oliversmomma

That was an absolutely wonderful post and so true!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Don't even worry nor stress about your weight right now. I pray everything goes well for you and will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers.

Congrats! That's wonderful! I've lost 6 lbs in the past week on liquid diet. My surgery is a week from today. Nervous about the actual procedure but SO ready for the wonderful changes ahead!

Good Luck to you! You are making wonderful progress so far! I meet with my new surgeon today and possibly am having surgery next Wednesday. (Extremely Nervous!) I know this is what I want to do and I've worked so hard to get to this point, I guess it's just set in that it's in the near future. Once again, good luck to you and keep us posted! BTW, I don't see why he would shy away because of your BMI. You had extensive pre op surgery for the main reason to make sure you'll handle the surgery OK.

That's awesome! My date is the 21st. I'm very excited! This time next year we are gonna be two hot mommas!!! Congrats again!

At Hummingbird, you are right, The 21st is right around the corner! I'm very excited but also nervous! I'm excited for what is coming for 2012!!!

AT Violet 953, new surgeon is actually an hour a way, but was told by a friend about him. Worth driving an hour away vs. dealing with a complete jerk throughout the entirety of this journey.

Thanks ladies. Pretty sure I'll be able to break them all up small enough. Bought a pill cutter too. SO nervous about this and hope I've made the right choice! I know that sounds silly. Just scared I guess.

Hi all! I'm scheduled for surgery Dec. 21 and am excited yet very nervous at the same time. I'm a little worried about how to take a couple of my meds. All of them I have can be cut into small pieces (size of birth controll pill). I have one shaped like a diamond so it'll definitely have to be crushed. Wondering if I'll be able to tolerate the taste of it? How are you taking your meds? Are you mixing any of them with like sugar free Jello or anything? Advice is greatly appreciated!!!

I found out I have a 2cm hiatal hernia that will be repaired during my surgery on Dec. 21st. Worried because I don't have hardly any time off at work. Did they tell you how large it was? Did you have any symptoms before surgery that it was causing? I've been nausea for 3 months and dry heave every time I brush my teeth. Pretty sure the hernia is the cause. So looking forward to not having the nausea!

The only "testing" I had was EKG, Chest Xray, US Abd, blood work, and I had to have an endoscopy to make sure i don't have any major ulcers our anything. Glad I had the scope though. They found a moderately sized hiatal hernia that's apparently been causing my nausea I've had for past 6 weeks. Pretty sure surgeon can fix that too while I'm being banded. Killing two birds with one stone per say.

Have you ever heard of Melatonin? You can get them at just about any health food store. I think Walmart carries them too. Get the 5mg and take two. They help me when I have trouble falling asleep (which is a lot). I have a really high tolerance to a lot of meds. I usually have to take a high dose of pain meds when I'm in pain etc., but was pleasantly surprised at how well the Melatonin works! Best of luck to you. I'm sorry you are having to do the study. I've seen a couple people on here that are required the study. Is it something your insurance requires, or your surgeon? I thankfully didn't have to do one.

Congrats on your new journey! What did they give you for pain? My doc recommended the gas x strips that melt on your tongue.

Good luck ladies. I too, am on the liquid diet. I'm struggling with a nasty cold so its the first time in my life I'm actually happy to be sick! no appetite. We are so close and the next chapter in life is gonna be amazing!!!

Thanks all for the comments. I'm actually going to a different surgeon. I don't need a bully, I need a Dr. I'm so happy with my new surgeon. Doing the 2 week liquid diet right now and it's not been bad because I've got a cold so don't feel like eating anyways. lucky me! Surgery scheduled Dec. 21st. So ready for the next chapter of life!!!

CONGRATS!!! I was approved and surgery date is Dec 21st. I'm so excited for what 2012 brings!

BIG HUGS!!! Best of luck!!!

What's the difference????

Congrats! I'm scheduled Dec. 21st and so ready for my new life to start.

I have to pay a 100$ payment to the hospital and everything else is covered 100%. Dr's office requires a 250$ deposit to schedule your surgery until the make sure everything goes through with your insurance, then they refund the 250$. They also require a 500$ lifetime payment before surgery.

From what I've read in these forums, every surgeon is different. I think the reason they want you to lose a little is to try and make sure your liver is as small as possible. Even with a 5 lb weight loss, it decreases the size of your liver. The location of the band is very close to the liver. If the liver is enlarged, apparently the might have trouble placing the band.

Curious as to why people choose the band over the sleeve. I understand the points about the band i.e. reversible, no cutting, etc. It just seems like so many people have problems with finding a comfortable spot regarding fills etc., after surgery.

I do typo's all the time! ha! I am feeling the same way. 6 months is better than forever. I was thinking the same thing to as far as not wanting to deal with them if something was wrong. I just can't believe he has the business he does. He might be a good surgeon on the table, but he has the worst bed side manner I've ever experienced in my life. Brought me back to being picked on as a child. Terrible.

Our insurance is switching to Cigna from UHC on Jan 1. It's going to be the same policy, just Cigna as the carrier. I didn't have to do the diet with UHC, but I'm scared for some reason Cigna will make me.

Hey everyone! So I posted a thread about my horribly awful pre op appt. with my so called "surgeon" yesterday. I have never felt that low in my life when I left the appt. He was border line mentally abusive I think. I don't mind constructive criticism by any means, but he was just putting me down left and right. Knowing I will be having to see him for quite some time post op, made me decide to look around. Well, a friend of mine told me about another surgeon that's a little further away, but she said he was absolutely wonderful and so was his staff (which is also very crucial). I called them today and they think they can get everything switched over to still do my surgery by the end of this month. I'm praying everything goes successful. For someone that hasn't ever struggled with obesity, they have NO CLUE about it and what all it in tales. It's a disease. I didn't just end up this way yesterday. This has been a life long problem. I'm really wanting to get the surgery done before Jan 1 because our insurance is going to be under a different carrier. Same policy, but different carrier. I don't really think anything will change about it, but kinda scared to take that chance. I know that they pay for weight loss surgery but don't know about them requiring a 6 month diet, which I did not have to do with my current insurance. If for some reason I can't have it until January or February, I'm willing to make that choice. I just can't see myself going to someone that's going to ridicule me at every follow up appt. For instance, my friend was banded 4 months ago. She's lost 40 lbs. She went in for her fill, and he asked her why she hadn't lost more weight, and that 40 lbs wasn't good enough. JERK!!! I really think he is totally in it for the money and he's a bully. He also told me that he wanted to do the band with plication on me. I had no idea what it was and asked him to explain. He said, "trust me, it'll benefit you." what???? Something is not right about this man. Anyways, praying everything goes smooth and will be banded on Dec 21st.