jen043454

03/26/12 Liquid Diet: Day 1 Today has been an interesting and educating day. I had my first weigh in pre-surgery (315, yikes!) and spoke with the nurse, a PA and the scheduler for the surgery. My insurance dictates that you can't have the surgery scheduled until you've lost 5% of your weight (15.5 lbs for me), and you won't be able to confirm the surgery date you're given unless you've lost an additional 5%. The way it was explained to me is that this is done to a) reduce the size of your liver, get you mentally prepared for the journey ahead and c) please the insurance companies. My primary care physician had suggested doing a liquid diet to shed the weight fast, coupled with cardio exercise and going to a sauna (yeah, like I have a spare sauna in my spring purse, just waiting to be used. Ugh.) Here's what I've had so far today: 16 oz water 2 scoops isagenix vanilla shake mix frozen banana 4 frozen strawberries 16 oz water 1/2 box of jello l-carnatine tablet 16 oz water 2 fiber choice tablets 1/2 box of jello 1 can chicken broth "seasoned with veggies" (College Inn brand, reduced sodium, fat free - VERY good!) 2 cups coffee with sugar free creamer 8 oz water I "think" I'm hungry, but my stomach isn't grumbling and I'm not hungry enough to eat lawn clippings, so I know it's just a mental thing. As far as I can tell, I just have to psych myself up that this is for ME and for my FUTURE, and do I REALLY want that big chunk of mozzerella cheese more than being healthy? (At this very moment, yes - yes I do. LOL) ((Now, no - no I don't)) I had my blood labs done today, while I was at the weigh in. Nothing like seeing how much you weigh and then having 9 vials of blood drawn to start your Monday morning off, eh? Well, I'm going to clean up the house some to keep myself busy. Tomorrow, I meet with Dr. Panamanglore, my surgeon. Interesting Fact: One lb. of body fat is made up of approximately 3,500 excess calories.

Congrats to you! Stories like yours make me hopeful and excited to get my band!

Tomorrow, 03/26 at 10am EST, I'll be meeting with my surgeon, Dr. Panamanglore (Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY) My PCP also stated that 03/26 would be day 1 of my liquid diet, which she'll be closely supervising and tracking. I've purchased: Lots of Jello (sugar free) Freezer pops (sugar free) chicken broth (reduced sodium, fat free) Beef Broth (reduced sodium, fat free) A kazillion bottles of Water (we live in the city and have highly chlorinated and floride filled water) I've also purchased (3) chocolate isagenix, and (3) vanilla isagenix powder canisters. From my understanding, I should have one shake in the morning using 16 oz of water and 1 scoop of mix, lots of water through out the day, a can of the broth at lunch time, more water, and an additional shake at dinner. My PCP was VERY sure to explain that if "it does not smoothly go through a crazy straw (one of the twirly fun ones for kids), do NOT drink it!" Does this sound about right to everyone? Any additional suggestions?

I have a few things I'm looking forward to with the spring/summer approaching. I'd like to sit in a lawnchair with out my thighs popping out the sides of it. I'd like to sit in a folding chair with out it sinking into the ground 3 inches. I'd like to sit in a hammock with out looking like an overstuffed sausage. I'd also like to run through the sprinkler like a little kid, having a great time, laughing and giggling with out jiggling!

It's probably a little bit different everywhere you go, but for me - it was a LOT different than I had expected. The seminar I went to was in the auditorium of a hospital. There were about 100 people in attendance, a surgeon who spoke, two nurses who spoke, and we watched about 20 minutes worth of a movie from previous patients. In the beginning of the seminar, we were given packets to fill out of our medical history, as well as insurance information and basic goals. From there, you had in your paperwork and wait for the bariatric center to call and schedule you for your initial appointments. It was almost 3 weeks to the day from the orientation/seminar to the 1st visit. Hope this helps a bit. I'm (im)patiently waiting for next monday when I have my surgery consult!

I'd like to find a wedding dress that fits correctly and makes me feel like a bride. (Side story: I went dress shopping with a friend on Sunday. She wears a size 12 street clothes, size 14/16 bridal dress. That means I'd (in theory) wear a 26/28 bridal gown. I saw a woman, about my size, trying on dresses and gowns. She was pouting the whole time, and actually ended up crying because only one dress actually fit and it was u.g.l.y. I don't want that to happen to me. I want to look the way I feel about my husband to be. I want to feel perfect, lovely, the most important soul on the planet.)

