Peps

You're not alone! My mother and daughter are insistent that I'm making the biggest mistake of my life. I think it's because they don't understand it fully. I even took literature to my mom, but her mind is made up. My daughter is large, too, and I think she's just a bit jealous. We had an aunt who died from gastric bypass, and I believe they both think about that. I have tried to show them that this is so much safer. BUT, I do have a lot of people behind me, too! So, I'm not letting it get to me. I'm doing this for me--mainly for health reasons. So, let's all just stay positive. We know what we're doing, and it's going to be the best thing we've all done for ourselves! Yay, Lap-Band!!!!!

Hi Nancy, I'm getting the Lap-Band with plication, too. My surgery is Sept. 29th. You'll have to tell me all about your experience with the surgery, etc. I'm so ready to get this done. Good luck to you on Friday. I'll be thinking about you. Peg

Hi Gary, I'll be banded on Sept. 29th as well! We're all going to be so fit. I went through a year long process which was good and bad. I had time to research a lot about the Lap-Band. I have a 4-hr. mtg. with the bariatric nurse and dietician next Wed. Another with nurse practitioner in my surgeon's office and lab work on Sept. 13, and then start my 2-week liver shrinking diet on the 15th. It's going to be a busy month! Welcome aboard!

Hi Erika, I have a 4-hr. pre-op meeting on Sept. 7th, do my pre-op testing (EKG, Chest x-ray, and blood work) and meet with my nurse practitioner on the 13th. Start my 2-wk liver shirnking diet on the 15th. I'm so excited. Just want to get this show on the road!!! Peg

Hi Kristin, It seems like some drs. require a liver-shrinking diet for a period of time before surgery and others do not. My dr. puts his patients on a mostly liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. Sept. 27th will be here before you know it--as will my date of the 29th. We can make it.............Peg

Hi Becky Jane, Besides having to wait a year for my ins., once I had completed all of the requirements, my Life Coach that I had to work with for a year informed the dr's. office on the 19th of Aug. that my year was up. They said they had the 25th as the yr. Then the ins. said the same thing until my Life Coach contacted the person at the ins. co. who oversees my case. She said that she didn't know where the 25th came from, that I had been certified for surgery. Ooooooh, I was boiling mad. Anyway, now I'm scheduled for a few mtgs., classes and labs before my surgery on the 29th of Sept. I hope you will be able to keep your Sept. 19th date. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Take care, and keep us posted on your progress! Peg

Hi Katyana, Welcome to the September Bandsters! I wish I could get mine early in Sept. but my date is the 29th. Just will make it for Sept. I look forward to hearing from you after your surgery! Peg

Hello, After a year of jumping through hoops for the ins. company, I finally got my surgery date--Sept. 29th. I have my pre-op class on Sept. 7th. Appt. with Nurse Practitioner and lab work on September 13th. Start liver shrinking diet on Sept. 15th. I'm so excited that things are ready to happen. I'm sure September will fly by. Good luck to everyone who is being banded in September.. Peg

Good morning HW, Thanks for the info on the protein powder. I'll definitely give it a try. Is there a certain website where you order the help hearts? Thanks again! Peps

Hi Healthy Woman, Thanks so much for the info. on the protein powder. I'll definitely try some. You know, so many of those protein powders taste so nasty, so I'm glad to hear you love it. I'll get some in Wal-Mart this weekend. So you get banded a week from today! Wow! I'm so excited for you. I've had such a long journey. My ins. requires that I work with a life coach for a year. Lucky thing I started that last summer. It's been long, and I was mad at first, but I've also spent this year doing a lot of research which has helped tremendously. I go to see the surgeon next Wednesday, the 17th and hopefully get at least a tentative surgery date set. I'm hoping for sometime in September. Question, what is the 'hemp hearts'? Never heard of them. What do they do? I look forward to staying in touch. Take care.......7 days!!!! Good luck! Peg

Healthywoman, You said you get your protein powder at Wal-Mart? What is the brand? I need to find something that is convenient to get to. I have been using Unjury Chocolate Splendor, but have to order it online. Thanks for the info, and good luck to you with your band! Hope to join you in September!

I am seeing my surgeon on Wed., August 17th and hopefully set a date for surgery. It's been a year since my first appt., but I had to jump through some hoops for insurance for a year before they would approve me. It would be nice to have someone to talk to through the good, bad, and ugly of this journey. I look forward to hearing from another Virginian. (I live in Victoria and will have my surgery in Richmond at St. Mary's by Dr. Matthew Brengman.) Thanks!

