indyhandmade

Finally! The waiting time is over. She called this morning to say that I have been cleared by the NP and scheduled my surgery. Although they could do it as early as May 14th, I've elected to wait until I had an already scheduled vacation from work, plus there are few very important events that I need to attend and wanted to avoid any complications from surgery. Scheduled nice and early at 8am, should go home the same day. I am also having my gallbladder removed at the same time d/t some prior complications. I am required to attend a pre-surgery class at the bariatric center two weeks prior. Now, time to focus on dieting and losing maybe another 10 pounds prior to surgery. I've been eating whatever I want and I've put 5 pounds back on.

She asked that I give it until the end of the week. I've done that so I will call again Monday. I'm in no big hurry now. I've conceded the fact that my date won't be until late June. Now to try and keep this weight off. I've fallen off the wagon.

Congrats! It's a great feeling to be approved!

I was so thrilled to have the "approval" announcement. I quickly scheduled all of my pre-op testing (labwork, EKG, and chest x-ray) and did that on April 6th. Now it's the 18th and still no word about scheduling my surgery. I called the MD office and spoke directly to the scheduler, but she said she did not have clearance from the NP to schedule (she knew of me and knew that my chart was with the NP). She said this was done because things were falling through the cracks, so they had a final review to make sure all was done prior to surgery. I guess I'm just anxious because my work schedule is becoming less and less flexible with each day. I schedule for 6 weeks at a time, and it's getting to the point that it will be posted and become a complete nightmare to try to change around. I was hoping to have the surgery done late May. At this point, I think I'll have to wait until I have my vacation scheduled in late June. Which is fine, really. I just hate WAITING!

Just received the phone call! She just sent my info to the insurance company yesterday! My first reaction: tears.

Having now been through the six months, I see what you are saying about them not pushing the band. Every person at support group is a RNY or sleeve patient. They're requirements are different than mine, so it makes this all very confusing, and it makes me not want to go to support groups, although they are all very nice people. I also find it difficult to speak my mind in a group setting. I think I prefer internet forum support.

Thank you for all your input. I agree that this is not his journey, it is mine, but we do share a life together and this band will dramatically influence it. I'm hoping that once he starts to see the changes occuring, he will be more on board with eating well and exercise. I have to attend a huge one-day pre-op class prior to surgery and they recommend that your support person attends. We'll see if it'll be him or somebody else. I do have relatives that are supportive, and many friends who are as well. I agree that going into summer, we need to find a babysitter who we can use every once in awhile to be able to have a breather.

I wrote that in the heat of the moment. Let me clarify a few things. We are a family with two young boys, one parent that works full time and the other is a busy business owner trying to evolve. We are committed to being home with our children, so we never use daycare. Having time to myself is a very rare occurance. The children are too young to take to the meetings. Excercise happens early in the morning at the gym or during naptime at home. My infringing on his worktime creates an automatic conflict. And he's vegetarian. Nothing means more to him than my health. He has shown encouragement and support in his own way. I wish it was more. I wish he would try to be healthful along beside me, even if it has to be on his terms. It seems the further I get into this, the more he pushes away from that lifestyle leaving me feeling alone. Which makes me want to eat.

Weird question, I know. I am almost done with my six month pre-op diet phase, waiting on the final consultation with the surgeon. My husband has been "supportive" to the extent he has to be. He wants me to have surgery, he wants me to change my lifestyle - but not at the risk of changing HIM. I had to complete six support groups pre-op, so tonight I was able to do three in a row. My time is short and the bariatric center is a bit of a drive. Afterwards, I was on the phone with him about how nice it was and how I'll be going to more groups, he blew up about how valuable his time is and what he's had to give up for (three hours) me. This led to a deeper, more emotional disccusion about my perceived lack of support. He thinks he's just telling me how it is and that I shouldn't expect more than that and I feel that he should at least attempt to have some solidarity (not have the counters crammed with junk food), etc. How does your significant other support you? How does it make you feel? If there are people out there who don't have support person to lean on, how do you get through it? This is the road I think I'll be facing.

Welcome, Pioneer.I won't be banded for several more months, but I look forward to the day when we can all see your face and your newly found confidence!

Shirley, I'm required to go through a 6 month medically supervised diet. Your insurance sets the requirements.

Hello and welcome!

Good luck, Heather!

