New To site starting my Journey..

[Bugaboo77 18]

I am also new to all of this. I, too, am a nurse. My current BMI is 41 or 42? I was at 40 for a while until I had gotten really bad with drinking pop again lately. Uggghhh...

I had my first appt with the surgeon and dietician on 3/30/10. I will have my second appt with the surgeon and dietician on 4/20/10. I also have my psych eval (MMPI) on 4/20. I was instructed to have my primary MD send documentation of health care records showing any co-morbidities. I had gestational diabetes with both of my pregancies (2004 and 2007). I've had my gallbladder out already. WHen they did an EGD prior to getting my galbladder out, they found a litle bit of reflux, etc. THey say 6 months of seeing the dietician, but the nurses told me that some insurance agencies approve after only 3 months. So, I got on the stick right away and get all of this stuff done and maybe they'll approve me sooner!

I am the type that needs support and know that I am not in this alone. That's why I love this site...to be able to talk to people in the same situation as I am to bounce things off of. If anyone wants to be my buddy, I'd love to be part of a buddy group!

:thumbdown:

[baptistthom 3]

I would love to have a buddy group if you are interested. My lap band is scheduled for April 26th, 2010. I am worried that I won't know what its like to be full. I seem to snack all the time at work. Every nurse will tell you the hospital is full of food. I have gotten used to eating when we Celebrate, eating when I'm depressed or stressed. i am trying to re learn healthy eating habits but it is a struggle.

[baptistthom 3]

Welcome! I am newly banded (3/24) and am here to help if I can. Good luck to all of you...

Ruthie

Ruthie I have a couple of questions if you dont mind. Did you have to spend the night at hospital? Was there something you wish you had remembered to bring with you to hospital? Im not sure if i should plan on staying overnite my surgeon says it depends on how the surgery goes.

[loppylee 0]

I would love to have a buddy group if you are interested. My LAP-BAND® is scheduled for April 26th, 2010. I am worried that I won't know what its like to be full. I seem to snack all the time at work. Every nurse will tell you the hospital is full of food. I have gotten used to eating when we Celebrate, eating when I'm depressed or stressed. i am trying to re learn healthy eating habits but it is a struggle.

I would love to join your buddy group, I am being banded on Monday 26th April as well. I completly agree about unhealthy eating habits for celabrations and happy time family gatherings etc,etc.

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

Hi Ladies,

Just popping in to say hello before I run off to a support group meeting. I attended the nutrition session and info session by the NP. I will be back and let you know about my day.

Lydia

The journey has begun....!:thumbup:

[baptistthom 3]

I am starting a new way of thinking, instead of focusing on the meal i am going to try to substitute an activity for the celebration and save up all that money i used to spend on take out and pizza and go on a cruise. Are you guys doing the lap band or the realize band?

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

Hi.

You seem to be right on target. It is why we are here because the support of others will help us get through this journey.

Hang in there with all of us.

Lydia

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

I would love to join your buddy group, I am being banded on Monday 26th April as well. I completly agree about unhealthy eating habits for celabrations and happy time family gatherings etc,etc.

Hi

I attended my first support meeting tonight as two of them are required by the doctor. It was very enlightening indeed. Four of the participants were banded. They are doing great. One of the ladies lost 140 pounds, the second lost 105 and the third one had surgery last month and is down close to 30 pounds. The fourth person, a guy, has lost sixty in three months. I learned so much tonight from listening to their stories since they started their journey. They all stated that they know when they are full. They also spoke about what happened when they just gulped food down quickly.

After the meeting tonight, the biggest hurdle to overcome is the psychological aspect. You have to prepare yourself psychologically for the big changes that are to come and how to deal with eating less. Being a part of this forum and attending support group meetings will help me stay strong both emotionally and psychologically.

Hang in there.

Lydia

[baptistthom 3]

I went to my first support group meeting a month ago and it made me so anxious to get the band. I wanted to get it that night! I am on day 2 of pre op diet and have to remind myself hourly why drinking chicken broth and Protein Shakes is worth it.

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

Hi

Today I attended the nutrition class. The NP spoke for about an hour about the two types of surgeries. The group that was present are all opting for the lap band. It was a review for me since I have done a lot of reading on the Lap-Band surgery. I was handed a folder with all sorts of information. The great thing is that everything is organized for the patient. There is a checklist for the patient to keep track of all the different consultations that must be completed. The nutrition class was excellent. Much of the information that I have read online and in this board was similar. The biggest thing is the changes that one has to prepare for.

After the three hour class was over, I made two appointments: one for my 1:1 nutrition consult plus an appointment with the director of bariatric surgery who will be my surgeon. After I left the office, I went to the radiology office and made an appointment for an abdominal sonogram. Once I got home, I spent an hour making all the different appointments for all the required consultations. I am happy to say that all my appointments are made. I will be a very busy lady the next few weeks, but I will have all my appointments completed and hopefully all my testing by the time I see the doctor on May 28. Hopefully, my approval will be successful. My BMI is under 40 but I have a qualifier which is hypertension. I currently take antihypertensives. I have to take Vitamins but I already take Calcium with D, MVI, folic acid and Iron.

Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. I have labs (fasting), at 11 a.m. abdominal sonogram then at 3 p.m. nutrition consult. Next week I have GI consult since I need to have both and EGD and Colonoscopy, in two weeks I see my PCP/Cardiologist.

My journey has started. I am looking forward to moving forward and look towards the day that I get the official ok for surgery. In as far as insurance requirements, all they require is a summary of my attempt at weight loss programs.

I look forward to attending the next group meeting. I found them very helpful. It will help me prepare and it will help me to stay on track once I reach that point.

In reference to the liquid diet, unless I have a fatty liver, I may not need a liquid diet for now. Prior to surgery, at least two weeks prior, they will start you on the famous liquid diet.< /p>

The journey has begun.....

Lydia:redface::thumbup:

SW: 253, 5'9 inches

Goal wt: 175

Nutrition class: 4-7-2010

1st support group meeting: 4-7-2010 (2 are mandatory)

Labs: 4-8-1`0

Abdominal sonogram: 4-8-10

Nutrition consult (1:1): 4-8-10

GI consult: 4-14-10

Cardiology: 4-30-10

Pulmonary consult: 5-13-10

Psychological consult: 5-14-10

Surgeon: 5/28/10

Venous duplex & PCP clearance: scheduled once surgical date is booked.

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[baptistthom 3]

Hey did they discuss "dry eating" at your meeting? I am trying to practice the not drinking 20 min before or after a meal and no fluids witha meal but that part is hard. I think I have read every web site and discussion forum before i committed to banding. 2 and 1/2 weeks to go, I better keep practicing I refuse to fail at this.

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

Hey did they discuss "dry eating" at your meeting? I am trying to practice the not drinking 20 min before or after a meal and no fluids witha meal but that part is hard. I think I have read every web site and discussion forum before i committed to banding. 2 and 1/2 weeks to go, I better keep practicing I refuse to fail at this.

Hi

Yes that was stressed. No liquids with meals because it flushes food through pouch or may cause vomiting and discomfort.

The internal police as it was referred to: you will feel sick if you eat too fast or too much.

I plan to start making small adjustments as I prepare. The nutritionist did say it was good if weight was lost before surgery. It will not affect your approval as they submit the initial weight.

The upper pouch restricts portions> the pouch size is about 1/3 to 1/2 cup.

[Sweetnurselyd 1]

Hey did they discuss "dry eating" at your meeting? I am trying to practice the not drinking 20 min before or after a meal and no fluids witha meal but that part is hard. I think I have read every web site and discussion forum before i committed to banding. 2 and 1/2 weeks to go, I better keep practicing I refuse to fail at this.

Hi

As I sat through the nutrition session today, I kept telling myself the reason why I was there. One of the ladies in the group tonight said, she put herself on liquid diets to get herself prepared then watched what she consumed.

She had a fatty liver and enlargement and was placed on a liquid diet and it helped to decrease liver size. Liver size greater than 20 cm, the patient will be placed on a liquid diet. The liquid diet helps the liver to decrease. It enlarged because of the fat stores that tend to build around it.

The Protein Supplement requirements for us is: At least 20 gms Protein/serving, No more than 8 gms Carb/serving

The patient must drink a Protein supplement every day for first month.

The highest protein content is Isopure 50 gms/3 gms Carbs, Uninjury (highly recommended during our support group tonight) 20 gm Pro/3 gms Carbs, Nutrimelt & Slimfast Low Carb 20 gm Pro/6 gm Carb.

[CavyGuy 0]

I'm probably looking at surgery date in late May or early June my surgeon told me when I met with him. So far I've done my NP, surgeon, psych eval, and have ultra sound of gall bladder and upper GI next Monday. My psych eval was today and the doctor who met with me had some really great ideas about modifying my eating/grazing prior to surgery so that the surgery isn't such a shock when I start that new way of eating. Now, instead of eating chips while I watch the news at 5, I'm to go in and get on my elliptical and watch the news. Just stuff like that. This is all getting pretty exciting and some days I'm scared to death and some days I feel bold and ready. Today is the latter. On these posts I read about SO MANY problems some people have, but I think I'm also beginning to understand a little bit, at least in my head, about how some of those problems can be avoided--you've all said it here: chew slowly, small bites, eat carbs last only, don't drink before/after. My surgeon himself does the fills. I think it's important to know beforehand who will actually be doing the fills. He doesn't do fills under flouroscopy, which I would actually prefer (while I still understand so little about all this). We'll wait and see about that.

Keep posting everyone, the good and the bad, I really need to know what I'm getting myself into here.

Thanks.:smile2:

[NewMeComing 0]

Hello all! I am new to the site and share many of the emotions of fear, excitement and all point in between. I started my journey over almost a year ago and after a failed start got connected with a surgeon I love and have completed six months of pre-op tests, classes and introspection. My surgery is Monday...less than five days away! I cannot wait and yet still cannot believe I am taking this step. Looking for some mentors, buddies, etc., that can help me make this the most successful journey ever!