dragonflylover

I had my pre-surgical testing yesterday.. and also sat with the RN who is bariatric nurse coordinator. It took all day.. but VERY informative. we had a little group meeting prior to the actual testing part. The nurse went over EVERYTHING there is to know about what to expect. The hospital is beautiful and cozy. I found out that i will be starting on mushies right away.. so no liquid period.. woohoo. i get to have liquid mashed potatoe for thanksgiving. lol. I will also be staying overnight... but woken up every 2 hrs to walk and prevent blood clots...in addition to the heparin shot every 8 hrs or so.. jeez. better safe than sorry. huh?

no liquids. only the day before surgery.. yea, i was surprised and happy to find out we start on mushies right away. i was told the morning after surgery they give us cream of wheat. it is definitely true that every dr is different. i also found out my dr gives a fill at the time of surgery.. which not many dr's do.. my surgery is on 11/23 9 days!!!! can't wait!

thank god!!! because my surgery is in 13 days. woohoo!! :tongue2: i'm so excited.. i just can't hide it!

I checked online everyday for about 2 weeks for approval. it kept saying pending. but i think it was because my surgeons office was waiting on a clearance report.. but once they have the report.. my insurance was approved the next day. depending on your insurance company and what they require.. usually it doesn't take too long. i did not have to do any pre-op diet. i just have to do all liquids the day before surgery. hang in there.. your approval will come. did check out the medical guidelines to bariatric surgery for your insurance policy? that helped me a lot.. i read the requirements and qualified.. good luck!

yes i did. they didn't see any issues with insurance not being approved. I'm just glad they were right.

thanks all, this is going to be an amazing journey. i am really soooooooo grateful for everyone's support!!!!

Ok. so today i went to my final endorinology appt today.. The Dr went over my bloodwork. he said it was all perfect. Then 5 seconds later said i have a little hypothyroidism and he was giving me a prescription. He gave me a copy of my blood work results. My TSH, T3,T4 levels are all "within range". now i am REALLY confused. normal range is .4-4.5 mine is 1.91 could it be because my number is on the lower side of that range? but it's still considered normal. Dr told me the pill would help me lose weight and give me energy.. which is awesome ...but my results say something different. i dont want to screw up my system. i feel weird questioning the dr. cause he knows better than me. but does anyone know why he would give me meds for hypothyroidism is my results were normal??? thanks!

wow! no way, i never heard of this. granted i'm not a pro. I'm having my surgery in 2 weeks and haven't heard of any other charges outside of what ins will pay. could it have to do with your insurance? maybe they do not cover a portion? this doesn't sound right to me though. i would definately research more. good luck!

congrats to you.. and i am also being banded on 11/23.. woohoo. i can't wait.. exactly 2 weeks from today.

In 2 weeks is my surgery.. i can't wait!!!! a lot of people's reaction is.."right before thanksgiving!!?" yes.. i prefer it this way. i do not eat turkey anyway. i don't support the slaughter of turkey's.. but i will miss the sweet potatoe with marshmallows. not like i can't make it any other time of the year.

until i am transformed. The Banding. it's nice to know i only have 23 days to be fat.. lol i CANNOT wait! and i found out my surgeon give a fill on the day of surgery.. woohoo!! :sad: www.skinnytobe.webs.com

My Lap Band Journey - Home i started a page too!

my seminar was end of sept. and my surgery is Nov 23rd. no ins. diet requirements... and i had to get clearance from cardiologist,endocrinologist,psychologist, nutritionist.. and needed an endoscopy. i have pre-surgery testing on 11/12 by the hospital and PCP clearance on 11/19... so there are a lot of steps... but i rather all of that then nothing to be sure i won't have complications.. good luck.

HAHA i thought i was the only crazy one.. jk. i can't wait.. mine is 11/23. i just think.. the more research.. the more successful. good luck!

Hey all, I was curious to see if anyone still had specific cravings after being banded. I guess for women, when it's around that time of month for them.. are craving still like crazy? Or for people that love sweets and salty foods.. does any of that go away or atleast calm down a bit? I know i will do whatever it takes to lose the weight in a healthy way. i just want to prepare myself for what i am getting myself in to.. thanks!!

ohh cool.. hee hee.. i am so excited!! thanks for the feedback...

Hey everyone!! I got my date today!!!! Nov 23rd. the monday before thanksgiving.. aaaaaaaaaaaand i don't care.. I'm so excited... yey

I have been reading everyone's comments for over a month in preparation for having the lap-band® surgery.. i still cannot determine if this is the best option for weight loss. don't get me wrong. i am doing it. and i am determined to do my best. but i keep reading mixed reviews about it..now i know we are all different. I fully understand it is how you use this tool.. because that is what it is. a tool. and not a way out. but how come it just doesn't work for some people? i don't understand. i can't see how. it constricts your stomach to make you feel full.. which i am finding out may not happen until 4+ weeks later!!!.. but if you are consuming less calories than burning.. isn't it inevitable that you will lose??? so to me... maybe people aren't reading nutrition facts like they should? or they are not active at all.. it doesn't make sense to me. the whole taking 4 weeks for a fill.. ok i can see why.. you need time for your stomach to heal.. but 4 weeks!! it really only takes 2 weeks to get used to eating different.. atleast in my case. so why the need for lap-band® then? i guess i am just a little frustrated... i really want this to be a success.. and i feel it is up to the person carrying the lap-bans that makes thats determination. is it just me???

Hello Kate, this is what i learned. gastric bypass is permanent. some people rather this option for their own reasons.. Lap-band is totally reversable. in the seminar the surgeon explained that some people have issues with the band (slip) but can be easily fixed laproscopically. I suggest reading a lot more before chosing WLS.. it is a forever life change. check out a seminar.. they are very informative as well. good luck.