I went to the orientation at Ellis, and have selected Dr. P as my surgeon. I have my pre-op consult with him next monday (03/26/12) and hope that it's not too far out for a surgery date. Although I haven't had the surgery yet, I adore everyone in his office and all of the help they've given me thus far

I met my surgeon today. Dr. Panamanglore, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady NY. Has anyone else had him for surgery? (Long shot, I know) He seems very nice and excited, and looks forward to meeting me again on the 26th. (I met him briefly in passing in the hall of the hospital today - when I was going in for my psych eval.) It makes it seem "more real" when I can put a name and face together. YIPPIE!

My PCP and consult with the surgeon told me the same thing as Stephyaners has said... it depends on the person, but the most important thing is to stay moisturized! I was told to use a body scrub on my "fat areas" (where ISN'T fat, I asked) once a week, and use an intensive moisturizer every day after I dry off from a shower. (They suggested Aquafor, Aveeno or Jergans - though I'm sure any 'good' moisturizer would be okay.)

I had my eval today - it was really nothing to get all stressed over (like I did, lol) For anyone who is wondering what it's like, for me (I'm sure most places are different): -Medical History -Write a brief page explaining why you should have surgery -Write 1/2 page on each topic: What are the conerns and risks of surgery? What is the expected weight loss? -Psych/Emotional history The psychiatrist asked me a bunch of questions, some which I actually giggled about. They ranged from "what is your emotional connection with food and diets?" to "what's your favorite color?" to "what's the worst thing you've ever done?" my responce was: 1) I like the taste of food, my parents had me "clean my plate" when I was a kid, when I'm stressed I graze. 2) Teal, beause I'm too indecisive to pick between blue and green. 3) Do you really expect me to tell the truth? How about I admit to speeding on my way over here! All in all, the eval was nice and painless. I want to let other people who are worried about the eval because of whatever reason know - I was told that they do NOT deny someone who has a history of mental illness, depression or behavioral issues. I was told that they are only worried about providing the right care to patients who have those (or other) isssues/symptoms/history. I was very happy with the eval and assume that it went well. Cheers!

I was told that I should arrive at 2.45 and expect to be done around 4.00. I'm hoping for the best, that's all I can do. I have to be honest though... if I were asked if I'd consider forestry as a profession, I'd probably hand them my resume as being a student doesn't pay all that great As always, thank you for the support everyone!

Well, that's what I had thought at first too, but I spoke with a woman briefly in the elevator at the orientation, who said she was denied twice by the psych eval because they thought she was emotionally unstable and couldn't handle the stress of recovery... She ended with "Well it's a good thing that insurance doesn't require that anymore, huh?" Too bad mine does. LOL

Hi All, I have my psych eval tomorrow at 2:45 pm. I'm a bit nervous (not really sure why?) and not sure what to expect. When I spoke with my PCP, she said there was a "standard set of questions" they ask. I googled it, but couldn't find any results? I feel like a kid cheating on homework. LOL. I just don't want to be dumbfounded and not know what to say and have them ultimately decide I'm "not mentally or emotionally ready" for the surgery. Besides telling me to relax and breathe (I'm repeating those two things to myself over and over again), anyone have any words of wisdom? Thanks! -Jen

I like the idea of my husband (to be) picking me up and carrying me through the doorway once we get married.... (and the idea of the cute and flirty clothes I can wear on our honeymoon!)

Ohmigawsh @ the six flags thing. I ALMOST forgot about that. I went to Hershey Park (insert "fat girl going to a chocolate themed park" jokes here) about 4 years ago. I went to get on a ride with one of my friends and the young guy working the ride said "Uh, you're not gonna fit. Sorry." Before I had even gotten to the front of the line. HORRIBLE! Add that to my list too - I want to go back to that park, get on that ride and go "WHEEEEEE!" all the way down!

