wendyhart

Hello everyone, glad to hear that everyone is doing well or at least getting their issues resolved. I spent last night at the emergency room - I got sick with horrible nausea around 11:30 last night, made it thru the first episode but when the second round woke me up around 12:30 I had my daughter drive me to the hospital. They started an iv and gave me meds to stop the nausea (which would work for a little while and then it would start again), and they called my surgeon around 2:30am. Unfortunately' they did not explain to him how sick I was and he did not come in to the hospital until about 6:30am. Once he saw me he apologized and told me that if he had know that I was that sick he would have been there at 2:30. He took me into xray and checked my band/port etc and said that everything looked good but he took out about 4cc that were in the band to help alleviate any swelling/irritation that was there. Man what a difference that made!! The worst part of the whole experience was that when I would start feeling nauseous my mouth would actually secrete a bile tasting saliva!! Talk about gross!! They ended up admitting me for observation but allowed me to come home today around 5:00pm. One of the nurses told my surgeon that she was afraid she jinxed me because when I left the hospital on Tues after my Monday surgery she told him that I was one of the best lap-band patients she had ever had because I was doing so well. The reason I am sharing this is because I want to encourage anyone who starts having problems to go get checked as soon as possible, my dr was wonderful and was able to make an adjustment that solved my issue. I was able to get through the night without actually vomiting, which made me happy because I didn't want to chance messing up my band etc. My only regret is that I didn't push to see the surgeon sooner! We have to advocate for ourselves and make sure that our problems are take seriously. Take care everyone! God bless, Wendy

Hi everyone, I am way behind in reading posts because I have had limited access to a computer for a few days, but hopefully soon I will be able to catch up with how everyone is doing. As for me I got home from the hospital around 3:00pm today. I was banded yesterday and I am doing extremely well. Very little gas pain and discomfort from my incisions! Couldn't be happier!! I have no doubt that i made the right decision -- so ready for a new chapter in my life to start. Take care everyone and God bless!! Wendy

Just had a thought -- my dr hasn't told me that I have to cut out caffeine, I know that some of you have mentioned that you have cut it out altogether. Did you do that because your dr required/ suggested it or did you do it on your own? Does anyone know what the benefits of doing so would be? If I have a good enough reason to I'm sure I could cut it out and if my dr had told me to I would -- but I really don't want to give up my diet green tea!! LOL Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Hope everyone is doing well today!! I'm a little jealous of those of you who are on the other side already. I'm on day 5 of my pre-op diet and other than getting hungry I have been handling it better than I thought I would. Chewing sugarfree gum and drinking Special K protein water has helped me get through the afternoons. Just came back from a short walk with my daughter and boy do I hurt! Good reminder of why I am going through with the surgery. Time to get my life back!! Take care everyone - I continue to pray for everyone daily. Wendy

Desiree -- sorry to hear you are having problems! Just wanted to let you know that I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!! Please keep up posted as soon as you find out what is going on. Glad to hear everyone else is doing pretty well post-op! I started my pre-op diet AGAIN today -- praying that everything will go through this time -- I made it to day 3 last time before I found out I had a problem with my insurance -- I forgot how hungry you get when you only have 2 protein shakes and a lean cuisine for supper. LOL My dr recommended Special K Protein water and it does seem to help with the hunger - that and I bought some sugarfree gum - at least I get to chew something. Take care everyone!!! Wendy

Hi everyone, glad to hear that everyone postop is doing pretty well. Well -- they submitted to insurance yesterday and today I GOT APPROVED!! So relieved but now a little nervous. At least this time when I start my preop on Monday I should be able to have surgery as scheduled -- my date is Sept 27th. Thanks for all the prayers - I continue to pray for all of you as well. Sorry I don't post many individual replies to each person - I do read everyones posts but I usually only have about 5 - 10 minutes to get on here at night after I get my munchkins to bed. I guess it's safe to update my signature again. I was afraid to before I had approval -- I would have been too disappointed if I had to remove another surgery date. LOL Glad I can still be part of the September Sweeties group!!! take care everyone. God Bless Wendy

