Mert

I never considered tomato soup either, but y'all are making it sound so good and I am getting so hungry during this liquid phase I've just got to get me some!! Thanks for the tip.

A vet exam was about the only thing they didn't want from me lol... I really got myself worked up and nervous about this surgery. I guess that is natural, but it would have been better just to try to relax and enjoy the journey. I am so happy to have this new opportunity for restored health. It is a good idea to be planning your liquid phase well ahead and get the food supplies you'll need in the pantry. Also, luxurious Body Creme, like Crabtree and Evelyn, is an important part of my supplies (for exterior beauty) !!! I'm loving it. ps: Get some liquid vitamins (like Centrum) and liquid extra strength tylenol too!

I am only feeling soreness right now and most of the soreness is at the place where the port was attached. The pain meds they gave me makes me loopy and sleepy. I am drinking herbal teas, soups, sugar-free jello, and water. I feel really good, but not 100 percent by any stretch of the imagination. I am so happy to have that surgery over with. Have been taking my temperature twice a day to make sure there is no fever/infection. I had a great hospital experience. And my family is treating me like Queen Bee...I better enjoy this while it lasts!!! So happy to be banded, I just don't want to hurt my pouch by drinking too much at this point. I hope I am doing all I'm supposed to be doing.

I haven't had any nausea. they put a tiny round patch (anti-nausea) behind my ear before I went into surgery. I have felt nothing but good and some soreness. I so happy to be on this side!! :dance: :dance: :dance: Thank you for your good wishes.

My mom is 83 years old and even though she is as spry as a spring chicken, I do not like to place that burden on her. She has been intervening for me for years. It is very tough on her and it breaks her heart. I don't want to put that on her anymore. I want to keep her cheered up and help her get her mind off problems. She has to care for my dad now full time. She has to take him to dialysis, he can be an a-hole, and asks her to do everything for him. He is very very ill. Yes, being an a-hole runs in the family, esp. among the males. So I want to help be part of the solution for Mom's heavily-burdened duty-filled days. She is fun and carefree by nature and I want her to feel that way, not feel obliged to do my dirty work. I will take care of those brothers myself, in due time, and The Guy Upstairs will help make that opportunity available. I want to do it in love...if at all possible. They need lots of love to crack their rock hard hearts. OMG_ This is Thursday and Friday is the big band day...yoo hoo... :clap2: :usa2: :huggie: :huggie: :blabla: :drama: :love: :love: :rockon: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :banana: :banana: :banana: WAIT, My Hubby just told me this is WEDNESDAY!! Well, close enough for celebration anyway!

I'm suprised they spent money to research that also. I thought we had already established that verbal abuse will do a number on any child. One hateful comment can be etched into our brain for a lifetime...don't ask me how I know. I just hope and pray that my children don't fall victim to such. We need to be very aware of that. I have a little girl who is 8 and sometimes her brother calls her fat. She is most definitely not fat. I need to be vigilant. Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you all for your heartfelt words of wisdom and experience. I am going to mull this over for a while and stay about as far away from them as I can while I mull it over. It is hostile toxic behavoir and I cannot do toxic right now. I am too busy with doing exciting and positive things and have neither the time or inclination to tolerate their negative pathetic behavior. I am just so excited about being banded day after tomorrow...I have so much to be thankful for and am showered with blessings everyday. No time for those guys at the present time. I hope they find some peace for themselves because I love them, but I'll have to love them from afar for now.

Hello Road, You're so fortunate to be having such a wonderful adventure. I'd love to be on your mailing list. My address is mariannemmoore@yahoo.com. I am living a very domestic life raising kids, teaching school, trying to cheer my elderly folks and would love to hear about Africa. I will be banded this Friday and am excited about that journey! thank you for sharing your experience with us.

