MEW

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-have-before-surgery-14814/

I was banded on May 23rd, and am still having the excrutiating pain in my left shoulder and neck. I saw my surgeon today for my post-op, and he explained that 1 in 20 patients experience this type of pain. Although most people associate the pain with the gases from the surgery, the surgeon said its actually caused by the diaphram muscles becoming "irritated" during the surgery. Has anyone else ever heard of this explanation? Not only did my surgeon tell me this today, but I had someone else tell me the same thing a few days ago.

YES!! Thats exactly what I have been doing!! Hurlchupping!! LOL I'm also 5 days post-op, and the hurlchupping happens even when I dont eat or drink anything, so it cant possibly be a PB, can it?

I think I need to clarify this. Dr. Hoehn has been extremely helpful in answering any questions I have had. I know when I go into his office on Wednesday for my post-op appointment, I'll find out the size of the band, get weighed, and get the answers to any other questions I may have. My problem is/was with the hospital (SMMC) and has NOTHING to do with Dr. Hoehn whatsoever!! hugger....I was somewhat surprised that I had staples...lol For some reason, I was expecting stitches and butterfly sutures. Even at that, I didnt even notice them until Thursday morning when I was getting in the shower...14 of them. LOL How long did you keep yours in? I'm so hoping they come out Wednesday, they are driving me nuts. LOL They itch and I cant scratch them.

Congratulations Lauren!!! This is the post I was hoping to see from you!!

I'm back, banded and still breathing! Does the pain in the shoulder and neck ever go away? OMG!! Has anyone ever had a cramp in their shoulder if they stretched the wrong way, or moved to quick? This is what the pain in my shoulder feels like...a constant cramping sensation!! I was prepared for some "pain" but no one told me it was going to feel like this!! Maybe if I had known what to expect by the "pain", I would have been able to handle it better? I have so much I'd like to share with you all about my SMMC experience, but since my Grandma instilled in me that "If you cant say anything nice......" I've slowly been trying to get back into the routine of things, yesterday, I was able to brush the horses, today...I took an excursion to Cabela's with the family so they could buy me some new poles and new fishing tackle (but Honey, I need a new tackle box to go with the new ME!!)....one of my WL goals is to go fishing with them this summer! Of course, I'll need to lose some more weight first...lol...but I expect by the end of June I'll be sitting on the river bank! I dont know how much weight I've lost, or if I have lost anything...I wont weigh myself until I go to Dr. Hoehn's office for my post-op on Wednesday. I dont even know what size band I have...I tried to ask them at SMMC, but..."If you cant say anything nice......" I'm still having trouble getting in all my fluids....I am up to about 30 ounces a day now, first 2 days after surgery, I was barely able to get in 16 ounces... have to force myself to drink Water...but I'm still carrying it with me wherever I go!! LOL I'll be at the next support group meeting....sure hope to see you all there!!

Welcome!! Good Luck with the insurance approval!! Keep us updated on your progress!!

That was awesome Rachel!! And just what I needed to read on The Night Before MY Surgery, too!! Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow!! I would tell you I'll be thinking of you, but hopefully, with the right meds...I wont have a care in the world!! LOL

Tomorrow is MY day!! Woo Hoo!! If y'all could send out a prayer and/or a good thought, I'd really appreciate it!! All this time I have been so calm about the whole thing, now I'm in a panic! Oh no, not about the surgery itself, I'm afraid the alarm wont go off, and I'll over-sleep!! LOL hugger....I'll give you a call after I get home and rest up just a bit!!

That's great Shell!!

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!!! :clap2:

Each insurance company and Doctor/Surgeons office will be different. In my case, my insurance company required a letter of medical neccessity from my PCP (PMD), a Nutritional consult, a psych evaluation and a letter from the surgeon before they would even give me a determination (approval/denial) The surgeons office required a surgery clearance from a pulmonologist (chest X-ray) which I had done prior to submitting to the insurance company. After the approval, I then had to get the bloodwork, EKG and meet with the anesthesiologist as well as attend a pre-op education class.

