Any Central Iowa Bandsters?

[bambam 0]

Hi everyone -

I'm going through Mercy Center for Weight Reduction as well. I am waiting to hear on my insurance approval at this time and hope to be banded by Dr. Smolik in March. I agree - their staff is wonderful and very thorough.

It's great to see some more people on here. Would love to keep in touch to see how everyone is progressing.

bambam

(Barb)

[ljv52 2]

Hi Barb, Welcome and the best of luck to you in getting that insurance approval. What insurance do you have? I have Alliance Select. They didn't make me jump through too many hoops. Hope it goes smoothly for you and your approval comes through soon! As I said in my last post, surgery went great and I feel wonderful. I have absolutely no hunger. I've lost about 15 lbs. since I started the pre-surgical liquid diet (I go for dr. appt tomorrow so will find out my weight officially then). I already have improvement in many of my life quality issues -- my lower back and hip pain in my left leg are already much better. This keeps me motivated to stay on track. My history has always been that I can lose weight and stay on a diet, it's when the diet is over. I was so excited to discover the lap band as a tool I needed to know that I will have help in keeping the weight off. If the weather is good I plan on being at the support group meeting next Tues. at 5:30. I live in Oskaloosa, so if weather is bad, I won't be making the drive. Keep me posted on your progress.

Linda

[bambam 0]

Linda -

Hope your appointment went well! Keep me updated on how you are doing.

I just found out yesterday BCBS approved my surgery and within an hour I had a surgery date of March 10 - I am so thrilled! I have about 2-1/2 weeks before I start my preop diet - it doesn't seem possible!

I live in Ames. I haven't attended the support meetings yet (seems things have been bonkers just getting through the process and I've been meeting myself coming and going) but am planning to go once I have surgery.

Barb

[ljv52 2]

Barb, Congratulations -- March 10th is right around the corner. Doctor appt. went well. I've lost a grand total of 31 since I started the process, and couldn't feel better. Dr. Smolik says okay to go back to Water aerobics and I have no restrictions at all on exercise, which surprised me. I plan on going back next Monday, for now just been walking. I started some pureed food today -- so far, so good. I'm a little scared about eating after being on the liquid diet for almost 4 weeks. Good luck and keep me posted!

Linda

[debbie09 0]

Hi. My name is Deb. I went in January for the 1st lecture at Mercy Capitol. I have went for a sleep study and now have been fitted for a CPAP machine (I just got it last night). I go tomorrow morning to a therapy appointment (mandatory from my doctors office before surgery). I meet with my surgeon in March. I am a little worried because last year I had a blood clot and I'm on an aspirin a day. I don't know until I meet with the surgeon if I will be able to have the surgery. I've been doing as much research as I possible can. I want to make the best decision. Right now I weigh 225 pounds and my back hurts all of the time and I'm so tired I knew it was time for a change. I've been reading all the pros and cons. What can anybody reading this tell me about their personal experience. Thanks for your help!

Hi There,

I was banded 12-21-07 and would like to start a group within central Iowa with others who have been banded within 2006 or are still waiting to be banded. Questions, answers, health issues, problems and or accomplishments will be shared, along w/food ideas, exercise tips and more! I am so excited! This group is to support each other on our journey to successful weight loss and to continue by staying within our successful feeling of weight range. I will start by seeing how many others are out there and are interested and we will go from there. I would like a survey filled out to help with how to involve more and a meeting place and such.

Survey:

Male or Female

Age

Single, married, divorced, separated or teen

Banded date or expected banding date

Weight before banding

Your Town

Where you plan to be or where were you banded and who was or will be your DR.

What size is your band if you have been banded

What would you like to know or share before or after the band?

Do you work? FT or PT (Hr's of work? Days/Nights you work? You can also just address when the best days of the week and times you would be available to meet with others for this group. This is to provide the best times this interest group might be able to meet.?)

What health problems did you or do you have before being banded? If you have been banded, has your health improved?

