barbara465

Please read my post again. I did not condemn the woman who needed to lose 68 lbs. I said I didn't know her story. Looking at her it didn't appear that she had weight to lose. I was only wondering about the choice. Did she do everything before taking such a drastic step, or did she do the surgery as a first attempt? I worry that this surgery is getting so popular that we will be having it for not the right reasons. I have been fat all my life and have suffered with every weight gain, every diet, every lb gained. I am not judgemental about those that have less to lose than I or haven't experienced all the gains and losses. What I was trying to express is that this is a major decision. It shouldn't be taken lightly. I don't think we should put teens through this until other avenues have been tried. To that end, the insurance guidelines are helping, in some cases. There will always be those that can afford it on their on and not need the insurance. There are those that need this surgery to live a healthy life. I can't judge anyone, nor do I want to.

As I look at 5 puncture wounds in my tummy the enormity of the act of getting a lapband has hit me. This surgery should never be taken lightly or for frivioulous reasons. This is a life altering, major surgery type of solution. I for one, believe the guidelines are there for a reason. On the day of my surgery I saw a woman who was getting a lapband. I turned to my DH and said why? I thought she must be having hers replaced. It surely couldn't be because she was fat. Later, my DH told me while talking to her husband, that she was 68 lbs overweight. She had a tiny frame and wanted the extra weight gone. I don't know this woman's background, but I would have questioned did she try everything else? Our insurance system is not the greatest. It is all we have until we collectively get changes past. In the meantime, we should live by the "laws" we are given and help make. Without the guidelines I'm afraid of who will want the surgery to achieve perfection. This surgery should not be taken lightly.

I was really surprised when I got the preop diet. My doctor doesn't want us to use any powder drinks. Period. Says they clog the band. I can only have liquid drinks. I have been having 2 a day, but will try to get 3 in tomorrow. I go back to work on Monday, office job, and need my energy. DH went to my favorite chinese restaurant and got me some won ton soup. He took out the won tons and the chicken flakes. Boy was that broth good. I can't wait to get on thicker soups come Tuesday. I don't understand why we can't have thicker soups when the protein drinks are so thick. My doctor has me on liquids 2 full weeks and week 3 on mushies. On the 4th week food, but must give up the protein drinks except for breakfast. I am still amazed at how easy this was. I like my naps, but my energy is pretty good. I was worried with fibrolmalgia, but my muscles haven't hurt much. Hope everyone else continues to do well. Good luck to those having it done next week. You will be so glad when you are on this side of the band.

Welcome. I live in Atascocita (Humble) so not so far. I have been banded just 3 days. So far so good. There are lots of good threads to read and get caught up on all you want to know. Welcome

Day 3 and everything is going OK. Had my first bowel movement so really feel better now!! (I know TMI, but it was a major accomplishment). I gotta say that I'm hungry. Not sure I could eat if I tried, of which I won't, but I didn't expect this. I am to stay on clear liquids and protein shakes for 5 more days. I think I would be happy if I could just have some thicker soup. Hope everyone else is doing well.

Panera's sounds like fun. I'll be there . Melissa: thanks for the info about North bandster meeting. I'll try to make it in 2 weeks. Let me know what resturant.

I understand the Trufolk site. You are selling costumes. What is the DD site? Are you asking for donations for your plastic surgery? I didn't get the donation part. The site is informative about your weight loss, but I don't get the donation part.

I think I need another week. I just had surgery on Tuesday and want to get myself going so I can return to work. The following Saturday will work for me. That would also put me of liquids and on to mushies. Pick a restaurant and let me know.

I live in the Humble/Atascocita area. Someone had started a group that met in The Woodlands. However, I haven't heard from that group again. I would love to join a local support group. I work so it would have to be early evenings or Saturday. If you get some more involved count me in. I can come to Willowbrook area. I do so all the time.

My band size is 10. I think you got a smaller one Melissa. I have no pain except that soreness around the surgical areas. It feels like a big hard baloon when I try to get up from a chair. No real gas, although I have some left back ache now. I've been up and working for most of the day. I need to move a little so that gas pockets don't form. Glad everyone is doing so well. Keep up the good work.

I wore loose shorts and a long baggy pull over top. I work sandals you slide into and big enough for socks. It worked perfectly because you come home without a bra on.

