Bubie1916

I got my I-band last week and had hernia surgery at the same time. I am 100 pounds over weight and worried that I will fail. I have wanted the help to get healthy for over 20 years and just now could get it.
I feel so lost because there is on one in my area to talk to about what I am going through. Is anyone else feeling this lost? I constantly question anything I eat and drink. I was gave a list and I stick to it but I still feel like I am doing it wrong. PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ADVICE LET ME KNOW.
Today is the first time that I have been real hungry, so bad that my stomach is growling and everyone can hear it. Will this get better when I finally do get a fill?
Thank for any and all help anyone can give me.
Danna

. How can I get a copy of your letter or sample to help write my insurance? I just got denied and want to appeal it. Can you help me?

God said we can do It!! And I Wont Let Him Down!! But That's Not where It stops!! Once We Get It!! Now We have to Show the World!!!
(Yes were going to be show off's) lol

I also have the letters that i wrote to my ins. company if you would like them. I received them from a lady i met on this forum that was also denied. One is a personal plea, the other is explaining my medical side of it.

Had my surgery on May 29th, go in for my first fill 7/9, have lost 28lbs as of today, didn't have alot of problem after surgery. No over night stay went home the same day. Had some nause the first night noticed it happened when I would drink Water and then walk. Had the surgery on a Tuesday and was back taken care of my 3 year old by thursday. So far I feel great and have had no problems.

yes too early for me too but i get to my job about 7a.m. (i must be crazy). just me and the radio and my Protein shake...i read many different things about fills/adjustments so i have no clue on how it goes. all drs are different. i have no idea when my first fill will be. i guess i will find out next week. i would love it to be but am hoping they put in a small amount because i am very nervous with the fills and getting way to tight to drink/eat and having to go back and get unfilled that same week etc......kinda scary to me.........def doing Portion Control, making healthy choices (even though i am on mushie/soft) i am still making my body think i am restricted ...even if i am not. ............eating small amounts as to not hurt myself..........
feel clueless sometimes...

M one month out today and 35lbs down. I am working super hard on diet and Portion Control and do a vigorous workout every day. I have also lost 2 inches off my hips and chest and 1 off my waist. For anyone struggling just hang in there things get better.

On My Way To The Gym To Work It Out!! Hard Work + Lap Band = Results!! Now That's Real Talk!!! I'm Gonna Make This Work For Me!!! I'm Not Giving Failure Any Choices!!! I Mean It!!!

Hello Everyone,
I had the Banded Plication (In addition to the Band the Plication is where the stomach is folded and sewn instead of the Gastric Sleeve, where it is completely removed, it is supposed to have the same result of the sleeve, which is more initial rapid weight loss, but it is less invasive and can be reversed if needed) on Friday, June 15, 2012 and I was terrified. I used this forum as a way not only to help me deal with my fears, but to also research some concerns that I had, and I must say that is was nice to read what some of you had to say. I just wanted to share a little of my journey in hopes that it may help someone else. At my Pre-op appointment on June 6, 2012 I weighed 244.5lbs. I started my Pre-op diet that night which consisted of 30 grams of carbs a day. No restriction other than the carbs. 2 Days prior to surgery I started my clear liquid diet; this was of course because the Doctor wants the liver as small as possible for surgery. On the day of Surgery, 1 week later I weighed 234.5. While in surgery the Doctor found a hiatal hernia which he repaired, that made the surgery 3hrs as opposed to the normal 1 hour procedure time. I spent 5 1/2 hours in recovery because I was so wiped out and they wanted me to drink 2 cups of Water before leaving the surgery center. I only drank 1, but my husband made sure that I drank the other when we got home. I was in severe pain and to be honest had no idea where the pain was coming from. I was not sure if it was Gas, Incision pain or the hernia repair. I feel like I lost 2 days because I went to sleep that Friday when I got home, and slept all day Saturday most of the day Sunday due to Anesthesia and pain meds. It was a little miserable, because I had a hard time getting comfortable. Passing gas was a whole lot better than burping because burping actually hurt my chest. I only took 2 days off work Monday and Tuesday and I must say that I wish I had taken the whole week off, because driving and sitting up for long periods of time was very difficult. I ended up taking Wednesday off, left half day on Thursday and it looks like I am going to make it through my first full day today. My husband has been kind enough to adjust his schedule to drop me off and pick me up though. I stayed on my liquid diet 3 days more that needed, because I did not read my pre-op instructions carefully, but I had a small amount of an EAS Myoplex high Protein Shake on Wednesday evening which really gave me some strength. I do not think I was ready to have anything before then anyhow. Yesterday I boiled some broccoli and a small piece of steamed fish, put 2 teaspoons in my food processor and pureed them for dinner. It may sound nasty, but it was like a steak dinner after being on a liquid diet for 7 days. I took small bites and chewed each bit 30 times because I wanted it to stay down and not make me sick. It all worked out well in the end.
Being afraid is normal, but I must say that the hardest part was getting there. I prayed and asked God for strength, I was so scared the morning of surgery I had chest pains and they had to give me an EKG to make sure that my heart was ok. I did get some medication to calm me down before hand, so by the time they wheeled me back I was feeling ok, then the Anesthesiologist said it's time to go to sleep and I felt dizzy for a quick moment and was out, the next thing I remember if a straw being shoved in my face in recovery to drink water. Being scared is normal, but I was not going to let my fears cripple me. I knew I had to do this and that kept me going. Pray and ask the Lord to calm your fears and you will be fine.
Anyway, this morning I weighed 224.3, so I have lost a total of 20.2lbs in 2 weeks.
I hope that this was of some help to anyone getting ready to have surgery, or has already had it, because you guys have been so helpful to me.
God Bless