What are you hoping to achieve after banding? If you have been banded have you achieved what you wanted before you were banded or do you have more expectations now?

Hope there are lots of people here in Central Iowa just waiting for this type of group to get started. Hurry, The sooner I receive a reply, the sooner we can get this going.

Also, if you just know of others contemplating or would like to know more information, ask them to sign on to this thread and join this group as well. I will start this group, as soon as I get enough for a group.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Deb

Posted on the Thread of Lapband Forum

Poll for starting a Lap Band Support Group

Poll Preview

Are you interested in knowing more about Lap banding? If so, please answer the below.

Options:

1. How to go about getting started? Yes/No

2. What does it take to be a candidate? Yes/No

3. How long does it take to be accepted as a candidate? Yes/No

4. Are you a smoker? Yes/No

5. Are you a drinker? Yes/No

6. How much caffeine do you consume in a day? _cups/_cans/_mg.

7. Do you take a Multivitamin daily? Yes/No

8. Other Vitamins or supplements? Name them___________

9. Are you? Single/Married/Divorced/Separated

10. Age Group? Teen/20's/30's/40's/50's/60's/older

11. How much do you need to lose to be healthy? Les then 50lb's/51-75lbs/76-100lbs/101-150lbs/151-200lbs/more

12. Do you exercise? Never/Rarely/weekly/daily/sometimes?

13. What are your favorite types of food groups? Meats/Vegetables/Fruits/Nuts and Grains/Dairy/Junk Food/Variety

14. List 3-6 favorite Foods/Drinks consumed daily?

15. Do you think there is a need for this type of group in this in Central Iowa? Yes/No

16. Would you sign up for this group? Yes/No

17. Would you like information on complications w/this procedure and post operative? Yes/No

18. What location in Central Iowa would be best for you to travel to?

19. How many miles would you be willing to travel to join this group? 10miles or less/up to 25 miles/up to 50 miles/or more?

20. Would you be willing to share your experiences with others? Yes/No

21. Would you be willing to share recipes/samples w/others? Yes/No

22. Would you like your group to be small-15 people or less, medium 30people or less or large-more than 30 people?

23. Would you prefer to be in the same age group type? Yes/No/Doesn't matter

24. Would you prefer to be in Men's only/Women's only/Teen's only/Doesn't matter?

25. Would you prefer to be in a single's group/married group/divorced group/separated group/doesn't matter?

26. Are you willing to pay to go to such a group to help cover costs of materials/start-up costs/speakers/food samples? Yes/No

27. How long would you like such a group to meet? 2hr's or less/3-4hr's/all day including lunch & breaks/other?

28. Do you need assistance w/daycare/familycare or transportation to attend such a group? Yes/No

29. Optional:If interested please list your name___________

30. If you would like to be contacted about such, list a phone number you can be reached at__________________

[ljv52 2]

Hi Deb, Good luck to you, I wish you all the best. I would trust the doctor's at Mercy Capital to advise you on whether or not lap band surgery would be safe for you. I have had a very good experience with my lap band. I was banded on 1-27-09 and have lost 35 lbs. since my pre-surgery diet begain on 1-13-09. I exercise regularly and have been dieting because I want to lose the weight. I have been restricting my fat intake and trying to keep to under 10 fat grams per day. I use low fat and/or non fat milk, cheeses, etc. I eat a lot of Beans, black Beans, pinto beans, and tuna and salmon for Protein rather than higher fat meats. This has worked out well because I'm still not on regular food -- still on mushies. So my weight loss has been quite good but I expect it will start to slow down to about 2 lbs. a week. I keep a food/exercise journal on www.thedailyplate.com which is a very good resource. You can start to use that before you get a surgical date if you want. My surgery went very well, I was up and walking the halls in the hospital the same afternoon/evening and had no complications or difficulties. I had very little pain and liquid tylenol took care of any discomfort, which was very minimal. I did a lot of research on the lap band before I made the decision and decided it was a good tool for me as I am able to lose weight on diets, but have a difficult time in keeping the weight off after I lose it -- that's why I believe the lap band will work for me -- it will help keep my portion sizes down after I lose the weight. It's still work to lose the weight, but it's a tool that does help you succeed. I wish you all the best and if you have any further questions, will be happy to try to answer them. I would also recommend you come to the support group meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Mercy Capital -- it's in the same room as the original seminar you attended there. I attended in February and found it very informative.

