girlinnyc

ask your dr. about going in the water after surgery--maybe incisions have to heal first!

oh oh, i should have read snopes MYSELF before writing about "poor man's copyright" shame on me! http://www.snopes.com/legal/postmark.asp still--keep us posted! girlin nyc

WELL DONE!! you're all banded and still happy! please keep us posted-and definitely give the surgeon your poem. you should COPYRIGHT it! at least use the "poor man's copyright"---mail it to yourself in an envelope (snail mail, u.s. post office mail) and don't open the envelope. if anyone ever claims that they wrote it--you have a postmarked envelope with the poem inside--pre-dating that person's use of the work! not sure if this is still a valid copyright protection--but it used to help in court cases! best wishes for a quick recovery--and wanting to hear about post-band life... girlin nyc

DEFINITELY see another dr. Where do you live? maybe people on this board have recommendations for some FABULOUS and supportive dr's who KNOW MORE about the lapband than your current dr. NO dr. should outright say "no" to any procedure that they don't have enough information on--and then just tell you "see me in 3 mos"--with NO OTHER HELP offered--not even a "diet drug" (glucophage? metformin? meridia? who knows what...) or "treatment" or even "see a dr. more experienced in weight control--here's a reference". that is just...medical abuse--not treatment. at your weight--do you have co-morbidities -- are you on medications for blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea--anything like that? come on--you may have gotten along well with this dr. for awhile--but now--you need another view, and some support for what is, i think, a perfectly good and reasonable choice. i have not had surgery yet--it is scheduled for 1/8. that's soon! 12/26, i will be on pre-op liquid diet. not particularly looking forward to that--but remembering "well--i did it before--for my wedding (long time ago)---i can do it again because it's required." i am in nyc--my dr. is george fielding at NYU medical center. i have several other dr's, some of whom know about this surgery and approve it--others who don't--but are pleased that I have consulted experts in the field and know that I have considered this choice carefully and deliberately--that I know what the pros and cons are--and that i'm willing to take this step towards better health. it's been a long, search for me--I considered gastric bypass--and then, after the surgical consultation, AND after pre-op tests, i said "no, not for me"--The lap band sounds more livable to me=--fewer side effects and less surgical risk. best wishes on finding your new medical advisor(s)! girlin nyc

great poetry! very inspiring! my surgery is (i hope) jan 8! best of luck on your journey! please let us all know how you're doing!! girlin nyc

Good luck Bandiva! i have a tentative surgery date of Jan 8, with Dr. Fielding in NYC. i too have struggled w/ weight all my life. my husband is my support system and I know he will do whatever is required to feed me the "new" way i'll have to eat afterwards. I'm so SICK of this "journey"--just want SOMETHING to happen to help get weight off--and, i'm looking forward to feeling FULL on small meals--which certainly doesn't happen now. i am missing whatever chemical tells your brain "stop eating--you're full now." just doesn't seem to happen. I also have a vacation scheduled for Feb 10---in sunny Cancun Mexico...so I hope all goes well from Jan 8 till the plane takes off on 2/10==that will be my "short term" motivation. to feel SLIGHTLY better by the time i leave--so i can LIE ON THE BEACH under an umbrella and do NOTHING! ahhhh, vacation. let me know your progress--so i can know what to expect. The dr. hopes I can lose 80 lbs--and I sure hope so too. my pre-surgery liquid diet begins Dec 26--i know that's going to be TOUGH. best wishes, girlin nyc

