soontobeme

I just read your post and am wondering why the Dr's are so different?? I got banded on the 19th of January and do not go for my fill until March 3???? Anyone knowwhy this is?

Hey fellow January 19th Bandsters! Just checking in...I was able to go home the same day of surgery. There was some confusion but my Dr. feels there is a better chance of getting an infection staying IN the Hospital rather than going home so I am really glad I did. Got to spend the whole next day watching the inauguration! I am feeling the bad gas pains and was told by the radiologist that it was really tight but he phoned the dr. and he felt all was well?? :thumbup: I am still having the pains in my left chest and in my left shoulder. But no problem with the inscisions. Walked on my treadmill for 20 min. today and I think that has helped move some of it out. How long does this last? What is everybody drinking at this point? Glad everyone has chimed in and take care and keep posting your progress! Cara

Hi fellow bandsters. I just got my band monday. When I went to do the barium swallow the radiologist felt it looked to tight. He called the Dr. and he said if I could tollerate jellow and liquids then all is fine. I am having what i think is gas pains in my upper chest still and they are worse after I try to drink something? Do they put saline in the band when they initially put it in? Also, since I am only 2 days out is it normal for my belly area where the incisions are to be swollen? Thanks for your help! Cara:confused:

Hi Anyak, I think all is fine. After the surgery I did the barium swallow to make sure the band was in the right place but the radiologist felt it looked to tight and rang the doctor. I had to wait at that point for them to let me go home. I thought I was staying overnight but he likes to send his patients home the same day. He did call to say as long as I was tollerating swallowing water and eating jello that I was ok. Having lots of gas pain the last 2 days I hope it's gas and not the liquids backing up? Anyone out there know? Thanks for checking up on me!

Good luck to all the January 19th Bansters! Tommarrow is our day to start our new lives!!! I will be thinking of all of you and post back when you feel like it and so will I. Cara:thumbup:

Hi Anya, the office actually called to tell me I was approved and then had a date ready for me. I then started the 2 week diet and here we are! I am not really nervous just excited and ready to get on with my life. I have lost 13 lbs since December 27 which is when I found out my surgery date! The 2 week liquid diet is a pain but it works! I did not have a preopt visit with Dr. H just a visit with the anesthegiologist and some blood work done. One more day!!!!! Do you have any kids? I have a 4 yo boy and am really looking forward to wanting to go to the pool with him this summer. I have not put on a suit since he was born! Keep in touch! Cara

Hey Nikkisix, funny I WORK for Coca Cola!!! I was addicted to it also but am on the 2 week preopt diet now and really don't miss it! It is amazing, like you said, how quickly your taste's change. I also used to be a junk food junkie, especially fast food, and now don't even think about it....I did cheat last night.....my surgery is Monday and I just wanted a "last meal" hope my Dr. can't see the steak while he is putting in the band!! The pre opt diet requirements vary soooo much between Dr's that I am not too worried. Anyone else cheated?

I think Oprah is so scared of anything having to do with a Medical procedure she hasnt considered it. She just go her ears pierced! I too am ready to be rid of this extra weight baggage for the last time! I just wonder long term how hard it will be to keep it off and if we will always be on a "diet"? I think I could handle shakes during the day cause I am to busy to stop and eat anyway and that's why I chose fast food which caused alot of why I am the way I am now and then have a nice dinner? I did go out with my DH last night and had a small steak..........I know I should not have but I thought it would be my "Last" meal for a long time.....anyone else did this?

Welcome AnyaK, good luck on your insurance approval, my insurance approval came within a couple of weeks! They just wanted an additional letter from my PCP that I was healthy enough for the surgery then it was a go ahead! I am so thrilled as I am sure you will be. How many times have you met Dr. H? I only had one consult with him. I kindof wish I knew him better but I liked him when we spoke. Do you know if you have to go to the Hospital or are you having it at New Hope? Do you have any friends that have had it? I don't so this website is a great help with information ! My surgery is Monday so I will check in and let you all know how it goes! Take care! Cara

Hey 19th Bandsters! It's getting close! I too must stay overnight due to insurance requirements but I am hoping to rest.....so my 4 yo cannot jump on my tummy either! The 2 week preopt diets is getting really old! It seems docs have such different ideas about how much weight you need to shrink the liver??? whether you all 200 or 100 to lose they say 2 weeks.....makes you wonder! I'm with you HALO, I'm just worried about the possibility of losing the weight AGAIN and then gaining it back AGAIN! Even Oprah can't keep it off and she's a gujillionaire! I just hope they don't say we have to drink shakes our whole life! Nice to hear from all of you! Cara/KC

