1019Joanne

Leslie - I don't have any advise for you, but please know that I will keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there.

WOW - I can't believe that I have 36 hours until I am banded. 36 hours! Today, my youngest and I went on a tour of UMASS Amherst (she is a senior in high school this year) and the tour of this beautiful campus was lead by an enthuastic 20 year old, someone who could run up and down the hills of this university with no problem. Me, on the other hand, I was out of breath halfway up the first hill! I stayed with the pack, kept going, and toured the campus on this picturesque autumn New England day. I wanted to make sure this day was all my daughter wanted it to be, and I did not want to embarrass her. So, I kept going....and going...and going. I just know that if we tour this campus again, I will be in better shape, thanks to this surgery, and going to the gym faithfully. I did not have the cider and donuts provided, I, instead, bought a water from the vending machine for $4! It would have been easy to cheat on my two week "liver shrink" diet, but I owe it to Me to stay true. I know this is the right decision for ME. I have heard people say "oh, just eat better and exercise more"....thanks....if that worked for me, I would not be in this spot! However, all of my family, and most of my friends/co-workers are all so supportive of my choice, that words sometimes are not enough. As I left my office yesterday, I carried a gift bag from my friends - a "good luck" bamboo plant, gift cards to our local Stop & Shop (Peapod delivers, which means my daughter will be thrilled) and Lysol (I am addicted to Lysol!!) What awesome co-workers I have! We even went to the local restaurant for Happy Hour, and my water with lemon never tasted so good! Happy Hour is happy, when sharing it with people you enjoy, even when partaking in H2O only. So, tonight, I finished the shopping, bought Halloween candy for the trick or treaters in two weeks, and now to finish the laundry. Tomorrow I will shampoo the carpets and finish up all the last minute things I may have forgotten ....and then Monday morning, at 9:45, I report for my surgery. 36 hours. That is why my life changes for the better!

6 days until banding. Time seems to be slowing counting down until surgery day, but I also feel like I have so much to do, and so little time to do it in! Today was my Pre-Op testing - 2 hours in total in the office between bloodwork, chest x-rays, EKG, talking with the anesthesia nurse, and finally my exam. I am ready to get this show on the road! I am still nervous, however, I am confident that this "intervention" is what I need to get my life back on track. and the clock keeps on ticking.....

Welcome and congratulations on the surgery - mine is Monday, and I am excited and nervous at the same time! Hang in there!

Loved the photos, and the story that went with them - Isn't it just surreal how the jeans we loved to wear are no longer our favorites?!! You look great - Keep blogging - you made my day!

Congratulations - I am happy that you are home and recovering! Stay comfortable, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Sending hugs your way!

This feels a little surreal, this whole journey toward banding. I have been thinking about this for a long time, but finally decided that NOW is the time for ME. I attended an informational session on July 1, 2009, and walked out of that meeting feeling as if I had found HOPE. That session was followed by my first appointment with my surgeon, and then the psych consult and nutritionist. The day that I had gotten the approval of my insurance company , I cried tears of joy. I knew this was going to change my life for the better! I have just finished Day 2 of my "liver shrink" diet, and my surgery is set for October 19th. I still have not found a protien shake that tastes ok, but I will continue to do what my Doctor tells me to, since I know this is the intervention I needed to get myself back on track and back into life. I have told my family, my co-workers, and friends of this decision of mine, and the support I have received back from all has been so heartwarming. I know that with so many people cheering me on, I will make it! This is NOT taking the easy way out - this is making a committment to myself to become a healthier person. And this is a committment I intend to keep.

thank you - I really need to hear your words tonight! 6 more days, and I am continuing to just about count the hours until I head to the hospital! Thanks again for the support - I have people around me supporting me, but I am finding I need people who have been down this road, or who are headed down with me, just as much.

thanks for the support! Yes, I am on liquids, but trying to find a protien shake that I like has been hard. I have recently tried the Isopure drinks, which are not so chalky, but I know this is just a stepping stone to a new life for me.

