peskybrunette

Hi everyone! I am 42 years old and I weigh 258, down from 262 as of 7/19/11.I have a tentative surgery date of August 31^st.I have already been through my initial consultation, and figured out my financing with Care Credit. I have also found out in my Quest for this surgery that you can take the surgery off on your taxes if the cost exceeds 7.5% of your total income. I encourage that anyone interested in this do their own research on the internet like I did. As a self pay patient I am going to utilize this tax savings. I am getting a Lap Band with plication/ imbrication. I have already been through an Ultra Sound with gallbladder imaging, 2 Chest X Rays, Upper GI, bloodwork and 2 psychological evaluations. I only have an appointment with the nutritionist left and my follow up appointment with my surgeon on either Tuesday August 23^rd,or Thursday August 25 ^{th .} before surgery August 31^st.I have sleep Apnea and Osteoarthritis in my knee and this is why I want the surgery. I have already started working out and eating better so the transition/adaptation after my surgery won't be as big of a dramatic change. I am sort of nervous only because I am keeping my surgery a secret at my job. I am very excited at the prospect of losing my excess weight. My weight has been a big problem for most of my life and I haven't liked the path I went down because of it. I am happy that now I have the ability to create a new beginning for myself and not spend my entire life fat.

:rapture: Welcome! I believe we have the same surgeon. (I saw another post of yours.) Love Dr. Enochs. He is so great. I had my surgery on 7/30, so I am 2 weeks post-op. Dr. Enochs answered all my questions and when I had an allergic reaction to the dermabond, he was quick to respond. Surgery went great, everyone was super nice at the facility. Good luck! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Sorry, I am no help either. I had Dr. Enoch's in Cary. He is awesome. He took out my gallbladder and did my lapband (2 seperate surgeries) Super nice. Answers questions. I had an allergic reaction to the dermabond and he was quick to respond to my questions. He also does the SILS procedure (the single incision lap) if you are interested. If you don't have insurance, they have a self pay option that he does in a private OR for a lower cost than having it in the hospital.(I was self pay.)

Anyway, good luck with whomever you choose!

Thanks all. I will try the m.o.m. Also I have no energy. I just want to sleep. I do force myself to walk twice a day down the street and back, but I am so tired. Is that normal.

You might not be getting enough Water or Protein. If you aren't getting your Protein, you feel like a limp dishrag. (I speak from experience.) When I wasn't drinking enough Water, I would get to feeling dizzy. Hope you feel better soon!

Hello everyone. Just popping in here to say hi. Banded on 7/30. Been tired off and on, but plugging away. I seem to be doing okay otherwise. Hope everyone is okay.

Surgery was yesterday, went well. No nausea and have had my lortab pain meds off and on. I am doing well overall, went to the grocery store to walk around with my mom. I am cleared for full liquids as long as I have no nausea, so I moved onto pudding and am fine. Have some gas pains still, but they are manageble. I just keep making myself burp to help with it.

I have tried both Bariatric fusion and Bariatric Advantage. I liked the vanilla from advantage. It didn't have a funky aftertaste in my opinion. I like the orange creme. It reminds me of a dreamsicle ice cream pop. I purchased the fusion on that because I got it from the doc's office(they are actually switching from fusion to advantage). Anyway, the orange was kinda mild in the shake, so I added a little sunshine orange crystal light and it adds the pop of orange flavor which is great.

Anyway, I hope you find something you like!

Back home now and newly banded! It was great experience, the staff and doctors were amazing and made me feel very relaxed. My pain level is managable and it is my shoulder that is causing the most discomfort at the moment. Earlier on the drive home I felt some nausea and light headed, but all in all I am happy to be on this side off the surgery.

Ugh, the shoulder pain after my gallbladder surgery was the worst! The anesthesiologist warned me about it. Actually joked to tell me she promised they didn't drop me while I was asleep. lol! It's from the anesthesia working its way out, but man, it was the most painful. When it would hit, I would tense up completely making everything hurt. Hope it eases up quickly!

Welcome! Hopefully they can use the same scars from your GB surgery....I'd ask for sure if you haven't!

Thanks. My doc is pretty cool. I think he would be pretty cool about that, I actually assumed that he would do that anyway. He had to make a larger than normal incision for my gallbladder because apparently my gallbladder was so big and inflamed he couldn't understand how I was actually not in any pain and standing up straight. He had a wrestling match with my gallbladder, but the gallbladder lost in the end. LOL. Anyway, I probably shouldn't assume.

Thanks again for the advice!

I have been getting the work up for the past two months. I should mention that I had to have my gallbladder taken out at the end of June, which put a hitch in my cardiology visit and getting clearance. Overall it took me two months because of working around my job and working in the whole gallbladder issue.

Hi there! Just wanted to add that I have a 7/30 date. I had to have my gallbladder removed last month, so they monitored my weight and since I have gained 1 lb. they want me to do the preop shakes--2 a day with a sensible meal.

I am excited and nervous.

Thanks for listening!

April

Hi there! I am getting banded next Saturday. I am very excited and nervous. I know what to expect, but don't know what to expect--if that makes sense. I know everyone is different, on their journey, so I am just nervous in general.

I live in Raleigh NC and have a supportive husband & 2 wonderful kids.

Anyway, I look forward to being on the boards with everyone.

Thanks!

April