Hi there!! I'll be getting my surgery a week from tomorrow and I am 40. I wish I could have had the surgery done when I was 22!! Good for you for taking an active stance in your weight loss!! There are quite a few younger bandsters on this forum...I'm sure you will connect with soon!!

Congratulations Gail!!! Wanting to watch my children and future grandchildren grow up is the #1 reason I want this surgery. Be sure to post when you have your surgery date!!

Thats great Lauren!!! I saw your signature line yesterday and was quite worried that you would have to start the whole process all over again after you switched insurance policies!! So glad that you can get in sooner!!!

What you take to the hospital all depends on if you will be staying overnight or if you're having out-patient surgery. Try this link for a general idea of what you will need, and customize it to suit you: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/post-op-checklists-things-have-before-surgery-14814/ Good Luck with your surgery and be sure to post how you are doing as soon as you are up to it after you get home!!

I love miniature horses!!! They are a great passion of mine...I sent you a PM!!!

One of my weight loss goals is to ride a horse (never have, but do own a few miniature horses) I asked the same question in my pre-op education class and was told that each person is different, but it all depends on how well/fast you heal up, so I wasnt given a definite answer on how soon. But then again, at my wieght, I wouldnt consider even getting on a horse....poor horse would have a broken back!!...so, by the time I get my weight down enough to safely get on a horse, I should be healed enough.

The tests are determined by many factors...the doctor, the insurance company and your over all health. Since I was a past smoker, the surgeon required a clearance from a pulmonologist, he, in turn, required a sleep study and CXR. I also had bloodwork, EKG and psych clearance, in addition to a Nutritional consult. The surgeon also required a consult with the anasthesiologist, and attend a pre-op education class. The tests were in no particular order, just whenever I could get in to see everyone, but has to be no later than 7 days before surgery, and the bloodwork could be no sooner than 2 weeks before the surgery.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html

Chantay....how are you feeling?? How bad were the gas pains and did they go away quickly?? I'm getting a little nervous now, only 13 days left to my surgery date and today, I signed the surgery consent papers, paid my deductible, had all my pre-op bloodwork and EKG. The only thing left for me is to attend the pre-op education class, and that will be tomorrow. I finally broke down yesterday and bought a few blouses (great clearance sale at Walmart on Shawnee Mission Parkway) that were several sizes smaller than what I normally wear. I wanted to get a few pairs of jeans ($4 a pair on clearance!!) but my youngest son told me that I was to old to wear those kind of jeans...LOL He said that I would have to many men looking at me and he would have to "seriously kick some butt" He's 9!! Gotta love the off-handed compliments that kids say!! LOL

It means that after I get my band in 2 weeks, it will already be on its way to becoming obsolete.....just like the Beta's turned to VHS then turned to DVD's....LOL

I havent been banded yet, but "just in case" I cant sleep on my back like I always do, my husband bought me a new recliner for the first week or so. From what I have read, I should be fine after that! Good Luck on your surgery and healing rubylyn!!

Oh yeah...Dr. Hoehn's new assistant that is doing the fills that Wheetsin was talking about, his name is Tim....I met him at the pre-op appointment last week and he seems nice enough, he just may need some "practice" at the fills....*secretely glad that Tim will get practice from other fills...before I get mine!!* (Sorry Wheetsin!!)

Hi Chantay! Glad to "see" you again! From my understanding, a replacement has already been hired for Billie and her name is Mary. Mary is supposed to be taking over the support group meetings also. The next few months worth of support meetings are up in the air right now and Billie suggested we all keep an eye on their website for date changes or cancellations. If the next meeting is cancelled, anyone up to meeting somewhere on our own near the hospital? I'm really looking forward to seeing Chantay and hugger again....I love seeing the ongoing progress of everyone!!