Vicki Loichinger

I sure hope you are feeling better. Please call your doctor. Adding on to this, I am getting a bit nervous about the PBing. When this happens is it hard to breath? I get choked really easy and I am scared of strangling on the slime you guys talk about. It has just really started worrying me today. Nothing else about the surgery scares me. Not being put out, not the surgery pain. But the pain of PBing or having something stuck or strangling or having an asthma attack scares me really bad. This past Christmas night, I was eating some popcorn, first bite, I choked, and Hubby did the Heimlich and then I went into a severe asthma attack. No air was moving at all. Had to call medics. After a breathing treatment I was finally okay. But I was really scared this time. Normally I can handle it, but I thought this was the "big" one. Any help or advice or reasurance would be so appreciated. Vicki in Indy

Patty and Suzette, You two are a great inspiration. Thanks for sharing. Vicki in Indy

I am right behind you and taking notes from your list. You sound really prepared. Lots of good info on here. I too have been to several support goup meetings and nearly all GB patients. I so wish there were more Banders to meet. Yesterday I went for my two hour Nurtrition class with the Dietician, and three others plus one of the guests were GB patients. Just lonely me (and hubby as my support) being banded. I knew most of what she was saying didn't apply to me. It was a real waste. I had to ask for a list of the diet I should follow. Then all the way home had to tell Hubby which things applied and which didn't. Wouldn't have been so bad except we drove two hours both ways to go to it. I learn so much from here. Vicki in Indy

Happy New Year Everyone. Well it looks like it is going to be a Happy New Year for me. I found out on Thursday that I was approved for surgery. And on Friday was given the Date of Feb. 3 for surgery. I am kinda in shock. I feel like I will really believe it when I am being wheeled from surgery. Thanks for the knowledge and Support. I am sure to need you guys as much as ever. Hugs and Best Wishes Vicki in Indy

Thanks Teresa, I sure can understand the body fighting the foriegn object idea. Good advice to work with each fill and not getting overfilled. Being too tight can't be good. Thanks again.

Help me understand. If the band erodes, would food or liquied leak out of your pouch around your other organs? Is this why the barium would show it, because it would leak? Does the band erode from the outside going in, or due to things happining inside the pouch? I am not yet banded. But although erosions are concerning, I still will take that chance, and do as others suggest, follow all the rules and take notice at the first sign of trouble. I am just trying to understand the reason it would erode. Thanks Vicki in INdy

Thank you that was very interesting.

So happy for both of you. Sounds like you are doing fine. I hope your first night at work isn't to tough. Rest today and tomorrow. You both will get stronger everyday. I am glad you have each other as 'band buddies'. Take Care and God Bless

Vera, That was great. Looks like your family had a wonderful summer. Such a good looking family too. Thanks for sharing. That program really created a neat slideshow.

Alex, What an excellent post. As someone who is still in the waiting and hoping stage it was very informative. Thanks. I am sure it helped a lot of people.

Dow and Debbie, I think it is so wonderful that you two are doing this together. What committment to each other. A testament to your marriage. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both. I will pray for traveling mercies and the healing hands that will be taking care of you. Lots of good advice given. Take care of each other when you get home. Do you have someone comming over when you get home to help you out a bit?

Amy, I have my fingers and my toes crossed for you. I would cross my legs if I could. I am so excited for you. Let us know how your insurance process goes. Follow all the good advice you have been given. The people here are a wealth of info and support. Wishing you the BEST

HI, You will be so close to me. I live on the southside of Indianapolis. Who is doing your surgery? Is your insurance covering it? who is your insurance? Well after all those questions. You need to know that I will be sending out the strongest good thoughts on the 4th. I am so excited for you. I am in the 'getting insurance approval" process. I called St. V's first but since Clarian has a Baratric Services my insurance would only pay for there, if they pay at all that is. Advice, just in general, get your house in order, nobody likes to come home to a messy house and you will be more apt to take it easy if things look nice when you get home. Buy yourself some special new nightgown or loungewear for at home the first day or so. You will feel special. ANd you are. You will do great. If you need anything you let me know, I can come up to ST. V's if you need something. If you would like to call me while you are in the hospital or after you get home let me know. Like I said I haven't been banded yet, but I will be very supportive regardless. I have had many surgeries so I do understand. Hugs and Best wishes

Rose, Pamper yourself this weekend. Don't overdo. Especially since you are planning on going back to work Monday. Take this time to get your liquids in and rest and some walking maybe. And don't plan much besides work this week.. When you come home from work don't have a zillion things you feel you have to do or get done. I am not banded yet, but I have had many surgeries, so this is would be my advice even if you had had your tonsils out. SO happy for you. I am trying to imagine getting down on the floor to do those abs you did. What a gal. You rock. Cause I am sure that helped you tremendously.

What a rough time you are having. Wow. Hopefully the antibiotics will take care of this. Take care of yourself and good for you for keeping on the doctors till they found out what was wrong. We need to remind ourselves that we know our bodies better than anyone and make the medical community listen to us when we know something is wrong. IT is so frustrating and down right scary that Doctors have so much control and we believe them at every turn and then something like this happens. Not knocking Doctors, I just wish they would listen to the patient more often and not assume things. Okay that is my rant. Take care

Nancy, You should be banded right about now. Sure hope everything went well and you are resting comfortably. We are thinkin of you.

Sending you the very best wishes and thoughts and prayers. I am so happy for you. Do something special for yourself today to help you relax. How bout a pedicure? That will relax you and pass the time and on top of that your toes will look so cute in the Hospital. Hugs

Molynn said: He thought I just needed to eat right and exercise. DUH, why didn't I think of that!!!!! Isn't that the truth. Some people think it is so simple. Well the concept of eating right an exercising more is simple. Being able to do it is another thing. That is why the more I read the more convinced I am that the Band is the tool to help people do exactly that.

Again I thank you for all your encouragement. I have to fight for this. It could possibly be the most important fight of my life. vicki in indy

Penni, Take care and my prayers are with you and and your family. What a lot to deal with. Take care of you too, you need to replenish your energy so you can take care of others. So don't forget about "you". Sending prayers and hugs your way. vicki in indy

Tellie, I so understand your feelings concerning your Doctor. But you have to put your health above being afraid you will insult "him". I think, and this is just my opinion, that we put Doctors on such a level that we think we owe them something. It is so hard to get past the thought they are not "GOD". If you feel confident with the new surgeon and can find some references about her, then go ahead and let her get your band fixed. Tell the other Doctor when he gets back. You can't wait three weeks. You shouldn't even have to think that you could. And neither should he. The "why did this happen to me?" there is just no answer to that. Crap happens. You were in tuned with your body enough to know that something wasn't right and you found out what it was and can now get it fixed. You will feel better after this surgery. You know what to expect. You have been through it before. When all is said and done you will be so glad you had it done. Your Husband should not feel he has to tell anyone exactly what you are going through if you don't want it told. If you can't make the trip, then it is just as simple as you aren't feeling well. If you had the flu or something like that would anyone think anything about your not going? If he feels he has to tell them something concerning the surgery or hospital stay, tell them you are having a scope or something. Something vague. It is no one's business. But I know that is easier said. I am wishing you the best. I am praying for your peace of mind as you have to go through this. Just keep your eye on the prize. It will be all worth it. This is being said by someone who has not yet been banded,and may not have a clue what I am talking about, but I am wanting to be so bad, that is why I want to support anyone I can. Hang in there "This too, shall pass" vicki in indy

Thank you all, I hope I can keep the energy to go through all thier hoops. If there was anyway, and believe me I have thought of all of them, to self pay, I would be on a plane to Mexico as soon as possible. But bad credit and some recent financial problems would keep us from getting approved for any type of loan. So Insurance is my only option. I keep buying those lottery tickets. If I were to win that is the first thing I would do. Schedule Surgery. Vicki in Indy

When I think about the people that have been denied this life saving surgery by insurance I get so mad. I have been sitting here searching on this site those of you who have had financing experience. And then I just thought, that is just not right, if a person has insurance this should be covered. I am covered by three insurances and feel like I am probably in for the fight of my life to get the Lap Band paid for. It just shouldn't be this hard. If I went to the ER right now with a blocked artery, they would do heart bypass no question asked. This surgery could help me avoid needing one. I could go on. I know all of you know this. I just am really upset and I am just at the beginning of the process. The PCP hasn't even sent in the referral. His nurse wasn't real helpful. SO I can already tell I will have to fight this all the way. And you know when you are in pain and you don't feel well sometimes it is hard to fight. But then I just looked at my little step son, he is nine, he has cerbral palsey, and he needs me. He just came over and gave me the biggest kiss and hug. I have to fight for him. He needs me, as well as my older boys and I have a two step daughters and three step grandchildren. My boys haven't made me a grandma yet. I have to be around for that. SO fight I will. And a lot of praying. just needed to vent. vicki in indy

Thankful everyday. vicki in indy

Oh yes they will keep a fire lit under me. I four sons and they all are very health conscious and althletic. The two in the middle (one of them the college guy) were high school wrestling champions. So they know what it is like to be hungry. So they don't have a lot of sympathy sometimes. They have this "tough love" approach. their dad and I are divorced. their dad would think that surgery was the whimps way out. My husband now, is very supportive. And he is sympathetic, probably a little too much. First husband didn't think I could do anything right and current hubby thinks I can't do anything wrong. What a difference. Vicki in Indy