Sun Rae

My nutritionist has had me "practicing" my post op eating and drinking habits such as no drinking 30 min. before, during or 30 min. after a meal, drinking small sips, taking very small bites (no larger than you would give a 2 yr old), and chewing each bite about 30 times (putting down the fork/spoon) before swallowing and taking at least 20 – 30 min to consume my meal. So far, I’ve done great and felt great after meals and I’ve even lost 23 lbs on my pre-op diet in the last 5 weeks. Today however I learned a good lesson… I didn’t get to take my lunch break because we were so busy in the office and I ended up eating at my desk and eating WAY TOO FAST. About 15 minutes after I ate, my stomach hurt so badly and I have felt so nauseated since. I am so glad I got a little taste of this lesson pre-op! :laugh:

:laugh: Wow, you look fabulous! Congratulations! I get banded on 10/19 and I am so excited to start my journey.

Oh, I am so excited for you both! Mine is the 19th and I can't wait. I'm sure everything will be fine. Keep us posted!:puke:

This is going to be a little lengthy, so I apologize, but I wanted to share my experience today… I’m getting banded on October 19th and I am super excited – especially after today! I had all 3 of my pre-op appointments today and each one was a great experience. I met with my nutritionist, my doctor and then had all of my lab work, chest x-ray & ECG at the hospital where I will have the surgery. There was a lot of information to take in, so I’m glad I have it all in writing. I’ve got a good bit of reading material for the weekend and I was also given a DVD with everything that we discussed today about what to expect the day of surgery and after surgery. I was also given a website with a user ID that has been set up for me so that I stay on track with what I am supposed to be doing each day (pre & post op). I really liked that! I even have a grocery shopping list for the first 6 weeks. I was also so relieved to find out that they go to great lengths to be sure that I don’t get sick after surgery. I have a pill that I am supposed to take the morning of my surgery, they will also give me a patch while I’m at the hospital, meds via IV, a prescription for a nausea medication and I will wear something home that looks like a “watch” that will help with nausea. They said that I can wear this band for as long as I need to and they will give me plenty of gel to go with it. They also gave me a prescription for pain meds and advised me to buy some Gas-X. I also liked the fact that there will not be any stitches that I can see. Everything will be inside and the incisions will be closed with that super glue stuff (don’t remember the proper name for it) and I will not even have to remove any dressing. It will disintegrate and I can shower the next day. My band will not be filled at the time of surgery – they said that the post op swelling along with the band just being there would give me a feeling of fullness until the fluid is added at 6 weeks. I was a little confused about this, as I have heard some people say that theirs had some fluid and then others have said theirs didn’t. My doctor said that fluid at the time of surgery would definitely make it difficult for me to keep anything down and that's the last thing that we want. He said that the first 6 weeks is for me to heal and then I’ll get my fill. There is so much more to tell, but I’ll cut it off here. Hope this helps someone. Good luck to everybody!

Be healthy and live again! not have the pain in my knees, legs and back exercise, exercise, exercise not feel out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs feel more comfortable in public get off blood pressure medication Be able to own a piece of clothing that does not include the letter "X" in the size shop with my daughter in law at Banana Republic and all of those other stores that have cute clothes buy lingerie from Victoria's Secret feel comfortable in a swimsuit board an airplane without feeling like everybody is looking at me and thinking "I hope she's not sitting here" cross my legs Wear cute little strappy sandles

I agree with everyone else. Check to see if your PCP even has to be involved. If he/she does, get another one. I started with my PCP because I didn't know where else to start. He thought I would be a great candidate so he did my referral and he has been so supportive. I did the phen-phen years ago and I thought I would jump out of my skin and my heart was constantly racing. If someone even mentions "diet pills or appetite suppressants", I freak! I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

I did forget to mention my pre-op diet in my original post - sorry about that. I had to start the Sugar Busters diet two weeks prior to surgery. It is simply a low carb, high protein diet. He said this diet will help to shrink the liver and get it ready for the surgery. I've seen lots of people post about having to do a liquid diet before surgery, but my doc does not require it. I cut out my sodas about 3 months ago. It was alot easier than I thought, as I do LOVE Mountain Dew! When I met with my nutritionist, she told me that she wanted me to start practicing the eating habits that will help me to keep things from getting stuck when I start back on normal foods after surgery. I cut up everything in pieces no larger than something that you would give a 2 year old, chew each bite at least 25 times (putting down my fork in between bites), eating off of a salad plate to get used to what will be my new portion sizes. The chewing 25 times has really taken some getting used to - I'm used to just gulping it down. Oh yeah, I have already started not drinking 30 min before, during or after a meal. That is also a big adjustment. When you hear them tell you these things, you think "that's easy, I got that", but it really takes some getting used to. Keep posting, everybody! Good luck to everyone!