Additional surgery would fall under the 60/40 out of network costs. Remember, once you meet your out of network deductible that split takes over. My out of pocket max is $6,000. Once I paid that I wouldn't have to pay anymore. Look at it like that. The most you would have to pay is your max out of network. That could happen with any doctor. One of my specialist, not lapband related, is out of network. I had to pay the out of network deductible. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I personally went with experience and success rate. The more they know the better your surgery will be. I know they have to start somewhere. I just chose not for it to me. My surgeon has done over 3,000. One of the things he does is a extra stitch so the band doesn't slip. I am into this less than 24 hours and I feel pretty good. No gas, no pain. This might change as the days go on, but for now I'm feeling great.

24 hours almost. I'm actually feeling pretty good. A little more discomfort around surgery points, but not enough to take anything. Sleeping was a bit more challenging. I'm finding I can sleep on my left side better than right. My port is in the middle of my stomach, just above my bellybutton. I have more discomfort on the right side and have had ever since surgery. Slight pain in my left shoulder last night, but te heating pad fixed that. Nothing else. Liquids are going down, but I don't get much in because this sip, sip, sip is too time consuming and tiring. I have been really surprised and how easy this was. I even did some work last night and have conference calls today.

I'm in bandland!! Surgery was at 10 and I was released at 2. THe last one to leave because I couldn't pee. Feeling pretty good. Some soreness and left shoulder pain, but not unbearable. Have been pretty much awake. Did sleep through a little of the rain storm we had when the power went off. Glad to be on this side and hope I don't get too many more pains.

I'm in bandland!! Surgery at 10 and didn't get out until almost 2. I couldn't pee so had to wait a while. All 11 for the day got to go home before me. Just sore, little gas in shoulder. Nothing else so far. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

I think it strange that Spivak and Spiegel both advertise together, etc. I thought their programs would be similar. Spiegel has a big NO to oatmeal, breakfast drinks. Says they clog the band. ?? He also has me on liquids for 1 week, then thicker liquids. I do have to start protein drinks 3/day. Lots of contradictions. Enjoying my clear liquids today. Tomorrow's the day!

Does the craving and food envy ever go away? I look at your stats and think WOW you have been very successful. Why would you want to worship the very things that made us take such drastic steps to get rid of? Let's replace this food obsession with something else? I don't know what it can be, but food can't be the center of our lives. Margo you have come so far. You are looking and feeling great. What would that waffle have done for you? Or that whipped cream? Be proud and be strong.

Cindy, Just a little worried about you. Are you really allowed to eat beans so early. Most are on clear liquids for a week, then thicker liquids. Mushies after that. I know you are allowed to do what your doctor says, but it just seems very soon to be trying so much. Sorry if this sounds like preaching. I'm just worried that you are pushing too much too soon. Glad everyone is still doing well. I start clear liquids tomorrow. Only 1 da of it and then surgery. My doc has me on clear 1 week, then 2 weeks of protein drinks and 4th week begins food. At that time he wants all the protein drinks with calories stopped. Keep up the good recovery and be kind to yourselves. Be careful returning to work and sip, sip, sip.

Glad your doing well Mellisa. It was good that you got to meet Barbara as well. I hope I get to meet some nice people on Tuesday also. I bet I was there when you guys were there. I had an ekg at 10:00 and at that time there was 3 pre op patients waiting. One for sure was Spivak's and they seemed to have been waiting a while. Is any of our group going to be at the Surgicenter in Houston on the 13th? Keep up the good work and hope all of you recovering are doing well.

Finished my preop today. I was at the Surgicenter around 9:45, but only saw the preop patients. I was hoping to see Barbara, but I think she had already gone in. I only have to do 1 day of clear liquids on Monday. I report at 6:00 am on Tuesday. Glad everyone is doing well. I'm almost there. Newly banded - take care of yourselves, walk and sip, sip, sip. Those almost there - get hold of those nerves. We are doing the right thing. :cool:

I just got back from my preop visit and instructions. 1 day of clear liquids. That's it. Another interesting thing - no instant breakfast drinks EVER. He says they can clog band. Also no oatmeal. I was surprised at the breakfast drinks and powdered drinks. I saw on another thread someone's doctor had said clogging. I find that interesting. Oh well, I'll do whatever he wants.

Absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be very, very proud.

Having just gone through the stress of having a doctor (spiegel) and being accepted, to him going out of network and wanting to charge a large, large, fee, finding another doctor, trying to get approval from UHC for new doctor, and the last minute going back to spiegel at a reasonable price I say pay the $500 and call it a stress reducer!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't begin to explain the emotional roller coater I have been on with what was supposed to be such a easy process to change doctors. However, if you have time, and you feel strongly about it, then by all means change. No one should wonder about their doctor.

Now on a serious note: How many grams of Protein can I count if I swallow? Would I have to wait until Mushie stage? Or will thicker liquid stage be OK? Too funny!