bluetopaz

I remember when I couldn't figure that out and had to ask. :thumbup: Go to tickerfactory.com You will have to register.

Hi, my first appt consisted of sitting with his nurse answering all the required medical questions, her telling me all about the proceedure, showing me what the band looked like and answering any questions I might have. She weighed me and gave me a folder full of papers about the proceedure to read. And a list of all the specialist I needed to see over the next couple of months. I had to do the 6 month diet for insurance purposes....which turned out to be a good thing as it helped me prepare for the surgery. Also it helps eliminate some of the fat around the organs that the doctor has to move and work around during the surgery. Then I saw the doctor who chatted with me about the proceedure and went over my chart. Then he asked me WHY I wanted this done. Be truthful. I also had to attend a number of support group meetings. Which is very very helpful and informative. I started with my own research of the proceedure in November of 2008 then my first doctor appt was in December and finally I had my surgery August 26, 2009. Today, I saw my doctor....he took out my staples and I lost 9 lbs since my surgery. So don't be afraid and don't be angry that you might have to wait for your surgery....it will all be worth it in the end. Good Luck all.

Hi, my doctor recommends Carnation Instant Breakfast...No Sugar Added mixed with skim milk. It's high in protein and comes in chocolate, strawberry and French vanilla.

I was banded on Aug 26. Got home on the 27th. Everything went smoothly. I wasn't in pain so I didn't take any pain meds. I'm sore but that is natural. My only complaint about my hospital stay was the old man across from me that kept yelling at everyone...all hours. And the machine that was checking my oxygen levels beeped 3 beeps every 15 seconds. So I wasn't getting any sleep even after they set the controls to off between the older man and the older lady who wouldn't stay in bed and the nurses yelling down the hall at her to go back to bed....glad I'm home. So I was catching up on some much needed sleep. So any newbies **don't be afraid** I've lost 3 lbs already. Four more days of my liquid diet then it's onto blended...yum :frown: :w00t:

My doctor told me not to lift over 20 lbs for the first 4 weeks. Why not hire (if you can) a mothers helper. Or if you have a local teenager who could help before and after school. Teens can always use a little money. Don't overdo it as you could do internal damage and not realize it. You don't want to undo anything.

Hi, my BMI was 39 and my weight 200 but I had 4 co-morbidities so I qualified.

Never fear....everyone on here has been very supportive. But if you would like a one on one support buddy...message me with your personal email. I was just banded on Aug 26th.

I'm also sorry things haven't worked for you. Either I'm in the minority or my doctor and his staff who also lead my monthly support groups are the greatest because they tell us all the pros and all the cons (some are really scary). They informed us and remind us about the possibilitiy of food getting stuck, severe heartburn, inward hernia's, bleeding, pain etc. They also give us a list of foods and meds that work best and a list of items that should be avoided. They even have a website just for their patients where you can go to set profiles and logs. They have access to only the section where you mark your weight or keep a list of foods you eat. But they don't regularly check it and they can not access your personal section. Yea, I'm lucky.

Good Luck to all getting banded this week.

A couple of the above replies said after banding they had no restrictions...what does that mean? Does that mean you can eat whatever you want or what? How is that going to help? If you get banded and continue to eat unhealthy meals of course it's not going to work. You MUST change your way of eating. At my doctors and at the support groups I attend every month they teach you that if you want this proceedure to work you have to work with it and change your eating habits. Lay off the fatty foods and Snacks. A few are ok once in a while but you must drop your old way of eating. That's why I now appreciate the six month calorie counting, low-fat diet I was on because it was a requirement of the insurance company. This diet helped me learn to eat smaller meals and pay attention to what I put into my mouth. I no longer have a sweet craving or the desire to eat my favorite snack...potato chips.

Hi all, Today is my first visit to the forum. Glad to be here and will visit often...ok I lurked months ago to get some feedback about life after surgery. Excited that I'm getting my band in 1 week...August 26. yippeee :biggrin:

Hello I have had two....one was not related to the banding process. I was asleep both times. When you wake and later you may or may not have a slight sore throat and you might feel like you have to either lightly cough or clear your throat. Don't be afraid....there is nothing to it. Just remember this is just one step closer to what you have been waiting for. :thumbup: ETA: It's over before you know it.

Hi PA Banders I'm from McAdoo. Getting my band on Wednesday, August 26 and very excited. So tell me where your from?

Indigogirl, This is terrific news....CONGRATULATIONS This is such encouraging news for the rest of of. Thanks for sharing.

thanks for all the encouragement....I know I won't regret it. I am so looking forward to Wednesday.

Good luck everyone. My banding date is August 26. I've been on the 2 week liquid diet since Aug 12th. It's not bad. I can't wait until I'm banded. I am so ready to start my new life.

thanks for the info Wootsie. I found the site but I don't know where to find out how to add signatures to the bottom of my response page.

Hi Sandi, I'm in Pennsylvania...where are you? I'm not having a problem with wanting to eat anymore, probably because I have been on a 6 month diet (insurance company made me do it :biggrin: ) But it was a good thing, taught me to eat smaller meals and exercise. My doctor has his patients do a 2 week preop liquid diet. On my last week of that until after my surgery then it's back on for a week or two. But it's so worth it. I'm not the least bit nervous but I've been having weird weird dreams and not about the surgery but after I lose all the weight the skin on my arms is hanging so low it's dragging on the ground. Weird right. Good luck Sandi and congrats 123 Do either of you know how to add the tracker and and all those other things that I see on some other post?

Hi Deb and everyone else I'm 57 and will be banded this coming Wednesday (8/26/09) Yea, for me. My first visit to the doctor was Dec. 08 and started my 6 mo insurance diet in Jan. I went to a dietian and my family doctor who put me on a 1200 calorie low fat program. I never did eat 1200 calories. It helped to write down what I ate, the calories, fat and Protein intake. Plus, I bought an exercise bike. My doctor wanted me to ride 20 minutes a day three times a week. But I was pumped and rode twice a day five days a week. Each time trying to increase my speed and mileage which I did. Through that diet I dropped 33 lbs. So that's 33 less that I have to worry about losing. Wednesday can't come fast enough. By the way, Deb we only live about 50 miles from each other. My husband worked at Mack Trucks in Macungie until his retirement. One of my best friends lives in the Allentown area and her brother owns a pizza shop in or very near Bethlehem. If you want to keep in touch email me or message me on here.