BusyMom1961

Congratulations Happy Trucker. You made it. And it seems with little difficulty. Hope mine goes as smooth. :thumbup:

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I can say that I am really ready. I have known for a month when my surgery was and ate at the places I knew I wouldn't be going to for a while. And now I am over food. I am ready to start the pre-op diet and move right onto the surgery. I get four Protein shakes a day and then at dinner I can either do Lean Cuisine/Smart Ones or 3 ounces of meat and 1/2 cup of vegetables. I am so ready to move on that I hope that it all goes smoothly. I went in today and had my pre-op lab work and EKG done and hope that it all looks good, the nurse said that the cardiologist would be happy with it so hopefully that is a good sign. Just can't wait for the 13th of April to get here so I can move on and appreciate the gift I am receiving. I don't think that I will ever be able to thank my doctor and the Lap-Band® people for the gift of banding. I know that I will have to pay taxes on it, but I wouldn't be able to do it any other way. So, wish me luck on the pre-op diet and I will let you all know how the first few days go.:thumbup:

Good Luck, I am sure that it will all work out.

Mamasugar - sorry about all the pills that you have to take - doesn't sound like fun. It's true though - think how much better you will feel once you are all done with the medicine. Then it's BAND AWAY!!!! Good luck. Deena

Hi Jamie, I live in Mansfield - not too far from you. My Dr. is Dr. R. also, just in Champaign instead of Clinton. I will be your Band Buddy if you need one. I can give you my number and we can be each other's cheerleader. Let me know if I can do anything now to help. You can do this................. one step at a time. :thumbup: Deena

BobKat I would post your question on the general discussion board - others may know more since they are further along on their journey. Good Luck. Deena

I won my surgery on the radio - it is 6 weeks from today and for the most part I am still excited. I don't have my first consult until next week so I really don't know much specific to my surgeon - just everything that I have learned from this forum. Well, when you win on the radio, the station likes to let everyone know over and over again who won the contest, so my name has been on the radio many, many times. I live in a pretty small town, so most people know your business anyway, but it seems sort of strange that people start talking to me about my surgery and I really don't know anything yet. I try to explain the best I can and hope they understand it all. It just seems strange. Then, there is the part of me worrying that I won't be successful in this attempt. I have gained and lost so many pounds it is hard to keep track of it all. Since so many people know they will be watching to see how I do, which I won't mind if I am successful, but you always worry that you will be the one it doesn't work for. I know I am rambling, there are just so many unknowns right now Plus, once I have the surgery the radio station and the newspaper want to follow how I do. It just seems so unreal, I guess waiting two months after I won to do the surgery may not have been the best idea, but we leave for vacation in two weeks and then I have to do the two week liquid pre-op so I really couldn't schedule it much sooner. I didn't really want to do shakes while camping in Florida. Well, winning was a great big blessing because I wouldn't be able to do it any other way, so me being a little uncomfortable being in the spotlight is a small price to pay for such a great gift. I am stepping off my soap-box now. Thanks for listening. Deena :thumbup:

I probably need to talk to an accountant to start planning ahead for next year. Better safe than sorry.

My surgery is April 13th - so I will be starting my liquid diet on March29th. We can commiserate our journey breckensmom. Good luck. :biggrin:

Not sure that it will be tax deductible, will be nice if it turns out that way. Even paying 20% in taxes it will still turn out to be a good deal.

We are starting to add up in numbers. Yeah............. Watch out April, here we come.:smile2:

Dr. Oliphant is a great surgeon. I have only heard great things about him.

Hi Chele. Nice to meet you. I love your blog. I am just beginning all this so I really enjoy readings others tale of their bands.

If they are a preferred provider with your insurance company they cannot bill you up front. They have to submit to your insurance company, get a denial and then bill you. That might give you a little more time to come up with the money.

I won the surgery and aftercare for one year. The value they stated is $25,000.00. I think that will cover all my fills and follow-up.

I'm from closer to Champaign than Peoria. I was excited to find this link and then no one has really posted for a while. Maybe we can get it going again. :wink2:

Anyone still out here?

I meet with him on March 8th. My surgery is scheduled for April 13th. I won lap band surgery on the radio station and he is the one doing the surgery. I am so excited.

Congratulations MamaSugar on all the good things coming your way. Blessings abound. Good luck on your move and your surgery.

I have my consultation on March 8th and my pre-op on March 16th and then my surgery on April 13th. I am not really sure what to expect. I won the Lap-Band® surgery on my local radio station (that still sounds weird and I have now been saying it for two weeks), so I am not sure what I am going to have to have done (tests-wise) since there is no insurance and I am not self-pay. I do know that I have to do the liquid diet for two weeks before the surgery. I get back from vacation on March 27th and start the liquid diet on March 28th. I have no idea what to expect. I am very excited, I would never be able to afford this surgery on my own and my insurance wouldn't cover it. The surgeon, Dr. Sidney Rohrschrieb is a good surgeon and well-known around here, so I am not worried about his expertise, and his staff has been wonderful. I guess that I will just have to wait until the 8th to get all my answers. This site has been so helpful, I appreciate everyone who has taken time to share their experience and their knowledge. Hopefully, I will be able to do the same in the near future. Deena:smile2:

Thanks. My date is April 13th. It will be here before you know it.:sad: