Wisdom2KnowTheDifference

I am set for surgery on 9/4 as well!!! Have you started your pre-op diet yet? I'm sorry you are feeling nervous, I will probably be at some point. Right now I am just EXCITED. Being excited just sounds weird when you're talking about surgery?!

Its been awhile since I added an entry to this blog but since mid-July I have... 1) Had my gallbladder removed on 8/3. 2) Scheduled my surgery for 9/4. (Woo Hoo!!) 3) Started my pre-op diet (it is currently Day 3!) My pre-op diet consists of 4 Bariatric Advantage shakes a day and since Friday, I have lost 6 lbs! So that is motivating. My surgeon told me I have to lose at least 15 lbs by surgery, which I feel like will not be a problem if I have already lost 6?! I know its just water, but still. Pretty stoked. I am using the Chocolate Bariatric Advantage powder for my shakes. Though I did try the Nectar "fuzzy navel" flavor today as I had a sample and it was VERY tasty! Tasted like juice. So I think I will be ordering some more of that from the Bariatric Advantage website.My mom got me a NINJA blender which I have been using for some of my shakes to make it more like a frapp. Doesn't really come close to Starbucks, but its tolerable! In preparation for post op, I have purchased some Isopure unflavored powder (about $50 for a 3lb tub, on sale) and some pre-made Isopure drinks, fruit punch flavored. The pre-made drinks came in a pack of 12 bottles, for $64!!! However, they were on sale and then the cashier gave us an additional discount so it came out to about $25! What a steal This was all at GNC. The cashier seemed a little confused/curious as to what I could possibly be using all this protein for... finally I told her I was having Lap Band surgery and she nodded and said a lot of people come to GNC for bariatric supplies. Nosy! So I basically have to get through 2 work weeks, 2 more weekends, and Labor Day on liquid diet before my surgery. Seems like a long time but I have a calendar that I am crossing off the days on. Hopefully with work and everything it should fly by?? Yeah, right. I just keep telling myself this is only temporary...

Hey everyone! I am scheduled for surgery Sept 4 and I kind of want to tell my 2 close girlfriends at work but i'm not sure. They are definitely going to be curious as to why i'm going to be out of work and on liquids... I was going to use the gallbladder surgery excuse, until I actually did have to have it removed last week (I told them about that). So thats not an option... I kind of want to tell them but I guess I am worried about the usual stuff: negative reactions, thinking its cool to continuously ask me about my weight/ how its going, etc. I do not think either of them would blab about it to the rest of the office. I also think if I don't tell them it might cause some kind of rift between us because they will know something is going on and we usually talk about everything. Additional info: neither of them are overweight so I don't think jealousy would be an issue. Thoughts?

Hello, my date is Sept 4. wayyyy excited. Pre-op is next week and I'm thinking they will start me on the pre-op diet then Do you all know what your pre-op diet will be yet? Best wishes to all!

I am also Sept 4!!! Woo hoo!

i also had to have my gallbladder out before my band. had the gallbladder out last friday 8/3 and band is scheduled for 9/4. its not that bad i was back to work for a half day on monday!

I bought Target brand whey Protein Powder, chocolate flavored. It comes in a 32 oz (2lb) container for less than $20. A serving is 1 scoop. It has 25g Protein, 140 calories, 2g of fat and 5g of carbs. For my money, I say thats a pretty good deal And, it tastes great (to me). I put mine in a Blender Bottle with ice and Water and shake it up. I admit, I like my shakes a bit watered down (okay, a lot watered down) so I used 16 oz of ice and water with 1 scoop powder instead of the recommended 6-8oz of water. It would probably taste good at that concentration as well. Hope this helps those looking for shakes! I am, however, still in the market for a good unflavored protein powder, if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks!

I can totally relate to this thought, I keep thinking - I'm sure I'll find some way to screw it up!

I just got the call from my case manager that my gallbladder surgery is now scheduled for 7am tomorrow instead of 5pm because they had a cancellation. I am nervous but excited because I know this is one step closer for me to being banded! A little background, my surgeon told me he would not do my lapband until I had my gallbladder out because it is apparently full of stones and/or polyps. After I have it out, I have to wait exactly 1 month before band surgery (9/4). Any advice/comments/suggestions/similar experiences welcome!

I think its really frustrating when people make these kind of comments, even though they may be well-meaning. especially medical professionals! I had a nurse at pre-testing (for my gallbladder removal) remark that she couldn't believe I was having the surgery as I wasn't "that big"... I swear to god I could have socked her right in the face!

Well, I survived! I am in quite a bit of pain but I have meds, am able to take liquids and I am eating a little. To answer some of the questions - I found out I needed to have my gallbladder out after my Right Upper Quadrant Ultrasound which was part of my pre-op testing for the band. Turns out I had quite a bit of polyps and "sludge." Even though I was not having a lot of symptoms (pain, etc) my surgeon told me he would not feel comfortable putting the band in without taking the gallbladder out first. He told me that quick weight loss can further inflame an already troublesome gallbladder. I thought it was interesting that even though i did not experience many gallbladder pain issues, after surgery my surgeon told me the gallbladder was acutely inflamed and I had quite a bit of scarring around the area. Glad I had it removed!

