IMhopeful
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3 years has passed since you registered at LapBandTalk! Happy 3rd Anniversary IMhopeful!
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Hi Al Just wanted to check in and see how your appointments are going and if you've received your surgery date yet. I know it can take a bit of time based on your insurance. When I was banded, by Dr. Jones, I had BCBS and it didn't take long at all for them to give the authorization. My meeting with Dr. Jones 11/19/08 my band was placed on 2/10/09. My experience was great as I'm sure yours will be. Hope all is going well. Keep the updates coming by personal message or post! :thumbup: Theresa
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Fabulous February Bandsters Unite!
IMhopeful replied to tdteach99's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
First: Ja9rhone I'm so very very sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts. I was banded Feb 10th '09 I was doing great until the end of the summer. I was down 58lbs but have been losing and gaining the same 5lbs since the end of August. It seems that I've fallen so far off the wagon I can even find the wagon to get back on anymore. I haven't been exercising and I've been doing ALOT of stress eating. For the last couple of months I've gotten back to putting myself on the back burner. Both my mom and my disabled brother have needed most of my time for one reason or another. At times I get so frustrated all I can do is cry and or eat. How can I get back on track??? I've tried doing my food log (which I did religiously in the beginning), getting to the gym and support groups have been impossible...with my, my mom's and brother doctors appointments there isn't time in the day. I want and need this to work so badly, I can see clearly in my mind the results I want/need, but it's almost as if I'm frozen. Right now I'm down 53lbs. HELP!!!:confused: -
I'm glad the info was helpful. It didn't take very long my initial consult was in Sept & my surgery was Feb 10. The time frame varies depending on insurance requirements, your availability for appointments & if additional testing is needed. I waited a year to start the process after it was first mentioned to me. Of course you're going to be nervous & excited throughout the entire process.
I didn't have very much pain at all. For the first week or 2 I had to sleep with my head elevated then with a pillow under my tummy for support otherwise sleeping on my side was uncomfortable.
In order to feel the port I have to push on that area but otherwise I can't see it or feel it.
If you drink while you are eating or too soon after you eat, it pushes the food through the band. This will make it so you won't feel full as long or as quickly. Then you will eat more and get more calories.
If you have anymore questions or concerns don't hesitate to ask!! Good luck
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This information is very helpful and encourging. Congrats on your weightloss. Did it take long before you had a surgery date? I attended the seminar and just need to complete the paperwork and send it in for a response. I'm holding myself back because surgery makes me nervous and this is just a difficult decison to make. I want to come back home to my 2yr old.
Do you feel any port pain or can you even feel it inside your tummy?
You mentioned something about drinking? what happens if you don't wait till a 1/2 later?
Thanks for sharing your experience
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I also had my surgery in Feb '09 with Dr. Jones. So far I've lost 58 lbs and I too feel great. I've been very fortunate and have had almost no problems as a result of the band. One occasion I ate too quickly and had some pain from the food getting stuck, however I did as advised, I stopped eating and walked around for a few minutes and the food passed without a problem. I had some post op swelling and was not able to get all the fluid in that I needed. This caused me to spend an extra night in the hospital. Personally I feel the biggest obstacle to get past is it's not brain surgery -- all the same cravings are going to be there. You can still have the things you crave but not everyday and not in the same amount. About a week after surgery while watching TV, I heard my hubby munching away on a snack. It was very hard since I could only drink (you're on a liquid diet for several weeks after surgery) and although I was feeling stuffed after drinking 8oz of fluid, I wanted to be able to chew something. I remember crying thinking if I felt this way now how was this surgery ever going to help me. But I got through it. Another thing that can be hard is not drinking a 1/2 hr before and after eating. You get used to that too. I don't want to discourage you. No it's not easy but if you use the band as the tool it's meant to be and listen to your body it's worth it!!
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I believe the program fee is for (non reimbursable) expenses like the pre op work book which I found extremely helpful, it goes through things step by step. Also the support group they have twice a month and the online newsletter. Each of the surgeons run a seminar so your able to meet both of them if you attend both sessions. Yes, the majority of it's repetitive but you can get a feel for the surgeons themselves. In addition patients who have had surgery attend this gives you the opportunity to speak with them directly. You may not be able to get in prior to you move I would go to another seminar and ask the surgeon. They may be able to recommend a bariatric surgeon in the state where you'll be moving.