Linda

[debbie09 0]

I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Cahalan on Monday. How did your surgery go?

[ljv52 2]

Debbie, my surgery went very well. If you go to the monthly groups and look up January 27, 09, I posted quite a bit there about how my surgery went. I was very happy with everyone at Mercy -- everyone was very nice, very professional and very caring -- even the nurse who does the iv's was great -- and I never got a bruise from my IV which is probably the first time ever. The rooms are nice and big (all are private rooms). You'll have top notch care. The most important thing is to get up and get moving after surgery -- my surgery was at 10:30 a.m. and I was back in my room by 1:00 p.m. and up and moving around that evening and all day the next day, doing laps around the floor. It really helps keep the gas pains to a minimum and you feel much better moving around than just sitting/lying in bed. It's also good to prevent blood clotting. I haven't had any problems with my band, but I have followed the rules very carefully - did not try to eat any foods not on the list, etc. I never cheated on my 2 week pre-surgery liquid diet either. I decided if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. Everyone at the clinic is wonderful and I went to the support group meeting on 2/10 and really enjoyed that as well. I have nothing but great things to say about the entire program, it is top notch.

Good luck and let me know what you decide, etc.

Linda

[ljv52 2]

Barb, It's March first! Only 10 more days until your surgery! Have you started the pre-surgery diet? Hope you are doing great. Let me know if I can be of any help. Linda

[bambam 0]

Linda -

Thanks so much for checking on me! I was supposed to start my preop diet Feb. 24, but I was driving myself nuts with Last Supper Syndrome, so started a day early

It hasn't been bad at all. I honestly have not been hungry, but one thing I am hungry for is salmon!!! Go figure!! I'm down 12.5 pounds since starting my preop diet 10 days ago.

I can't believe surgery is next week!! Had a bit of a scare this week. My potassium was low, so my PCP put me on potassium to boost that. In addition, she thought my creatinine was a tad high. I called Dr. Smolik's office and my chart was on his desk to be reviewed for that. I thought "oh no....." but they said it wasn't high enough to be of a concern, they are more concerned that my potassium be normal - I have that rechecked by my PCP tomorrow. I've been taking a high dose for 3 days, so am confident it will be fine. They'll check it again the morning of surgery.

I'm drinking Water like crazy. My system is not crazy about this diet and has slowed down (TMI I know) so I'm addressing that now. The nurse was surprised it wasn't the opposite, but my digestive system has always been a rebel :crying:

I am just SOOO anxious to have surgery next week and begin the healing phase.

It sounds like you are doing awesome! I look forward to seeing you at the support groups soon. Please contiknue to keep me updated on how you are doing. Feel free to send me a message.

Again, thanks for asking about me... it's nice to have someone who has been there checking on me!!

Barb

[ljv52 2]

