terrriho

Hi, I am new here and would like to find anyone from Montana. I am looking for both a surgeon and/or a fill doctor. I haven't decided if I should have the band done out of state of if there is anyone here who can perform this procedure in state. Thanks, Terri

Hi MG, I have heard of many successful surgeries out of Mexico. I know the people who go to Monterrey a particularyly impressed with the facilities and their treatment. I have been noodling around this issure for almost two years now and I am surprised the price is still so reasonable. I think that is great. The only draw back to Mexico is after care. Who are you planning to do your fills? Good luck on a most successful banding. Good Journey, Terri PS Where do you live?

Hi Rhonda, Good news! Surgery October 15 wow, it is getting close. Yes, my surgery happened about the same as yours. Once I got insurance approval :faint:(end of January 2007 and that is another story) I was scheduled for surgery the middle of March. Called the next day and they had a cancellation in two weeks so I was off and running on that liquid diet:phanvan. I can't tell you how "empty" I felt when I looked in my lunch bag and all that was there were 4 cans of Adtkins shakes. I really needed to chew something after about a week and knowing some got to eat a low cal/fat dinner I ate a few veggies a couple of times in the evening. It was harder at first but got easier after a few days and then of course the prep for surgery and the excitement about that started to kick in and I almost didn't notice I was only consuming shakes. My surgery and recovery was a little different than most. My friend Siena (we met on this site and you can read our posts, you should contact her if you haven't) was in and out and home and back at work in record time. I really don't even remember the surgery. I was to report to the hospital at 7:30 AM, checked in, they took me to a room where I changed my clothes, got on a bed, the nurse put in the IV needle and the compression socks. After that I had a visit from the anesthesiologist. I had a good talk with him because I had had a colonoscopy where I had woken up during the procedure and I didn't want to wake up during this one! I also told him that I wasn't quite under when they came at me with a horse needle during a lumpectomy I had a few years back.He was great, assured me the anesthesia for this procedure was different and would take good care of me and he did he. The last I remember before waking up in my room was watching TV. I think they put something in my IV and I was out. I have read where some people will get wheeled into the OR and will get off the bed and get on to the operating table. Didn't happen for me, I can't even imagine how they got me on the table:eek: or into my bed in my room. One thing I would say is that nobody came in to tell me I should get up and walk so after a long while I decided I should be doing that. If you feel like walking then you shouldn't wait for someone to come in and get you started, let them know so you can get up and go. When I first drank Water and broth it felt a little weird because I gurgled a little and it seemed like it was going around and around like the water in the bathtub before it goes down the drain:). I decided to spend the night in the hospital because I knew I wouldn't probably be able to sleep the whole night and I didn't want to bother my husband with getting up and turning on a light or whatever. I had my barium swallow test the next morning and that is where my experience deviates from most. I had swelled so much I was plugged up tight and couldn't take anything. I stayed in the hospital for the next four days on an IV. Dr. R offered to replace the band with a bigger one but I was over surgery and decided to wait it out. He had told me it would take two weeks for the swelling to completely subside and he was correct. It was a week after surgery before I was able to get any liquids down. I think the reason for the swelling was a hernia repair, that coupled with the band apparently was my nemesis. I recovered just fine and would do it again in a heart beat but it was a little stressful at the time none the less. As far as the hospital and my care, I had great people to help me, most of them were terrific. I was not happy with the "gown" situation. They issued me a gown that was very large and that wasn't a big irritation, just a little one. The biggest irritation was the robe. It just barely fit and in order to walk around I had to put it over my shoulders and try and tie it on hoping I wan't mooning anyone. Because I spent over 4 days in the hospital with walking my only diversion (sleeping wasn't very comfortable either) I wasn't happy about the situation. I would suggest bringing your own robe remembering that you can't put it over the arm that has the IV in it so it should be cape - like so you can wear it over your shoulders. The other irritation was the most uncomfortable chairs. Again, in the hospital for four days I had ample time to check out the chairs and the only comfortable one was a "loveseat" directly across from the elevators. The one in my room was a hard molded plastic and had arm rests, my butt just barely fit :faint: however my arms were very uncomfortable, falling asleep after a bit. I don't really want to end on sour note so you should keep in mind that I had much more time than most to become irritated with my robe and my chair. And, I will say again, I would do it again in a heart beat even with the added complications. I don't know if this helps but that is my story, mostly. I am glad I went to GF and Dr. R rather than out of state and I have been happy with my fills too. Good luck with your surgery and let me know how you are doing. Good Journey, Terri PS For all of us to get together, we need to know what a good time for every one is. Would it have to be afterwork, lunch hour or a weekend? I will say for me, at least right now I am fairly flexible (Tues. night is out).

