Dr. Aaron Hoffman - Lap Band done in Buffalo, NY (Dr. Hoffman)

[LiveLoveLaugh 0]

Bloom all right now... Knock it off!! You're doing just fine!! Just think your in the hands of Dr. HoffMan.... He's the top notch Doctor for lap-band in Buffalo.... It's all smooth sailing from here!! Being nervous is very normal. You have us all here supporting you all the way!! Don't even think twice about all the medical so called things that you should feel will expose you etc..... They are so wonderful and will keep you and all your proceedures discreet. I know being as a big girl myself that some of the exposure makes it that much harder to think of some of the exposure. It's nothing like what you think it's going to be..... Once it's over your going to make a huge sign and say gosh why was I so worried about this and that..... The pain, exposure and anything else making you worried. If you need anything let me know, I'm just a stone throw away!!

Edited September 8, 2008 by LiveLoveLaugh

[lindatatu 0]

This is going to sound trival after all of blooms concerns....I have never been catherized either and am a bit undone about it....does anyone have acrylic nails and do I really have to take my polish off? I didn't for my last surgery but that was just an endometrial ablation.

[lindatatu 0]

Bloom, how long can I expect my preop work to take?

[bandofgold 0]

Well!!!!!!!I don't know about ya'll, but I hvent been able to log in for over a week! something is wrong with my password, and they finally gave me a loooong number and said I could change it, but it won't change and ooohhh. Well any way, I congratulate everyone and support everyone and yahoo everyone while i am logged on. I didn't even know I had a catheter, they must have put it in and taken it out while I was asleep, and I had no problems peeing either. Jeez guys, your having a $30,000 sports car put in your belly (as Hoff would say) and your worried about a itzy bitzy cath. How many of you have had a child....anyhoo, that is the least of our worries, we are woman and we are strong. right????? love to you all and I only hope I can log in tomorrow so I can chit chat with you wonderful girls again. I'm starving. see ya later, vicki

[bandofgold 0]

just checking to see if my ticker is right......

[bloomerific 5]

Hello, hello...you guys are awesome, you're really making me feel better!:redface:

LLL--I'm not really worried about showing myself all around; these peeps are medical people they've seen this stuff before. It's just the thought of having something stuck where things don't normally go *in*, you know? :smile: I know that once I'm there, I'll be fine. Just---blah!!!

Vicki--No, I haven't had kids! For this precise reason! It's such a choice for me, I don't want anything poppin' out of there any time soon!!! Ha ha ha whenever I put it like that, it's like I would have puppies or something. Though puppies would be easier to pop out! Ha ha ha ha I hope it's in and out when I have no clue. :frown: I'll be fine, really....because like you said, I'm quite a strong woman!!!

Linda--I've definitely learned that no concern is trivial! I too wondered about the polish, especially on my toes. I understand fingernails but toes? So weird!! And the preop stuff took just about 2 hours with the waiting in between, going up to xray, etc. It's really nothing except the blood part...the nurse poked the top of my inner elbow...who does that? I pointed to where they always get blood--and boom, there it was. :huh2: So...bloodwork, urine sample, EKG (that literally took 1 minute once all the thingeys were pasted on), then up to xray for a chest xray. They go over all the junk you need to know for the day of surgery, give you a health care proxy, etc. Easy peasy!

I got medical clearance from my PCP today as well!

Now, to get the pesky CPAP machine...I'm running out of time! For those who had to get it...where'd ya get it? And how long did it take?

[JudyAnticola 2]

I did not have a catheter in for the band surgery. Pee as much as you can and ask him not to put it in if possible. The bad thing is that you pee so much from the IV that you have to keep taking the things off your legs and moving your IV into the bathroom, I think the catheter is better. I did not have one in for the band surgery though. I thought your surgery was today? When the heck is it?

Edited September 9, 2008 by JudyAnticola
correction

[JudyAnticola 2]

I had polish on my toes, since I had socks on no one said anything. they check your pulse ox with your fingernails, so you need to have at least one nail paint and acrylic free.

Why are you rushing out to get a CPAP, it is a few hundred dollars. Were you just diagnosed? I did not use my CPAP when in the hospital, just used the nasal oxygen. they did not let me sleep long enough to fire up the PAP anyway.

