regular band. Also, I heard an interesting thing the other night when I met my surgery buddies at Panera.....They both got their Hyatal hernias fixed during surgery. I too have that kind of hernia, but it doesn't bother me and I don't have any symptoms. BUT I am going to ask if that was repaired when I go in for my 6 week check up on the 21st of this month. Can't wait to meet all of you. Have a good night all: Cappy, Chris, both Lisas, elisa, Candle, and Amy- and I sure hope I did not forget anyone!

Hi Everyone, Wow, lots to read this morning: I am so glad you like my suggestion about the nutritionist, Cappy, it worked for me when I told all my tennis "buddies." And, I think the fact that Candle got to her target weight with a 120 lb weight loss in 10 months is just amazing! And wtg on still losing weight. I can only hope that I do as well as you. Lcubed, LISA the port is above the belly button and over to the left side. Everyone that I talked to has it on their left side (using these doctors anyway....) Yes, I think you could probably hit into it if something is sticking out and you run into it...but...I have not done that at all. My port really does not bother me. Sometimes when I lie down on my left side, it can bother me a bit, but the pain subsides rather quickly. Also, I think meeting at the December meeting is a great idea! (I will be at the October meeting as well, if you all want to go and see what it is about) I will let you all know how my "fill" goes when I go to my next appointment on October 20. I agree with Slim2be about the different bands that are placed inside. These doctors make their mind up when they actually have you in surgery! You will all hear that at the education meeting with June. Hi to everyone else too....have a great week. SUE

Thanks for the tip Candle....will try it!

Hey Everyone: Wow Candle, you are certainly an inspiration to us all! I can only hope I do as well as you! Amy: By pre-op diet, are you talking about what you can do now for the next 6 months? I don't think you have your date yet, right? I have to honestly say that I did not follow a darn thing for that 6 months prior- which was probably a mistake. It is good that you are thinking about that stuff now. Just try to chew chew chew....because that's what you do when you have your band in. Dr. Geiss and Powers office suggests Medifast for a structured kind of program. You replace meals with it. I bought quite a bit of it for the liquid phase of the pre-op diet. BUT, I only consumed very little of it because I really did not like it. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. Have a great weekend all.... oh and btw, I just hit my 30 pound loss today! yay....... Banded: 9/2/2008 Dr. Powers 30 lbs. gone forever!

Hi Cappy Yay, you are all set-up! Nov. 20th will be here before you know it! Now to answer your questions: No, I do not feel like there is something foreign in my body. I can not feel the band around my stomach at all. The portis another story. I do not necessarily "feel" the port most of the time. However, when I exercise the muscle around it, I do feel it a bit. Also, if I reach over my head and twist my left side, I will sometimes get a little pain, but it goes away as fast as it comes. I can also feel the port under my skin with my hand mostly when I am lying down at night. It does not bother me at all 98 percent of the time. Of course, (there is no delicate way to say this) if you are "intimate" with your husband and he knocks into your left side, you might also feel it a bit then, but it has not been a problem. I have heard that if you lose weight, sometimes the port can be a little noticeable. (Actually it was in the education class with June W that I heard this....) If it is really bothersome, they can change the port size. Someone in the class asked if you can have a smaller port put in right from the start. June's answer was: the doctor does not know which port will go in until he sees how much subcutaneous fat is in the area. Try not to worry about that stuff Cappy....but you do ask really good questions. I wish I had asked more before I went in! Of course, I can only answer how things have been for me. Honestly, I think I came through the whole thing really really well. About Thanksgiving....unfortunately, you will be on liquids honey! I had to go to a relatives party while I was on liquids too. I just told them that I had been to a nutritionist (lol which I had) and she had put me on a temporary liquid diet as part of a new plan to get healthier. They all bought it! About work: One of my hospital buddies went back in 5 days, the other took off 2 weeks. They address this question at the session with June. I went back to competitive tennis a week later, so I guess it all depends on how strenuous your job is. I used to commute to Manhattan from Sayville, so I know what it is like to commute 2 hours each way. I think as long as you get a seat, you would be fine. Hope this helped you....let me know if you have any other questions. Sue

Hi All, LCubed: I do believe that the support groups are held each 3rd tuesday of the month. I actually received an email this morning from my hospital band buddy, and she is going also this month. I am still feeling great and playing a lot of tennis. My husband and I just signed up for a competitive mixed doubles team that starts this month. Like I said before, I had to put the scale away because it was driving me crazy. However, I am still eating somewhere around 1000 calories a day (I don't count exactly, but I think that's pretty accurate.) Some of my clothes are fitting better. And, I am still not that hungry inbetween meals. They really want you to try and eat like 5 to 6 small meals. I am getting in around 4 small meals per day. Most likely, I will have my first fill at my next doctor's appointment on October 20. I am not feeling restriction and I really want to try that saline fill to see if it makes a difference (which I am sure it will.) BUT, actually, I have no complaints! Hi also to: Elisa, Twiceblessed, Amy, Musicmir, Shrinkinmom, and Cappy.

