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adagray

LAP-BAND Patients
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Everything posted by adagray

  1. adagray

    Couples being banded??

    Just wanted to say congratulations on this first step and wish you the best of luck. As for the sleep study, they just want to know if you have sleep apnea for two reasons... one is that if you do have it, it can help w/insurance approval (sounds like that may not be a hurdle for you w/your insurance), but second, they need to know if you have sleep apnea because if you do, you need to use a CPAP machine prior to and right after surgery. And, if you have sleep apnea, most surgeons/insurance require you have your surgery in the hospital and spend the night (rather than doing it outpatient and going right home). Don't worry about that for now, but in any case, it won't preclude you from having the surgery. I was diagnosed w/sleep apnea, got the CPAP machine, really don't use it because I don't seem to get the sleep apnea unless I sleep on my back (which I don't normally - I just did in the sleep study because its the only way I could fall asleep with everything hooked up to me). Anyway, my surgeon said to use it now (just prior to surgery) because it will open up my airways really well and they will want me to wear it right after as well.
  2. adagray

    I lost my grandson!

    Congratulations!!! I know what you mean. Combined, my 4 yr old girl 6 yr old son weigh almost 100 pounds which is about what I want to lose. They are both heavy to hold. I hardly ever lift my son anymore. The thought that I will be losing his weight and more (hopefully) is amazing to me.
  3. adagray

    Help bypass or lapband

    Ditto all of this! It is certainly part of the journey to be unsure at some point as to which surgery is right for you. And, I ultimately came to the same conclusion as the above poster. One thing that made a difference in my decision, too, was that I learned that dumping (sugar aversion) only stays with you for the first year or two w/bypass. So, eventually, even w/bypass, you will have to deal w/your sugar issues. The reason why some bypass patients gain back is because they are counting on the bypass to prevent them from eating sugar. And, it really does for awhile, and very well. But, eventually, you will have that looming that you will need to control it on your own after you no longer have the dumping. Also, w/the bypass, my surgeon says you should really NEVER drink ANY alcohol again. I know there are many bypass patients who still drink, but they are taking some significant chances w/their liver. The stomach is the first line of defense against toxins in the body. And, the body does recognize alcohol as a toxin and the stomach does significant work to metabolize that before it actually ever goes to your liver. When you drink alcohol after bypass, it is like injecting alcohol straight into your system. The stomach has no chance to detoxify it at all. For me, this is scary cause I really do like my wine. I am cutting it out for the first 6 months or longer just because it is empty calories, but when I imagine a 'normal' life after reaching goal, part of that means that I can have a glass or two of wine occasionally as long as I am exercising enough and eating healthy enough to maintain a healthy weight. But, bypass is a lot better if you have Type 2 diabetes. The bypass will cure that immediately. Personally, I think the sleeve may be the very best choice of all, but my insurance doesn't cover it right now.
  4. adagray

    sleep study?

    I had to have two sleep studies and they were about $3000 each. My insurance covered most of it. I had to pay 10% so a total of $600 for the two studies. If you have your sleep studies in the same year as your surgery, it may not really matter what they cost because you will probably reach your 'max coinsurance' or 'max out of pocket' for that year. For example, my max out of pocket is $2000 for the year. If you take 10% of 25,000 which is roughly what my surgeon charges, then that comes to $2500 that I would need to pay for my surgery, but since my max out of pocket is $2000, my insurance picks up 100% of all remaining bills after I've paid $2000. So, since I paid $600 for those sleep studies earlier this year, I only have to pay $1400 for the surgery (less any other payments I've made this year). So, the sleep studies didn't really 'cost' me anything additional. I hope this makes sense. Insurance is so confusing, but check what your max out of pocket is because its likely that this is the total amount you will end up paying for everything in the end (as long as you do it all in the same year).
  5. 15 pounds is great! From all the nutritional counseling and pre-op education I've gotten through my surgeon's office, I've been told not to expect any real weightloss in the first month (before the first fill). They emphasized giving your body time to heal during this time and practicing new habits. My surgeon does not even say you need to restrict the quantity of food that you eat during this time. Rather than measure and restrict food, they just want us to practice what they call the 30-20-30 rule... stop drinking Water 30 minutes before eating, eat for no longer than 20 minutes (no drinking while eating), and then don't drink again for 30 minutes after. I've told all of my friends and family that I am having this surgery, but also set their expectations that I will not be losing a lot of weight immediately following surgery... that it might take a few months even before the band starts to work. That way if I don't lose weight right away, I don't have to feel bad about it. And, if I do lose weight right away, then its just a bonus! :wink2:
  6. My DH just got me this as an early Christmas present. I'm getting banded on 12/17. He got it for me 4 days ago and I've been using it every day since. I hate dirtying up the big blender just to make one small protein shake. The bullet is great because it comes w/a bunch of cups that fit right on top so you blend your drink right in the cup. And, they are a normal size so you don't feel tempted to make more than you really need. My kids are getting hooked on smoothies now too. They don't like my protein ones, but low fat milk, fruit, and a little sweetener makes a great healthy yummy smoothie for them. Great great product! I highly recommend it!!!
  7. I agree w/this advice. Rather than try to control their behavior, I would get up, get out, and busy myself with other things. If they take offense to you leaving, then I would tell them that being around that food does not support your new lifestyle. If they really don't want you to leave the room when they are around, then don't bring in food that you are not comfortable being around. Ultimately, it probably only takes them 5-10 minutes to scarf down whatever junk they bring home. You can go for a quick walk around the block, fold some laundry, or read a book in your bedroom while they do that. Sounds more enjoyable than the food bully's company anyway! LOL
  8. adagray

