shelley1057

Congratulations! My surgery is scheduled for 6/29 too! Anesthesia is probably the scariest part of any operation but you'll be fine. I'm sure they'll give you something before to relax you and then before you know it you're awake in the recovery room! Your blood sugar was very likely elevated due to the fact you didn't take your meds that morning. I got my phone call from the hospital yesterday for pre-op registration and they told me not to take any diabetic meds that morning, just my heart and blood pressure meds. They will test my blood sugar. I am on Day 9 of my Optifast diet and doing fine. Good Luck to you!:biggrin:

WOW!!!!! Fantastic! Keep up the good work!!!:thumbup::smile2::biggrin:

Surprisingly I haven't had low blood sugar since starting the Optifast! Have the most energy I've had in a long time.:biggrin: But glucose tabs are what I use for low blood sugar followed by low-fat dairy. Works for me. Sugar free instant breakfast would do it fine. And yes I do drink black coffee in the am. I only drink one cup a day anyway.

I worried also before the pre-op diet. I'm diabetic and have bouts of hypoglycemia. This diet has been a godsend. It's given me all kinds of new energy! Haven't felt this good in years! I have 7 more days of this then the BAND! Can't wait!:smile2:. If you aren't already diabetic, remember that hypoglycemia is a precursor to diabetes and you're taking positive action over your health now before it becomes worse.

You tell 'em!!! This is definitely a bad case of envy on their part! They now have to see you losing it and getting healthy and they have to face their own weaknesses. Well honey from here on out, their lack of will power is so NOT your problem! Good luck and I'll be banded 5 days behind you and we can keep encouraging each other on this website. Good Luck!!!!:smile2:

Wow, you only drinking 3 of those a day???? You should have 800 calories a day. These shakes do have some carbs in them. You have to have some carbs in your diet in order for your brain to function. It's the only thing it uses! I'm on Optifast 800 and can have broth, sugar-free popsicles and jello in between and oif course crystal light type drinks and water. That helps with the hunger. You need to drink at least 2 more of those protein shakes a day. In starvation mode your body won't lose the weight.

Sorry...We're having a bit of a summer storm here in Florida and the power went out and then this site said my password I entered was wrong so trying to change it and then it let me on anyway! Anyway answering your question, I have not been banded yet. I am starting my 2nd week of the Optifast liquid diet and will be banded June 29th at Palms of Pasadena Hospital in St. Pete. And I AM counting the days! I have battled my weight all my life, I am now 52 yo and have tried many, many diets most with success but always managed to gain the weight back. I also have had to quit smoking a few time and gained weight with each attempt. I had a heart attack at age 47 with placement of 2 cardiac stents. In 2008 I had chest pain and 2 more stents were placed. I also developed Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, have high cholesterol and asthma. I am also profoundly deaf and have been hearing impaired since age 5 months when I had measles. Since my 20's I have been on massive doses of steroids in an attempt to keep me from losing any more hearing but alas it was a progressive thing anyway. I worked as a cardiac nurse for 15 years but gave that up when I couldn't get hired due to being deaf. The Drs don't like it when you can't hear on the phone. Anyway I attended a seminar Jan 2009 as I knew 2 women who had Lapband done. Since that time I have been doing whatever was required to get this approved through my insurance. Being on disability means I have Medicare Advantage. Had to change insurance companies in Jan 2010 because the old one don't approve Lapbands. Had to then get a new PCP since the old one didn't take my new insurance plan. I don't own a scale but after one week of this Optifast I already have more energy, my breathing has improved and the swelling in my feet and ankles is gone! I have ankles!!!!!! Oh well, in 6 months I won't have any boobs!!!! I am excited and impatient for this next phase of my life. I've read all the posts about surgery day and post-op. I have a high pain tolerance so I'm not afraid of that, just that I won't lose! Right now all I can think about is a real cigarette and real food!!! But I suppose that's to be expected. I just keep telling myself how much better I'm gonna feel and it will all be worth it. :thumbup::Banane20::party:

I don't believe getting the band is admitting failure. There are very, very few people who lose the weight and keep it off. Look at the regain rate on the show "Biggest Loser". More than 50 % of those folks will gain it back. The band is another tool that will help in keeping the weight off for good by the discomfort felt when you overeat.

