mermaidpuppy

I went to my "pre-op" visit today in preparation for my surgery on Aug 23rd. I had gained 10lbs since my last visit in May........ My surgery was cancelled. Dr. said I was going in the wrong direction and needed to take this seriously. My Dr. dosen't require a pre-op diet. So I didn't think I had any "stipulations". My mom had a stroke in July, so i've been taking care of her and my grandma now, no time for myself, stress eating is at an all time high. I'm trying not to let this get me down, but it's hard. I had my week off all planned,(from both jobs) won't have another week off until Christmas. The dr said I could do it on a Friday and go back to work on Monday, but that seems daunting. I've got to go back in 2 weeks and revaluate, liquid diet until then. I'm supposed to walk 30 min/twice a day in this record setting 100 degree heat we are having... I wish I had someone to give me a hug and tell me it's all going to work out. But I don' know if I'd believe it or not right now. All over 10lbs.

I'm scheduled on Aug 23rd. I can't wait to add to the list! Everytime I think about the struggle ahead of me, I come here and get re-energized! Thanks for the inspiration... I'm so ready.

I'm so excited for you! I'm 31 and will have my band placed on Aug. 23rd. I only wish it would have been an option when I was 19! I guarantee you life will be a lot different as a "normal" size person in your 20's with dating and jobs. I've always been up and down, and I'm tired of losing and then gaining it all back. Thats where I think the band is going to come in handy for me. Helping me keep it off after I struggle to lose. You will have such a easier time as a smaller version of yourself. How lucky to have a mom and sister to go through it with! What a great support system. Keep us posted! Good luck.

My BCBS NC approved my surgery the day after I faxed the last piece of "Pre-op" testing to them. It's BCBS PPO. I was preparing for a battle, but no need. Also, I didn't have to do the 6 month supervised diet plan. I just had to have the last 5 years of records weights by doctors. I only had 3 yrs of history since I didn't go to the dr regularly, so they accepted 4 out of 5 and the accepted a dated picture for one missing year. Really easily. I'm set for surgery on Aug 23rd. Good Luck to you!

Thanks for all your advice. I'm usually very independent, so it's hard for me to ask for help. I'm the typical "fat girl" people pleaser that can't say no to anyone who wants me to do something. But I'm going to have to ask for some help with this one! But I think im going to take my post-surgery week off as a pampering week. Luckily I will have Friday-the next Monday off because of the Labor day holiday. Near the end of the week, im thinking, manicure, pedicure, maybe a facial. Part of the new me!

:confused:A question for those of us that have made it past "the day"! I will have my surgery on a Thursday, and my boss is leaving Friday for a week long vacation and I'm housesitting for him. He doesn't know im having any surgery. His animals are old and won't jump on me or anything.... It's an easy job, Ive done it a zillion times and it pays well! My question is.......am I going to need someone with me? How soon can I drive after surgery? I was counting on my younger sibling to stay with me and help me, but his job is sending him out of town last minute durning that time! My mom was my other back up, but she has had some recent health problems and isn't driving. I don't know if she will be able to drive by that point or not. Am I being unrealistic? Can I stay by myself durning recovery? Can I drive? How soon after? The house I will be in has a decent flight of stairs up to the bedroom, but in my dr. info it said stairs were fine.... What do you think? I don't want to set myself up for failure and be miserable, but on the other hand, It might not be an issue at all. I'm kinda stuck at this point.

Thank you all so much. This was exactly what I needed! I think there is such a thing as "too much research". I think I was just burned about with all the "PB's, reflux, port pain, constipation, NO weight loss" talk. So your words of wisdom were a major help in getting my excitment spark back. I'm sure I'll be back to read these words more than a few more times in the weeks leading up to the big day. Thank you all so much!

I'm scheduled for surgery on August 23. I'm very excited, however, I've been reading a lot of posts on her in the last week or so that are starting to slightly dampen my spirits. I know it's a tool.......I know I have a long road ahead of me to get where I want to be. But I'd like to hear from a few people who are doing well with their bands. Who loves the band and being banded, and can't imagine life without it! I need a few sucess stories! Thanks so much!

The frist month or so I was on Phen was AMAZING. I didn't crave anything. I would say....humm I should eat a lean cusine so I won't feel like crap later, I wasen't hungry. I lost 40 pounds in 2 months easily. It made my mind clear at work in the morning, no yawning, no laziness. But then.......it stopped working. I was so bummed. I though I found my "LIFE FORCE" or something. Of course I gained back the 40lbs plus 20 more a year later. It made me realize how people can get addicted to drugs easily! It's been about a year since I used it. I'd love to get my hands on some before my Aug 23rd banding date. Because I really feel, any weight I lose between now and then will STAY off. Plus I have a big trip comming up and I wanna get a head start on weight loss. Anyone know where I can order it online without an RX? I did about a year ago, but I can't find a site now thats not a scam. I'd definitely recomend phen, but ONLY FOR A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME. A pre-op diet would be a great time to use it. It definitely raised my BP.

