Band_Groupie

Wendy, thanks for this post. I had to read it several times it struck such a nerve with me. I'm not afraid I'll lose the weight (again), but I'm terrified I'll gain it back (again). Thanks for giving me hope. -BG

Wow this group is really moving along! Doodle- I don't get my fill until 6 weeks post-op either (yeah, that's longer than most).

Just say yes to drugs...LOL! With age comes wisdom. Now tell me while it took until my 3rd childbirth to ask for something? Strong women know how to ask for help!

Thanks all, this is helpful. JT, what kind of calcium, citrate? Do you mind me asking what the B is for?

Nope, no one reads these...LOL. Welcome! -BG

Good luck ldeere! You'll do great...look at that pre-op weight loss! Prayers for you! -Bg

Body mask...LOL...Do you think if I bathed in it that I'd lose weight, maybe tighten up the skin?? A lot of the RNYer sites talk a lot about Greek Yogurt (mainly Fage...it has an almost cult-like following on some sites...some buy it by the case). It's not like other yogurt...WAY thicker, and more sour than yogurt (if you like cheesecake and sour cream you'll love it, but I'd never eat it plain). Low Sugar and High Protein...you can use it in recipes like sour cream or mix other things in with it (I've been collecting ideas...SF preserves, Kashi Go lean, low fat peanut butter, SF pudding mix, etc.). So it's a nice High Protein Breakfast or it's like a treat with fruit. Good for times when you're 'tight'. It's expensive though. I'm going to ask Thursday about getting the Rx early also. I tried to get my PCP to give me a phenergan Rx, but I couldn't convince her I'd need it...LOL, I get sick watching video games movements. I'm not leaving the hospital without it (it'll give DH something to do). My last surgery they gave me two things prior/during surgery to prevent nausea (OTC patches/pills do nothing for me). I did get a Rx for something in case I get a migraine, Epidrin (not an NSAID). You can also take Tylenol/acetaminophen as it's not an NSAID and many docs still let you take the NSAID's in small amounts, so it's worth asking (so far mine says no, and I wouldn't want to risk ulcers anyway). I've heard some say their docs would rather give them a narcotic for bad pain than an NSAID (or maybe medical Marijuana LOL). Yeah, I'm a Mary Poppins...I like having whatever I might need when I'm miserable. My DH's a sweety, but women are just so much better at nurturing...I need a wife for times like these.

Congrats Jimbo! Come join us at the April Bandsters Forum! Click HERE.

ldeere-awesome WL, good luck! I'll let you know Thursday when I have my pre-op class (I just got the phone call from the insurance/scheduler who told me no preop diet). My docs take on all the hard cases in Pittsburgh (the other hospitals send them patients regularly) so I'm hoping they're just that good LOL! It wouldn't surprise me though, when I went to my surgeon consult with questions I found here they just laughed at some of them...ie. needing fluoro. or xray to find ports ever (answer was 'we won't need that'). I'll be sure to ask!

Paige- Thanks so much for the ideas! I haven't seen anyone who likes any of the unflavored ones yet (apparently, unflavored doesn't mean no flavor LOL). Scooby- I've been drinking the Atkins shakes today and yesterday and they're not bad (I got both the chocolate flavors), much better than the Target ones. Are the costco ones low carb?

I don't know your height, but I'll give you mine and you can get an idea. I'm about 5' 8.5" and my 'shoot for the stars' goal is 148 (just because that will be 100# LOL). I've been back down to 160 several times recently and I know I had more than 10# extra on me then, but 148 may be attainable with lots of work, or if I'm a little above it and happy, that's fine with me (I'm one who won't be disappointed if I don't reach a certain goal). 148 would give me a BMI of 22.2. I was at 19.5 when I got married and (even flat chested-just so you know there wasn't any fat on me) I was too thin. Part of this does depend on your body build (and your age). I set a range for my goal. Hope that helps!

Shrinking the Liver- FYI...I thought I'd look up how a liver shrinks through diet...just curious, since my doc doesn't require a pre-op diet. Here's what I found out (surgery article from BOSPA): By following a strict diet (low fat, sugar and carbs), your body reduces its glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3–4 ounces of water, so when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water in it. This diet is only recommended for one week before surgery and is not to be followed post–operatively. It is quite possible you lose a lot of weight that week, but it will be mainly be water loss. Please ensure you continue to drink throughout the day. I thought it was interesting that it explains that the liver is shrinking because of water loss in the liver. That also explains why people gain weight many times once they get back on normal foods, even when they're not eating many Kcals...the water is coming back too.

Hey 21 is a really low BMI, but you're really young, so it would look better on you than me. I was a 20.5 when I got married and I was too thin, but I'd look bad at my age with even a 21 BMI...weight shifts. I'd set something in the middle of your 'normal' BMI range...and what I always say is, you'll know it when you get there!

