sherrypep

It is great to hear from so many December Bandsters. I am very excited but a bit nervous too. My docter only requires you to go on the Atkins diet which is good because a liqued diet scared me. My surgery is December 21st. I am getting sick of people telling me I am not fat enough. I am 208 pounds and only 5'3 I am having the surgery because I have diabetes and have tried by myself to loose the weight for years and years. Anyone else having the same issue?

My origanal surgery date was 8/24 but as an unemployed teacher I was offered a job 5 days before and accepted although bitter sweet. My new surgery date is 12/21 and I wish it was sooner but atleast I will have 14 days over Christmas Break to rest and heal. I am still nervous and having so much time to wait yet again I read some of the horror stories people post and get second thoughts. However I know I will be a happier and healthier me in the long run. Anyone else in the same boat? Having the support system of others has really helped me through.

I have Aetna *** I started my appointments in June and paperwork was sent August 1 and I was approved by August 6. I had to postpone due to a new job and reschedule for Christmas break Decemeber 21st. It has to be resubmitted in November for approval but I have no worries, Aetna has been great.

I was so worried about the pre op diet I was delighted when my doc said just do an Atkins type of diet for 2 weeks before. My BMI is also 35.7 and my surgery was set for 8/24 but had to reschedule for Christmas Break because I got an offer for a teaching position. Good luck! Dieting before supposedly shrinks the liver and makes it easier for the surgeon, however every surgeon is different so consider yoursel one of the lucky ones.

I am using Dr. Boorse at Lehigh Valley Hospital. I was just wondering if anyone has or is using them and how their experience went. I was scheduled for August 24th but had to reschedule because I got offered a teaching position on August 18 (bitter sweet!). I really liked the Dr., and most of his office staff however had some problems with his scheduling lady, she is not the friendliest. I rescheduled for Decemeber 21st and wish it was sooner. Would love to find some people in the area to share with.

What a wonderful post. I had to reschedule my August banding for December which gives me lots of time to read the posts and worry and doubt. When I read your post I new I was doing the right thing. I am scared and worried that I won't chew enough or I'll eat to much or be starving, but your post put me at ease a bit. Thank you for sharing your story!

My BMI is 36 and I did a 3 month program. I did not loose much weight maybe 5 pounds. I have Type 2 Diabetes. My Dr. Submitted to Aetna on August 1st and I was approved by August 5. Good luck!

My banding was scheduled for 8/24 however as an unemployed teacher I was offered a job the Friday before my surgery and was forced to put it off until Thanksgiving. i am using Dr. Boorse at Lehigh Valley Hospital and his scheduling person is awfull. I had to call her five time to get her to cancel my surgery and when I tried to schedule it for the day before Thanksgiving she told me she would put it in pending because she doesnt get the surgeons schedule this far in advance. I feel like this lady has my life in her hands and whenever I try to call for questions or concerns she makes me feel like I am bothering her. I am tempted to find a different surgon however I have been approved by Aetna and fear if I change surgeons I will have to get approved all over again. i was so ready for my surgery but I could not turn down a job because I have 3 kids to support. Any advice?

I know how you are feeling. I have something called SVT or Sudden Ventricular tacnicardia where my heart rate goes up and beats irregular when I am under stress or too much anxiety. I am a little nervous about getting put under anethesia due to this condition. However, I have been reassured by the Dr's that your heart rate is under contant monitoring before during and after the surgury and they have cardiologist in the hospital that can be called if there is any issues. I think you will be fine. Good luck.

Thanks for sharing. I am glad your banding went well. i think I will be nervous until it is over. I will pray for a speedy recovery for you.

Thank you all for your support. Having people to talk to that have gone through it or will be going through it helps so much. Good luck tomorrow Kristenaz I will be thinking about you.

I can't believe it is only 10 more days until my banding. I have waited so long and had totally committed to the journey. I quit smoking back in June and went to all my appointments and did everything I was supposed to. Now I am nervous reading all the posts on after pain. i am a big baby and I burned my arm tonight while cooking and groaned about the pain for over an hour. I am also pertrified to be put under anesthesia with the tube down my throat and all. I keep thinking what if I don't wake up, what if something goes wrong. I hope this is normal pre thoughts because I have come to far to ruin it all. My youngest who is 11 is very unhappy that I am going to do this and that doesn't really help but I no she loves me and is just scared.

My surgery is August 24th and my docter does not require a liqued diet thank god but does suggest an atkins diet for two weeks. He told me that staying away from carbs for two weeks shrinks your liver and fat and makes it easier for the surgeon to get to your stomach. I am diabetic so I am adding a little carbs in the form of fruit so my sugar doesnt get to low. Good luck!

Got my approval letter in the mail today although I called a few days ago and they told me it was approved. I am sooo relieved however now I am getting scared about complications. Band date is August 24th. Good luck to you all.

Got my approval letter in the mail today although I called a few days ago and they told me it was approved. I am sooo relieved however now I am getting scared about complications. Band date is August 24th. Good luck to you all.

I called Aetna today to check on status for 8/24 banding. They said it was approved but on an outpatient basis. My docter makes you stay overnight so I put a call into them earlier today. The lady at Aetna said most docters will call Aetna from the hospital day off surgery and find a reason to keep you over night but it makes me nervous. I do have SVT a heart rate that goes way up under anxiety so I will probably have good reason to stay overnight. I was so anxious for approval and now that I have it I am anxious and nervous. I hope it's only normal.

Hi, my band is August 24th and I did not have to lose weight but I was told not to gain any. I am only 202 pounds started at 206 but I do have to go on an Atkins diet 2 weeks before surgery to shrink my liver. I was worried about a liqued diet I heard so many people talk about, so I was very pleased with the Atkins.

Hi, my band is August 24th and I did not have to lose weight but I was told not to gain any. I am only 202 pounds started at 206 but I do have to go on an Atkins diet 2 weeks before surgery to shrink my liver. I was worried about a liqued diet I heard so many people talk about, so I was very pleased with the Atkins.

Thanks for the replies I think I am just getting nervous now that it is coming up fast. Hearing from everyone on this forum helps so much.

I scheduled my surgery today for August 24th. I am a teacher and pushed for August so I wouldn't miss any school, they shun on missing the first few weeks. I start school around 31st which will give me a week. I am stressing now because I am wondering if I will be up to it after 1 week. Anyone go back to work sooner?

I am in the same boat as you. I also have Aetna and a BMI of 36 with Diabetes, high cholesteral, hip and leg pain, etc... I just got my 2 year weight history and my BMI two years ago was 34.5 with no comorbidities. I have finished all my appointment and meet my surgeon on July 12 to schedule my surgery. I am so scared I will get denied. You are not alone. Good luck. I have heard that Aetna is quick to say yes or no and after appeals they do finally cave. We will see. I am hoping for an August banding.

I finally meet my surgeon on July 12th and since I am a teacher I am hoping for a August banding. I have Aetna which is usually quick to say yes or no so I will cross my fingers. Finished all my appointments and my own heart docter is sending me for a Ecko and stress test. I am nervous about the upper GI. Good luck to you all!

I have not been banded yet but I have SVT where my heart rate does the same thing. I am also a little worried because when I am nervous my heart rate goes up. I take a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker and I am worried because I heard you can't take pills right after the surgery. I see my surgeon on July 12. I am eager to hear what your surgon says! Good luck.

I have begun the journey with Lehigh Valley Bariatric. There are so many appointments I can't keep track. I must say they cover all the bases and I feel confident that I will be well prepared when the time comes for me to get my band. I was just wondering if anyone has used Dr. Boorse? I will not get a chance to meet him until two weeks before my file goes to the review board for approval (July 12) so when they asked me to pick a surgeon I had to go by reputation alone.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I do have diabetes, high cholesteral and tryglycerides, and Gerd. I went for a sleep study last year and did not have it. Have three children and have been snipped so that won't help me. Everything will be submitted at the end of July. I will keep my fingers crossed!