va_viv
-
Content Count
261 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by va_viv
-
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It really was. I just layed on the x-ray table (on my stomach) and the tech gave me the barium, it tasted ok at first but then it started getting gross. She took a couple of "pictures" and she had me stop drinking in between. It only took about 3-4 mins and I was done. I heard of other people that were given a carbonated drink that made them gag, but not me. I heard we have to get an upper GI before we're allowed to leave the hospital after surgery, I don't know how that one will be since mine wasn't done at a hospital. I heard that most hospitals have a table that moves up and down and all around ....hopefully that won't be the case :tt1: Sorry your experience was so bad :lol2: BUT it's all in the name of the good ole band, after this you'll (hopefully) never have to do it again :biggrin: -
Hey girl! Thanks for saying hello
I live in Northern VA, in Fairfax County...Springfield area, how about you? I'm getting banded by Dr. Denis Halmi at Bluepoint Group at the Fair Oaks hospital. OMG! CONGRATS on your banding! YAY! So happy for you!!!!!!!!! 20 lbs is definitely amazing, you're doing awesome. Can't wait to be in your shoes.
How's the recovery going? Hope everything is well! Tons of luck to you and happy thoughts for your band
:) -
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The upper GI was a breeze, definitely! :thumbup: I have the same fears, it starts with the 2 wk optifast diet. I'm afraid that I won't be able to do it and if I fail at that what's it going to be like after surgery...BUT we can't think that way...gotta keep pushing and stay positive. WE CAN DO IT! Tons of luck to you all. -
Hey! Thanks for the add! Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Best of luck to you!!!!
-
WHOOOOP WHOOOOP!!! Congrats!!!! Yay! it'll definitely be a great October 6th for the rest of our lives! 2 weeks to go! I start my liquid diet tomorrow eeeekkkkk..I'm a little nervous but I'm sure it'll be ok.
Thanks for the update!
-
Wahoo! Congrats girlie! Best of luck to you for the next couple of days! Don't worry it'll definitely get better.
I still have to take those dreaded "before" pictures
HAHA thanks for the va va voom, that's one of a handful of pictures that I actually like. Take care and TONS and TONS of luck to you!!!
-
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yay! We'll be band-sisters! lol Mine is first thing in the morning, 8 am...how about yours? -
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm having serious last supper syndrome...it really sucks and I wish I didn't but I just can't seem to help myself. It's mostly with bread, rice and Pasta...the things that my dr told me I wouldn't be able to eat after the surgery. I'm starting my 2 wk liquid diet on the 22nd and I'm super nervous about. I'm sure I'll be fine though. lol I'm EXTREMELY nervous about the loose skin also...seems like the only thing I worry about, I'm a recent college graduate and a broke one at that so money for any plastic surgery is out of the question...but staying positive and hoping for the best. Good luck! -
Hi everyone! This is my first time posting a thread. :couch2: Hope everyone is doing well in their process. I'm getting banded on October 6th and I'm having a hard time deciding on how long to take off from work. I work at an accounting firm with minimal "manual labor" and I sit at a desk and stare at a computer all day. Since my surgery is on a Wednesday I was thinking of taking the rest of the week off and coming back to work on Monday. My dr said that since I previously had 2 out patient surgeries it shouldn't be a problem for this one to be out patient as well. Also, I remember when I got my gallbladder removed in '08 I took a week and a half off but I was fine to go to work before then...just lazy I guess. For the people that have been banded can you tell me how long you were out or how long it took you to feel good enough to go back to work? If you haven't been banded yet I would also like to hear from you...how long are you planning to take off? Nobody knows I'm getting the surgery..not my boss, co-workers nobody so I want to keep a low profile. :smile2: THANK YOU FOR READING!!! :blushing:
-
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The upper GI was very simple...as I said I was terrified but all I had to do is drink that nasty stuff and lay on my stomach. I was definitely like "that's it?" Thanks for the info on the optifast..I'll get my supply from the surgeon on the 20th We'll see how it goes! Not really looking forward to it. -
How long are you taking off?
va_viv replied to va_viv's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
First, I would like to say CONGRATS to all of you that have had the surgery. You guys are a true inspiration!!!! Secondly, thank you guys so much for your input it made me feel a lot better knowing that I'll probably be fine with going back to work on the Monday after surgery. Thanks again and TONS of continued success to each of you! -
Hey! I'm getting banded October 6th. I'm 25..a little older but who's counting. lol Have you gotten your approval yet? Good luck!!
-
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow PuppyBandit 3 days isn't a long time. Maybe it all depends on the "state" of your liver. My dr told me that 2 weeks is the standard (could be longer if your liver is in bad shape) but never about it being shorter then that. Good luck to you on that. DonTony: My dr highly recommends his patients to do the Optifast for the 2 wks, glad to know that it isn't bad. Is there two different kinds? I ask because you mentioned doing the light. I have my upper GI test tomorrow and I'm super nervous...anyone need to get that done also? anyone done it already? Please let me know how it went. Thanks!! -
October 2010 Bandsters!!
va_viv replied to Sarah71407's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey guys! I'm getting banded October 6th...eekkk I'm a bit nervous. The next couple of weeks are going to be intense. I have appt after appt trying to get all my tests done. But I'm definitely excited :thumbup: Congrats to all!!!! Rockstar: I follow your blog, I can't wait to read more about your journey. Good luck peeps! -
Hey! No problem. I've found the blogs to be incredibly informative and helpful. I haven't started a blog..have been thinking about it. I'm just an incredibly private person and I hate pictures so the combo of those two wouldn't make for a very good blog. But I'm definitely seeking that support.
