mommywoods

I went to my first consulation today. The staff was excellent and explained to me that GEHA requires the following:
6 months of supervised visits to check for monthly eating habits. No diet, but dietician speaks to you and basically there to prep you for pre and post surgery eating habits.
GEHA requires an "in hospital" procedure, where many procedures can take place in an office/ clinic setting.
GEHA doesnt require a sleep study, but is covered if you want the study as an option. Study can be conducted at your home.
Out of pocket after insurance, I will be paying less than 2k out of pocket.
GEHA also requires for you to meet your deductible before anything. Some hospital fees may not be covered, however they told me i was still looking at less than 2k out of pocket.
Hope this helps!

Yessssss!!! Got approved by my insurance today, meeting up with Dr. Wright on the 19th of November. However, I am excited, nervous, anxious and did I say nervous!? Any questions you all can think of that I need to ask Dr. Wright? I wrote all my questions down, but just wondering if I forgot anything. Ready for my new journey.

Thank you!

Thanks everyone. Lump is near my sternum and the liquid leaking is from my port area. Right now im feeling better. No pain just soreness. Have had a heating pad on all day. Its been tolerable, but going straight in to see my surgeon tomorrow. Thank you again for your comments.

I haven't been on here for a couple months and just wanted to give an update. I was banded on August 19, 2013. Since my surgery, I have lost 54lbs and lost 9 inches off my waist. I have gone from 257lbs to 203lbs....from a size 22 to a size 12. One-derland is so close!!!!! Hope everyone else is doing good.....I LOVE MY BAND!!!

i do not feel the band and i can feel a slight (hardness) where my port is...and the more weight i lose, the more it is more visible.and that DOES NOT bother me...(my battle scar/symbol) of my winning the fight again super morbid obesity..
why does it not bother me...because 17 months ago, i was looking at my stomach and looking like i was 2 yrs pregnant with 56 kids inside..i will take a slight bugle over living with a stomach that size any day.

I have done the seminar, met with my Doctor who will be doing surgery, I have 4month wait with my insurance but already have 2months done because of my primary doctor, waiting to here if anything from my psychologist will work to knock some more time off if not month 3 appointment is on December 12, 2013 and looks like surgery will be at the end of January or February 2014. I'm just so excited and so ready to have this done, I also already met with the NUT and psych dr in Tampa Fl. So just waiting for surgery date...

I am down about 85 since the the "before" picture! Banded April 2013. I'm so very thankful to be on this journey.

Deleting

Hi there, reporting in from Band Land! Everything went beautifully and I am recovering well. Just did a long walk with my IV pole up and down the halls for a while and some boullion is cooling as I write this. Let's see, 8AM registration then gown donning in short stay unit with nursing intake, anasthesiologist, hello from surgeon, etc. They put on an oxygen mask on me and the drugs into my IV then I woke up in recovery without ever knowing I was wheeled out of there. My surgery time was 9AM -- don't know what time it ended or how long I was in recovery -- an hour or teo? They let my husband sit with me and that was good as it was a bustling place and I felt some of that shoulder gas pain many people mention and mild anxiety. He did quite a bit of neck massage for me. It is still stiff in that area but I would describe it as discomfort rather than pain. I was coming off of the anasthesia with in and out napping until about 5PM. Very thirsty! Drinking lots of Water I brought from home -- we have beautiful Water in our well and here in the city it is chlorinated.
I am not taking the Dilaudid offered. Nurses concur better to stay away from that world of side effects if possible. Really hoping for narcotic-free experience. I think that pain medication can cause a kind of hyper-focusing on pain that makes it duller but more apparent if that makes any sense. There is ibuprofen in my drip. Have been doing yoga breathing -- have my sleep mask (CPAP) and I go home tomorrow following barium swallow. I have pain prescription filled should I need it as well as liquid Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Will keep you posted.
Oh, I had a hernia. How many times have we heard that here but still I didn't think it would be me. Now I need to do hernia research as I don't really know what that is -- but it doesn't matter, all taken care of now. This actually allowed my husband to "out" my surgery to my parents in a way that keeps my lapband private as I am one of those who don't want many people to know.
Nurses and aides all fantastic. Extremely quiet and near-empty by chance -- very nice for me to have my own room. I will go walking again soon, not to walk off any pain but more as a preventative thing and because I feel a little antsy. Planning to watch old episodes of all the Masterpiece Theater stuff my husband has suffered through once already.
Hope our other Recent Bandits are doing well and every one else. Many many thanks to all of you who helped me get ready for this day. You are wonderful!