    what about straws?

    I'm so glad I read this. I forgot I had these and they are great for exercising at home. I love doing Jazzercise. I know that's in public, but its fun and all women, non-competitive, and all moves can be modified to low impact. Eventually if you get bored exercising alone, I recommend trying a jazzercise class. The Leslie Sansone DVDs are great, though, and all low impact.
  9. adagray

    December Bandsters 2009

    I'm trying not to let it freak me out. I did some research online and its very very common to be called back for an u/s and the vast majority of the time it turns out to be nothing. I'm hoping and praying both of us get good news and a clean bill of health this week. :thumbup:
  10. adagray

    December Bandsters 2009

    Hugs to you... and want you to know you are not alone. I flunked my mammo too. My surgery date is not until 12/17, though. I go in for an ultrasound on the breast in question this Tuesday. My pre-op appt w/the surgeon is on Wednesday. I'm also afraid, but really really hoping that the results of the u/s are good and we won't have to postpone my lapband surgery. Are you going for an u/s as well? I would think you doctor would be happy to postpone your surgery until you know for sure what is going on w/your breasts. I know that would be a huge disappointment, though. Maybe there is some way you can get in for an u/s on your breast(s) Monday and have it read right away to see if it is really anything.
  11. My surgeon says to stop BCP 14 days before surgery. I would definitely bring it up w/your surgeon because he/she may be able to vary the amount of time you have to be off of it depending on how high or low of a dose you take. Or, maybe you could go on a really low dose hormonal contraception (like nuvaring) and maybe that would give you enough hormone so you feel OK, but not so much that it puts you at risk for the surgery. I hope your surgeon can work w/you on this. Best of luck to you!
  12. I've been through all the range of emotions over the past year w/regards to this surgery and the struggle to get it approved by my insurance. I have second guessed everything. But, basically, what it comes down to is what will you do if you DON'T get the surgery? I know for me dieting won't work. I can lose maybe 50 pounds which still won't get me to a healthy weight and then I'll be hungry and gain it back plus more. If I just do nothing at all, then I'm accepting the fact that I WILL get diabetes (I'm prediabetic) in addition to the high bp, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea I already have. This will all eventually rob me of my quality of life and will take many many years off my life. As w/anything, there is no guarantee of success, but you have a much much better chance of success w/this surgery (or any of the weightloss surgeries). So, then I started second-guessing WHICH surgery to get. Well, the sleeve would be a further battle w/my insurance which I'm just not up to after fighting all year just to get approved for lapband in the first place. And, with lapband, if it doesn't work (very unlikely!), my insurance will cover revision from lapband to RNY (not vice versa). And, ultimately, I do think lapband works for the vast majority of people who follow the rules of it and are dedicated to the follow-up care that is needed. If your surgeon does support groups w/his or her patients, I highly suggest sitting in on one of these meetings if you can. My surgeon actually requires that you go to at least one support meeting pre-op. It is incredibly inspiring. There was not one failure in the room. In fact, everyone who had the band for at least a year, had lost 100+. This type of success was nothing that I expected. I really thought there would be some slow losers in the group or people struggling. Of course, once again, there is probably some 'selection bias' here because those that attend support are more likely to be successful. Just made me realize how important those support groups are and the support we get on this board as well.
  13. I have fainted a few times due to dehydration. Its easy to do when you are busy, workout a lot, etc. I'm glad you got it figured out. Its scary when it happens, but at least it is a simple fix. I don't have my band yet, but I know its gonna take some adjustment w/how I drink water and exercise. Right now I drink two 16 oz bottles of water while I am doing 1 hour of Jazzercise. Obviously, I'm not gonna be able to gulp it all down during the exercise after lapband. So, I'm gonna have to make an extra effort to get more water in before and after.
  14. Regarding the Protein Shots, I think the flavor is more like liquid jello... like if you were making jello, but instead of refrigerating it, you drank it in the liquid form. I describe it as not bad, but not good either. I don't have a problem drinking it, but its not like I am savoring that taste. LOL I think the big selling point is that it is 25 grams of protein and in only 3 oz. I don't have the band yet, but I would think it would be easier to get down 3 oz of this than 8 oz of a protein shake. The ready to eat protein shakes kind of gross me out (haven't mustered up the nerve to even try them), but I would try a protein shake if I mixed it up myself.
  15. I'm not sure if this will match what you are looking for nutrition-wise, but I bought protein shots from Costco (12 for $20). Each one has 25 grams of protein and nothing else (no carbs or fat). I bought them in fruit punch and orange flavor. They are only 3 oz each and have 25 g of protein. I have been drinking one for b-fast followed by half a glass of soy milk (to get a little bit more protein and some carb in). I have not been banded yet, but just experimenting w/protein supplementation. I like these... no milky/gritty taste.
  16. adagray