had surgery on the 6th, and took off 6,7,8, and 11-15
went back to work 5 days ago.....first two days was tired when i got home. now its business as normal. (def think the Protein Shakes that i do twice daily help w me not being run down---just my two cents). so in total took off 8 days. am glad i did too. the biggest surprise was my shoulder that hurt but it did pass and my bathroom habits have def improved. i use imodium as needed. (still on mushy foods and alot of liquids per dr....so still keeping a close friendship with mr potty
so all in all, since preop/surgery/2 weeks post op, 32 pounds total down
18 pre op and 13-- 2 week after surgery..
how are all of you??
i am soooooooo proud of you and us and me and this lap band.
we must keep positive attitude no matter what. lets promise to vent on here or question something if we need too..

I decided I'll get on the scale tomorrow to see if any damage was done! Scared lol

hi all (lady, kah/bama etc)...doing well. just had my 2 week post op and all is well so far. incisions healing nicely and things are moving along great. still on mushies/soft foods.....told me wait a couple more weeks before trying chicken salad/tuna salad and if i did attempt, to mash it up well and be careful. stated healing is more important than eating........but refried beans/oatmeal/ff mashed potatoes/mashed to hell 1 scrambled egg is absolute HEAVEN to me. still doing my shakes to help w/the Protein. glad all is well with everyone

I finally met with Dr. Snyder! I spent all day running from one place to another since I live far away I scheduled most things back to back. In the morning I had the psych evaluation. It was quick, painless, and you fill out a long survey. Mid-day I met with the nutritionist for a one-on-one and went over the tips on what to be eating etc. again painless and easy. Afternoon I met with Dr. Snyder he explained plication and said that it shouldn't be more pain than just the band because the stomach can't feel pain...interesting. I also asked about the additional costs. Since it is not a free add on any more there will be additional costs; however, since I am on insurance they can not give me the numbers yet. I met with my surgery coordinator after Dr. Snyder to talk insurance and stuff. She said I was an A+ patient and said it shouldn't be long before I am approved because I was organized. My advice when you meet for your consult have a letter from your doctor saying your a good candidate, copies of medical records from the past few years (they printed mine for free when I asked for them), copy of your insurance policy, and any requirements done ahead of time if you can manage (i.e. sleep study, pre-op diet, psych eval etc.). After meeting with my surgery coordinator I did the pulmonary test at the hospital, you breath into a machine a few times and your done. The whole process was long just because I did it all in a day but very painless and easy. Soon as my paperwork is all together they can send it off to insurance. They said my surgery would probably be mid to late June. I might opt for July depending on work schedule. Hopefully this all helps others in knowing a little bit more about the process

i'm 2 weeks post op. i'm doing well. saw my doc 1 week post op and i see him again at the end of the month. i keep reminding myself that i'm not going to lose all the weight overnight LOL.
are people getting fills or does your doc want the plication to do the work first?

Just checking in to see how everyone is healing... I'm doing ok, I have not weighed myself.. Kinda scared might have gained since I'm eating. Still keeping calories under 1000, but I'm thinking the carbs maybe my problem. The plication definitely keeps me from overeating. It works! My last dr. Appt I was down 12 lbs that was may 31. Anyway how is everyone else doing?

Shy2012 - thanks for your kind words and your encouragement. My doctor is a lap band patient..he has had his band about 4 years and lost 90 pounds..hey, he is a man and you know how fast they loose weight. That is why is went into doing that type of surgery. He used to be a general surgeon. Anyway, I am so tight I eat out of thimble (just kidding of course) but my dog eats more than I do and she only weighs 10 pounds. The scale is moving and so am I. No PB, or slime tonight - I guess I am finally "getting it".
Have a good evening..
Melinda in Florida

Good luck! Feel better!!

There is a whole thread on here called "Lap band with gastric plication" and there's a lot of great info there. Check it out!
It's still a new procedure. My doc did it on me and I'm part of a research study. The unknown is how things will be long term, but I felt good about my decision. I've had 1 post op appointment and everything looks good. I go back again in a few weeks.
I'm hopeful to lose more weight in the beginning with the plication. Fingers crossed!

Had the Lap Band with Plication this Tuesday and boy it has been rough but I know the best is yet to come!! The pain can come and go and I am not paying the pain any attention at all. I know the best is yet to come!!! Now if I can just walk to the bathroom with no help I have accomplished a lot!!! Lord Hear me I thank you and will continue to thank you!!

You are going to love it! I was banded with plication on 4/16 and am down 25 lbs. I have had one fill and have found no problems with eating anything, in moderation of course. I ate 1/2 of a kids meal last night and was stuffed. The first few days were a little rough, but it's easy once you get past that. It just takes a little more thinking when I eat.
I was really concerned that I wouldn't be able to eat things that I love, I was having anxiety about it. But that hasn't been the case, when I'm craving something I just have a bite or two and that's enough. You'll do great!