Thanks for sending luck over my way...I'm a bit nervous! Your surgery is just around the corner, right? TONS of luck you'll do GREAT!!
-
How much did your Psyh and Sleep Study Cost?
va_viv replied to ajames79's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey! I'm actually a follower of your blog! Love it!!! Anywhoo, I am getting banded Oct 6th, YAY, and I also need the psych eval and the sleep study (plus what seems like 300 more tests). For the sleep study I only paid $40, which was my co-pay. I was found to have very mild sleep apnea and was given a cpap machine for free (well not really, my insurance covers it and I get to keep it forever...I even get free supplies shipped to me every 3 mths). As far as the psych eval goes, like you, I cannot find any one that will do it. I keep getting "we don't do that here". The one person that did say she did that wanted to charge me $250 b/c her appts run long and she never claims it to the insurance b/c they don't reimburse her. So, I'm back on the hunt. From what I've heard from various people is that usually it only costs your co-pay....including the report they have to give you. Hope that help! Good luck with everything. -
Psych report not covered??
va_viv replied to ardelia's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It really sucks! He did give me a couple of names but they're all in MD about 1-1/2 hrs away (I live in VA) and his office is in VA...so WTF, right? lol I see what you mean about the report, I haven't heard of anyone charging extra for the report...hopefully I won't come across that prob, with all the co-pays and nutritionist requirements (which alone costs $570) I'm close to $1,000 not to include all the time off for the tests that we need to complete. Not complaining just venting I guess. But like you said gotta keep my eyes on the prize! Good luck with everything!:cursing: -
Getting banded 10/1/10 WOOOHOO
va_viv replied to soulsista001's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
CONGRATS! You won't be to far ahead of me...I'm getting banded October 6th! Wahoo! I'm excited. Good luck with all your pre-op appts!!! :cursing: -
Psych report not covered??
va_viv replied to ardelia's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am having a HORRIBLE time finding a psychologist/psychiatrist that will give me an evaluation. I keep getting "we don't do that here" every time I call an office. Anywhoo, the one dr that said she does do it told me it would cost me $250 because she doesn't claim it to the insurance. Apparently that type of appointment takes about 1 1/2 hrs and she said that the insurance doesn't reimburse her for that long period of time. Unfortunately, I have other out of pocket expenses associated to this surgery I just don't have the money to fork over $250, especially knowing that there are office that will do it for the simple co-pay (I JUST HAVE TO FIND ONE! lol ). I don't know if that's the same issue your dr has but it might be good to keep looking if you're not comfortable making that payment. -
Hey guys! I'm 25 and live in Northern VA, Fairfax County area. I'm getting banded on Oct 6th :confused: can't wait for it. I've set up all my appts except for my psych evaluation. I've called tons of drs and I get the same response "I don't do that"...quite frustrating but hopefully I can find someone soon.
-
Waiting for insurance approval.....
va_viv replied to lbtss16's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hey T.! Well, I had my first appt with the surgeon on the 9th of Aug and the program coordinator said that she didn't want me having any of the tests they require (x-rays, blood work, upper GI, or psych evaluation) or meeting with their nutritionist (the office has a required program/education tailored to after surgery) without getting an approval from my insurance first because it's a lot of out of pocket expense. I did get my sleep study done before the approval but that's it. So it took about 3 days to get the approval. So, now they're giving me a month to get all those tests and requirements completed in time for the surgery. Plus, we're required to do the liquid diet for 2 weeks prior so I can't imagine having the surgery before Oct 6th. Sometimes I think it’s toooooo soon. I'm really suppose to have all those tests/appt done while having a full time job AND then take 1 1/2 week off (my surg is on a wed so taking the rest of that week and the next week off) after that? All in the name of the good ole band! Hope that helps! J Viv -
Do you regret choosing the Band over Bypass?
va_viv replied to che4u's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey Shannon! Like many others I never really considered the bypass because it seems toooo extreme for me. I'm also worried about loose skin and I think the bypass would definitely leave me with some. My dr told me, in his professional opinion, the band is better for younger people (I'm 25) because it gives you the AIDE you need to change your life NOW before it's to late, instead of having a "quick fix" and never have really "learned our lesson" prompting many young folks to gain the weight back (with the bypass). And he also mentioned that it helps a lot in not having loose skin because we are able to exercise better/easier. I have a friend who was banded about 3 yrs ago and now she says that she wants to go back and get the bypass (I don't know if that's even possible) she lost nothing with the band and I think it definitely has to do with her not making a life style change and now is looking for that quick fix. That being said, it is of course a personal decision/preference. My brother in law is also getting WLS and he feels like the gastric sleeve is a better fit for him. So, my advice is don't rush and give yourself enough time to make a decision that you will be satisfied with forever. Tons of luck and wish you the best. I'm getting banded Oct 6th so I'll let you know how it goes :thumbup: -
Waiting for insurance approval.....
va_viv replied to lbtss16's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hey! I got my approval yesterday :thumbup: and was immediately given a surgery date of October 6th. It all happened waaaaaay faster then I expected. Good luck with everything and I'm sure you'll get your GREAT news very soon!