It's already the 9th of October, and I have 10 days until banding - today was my endoscopy...and it was not as bad as I had prepared myself for. Pre-Op testing is next....then surgery on the 19th - somehow, time seems to be flying and creeping along at the same time!

6 days until banding. Time seems to be slowing counting down until surgery day, but I also feel like I have so much to do, and so little time to do it in! Today was my Pre-Op testing - 2 hours in total in the office between bloodwork, chest x-rays, EKG, talking with the anesthesia nurse, and finally my exam. I am ready to get this show on the road! I am still nervous, however, I am confident that this "intervention" is what I need to get my life back on track. and the clock keeps on ticking.....

I sooo understand the nervousness! I have a week to go ( I get banded on the 19th) and I have also been wondering what I am doing! I know in my heart that this is the right decision for me, but the enormity of the whole situation is what scares me the most. Hang in there - we are both going to be just fine!

I whole-heartedly agree with the comments above- your first call has to be to your insurance company - and then to you PCP. Finding a "Center of Excellence" can be done online at American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Good Luck with all your decisions!

It's already the 9th of October, and I have 10 days until banding - today was my endoscopy...and it was not as bad as I had prepared myself for. Pre-Op testing is next....then surgery on the 19th - somehow, time seems to be flying and creeping along at the same time!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! This is the first step to a new you! Keep us posted and I will keep you in my thoughts! Joanne

Best Wishes - my surgery is not until the 19th - I will be keeping you in my thoughts!

This feels a little surreal, this whole journey toward banding. I have been thinking about this for a long time, but finally decided that NOW is the time for ME. I attended an informational session on July 1, 2009, and walked out of that meeting feeling as if I had found HOPE. That session was followed by my first appointment with my surgeon, and then the psych consult and nutritionist. The day that I had gotten the approval of my insurance company , I cried tears of joy. I knew this was going to change my life for the better! I have just finished Day 2 of my "liver shrink" diet, and my surgery is set for October 19th. I still have not found a protien shake that tastes ok, but I will continue to do what my Doctor tells me to, since I know this is the intervention I needed to get myself back on track and back into life. I have told my family, my co-workers, and friends of this decision of mine, and the support I have received back from all has been so heartwarming. I know that with so many people cheering me on, I will make it! This is NOT taking the easy way out - this is making a committment to myself to become a healthier person. And this is a committment I intend to keep.

My doctors office submitted on a Tuesday, and I heard 9 days later that I was approved. Good luck! This is going to change all of our lives for the better!

Welcome Beezy! Wishing you all the best! Keep us posted on your progress!

Hello Everyone...if your name is not here why dont you copy and paste then add your name and date! Happyloser 10/1 bethany329 10/1 Timmers 10/1 Lindac80 10/1 Marfar7 10/1 Ca7696 10/2 Opus03 10/2 RedboneLA 10/3 ihavehope3 10/3 Viking_girl 10/5 leetie 10/7 Jtreece 10/8 MommyOf1 10/8 Suz-Q 10/9 Noodles 10/9 SharPei 10/13 Guy 10/13 Cshytle 10/13 MoniqueD 10/14 Jenfromtheburg 10/14 ncarreras 10/14 Kme 10/15 Nooshie 10/15 Oliverdog 10/16 danyett 10/16 We3601 10/19 Onikenbai 10/19 1019Joanne 10/19 Mzcancer 10/20 Soexcited 10/21 erenstar983 10/21 pina3940 10/21 jenrobbar951 TBA HDmama 10/22 Crazychica133 10/26 Idahlem72 10/27 Daria77 10/27 Barley 10/28 4girlfamily 10/29

I, too, was told I had a 6 month physician approved weight loss program to attend before my insurance would approve my surgery - this is a learning time for you, to get as much info as possibl, and take advantage of the time in the classes! You meet people who are in the same boat you are, and you look forward to your next meeting. I also recommend calling your insurance company to verify what your coverage is - be your own advocate, and get all the information of your coverage. Best of luck - this six months will fly by!