Hi Everyone: Great news Twice (Nicole)! You are in great hands with that office. As like Lcubed said, the liquid diet is pre-op for 7 days, and post-op for 2 weeks. I did the pre-op liquid myself for 8 days because I was paranoid about the "fatty" liver thing, but you really do not have to do anything more than what they tell you! After the surgery, I did the liquids just shy of the full two weeks. I had the mushy foods two days earlier. I just couldn't take the liquids any more. However, the doctor was not thrilled with my decision because they want you to stick to the plan like glue. Honestly, I did not have a problem. But I will have to say, while I had the mushy foods just a bit early, I did NOT have any high calorie mushy foods. I just stuck to their plan. I think that it is great that you two are only a week apart in your surgery dates! We should all meet up at one of those support meetings. I am planning on going to the October meeting. I have a friend going whom I met at Syosset hospital because we had surgery together that day! Hi to everyone else reading and posting on this thread! Sue

Hi Everyone, Lcubed: Thanks for asking...I am doing well. I talked to a woman today who was banded 4 months ago and just got her first fill. She was a lot like me....did not feel a lot of restriction with just the band (unfilled.) Anyway, she got it filled half way and is now finally feeling the restriction and loving it! Even though I have not felt restriction yet as well, I can honestly say that the band must be doing something because I am not hungry in between meals like I used to be. Amy: I was originally so put off by the fact that I now had to go through a six month supervised diet...but, in reality, the months did go by fast. Just don't forget to make your monthly appointments with the PCP. They don't count that month if you miss! Good luck and keep coming back here to get some awesome support~ Josie: Keep up the great work... Cappy: Check it out, but I do not think you need to have that meeting to schedule the surgery. As soon as all your prelim appointments are completed, you can schedule the surgery and go to the education meeting on Tuesday while you are waiting to have the surgery with that group. Atleast that's what they were doing 4 weeks ago, unless something has changed. OH, and don't hesitate to call them to see how your chart is going...I had to remind them several times. It is a really busy office. Good luck and let us know when you have your date. Shrinkin: Do you have your date yet? I think Lcubed could use a buddy with her~ Musicmir: OK, you are getting there! Peeing in the jug won't be pleasant, but you only have to do it for one day, right> You can always bug Jennifer on Monday! Keep plugging away....it is so worth it! Have a great weekend everyone.... Sue

Hi All, Yep, happy to have put away the scale for a while....and Shrinkin, I have only told a few people that I have been banded. I figured it is nobody's business, and, just in case it didn't work, for some reason, I wouldn't have to answer to anyone. But happily, so far, so good! I only told my parents right before I went into surgery. I didn't want my mom or dad trying to talk me out of it.....lol.... Welcome Amy, I had to go the 6 month supervised diet as well. I think a lot of insurance companies require it. Musicmir, I had to do that urine capture as well (and store it in the fridge) but it was for parathyroid function. Your post really cracked me up! I know how you feel, once you see all these doctors, then they make you see more....I had a similar situation. That's why it took me from Nov 2007 until Sept 2 to have this surgery done! And Lcubed...just wanted to say Hi!

Musicmir, You seem to have such a great attitude! I am sure things will work out with the endocrinologist. My thyroid function tests have always been borderline for the synthroid use....so the doctors never put me on it. Let us know what happens. Sue

