maltomeel

Good Luck to you. My thoughts are with you....may the gas easily pass!

This is my absolute favorite Keller recipe....next is his killer salad vinaigrette (he uses the awesome technique of barely coating the lettuce leaves with oil prior to adding vinaigrette....keeps the lettuce from becoming soggy). I make this once a month for dh and two close friends who bring killer wines. I mix up the sides and salad and soup starters. It's always a hit and the leftovers are amazing!

I just had my band on 4/11. I felt really well after the surgery. Make sure you have an arsenal set up for yourself.... something to crush pain meds for easy swallowing paon meds, tylenol juices, Water for sipping away tv remote with new battery! charged phone I had dh and Mom available but chose to be alone and call them if I needed. I was more concerned with not throwing my autistic son off his schedule...so he came first. I think you can do it, just be prepared and have an emergency friend on call, just in case. I wish I lived nearby, I would volunteer to nurse you!

I second Mdrai...thank you for your honesty. It wasn't easy, I'm sure, to do so. You are on your way. I can feel the energy right thru your post. You will do it this time!

Welcome Tammy! It is amazing isn't it? Approval took my breath away. I worked hard for it but had little faith in my insurance company. I am now a big fan! The emotions are intense. While in pre-op in the hospital I was laughing or crying...just so INTENSE. You will do great. Follow your Dr's instructions and it will be smooth. Congratulations. PS I'm 4 days out and NOT HUNGRY whatsoever! This is truly out of character. I do believe this is what I have been hoping for.....for so long. We will do it!

Hi All! Bubbles- I have a togh time burping as well....I get a sharp pain in my upper left chest that radiates into my neck & shoulder on that side. That being said, I did have a totally unexpected burp come up this a.m. that felt like heaven! Teach-I want one of those bracelets! I have bookmarked that site! I figure what dh is saving on dinners out and food in general, he can afford it :mad:

I didn't have a severe pre-op...liquid meals during the day and a protein & veggies dinner. I was on it fo 10 days, also exercised like crazy and lost 10 lbs. from my initial consult (I do think I gained 2-3 more lbs after that so I'm thinking I lost around 12 lbs). I did it mostly for the liver-shrinking as well as avoiding really bad constipation post surgery.

I'm banded! I'm so happy. It all went beautifully and I'm feeling good....just some bloating and sorenes. I took a stroll today and look forward to a walk tomorrow with my guys (dh & julian, my 5 year old). Realistically when will I be able to really excerise? I'm itching to use my new ipod playlist!

Congratulations Christy! Sounds like a great experience. We are REAL bandsters now! Yay!

Well, I'm 2 days post op and feeling good. I'm more tired than I thought I would be and certainly enjoying my time off fom work. I am really uninterested in eating....managed to drink an Unjury today (with water) for some nutrition. No nausea, just really "full". Passing gas was a religious experience (lol) and took a lot of pressure off my stomach area. I walked around the block which aided in passing the gas. All in all,I feel great. I'm so happy I did this!

Julie- What a thread. Wow. You are amazing! I have my Lap surgery TODAY and this thread has dispelled all fears, thank you. I'm an NY girl too (lived in Hell's Kitchen for years, now we live on Long Island on the beach) I'll be banded at Syosset Hospital. I had a breast reducton by the great Dr. Nolan Karp in November 2003. I recovered very quickly and LOVE the results. I know a TT is in my future (especially after a 10 lb. baby). I love idea of not standing upright for fear of stretching my taught belly....awesome. That will be my new fantasy! lol. Thank you again and congratulations for all your accomplishments. You are an eloquent, beautiful, strong woman. NOW GET UP SOME PICS!

Me too! I have my surgery at 1:00 pm. I wish I had a Valium right now! Best of luck to you.

Hey Tracy! I'm off to the hospital today at 1:00 PM for my banding! AAAAAAHHHH! I'm excited. I managed to lose about 10 lbs. pre op (I had a very quick journey...5 weeks from start to surgery). I believe I'm at 237 and started at my highest at 247. Looking forward to checking in with you. We can DO THIS!

I love this post! I have my band surgery tomorrow and can only hope to have half as much success as you! Wonderful. Jill in NY 245/239/175 Dr. David Mayer

I Have found My People here at LBT! LOL. I will have to KILL you before I allow you to steal my fantasy husband away. Although it seems he would be one PIA to live with....maybe just a fling and break his heart (=more post-breakup pain songs)?? I'll have to sleep on this one (and perhaps throw a "nice dream" in for good measure)? singles still holds up for me at every listen, watch. Cameron Crowe got it down. Almost Famous was another beauty even the supergroup used for the music was amazing. Then there was Elizabethtown...2 outta 3, I guess. Lizr---BEYOND excited for my surgery. I just can't believe it all came together. This is quite a time in my life. Not an organized religion fan, I have found myself "thanking" someone, (thing)??? for the positive turns happening in my world. Hoping I just hit my stride. Jill in NY When Flannel Ruled the World Lap 4/11/07

Lizr! Fast friends..... That song makes me POWERFUL, I remember screaming it at the top of my lungs in my convertible...lol. Love your sig pic. It reminds me of Martha's Vineyard (our late-summer vacation spot) Jill in NY surgery 4/11/07 Dr. David Mayer, Huntington NY