Hi Rhonda, Sorry I haven't replied, I haven't been on the site for a long time. I am excited to see more people from Bozeman. Perhaps we can all get together sometime. How did your consult go? I have had good care from Dr. R although I have only gone for two fills since banding (2-07). I think I am ready for another one, I just need to fit it into my schedule. Since it has been so long since you posted, you may be banded by now. Let me know how you are doing and when your band date is/was. I promise to check back soon. Good Journey, Terri

Hey Buttercup, Call them today:) It doesn't hurt for somebody to know you are there and waiting. I called my insurance company after three weeks (wished I'd started sooner) and then every week for the next four. Call them and try to establish a working relationship with someone. Ask them if you can call them specifically then you will have someone who (if you need it) recognizes you and your case. You will need to get their name, direct line to their phone - if you can and the days/times that are best to call. It never hurts to be thorough and if they say you have called too soon then just apologize for being so eager and ask when you should call back (be sure and get that persons name, what they told you, and record the date and time so you can reference it if you need to later). Good luck! Good Journey, Terri

Hey BreadLady, Interesting poll, I look forward to seeing from where we all check in. I voted "other" because you didn't have Mountain time listed. Good Journey, Terri

DITTO:clap2: Good Journey Terri

I completely understand your opinion here and for the most part agree. In my case, I was pretty sure my doctor had chosen the correct size band, however, we are not one size fits all and it is a judgement call. I don't know how they determine which size to give you but I am sure many of us are in some sort of "grey" zone of being one size and/or the other and this is probably where I was. I think this is where experience counts and why we do our homework. I believed (after questioning my doc) my difficulties came from extreme swelling and not my band size and I had faith once the swelling subsided I would be ok. Thankfully, that is what happened. As for the doctor paying for an error in judgement, I say sure, that is what he has insurance for. Good Journey, Terri

Thanks, Meltini! Terri

Cyndilou, I am glad I could help. Keep us posted on how you are doing. It took about two weeks for my swelling to go down which is what my doctor had predicted. faithmd- My doctor offered to replace my band with a bigger one and while he did say he would not charge me there would still be the hospital and anesthesia costs (which are the biggest part of the total cost). Good Journey, Terri

I am glad you went to see your doctor. I know how you feel as I, too, had a "different" recovery than most. I swelled so much from the surgery I couldn't get anything down. My swallow test showed I was plugged up tight so I ended up staying in the hospital an extra 4 days and getting two steroid shots to help with the swelling. All I could do was spit:eek:! I was also throwing up (PBing) a couple of times a day. After 5 days in the hospital my doctor declared I was OK and released me. I wasn't so sure as I know I still wasn't able to get liquids down, I was still spitting (some) and it was the Friday of a 3-day weekend (the doc was going skiing) so, like you I was very worried. I actually didn't get any liquids to go down for 4 more days and then finally some hot tea did the trick. Even then it was slow going, lots of ice and some popsicles. I think the only reason I didn't get dehydrated is because I had been pumped full of IV fluids other wise I would have had to check into my local hospital for an IV (I am a 4 hour drive from my surgeon). I was very swollen and pretty miserable but there was not much I could do but wait it out. The doc had offered to replace my medium band for the bigger one but I decided I really didn't want to go for another surgery particularly since, according to him, it was just swelling and I should be ok eventually. All in all, I was off work for two weeks (one longer than I was planning on) and then half days for a week (I was kind of tired:rolleyes). I continued to improve, I am just fine now :Dand am glad it is behind me.:faint: So, keep your chin up, make sure you don't get dehydrated and have confidence all will work out. I have since lost 45 lbs. and couldn't be happier about that. Good Journey, Terri

