Luv2scuba

Congratulations! Let us know how you make out!

Pat

Pam,

Less than a week away! How are you doing?

Pat

Hey Pat,

I don't believe there were any pitfalls being banded so close. We had our surgeries about 3 weeks apart. Even more interestingly, we had our surgeries done by two different doctors. I had mine first. What has been interesting is the personal experiences with post-surgery, like the new activities and capabilities. I think my wife gets a little bummed sometimes because I lost a lot of weight quickly. I noticed the more I move around (walking and bicycling), the quicker it comes off.

Talk to ya later

-Mike-

Hi Mike,

thanks for answering. I'm glad you are both doing well. If I may ask, how much have you lost? How much has your wife lost? What has been the hardest change for you to make? Do you do those new things together? Or are your conditioning levels different so you really can't?

I'm looking for things we can do together, that will keep us moving at least on the weekends.

Hope you have a great day.

Pat

Hi...I would love to be your buddy!

I am 55, just got banded 2 days ago on 8/19/08.

Kathleen in Monterey, California.

Already lost 7 lbs.

Wow

I was scared too....but more scared about what would happen if I didn't get the help of a lap band.

Keep in touch. All is going well with me...I survived the surgery, a little sore, liquid diet is going ok...walking more a little every day.

I have 100 lbs. to lose...on my way!

Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

Congratulations on your band! I'm glad things went well for you! Looking forward to hearing about your journey and getting to know you.

Pat

Good Luck with your surgery. I've been banded since November 2007. I know the benefits after are great. It's still an unending battle, but I couldn't have asked for a better surgery.

I'd be glad to address any concerns. My wife and I both are banded. My wife was a month after me.

Congratulations to you and your wife on being banded! I can't wait! Thanks for your offer to help us out!

My daugher and i are hoping to be banded like you and your wife. Ours will most likely be a couple of months apart tho. We live together and will be each other's main supports.

Were there any pitfalls with being banded closely like that? I know we will have to be careful not to compared the others weight loss to our own. I'm only seeing positives.

Pat

Good morning,

It's a cool morning here in NW Pa. in the mid 40's! It's going to be in the high 70's today and sunny.

Yesterday was a hectic day for me, as i finished up a big report that was due by Friday and got it submitted. I was worried about presenting it to my boss and asked to meet with her yesterday morning, thinking that i would have today to make changes she would want and still submit by Friday. I gave her a copy and she asked if we met the same criteria as last year. I told her yes we had. She asked what we were deficient in. I explained that our mutual aid agreements could be more specific in outling what is expected of both parties. She said to make that a goal for this year and to go ahead and submit it. I wasn't even with her for 5 minutes! I was surprised that she didn't even look at the report.

Now on to my next project of writing a grant to help support the military families in our area. There is no support for the National Guard families as they are not close to a base. So we are trying to set up on-line support groups (much like this) that will allow video conferencing too. I imagine I'll be buried in research today and tomorrow.

A mock trial team - that would be cool! I remember how excited my kids were when they got to attend something like that.

Fills have me a bit worried. I'm not sure if they are covered in insurance or not yet. I have another list of questions to get answered and that is one of them. I'd hate to have to drive the 3 hours and have to pay 400 but I guess in the long run, it would be worth it! Sometimes the logisics of this scare me!

I haven't told very many people that i'm considering it. My daughter knows of course cause she is also contemplating it. I told my best friend cause it's going to impact her life as well. As we go out to eat a lot and it's going to have to change for a while anyway. She was very supportive as she has a nephew who has had the surgery and has lost a great amount of weight, off his diabetes and high blood pressure meds now. I'd like her to attend some support group meetings with me, as I'm trying to educate her on the post-op diet and stuff but it doesn't seem to be sinking in. I've got a few months to keep at her tho. I've also told our summer intern at work. We talk alot about dieting and she thinks i'm so good with my diet now. So i told her i'm considering it and she told me she was too. I haven't shared with her how far i've gone and when we talk about it, i keep it general.

