August 2011 Bandsters,questions I need answered, last minute advice and my approval!

[changing4me 1]

Finally Got my surgery date!! this has been a longgg journey! but finally I am getting what I want! I started this process back in late November. I got denied by the insurance company once because I was about 1.5lbs short of the 12lbs I needed to lose! YES! 1 and a half pounds!! I was very upset! luckily for me I was able to lose the weight by the next week and was able to resubmit to the insurance company! I finally got my approval letter on July 2nd! I have pre op testing on August 2nd and Then Finally after about 20 years of Obesity I am scheduled to have surgery on AUGUST 12 2011!!!!! I am super excited!! I am also very nervous. I am filled with all types of emotions, depending on what day it is! I am one of the people who choose not to tell many people. I decided this early on because I am not the type of person who can handle peoples slick comments or funny looks and any negativity right now! So here I am less than a month away from surgery. I cant say I will miss the body that I abused for so many years,but It will def take me some time to get used to not having it. because at this point,its all I know! I am ready to let my body as I have always knew it GO...for a much leaner,healthier one!

who else is scheduled for surgery in AUGUST?? Anyone have the same date August 12 2011?? I would LOVE to talk to someone going through this on the same exact day!!

I havent been very active on here in the last few months, but that is also about to change! this site offers me support that I feel I cant get anywhere else! being able to talk to people who are going through the same thing Im going through is a sigh of relief!! I am ready to commit myself to my new life and with the help and support of everyone here I know I can do it!!

I do have a few questions though...

1.) Where can I get the weight loss tracker thingy from? I would like for you all to see my progress once I have my surgery. I see people with all type of different trackers and info about their start weight and surgery date etc and I wanna join the club!

2.) I am still confused as to which Protein to buy and suggestions on this would be great! (not much of a plain vanilla person)

3.) I was told I will probably be able to go home the same day. Well I have a problem with that, I think I would rather stay in the hospital and let them monitor me. I would feel MUCH more comfortable knowing there is doctors watching over me. has anyone else felt like this? if so did you get to stay? or did they make you leave?

4.) when you get to the hospital,what do they do to prepare you for the surgery?

5.) the Most debatable question...LAPBAND VS REALIZE BAND???

6.) how much weight did you lose on the pre op diet?

7.) if you could do it all over again..would you??

Any advice, opinions, motivation ANYTHING is Welcome! I am like a sponge right now trying to soak up as much last minute info as I possibly can! I

[sweetcalichic 6]

Congrats on finally getting your date, I wish you much success.

1. If you look closely at someone's ticker it should have the website they got it from, either at the bottom in the middle or towards the right of it.

2. I like Pure Protein shakes in the can, Isopure powder and Isopure drinks in the glass bottle. The ones in the glass bottle were the best, taste more like juice or poweraide. I also got these tubes of Protein with 42 grams in them, they are thick like Syrup, it was kind of hard to get down but for 42 grams I just dealt with it. I got all of this from the Vitamin Shoppe. Is there one near you?

3. Where I had my band done you have to stay overnight but many people go home the same day.

4. The day of my sugery I was told no food or liquid after midnight, I arrived at the hospital midday, they didn't get to me for hours, I was weighed and had a IV started, of course by then with no Water it was hard to find a vein, then the dr came to talk to me and we were off to the operation room.

5. Wasn't given a choice, I don't have the realize band.

6. I lost 9lbs on a 2 day clear liquid pre op diet.

7. Without a doubt, one of the best decisions I've ever made!

[jennifer1 180]

Hi I was banded may 20, 2011 and it's been a journey. Let me see if i can answer your questions:

1. girl sometimes my tracker works and sometimes it doesnt. just decided to stop fooling with it! LOL sorry i know that didnt answer your question.

2.I like six star(got it at walmart) I prefer the chocolate. i add a teaspoon of Peanut Butter and a few slices of banana. I still drink this from time to time, when i dont wanna eat Breakfast or i'm rushing.

3. My surgery was done on an outpatient basis, which I was happy about. I had a friend drive me and stay with me the first two night. the most difficult thing is getting in/out of bed and i needed physical assistance with this the first night. it depends on your insurance i think most make you stay at least one night. i was self pay so i got around a lot of the loops insurance companies make you jump though.

4.Well the first thing i had to do was give them my credit card!!!LOL! I signed some final paper work, got my id bands and waited. Once taken to the back i put on the lovely gown and got comfy on the bed. A nurse came in took vitals and started my IV's. My friend came back and chatted with me. My doctor came in and we chatted a bit. i wanted to know how many incisions i would have and if he was using glue or staples or stiches. Another nurse had me swallow this really bitter solution to help calm the stomach acid before surgery. They started my ansthesia through my IV and rolled me out my room. My next recollection is being waken up by the nurse for me to get up and get in a chair(ugh i wanted to kill her, but that's a different story.) lol

5. My surgeon only uses the lap band so i dont know much about realize...sorry

6.I lost 15 pounds during my 2 week(actually 11 day) all liquid pre-op diet.

7. although my weight loss is slow(17 pounds 2 months out.) i also have hypothyroidism..i would do it again in a heartbeat. the best $12,500 ever spent!!!!!

Please feel free to add me as a friend if you have further questions..before and after your get banded. i love sharing my experience with others.

Best wishes hun! MUAH!