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Anyone have an ICD?
IMhopeful replied to Huskergirl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was banded 2/10/09. Although I do not have an ICD I am a heart attack survivor. On 7/29/07 I had a heart attack, went into cardiac arrest, and had angioplasty. There was some perminant damage to my heart as a result of this but my surgery went beautifully. Of course everyone's situation is different the program I went through would not even consider me for the surgery without a cardiac clearance. My cardiologist did a cardiac cathaterization to confirm that there were not problems brewing. He had to send a letter to the medical director of the program clearing me for surgery. The surgeon requested another letter stating it was ok for me to stop taking the blood thinner Plavix 1 week prior to surgery. However I was allowed to stay on a baby aspirin. Now until I can resume my plavix (they cannot be crushed and there's no liquid alternative) I take 4 chewable aspirin daily. My surgeon ordered the cardiac anesthesiologist for my case and had the cardiac team on standby in case of any problems which there were none. I'm sure your cardiologist will know exactly what to do to make sure you're safe for surgery. Best of luck! -
having banding with insulin pump question
IMhopeful replied to JuneR's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Catlover4, I was banded on 2/10/09 and wear a Medtronic Minimed pump. The day before surgery I was advised to adjust my basal rate to 1/2 of the lowest basal rate. My pump was on throughout the surgery. The nurses monitored my blood sugar during surgery and were aware of how to adjust the pump settings if necessary. There was never a problem! Since my surgery I'm using less than 1/2 the insulin I did prior to surgery. It's very rare that I have to bolus myself for meals. However I have to suspend my pump totally during exercise otherwise I will go low. I've lost almost 50 lbs and I'm keeping my endo aware of my blood sugars. I just keep my pump site away from my port. The only problem I've had is I have less area on my stomach where my pump works because of the weight loss. There have been a few times that the canula has bent and I've needed to move my site. As my weight continues to go down both my doctor and I are looking forward to stopping my insulin. Best of luck on your surgery, you'll do fine pump and all!!!! -
Hi liquidbluegal - I'm from Foxboro. why are you about to give up hope?? Please feel free to send me a private message. I'd be more than happy to share stories with you or even talk to you about topics from the support groups. I've gone to 2 support meetings and I do feel they help. My surgery was on 2/10/09 although I haven't had the band long I'd be more than happy to lend an ear and help anyway I can. Good luck -- don't ever lose hope I'm sure things will get better!
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Fabulous February Bandsters Unite!
IMhopeful replied to tdteach99's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Congrats to both of you lapband4life and TheB!!!!! That's great. I was banded on 2/10/09 and have lost 37lbs post surgery and 10 pre surgery. Until recently I've haven't gotten to the gym as much as I should but I've picked up the pace recently. Next follow up isn't until 5/20, can't wait to see the results. Keep up the great work!:smile: -
Fabulous February Bandsters Unite!
IMhopeful replied to tdteach99's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi all, Had my first fill last Wednesday (2cc's). I wasn't expecting to get it but it wasn't bad at all. The worst part was I had just gotten the ok for a full food diet but that was short lived. After a fill my program requires 3 days of liquid diet then another 3 of day of soft food. So far everything is going down fine. I do notice I can't eat as much earlier in the day however in the evening I don't seem to be as full but I am satisfied. I'm still consistently losing about 2lbs a week. -
Hi All, I'm almost 2 months post-op and am on my stage 4 diet. So far I've been able to keep my weightloss steady and have lost 41 lbs. I have a follow up on 4/8 even though I have been following my diet I'm nervous about going in and seeing that I've gained. Honestly it should be expected with the difference in the diet to gain maybe a pound but it's causing some serious anxiety. The anxiety is making it so I want to eat more. (Can you tell I'm a stress eater!) Did anyone else gain when they were on their stage 4. Hi Dezadoo, Congratulations on your new baby. I'm on Facebook my name is Theresa Kinney if you'd like to add me as a friend just put lap band in the request. Hope all are well.