My surgeon's PA told me over a year ago that I would have to quit smoking to get the band. I quit Oct. 1, 2009 but I use an electronic cigarette. After a week of this Optifast diet I would kill for a regular cigarette and a scrambled egg! It must be about oral fixations for me!!!:thumbup:

I find this amazing! I have been on Prilosec and Prevacid since 1997 and it's been the only thing that has ever helped my reflux. At the seminar we were told acid reflux drugs were the first things they would take us off of so was surprised to find so many people being sent home on them after surgery. What's the deal?:thumbup:

When my Dr's office all and told me I was approved and we set up the surgery date, I asked at that time if the optifast, vitamins and $1000 administrative fee could be put on my Care Credit medical credit card and they told me yes. Well the vitamins have to ordered and they don't take Care Credit. I also recieved a script to get filled for Emend which is to help with post-op nausea and vomiting. It's just one pill. My insurance company says I have to pay $43 for it and I don't have it. I'm on disability and I don't get another check until July 14th and my surgery is scheduled for June 29th. I spent and year and a half jumping through hoops and doing everything that was required to get this paid for by insurance and even switched insurance companies. Now I'm getting nickeled and dimed to death with all these "little expenses" that I just don't have the money for. I wonder what they will decide to charge me for next! Oh well guess anesthesiology will just have to give me something IV before I wake up that my insurance co. will cover. As for the vitamins, they'll have to wait until I can afford them. And they throw this stuff at ya when you've been on nothing but liquids! They should know better than to piss me off at this point! I might bite 'em! LOL :thumbup:

Thanks guys! I have to see my surgeon the day before surgery so I'll ask about free vitamins. And as a retired nurse I know they can give me something during anesthesia for anti-emetic. I always had something IV in the past, they can do it again!

There was another Dr. nearby but Medicare wouldn't cover the facility he uses. The hospital has to be bariatric certified for Medicare to cover and as far as I know all the Drs. charge this. Anyway it's already paid for and non-refundable.

What is pb'ing?

Ya know I am just on Day 3 of my 2 weeks liquid diet and yeah it's HARD! But I tell myself it's only 2 weeks out of my life and pretty soon I will be on my way to a new and healthier me! My mom says I'm the type of person that will not allow myself to be uncomfortable and that's why I've reached this point of having to lose 150 lbs. I think she's probably right. Alot of it is "mind over matter" and now is the time to do this as we are going to be spending the rest of our lives making the better choices even though our stomachs may want something different. I believe it to be like an alcholic or ex-smoker. Those cravings are always going to be there but we have to learn to suppress them. I find being on here very supportive and encouraging. Try to find something to fill your day while waiting for this surgery. and put that scale away! I don't even have one. I'm planning on just going by the Dr's until I get to goal and then getting one to monitor myself. Good luck and godspeed to you!

Both protein and cheese are very constipating. I use citricil sugar-free fiber supplement daily and it really helps me.

I had to switch to a different insurance plan to get this paid for and had to do the same thing...keep going to different PCPs until I found one that would be supportive of LapBand. One doc I tried also had a medically supervised diet clinic going on out of the office and felt all I needed was to diet and exercise! I am 150 overweight and have tried every single diet out there. I wanted to tell him unless you are willing to give me phendemetrazine for the rest of my life then weight loss ain't gonna happen. Anyway you just keep going to different PCPs until you find one willing to cooperate with you.

I'm getting banded on June 29th by Dr. Ernest Rehnke in St. Pete, FL. On my second day of the Optifast, all labwork, chest xrays, EKG and medical clearance done. Just counting down the days and absorbing as much information as I can!:devil_smile:

What's the program you use that gives the nutrients?

Finally after 1 and a half years of requirements, pre-reqs, switching insurance, etc, etc, I finally got my date June 29th. Start my liquid protein diet Tues. It's been a long road to here but it will be worth it a year from now!

I went to my Humana web site which said I was approved May 13th and this expires 6-15-2010. I have yet to hear from my surgeon's office though. How long should I give them?

I think we tend to see ourselves differently then others see us. At some point you notice the clothes fitting differently or a task being easier to do because you're thinner. However i think if you see a photo of yourself it will appear more noticeable. I see pictures of myself now and can't believe I'm really as fat as that. I'm waiting for my insurance company approval and can't wait to start my new life!

I love salads! It's nice to know I'll be able to eat this after. How about fish? I know a gal that swears by her fish in her diet. Any good recipes?

I hear ya! I have been at this getting all the requirements done for the last 15 months and found out today my PCP finally sent the letter of medical necessity to the surgeon at least this is what they told me!) so now I'm just waiting for them to submit everything to the insurance company for approval.

I quit smoking Oct 1st in anticipation of my surgery. I now use an electronic cigarette which really helps my craving. I ordered it through ecigarettenational.com and it's working for me. Gets you off the smoke and 400 carcinogens found in the cigarettes and you'll be healthier for it.