AZ Gary

Thanks Guy and congrats on your success so far. Have dropped all the pain meds, never had to use the nausea items and down to 3 doses of a really foul tasting antibiotic.

I agree the pillows help when laying on your side. I have to use a CPAP machine for the first week so I was sort of forced to lay on my back. (But I found a way)

I went out for a small shopping trip with my wife on day 2. Mainly pushing the grocery cart. Seems like it helped me to ease some of the gas issues. Going to venture back to work on day 4.

I've seen a lot of comments of people feeling hungry post surgery. When does this typically kick in for most of you? I am day 3 post and haven't felt it yet. I know from the pre-op it was day 2-4 that was bad but I passed over it. Who knows, maybe having the 3 week pre-op may make it easier. The only hard thing I have had to deal with so far was some medications. 4 pills are pretty large and can only be split once and not crushed. So that gives me 8 pieces to swallow with some rough edges. I plan to talk with my PCP to see if there are any alternatives for Slo-Niacin.

Applesauce is on the permitted foods, (No more than 2) for day 3. This is from True Results out of Scottsdale. But I would follow what your provider recommends since they will be the ones supporting you.

I'm day two post op. Pain is tolerable without meds except for the one I take at night. The gas is starting to move around. Only real tender spot is the port area. Actually looking forward to jello or a shake this evening.

I was delayed for a week but finally made it to the party. Was surprised didn't sleep until my regular bedtime and walking around has not been difficult. This morning just a dull pain. Looking forward the the journey ahead of me.

Home already. 4 hours from leaving house to being back home. Kitten returns home later today. All is good so far.

As I mentioned last week I was left standing at the altar by my anesthetist who wanted extra tests at the last minute. Well I made it through that and another 6 days of shakes and have my surgery set for later this afternoon. But just to add some more excitement to the conclusion of this saga, last night at 9pm one of our cats either ate or was stung by something when resulted in a trip to the animal emergency hospital. Got home at midnight and had a few calls saying it was iffy at best for a good outcome. But as of 7am this morning she looks like she turned the corner and will make it. And to top it off, Phoenix is hitting 118 this weekend. Guess my post op exercise will be indoors. Enough with the drama, let’s roll the closing credits on the pre-op part of this trilogy. Back on in a few days or whenever my wife allows me near the keyboard. Gary

Has anyone ever seen any studies on the success rate of self pay over insurance covered procedures? In my personal case comparing it to my education pursuits, when someone else was paying for it, I didn't give it 100%, but when it was coming out of my wallet, that was totally different and I aced all the classes.

Too bad we don’t have a card for a free shake at the end of the pre-op diet, then we could all be like Elaine from the Seinfeld Festivus episode. I'm sure most of us feel that way. ELAINE: Oh, I can't believe it! I've lost my "Atomic Sub" card!.. Oh no! I bet I wrote that fake number on the back of it when I gave it to denim vest! JERRY: So? ELAINE: I've eaten 23 bad subs, I just need 1 more! It's like a long, bad movie, but you want to see the end of it! JERRY: No, you walk out. ELAINE: Alright, then, it's like a boring book, but you gotta finish it. JERRY: No, you wait for the movie! ELAINE: (Irritated, and through clinched teeth) I want that free sub.

I have to give kudos to the True Results support staff for stepping up and taking charge on issues that occur outside of the norm. In my case and this one it seems like they went the extra mile to resolve things.

True Results was able to expedite the sleep study for me and I am rescheduled for this Thursday. So only a week slide in the schedule. Starting the third week of the shakes, I am starting to think they don't really taste that bad.

I was called the night before surgery that they wanted additional tests ,but they were able to expedite things and was able to be rescheduled for this Thursday. So three weeks of protein shakes. I feel your pain, but hang in there.

Thanks everyone. I know they are thinking about what is best for me. They are sending the sleep study machine with Saturday delivery, so they should have the results by Wednesday, I've only had talks with the office staff, none of the doctors have talked to me about the delay.

Supposed to be banded this morning and late yesterday afternoon the office called and said the anesthetist wanted to do another sleep study. Granted mine was over 10 years old, but was primarily used to get insurance to cover a uvuloplasty procedure. Never had to use a CPAP. Seems like they could have thought of this a lot sooner before I was at the end of the two weeks of pre-op diets. So unless they can FedEx Saturday a test machine for a two day study and get the results back, I am looking at three weeks before a possible date because of the July 4th Holiday. I have already self paid the $10K cost.

I recently finished "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." It is in print and Kindle versions. Description from Amazon: This title is an international bestseller. Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose cancer cells - taken without her knowledge - became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first 'immortal' human tissue grown in culture, HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and, have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta herself remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.

If you take any other meds be sure to check with your druggist or physician if the tablets can be crushed or cut. One of mine was time released and could not be crushed so I had to switch to a different form.

Not sure if any of the local media outlets there has a consumer advocate, but that might be a good angle. I have seen a couple of stories on the local TV about insurance companies having a change of heart when faced with potential negative media coverage.

For those of you on the shakes, take a look at unsweetened Silk soy (green carton) instead of milk. 1g of sugar and 80 calories in 8 ounces. Don't make a mistake of getting the flavored versions, they load it up with sugar.

Day 2 was the hardest for me. Didn't help going to a baseball game where I was surrounded by food. Now on day 6 it is much easier and more like a game to keep going. I'm only on two shakes plus the meal. But I agree the sugar free Jello helps.

Start with Alex's book. "The BIG Book on the Lap-Band" It will answer most of your questions. But you have to do your own research on what's best for you and make an informed decision.

I may been using myfitnesspal for some time. I killed my old account and opened a new one when I started the pre-op diet. (Day 5 and I haven't yelled at anyone or damaged physical property) I like it because it will also interface with the Fitbit activity tracker. Yes I am a gadget person..

Guess the key is to define reason. Or to paraphrase Coleman in Trading Places. Food is a good thing taken in moderation.

I'm in Mesa and using True Results out of Scottsdale with Dr. Stevenson. Day 1 of the 14 day pre-op diet and surgery set for June 21st.