Thanks Makemelean! glad to hear you're recovering so fast! that is good news. and losing weight slowly--is the only way it comes off for sure and for good! I will keep you posted as to my schedule. tomorrow is the dr. consult--then they write the "letter of need" to my insurance co, which must give an answer within 30 days--then a surgery date is scheduled. i'm nervous--i have a paid-for, scheduled vacation to Mexico the 2nd wk in february--so if this doesn't get done soon--i'll have to do it afterwards. i'm anxious to get started already! best wishes, girlin nyc

i'm sure you're taking in SO MUCH LESS food now than before--right? how are you feeling after surgery? I haven't had surgery yet--i finally have the meeting with the surgeon this Thurs---i am very nervous about the whole thing--can you tell me you feel "ok" after the procedure? are you back to work and walking around ok and able to pick things up??? how are your incisions feeling? i'm sure you ARE hungry--but if you couldn't eat something--your stomach would be telling you that. do you find you feel somewhat full on less food???? anything you can share---i would love to hear! best wishes, girlin nyc

Definitely go back and see the dentist/oral surgeon. it's possible the sockets aren't healing properly--and that causes great pain. only having them looked at again can tell you what's going on. best wishes for a speedy recovery, girlin nyc

have you informed the surgeon? what is his response? sorry you're feeling so terrible--yes, SOME dr. should respond to you. what about the dr. that treats you for MS?? best wishes, julie nyc

I also heard Dr. Oz (from Discovery Health) say that cinnamon gum or tic tacs would help get rid of head hunger--also--wetting your lips...and counting to 20 (or was it count to 3??--i wasn't paying that much attention to the Today show the other morning.) it might be on msnbc's website under Today show--since it was just this week. and get yourself distracted! look at people magazine online (or time, or forbes or business week or SOMETHING) Best, girlin nyc

Turner. good for you! i bet you ARE losing weight--how could you NOT be on just a few liquids? i am behind you in the process--i see the surgeon on dec 7, then i get insurance approval, then a surgery date. i'm scared to death...but hoping this will help. hearing you say "i feel full" is good! are you somewhat recovered from the procedure? back at work? (if you work)... keep up the good work! best wishes, girlin nyc

hi, i am new here---looked into RNY---too scary!--and now thinking about lap band with dr. ren/dr. fielding at nyu in nyc. anyone have any comments, experiences with these dr's, ideas, advice? i'm going for the nutrition/nurse meeting there this friday! i look forward to reading posts at this site--it looks very helpful. thanks all, girlin nyc

maureen, it's going to go fine! dr. ren is the TOP surgeon (along with dr. fielding) in this part of the world---you're in the best possible hands. i know what you mean about not telling anyone. i'm not telling anyone at work--even my boss. i'll just be taking "vacation", which i'm entitled to--and i'll try to make it a full business week and a couple of extra days--and that should, hopefully, be enough. don't worry about a thing--i've had surgery at nyu before--and the nurses and the operating room staff and everyone is VERY GOOD and very nice--and they're used to scared patients. so -- like i said--just ENJOY that going to sleep bit--it's the good part! and when you're done--you'll be losing weight--the great payoff! and you won't be HUNGRY!! that's the part i'm SOOO very interested in!! i'll write you next week, while you're recuperating and you'll tell me all about it! yes, my nutritionist appt is today at 3:00 pm---and the nurse visit too-whatever that is for. i have my papers and photo (ugh) and i'm ready. i have some issues about having laparoscopic done on me--b/c of prior surgery, i'm worried that they won't be able to do it! but you'll be a snap--as you haven't had anything done before--i wish i was you! talk to you soon! girlin nyc

good luck hopeful! wishing you the best. i also have an upcoming appt (tomorrow) with the nutritionist and nurse at the surgeon's office. i called my insurance today--also UHC--and they said i have to send a few bits of information, and should get an answer about coverage within 30 days. in any case, i believe they pay for the hospital part--so if i have to pay the surgeon's fee myself--i can do that. when's your first appt?? best wishes, girlin nyc

maureen, i'll be thinking about you ALL DAY on sunday! i am going for the nutrionist/nurse visit tomorrow. i called insurance and this may be PAID FOR (hallelujah)==but otherwise, i'll pay for it myself. i wish you the BEST OF LUCK and the fastest possible recovery. how much time are you taking off from work? (if you work). i'm sure it's going to go fine! i've had surgery before--the going to sleep part is GREAT--enjoy! girlin nyc