Good luck! Hope to join you soon!

Hi Rebecca, I, too, am a Christian and am praying for you as you have to go through this ordeal. It sounds like your pastor had some very good advice and things to think about. I am very fortunate that I have been married for 39 yrs. to a Godly man, so I can't imagine how it must be. I will continue to pray for you and that God's will will be done here. Only He knows what's best for you, and in His time, you will know, too. Take care. Peg

Hi, I'm 59 and waiting to be banded (hopefully in September). Eighty is the "new" old in my book! You have to do this for yourself and your health--not anyone else. Good luck. Keep us posted! Peg

Hello! I'm Peg from Victoria. I'm so glad to see someone else who has Dr. Brengman. I've been working towards this for over a year now (had to jump through hurdles for ins.) I have my next appt. with Dr. B. on Aug. 17th and hope that we can set at least a tentative date for surgery. Good luck to you on Thursday! Please let me know how it went. Tell me more about the pre-op diet if you don't mind. I hear that Dr. B. and all of the staff are just wonderful. Take care!

Hello there. I drink the unjury Protein Shakes. It's really not bad. I have the Special chocolate one (can't remember the exact name), but I would definitely recommend it.

Hi Sandra, I'm 59 and hoping to be banded in September. It's been a long wait. I, too, live in Virginia. Yeah for Virginia!! I live in Victoria (50 miles southwest of Richmond) and will having my surgery with Dr. Matthew Brengman with Dominion Surgical at St. Mary's Hospital. I can't wait. Your loss of 44 lbs. so far is remarkable. I hope I'll be able to do as well. Take care! Peg

Congrats to you! It will be here before you know it. I'm hoping for a September date myself. Good luck and keep us all posted on how you're doing! All the best.

Hi Linda, I can certainly identify with your situation. I'm 59 yrs. old and have to be the strong one in the family. Both of my parents are elderly and in poor health and my sister is a basket case. Hopefully, I'll have a September date to be banded. I've been very patient up until now. Had to follow a year long plan required by my ins. Had a life coach that I had to talk with twice a month and to follow Weight Watchers (not much success there), and my year will be up Aug. 16th. I have an appt. with the surgeon on the 17th, so I'm excited about that. I know you'll do well. I think you should go somewhere where you can have a good cry. We all need that at some point in our lives. After a good cry, just keep your chin up and remember that "this too shall pass." Surgery will be over for you soon, and you'll start your new life! Please stay in contact with me. I live in Virginia and will be banded in Richmond. Take care, Linda. I'll keep you in my prayers. Peg

This past experience was a tragedy for both you and your friend. I wonder about the doctor that did your surgeries. It's just strange that both of you would have problems. Is your new surgeon in your state close by? Be sure he is at a Center of Excellence! You have to make up your mind about having the surgery or not. I think your friend would want you to be healthy and happy for yourself and for all of the people who love you. It sounds like your husband is wonderful and is behind you whatever you decide. I'm pre-surgery myself--hoping for a September date. I have an appt. with my surgeon on Aug. 17th to hopefully set a surgery date. I want you to know that I'll keep you and your friend in my prayers. Take care! Peg

Hello! As everyone has stated, the LAP-BAND or REALIZE band are much safer than gastric bypass. I have researched all of the surgeries for the past 15 months, and am going to have LAP-BAND (hopefully in September). I have an aunt and also new a school teacher who had gastric bypass and they both died because with gastric bypass, they don't get all of the nutrients. With the band, nothing is cut or rerouted, so your body will absorb all of the nutrients it needs. I have 3 good friends who have been banded within the past 15 months, and all have lost so much weight and say that they just wish they had done it sooner. Good luck! Peg

Thanks, Larry. Hey congrats on your weight loss! You're doing great! I've been doing a year long thing with a life coach (required by my ins.) and the year is up Aug. 16th. I have an appt. w/ surgeon on the 17th. Hoping he can do the surgery soon after that because I've done everything else. Wish me luck! Peg

Can someone tell me what kind of file a photo must be to add to your profile? I'm not having any luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

My appt. with the psychiatrist was a breeze. Just took my family history, asked why I wanted the surgery--just general things. Nothing hard or scary. You'll do fine!