Hi everyone, my dr submitted to my new insurance today -- I start my pre-op diet again on Monday. Still feel like I'm in limbo -- until I get my approval I guess I will probably continue to feel that way. I would appreciate everyones prayers that I get approved. It's so great to hear how everyone is doing! I have been keeping everyone in my prayers. Take care and God bless! Wendy

Wow - I am continually amazed by everyone on this tread. Everyone is so supportive and it feels like a family! Danide -- what a wonderful blessing!! So happy for you. Brian -- I think you will find that many of us have alot of the same feelings that you do. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel better about myself but all I can do is the necessary work (both physically and mentally/emotionally) to try to get healthier and believe that the end result will be better than what I am living now. Cathy - my post op will be one week full liquid, 1 week soft food and then back to solids. First fill at 4 weeks. pre-op will be shake for bk & lunch and high prot, low carb/fat (350-400 cal) for supper for 2 weeks. Right now I am waiting to hear from my new insurance co. -- my coordinator said I should have an answer by the end of next week. Tentative surgery date is Sept 27th. Funny thing happened this week -- Monday Aug 31st was supposed to be my surgery date -- my youngest son just started 1st grade last week and he had a major incident at school on Monday that had to be dealt with immediately. If I had had my surgery as planned I would not have been able to take care of him like I needed to. I believe that things happen for a reason - maybe that was part of the reason why my surgery was delayed. ??!! God is never surprised by the things that happen to us. We just have to trust Him to help us work it out. Sorry, sort of rambling here -- hope everyone is doing well! I continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Take care, Wendy

Hi everyone, I am keeping you all in my prayers. I am calling the dr in the morning to see about rescheduling my surgery and submitting to my new insurance. I'm nervous -- but hopeful. Everyone is so encouraging on this thread! Cathy - thanks for all you are doing for everyone on this tread. Hope to have good news sometime soon, as soon as I know you will know. take care and God bless. Wendy

Wish I had more of an update to share! I am waiting for my new insurance to start Sept 1st and then we will submit -- drs office said if I am approved I could be looking at surgery on the 20th or 21st. Right now I'm just trying to get refocused, it has been hard going from my third day of pre-op diet to eating regular again. I was so mentally prepared at that point and now I feel kind of lost. I will update as soon as I have some news. Hope all goes well with everyone and I will keep you all in my prayers. Take care and God Bless.

Well I will no longer be an August Rusher -- ran into problems with my insurance - even though I was approved - and now I am on hold once again. I will have to wait until my new insurance goes into effect Sept 1 and submit for approval with them. Now I am hoping to get in by the end of Sept. Hope everyone is doing well. Take care. Wendy

Starting my pre-op diet tomorrow. Hope I'm ready! I feel like I am emotionally but wondering how I will do physically -- I feel like "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" - I guess this is a good chance to practice being stronger than my flesh. Hope everyone is doing well!! I anyone else scheduled for the 31st. I guess I will be one of the last ones getting banded from the August Rush. Take care everyone.

Congratulations! Glad to hear you are doing well. Take good care of yourself. I start pre-op diet on Monday -- surgery on 31st. Can't wait -- I'm ready!!!

Hi Brian, I don't think I'm really qualified to answer most of your questions because I am just getting ready to get banded myself, but from the research I have done I think you need to find a new dr who can help you figure out why you cant stop throwing up. I'm sure you already know that drugs and alcohol won't help solve any of the problems that you are having. Have you considered talking to a councelor as well, I know it has really helped me overcome some very difficult circumstances in my life. I will be praying that you find some answers and that you will be able to overcome all the obstacles that you are facing now. Try to look back and remember all the things that you have already overcome and how far you have come. I know that that is not always an easy thing to do, but it always helps me to think about where I could be compared to how far I have come. Take care and God bless you, Wendy