Sending you a PM, now! -BG

Well, as you know, yesterday was one awesome day! I want to capture the details of what happened here (and there are some ‘points for learning’ for you newbies…if I didn’t scare you off yesterday). Let me unravel my story...(K)nitty gritty...unravel....moving right along.... First, my ‘many messages’ I left at the surgeon’s got through finally and I received a call Tuesday from Marlene (saying Patti was in clinicals all day). We went through my papers again and I asked again if the Pulmonary paper (from my visit in FEB.!) showed up and it had (take matters into your own hands…I’m glad I called them directly). Suddenly, the Sleep Lab results weren’t in my file (I faxed these myself in March and I had already confirmed they were in my file). So it pays to go through the whole file more than once, as this was the third time. We hung up and I got a call back from her saying Patti had just dropped in and she was to tell me if I got all my papers in tomorrow, then she’d call me with a date (so she got that phone message too…I’m probably on the ‘favorite patients’ list by this point). So on to yesterday. I was at the PCP office a little after 8am and was taken in. I had a new smiling nurse! She weighed me and I’d lost 3# since the last visit for a total loss of 9 pounds over the 6 months, which was perfect (aiming for 5-10#). Then something amazing happened! The nurse turned to me and said “Are you getting excited for your surgery…do you have a date yet?” I told her I’d get my date today and she said “You know I had the same thing done?” Holy Cow…not a big deal for most of you I’m sure, but it dawned on me that she was the very first person I’d met in person who has the LB! I was SO excited! She told me her experiences and must have said 10 times “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done!” Without asking, she lifted her shirt and showed me her tiny scars (the only one that you’d even notice is the port one). She was babbling on and I was lapping it up when another nurse knocked for some help from her and she left me with well wishes, an offer to call her if I had any questions or needed help, and a big hug! Those few minutes made my day! …and what a difference from my Nazi Nurse friend LOL. My usual CRNP I’ve been seeing for the weigh in’s was next and she was over-the-moon excited for me! She had one piece of bad news…the Letter of Medical Clearance and Necessity wasn’t ready. Yes, the letter that I’d given a sample of with my information already filled in to the other CRNP at my 5th visit…then called 2 weeks later to make sure this CRNP knew about it and would have it ready for me at this visit (and she said it was already in my file). Well, the letter had been done, but they used their own form letter for this and my name was at the top, but they’d left another ladies name in the body. She was so apologetic as she told me there weren’t any doctors in until 9am to sign it. No biggie, I’ll wait the 40min. (NO WAY was I not getting my date today!). Well, 9 came and went (I tried not to pace in my head) and about 9:30 she brought it out whispering apologies and that the doc was late…I didn’t care, I was so happy! Newbies…I should have had her fax me a copy when she told me it was in the file. Oh, and anyone who gets migraines, I got a non NSAID prescription just in case. I flew home and sent my fax to the surgeon with the three last attachments (monthly form, the PCP letter, and the sleep study-again). I called Marlene as she told me to just to make sure it came through, and she told me that Patti just came in to get my file so she must have it. A torturous hour later I finally got the call from the elusive Patti….my heart was beating SO FAST…and then it happened….. We were a few words into the call and….SCREEEEEECH! HUMMMMMM! I’m thinking ‘What’s that sound?!!....a fax machine?!...Why won’t it stop?!’ She tries to talk SCREEEEECH! HUMMMMMMM! Oh, Dear Lord! I LEFT THE FAX MACHINE PLUGGED IN!!!! As I’m running upstairs and down the long hall I’m trying to yell ‘HOLDON!’ between all the screeches. I hear little words from the other side that make me think she’s getting irritated when I yank the plug. I tried to make a small joke…something about not obviously not using the fax machine often…nothing, not even a peep (I’m thinking now I’ve made it to the ‘Patients Hall of Shame’ bulletin board in her office). After a pause she goes into her schpeel as I’m frantically running back down the hall and back downstairs (trying not to pant too loudly…didn’t know I could still run that fast) where I’d lain out my calendar with all the events and dates DH is traveling (I was wondering why the fax machine didn’t go off when Marlene called back that second time…probably because it was only a few seconds call…and why did I forget to unplug that stupid thing for an important phone call….then I slapped myself back to focus on her words). She asked “When do you want to get this done?” I wasn’t prepared for that (I thought she’d just give me a date and I’d say whether it worked or not). So I stammered something about “How long is the pre-op diet?”…pause, she must be so done with me…“or isn’t there one?” “No, there’s no pre-op diet.” “OK, why don’t I give you the dates that don’t work and we can start there.” I mentioned the bad dates the next two weeks (which left me with 4 dates) and she came back with a date in the third week ...well it worked, so I’m thrilled! She told me she’d send to the insurance today and told me the nurse would call me to set-up a physical. She was about to hang up when I asked about the pre-op class. “You haven’t taken that yet?” “Well, no.”…they told me I couldn’t until you set my date…no, I didn’t say it…didn’t want to press my luck. So she told me when/where to come next week and I didn’t let her get away without profusely thanking her…probably a little over the top, but…my approval is still in her hands. So the rest you can guess…there was dancing and merry-making involved on my part! I called the only person I’m telling, DH who was so thrilled, but also told me he’s not really celebrating until the insurance approval…party pooper (he just doesn't want me to get dissapointed)…God love him, he’s a worrier. So I called my LBT friends right here! Party at my house!!!!

