MrsFraga2016

Got out of surgery at 9am. The worst part was the gas pains. Burped and I feel a little better! I'm in love with the pain meds. Just feels like I'm sore from crunches now. I can't wait to go home tomorrow!

My day of surgery is FINALLY within reach! I will be banded at 7:30am tomorrow. I have to go to the hospital at 5:45 am. I met with the anesthesiologist today and he's gonna give me "the good stuff" tomorrow morning to help with my nerves. I can't believe my new life is about to start. Thank you all for your advice and support thus far.

I started the diet last Monday (on my own) and lost 6 pounds in 3 days. Since then I have stopped losing weight. I offically started my pre-op diet on Thursday after visiting with my surgeon. I will admitt I cheated this weekend, but did not gain any weight back. It was difficult to do the diet around my boyfriend (I will try harder next weekend). For meals I am having a fruit smoothie such as 1 cup of blueberries blended with 1 1/2 cups of plain almond milk, and 1 scoop of unflavored protein powder for breakfast with my coffee (with 2 tbsp. half and half). For lunch I am having a Pure Protein Vanilla shake and a fruit or vegetable (such as a banana or 10 baby carrots). For dinner I am eating a protein (like chicken breast or salmon) with a blended vegetable puree soup (such as asparagus). Does anyone have any tips to get past the after dinner hump? Anything that will satisfy a hunger pain for an extended period or task to keep me busy? I am literally considering throwing out or boxing up any food that will trigger me overeating! Thanks!

This is scary news to me. I teach first grade and can count on getting the stomach virus at least once a year. Ah!

Thanks for the advice everyone! I wanted to stay home anyway. God willing I wil have no complications.

My family is trying to figure out what to do with me after surgery. My surgery is Wednesday October 2nd (TWO WEEKS AWAY! YAY!). It is at 7:30am and I stay over one night. Would people suggest that I stay over my parents house for a few days and have them take care of me or will I be okay at my own home. There are 2 flights of stairs (one from the garage up to the living room/kitchen/1/2 bath and another set of stairs to the bedroom/bathroom) in my condo. If I choose to be home, my boyfriend can assit me until he goes to work at 1:00, but he does not come home until 11:45. I can also have co-workers come over after school at 3:00 if necessary. What are your experiences/thoughts with the after surgery recovery? I know everyone is different, but I consider myself a "tough cookie". I really just want to know, will I be okay to be on my own? Thanks! Nicole

My surgery is also the 2nd! Best of luck to you! I start my pre-op Thursday.

I have my pre-op diet visit with my surgeon this week. My surgery is scheduled for October 2nd (finally!!!!). What puréed Soup recipes have you all learned for pre or post op. I love to cook and need something besides sweet Protein shakes. Thank you!

Student calling me fat or asking if I was pregnant and not fitting onto the rides at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter were my breaking point too. I had a student snootily ask my how much I weigh when I told him he couldn't sit in my rocking chair because I don't want someone to break it. They can be mean sometimes even if they're 6!

*GNC

I use the GNZ brand of the 100% Whey Protein, unflavored. I put one scoop of that into fruit smoothies and can't taste it. It's cheaper too.

I am not having my surgery till October 2nd. I had problems with my dr delaying paperwork. The staff at my school is very supportive, not nosy.

I was approved by insurance today! October 2nd starts my new life!

I got the call today that I was approved for surgery! My surgery date is October 2nd. Anyone else around that time?

I'm currently playing the waiting game with my insurance. I was supposed to have gotten the surgery by now, but my Dr submitted my paperwork 3 weeks after they said they would. I'm probably looking at an October 2nd surgery date. The waiting is definitely the worst part!

I have obstructive sleep apnea. I'm sure it's due to the fact that I have DDD chest and sleeping on my back is not comfortable due to the fact that I feel like I'm being choked. I also need the full nose and mouth mask because I am a mouth breather. I don't not want the CPAP machine for vanity's sake, it's because when I did have to wear it I didn't like it. Several times during the night during my sleep study I woke up unconciously ripping the mask off my face. Quite frankly, the darn thing scares me. hazelsbliss, I don't care if you're not "thrilled" with me. I am not abivalent in anyway. In no way am I contradicting myself. Perhaps you misunderstood what I was trying to say. I am merely trying to see if people have used provent and if it was successful for them. I am looking into it as a possible alternative to getting a CPAP machine. I called my pulmonologist today to try and get it instead of the CPAP because I am not comfortable with the thought of sleeping with a full mask. They must still be making the product because the secretary had just ordered it for another patient when I asked her about it. If the provent product can help my sleep apnea the same way a CPAP machine will, then why not do that instead?