It took me about 3 months from the date of my first Dr. appointment to get everything together and get approval from my insurance company. My surgery is scheduled for 10/19. Good luck!

Wishing you the best! I get banded on 10/19. Yay! My surgeon doesn't fill at the time of surgery. I'll have my first fill at 6 wks. Keep us posted!:thumbup:

I'm so glad to hear that everyone is doing well. My date is October 19th and I keep telling myself "I've got this, I can do it, It will all be worth it". I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago and had an incision from one hip bone to the other. The pain in the beginning was terrible, but I found that moving around as much as possible made it better. When I was healed, I was wondering why I didn't do it 5 years earlier. I also fell on Christmas Eve 2 years ago and tore my hamstring and really messed up my knee - worst pain I've ever had. Had to have surgery to repair and that took some time to get over too. I know this is a totally different type of surgery, but I am trying to stay upbeat. Keep posting to let all of us upcoming bandsters know how ya'll are doing.:thumbup:

:thumbup: I'm so happy that everything went well for you. Keep us posted on your progress. I'm getting banded on October 19th. I am scared and excited - such an emotional rollercoaster.

I have Horizon BCBS of New Jersey and got my approval pretty quickly. I had to have proof of previous participation in a weight loss program such as Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc., and a psych evaluation. I was able to find an old Weight Watchers book from 2004 that had about 5 months of weights recorded in it. I thought they would really give me a hard time about that, but they approved it on the first try. My surgery date is set for October 19th! Good luck with everything!

I am being banded on Oct 19th and have also been worried about this. I keep trying to push this thought to the back of my mind and looked at this thread for several minutes before being brave enough to open it up and start reading. I feel so much better now that I have read it. Thanks everybody!

I am so excited for you and I wish you the best! My surgery date is October 19th. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

:smile2: I am excited beyond words! I received a letter in the mail last Friday from Blue Cross Blue Shield and my surgery has been approved. My surgery date is set for October 19th. I am so ready to begin this new journey in my life!

WOW, that's great! I can't wait to be able to do that. I have a whole list of (what some would call silly) things that I cannot wait to do. Shopping for regular clothes is at the top of my list. I also want to be able to cross my legs and board a plane without feeling like people are staring at me thinking "Oh God, please don't let her sit beside me"! lol

I know exactly how you feel. I had to give up my sweet tea, but I also loved my Mountain Dew. I gave up both about two months ago in anticipation of my surgery. I had a headache off and on and felt terrible for about 2 weeks. I now drink nothing other than water and I am really feeling so much better. The withdrawal symptoms will subside soon and you'll feel so much better. Hang in there!

Congratulations! I will be banded on 10/19, so it looks like we will be making this journey together! I am super excited! Good luck and God bless.:smile2:

Hi JT! I have Horizon BCBS and things have gone very smoothly for me. My surgery date is October 19th. I started with my primary care physican only because I didn't know where I was supposed to start. He told me that he thought the Band would be great for me and his office set up my first appt with my surgeon, Dr. John Bagnato, and they even checked with BCBS to be sure the procedure was covered before we started the whole process. Both my primary care physican and surgeon have been great and everyone that I have dealt with has been so supportive. Good luck!

I was wondering how long people are normally out of work after surgery... I have great benefits with my company as well. My surgery date is set for Tuesday, October 19th. They told me that I would probably feel well enough to go back to work the following Monday, so I'm gonna try it. If not, then I'll take a little longer. I will get my full pay, so I am really blessed. :smile2:

Thanks Scentsy! We will definitely make this journey together. Anybody else scheduled for October 19th?:smile2:

Hi everybody! My surgery date is October 19th. Can't wait!:smile2:

Hi Bunny! I have Horizon BCBS of New Jersey. The only things that I had to do was provide proof of previous participation in a weight loss program (I have gone to Weight Watchers off and on for several years), be evaluated by my surgeon and have a psychological evaluation. It was alot easier than I thought it would be. We submitted everything about a month ago and I received my approval letter last Friday. Good luck with yours. Let me know how it's going.

Congratulations! I received approval from my insurance company last Friday and I am scheduled for surgery on October 19th. I am so excited!