Hey guys, Great topic! I can't live without: My down comforter My automatic lawn sprinklers My workout buddies-they keep me going and I love going to coffee with them after our workouts Tivo-I watch according to MY schedule and no commercials My kitchen TV Ice from my refrigerator door (just got that about a year ago:o ) And now for the question - does anyone have one of those new fangled dryer units with the top on it where you can hang or lay things inside to dry? We are getting ready to replace a tired old washer and dryer (25 years old) and I was just wondering if anyone has one of those big guys. Thanks, Terri

Hi Everyone, I have been away for awhile and am just now checking in. I was banded 2-12-07, I go for my first fill May 1, have lost 41 lbs and I am generally enjoying "shopping" in my closet and fitting and feeling better. From what I have read many of you are managing a slow down of weight loss (but still losing) and handling those pesky fills (either not enough or too much :faint: ). I wish you all the best and belated happy birthday wishes, lizerbit & babygirl. Good Journey, Terri

Hi Everyone, It has been a busy week for me and I just found this challenge. I want to join! I can feel the excitement.:clap2: Good Journey, Terri Water: 1 of 20 days of 64+ ounces Exercise: 4 of 20 thirty minute sessions

What kept me going was thinking about all the **losers** :first: on this board who had gone before me. Their success, stories, humor and yes anxieties helped me on my journey to bandland.:clap2: Good Luck and Good Journey, Terri

Deep down, I have always had a feeling that we, the O and MO, are different from our thin bretheren and this is another piece of the evidence. Eventually I think they will work it out but I can't wait any longer so that is why I got my band.:clap2: On anothe note, .........."A before/after comparison of the scans would have to show whether a psychological treatment aimed at disassociating emotional satisfaction from (substitue the appropritate noun) had really been effective.".......... I think this is a good application for determining whether serial killers and child molesters have been rehab'd and safe to release from detention. JMHO Good Journey, Terri

ABP, you have obviously already taken steps to improve your situation and you have gotten a lot of good advice here. I have just a little different perspective I would like to share. At my age I have come to realize I need to take care of my health if I want to enjoy retirement and mimimize the affects of aging. We only have one body and it is important to take care of it. (Most of us are here because we recognize obesity is sapping our health and energy and we want to change that.) I am glad to hear you are going to see your doctor and hope you have nothing significant to correct. Don't worry about what you haven't done, you can't change that, just focus on today and the future and the changes that you can make. Good Journey, Terri

:clap2: Excellent Post, L8BloomR I enjoy reading the opinions here and this one is well done. Good Journey, Terri

Hey, does it get any better?:high5: May you take a direct route to onederland, just let us know when you get there. Go girl:clap2: Good Journey, Terri :success1:

Hey Teach, I will be interested in how your fill goes. I too am old, banded since 2/12, and seemed to take a long time to "get back into the swing of things." I was scheduled for my first fill next Tues. but I had to cancel and reschedule for 3/30. I am a little apprehensive due to extreme swelling with the surgery so I am hoping I don't have the same response with a fill. It seems like sometimes I can eat too much and sometimes it seems like I can't eat enough. Kelsy - I know what you mean about getting the protein in. After years of trying not to eat and putting off eating as long as I could now it seems like I am force feeding myself.:rolleyes What to do? Good Journey Everyone, Terri

I have Horizon BCBS of NJ and they were tough:heh: . I have the traditional plan. They didn't want anything faxed, stuff only moved through their system if I called, after 7 weeks and many calls they finally told me I would need a six month doc supervised diet and then came back 2 weeks later and asked the surgeon for "more infomation" about his program, then seven weeks later finally approved me (what happened to the six month diet:confused: ) but I still had to call them to get that information working through their system. Any way, bottom line is I called a lot and they did approve me I just don't know why it had to take 4 months.:faint: Good Journey, Terri