I have to tell you I'm so glad I went to Methodist and Dr. Davis. the support meetings are great. They were attended by several dieticians, psychologist, Garth Davis, and we were able to ask questions to all and bounce ideas. They have support meetings (free) on the last Wednesday of every month for us. Office staff of Drs. Garth and Robert are very efficient and trustworthy. When they say they are going to do something, they do it. Imagine that. Great gals, all of them. Meanwhile, Dr. Spiegel's office, a month later, called me and asked if I was ever going to send in the documentation. I told them I had decided to not have the surgery. Thank you, but no thank you, Dr. Speigel.

We were in a cabin we had rented in Arkansas. I was making the bed, lost my balance and fell sideways so that my hip hit the sheetrock wall. My hip knocked a big hole in the wall. My little children were all excited that mom had knocked a hole in the wall (because she was so fat). I went to the owners and fessed up right away. They said "Thats OK we are about to remodel the cabins anyway" ...However my kids brought it up several times and laughed about it.

Thanks to everyone whose BMI plus age equals 100. I am sure this is the surgery for me. With my new sleep ap machine and new band I am going to restore my health...an answer to my prayers.

I just got back from my first visit with Dr. Davis in Houston. His specialty is general surgery and he kinda pushed the RNY option. I have decided to go with my gut feeling (no pun intended) and do the banding as opposed to the RNY. HE thinks with my age and BMI (49 and 48) bypass would be the more permanent and for sure thing. Are there any 50+ year old bandsters with high BMIs (almost 50) out there and have you lost 100+ lbs? I think I can, I think I can........ ! He stressed the importance of being tested for sleep apnea. Oh bother, I can't stand to think of someone watching me sleep. But apparently it is pretty serious stuff, this sleep apnea. Just a couple more tests and letters and I'll be ready for a surgery date. Support and dietary and psychological help are biggies with the doctors at Methodist Hospital. That is a good thing.

I want to warn anybody who plans to use Dr. Speigel in Houston and has BCBS or other insurance. I have had a difficult time with them. I rec'd misinformation from my caseworker in his office that has set me back in time in getting approval from insurance. Beware! Consider another choice of surgeon if you can! I'm switching to a doctor in my network. I'm just sick that I wasted time with Speigel. 20-20 hindsight, wish I would have gone with my gut feeling about Spiegel's office, his TV commercials and billboards ... so I am set back, but definitely not defeated. :straight

I read those memorials on OH too and they scared me away from a brief consideration of RNY. All the memorials I read were RNY patients, lap band is much safer. I am in your shoes too. Don't let anybody talk you into RNY. My surgeon tried to and I said no, but it upset me because I have small children and nobody can ever love them like their mama does. :Banane56:

My surgery has been moved up to 8/11 (in just a couple of weeks.) I was waiting for the sleep study and the surgeon's office got me one on this Friday night. I am stunned, excited, scared, confused and feeling like I have a lot to learn between now and then. I thought I had a few months to procrastinate and now Wham-O. I'm thinking I'll be ready and the sooner the better. Bring it on!

you're almost there too, wow, I'm right behind you.....

MidniteLady Thanks for the clarification. I've never considered food in terms of ounces and grams. Went to a diet meeting last nite and learned that 60g/day looks like a portion the size of my palm at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have a lot to learn between now and 8/11.

thank you!

PhotoNut, Thank you for the suggestions. I like that because it is very easy to remember and follow. Info overload overwhelms me. I will have to find out what 60 oz of meat looks like.

NancyRN I always appreciate your knowledge and input. If someone else doesn't, I hope you blow it off.

Just went back and read your original post, so I see you're going at the end of Aug. Wonderful! I can't wait to hear an account of your experience.

I am so sorry that you have been denied again. Please keep us updated. I'm glad to hear that you are going ahead with the procedure, though. Don't give up. My prayers have gone up for you.

thanks for all the inspiration... I hope to be right along with you all in '07 (a lucky year, eh?)

It may be depressing, but you are way ahead by having all those doctor's notes. Thats great, from an insurance approval pt. of view....

Well at least your weight is going in the right direction. I bet you're feeling better too. I have along journey too and I'd love for it to just fall off overnight, but if it goes slowly I'll be ok with the loss however I can get it. Thanks for sharing your experience with me.