Hi Lcubed....I am sorry, I don't want to mislead you...My 24 pounds is a total since I began the liquid diet at the end of august, you know the week before surgery....Actually, since the surgery, I lost 10 pounds. I actually lost more doing the liquids...but we all know, that phase is not realistic. I am really happy with 10 pounds in 18 days...but I know that it will slow down. The doctors and June tell you that you can expect 1 to 2 pounds a week when you are on solid foods again. I had to put my scale away...I am weighing myself only on Mondays now...for my sanity! I have not attended a support group meeting yet. I do believe the first one is this coming tuesday. I am trying to get the two other women who had surgery the same day as me to meet me there. The class with June is really great. (Kind of long, but if you need to leave, you can- JUST MAKE sure that you SIGN IN! You will meet all sorts of people there and you will come across some people having surgery on your date, I am sure. OH, and get there early. Even though you will probably wait a bit, they ran out of seats in the waiting room, and it is a drag to stand and wait ! They held the class in the cafeteria downstairs in the hospital the day I had it... The packet that you got from the hospital is really accurate! They really do call you only the day before the surgery to find out what time to arrive the next day. They do this because sometimes there is a last minute cancellation and then they can give you an earlier time. If your surgery is on a Monday, they do call on Friday though- so it is actually the business day before the surgery. Shrinkin- wtg on your last appointment coming up this week. You should be scheduled pretty soon as well. When you speak with Liz finally, you can certainly ask that they put you as late as possible on the surgery schedule for that day...but they probably will not make any promises. It is impossible for them to give you an exact time because of many circumstances that come up with patients as well as the surgeons. But, when the hospital calls, they are pretty accurate with the time! And, for both of you, you know that the last day before surgery is Clear Liquids only- no matter what time you go in! And nothing to eat or drink after midnight NO matter what time you are scheduled as well! Believe me, you will be hungry before surgery, but right afterward, there are no more hunger pangs! And it is a good thing because all you get in the hospital is ice chips until the next morning when they go back to clear liquids. Honestly, it was not bad at all, I promise! I will talk to you soon! Sue

Hiya Twice... I think if you explain your situation to Jennifer or even the scheduler ( I wish I could remember the scheduler's name....) they would not have a problem switching you over to Dr. Powers. Find out first if he has more availability than Dr. Geiss. The day I went in for surgery, I was the only one who had Dr. Powers. 4 other people had the surgery that day with Dr. Geiss. That's why I told you to try Dr. Powers. I know that my surgery was at the same time as one of Dr. Geiss' other patients...so, they must use 2 Operating Rooms. I do know one other thing....Dr. Powers also does other kinds of Bariatric Surgery, and surgeries of the digestive tract in general- not necessarily just weight loss surgery- so check his schedule. Most people go for Dr. Geiss first because he is the original surgeon in the group to do Lap Band and therefore has the most experience. I was a little nervous at first when I went for the educational class with June W, and I was the only one using Dr. Powers out of 20 people in the class that day....but honestly, he did a wonderful job and I had not one complication. Good luck with your decision- either way I believe you are in capable hands, and let me know what the scheduler says..... Susan:thumbup:

Musicmir: Have you considered using Dr. Powers? If you are in more of a hurry, he may be less booked. I know personally 4 people who have used both doctors, and they are all equally as happy. Lcubed: It was great that they accomodated you so soon after your file was complete! And to answer your question, I am feeling like I never even had surgery and I am post-op 17 days! Twiceblessed: Once Jennifer has it and checks for all the doctors clearance letters, it really takes no time at all.....a day or two to get it to the scheduler. So, you are on your way ANd..good luck to everyone else reading these threads! I don't have those weight loss tickers, but I am down 24 lbs so far, since the end of August, and feeling great!

Way to Go L cubed!.....November 10 will be here before you know it! Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Again Shrinkin- I am sorry, I forgot to answer your question in my ranting...haha.... The liquid diet was not that easy to do...but I did it. For the first 3 days of the 7 you can have a few crackers if you need to. I also had chicken noodle Soup so it had some substance. The last days I strictly had what they said to have. I was paranoid about the fatty liver thing. I stuck to the Medifast (yuk), low fat Soups and no sugar-no fat pudding. PS...I lost a lot of weight during that period. STICK to it- because it really is important. During your meeting with June W (mandatory education meeting) she mentioned that some have had to be turned away from surgery if the liver does not rid the fat- and liquids are the way to do it. (These are people who did not follow the liquid phase correctly.) By the way, I bought way too much Medifast. It is expensive and not very tasty. I have sooooo much left over. I know they like you to use it because of the Vitamin and Protein content. I personally could only hack having one of those per day, instead of the 3 they suggest. The hardest thing for me is not eating what I prepare for my family. I am on the soft foods now, and it is much better. Again, I am soooo happy I did this and I really do feel GREAT! Susan