Barb, you're doing great!!! You're losing about the same amount of weight that I did pre-op. I also had low potassium (in fact they had to give me a couple of IV bags of potassium after my surgery), so I wouldn't think that's a huge problem. Your having surgery on Tues., which is the day of the support group meeting. Do you know yet what time your surgery is? If you feel well enough, you should come down to the meeting -- last month it was only like 5 or 6 of us there, so it's not a big crowd. I'm planning on going, they are very informative. I get my first fill next Wednes., so I'm getting a little nervous about that. I've lost 43 lbs. since I started my pre-op diet, but I am "dieting", watching my fats and calories (I log everything I eat at www.thedailyplate.com -- it's a great website -- very easy to use. They recommend using that site to stay on track. I also exercise 5 days a week -- Water aerobics Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs. Friday and on Mon., Wednes. Fri. I ride a recumbant bike for 30 mins. and do some weight machines for about 20 - 30 mins. My philosphy is to get the weight off and then after I lose it all, I will just eat regular food (just much less of it), but I want to get the weight off first. I don't know if you read many of the other posts on this site but so many lap band people have only lost like 50 lbs. after a year or so. I basically wanted to have the lap band done so I have a tool to help me not gain the weight back after I lose it (again). So it's exciting for me to say, 43 pounds gone FOREVER. After surgery, I was not hungry at all for several weeks. Your stomach makes noises and rumbles and grumbles, but I didn't feel "hungry" when it did it - but it does really make a lot of noise. I also had a lot of gas (I believe from drinking Protein Shakes -- I was using Iospure) and so I went off them pretty quickly after surgery. Make sure you take Gas X strips to the hospital and be sure you walk a lot after surgery -- it will really help you not to have as much pain. I started walking the evening of surgery (mine was at 10:30 a.m.) and I bet I walked 40 times around the entire floor of the hospital before I went home the next day at 4:00 p.m. It's hard, but you gotta do it. You'll have a big room, it's private -- very nice room. And they'll give you broth and Jello for your meals in the hospital (I thought the broth was good) but didn't much care for the lime and lemon jello they gave me. If you have any other questions, please let me know and I'll be sure to check here in the next few days so I can answer them. Hope to meet you soon and I'll be thinking about you next Tues. Linda

[bambam 0]

Linda -

Thanks for the note. I'm scheduled for surgery at 11 a.m., so my timing is very similar to yours. I'm so anxious to have it done - it seems I've been researching this forever and now it is suddenly here! I've been reading my binder to remind myself what to expect tomorrow. The information they give you is so great.

If I feel up to it I'll come down to the support group and will look you up!! I have to get my things together tonight - I'm not taking a lot, just what I need.

The preop diet has gone well - have lost 13.5 pounds. I'm not counting tomorrow's weight as the prep I'll do later won't get rid of pounds! (although I know its' mainly Water I've lost on the preop) My creatinine returned to normal and my potassium as well (whew!).

Congrats on 43 pounds lost!!! You must be so proud of yourself! I have the same phiolosophy you do - use the band to its utmost right away and get the weight off, then work at maintaining. You are inspiring :confused:

If for some reason I don't get down to the support group, feel free to look me up if you have the time.

Barb

[ljv52 2]

Barb, sorry I missed your post yesterday -- I work on Sundays and it gets busy. I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow and anxious to hear how you're doing when you come home. I may see you tomorrow at the meeting, I'm definitely going. If you feel up to it, would love to see/meet you. I would love to keep in good touch and maybe we can motivate each other and help stay on track (since we have similar ideas and goals). My e-mail is lvilcone@yahoo.com. Feel free to e-mail me anytime, but put Lapband buddy in subject so I know it's you so I don't automatically delete it. I get so much crap e-mail that once in awhile I miss one from friends/family. Just remember, if you have any pain, to take your meds and to walk walk walk -- it's the best thing you can do for the uncomfortableness after surgery. You'll do great, I know you will. Linda

[sgrmag31 0]

Hello,

I guess it is time to introduce myself. I have been doing a lot of research about the band on this website. I thank all of you for posting your heartfelt responses, concerns, and ups/downs. After a lot of research and basically being fed up with my weight, I have decided to get the lapband and am in the process of getting my initial consultation with my surgeon. Because of your posts, I think I have picked a great surgeon and I have already taken steps through my doctor to get this surgery approved by my insurance.

I have spent my entire lifetime struggling with my weight and I want to get control of it before medical conditions start to occur. I already feel at home here on this site and look forward to some great discussions with you all.

[ljv52 2]

Hi and welcome Sgrmag31. I think you've made a great decision and let me know if I can be of any more help. I am a relative newbie to the band, but would be happy to give you any support and advice I can. Keep us posted on your progress. I wish you the very best. Linda