danide

I don't get it, why are so many people so judgemental? :w00t: As if I don't judge myself every second of every day... as if I haven't tried every single diet.. as if I haven't exercised... as if I haven't lived in my shoes... as if I haven't weighed all the options... as if I am going into this blind... Please- if it wasn't for the fact of being fat, I could be a personal trainer- thats how well informed I am, I just can't seem to do it myself and keep it off. Thanks for all of your input! This has confirmed that I won't be telling anyone about the surgery (again, other then my parents, boyfriend and sister (she told her hubby but im okay with that- he knows its a secret)... but I will have to tell my brother I guess, he just has to know that its between us! Again, I may tell more people once I have lost significant weight but not until then. And after I do see results and being successful, I will encourage my uncle to do it. Hes not super over weight but hes got a lot of health issues and his doctor actually recommended it. Fortunately I have no health issues- and I am trying to keep it that way. Lose weight now, and hope to prevent health problems later. I think we are all making wonderful choices in this! This for US, for OUR lives, for OUR futures! I just can't wait to get it done! woo hoo! (september 7th is my big day!) YOU ALL ROCK! :w00t:

First- WELCOME newbies! I love our September Bandsters group! Next- Congratulations to all those with new surgery dates and approvals. My insurance is still pending but the office told me that my insurance usually takes 5 weeks to approve. I hope it goes through so I don't have to pay the $16,000... uhh. And Finally, about the seminar... Well lets see. They told us about the pre-diet again, at least 7 days before- to shrink the liver as well as to lose a few pounds to jump start the process. Shower prior to surgery, have absolutely nothing to eat or drink after midnight before surgery. Absolutely no jewlery, body peircings or contacts to be worn. Bring a list of 1-medications/dose/time of day taken and how often 2-allegies to foods, medications, materials (latex, bandaids) 3-last minute questions about the surgery to ask the nurse/doc/anesthi. Things to bring (over night bag, photo ID, insurance card). We were told about pre-op- the anesthesiologist, nurse and surgeon will talk to us again before going into the OR, vital signs checked, medication distributed to prepare for surgery, prevent blood clots, as well as IV to prevent dehydration. Then they told us about actual OR and surgery, you won't remember anything due to the anesthesia obviously, how you will be woken up, how you will feel afterwards. It will be very very cold in the OR to prevent bacteria growth so we get warmed blankets to keep our body temp regulated. Medication will be given post op for pain as well as to prevent nausea. Vitals are taken again post-op We can only have ice chips after the surgery. We will be given breathing exercises to do right after recovery room (coughing, deep breathing), walking will begin right after getting out of recovery; to prevent blood clots, pnemonia and to move gas. . Then they spoke about expectations of staying over night at the hosptial (my surgeon pretty much requires over night stay-very rare for someone to go home the same day). the next morning x-ray in am-video esophagram will be done while drinking that nasty dye stuff to ensure that you can swollow completely. When ready for discharge, someone has to drive you home. Then they spoke about expectations post-op- diet 1st day is clear liquids- 2 weeks is full liquids (like pre-op but for 2 weeks) then 2 weeks is soft/mushy foods then the 5th week after, is solid food. (this is the recommendation of my doc/nutritionist- others may be different). Healing time varies for everyone but after 1 week we should be back to normal. Some shoulder pain will occur due to gas/radiant pain. Stitches- don't rub or get too soapy- just let soapy Water run over while showering. Recommendation to use liquid extra strength tylenol for pain but Rx will be given for narcotics for pain but would rather people not use that if possible. There was soo much information, hopefully this gives you some idea. :thumbup: Again, each surgeon and staff team are different, so things might vary a little. OOOHH and today I bought everything I need for the pre-op diet, which I will start next week (i will do 2 weeks pre-op diet rather then just 1)! Im soooooo excited, I couldn't sleep much last night thinking about it! (yeah I still have 3 weeks- im not till Sept 7).

