terrriho

SIENAK45, Welcome, I had my surgery 2/12 in GF with Dr. Rohrer. Surgery itself was easy. I don't remember anything from the time my IV was in until the nurse was putting warm blankets around me in my room. Good Journey, Terri

kwhenrykerr, My one regret at this point was not thinking enough to ask my surgeon why this happened. I was dealing with what was happening and how to minimize it. He did say that he had one patient suffer for 7 days with extreme swelling and he was right on when he said it would take two weeks for the swelling to subside (although I was consuming liquids comfortably in 9 days). Finding out why is one of my priorities when I return for a fill (I live 4 hours from my surgeon). Good Journey, Terri

Hi Jason, I was banded on 2-12 with a HH repair. I am just now getting back to LBT as it has been a long recovery and certainly one I didn't expect. I don't think I have seen any posts similar to mine so I thought you might like to know what mine was like. I was banded with the medium size band (10) and had the HH repair in the AM and was feeling pretty good by afternoon. My surgeon requires a barium swallow test the next morning before release. I knew I was tight but the barium slammed me shut. I had severe swelling in the chest/abdominal cavity. I spent the next four days in the hospital on an IV not able to swallow anything, including saliva. I was very uncomfortable because the only tolerable position was sitting up straight. Beds are not made for sitting and chairs are not made for sleeping. My first few days at home while a blessed relief from the hospital were worrisome because I still wasn't getting enough fluids and I was vomiting 2-3 times/day. I always felt like I was extremely full all the way to the top of my throat, I had a lot of pressure on my chest, and I had that overfull belly feeling: all a disincentive to drink anything. The liquid pain and nausea medication made me sick so they weren't much help. 7 days after surgery I had a break through with hot tea, finding that was going through. For all that time, the only thing I consumed was Water. I am doing much better now but my one week off work extended to two and I am only working half days this week. My surgeon told me that he debated about putting the smaller band on me but chose the medium sized one. He also offered to replace my band for a bigger one (while I was still hospitalized) but I decided I was already a couple days down this road so I would see it out and I am glad I did (even though my misery index was running pretty high). I know many people on this board have had both the band and HH repair without any significant side affects so I am sure I am an extreme case but I am sure I am not the first or the last extreme case. Good luck with your banding and HH repair, I believe you have a lot of confidence in your doctor and he seems to be very cautious about what he promises you. Good Journey, Terri

Hi Every one, I' done:clap2: I am still at the hospital, banded this morning. Ow, ow, ow until I asked the nurse if I was getting pain meds (3:00). Well, no :faint: so bring it on. I had a very large hernia repair (diagnosed last fall with an endo) as well as the band. I think the hernia is what is hurting the most. Drinking and walking and feeling better all the time (especially with the pain meds:) ). I get a barium test tomorrow first thing and then it is home for me. MY husband, who normally travels during the week, really hadn't planned to hang out with me but changed his mind. Completely rearranged his schedule to be with me most of today and to stay with me all of tomorrow, what a guy.:clap2: Take care every one. Good Journey, Terri

Laurend, I am with you on this, I really don't drink anything with artificial sweeteners in it (and I don't drink anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup, it is EVIL) . I am having trouble finding a Protein drink I can tolerate - I hold my nose and chug now, pre-op. My question to you is what have you found tolerable in a Protein Drink? I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks. Terri

Hey Tracy, Congratulations on your band date, finally:faint: Even though it's a date I think you still need a hug:girl_hug: you have been so good to us February Bandsters. Thanks Terri

Happy Banding, NurseCeo :clap2: Good Journey, Terri <!-- / message -->

Hey, lizrbit, congratulations :clap2: Feb. 13 would be awesome. No time to worry:nervous Good Journey, Terri

Happy Banding, Lapband4menow:clap2: , Riley :clap2: Good Journies, Terri

I have a "sizable" hiatal hernia, found during an endoscopy last fall. I sent copies of the report to my surgeon and specifically asked if it would be fixed which my surgeon said it would. I am to be banded on Monday so I will let you all know how that turns out. Good Journey, Terri

Jason, Do you think Splenda may be the reason so many people have trouble with gas post-op? Instructions say to drink sugar free beverages as well as popsicles. A theory perhaps? Terri

Hey Krysia, Congratulations on your banding.:clap2: I am to be banded Monday, Feb. 12 by Dr. Rohrer of Great Falls. I am so surprised to see someone else on this site banded by Dr. Rhorer. There are so few of us, you know. I would really like to know how your surgery and hospital experience was. Good Journey, Terri PS You may want to go to the February 2007 Bandsters thread - it is just for us:)

Hi b russell, Do you know if your hiatal hernia repair added extra time to your recovery or made it more painful? I know I have a hiatal hernia :paranoid which will be repaired at the same time as banding so I am wondering if I should plan on extra pain meds and time for this. My band date is Monday, Feb. 12 so the anxiety meter is going up. Thanks, Terri

Happy Banding, DmMedina, MarshallMG, Marissa424:) Good Journies, Terri

twinskd, Congratulations! Great to hear all is good:) Terri

Hi All, Wow, this thread moves at lightning speed. I've been off for a couple of days so I just caught up. It is good to see so many on the other side doing so well. :clap2: Mom2miracleprin, Babygrl1234, Mel07 happy banding day! Good Journies to all, Terri

Good banding, Dori, Schindog18(Greg), Susannah, Cindibear1, <O:p</O:pWanna be thin – 02/02 – pending, and Tilde30:clap2: Happy Journey, Terri

Hello All you Fine Fabulous February Bandsters! As I promised I read through all 16 pages of this thread and I am finally glad to meet you.:clap2: My surgery is Feb 12 and I have almost 4 days of my pre-op liquid diet done and yes it is nasty. I drink 3-4 Atkins and one V8 a day. I had awful headaches the first 2 days but they have subsided considerably now. Those of you who get to actually chew something consider yourselves lucky. My treat for the day is my chewable multi and my calcium (I take Citracal and it is really pretty good). Tracy - Congratulations on your approval Silry - thanks for you encouragement Kedasmom- A bandster buddy! yes it was a lucky break to move ahead a month AND Feb 12 is a lucky day Feb 1 Bandsters- Good Banding!!!! I look forward to hearing all about your banding. Good Journey, Terri

Hi All, I called my insurance company last week and they said it was a go:clap2: So I called my surgeon and the office scheduled me for March 19 (th earliest open slot). Well, OK that's good but then I had to call again and they said they had a cancellation for FEB. 12 so I took it. :dance: I started my high protein, low calorie diet today and will be happy to have that over with. I now have the pleasure of going back through this thread to get to know you all. :high5: Good Journey, Terri

Lauren, I am sorry for your situation and I am sorry I really can't be of more help. I am not a professional, I can only speak to my personal experience here. My surgeon's office was pretty good about advising me as to what should/would happen so you might want to go talk to them (I know you are not thinking too kindly of them right now but they may have the key here). They may have had to deal with your type of situation before so they can tell you who should be responsible. Another suggestion is to ask both the insurance company and the underwriter what they are responsible for rather than letting them tell you what they aren't responsible for. It is easy to deny knowlege, a little harder to deny what you do. You also might want to check out the Bandsters Insurance group at Yahoo as they have a database of info and they have more knowledgeable people than me there. (I joined when I could see I was going to have a problem with my insurance.) Again, good luck. Good Journey, Terri

laurend, I agree with niki, at least my experience seems to suggest you should call the insurance company directly and often. Today, I called my insurance company and found out that finally they had an answer and it was for approval (WOOHOO):clap2: . This is the end of a 4 1/2 month journey where I found out that my information did not move to the next point in the system unless I called them and asked. I literally walked it through their internal routing system (and that is pretty hard since I live in Montana and they are on the east coast). Nobody has your best interests at heart like you do, get involved and be informed. Call the insurance company, find out what they have and what they need. Keep a record of each call, date, time, whom you talked to, what they told you and what you told them. Each time you call reference your last call (or other call) by naming whom you talked to, what you talked about, what action they promised and then pose your request/question. It will get their attention, keep you organized and on top of things. Good Luck Good Journey, Terri

Hey, Kristen, hang in there. I understand slipped bands if caught early and unfilled have a substantial probability of correcting themselves. I have my fingers crossed for you. Good Journey, Terri PS If it can slip one way, it can slip the other way.

Hi, I just found this thread. I love the pix of the pets. I am a cat person. This is my Poody cat. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7491&stc=1&d=1169074442

Margo, I completely understand your frustration, I too found out I needed the six month diet and that was after the insurance company took 2 months to reply to the perdetermination letter. I just had my third doctor's appointment which by the way because of my plan, I pay for and as everyone else has said, it does seem to go fast. Regarding the stall tactic, I just want to say that I think there is very little evidence (that I know of) that shows delaying weightloss is beneficial so all I can think is that it is designed to make you give up, go away, die, or change insurance companies:confused: . I suggest you confirm who is imposing the reqirement, insurance company or doctor. In the meantime make those appointments and keep them as I understand if they are not in succession you will have to start over. Fight it if you can, otherwise summon the patience to wait it out. Good luck Good journey, Terri

Happily married for 32 years to the best.