Does anyone have United Healthcare and have any information on what they had to do to get the procedure approved? I am just at the beginning and have only attended the info session. The surgeon's office has all my insurance info and said they would be contacting them to see, but I am impatient and want to know what to expect, lol! Any advice, info would be appreciated!

FINALLY got my surgery date - sept 4th!! Any other september bandsters?

oh i haven't allowed pictures to be taken of me for years. I very much look forward to changing that

Anyone scheduled for September? I just got my date, September 4!!

Got my surgery date today too! Sept 4 for me good luck!

Anyone here have to get their gallbladder removed prior to lap band? What were the reasons and how was your experience? I have to meet with my surgeon today to discuss this

Whelp... guess I am having my gallbladder out. Doctor says that he will not do lap band unless I have it out b/c he is concerned for complications with the gallbladder post surgery. Also found out I have to have a renal MRI due to a cyst or small mass on my kidney. It just keeps getting better!

My concern is... I have no concerns!! (with my gallbladder). Have never had any pain, attacks, or anything. But my surgeon says the ultrasound shows I have polyps or gallstones and he wants it removed before I can get my band I guess my question is, would I be having my gallbladder removed if I wasn't planning on getting banded? Hmmm.

Update on my endocrinology appointment today. Because of my elevated cortisol, I have to collect 24 hours of pee starting on Sunday (gross!!) and come in Monday for more fasting bloodwork. I have to keep this pee jug in the fridge (did I mention we have a roommate??) Then in 2 weeks I have a follow up appointment and a thyroid ultrasound. yay. The endocrinologist also told me some of the results from my RUQ ultrasound, that my case manager has not discussed with me yet. Turns out I have a cyst on my lower right kidney... they told me about the cyst at the ultrasound appt, but I was glad to hear it was not on my upper kidney near my adrenal gland (which produces cortisol). The endocrinologist said that it said on the report that they recommended a renal MRI. So I am going to contact my case manager at my surgeon's office to see if they are going to go ahead and refer me for that. Sigh.. I am really sad/upset/frustrated about all this additional testing that I have to have. Of course I am going to do it, but I am mad it is keeping me from scheduling my surgery date. I am also feeling preoccupied with all these health concerns and it is affecting my ability to concentrate at work. My endocrinologist also told me that the RUQ ultrasound showed that I have fat deposits on my liver. At this point, I am not sure if this constitutes an actual fatty liver disease diagnosis or what. I'm hoping my surgeon/case manager can tell me more. But she told me I need to be following a low carb diet and should increase my exercise. So... yeeah I've heard that before... I am going to do my best but I am never able to keep any weight off which is why I need to get this surgery!! Of course all I wanted to do after this appointment was go get a GiGi's cupcake to console myself, but... I didn't. Well, gonna have some dinner and get ready for my sleep study tonight. Hope everyone had a better day than me.

I already posted this in my blog, but I was hoping to get more feedback in a thread. So.. Because of my elevated cortisol, I have to collect 24 hours of pee starting on Sunday (gross!!) and come in Monday for more fasting bloodwork. I have to keep this pee jug in the fridge (did I mention we have a roommate??) Then in 2 weeks I have a follow up appointment and a thyroid ultrasound. yay. The endocrinologist also told me some of the results from my RUQ ultrasound, that my case manager has not discussed with me yet. Turns out I have a cyst on my lower right kidney... they told me about the cyst at the ultrasound appt, but I was glad to hear it was not on my upper kidney near my adrenal gland (which produces cortisol). The endocrinologist said that it said on the report that they recommended a renal MRI. So I am going to contact my case manager at my surgeon's office to see if they are going to go ahead and refer me for that. Sigh.. I am really sad/upset/frustrated about all this additional testing that I have to have. Of course I am going to do it, but I am mad it is keeping me from scheduling my surgery date. I am also feeling preoccupied with all these health concerns and it is affecting my ability to concentrate at work. My endocrinologist also told me that the RUQ ultrasound showed that I have fat deposits on my liver. At this point, I am not sure if this constitutes an actual fatty liver disease diagnosis or what. I'm hoping my surgeon/case manager can tell me more. But she told me I need to be following a low carb diet and should increase my exercise. So... yeeah I've heard that before... I am going to do my best but I am never able to keep any weight off which is why I need to get this surgery!! Of course all I wanted to do after this appointment was go get a GiGi's cupcake to console myself, but... I didn't. Well, gonna have some dinner and get ready for my sleep study tonight. Hope everyone had a better day than me. If anyone has any advice/experiences to share, please do!

Good luck!!

so today I went for my hospital testing (upper GI, ultrasounds, chest xray). after about 45 minutes of the rad tech poking and prodding, it turns out I "might" have a cyst on my kidney and "may" need to be referred for a CT scan or MRI. the radiologist said he would just make a note on the ultrasound report to my surgeon and let him decide what to do. it was all very vague! I wonder if I should be worried.

So I did not hear anything back about my ultrasound and upper GI today, but I did hear about my labwork. Turns out I have elevated cortisol levels. I was referred to an endocrinologist and my appointment is Thursday. I am having my ultrasound results forwarded there as well in case this has something to do with the possible cyst on my kidney. I am getting closer to getting some answers but I am also getting more worried. In other news, my sleep study is scheduled for Thursday as well. Just hope I will be able to sleep, depending on what the endocrinologist says...