Hey luvksu, congrats on getting your band! My Doc, Hitchcock used to be with Dr. Hoen. I have heard great things about your Doc! How did surgery go? Did you have to stay overnight? How did the preopt go? Mine is going ok......alittle cheating but they give the same diet no matter how much you have to lose....that doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me. Plus some Docs don't have a preopt diet at all? Just wondering..... There is a support group meeting in February here in KC, have you heard about it? It's called KCBandsters and they have a support group also located on Yahoo under groups. It would just be nice to know people that are going through the same ordeal. I don't know anyone personally that has had it, do you? Cara/OP

Hey Vannypeace, how are you doing? I don't know if my email address got to you or not? it is cfmw@everestkc.net. Are you on a pre-opt diet? I am on day 6 of mine and it has been hard...during the day while I am working is no problem cause I don't have time to stop and eat...that is what got me into this mess, I was eating fast food everyday and just got hooked and in a rut! The hard time for me is in the evening and the weekend with my family. I have a 4 yo son and my Husband does not know how to cook, bless his heart. He is starting to at least try! :tongue2: Keep in touch! Cara

Congrats Peanutband:thumbup: so glad you made it through ok...I know you had moments of doubt but now it sounds like you are excited! I still have one more week of liquids:mad: but I will get through it like all the rest did.....keep us posted on your progress. I don't have a recliner!!!!:tongue2:

Hey HALO and other Jan 19 Hotties!!!!:tongue2:, how have you done on the preopt diet? It has been hard especially in the evening and this weekend when I am home near all the foooooood! Where are you being banded? Have you watched a procedure online at all? That made me not so nervous...it looks rather simple. poke, poke, poke, stitch, stitch, stitch and then 45 min. later you're done!! What are the 19th bandsters most looking forward to after they lose the weight? Me personally, I would like to look good in the photo's this summer at my little boy's 5th birthday. I have always hated my photo's since I have gained the weight so I usually cut me out! Look forward to sharing experiences with all of you!

Hey New Years Hotties, I to am a January 19th bandster as well! Very excited to get going with my new life! No more losing with the knowledge that I probably can't keep it off! Day 6th of the 2 week pre-opt.....tuff! I know we can all do it! Cara/KC

Hey Picklehead, good luck on your surgery! Keep up your sense of humor! I know you will be just fine, let us know how it goes. I am waiting, not very patiently, for my turn on the 19th. Cara/OP

Hey vanneypeace, great to hear back from you! Let's keep in touch and help each other through the process. When do you start your pre-opt diet? I start on Monday the 5th. I think I am more scared of that then the surgery! I don't know if I have that kind of control...if I did I wouldnt need the surgery! I am going to give it my best! I have about 70 lbs to lose. I have lost it before but never have been able to keep it off! That is why I chose the band. I am so excited! you can contact me @ - HOME look forward to hearing from you. Cara

Hello from OP! I live in OP and am getting banded by Doctor Hitchcock, he is now a partner at Malley Surgical/New Hope Bariatrics. Due to insurance I am having it done at Menorah Med Center. I understand your fear if you werent alittle scared you'd be crazy! I mean we are having SURGERY!!! Just focus on what you can control! You will lose weight, you will feel better, you will look better in your clothes and in pictures, you should live longer and have a better quality of life and not be a slave to your hunger! I am sooooooo excited but also scared to. Let's help eachother! How much do you have to lose? Who is your doc? Cara in OP

Hey KS bandster! I too am getting banded by Dr. Hitchcock but through Malley Surgical and they are using Menorah med center! How did you choose Dr. Hitchcock? I am very excited as I am sure you are. My date is January 19 and I start the pre-op diet on Monday! Yeah!!!!!

Hey Luluc, still want all the dish on the band....and how it works for you. You said you needed 8 fills for restriction. I heard if it is to tight that you can't even drink Water, that it feels like it's getting stuck? So you know you need a fill if you are hungry? How many calories do you try to eat a day now and when you first got banded? Do you feel normal or do you feel like you are always on a diet? Sorry to ask so many questions but I don't know anyone that has had it done and have only been to the lab band seminar. Thanks for your help! Cara:blush:

Hi fellow January bandsters! I am getting my band on January 19...I think I will rename it later.....maybe looooove band! I am hoping it will give me the confidence to be a hot wife again! Like I was 12 years ago when I met my Husband. Bless his heart he has always loved me any size! I keep thinking about 2009....shopping, photo's, swimming pools, shopping......and oh yeah, feeling better and being healthier. I know that's really why we all want the band but the other stuff that we are going to get out of it will make all the shakes and pain worth it! I am getting banded in Kansas city by Dr. Hitchcock of Malley Surgical fame....good luck to all of you and have a great new year! Let's all keep in touch! Cara:thumbup:

Hey all Jan banders I will be banded in Overland Park, KS at Menorah Medical center by Malley surgical on January 19 and I am soooooo excited! Good luck to all and happy New Year! 2009 is going to be a great year for all of us!!!! Cara

Hey Nibbit, I have about the same amount of weight to lose as you. How long are you planning on it taking? Thanks! Cara KC

sorry my last post was to luluc. I should have made myself clearer. Thanks!