I started a list last night of things I'm looking forward to once I get my lapband and am on the way to a healthier me. I thought it would be fun if others added what they're excited to do as well! -Being a healthy weight and hopefully starting a family in the future (we're thinking 3-4 years) -Not having to shave using the braille system anymore -Want to be able to do frisky things and not worry about how it looks from his perspective -Would like to bicycle from this city to the next (15 miles) just to see what I can see -Nicer selection of clothes (dear fashion designers: big girls do NOT want HUGE flowers or stripes all the time...) Anyone else?

Thanks for the support. I'm going to make an appointment with both my first and second choice surgeons and see what they have to say. I'm not going to "settle" for a surgeon who gives me 'bad-vibes' just because he has an open appointment book. (There's probably a reason for that!) Keeping my fingers crossed that things go smoothly from here out.

Thank you all for your comments. I am going to complete the paperwork given to me and schedule an appointment to speak with the Dr. about the band. I spent the majority of the night searching between the three different surgeries that were discussed last night, and as some of you mentioned, it seems that the band is "talked down" due to the success rate. It seems as though the success rate is hugely due to the determination of the patient. With the sleeve or gastric, what you eat goes out. With the band, what you eat has reprecussions. Being able to "trick" the band is a scary thought, but also holds me accountable. I NEED/WANT to be held accountable. I don't want something to magically do the work FOR me, but WITH me instead. Does that make sense? Again, thank you all for your words of wisdom. -Jen

I had my orientation tonight, which was very informative. However, it was suggested by the surgeon that "people who get the lapband usually lose 30% of their excess body weight". From lurking on the forums for a while, it seems that most people (here at least) have a pretty high success rate and lose a significant amount of their excess weight. It could all be in my head, but it seemed the surgeon was pushing people more towards the sleeve or gastric. He implied that the band is "the surgery of the past". Can people please give their suggestions and opinions? (He isn't my choice surgeon, by the way. I have 3 others ahead of him that I'd like to speak with.) Thanks, Jen

I picked up my letter from my PCP today. It lists my BMI, Weight and that I have no "comorbidity". Since my BMI is over 40, do I need to worry about comorbidity or the lack there of? Also, my DR told me NOT to start the diet until after I meet with the surgeon, she wants them to get a real weight prior to attempting to lose it. Does this seem correct? Thanks for all the help and support

As an additional tid bit - I start on the "strict" portion of the IsaGenix program tomorrow... two days of 'isaflush' juice (and nothing BUT juice), two days of isashakes, and then back to the juice. I have to do this for 10 days... wish me luck!

Thanks for the responce, ladies! I really do think that I'm off to a good start... I have approval from my PCP, a letter from her giving me the okay for surgery, a letter from her stating her medical opinion of why it's necessary, as well as a report of my past 6 months on the IsaGenix diet. From my understanding of speaking with my DR - I need to track 30 days of exercise, diet and weight loss (for my insurance's request), and need to lose 5-10% of my bodyweight before they will approve the surgery. I'm meeting for an orientation in the next two weeks, and hope that from there I can get my psych eval, the labs and the ekg. The surgeon's office said a "typical" case gets everything approved and completed in 90 days. She also told me that the "harder I work and more anxious I am" the quicker I'll get in. Gives a girl a little hope, no?

Hi Everyone, My name is Jen, and I'm taking my first step into getting the lap band. I figure I've got nothing to lose (but the weight!) and joining the forum seems like a good idea to get some "real" advice. Here are my stats: 28 Y/O female Current Weight: 311 BMI: 48.7 Height: 5 ft 7 My ideal goal is to get to 175'ish, which my DR and I agree is a healthy weight for me. Although that's still considered "over weight", measuring my bones, hand and foot size - she doesn't feel that 125-145 (the "healthy range" for my height) is good for me. I just got my approval from my PCP today, and scheduled myself for the next meeting at Ellis Hospital, which is March 8th 2012. From my understanding, the meeting is an orientation which has between 25 and 50 people who are "hopeful patients" in the same room. My PCP says that she's seen some people get through orientation and "jump through the hoops" and get their actual surgery in 3 months, while others take 18 months. Any insight on what would be the difference? Hoping to get my surgery and get healthy. I'm young and have a lot to live for! Thanks!