I've decided that i'm not going to tell anyone else unless i have too. I don't want the negative feedback, people telling me i don't need it, or all the horror stories they know about it. I also don't want people watching everything i put in my mouth and asking "can you eat that?" Or asking why i haven't lost 100 lbs in 6 weeks. I think it's a very personal decision. The people at work know that i'm eating healthy now so i hope that that will continue after surgery. I eat at my desk so i don't think anyone will notice the liquid diet. And I'm hoping that i can have my surgery done on a thursday or friday and that i can go back to work the following monday or tuesday, so i'm just taking a long weekend.

As far as my family goes, i'm not telling them. I have a sister who has had by-pass. She has had to have multiple follow up surgeries for complications. She originally lost over 100 lbs and regained 60 of it. She is battling depression and she can't sleep now. Plus her bariatric dr. is telling her to lose the 60 lbs. She has no idea how to do it. His suggestion cut the carbs.

I'm making some other changes too...letting my hair grow out, have been getting my nails done and dressing differently. People say they don't recognize me now...:tongue:. Just wait until i've lost 100 lbs!

My job is ever changing. I do all aspects of disaster planning for 2 counties for our organization. I write the plans, help people prepare, assist during disasters and work on mitigation afterwards. I also have the responsibility of assisting military families with emergency communications and notifications. We are looking to expand our involvement with them as DoD is granting a huge amount of money for community involvement at least under the current President, who knows what will happen next.

I can also be deployed to assist others anywhere in the country in times of major disasters.

Yes i agree with you, the best written plan doesn't do any good unless everyone know what it says (has their own copy) and it is practised. I help our schools practise and drill. The kids are much better prepared than the adults....

Wow, i guess i've rambled quite a bit! :thumbup:

Hope you have a great day!

Pat

PS...like the pic, love being able to put a face with the name.

Morning Pam,

I did a quick ckeck in a BMI calculator and it puts me at 42.05 and you at 39.5., those 2 inches really change things. I was sort of hoping that they measure me a little shorter 5'3" would give me another 10 lbs breathing room....:cool2:

I think you are very brave going to mexico! I don't know if i could do that. I know what you mean about the insurance, i had been fighting with mine to pay for a dietician or nutritionist to help me lose weight. No way would they, but they will pay for bariatric surgery, i will have a co-pay of $150. But anyway, both my parents have been diagnosed with diabetes, my dad, a younger brother have heart problems. Almost all my dad's sisters have died of strokes when they were not much older than myself. So i'm scared now that i've hit that 50 + mark.:thumbup: Why insurances don't pay for some preventative measures is beyond me!:thumbup:

I'm glad you have your husbands support! And that he is going with you. He will have his skinny wife back! :sneaky:

Two weeks of a Clear Liquids would be trying. Do you have a plan? Have you tried any of those Protein bullets?

We have been trying different Protein drinks and have found the slim fast low carb stuff to be the best tasting and easily accessible. Not only do we not have many drs in this area, we are food store challenged as well. It's an hour drive to the "city" to find any nutrition stores or any large chains. So i'm limited to wallmart and a small bi-lo. We have to do drink 6 carnation instant Breakfast packets a day for 1 week before surgery. After surgery, clear liquids for 48 hours, then full liquids for 2 -3 weeks, the mushies for 2 weeks, then soft foods for 2 weeks, then regular food. They say they do a fill 4 weeks out.

Will you go to Mexico for your fills?

I admire you teaching! That is cool that you will be Principal or Superintendent next year!

Didntn see a photo, but then i'm still getting used to this site. I tried to attach one for you. This was taken a few months ago, I needed to submit a photo for work, and had to take in the restroom.... but that's me!

Have a great day! Pat

Hi Pam,

My BMI is around 42 right now. I'm 5'4" and 245 lbs. I'm about 115 lbs over my ideal weight. I can only lose about 12 lbs, before my BMI drops below 40. And at this time, i don't know that i have any comorbidities. My insurance won't cover it if i fall below a BMI of 40 unless they discover some comorbidities. So I'll drink a whole lot of Water before i go to my first appt with my PCP, and try to lose about a lb a week, and i'll be ok, i think.

I've chosen the Hamot bariatric center in Erie, Pa, which is almost 3 hours from my home. My surgeon is Dr. Ali. He comes very highly recommended too. We don't have any surgeons in our area, there is one closer, about 2 hours away but its not a center of excellence. My daughter has to go to a COE for her insurance.

