dbrengle

I understand how you feel. I have been banded since 08/19 and I still get overwhelmed when I come on here, but there is alot of good information on here as well. You have to remember eveyone is different and you will find out your strengths when the time comes. As far what the doctors ask you to do is up to them, again all doctors are different. Im in NC and my doc had me do a echocardiogram, bone density, upper gi, and psych visit. If you doctor doesnt make you do it then do fret about it. Take it and go on. You usually start a liquid diet 2 weeks prior/after surgery. You will lose anywhere from 10-15 pounds or maybe more the first 2 weeks, and more after surgery. I know I wasnt hungry at all afterwards, but I couldnt wait to get something to drink. That sucks that you doc didnt fight for you, im glad you found another one that will :biggrin: Everyone needs to be on the same playing field, and they didnt seem to be a teamplayer. Good luck and your surgery is on my 5th wedding anniversary so it will be a GREAT day!!! :wink2: I feel like there is so much information and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. My surgery date is Dec 4 which is a little over 7 weeks away. I have been reading the different threads for information but think the more I read the more overwhelmed I become. This is what I have been told. Blood tests/echocardiogram this week (not sure if I spelled that right) Liquid diet starts 11/20 Surgery dec 4 I have read on here about many people having a psych consult. Do all drs do that? I feel like I am missing out on something. I started this journey in Feb (I posted March in another thread) and had to switch drs due to not getting any help from the dr to fight the insurance after first two denials. Thoughts?:thumbup:

I am looking at my bill right now, and my surgery was over $18,000.00, the biggest part of the bill, was for supplies/implants which totaled $9561.30. WOW thats crazy. Makes you wonder how much the markup was for the band it self. I work for Aetna insurance and even though they billed this amount, they want get it all of it. Im sure they will get probably anywhere from $8000.00 to $9000.00 tops. Hospitals and Doctors never get the full amount, unless you are a self pay person.

YES, (which is a very good thing) I can tell by other things like when I walk on my treadmill I can now walk at 3 mph at incline of 3, where before I couldnt get to over 2.5 and I can keep my balance on my treadmill with my weights ( I use 3 & 5 pound weights). While walking I do any kind of exercise I can think of with my arms. I can tell that my wedding band is very loose. I will need to get a ring guard soon. The best part is I can tell that my cothes are getting really loose and baggy. So yes I can tell Im losing inches, but I want the weight part as well. Its just great to hear other people (besides family/friends) who are going through the same thing as me, say its ok, dont worry about the scales, take all the victories you can get... So im going too. Thanks I really needed the encouragement.

Well today I am 1 day away from being 4 weeks post op. I went to my gyn doctor today and talked to her about BC. I was so excited to go to get weighed and I was totally surprised, I had gained 4 pounds. Man I was so disappointed. I know I have been exercising 3-4 times a week anywhere from 30-40 mins a day. I am thinking I have gained muscle, but man Im still very disappointed. I was hoping to have lost some weight, but instead I gained. I know I am doing everything I am suppose to and I cant wait to get my fill on 10/01, that way I will have some restrictions with my band. The more restriction I have the less I will eat, and the more weight I will loose. My question "Is this normal??" I mean to gain weight while we are suppose to be losing. I wonder if my band has slipped....Im trying to figure out whats wrong and I am so worried. This band is a tool, but I never expected to gain. I total understand that all scales are different, but thats too much of a difference. I know I have read some posts on here and I feel like im in the same boat as others. Still VERY DISAPPOINTING!!!!:biggrin:

I was wondering if there is anyone in the Triad area that would like to chat through email or phone etc. I dont have alot of time for the support groups. I would like to find some people who are going through the same things I am and be able to discuss them with those people privately. I also dont have alot of time to read these blogs and respond so I thought of making my own support group members. If you are in the Triad area and are like me, no time for much of anything besides working and taking care of kids and are interested email me at kmbmom97@yahoo.com or leave me a message here. Hoping for a great response.......thanks

Going by what my nutrionalist told me the carbs are WAY to high.... but man the protein is great. I was told over 17 grams protein but less than 5 grams of carbs......but every nutrionalist is different. What did your nutrionalist say about that?? They will tell you if its ok or not. I have been using the Atkins and EAS ones from Walmart and they taste pretty good to me. Let me know if you find one with that much protein and less carbs.. thanks

Hi I was banded on 08/19/08 and my port is above my belly button too, and the only thing I can figure (without talking to my surgeon) is the type of band they used. I thought my port would be down on my left side below my belly button, thats where he stated it would be, then I guess when he put it on, it wasn't long enough to go there. I guess some have a shorter tubing than others. Hope this helps

The thing is my port isnt on my left side its in the middle about 5 inches from my belly button. I thought that was a weird place for it to be, but thats where my surgeon put it. SO thats why I am totally confused on why my left side hurts.

Leighann, I like the others who have posted feel bad for you, but like they said you have alot of support here on this webiste. I know for me I will be here for you in any way I can. You need an ear, Ill give you mine, if you need to cry, my shoulder is available. Just email me at kmbmom97@yahoo.com and ill be there for you. Keep your chin up and do whats right for you. The surgery is a TOOL, not a way out. Make the surgery work for you, and you will succeed. I had sugery on 08/19, and without a fill yet, I am down 19 pounds on 08/27. I havent weighed since then. I am a big boned person, and the last time I was at a normal weight was when I was 16 I weighed in at 140 pounds, when I went to see my surgeon 2 days before surgery I was 294.5 (thats alot for me) and now im 295.5...(im 38 yrs old now) If I can do it, I know you can too.

As far as hiccups I havent noticed anything out of the normal. But I will pay more attention to them when I get them again.

I understand I dont go back to my srugeon till 10/01/08 for my first fill, but if you talk to them about the pain in your sides, please let me know what they say. I am very curious to find out why I am hurting. Also how did you put your August allstars on your signature??

I am 18 days post op and I was wondering if anyone has these issues, after I eat (regardless of what I eat) I belch numerous of times, and for some reason, when I go lay down at night to go to sleep, I cant lay on my left side. I have really bad sharp pains. I know my surgeon cut me there but only minor cuts and I cant figure out why I hurt so bad there. Anyway I am down 19 pounds since 08/27/08, not sure how much I am now, but Ill take what I can get....lol Have a great day.:shades_smile: