DMDubey76

Hey there kids, Gosh it's been a while since I've posted on here. You have your surgery done and you just kinda move forward (that's what I did anyhow, and now I'm back and looking for that support I've been missing). My lap band surgery was done on 10/18/11 via a single incision through my belly button. All was well until 11/6/11 when I developed a UTI and was severely dehydrated. I had a one night stay at the ER for that and was fixed up with a course of antibiotics. I was good to go in less than a week. Time had passed and I went to my surgeon's office every 2 weeks for adjustments. So far I've lost 45 lbs. Since my surgery my belly button had been leaking. Not a LOT, but enough to moisten the waistband of my pants daily. Fast forward to my fill appointment on 2/23/12. I reminded my surgeon that my belly button was still leaking a bit. He looked in it and he thought the tubing to the port was kinked behind my belly button and keeping it from healing. He scheduled emergency surgery for the next day to clip the exposed tubing (making it shorter to keep it from kinking). I went for my blood work right after I left the office and was in surgery the next afternoon. Fearing infection, he removed my port and the mesh holding it in place. Closed me up and sent me home later that night with antibiotic and (thankfully) pain killers. Tomorrow is my follow-up appointment. I've been changing the dressing 2-3x a day and I have to say today (4 days after surgery) the incision has been leaking the most. My stomach is VERY bloated and tender. I'm hoping these things mean that I'm healing. Once the infection clears I'll be able to have a new port put back in. He's not sure he's going to use the mesh. I just can't wait for them to put Humpty Dumpty back together. I had been feeling fine, now I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Anyone else have port problems? Does the infection sound like it's healing or getting worse? Tomorrow isn't coming fast enough!

So the "process" is coming ot fruition! It started with an informational seminar on May 29, 2011. Now it's October 17 and tomorrow is surgery day. Through a ton of tests, pokes and prods I'm ready to go. And I really am "ready". I'm excited. I can't say I'm nervous per se. My nerves are more to do with my success vs. failure. I realize success and failure are up to me. So, I'm at work today - because being home I would THINK to much. I'm waiting for the surgeon's office to call and tell me my surgery time. All of my ducks are in a row. Clothes are all washed, house is clean, groceries are bought...waiting.

Mmm, that sounds really wonderful! I'm just starting my second week of my pre-op liquid diet. chicken has always been a staple of mine, and right now that sounds absolutely wonderful! I'll be sure to make it when I'm back on solids!

Hey there! My surgery is also set for 10/18. I start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet tomorrow (10/4). GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF US! I can't say I'm really nervous, isn't that crazy? I'm excited, that's for sure. More nervous about my success rather than the surgery itself. -Deana

I have Aetna. My initial appointments started the beginning of June 2011. My claim was sent to them on September 9 and was approved on September 14. My surgery is October 18th. Tomorrow starts my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. You'll hear something soon! -Deana

THUMBS UP!

Hey there, I live in Southington, CT and go to Bristol Hospital. At the informational meeting I went to at the hospital in May (when my journey began) I met both doctors that do the surgery there. There's Dr. Gedeon and Dr. Oluwole. Both are very nice, but I took to Dr. Oluwole. He's a nut. Great sense of humor but also really explains things and is fine when I bring my little notebook with me to see him. He talks down to earth, hes not pretentious at all. I don't know if Bristol is too far for you. My surgery is October 18, I'm not concerned at all at how the doctors will be when I go for the fills. I hope this helps, if Bristol is too far - I do hope you find someone you click with. That's so important! -Deana

Congrats girlie! I'm still pre-op. My surgery is scheduled for 10/18/11. What AMAZING before and after pics. Initially I have been telling myself things might firm up in time after I start to lose the weight. But more and more people I read about are getting the excess skin removed. I'm HOPING I won't need a TT, but who knows. I would hate to lose the weight and still have the flappies. As far as the boobs are concerned, mine aren't very big to begin with. But they've always been on the saggy side. Just a lift would probably be good there. Thank you again for sharing! And good luck to your healing. -Deana

Oh goodness, I laughed at this post. I keep making fun that I will have a "Last Supper" with 12 of my closest friends sitting at the table with me. I too am a carb-a-vore, so this will certainly be an adjusment. I'm ready for the change though. Good luck to everyone! I start my liquid diet on 10/4 and my surgery date is 10/18. Here's to ALL of us. May we all enjoy our "Last Supper" before our new lives begin! -Deana

Yay, I start my liquid diet on the 4th too! Although, I have to doing it until my surgery date on 10/18!

Hi Kelli, Congrats to you. I'm still pre-op, I'll be starting my 2 week liquid diet on 10/4 (surgery date set for 10/18). I'm surprise to see that they have you on "food" so soon after surgery. I guess every doctor is different. As for me, I was told I would be on liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. Then I would move on to pureed stuff (aka phase 3). I don't have any words of wisdom, as you're farther than me on this journey. But, I do wish you well. Maybe day 4 is just a real doozy for ya. Chin up buttercup, we're rootin' for ya! -Deana

Best of luck to you!

I'm still pre-op, but I love me a bargain. What is this card you speak of?

Almost forgot - and a psych evalution. Thankfully I've been deemed sane enough for surgery!

Hey there, For me I had (not in any particular order): 1 Consultation with Bariatric Coordinator 2 Visits with a dietician 1 Visit (so far) with the surgeon and nutritionist* *There will be one more meeting this week, which I presume will start my 2 week pre-op diet (since my insurance finally approved me) 1 sleep study - to check for sleep apnea (strangest night of my life) 1 Follow-up to the sleep study 2 Visits to the Cardiologist (the first one had an EKG the second one was for an electrocardiogram) 1 Complete blood work panel 2 Attendances to a hospital sponsored support group (which I TOTALLY recommend to keep going to after surgery too) 1 Meeting with the anesthisiologist Aetna also got a 2 year weight history from my doctor.

HOLY MOLY - I got a call from my surgeon's office this morning. My pre-cert nurse still said he hadn't gotten their fax with my 2 year weight history...BUT, she asked if she could give him the info over the phone and he said "yes"! So I am delighted to say I was APPROVED!!! I'm still reeling! Next step is the last appointment with the surgeon which may be the week of Sept. 19 or 26.

Very cool to know! Thank you for sharing that find!

Hey kids! I'm still pre-op. All of my required tests and appointments have been done for over a month now. Now it's called the waiting GAME. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful my insurance pays 80% - but man, what a run-around. Initially Aetna rejected the claim stating they needed a 2 year weight history. I called the surgeon's office and they gave me the name of the pre-certification nurse assigned to my claim. I called him myself (although I'm not sure I was supposed to call him directly) and asked if my gyno can fax the weight info (I go to the gyno every year but I rarely go to my primary doctor because thankfully I'm rarely sick). He had said that as long as it was a health care provider the info from her office would be acceptable. Yippee. A few days later my primary care office called me stating that since I haven't had a physical since 2009 they could not give Aetna any info about me because they didn't have anything recent. Aetna had faxed them a pre-surgery request. I told the office I understood there was no info they could provide to Aetna, however I had been through SO many tests already - tests that they would normally do for a physical anyhow (complete blood work panel, EKG, echocardiogram, etc.), what would a physical possibly have to entail being that I had all that other stuff done already? It irked me because I'm seeing dollar signs and time wasted. I made the physical appointment for 9/16/11 to appease the doctor's office. I then called the surgeon and asked that they contact the pre-certification nurse since he said the info from the gyno would suffice. Well go figure, he was on vacation until 9/12/11. So, today being the 14th the surgeon's office was trying to contact him again. My frustration is through the roof. Aetna has been telling the surgeon's offce that they had not gotten the fax (which the office said they faxed over more then once). It's 1:30pm Wednesday. I'm waiting on pins and needles to hear back from the surgeon's office, hopefully they'll tell me Aetna said the weight info is fine from my gyno and they don't need anything from my primary doctor. IF that's the case (and I praying it is) I will cancel that silly physical appointment! Wish me luck guys....I think I'm gonna need it!

Congrats! I'm playing the waiting game with Aetna. The pre-certification nurse who was assigned to me has been on vacation and he'll be back Monday 9/12. Fingers crossed that I hear something soon. You must be SO excited! Good luck to you!

Congrats! Best of luck for the rest of the lbs., but I'm sure you've come a long way already!

How exciting! So happy you're feeling well! My pre-cert was sent in to Aetna late last week, so I'm waiting for a date. It is so wonderful to read your positive experience. Thank you so much for sharing!

Oh yes! thank you. Now that's something I probably would've forgotten!

I'm pre-surgery but have been preparing my pantry. I bought a few flavors of the GNC 100% whey Protein powder. http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2944017&cp=3703232 BOUGHT SO FAR: -Vanilla and chocolate (2 lb canisters) - figured it's a universal flavor that I can mix things into. Saw on bariatriceating.com there are some good sounding Torani sugar-free syrup flavors that you would use for coffee. -Chocolate/Caramel (1 lb pouch) - I tried it in 8 oz. of brewed (Kuerig) coffee. Not bad, but I think I need to play with it a bit (maybe those sugar-free Torani syrups) -Mixed berry (1 lb pouch) - As of today, I have not tried this one yet. When I went to GNC the lady recommended: Isopure (http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2134407&cp=3593187.2108294): Low in carbs 200 calories (Nutritionist stressed the PERFECT shake is under 200 calories and has at least 20 grams of protein) 50 grams of protein ISOPURE will be the next one I'll try (because GNC offers a "Gold Card" membership where you get 20% off the first week of every month). However, bariatriceating.com has some GREAT sounding protein options. All of the products on that site have been taste approved by their employees who have had bariatric surgery. Since they carry all different brands the website isn't partial to one brand. I'm very interested in the Protein Shake info I find because even after we start eating regular food I would like to keep one meal as a protein shake every day.

I have Aetna Choice POS II (To me "POS" stands for something far different then what they say it stands for ). Anyhow, I started the "journey" on June 6, 2011. I called them prior to even going to a seminar and they were kind enough to email me a packet of all the information. They pay 80% of the surgery. The criteria they list is: If you have 40+ BMI (check) Or: At least 100 lbs. overweight (check) Co-morbidities (i.e. sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) (none here, thankfully) After you meet either/or both of those criteria(s) then you move on to the "preliminary" doctor visits: -Psychiatrist visit and letter of approval for surgery from him/her -Sleep Study (plus a follow-up visit where they went over the results) -Cardiology (I also had an echocardiogram/ultrasound of my heart) -At least one support group visit -At least 2 nutritionist visits -At least 1 dietician visit (mine was 1 day split into also visiting the surgeon) -Blood work So that's where I am with my Aetna. I did ALL of the above requirements. Bristol Hospital recently sent my claim to Aetna. Now I'm waiting for approval.