Thats funny NYslegend, its does seem that most "fat" people are the most discouraging and negative. Its like they don't want you to be great. Its hard to find truelly genuine people who just want the best for you and are genuinelly happy for good things in your life... very sad. Thats why I don't want to tell people I know. And the "thin" people just seem to want you to be in the "thin club" for their own reasons. Maybe Im just crazy.

I have my surgery date for September 7... no insurance approval yet... All surgeons do it differently I guess based on their schedule, their general insurance stuff, the hospital schedule. Keep calling, be a nudge till you get what you need from them!

Hang in there! Im sure we all get a little frazzled and obsessive like that with the scale. But for me, thats why I do always fail with diets, cause I work hard for a few days and see no results so I give up. Its only when I avoid the scale that I lose weight. Go figure. Ya know, You might not see resultes today but in another 3 days you might see a big difference! Dont give up! You can and WILL do great, especially with the surgery!

I just got back from the Pre-Op Seminar! It was very informative and 2 1/2 hrs. AHHH I can't wait, Im so excited!

I gained 10 pounds as well. My surgeon doesn't require me to lose any weight but I wasn't trying to gain... There were a 3 rough months (of 6) with lots of parties and events... I am trying now to lose a few pounds though, even before my pre-op diet. My insurance is pending right now so I don't know if my gain will affect it. (I have a funny feeling that I won't be approved regardless). My surgery date is Sept. 7th. My primary doctor told me that the purpose of the 6 month supervised diet was really just a protocal, that the insurance company wants to see if you CAN lose weight on your own and how much on your own without a surgery. But who knows- all doctors probably say different things.

Thanks for all the input. You know, the funny thing is that I am more willing to tell strangers then family and friends. (many family members, especially my dads side, are pretty judgemental especially about weight so they can just kiss my SKINNY ass :thumbup: someday and friends... mmm well I only have 3 close friends and 1 is super skinny (almost anorexic) and the other is extremely over weight but a negative engery- the more someone is happy the more she tries to rain on them). Im thinking that after I lose at least a significant amount of weight I probably would tell more people (but maybe not- depends on who I it is maybe) but Im gonna stick to just the few people I already told. Those few people are my support so I am comfortable with them. THOUGH Ideally, I wouldn't have even told my boyfriend- avoided him for like 3 months lol- then just let him see me thinner. lol Buttttt Im obviously not doing that.

That question actually came up at one of the seminars I went to. The surgeon said that if you get a stomach virus and throw up a lot for a day or two will be fine.. no problems with that. Chronic vomitting (like buliemic type) can cause the band to shift. As far as your wanting to throw up, maybe its just your body adjusting to the changes and maybe a form of healing. I would think that if it happens a lot you should call your doctor just to be sure! I hear that if you drink or eat too much or too fast it can cause you to throw up, especially in the early stages. Of course if your food isn't chewed well enough it can cause you to throw up as well cause it cant move downward but in your case, you aren't eating food food yet, right. How are you feeling other then that?

If you do the Muscle Milk- use the Muscle Milk LIGHT! it has a few less calories and fat. my nutrionist said that was a good way to go too but i used to drink it and its got a horrible after taste. The powder form isn't as bad but still chemically tasting. Good luck! Watch the fat and calories the most (thats what I was told at least). Higher protien is very important but makes sure you don't really go over the recommended amount daily UNLESS you are exercising heavily daily (again, just something I was told about.) I suggest speaking to the nutrionist for her thoughts on it!