You need a prescription to get the CPAP machine, but there is a CPAP express near Lockport on Transit Road. masks are about 200, the machine is about 800 or more.

[JudyAnticola 2]

PS to Bloom and Linda--YES, KNOCK IT OFF AND CHILL!!!! Honest to god the worst is over (dealing with the office people, LOL).

The ice sheets I am talking about is from Walgreens, it is like a bunch of little ice cubes frozen in a 9 x 12 sheet. Will just fit nice across your belly. Otherwise bring two gallon size zip locks to the hospital and then the ice cubes they give you will not melt all over the bed. The ice is heaven on your stinging belly.

[bloomerific 5]

Sorry guys, I get nervous about weird stuff. Not that surgery is weird stuff, it's just the little things surrounding everything.

WHAT? The CPAP is that much, even with insurance???!!!!????? OMG. I can't afford that right now. I was diagnosed in May but I didn't have a copy of my sleep study until my August appointment, and I haven't had the time to get the machine.

Oh man. I'm effed.

[JudyAnticola 2]

No, it will not be that much with insurance. You pay a monthly fee, can not remember what it was. I thought you were just going to go out and buy one. CPAP express can use your insurance. also, Dr. Rifkin may have them at his office on Davison Road. The insurance company monitors how much you use it, so if you get it be sure to use it or I was told they may not pay.

I did not use mine at the hospital anyway, no one asked about it.

So you are not "F'd" after all.

The week before surgery is emotionally crazy isnt it?

Edited September 9, 2008 by JudyAnticola
correction

[LiveLoveLaugh 0]

I to never had to use my CPAP at the hospital. They tell you make sure you bring it in... Yet please it was never even opened up. Just bring a case and say yup I got it right here!! If you know someone just take there case in with you to carry!! No one even looked at it or opened it!! You can use my case if you like!!!

[bloomerific 5]

Emotionally crazy, Judy? That doesn't even begin to cover it; I'm totally bipolar or something. I'm so glad that it's not just me, that others have gone loopy before their surgery as well. That's the beauty of talkin' here!

I'm really clueless, I thought for some reason they'd have me on the CPAP the whole time like I was stuck in some movie about pod people...then again I'm also having dreams about hospitals.

LLL--I may be using your case if I can't swing all of this activity, but now that I know it won't be that much I should be able to acquire the thing.

Did you guys broadcast your surgery to everyone? I find that I totally am...without even thinking about it twice. Mainly because I know I'm doing this for the right reasons, and I don't care if people think that I'm taking the "easy way out." People who think that have never had a weight issue, face it! :biggrin:

[RAINWI 4]

I second the CPAP machine. Went through hell to get it, brought it and never used it. Dont bother no one knows that you need it at the hospital unless you tell them.

[LiveLoveLaugh 0]

Bloom your so funny.... Cute ta boot!! All is going to be just fine and yes I did announce that I was having surgery and the type I was having. I work in a Hospital where Dr. Hoffman also does surgery Not for the band or any bariatric type. So everyone here in Research knows how I'm losing and what has helped me in my Quest to be healthier. He and I used to chat and he would visit me when he had time between surgery cases. I believe all your fears and nerves are so normal and none of them are off base. Everyone has some sort of reaction to this scale of event. How some voice or react is all different.

They do check your file and they will know if your a sleep Apnea patient or not. I was told point plank if the machine is not with you they could cancel your surgery. Of course they don't check inside your case to see your machine. Yet they have to ask!! If you need my case for display It's all yours. Let me know, even if it's Sunday evening and you want to meet me somewhere for exchange. What time is your surgery Monday? Oh I'm so excited for you Bloom. This is going to be the best thing you have ever done for yourself. Atleast I'm feeling that way about my band!! I love this 30K sorts car I have in me. LOL,LOL,LOL Oh and when I get to goal I'm getting that Sports Car as well...............

I have a plan of what treats I'm getting myself as I get to each goal.

3/4 kt diamond solitaire for each 100 lbs. so I can mount them in earrings.

Goal - A new car I want without a limit of extras!! Special order with everything I want in it!!