Hi Everyone: I had my post-op appointment yesterday with Dr. Powers. My appointment was for 1:00 pm, I checked in and they told me to have a seat in the waiting room. After 40 minutes, I went up to one of the receptionists- (the english sounding woman) and I asked how much longer......She told me that Dr. Powers was in the OR- performing some other kind of bariatric surgery, not lap band......I was really miffed that they did not tell me that when I checked-in- and that they should have called me at home before I even went all the way to Syosset. I had to see their "fellow". He took out the sutures (which I did not even know I had in me.) The next appointment is for 6 weeks post-op, when they can decide if you need a "fill" of saline. They wanted to give me an appointment with one of the physician assistants, but I insisted on seeing Dr. Powers (since I had not seen him yet.) Apparently, once you have the surgery, all other follow-up appointments are with the PAs. Shrinkinmom- Believe me, I did not want to leave Sayville- I loved it there! I get to go back all the time as I still have friends there, and my parents live there as well. L-cubed- I am in Garden City....but I play tennis in Oceanside once in a while! I hope all goes well with your surgery dates! Let me know what happens. Even though I was so angry at the office staff yesterday- I still think they are the best to use for this surgery. I came through mine GREAT and I was back to playing competitive tennis 8 days after surgery. I am having absolutely NO PROBLEMS with my Lap Band. Good luck all and keep in touch.

Congrats on your brother's wedding. If you have the operation in November, you will absolutely fine by December. I had my operation and played competitive tennis 8 days later....Just keep remembering to move around a lot after- lots of walking. Susan

Hi Chris- and everyone else posting...It is so funny, I used to live in Sayville and had to move to Nassau County....anyway.... The process seems to be going very fast for you! Seeing all those doctors in one week. I am glad you were able to get the appointments right away. I was going to caution you, that most of these doctors give you an initial consultation, and send you for the testing afterward. Depending on what insurance you have, there is a lot of testing! For example, the pulmonologist needs to give you a pulmonary function test, chest x-ray and sleep study for apnea. I used Dr. Fred Glasser, but he is in Mineola- kind of far from you. But, the office was great! Good luck with your progress. I am going to see Dr. Powers tomorrow for my first post-op appointment. I just started the "mushy" stage of food after all these weeks of liquids. I have to say, that I am having no trouble whatsoever with the foods going down. My question is going to be: Do I already need a fill> I think I do! I think that they will not fill until 6 weeks post-op....but lets see! I am trying to be really optimistic. I have lost a lot of weight just being on the liquids, but it has slowed way down now. I have a feeling that my body is in starvation mode and holding on to whatever it has.....haha... I am sure he will give me great advice and I will report back. See you all soon, Susan

thanks B! Incentive Spirometer!.....It works.

Hi Twiceblessed.... That group is definitely worth the drive! They are so experienced and are one of the best practices in the country for lap band surgery. I hope you get your date soon. It took them about a week to schedule mine after my file was complete. Make sure you call Jennifer or one of the PA's to tell you that the file is complete. Let me know when your date is.....and btw, when I had my surgery on Sept 2, I met two other women and 2 other men the same day. They were all fantastic people and the two women and I are going to meet this weekend! Good luck, Susan

Wow, good for you. It is nice to hear that you are doing so well on the band. I was banded 7 days ago and am still on the liquids. I can not imagine what restriction is yet do to all the liquids. I can not wait to try it out with solid foods, and I am praying it will work. Keep going! Good luck to you.....

Hi...I am sorry you are suffering. I do not have the incisions, I only have like small puncture holes (6 of them), and they are healing just fine. However, I DO HAVE the breathing issue! Just now I am back to almost normal breathing, however, it took me the full 7 days to get it back. What helped me was using that breathing aparatus they gave me in the hospital where you suck in the air in the tube. I can not remember what they called it. Also, I did a lot of walking, this seemed to open up my airwaves. I hope this helps you!

Hi Marie, Good for you that you can start the pureed a week sooner than I. I certainly know how you feel being on the liquids! This is my 15th day and I am really sick of it. Up until today, I was losing almost a pound a day on the liquids. Of course this morning, there was no change. Pretty discouraging considering that I only had about 600 calories yesterday....but, I am sure things will improve tomorrow. I decided to start the pureed diet this coming Saturday instead of next Monday because I have family coming over for my daughter's birthday. Keep in touch! Sue

I am not sure if Dr. Geiss has certain days that he performs surgery. That may be a good question to call the office about. So far, I know people who used those doctors who have had operations on both Monday and Tuesday. Sometimes it is a good idea to have surgery earlier in the week just incase there are any small complications. Remember, you do stay overnight as well. The following morning, you have to have that floroscopy done where you drink a small amount of barium to see how you are swallowing and to see if the band is in the right spot!....

If you need any more mentoring, just ask me, I would be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns. I was banded Sept. 2 2008.