Tracy, I am so sorry about your misfortune. :phanvan I have had one yeast infection and it was not fun. I also had what was probably a mild case of thrush after gargling with H peroxide (plugged salivary gland). I had heard yogurt with live cultures helps to restore the good bacteria in your system so I tried that and it worked. I ate the yogurt and didn't brush my teeth or have anything to drink for several hours. As far as the other "site" a friend of my said to use yogurt there too but I have never needed to test it LOL. Take care and hugs to you:girl_hug: . Good Journey, Terri

Hi February Bandsters, I was banded on Feb 12 and took a little side trip. I have just now caught up on all your posts since I have been gone. Boy do you guys fly:) I think I had 25 pages to catch up on. It has been interesting reading about your bandings and recoveries. Hunger :hungry: and pain :sick seem to be common themes. I had a hiatal hernia fix as well as band placement and for some reason (I neglected to ask the doc) I swelled up tight, so tight I could not get liquids down. I sat in the hospital, hooked to an IV, spitting for 5 days. I was glad to go home but I still was not getting liquids down despite what the doc thought. My pain and anti nausea meds made me sicker so I got suppositories :omg: I know TMI, sorry. I was throwing up 2-3 times a day :cake: (I think my pouch was filling with saliva and when it got full up it came). It was actually a relief because it would take away the feeling of being incredibly full with lots of pressure on my chest. My break through came on day 8 (just in time) when I found out hot tea went through. I slept in a recliner because I had a kind of tugging or constriction feeling at my throat and later reflux issues. Two weeks after surgery I was able to sleep in a bed and I started back to work half-time. I have gotten better daily but I sure think I am a candidate for the pity party, just let me know when and I will be there;). Is there a silver lining here? Maybe, I missed the shoulder/gas pains. I had them but I was on morphine then so they were not an issue (just a little after I got home) as far as incision or port pain, I haven't even noticed if there was any. Now that I am on "the other side" of my complications I think they were minor in comparison to the inconvenience and discomfort some of you are going through. Hang in there :girl_hug: and hugs to you all. Good Journey, Terri

Siena, I just emailed you. Look forward to talking to you. Terri

Hi SIENAK45, Thank you for asking all those questions. First, I am doing fine - now. I had trouble with recovery. In addition to the band, I had a hiatal hernia repair and the combination made me swell. :sick I was unable to take liquids for a week. I stayed in the hospital on an IV for an extra four days, came home still not taking fluids - much and very uncomfortable. The break through was hot tea a week after surgery. :cry I have steadily improved since then. I was off work for two weeks, part time for another week and I am back full time this week. As I do not have a scale I am a little unsure about the exact amount of weight I have lost but using the last weigh in with my PCP (before pre-op diet) and the scale at the gym this week I have lost 32 lbs. in the last six weeks :clap2: (-18 lbs on the gym scale, weighed 5 days before surgery). As for the Protein supplements, I am just now getting to that. Right now I am doing 2 Atkins shakes a day which is not enough but I am not very hungry and if I did two more I would not be able to eat anything. I know I am going to have to step it up:o but I can barely stand the taste of the ones I have had so I am not too excited about spending money on stuff I won't eat. I am leaning toward the whey protein as I read where it doesn't have the chemical undertones of the shakes. Regarding your question about spending the night in GF, Dr. Rohrer requires a barium swallow test the day after surgery and before release. He said I could spend the night in a motel (with my DH) but I opted for the hospital because I was afraid if I couldn't sleep I wouldn't be able to get up and move around and read or something like that without bothering my DH. Don't let my experience scare you, I believe it was a combo of the hernia repair and band. My age didn't help any either:) . Let me know if I can answer any more questions. Good Journey, Terri (from Bozeman)