April 22!!! Can't wait!!!

Woot! As if this week could get any better! Break out the champagne for everyone...oops, all you pre-banders (won't be drinking that after LB). I got my approval in about 48 hours! Highmark PPO Blue (BCBS of Western PA if anyone needs help with them). I couldn't believe Patti (insurance gal at the Surgeon's office) called me at 5:05pm...stayed late to call me, and get this she was laughing at my screams of glee and said 'You've been such a pleasure to work with!' (Does she remember me- the April Fool with the fax machine screeching in her ear on Wed.?) I kissed her behind on the spot...made my weekend. I'm off to do my April Bunny hop dance!!!

Welcome! Ticker tutorial on LBT with photos, click HERE.

I started some shopping for pre and post Op yesterday and came home with bags full. I don’t have a pre-op diet, but I’ve decided to do a self-imposed one. I’m drinking protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and then a healthy high protein dinner. According to my NUT and surgeon I’m not supposed to drink protein shakes, EVER, as they are a slider food and go against the bandster rules of eating solid protein. I’m totally on board with that and actually love that their lifetime diet is exactly what I was looking for, healthy food, just a lot less of it…like I keep saying when I see bandsters still drinking several of these shakes daily years out, if I wanted to be on a protein drink diet, then I would have done that, not the band (one of my sisters did this, so did Oprah…they both gained it back). I don’t expect to use protein shakes very often at all, maybe after fills, but I thought it can’t hurt to do this pre-op and I can gather a list of the ones I like. I looked online but soon realized to compare apples to apples was going to take some work on my part. So, I did what I always do, I made a list. The confusing part is if you’re concerned with carbs. With the powdered shakes you need to figure out the grams (they only list percentages) of what is added add to it…like skim milk. Skim milk isn’t low carb, so these powdered ones can quickly become a high carb as well as high protein drink once you add the milk (ie. Unjury). Yeah, you could add water, but bleeech! I bought an assortment to try locally. Some I’ve found hard to find in the stores (ie. low carb Slim Fast). I quickly decided I don’t like the pre-made ones in cans…they have a metallic taste to me (ie. Target Brand). The low carb ones in cardboard cartons haven’t been too bad (ie. Atkins, EAS). You can even buy some powders in huge concrete bags amounts (better be sure you like it first)... I’m back to the stores today (once the snow stops, yes I said snow, several inches...is it April?!) for some low sugar/SF (ie. preserves for yogurt) and low fat/FF items (ie. Refried Beans) to have on hand as well as the GasX and other items suggested post-op. If you have any favorite items, let me know…and if anyone knows where I can get the big containers of plain 0% or 2% Fage Greek Yogurt north of Pittsburgh, I’m offering a reward (my eternal thanks). Product Placement/Marketing?! (that Special Dark Hershey bar is calling my name)...

Thanks Pharma! I spent a day in the fields trying to get photos of bunnies hopping LOL (I love Google). Yea bunnies!! -BG

Hef finally called! I'm officially a Bunny! Me and about 150 other hardworking "Girls Next Door" just trying to get in shape. Yep, I'm a April '09 Bunny Bandster! Our April Group has about 150 members. Sorry, I said girls, because if they're any guys I haven't found them out yet, but I'm sure they're there (Hey, I think the Easter Bunny is a boy!)...not sure if the guys were part of the name vote or not LOL as I came in late. The Bunnies are multiplying daily...so if you're a Bunny, join us, Click HERE! The first of our hutch have gone off to surgery this week and I've been gobbling up their experiences so I can be prepared. Most are doing very well, but there's still some pain, as expected. Hang in their Bunnies, keep your ears up... ...you'll be doing the Bunny Hop soon enough...you put your backside in, you put your backside out...! Ooops that's the Hokey Pokey....line up Bunnies...da da da da da-da...hop hop hop... Pretty soon we'll all be eating healthy... ...and training for Bunny Jumping Shows (yes, this is a real sport). It's great to have a group at the same point you are for support!

Woot! Doing the Happy Dance with you here! I;m so happy for you!!! -BG

Men...gotta love 'em...hearts in the right place.

Come and join us on the April Forum HERE. Post your date on the Master Thread to join the group. There's a bunch now post-op who can probably answer your question. Congratulations on your date (that's my 50th birthday!). -BG

Welcome to LBT! Come and join us at the April '09 forum HERE. There's about 150 of us all in the same boat this month. Post your date on the Master Thread to join us. Good luck to you! -BG