I grabbed the schedule for the groups but hadn't figured out what I'm going to. You can go to the IU support groups even though you are through St F?

Indianapolis! I'm in the IU system. Dr McKenna.

Pats, I think I'll be able to lose more than 13 as well. My personal opinion is one of clean eating, so I may start incorporating more whole grains into the diet. I'd like to get a few weeks under my belt and see an initial loss before changing it up. I did have half a hamburger bun with my chicken last night, for kicks.

Hey all! My name is Kim and I'm in the initial stages of this crazy banding journey. I am 34, wife and mother of two young boys. I work full-time as a nurse. Obesity has been a life-long struggle. Like most here, I've dieted and gained it all back plus more. I contemplated gastric banding around 2003, but it was difficult to get insurance approval and I was scared and confident I could do it on my own. So here we are 8 years later and I'm going through with the band. I attended a seminar on September 10th and had my initial consultation October 12th. I am required to complete a six month medically supervised weight loss prior to approval. My physician set weight loss goal of 13 pounds. My second weigh-in is scheduled for November 15th. I also have to attend six support seminars. I've very excited about the journey, with a little hesitation because I know how my past performances have gone. I'm doing the best I can to be a healthier version of me. I look forward to sharing my journey with you and getting to know all of you!

Hey there! I'm just staring my journey as well. I attended the seminar on Sept 10 and had my first consult Oct 12. I'm going through a 6 month medically supervised diet, my next appointment being Nov 15. I'd love to have and BE a support person! Kim

What a great post! Just starting my journey, I'm already becoming more introspective, analyzing why I do what I do. Feelings and emotions have certainly played a big role, with my inner voice constantly saying "you don't deserve anything better". Probably why I constantly sabotage myself.

Congrats on your smooth surgery and recover. Best wishes for continued success!

I was diagnosed with gallstones in August after I had two sudden attacks (horrible!). After seeing the surgeon, I thought I'd wait it out and see what happens. I've only had one more attack since then. I just saw the same doctor for my lap band consult, and he said that if I'm not having any more attacks, we'll just leave it in until necessary. He also said that he wouldn't want to do both procedures at the same time due to the increased risk of infection. So, if you need it out, do it. But if you aren't having many attacks, maybe you can wait until after the band?

The diet states, specifically: 1. There is no restriction on portion sizes. Eat 3 meals per day and stop as soon as you feel full. 2. Protein/Very Lean or Lean Meats: Includes soy, low fat/fat free cottage cheese and fat free/2% cheese. 3. Lean Dairy: limit milk & yogurt to 2 servings/day 4. Vegetables: avoid corn, peas, potatoes, lima Beans, olives, avocado 5. Condiments: choose fat free/light 6. Soups: broth based, no rice or noodles 7. AVOID: Pasta, rice, breads, beans, rolls, crackers, pancakes, waffles, french toast, Cereal, cakes, pies, Cookies, ice cream, candy, pudding, cool-whip, potato chips, popcorn, nuts, Peanut Butter. She also told me no whole grains like barely or quinoa or legumes like lentils. 8. NO FRUIT or fruit juice of any kind. I've been journaling on the RealizemySuccess since that's what he'll be using. I can enter my own goals for grams, but have no idea what it should be. Some days I have like 50g of carbs, others I'm up to 100g. I'm also feeling very bloated from the Water. Haven't seen much of a weight loss, either.

Hey all! I had my surgical consult last Wednesday, October 12. Per my insurance, I am required to have a 6 month medically supervised weight loss prior to approval. So, he wants me to lose 13 pounds which I feel I should be able to do easily in 6 months. Hahaha. Nothing is ever easy. Then the dietitian walks in and hands me the Liver Reduction Diet. Seriously? For SIX MONTHS? I realize that this will help shape my eating habits and get me ready for what it will be like afterwards, I get that. It just seems like maybe I could have a fruit here or there for a few months initially while I'm working on it instead of such a drastic diet. More importantly, I'm curious how many grams of carbs/protein/fat I should be consuming in a day. I really have no idea what the target range is. I know it's not extremely low carb, because they allow 1/2cup All-Bran once a day and that is 23g by itself. Add in the cup of soy milk and I'm up to 32g in one meal. Any suggestions or experience would be appreciated. Thank you and nice to meet you all Kim