I just today have added a playlist to my ipod for my post-band workouts! LapPlaylist: Would-Alice in Chains Remedy-Black Crowes You Oughta Know-Alanis Morrisette Tangled Up In Blue-Bob Dylan Rearview Mirror-Pearl Jam Heartshine-Mother Love Bone Lift-Brad Olympia-Hole Stoned Me-Van Morrison Saint In The City-Bruuuce Senorita-Justin Timberlake Fool-Shakira Chariot-Gavin DeGraw cool cooldown Almost Cut My hair -CSN&Y Descender-Black Crowes Buttercup-Brad Stardog Champion-Mother Love Bone ("uh, oh yesssssss" a PERFECT workout ender) Jill in NY Former Lollapalooza, Grunge, Eddie Vedder Loving Bachelorette Current Mom, International Sales/Freight Forwarder, Loving wife (still a closet rocker!) Surgery 4/11! Syosset N.Y.- Dr. David Mayer 245/???/175

Awesome Bean! We are on our way! You have done so well on the 6 month diet...you are gonna kick butt. Congratulations!

I am on cloud 9. I started this process on 8 short weeks ago......although I've been fighting this my whole life. My beautiful sister had LapBand and was so successful. She had her share of complications (slippage, changed to VG band after 10 mos) so I knew what I was possibly in for. I found a wonderful surgeon (Dr. David Mayer in Huntington NY) with an amazing staff who took my 4000 calls without hesitation. This was a no brainer....ahh, but to get COVERAGE! I jumped right in after my initial consult...PCP visit & letter, cardiologist (EKG & Echo), Psych Eval, Nutrition Eval, pulmonologist, sleep apnea study (yep, I have that!), endocrinolgist (I had my thyroid removed in 1999), a personal letter of my struggle, diet journals for years, PCP visits with notes....you name it, I did it, copied it, faxed it.I called Empire 4 times and asked a zillion questions. I was on hold a total of three hours (lol) but it was well worth it. My paperwork was submitted Monday 3/26, APPROVAL 3/28, and today (3/30) I was given my surgery date of 4/11! I will have surgery on Wednesday and hope to be back at work on Monday 4/16. It has been a crazy, frenetic (can you tell I'm a bit OCD??) and amazing ride. I just can't wait. I begin my pre-op diet on Monday, although I have been eating much smaller amounts and exercsing daily and have lost 5 lbs. since my initial consult. I'm feeling really good.........so blessed. I have a wonderful husband who albeit scared of the risks, is very supportive of my decision. I have a 5 year old love of a son who I am partially doing this for. I'm going to run on that beach with him this summer (and MAYBE even wear a bathing suit???!) This forum has already been a haven for me. I learned so much, armed myself with such useful information. I can only hope to be as successful as so many on the boards. What a cool group, all fighting the good fight, together. Jill in NY LapBand 4/11/07 245/??/175 BMI 41 Dr. David Mayer, Huntington NY

I'm a FIRM fanatic. The Firm Basics are a great start if you can get your hands on them. I also like the "For Dummies" aerobic & weight DVDs (not as easy as you'd think, just very basic, non-dancey moves). The most KILLER I have is Gin Miller's Intense Moves. She is my hero! She's jumping and bopping and barely breathing hard. Amazing woman. Jill in NY BMI 41 APPROVED! 3/28/07 Dr. David Mayer, Huntington NY

I'M APPROVED!!!!! I got the call today at work. Kim, the office manager asked if I was sitting down...and told me she had approval in her hands! 2 days! The papers were submitted Monday! I'm on cloud 9. She will call tomorrow to set up surgery date. I'm hoping for 4/11 or 4/18 (Doc does surgeries on Mondays and Wednesdays....Wed would mean just three days off....(keep your fingers crossed for me). What a day. I went straight to the gym after worked and sweated like a pig! I'm feeling soooo STRONG. Just acll me Bandita! Jill in NY BMI 41 Dr. David Mayer, Huntington NY

Airwayman...funny thing, my Dr's insurance "girl" is Kim and his nurse is Dawn! Odd! My pulmonologist decided to snail mail, not fax my results to my surgeon...WTF??? I thought we'd be submitting today Waiting...... Jill in NY

I'm Empire BCBS in NY. I received my final results from my Apnea testing and I do have mild apnea. I have to say that I've never been so happy to hava a malady! I hope the Pulmonologist will fax a letter confirming this to my surgeon tomorrow....and then we submit! Whew. So, BMI over 40, over 5 years morbidly obese, psych eval, nutritional eval, 6 months "letter" of progress from PCP, Esophogram, EKG, Echocardiogram, letter from chiropractor re:osteo, CT scan of fatty infiltration of my salivary glands and liver (yes, even my glands are FAT), PCP letter of failed diet attempts, letter of support from my Endocrinologist (med controlled hypothyroid BTW). Hoping this will suffice. I did also have gestational diabetes but I don't think it counts, as it is not currently KILLING me. I'm a little sarcastic this evening..but I am so beyond excited, nervous, anxious...... Please send me some good vibes. Oh, BTW, after 2 weeks of daily, intense excercise and dieting...I gained a pound according to my PCP's scale. I wanted to cry.....I need this help so badly. Jill in NY BMI 41 246/???/175 Dr. Mayer, Huntington NY