St. Patty's Day

[Cate18 0]

So I can't believe it's actually going to happen.

I waited a year to move and get settled before pursuing WLS. Then in Feb of last year I went to the doctor. I had already done 12 months of doctor supervised weight loss. Not required...just out of a need to do it for myself and make a show of effort to myself. After the Feb consult where they said I was a perfect candidate, weighed me in at 273 and said not to gain more than 5 pounds before surgery or they wouldn't do it, a fight with insurance ensued.

Because I'm a graduate student, they will only cover surgeries at my university's medical center. They do RNY, but not Lap Band. So I waited another six months for my husband to get benefit eligible. We now pay $200 extra dollars a month for his on top of mine (mine is better than his, even though his covers this surgery). But his insurance only covers 50%.

Queue me hem-ing and haw-ing for three months about paying $10k to have this surgery instead of a free RNY. I finally decided, we took out a loan for $6k and my parents graciously offered to cover $4k. Then I found out my insurance won't pre-approve out patient. I hem-ed and haw-ed another month. But I feel like I had all my ducks in a row and I truly feel there is no way they can turn me down.

I had all my testing done (no sleep apnea!) and I'm scheduled for St. Patrick's Day ! The only last obstacle I have to tackle is--I weighed 310 when I finally got my date. Luckily I'm down to 294 now, so only 14 more pounds left to go. My mother is canceling her university classes (she's a professor) to fly out and take care of me. She's booked a ticket, so not losing the weight is not an option. I'm fairly confident that 2 weeks on Clear liquids combined with daily elliptical torture will melt off 20 pounds. I've already started on less than 1200 calories a day. What do you all think ? I'd love to talk with some of you and get to know you. I've found myself unexpectedly here, ready for a surgery I truly never thought I would be able to have and would love to hear some of your stories.

Cait

[SpiritDriven71 1]

I am getting banded same day. I am so excited. I just heard today I got approved by my insurance.

Good luck on your journey

[gabi311b 0]

How are you doing Cait on your pre preop diet? Have you gotten off the additional 14lbs? I am thinking about you! Let us know!

[Cate18 0]

I forgot to keep checking my thread ! My email is such a bomb I never subscribe to threads, so I'll have to remember to keep checking !

Good luck to you spiritdriven ! I'll be thinking of you as I'm going under ! I think of all the days of the year, maybe this will be the best one, and it happened completely coincidentally for me. I didn't realize until later it was St. Patrick's day !

Hey Gabi ! Thanks for your support. No major movements yet, but I just started my liquid diet today. 13 pounds left to go, but 2 weeks on Clear Liquids should be enough to get rid of 13 pounds, right ? I'm really nervous, but this matters so much to me I can't really see any alternative to success. Do you have a pre-op diet to follow ? You're almost there. Let me know how you're coming along ! I'd love to hear more.

Cait

[SpiritDriven71 1]

Good luck to you spiritdriven ! I'll be thinking of you as I'm going under ! I think of all the days of the year, maybe this will be the best one, and it happened completely coincidentally for me. I didn't realize until later it was St. Patrick's day !

Thanks for the thoughts.

What's funny is my surgeon is Irish from the Old Country. He just has to Celebrate after my surgery is done

[gabi311b 0]

Hey Gabi ! Thanks for your support. No major movements yet, but I just started my liquid diet today. 13 pounds left to go, but 2 weeks on clear liquids should be enough to get rid of 13 pounds, right ? I'm really nervous, but this matters so much to me I can't really see any alternative to success. Do you have a pre-op diet to follow ? You're almost there. Let me know how you're coming along ! I'd love to hear more.

Cait

I have been on my preop liquids for 5 days and it's getting better. The scale shows I've gained 2 lbs but I don't know how that possible unless it's Water weight. I have 3 days left until surgery and I am soooo excited!

[SpiritDriven71 1]

For the past a couple days, I have been feeling more hungry. I have been on a 3 month die, I have been doing great, I really surprised myself with it.

Though, this hunger is starting to bother me. I hope it passes.

[Dani13 0]

Just wanted to say Hi to everyone. I was just banded on the 17th too. I'm doing ok with pain just still really tired and a little out of it. The gas pain in my upper back and neck has been killer but hopefuly that part is just about over...

[LapLady09 0]

Glad all of you St Pattys Bandsters are doing well.

Cate - Hope all is well; how ya doin?

[Cate18 0]

I was away for a whole week recuperating and enjoying my week off of work ! So I avoided the internet like a plague and it was very satisfying.

Hope everyone has had a great success with their surgery. Mine went very well. It was 50 minutes total. I have one large incision, and four TINY incisions. I had no gas pain, and the only pain I really do have is around my port. I'm guessing it's because of the muscle repair that is going on. So I stand and sit a lot more slowly and shuffle more than walk. But I've gotten quite a bit of walking in, and am feeling generally good. Just tired. I'm at work not really working right now and counting the minutes until I can go home and nap.

Hope everyone else is doing great ! Let me know how it went for anyone else reading this thread !

[LapLady09 0]

Glad all went well and you're doing good, Cate!

How's everyone else doing?

[jennibells 0]

I also was banded on St. Patricks day and I feel great! I am now on soft foods and I feel alot better now that I am consuming something more than liquids.

[SpiritDriven71 1]

I also was banded on St. Patricks day and I feel great! I am now on soft foods and I feel alot better now that I am consuming something more than liquids.

Ditto. today i switched to soft/pureed foods. I am so happy I can eat more variety. I got very edgy over the weekend.and liquid diet was wearing thin on me.

[jennibells 0]

I also got very edgy and I think my hubby and kids are very happy that I can finally eat some food. The last two weeks were two very hard weeks for me mentally because I was not mentally prepared for the surgery due to having to go in for an emergency but I am thankful that I made it through it and I am on my way again!