Mickey527

Hi, I am Peggie from Bridgeport. My date is Sept. 22. I am having the band placed at St. Vincent's with Dr Ehrlich. I start my pre-op diet on the 8th. That is what I am most nervous about since I tried 3 days already and made it until dinner when the food in the kitchen just called my name. I don't know how I will make the 2 weeks. Guess I have to lock myself in the bedroom and not come out for 2 weeks. I was very lucky, I saw the Dr in July and had the approval in a little less than 2 weeks. I have a low BMI compared to most 34-35, but some health issues that made approval easier. I am staying overnight for one night, but the last few times that I had surgery I did have to stay 3 days longer because my oxygen levels go so low from the effects of anesthesia. I just get so drowsy and it lasts for a few days. I will warn my Dr when I see him prior to surgery so he can assess discharge when the time comes. Good luck to all of you. Peggie

Ok, this will make everyone say "what a weird question" I can remember vomiiting 4 times in my life. Not sure what I did as a baby but I can remember when I was 6, then a few times as an adult. When the family got a stomach bug I would lie down and wait to have the mess pass through the other end rather than vomit. No matter how bad I felt and how the others would tell about relief, I would do anything rather than vomit. I absolutely HATE to vomit.:hurray: I am wondering what would happen if someone caught a stomach bug or ate something that was bad, like bad chicken? If it passes through the band can you vomit it up? Would it make it through the band or does it take that long to get through that it would come up? I am planning on spending 2 hours a night cutting up my food small enough to get it down through the band rather than PB or slime. I am hoping that never happens to me.

WOW!!! My psych eval was nothing like any of yours. I was asked about my weight loss gain history, my health issues,my family history of weight and health issues, what my goals are with weight loss. I have lost and gained 50 or more lbs 4 times in my life so she said that I do show that the lap band will work for me. I do have health issues that will be lessened with weight loss so that was on my side too. I do have a family of overweight people, my parents, sister and 4 brothers are all overweight and have heart problems. My sister was the only one who did something about it, she had GBP but she cheats alot. I did say that my main reason for wanting to lose weight was to play on the floor with my grandson and to stay alive to see him become an adult. My mom died when she was 72 and my dad at 80 but their being overweight and the health problems didn't help much. My mother's mother (grandma) was thin (size 12) and she lived to be 99 and 10 months. I never had any questions about killing, and didn't have a form to fill out or any type of test.

Hopeful, the Carnation Instant Breakfast does sound like it might work for me. Do you mix any protein powder with the shake? I haven't seen the box, but on the website it says the shake with whole milk only has 12 gms of protein. I don't want to use whole milk, I need to lower the calories. The shakes my nutritionist recommended have 23-35 gms per drink and she wants me to have 5 a day for 2 weeks. I definately will look into the Carnation Instant Breakfast though, it will be within my budget. I thought I could add some of the whey protein to it and maybe a banana or some no cal flavoring too. I have to remember tomorrow to get on line and order those flavorings that I have read about either on this board or the other one I read. If anyone has experience in this or other drinks let me know.

I know exactly how you feel. I am also questioning whether this is the right thing for me. I am also hearing it from so many people, "you don't need to get that, you have lost weight before, you should rethink surgery with your health problems.." I could go on. I have heard it all already. I don't weigh alot, they are right, I weigh 200 and am 5'5". I wear some 14's and some 16's. But my health is not the way it should be at my age. I can turn the naysayers off but in my mind I am not sure if I want to deal with the restrictions for the rest of my life. I love bread, I love pizza, I love going to a restaraunt on vacation and eating what I feel like eating, not what is good for me. I also like a margarita or two once in a while. The thought of not having these again makes me question if I want to go through with this. My sister had GBP and she eats what she wants and drinks like a sailor. She has lost over 100 lbs, but she was over 300 to begin with. I need to lose about 50-75 lbs. Then I wonder if I can have the band removed? Can I keep the weight off and still be happy with my food. I am so in between on this, I guess I have to wait till Sept. 22 to see what I will finally do.

I have Anthem BC/BS of CT. I am just on the cusp of not needing lap band. I weigh 200 and have a BMI of 34.8. I have alot of medical problems however so weight loss is a necessity to try and get rid of some of my health problems. I had to get a letter from my primary physician, see the nutritionist and a psychologist before the surgeon sent in the papers. I had my reply within 2 weeks. I really thought I would have to resubmit, so I was surprised.

Hi all, I am new to this site. Glad I found it, I am learning alot more than I could from the Dr's brochures. Anyway, about me. I am scheduled for my LB on Sept. 22. I held off for that date because my grandson's birthday party is Sept 5th and I don't want to be on the pre-op diet and have to explain myself to anyone anymore. I am really lucky in that I didn't have to fight my insurance at all. I saw my Dr for the first time in July and within 2 weeks I had the ok for surgery. Now about me. I hear it from anyone I mention the surgery to, "why are you doing that, you are not overweight" Well I am for me. I am 5'4" and weighed 205 when I saw the Dr. but I am down to 197 now. But I felt best way back when I was 145, pre breast cancer. I am now 5 years cancer free so that is one thing I don't have to worry about anymore. However, I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, lymphedema (from the mastectomy) neuropathy from the chemo, fibromyalgia since the cancer, fatty liver, family history of diabetes... I could go on, all problems of the overweight. I can't exercise the way I did in the past because of the neuropathy in my legs. If I stand for too long my legs go numb and I fall. I can't even ride my bike anymore because I fall off when my leg gives out. I am a bread-a-holic, I sometimes go out to dinner with my family and pack the food to go if the bread is good. I will fill up on that delicious bread. I especially love Olive Garden, Outback,and my new favorite Logan's Steakhouse. (glad there are none of those here in CT) I worried that I might never be able to eat bread again, but some here have said they do so I am a bit encouraged. I know I can't make a meal of it like before, but I can have a piece once in a while if I chew really well. My Dr encouraged me to see the surgeon who will do my lap band. I am nervous about the upcoming surgery because of what I read on line before finding this site. You all have made it somewhat easier to realize this is the best thing for me and I will be healthier after. I will continue to read more and by the time Sept 22 comes along I will be ready. Peggie

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 1997. I tried the CPAP but I couldn't breath, I felt like someone was holding a bag over my face. I stopped breathing on the average of 54 times an hour. Wow, I can't believe I got any sleep at all. No wonder why I was exhausted all the time, I thought it was raising 3 boys alone and going to nursing school. Anyway, in 1998 I had my Uvula (the little dangly thing in the back of the throat) removed and my adenoids scraped. Wow, was that painful. But it didn't help at all, I snore worse than before, even though the Dr said I could never make that sound again without the Uvula. I remember that skit on Saturday Night Live "take care of your Uvula" to this day, it came out a few weeks after my surgery. My most recent sleep study in 2003 said I stop breathing 28 times an hour. Still not good but I can't use the CPAP. So I take Lunesta and hope weight loss will help more. the lunesta helps me fall asleep and even though I stop breathing I do feel a bit more rested. I just wish the side effect of terrible taste in my mouth could be prevented.

I have my surgery scheduled for September 22. I start my pre-op diet on the 8th. I could have gone earlier but my grandson's birthday is Sept. 9 and I have to eat cake at his party. I did ask my son to have the party the weekend before (Sept. 5th) so I can be there and enjoy myself because I will not be eating cake on the 9th. I am a bit apprehensive because I am a big bread eater and the thought of not eating bread the way I did before is a bit upsetting. But I have some serious health problems and have to lose weight. I am barely at a 35 BMI but my insurance is paying because of my health problems so I am hoping I don't let them down and will be able to run after my grandson soon.