I know how everyone loves before and after/ during pictures, I sure do.
First off, I would like to say that I started this journey for a baby. My husband has an extremely low sperm count and the only way for us to have a child was through IVF. I was denied because my BMI was 42.3 and I weighed 278lbs at 5' 8. I needed to be a BMI of 30 or lower before my doctor would look at me for IVF, (Invitro Fertilsazation) I am now at 27.8 at 183lbs. I don't care how much more I lose. I had a goal of 145lbs but don't care at this point. I am soooo happy at where I am, at this point. I get to start IVF in March. Unfortunately they found a Fibroid Tumor the size of a softball which will be surgically taken out on November 20th. I also don't care at this point about that tiny little obstacle on my journey. I am seeing a healthier me and a child in my future. I am not a 5/6 but a 9/10 and can't be more excited! I am happy and confident in myself and my future. To hear the little pitter patters of baby feet in my future is what makes me smile. Knowing that I can possibly have a healthy pregnancy and see my grand babies and hopefully great grand babies makes me smile I took this journey for a child but recently realized it was for myself as well.
SD- 2/11/2013 5'8 278lbs
Today- 183lbs

You look AMAZING!!!
Such an inspiration.

You look AMAZING!!!
Such an inspiration.

Yay!! Nice to see SA in the house. I have my 6 month visit at TR this thursday and hoping they schedule me for my surgery soon. How long after your last pre op visit did you have surgery? Im going thru my insurance which required six months pre visits and weigh ins. Would love to meet up with any of you, pre or post patients. Like sweetrose, im excited and nervous. Also doing this for my kids. 4 and 6. Text me any time. 210-392-6725
Anyssa

Surgery is set for Monday at 11am.. Feeling anxious and excited! I'm a little nervous about what to expect when I wake up and excited about this new chapter of my life. Tomorrow I am all clear liquids...please keep me in your prayers...

Although I am not ready to share body pics, I wanted to post face shots since my lap band journey began 10 months ago.

I just got a call from my doctors office that I'm approved. Soooo excited - and wanted to share the good news. I'm looking to have the surgery early December.
I've been a lurker on here for the last few months and have learned so much from you guys. Finally decided to join. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Hi Rose!
Im also going to True Results in SA. Staff is great! Due to my insurance, I have had to wait for six months. Next month will be my six month. Im excited yet nervous, but looking forward to a new life. If you have any questions, please feel free to text me. 210-392-6725
Best of luck!!
Anyssa

Hi Rose!
Im also going to True Results in SA. Staff is great! Due to my insurance, I have had to wait for six months. Next month will be my six month. Im excited yet nervous, but looking forward to a new life. If you have any questions, please feel free to text me. 210-392-6725
Best of luck!!
Anyssa

Down 64lbs 24lbs to go, loving the journey

My one year progress, not where I would like to be but ALOT closer than when I started. Stay focused and you will see the weight come off.

You look awesome!!! Great job. How tall are you? Im 5'10 and weigh 290. :-( hoping to get banded next month after my 6 month pre op requirement by my INS.

I was banded in Feb this year at 340 lbs, and got good restriction after 2 fills by July. I'm now at 265, with a goal of 170 (I'm quite tall). Here are my before and afters :-) will post a current full body one soon too. Xx

Today is my 6 month "bandiversary". I'm exactly 50 lbs down...8 pant sizes from a 24 to a 16. Down from a 2X shirt to an XL/L.
I've run 2 5ks, exercise 5x/week, sit with my legs crossed, don't mind photos anymore. My last BP was 114/70.
I'm 1/2 way to where I want to be. I feel good. I feel renewed.
I heart my lapband!

Hello Everyone. I thought it might be a good time to post a before and after picture of my journey so far. I started my 3 week liquid diet on May 23, 2013, had my surgery on May 12, 2013. My starting weight was 360 pounds and as of today I am down to 263 pounds. For anyone who is struggling it can be done. I still have another 63 pounds to go before I hit my goal of 200 pounds. I know I have many challenges ahead but I now have the confidence to meet them head on. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey so far.