    Choice's????

    Honestly, I would pick the sleeve since you have the choice. After much much research, it would be my first choice, but my insurance doesn't cover it. Well, it might if I fought them on it, but it already took two appeals just to be approved for lapband so I'm not gonna pursue it. But, if I ever have problem w/the lapband, I would go for the sleeve. My guess is that most insurance companies are gonna start covering it over the next year or two. My timing is just off given my insurance. But, since yours will cover it now, I'd go for it. I think it is the better choice. But, do your own research, definitely. The most important thing is that YOU are comfortable w/the surgery you choose. Personally, I would be happy to have ANY between lapband, RNY, and the sleeve because ANY of these will give you the help you need, but if given the choice, I think the sleeve is the best of the three.
  17. adagray

    Dr. Simpson in Phoenix, AZ...

    For those looking for a great surgeon in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, I highly recommend Dr. Robin Blackstone. She heads up Scottsdale Bariatric Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospital. Based on my research here, I found her to be the most experienced and highly regarded bariatric surgeon in this area (maybe the country). Her practice was the first Center of Excellence in Arizona. She does lapband, realize band, the sleeve, and RNY. She also operates on the super obese and difficult cases. Now, because she is in such high demand, you will find that you may wait longer in the waiting room and for return phone calls. But, the whole operation is top notch. Everyone from the nutritionist to the psychologist to the pre-op coordinators are all really on the ball. If you are in the area, go to one of her seminars. Even if you don't choose her, its a great education.
  18. adagray

    Advice with giving up soda?

    I was a big Diet Coke drinker. When I went through my nutritional visits for insurance, I started cutting back. I was down to 1-2 a day from 4+. Then, somewhere along the line, I started drinking iced coffees. I make them at home w/Dunkin Donuts Cinammon Flavor coffee and add a lot of milk and sweetener (started w/splenda, but then agave nectar). Anyway, I grew to like the iced coffee better than diet coke and the diet coke just kind of faded away. I'm sure I also had in the back of my mind that I had to eventually give up the diet coke anyway. Now, I have given up the coffee drinks because I am within 30 days of surgery and my surgeon wants you off of all caffeine within 14-30 days of surgery and one month after surgery. I did have some headaches and I did crave coffee, but I just drank water every time I wanted coffee. And, made sure to get more sleep so I wouldn't feel like I needed it. After a week, it really wasn't an issue anymore. Would I still like a coffee or diet coke sometimes? Yeah, sure, but its not that big of a deal. At least the no coffee thing is not forever. My surgeon says caffeine is OK one month after surgery, but carbonation is a no no forever.
  19. You can definitely get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but it wouldn't be a good idea. You would totally undo the tummy tuck. Definitely have all your babies first, THEN tummy tuck.
  20. adagray

    Lactose intolerance

    Sorry I've been using wheat and gluten interchangeably here. Really, it is two different intolerances. At this point, I don't know if I just have a problem w/wheat or w/anything that has gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats). I need to take the wheat back out and try the others to make sure. But, from my research on the subject, it seems that it is actually more common to have an intolerance to the gluten than the wheat specifically. The good thing is that there are a ton of rice and corn based products that are naturally gluten-free and great alternative to traditional pasta, crackers, cereal, etc. Ultimately, w/the lapband, though, we shouldn't be eating a lot of any of these carbs so its really not that big of a deal.
  21. adagray