I think most of us have felt that way at one point or another. I am scheduled for surgery on the 31st and I feel that way off and on even though I know it is the right decision for me, I still get nervous. Good luck with your consults. Take care, Wendy

Hi Karen, welcome to the site. There is alot of information here that should help you every step of the way. I am scheduled for surgery on the 31st but I have been on here for a few months and I have learned alot that helped me make my finald decision to have the surgery. Take care, Wendy

Hi Stormrider, I can sympathize with everything you said! I have struggled most of my life and have alot of the same issues you currently have. I too prayed alot about this decision and here is some of what I came up with -- a band for me is no different than a patch for a smoker -- I need help with food. It is an addiction for me and I can't just "get out and walk" etc. I am scheduled for surgery on Aug 31st and I know that it will be a new beginning for me and my kids! I am getting ready to start my pre-op diet next Monday and had been feeling like this was my last week of freedom but during prayer the other day I realized that it is actually my last week of bondage!! I will pray for you and your decision, please don't beat up on yourself -- it will only keep you down and keep you from moving on. Educate yourself - there is alot of info. on this site - I found that the more I learned the more I knew that this would be the path I wanted to take. I also have an excellent surgeon who has a great support team and I have a wonderful support system with my church, family and friends. If I can be of any help please dont hesitate to let me know. Take care, Wendy

Well it is official! I got my approval today!!! Now I'm nervous. LOL Start my pre-op on the 17th -- protein shake for breakfast and lunch and high protein meal under 350 calories for supper. I need to stick to this because I need my liver to shrink, shrink, shrink. Dr told me last year when he removed my gall bladder that my liver is fatty and enlarged. Probably one of the deciding factors for the surgery (one of many LOL). Hope everyone is doing well and I'm looking forward to going through this journey with everyone. Take Care, Wendy

Hello everyone, I am hoping to join all of you who are being banded in August. I am scheduled for Aug. 31 and I should know by the end of this week if my insurance has approved the surgery. I have found so much information and encouragement on this site and hope to one day be able to inspire others. I guess I will be one of the last "August Rushers" but I will definately be keeping everyone in my prayers and will be watching the posts to see how everyone is doing! Take care everyone!!

Hi everyone, I am scheduled for banding Aug. 31 and my dr submitted to my insurance yesterday and they called and said that the insurance wants food/drink/exercise logs to go along with my dr/weight loss visits. Guess what -- didn't keep any because we did not know that I needed them -- so I get to spend the weekend "remembering" everything I ate and drank since January! My dr and nurse feel really bad about this and think it's completely over the top, but I guess I have to give it a try if I want the insurance to cover -- because if they deny me then there is no way I can afford to self pay. I'm trying not to get discouraged but I'm feeling pretty down about the whole thing. Thanks for listening I just really needed to vent a little. I'm a person of faith and I believe that if this is meant to work for me then everything will work out -- but the process can be hard sometimes!

LOL!! Great point!

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas -- I have decided to have a positive idea about doing this log. I believe that we can learn something from everything we go through so I am going to use this as a chance to review some of the behaviour that got me to this point in the first place! It has been very time consuming but hopefully this will be the last step in gettting approval from my insurance -- I qualify in every other way. Thanks again and good luck on your journeys--I'm looking forward to continuing mine.

Congrats Molly! I'm so excited for you!! I went for my psych consult today so I am one step closer. I will keep you in my prayers for a fast and speedy recovery and relief from the pain. Take care

jen, i'm pretty new to this -- but i think you just go to the user cp tab (located near the top of the page on the left under the before/after pics) and go to edit signature -- you should see a white box and you can enter whatever you want and it should appear at the end of your posts hope this helps

My first goal is to get banded. (Getting closer have my psych consult on Tues and then we can submit to insurance.) One of my other goals is to ride a roller coaster with my teenage son and have energy to play with my younger kids. Riding a horse again sounds awesome too!