My family was concerned at first. They though I should just give it "one more try" before I did the surgery. They have seen me struggle ALL my life with weight, and they still don't understand. I told them, The decision is made, theres no talking me out of it, so it's just time to GET ON BOARD. They felt better when I explained that it's the least drastic surgery. I think they were thinking about the gastric bypass and all the risks. The few people outside my family that I have told about my upcomming surgery (aug 23) have been very excited for me. Very supportive which is awesome. I had no idea what to expect. The point is..... It's your life. This is a huge hurdle for all of us, but there is a tool that can help. So why not go for it? Make your life easier. Anyone who doens't see that is just selfish. I know people in my life are comfortable with me being the "fat" sister, co-worker, friend. But I'm not happy being that person, so I've chosen to make the changes. And if a band around my stomach can help me.........why not?

Thanks for the responses guys! I will add those to the questions I have for everyone at my pre-op visit. NO catherter? Wow, I just assumed I'd have one. I hope not. The thought of that sends chills through my body. I guess I've just realized that, "Hey, this is really gonna happen now". So I have to get prepared. I'm so excited. How was ur recovery Strawberry?

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the good advice so far. I have my surgery scheduled on August 23. I have a few questions now that it's almost "go time". 1. The breathing tube/catheter..... Is this done while your asleep? Placed and removed? I hope so. How bad was it? 2. Alcohol- I'm a social drinker, and I have a few trips comming up this fall after my band with a drinking crowd. Does alcohol affect you differently with a band? Lower tolerence? Vomiting? I'm not going to blow it out, but do hope I can have a few drinks with friends. Any clues would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I told my parents, they were not thrilled, but my brother talked them into being open minded about it. They wanted me to give it "one more try". Mom, don't you remember me "trying" since I was in elementary school? I work in a small medical office which is broken down into clinic staff and administrative staff. I'm administrative, and work closely with our office manager and another receptionist. I told them, because I needed weird days off for appointments and they were probably gonna hear some of the calls I had to make durning the day. They were both sooo excited for me. It was really good to have the support. I talked with the therapist that evaluated me before insurance approval about telling people or not. I had made up my mind not to tell anyone outside of my immediate family. We discussed it and he thinks telling people will make me more "accountable". If I know people are kind of paying attention to what im doing, if i'm losing or not, it will motivate me to behave! Which made sense to me. I work in a really competive office, lots of suck ups and manipulative B's so I don't want anyone there to get wind of it. In my office of 14 women, everyone is obsessed with dieting and food. I sure don't want to be the new "topic" durning lunch time. But I feel confident the 2 I confided in will keep my secret.

Mermaid Puppy! Band date set August 23rd, Dr. Bauman, Charlotte NC

Wow, after researching, scheduling, tests, lots of faxing, leaving lots of voicemails, more tests my lapband has been approved by insurance! I started this process in March of this year with a seminar at my surgeon's office. I have scheduled my surgery for the last week in August. It will be the last chance I have for a whole week off until Christmas. So I'm soo glad everything is on track for August!!! I can't wait to hear all of your stories. I guess I'll get the benefit of your experiences since I'm gonna finish up August. I'm so excited to get started. I've learned so much from these postings. Anyone else in NC? I'm a 31 yr old, single girl, ready to start my new life! :confused:

I just got my letter of approval from BCBS NC today!!! I went to my first seminar mid March, and finally got finished with my checklist! I didn't have to have the 6 month weightloss program. The only thing I had trouble with is 5 years of recorded weights. They will actually accept 4 out of 5. I had avoided Dr's offices so this was hard. I had to scrape together records and only ended up with 3 years worth, so they accepted a "fat" dated pictures of me to prove i was a chunky girl that year as well! It took forever it seems to go through the checklist my surgeon's office/insurance needed..... More tests that I have ever taken in my life! The Upper GI was a personal favorite. But it was submitted on Tuesday and I called BCBS Thursday and they said it had been APPROVED!!!! I got my official letter today in the mail. The lady at BCBS even said "enjoy your new life"! -Which was kinda sweet. I hope to schedule the last week in August. I know this is just the beginning, but getting approval was much easier than I though it woud be. I assumed it would take weeks....... and maybe even a few appeals. I work with an oral surgeon and jaw surgerys are denied ALLLL the time. So I didn't have much "hope" for it being quick and easy. I stand corrected! Can you tell im giddy? I can't wait till they poke holes in me!!! Bring it on.

I have BCBS NC and need 5 years of weight history in order for them to approve the band. So far I have something from 2002, 2003, and 2006. So I'm missing 2 years. My doctor's office said, I need atleast 4 of the 5 years, I could even try weight watcher's weigh in's, or something from Curves. I've done nothing like that in those years so I'm stuck! Anyone have any ideas? I'm willing to fabricate! Shhhhhh! I've gotten everything else done, even the yummy upper GI! I need one more year of weight history. Has anyone else been in this situation?:help:

Hey there! I know I've emailed you before about NCBCBS. I'm in Charlotte too, been working on all my Pre-op torture and have my consult with the Surgeon tomorrow. So hopefully everything will get rolling! Any tips on getting approved? I was wondering who did your surgery and how you were doing as well. Any info would be helpful. I can't wait to submit everything. I'm so excited about it all. Thanks! WW