    Lactose intolerance

    I am pre-op, but was finding that the foods I've been eating are just not making me feel well. I've always suspected that I may have an intolerance to wheat, but not sure about anything else. So, I went on an 'exclusion diet' and removed all dairy, gluten (wheat, rye, barley, and oats), eggs, citrus, alcohol, and caffeine from my diet for two weeks. I chose these because after much reading on the internet, these seem to be the most common food intolerances. There are more complex exclusion diets, but this was hard enough to follow as it is. Luckily, I have a friend who has celiac disease (allergy to gluten) so she was able to help me understand what foods are gluten free and which ones aren't. Anyway, after the two weeks of excluding this all from my diet, then I introduced one at a time (not faster than one every three days). So far what I've found is I have intolerance to onion (goes right through me - horrible cramps and diarrhea). Even though this wasn't something I had purposely excluded, it just so happened that I didn't have much onion in anything until the 10th day in. I had been feeling great, then bam, the onions made me feel awful. I didn't quite see the connection at first, but then it happened again the next time I prepared something w/a lot of onion. The next thing I identified as a problem is dairy, but I seem to have a threshold w/it. A little dairy is fine. If I have more than a normal serving or multiple dairy items in one meal, I feel sick to my stomach, and get diarrhea again. Sorry, if TMI. Finally, I just reintroduced wheat products today and haven't had any GI symptoms, but VERY noticeable lethargy/tiredness after eating. And, I didn't eat a lot of wheat. I had popcorn chicken (that has breading on it) and a cookie. Then, took a 2 hour nap. Interestingly, prior to the exclusion diet, I was feeling exhausted every afternoon and most days needed a nap. Since the exclusion of wheat, I had not needed naps anymore.
  22. adagray

    Super Secret

    I think you just gotta do what feels right to you and timing is very important. I am someone who tends to tell everyone everything and early on in this process, that kind of bit me on the butt. I started getting more negative comments than I could deal with. At least everyone who is really important to me (DH, my parents, inlaws, and best friends) were all super supportive. It really surprised me how supportive my MIL is on this. I thought my DH's side of the family might think it was 'crazy' since none of them are fat, but they have been great. BUT, many of my not-as-close friends and random people feel compelled to tell me how the surgery didn't work for this person or that person. Normally, I'm a really strong person and don't let ignorant comments get to me, but this whole process has been so emotional that it just got to a point where they were making me doubt myself and worry too much. So, I stopped telling any new people for awhile.
  23. Your wife should ask for a raise. If she is so indispensable that her surgery has caused this much angst, then the rest of her office must be really incompetent. LOL Seriously, though, companies HAVE to do cross-training and have some redundancy in employee skills so that it is not such a big deal if someone has to be out for sickness/injury/vacation/etc. They are being ridiculous by asking her to postpone her surgery. I'm glad she stood up for herself.
  24. I should add that my 4 yr old didn't have any questions at all. She just soaked in the explanation I was giving my 6 yr old and seemed happy w/that. Within just a couple minutes, they were asking me for a snack and to put on a TV show for them.
  25. My 6 year old put me on the spot so I had to come up w/an explanation fast. Both my 6 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter were home when I got the news that my surgery had finally been approved by insurance. After working on this all year and having gone through 2 appeals, I could not contain my excitement. I was on the phone calling my DH and friends and dancing around the house. When he asked why I was so excited, I tried to get away with just saying I got some good news, but that sort of vague answer is not gonna fly w/a 6 year old... he wanted to know WHAT the good news was. So, I asked him if he's ever noticed that I'm bigger than a lot of the other mommies... he kind of gave me a blank look (LOL gotta love children for not noticing these things). So, I said well I weigh a lot more than is healthy and its very hard for me to lose weight. So, I'm going to be having surgery to fix my stomach so I can lose weight and be healthy. Then he said 'that's good' and seemed really happy about it. I think kids take their cue from you so if you are happy and excited explaining it, then your kids will be excited for you. Of course, I do realize now that his teacher and everyone else at his school will probably hear about how I am having surgery to lose weight, but I don't care. I was not planning on trying to keep it a secret anyway. Also, I had to explain surgery. For me that was easy because I've had surgeries before (two c-sections and my appendix out) so I say it is just like that. Also, my kids asked me what the 'Protein shots' were (these things I bought from costco - 25 grams of protein in a shot that looks like a test tube). That gave me the chance to explain that right after surgery, my tummy is gonna be sore so those are something I can drink since I won't be able to eat right away.

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