TinaM

a program fee? really? separate from any deductibles? My first thought is what is their primary goal - geting you helathy or making money off of you. As oithers have siad your life is worth more than $600 but I don't think you should have to pay more than what your insurance requires. If I had been told I needed to pay this type of fee, I would have have found a different surgeon and medical team where my life and well being trumped their profit.

I have had the same issue but right side - tt doc for me its muscular from where the port is (rt side)

its very, very normal 2 days before surgery i broke down and cried, sobbed becuase i felt like such a failure that i had to have someone/some thing 'help' me lose the weight i gained i got it together sucked it up and realized how thankful i am i have some one - some thing to help me AND that I realized I needed the tool. Once I put my mind to it (for the 2nd time) I was ready to roll and I have not regretted

I saw my nutritionist 3.5 weeks post op - and she reviewed my food diary. In all she said band patients should aim for 800-1000 calories a day and she said 1k is high and shouldn't be for several days straight. I seem to stay in the 800-900 range.

I'm 5 weeks post op. I'm not married. The 6 months leading up to surgery and the 5 weeks since have been very tedious. I have had to watch my food, exercise, attend appointments and classes. I could not have made it without a large amount of support from my family and close friends. At a couple of points I had some stressful situations arise at work and I wondered if I could make it thru this and still 'keep it together'. I guess you need to decide the priorities first - the divorce or the band? if you haven't already started your journey for the band keep in mind that could take 3 to 6 months. At times i felt the changes in my life were overwhleming I couldn't manage a divorce or breakup mixed in with it but then again, you have so much support from a medicaly team and therapist ... maybe that would help.

like others I say a small wendy's chili - it has bailed me out many, many times I purchased a number of starkist and bumble bee lunch kits and put them in my desk at work for just such occasions. Grab some when you are at the grocery they have tuna and chicken - my nutritionist approved them. Good luck-

miso soup - strain it french onion soup - strained jello sugar free popsicles

congratulations

I'd suggest reading some of the threads on success stories, complications and other types of surgery. Also you can search threads - just type in a key word and you will find many postings

I have the full mask covers mouth and nose. When I'm under the weather I turn the humifier up to like 7 or 8, use afrin and put a little mentholatuem just inside my nostrils. Mucinex is an awesome over the counter product if you can take it for drying things up.

Hi there- I grew up in Desoto County, Mississippi and have lived here in California for almost 10 years. Was banded 12/15/09 so please feel free to ask questions

Since this was the PREOP thread can we close it and use the Delights thread? It seems some folks are getting confused with the two.

I HIGHLY recommend you stay 1 night if you get the opportunity. You have 1 - n24 hour period to have people paid to watch over you and give you pain medicine! The spouse, kids, dog and everyone else can manage. I think some people insist on being outpatient because in their minds it makes it an 'easier' surgery. My doc gave me the choice and despite a great support system at my house I am so thankful for the hospital stay. I did not have the headaches others have complained about and my gas pain was too a minimum. Every time I had a question I just rang the nurse button and asked it, I didn't have to wonder laying at home if this was right or that was right. My surgery was scheduled at 10:30AM got to my private room at 2pm. I asked for a private room upon check in so I wouldn't have to smell other people's food and stuff - it wasn't a problem. I had an IV to keep me hydrated, pain meds every 8 hours and a blood thinner every 6. Plus I had these nice boots on my legs and feet that were awesome massagers. Altogether greatly reducing my chances for complications. I got up on my own every couple of hours to walk the hall (no the nurses didn't get me up). The doc came in at 6AM and I was in the car headed home by 8AM.

welcome- ck out the threads for us banded in December- by year - click on 2009 and then December under community (across the top) social groups December 2009 We are the December Delights 2009-

the port shouldn't move - call your doctor

When I had that feeling it helped to lean back or arc my back over a chair.

Well the time of surgery is up to your surgeon - I have seen them from 6 AM to as late as 4pm. If you have a time restriction you need to check with your surgeon. I was on a 10lb restriction for 2 weeks and then 20lb for weeks 3 and 4.

good for you

My surgeon gave me 3 weeks but at my 2 week appt I asked to go back and he approved it. Seeing that many people go back to work 4 or 5 days after this surgery it may be difficult to get 6 weks w/o other circumstances.

I also checked with the state medical board to see if he had been sued for any malpractice or had any dings whatsoever in his file. (as well as the anesthesiologist) On the band itself I found articles in the American Journal for Medicine and read those. I also viewed the surgery itself on youtube and watched a couple of videos of people showing their before during and after process. I also looked for studies done independently of a band maker and reviewed the stats. Sorry I didn't keep all of that stuff or book mark it but 95% of it I found thru various google searches.

Congrats Ice_Prince!

what a great hubby you are! Everyone has given you great advice. I want to add a do not do- So I kept the surgery private - a total of 8 people know all but 3 live out of state. So my parents come in town to help me after the surgery which I LOVED them for doing it. 3 days post surgery I'm drinking a delicious cup of broth for the umpteenth time and my dad says "so when do you figure you'll need the other surgery". I looked at him and said what surgery is that dad? He said "to remove the xcess skin and put things back together, I figure you are going to lose what 180lbs with this right" I know he meant well, I have not given them any indication on what my goal is other than being healthier. Knowing now that someone in the 'inner circle' is keeping count if you will just makes me so darn nervous! I wish he would just kept that comment in.

I would say 3 - 4 weeks. I was banded Dec 15th went back to work the 29th for just 4 hours and was exhausted same with today. I teach classes from time to time and there is no way I could teach a 90 min class.

Mellie- In addition to contacting the insurance commissioner in your state, I would contact a health advocate. There are several out there just do a web search. We use this agency thru my employer - I'm sure they can give you some advice or direct you appropriately(Health Advocate 1-866-8622, answers@healthadvocate.com) Also, if your employer offers EAP services (Employee Assistance Program) there should be something there to help you advocate as well, just call the EAP number and explain the situation. Tina