Any St Louis newbie banders out there!

[breeze0404 14]

Hello,

I am going through the pre cert process now and finishing my 6 month WW for proof of attempted weight loss. My BMI is 42 and I have pre hypertention along with knee and joint pain at 33 years old. It is ridiculous and I need to lose weight to save my life. I want to feel better and do things that I have not been able to do in years! I am definitely looking for some St. Louis/ or other newbies or ones going through this process so we don't have to do this alone. My hubby and close friends are extremely supportive. My immediate family....not so much but I'm not around them and have come to accept the fact that I am doing this for my health and longevity. So I wanted to introduce myself and say HEY!!!!

[soccermonster31 8]

Hello,

I am going through the pre cert process now and finishing my 6 month WW for proof of attempted weight loss. My BMI is 42 and I have pre hypertention along with knee and joint pain at 33 years old. It is ridiculous and I need to lose weight to save my life. I want to feel better and do things that I have not been able to do in years! I am definitely looking for some St. Louis/ or other newbies or ones going through this process so we don't have to do this alone. My hubby and close friends are extremely supportive. My immediate family....not so much but I'm not around them and have come to accept the fact that I am doing this for my health and longevity. So I wanted to introduce myself and say HEY!!!!

Hey Breeze I am in STL and getting banded tomorrow! I had similar issues as you at 27! So I know what you mean when you say you need to lose the weight to save your life! Which surgeon are you using?

[breeze0404 14]

Hi Soccermonster

I am with Dr Eagon at Barnes. I met with him last week and luckily had all of my questions answered. I am excited but nervous at the same time!!

Congratulations to you for getting banded tomorrow!! That is awesome!!! You have to keep me posted on how you are doing and feeling throughout your process!

Hey Breeze I am in STL and getting banded tomorrow! I had similar issues as you at 27! So I know what you mean when you say you need to lose the weight to save your life! Which surgeon are you using?

[soccermonster31 8]

I'm excited and nervous too. I thought I had to do the 6 months of monitored weightloss and would have surgery in Feb of 2012. But a month ago (I was 2 months in) they called and said I didn't have to do the monitored weightloss. So I've had to rush prepare myself for tomorrow. I think that is what is making me the most nervous. I keep having to reassure myself that I am doing the right thing.

Do you know about when you will be having surgery? If you have any questions about preop or need any kind of support just let me know I know I wouldn't have made it through this last week of Clear liquids without a good support system of personal friends and friends on this forum.

Hi Soccermonster

I am with Dr Eagon at Barnes. I met with him last week and luckily had all of my questions answered. I am excited but nervous at the same time!!

Congratulations to you for getting banded tomorrow!! That is awesome!!! You have to keep me posted on how you are doing and feeling throughout your process!

[Stacie from St. Louis 3]

I live in O'Fallon, MO and was banded two weeks ago today. I'm a little older than you (51) but would love to connect and support one another.

Hello,

I am going through the pre cert process now and finishing my 6 month WW for proof of attempted weight loss. My BMI is 42 and I have pre hypertention along with knee and joint pain at 33 years old. It is ridiculous and I need to lose weight to save my life. I want to feel better and do things that I have not been able to do in years! I am definitely looking for some St. Louis/ or other newbies or ones going through this process so we don't have to do this alone. My hubby and close friends are extremely supportive. My immediate family....not so much but I'm not around them and have come to accept the fact that I am doing this for my health and longevity. So I wanted to introduce myself and say HEY!!!!

[breeze0404 14]

@soccermonster I complete my 6 month journey in November and I had to send in the paper work to the dr's office. I will be calling them in November to make sure my insurance approves when my 6 mos is complete-Dr. Eagon doesn't require a liquid diet prior to the surgery, but I asked him if it would be all right if I did so I can get used to just having liquids after. He told me that was fine. I purchaed powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chocolate Protein and its actually pretty good!

@ STacie-HI!!!!! Congratulations on you being banded!!!!! How do you feel? Are you on liquids? Are you stillsore or able to get up and do things? What was your process? Yes the more support the better for everyone:)!

I live in O'Fallon, MO and was banded two weeks ago today. I'm a little older than you (51) but would love to connect and support one another.

[Stacie from St. Louis 3]

Breeze0404,

I feel better every day. The incisions are not problematic, and the soreness from those was comparable to having done a whole lot of crunches and the muscle soreness you get the next day. It was the "gas" pains from the CO2 in my stomach and endless painful burping during the first week that was super difficult. I guess your esophagus and stomach are swollen following the surgery, so every swallow is rough at first. Take the pain medication they offer! Don't hesitate. The burping gets better by about the 5th day. Following that, my biggest issue has been nausea. They think that may be due to excess stomach acid, which seems to be better when I eat yogurt and Tums. At my 1 week follow up I'd lost about 17 lbs (presurgery diet and 1 week post op liquids) but haven't gotten on a scale since. My pants are definitely looser, which is exciting! I'm on soft foods now.

One big issue that I wasn't prepared for is trying to get my medications down. I take Celebrex (for joint pain) and Cymbalta (for depression/anxiety), and a blood pressure pill. The first two are in capsules, which are too big to swallow now. So I have to break them open and sprinkle the contents in Jello. I don't think that works terribly well, so I wish I'd known that ahead of time so I could get liquids or smaller tablets. Just FYI.

Looking foward to talking with you all and hearing about your experiences.

@soccermonster I complete my 6 month journey in November and I had to send in the paper work to the dr's office. I will be calling them in November to make sure my insurance approves when my 6 mos is complete-Dr. Eagon doesn't require a liquid diet prior to the surgery, but I asked him if it would be all right if I did so I can get used to just having liquids after. He told me that was fine. I purchaed unjury chocolate Protein and its actually pretty good!

@ STacie-HI!!!!! Congratulations on you being banded!!!!! How do you feel? Are you on liquids? Are you stillsore or able to get up and do things? What was your process? Yes the more support the better for everyone:)!

[soccermonster31 8]

I like the Unjury shakes as well. Definately the best I had tried. I am just so ready for tomorrow and for week two when I get to start mushie food. I am sooo tired of liquids!

[Stacie from St. Louis 3]

GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!