Last month I visited my local sleep center and had the mandatory sleep study done for my surgery. I went into it thinking that there was NO WAY I had sleep apnea. Wouldn't you know that 1 1/2 hours into the night I was awoken by the technician to tell me I had to put the CPAP machine on because I had already stopped breathing 40 times that night! The technician told me I had severe sleep apnea. Well the pulmonologist quickly ordered me the CPAP machine and I politely declined. The woman at the sleep center gave me huge attitude about canceling my order telling me I wouldn't be able the get the surgery without getting the CPAP machine. My doctor had already told me that I didn't need the sleep study results to get the surgery so no...you're lying lady. I don't want the CPAP machine because I would need the full mask. I am also a stomach sleeper and the mask does not permit people to stomach sleep. I also live with my boyfriend of over a year who probably wouldn't like rolling over to Darth Vader. Yes I get headaches and don't feel rested during the day, but surely there must be something else out there that won't make me look like Predator. Needless to say I recently discovered a device called "Provent" online. This is not a CPAP machine. It is simply two little bandaid things that go over your nostrils. Each bandage contains a valve that helps keep your airway open. I am all for trying something that doesn't require me to wear the God awful CPAP machine. I was wondering if anyone else has tried or uses Provent to help their sleep apnea. Does it work? http://www.proventtherapy.com/index.php

A support system is all I'm looking for! Sounds great!

I am a first grade teacher from Connecticut who started the pre-op process in April of 2013. My surgeon assured me on multiple occasions that I most definately would be able to get the surgery done before school started at the end of August. I speedily finished all of my necessary appointments needed to submit my case to the insurance company. The entire time I went to the surgeon, I was told that Cigna (my insurance company) was the enemy who took 30 day or more to get back to them. I called Cigna at around 4:00 today to inquire about my surgery case. Afterall, my doctor told me they would submitt my paperwork ASAP and I had last seen him on July 10th. The representative at Cigna was very nice and put me on hold to see how everything was going. I explained to the woman the same thing I told the doctor. 1.) I am a first grade teacher. 2.) I HAVE to get the sugery done this summer before school starts on August 28th. 3.) If I do not get the surgery done before school starts it will affect my students and their learning. 4.) It will put off when I can get the surgery until October (if they do not hurry up) because no teacher in their right mind would let a sub teach their class the first month of school. The first month of school is where you set your classroom rules and establish a classroom environment. This is especially important in the earlier grades where they are not as familiar with school routines yet. We also get all of our fall benchmark testing done in September. After waiting 10 minutes on hold, the woman says that "Your doctor did not submit your paperwork until July 30th." Wait...what? I saw my surgeon on July 10th! Why did it take 20 days to submit it when they told me they were all set?! The Cigna rep told me that she could not speed the process up any more either. At the most they could try to hurry it after day 24, but that's right when school starts.... After getting off the phone with Cigna, I called my doctor's office to raise holy hell, but of course, they're on vacation until August 12! I am so disappointed with them right now because they knew I HAD to get this surgery done before school started. I can't wait till they get back so that I can hear their excuse for taking 20 days to submit my paperwork. I now have to 1.) Go back to school without the surgery done and explain to everyone why. 2.) Take 1- 2 weeks off from my poor class to recover Sorry for my rant. I'm just so upset

I will probably be banded in October 2013. I am looking for someone to see me through the pre-op diet and post-op life style process. I have been going through the process since May of 2013. I am currently waiting for my insurance company to approve the surgery. I am a first grade teacher from Connecticut and am 27 years olds. I live with my boyfriend and my dog Buster. I have no children and basically live for my job and my students. I am having a hard time understanding the dietician and the stupid weight watcher like point value system diet she wants me to follow (the government plate crap). I need someone to talk to when I want to eat instead of eating. Thank you

Mis73, I am astounded by your weight loss. Congratulations to you. I hope I can achieve what you have achieved. You must be the poster child for lap band! What a success story!

My surgery is not scheduled yet because I am playing the 30 day waiting game with my insurance company. The dietician said they do not want their patients drinking a liquid diet before the surgery because it is not realistic of the life after surgery. I thought the purpose was to shrink your liver and your stomach.The foods they allow your to eat beforehand are restrictive healthy foods, but still, I'm sucking at doing that diet now let alone when I have to decrease my 1800 calories diet to 1000!

I met with my dietitian today and was told about my pre-op diet. I was concerned because I have been reading about people who were put on a strictly liquid diet before surgery. My dietitian however would like me to go on a 1000 Calorie diet that consists of eating regular food. I don't know why they have me doing this but it makes me nervous. I would rather not eat regular Food before surgery because I feel like I'm not going to stop myself from overeating. Has anyone else had to have a 1000 cal regular food diet before surgery?

My dietician wanted me to ask everyone their definition of hunger. Pre surgery and post surgery.