FutureCRNA

April 20th here.... was approved right away. The doctor's office called and I am scheduled for April 20th. Start pre-op diet on April 6th. So excited

Hello Good Afternoon,
I am scheduled to be banded 4/17 pending insurance approval. I have all my ducks in a row and paperwork needed. I'm just a bundle of nerves awaiting the approval letter. I have always been told there is power in the tongue, so I am speaking it into existence. Despite my own positive reinforcement I have a nagging voice saying....."what if...... What if......"!!!!!! Help any soothing words I'll take!!!!!

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey.
I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life!
I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better.
Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing!
I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month.
I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I still have 54 more pounds to lose, but I am soooo happy. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fantatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

I'm having my surgery on March 6th. I was so overwhelmed with stressing about getting approved by the insurance company I have had not much time to think about anything else....
now that I'm a few weeks away from being banded I'm worried I will fail the band. That I will go back to my old ways , that I won't have the will power? I know deep down I won't. I know this is it and I'm going to make it work but I'm still stressing about this.. Anyone else??
also YAY US!!! I can't friggin wait!! I'm 38, 230 , female with three kids... God I need this!!~

Suppose to get banded on April 23 super geeked can't wait.

Hey Ladies and Gents!
Having my Surgery done April 4th. Starting my Pre op diet tomorrow. They said Protein shake for Breakfast, small low fat/sugar lunch, Protein Shake for dinner until surgery. Any suggestions for the low fat/sugar lunch suggestions?
Im heading down to LA to get it done. They will arrange for me to be driven to and from there as I live in San Jose, Ca. My hubby is going to come with me for support. Hopefully they will give me enought pain meds for the ride home. Heh Woot! I'll be a Hollywood starlet by next summer haha!
So who else is getting banded in April? I could use a band-buddy for my journey!

Hello Good Afternoon,
I am scheduled to be banded 4/17 pending insurance approval. I have all my ducks in a row and paperwork needed. I'm just a bundle of nerves awaiting the approval letter. I have always been told there is power in the tongue, so I am speaking it into existence. Despite my own positive reinforcement I have a nagging voice saying....."what if...... What if......"!!!!!! Help any soothing words I'll take!!!!!

Hello Good Afternoon,
I am scheduled to be banded 4/17 pending insurance approval. I have all my ducks in a row and paperwork needed. I'm just a bundle of nerves awaiting the approval letter. I have always been told there is power in the tongue, so I am speaking it into existence. Despite my own positive reinforcement I have a nagging voice saying....."what if...... What if......"!!!!!! Help any soothing words I'll take!!!!!

Same as yours but I'm in Australia. My surgeon said balanced diet including all food groups, the nutritionist said the same and I've managed to get the doc who does my fills (who's a great guy) to actually admit he thinks high Protein diets and the theory behind them is a load of bollocks.
I was saying in another thread today that I personally have a self devised theory that a lot of the people who are really struggling with head hunger and inability to lose weight are really struggling with the awful limitations a low carb diet imposed and that unfilling a bit and eating carbs (yes CARBS!!!!!) like bread and Pasta would actually diminish their cravings, increase their satiety and start them losing weight.
All just personal opinion though. You can back up either opinion (for or against carbs) with the kind of so called scientific proof you find on the internet.

I have a theory that all of the emphasis on the Atkins-like high protein/low carb eating patterns in this forum is because the US doctors are much more familiar with the bypass operation and they don't distinguish it from lapbanders. I want to see whether or not Australians are getting the same recommendations to eat high Protein, drink protein supplements, etc. I know my doctor has not advised me to do this in any way and recommends a balanced diet of all the food groups, with smaller portions and low fat/low calorie intake. I feel this is a MUCH healthier approach, as there are distinct dangers in going the Atkins route (kidney stones, high cholesterol, etc). So what's your experience?

I'm April 17th!