Happy Monday everyone! Freshstart- Sorry to hear that you were denied... :thumbup: Thats such a disappointment. But I am glad you have decided to invest in yourself! Theres no better way to use your savings then on yourself- saving your life, creating a happier and brighter future! My insurance is still pending and its really anxiety producing! I have a weird feeling that it will be denied but theres really no reason for it to be denied.. I guess I am always a downer about how things don't go my way. But like you, if I am denied, I will still get it by paying out of pocket, though i will borrow more then half of it from family. Nani- we are on the same day! Wooo hooo! LESS then 1 month now! Heather- Think about it as an excellent investment! No better way then to invest in your health, future and life! Okay everyone, question- what kind of protien are you going to be using? My boyfriend is very health aware and fit (fricken guy works out 2 hours per day even after working 10 hours physical labor- hes in construction/plumbing/restoration stuff- who does that geese..), and hes been recommeneding different things for me but we decided that all that stuff is actually too high in protien for me. I have tried other protien drinks at various times in my life and some are really gross. I think today I am going to try Gillian Michaels shake- in comparing the nutritional facts, she seems to have a good amount of protien, not time released (which is good for why I/we need it) and low calories, and not too expensive.. but there is only chocolate and vanilla.

CONGRATULATIONS! and that goes to all new banders! They sent you home that quickly? Were you expecting to stay overnight? My surgeon told me I will be staying 1 night to be monitored. Are you on pain medication right now? Are the incisions scary looking? (i don't care about having scars but I am afraid of taking care of incisions- yikes). Please let us know how its going!

Welcome Butterfly! Congrats on the surgery date! It seems so far, but we know how fast that will go! Woo hoo! Ebony- Im sure everything will be just fine! Hang in there! And congrats on your date too! Ladies, just think... in about 1 month, we will be on a new kind of high! food won't be out high anymore!

:tt2:So is it odd that of all the things to be nervous about, insurance is my biggest concern? hahaha. I feel very aware and prepared for surgery and the lifestyle changes but concern about insurance approval/denial is making me anxious and I am losing sleep over it. I don't know if my surgeon submitted the request yet, I was told it would be done this week (i think thats what I was told- i should call and ask for verification) but I have a surgery date for September 7th. After all I put forth in this processes for 7 months now, I have decided that if I am not approved, I will pay out of pocket and have the surgery no matter what... I just really hope it doesn't come to that. I would borrow money from family and thats a lot of money to hold over my head. Uhhhh Please Please Please let insurance be approved! :blushing: Is anyone self paying? If so, about how much is it?

The 6 month supervised diet is really just protocal to see if you really CAN lose weight on your own without surgery (that what my primary doc and surgeon both told me but who knows). I did mine but oops, actually gained a few pounds (it was 2 months where there was lots of events and parties surrounded by food). Anyhoo. Now that I am just waiting for insurance approval- sure, now I start to lose those few extras. I have a screwed up mind though- the more I try to lose the more I gain... Oh and yeah I heard that some surgeons want you to lose weight first, before the surgery... (fortunately mine didn't).. Hellooooo If I can lose weight on my own without surgery and be successful, why the hell would I go through the trauma to get the surgery in the first place. I need the surgery because when I do lose weight, I gain it back in a blink of an eye. But, everyone is different! Good luck!

Congratulations on the insurance approval! Awayyyy you go! Woo hoo! Are you ready? My insurance is pending. uhhh yeah its very anxiety producing to wait for the approval/denial. Go to my profile, and I think under statistics you can find all posts I have done- you will find the September 2010 Bandsters forum!

Yeah I have no idea why exactly they do it that way but some how it comes down to- they need to schedule people asap because they are crazy busy. My surgeon is pretty popular it seems. Ive told 3 of my other doctors about him and they all seem to know about him and say they hear great things about him. So maybe its because of that. I did find out yester day that the paper work was submitted to Aetna and its still pending... Should I call and beg! haha. I think I will call early next week to follow up. I can't remember the exact about because I asked about 7 months ago, but I believe that I was told it would cost around $15,000 with everything. Its a whole lot of money but this is for my life, my future... Can I really put a limit on that? Ive probably spent more money in the past 13 years on diet products, diet programs, diet foods, diet pills, exercise videos, gym memberships, etc... haha Maxwell- I hope you get good news fast! Spoiltmom- Your surgery is tomorrow right? GOOD LUCK! YAY

Congratulations!