Are you going alone to Mexico? Do you have to do a pre-op diet? The Clear liquids are only for short time after surgery aren't they?

What age and subject matter do you teach?

Hope your evening is pleasant.

Pat

Hi,

Sorry, I didn't get back to the boards last evening. We can support each other regardless of where we are in the process. Maybe we can find someone who is already banded to help us too!

I have 2 grown children who are still at home. They both work 3-11 at the same place. I work 9 - 4:30. I'm a disaster specialist, sit at a desk most of the day, paperwork and computer work.

I'm a widow, so i don't have to "worry" about that type of support. My daughter is also looking to be banded, so i have her as a support but we really only see each other weekends. My son doesn't know yet. I'm not planning on telling him until i know for sure, probably after i get a date, if i get a date.

Here is my biggest fear so far, that my BMI is going to fall below 40 while i'm doing my supervised diet and i won't qualify.

Hope you have a great day.

hello all I am a newbie to this. what exacly is a pb?

Welcome to the group. I'm not banded yet, but as i understand it, pb'ing is productive burping. Kind of similar to vomitting but without the stomach acid. I'm sure those with some experience with it can tell you more.

I agree, this thread and Indio's mentor thread are the best. Although, I see that most of us toggle between several of the same threads!

I love to come here and read the posts and on Indio's mentor thread as well. The info, the caring and sharing are so inspiring. Thank you all.

I tried the Bariatric Advantage watermelon multi and chocolate Calcium chewables and I really despise them. My stomach objects. I switched to Viactiv for the Calcium and "All One" Vitamin and Mineral powder, which my sister has used and loved for years. I mix it in with one of my Protein shakes for now. I can taste it but it doesn't bother me.

My surgeon is recommending Flinstones chewables or gummies. I bought a bottle of the gummies yesterday. They are kind of sour but definately do-able.

I think a lot of the size variance depends on where we carry our weight.

I agree with you here. My sister gave me some clothes she undergrew and i can wear some of them and can't wear some of them. They are all the same size.

I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone here. I feel so at home.

Social settings still make me nervous.

I agree....everyone is here is wonderful and seeing that our goals can be realized despite what the research shows. I hadn't really given any thought to social settings. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with several others that this 50's group is the best. I do check out (and occasionally post) on other threads, but this one is my favorite and my primary support group. Thank you all for sharing. I love our acceptance of each other and our support and encouragement for everyone. It's ok to agree to disagree and everyone's opinion counts, but here we all have the same goal: good health. Our common goals and struggles unite us....Nancy

Yes, yes, yes!

I have been eating very badly since my dad got here for my son's wedding. It makes me nervous that I am up 5 lbs. I will lose it when I come back from Arizona after I take my dad home. I have to remember that I can go back to following the rules and the weight will come off again.

It must be so reassuring to know that you have the tool and the confidence that you will be back on track and losing!

My daughter has decided to join me on this journey. We attended our second support group meeting last week. The first one was a general pre-op session. There was a guest speaker from the dept. of health and she spoke about smoking. There wasn't a lot of time for questions and most of what was asked seemed to be about by-pass surgery. The second session was just for lapbanders and great! The surgeon talked about the differences between lapband and realize. Then took questions about anything having to do with the process. Then the nurtionalist spoke about grazing. After that we were broken into smaller groups, each group had at least 1 post-op person. That was great. The surgeon visited each group and asked each person if they had questions which was wonderful also.

We have our initial consult on 11/20. We are both seeing our PCP's in the next couple of weeks and starting the supervised diet. The other consult appts. will be made at the time of the initial consult. We both have checked with our insurance co's and the surgery will be covered.

Is there anything else we should be doing?

I hope everyone has a terrific day!

Pat

Hi, I'm not banded yet, going for my initial consultation on 11/20. Starting my supervised diet on the next couple of weeks with my pcp.I am doing a 3 month supervised, so will almost finished when i have my consult. My appts with the nutritionist and psychiatrist will be made at the time of my consult.

My daughter will be doing this me, so i have some support here at home. Do you have support?

I'm looking for a band buddy too. You can PM me or IM me if you want. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Pat

Welcome to LBT! Just dive in and ask your questions, there is a wealth of info here. If you need any help with the forum, you can pm me or a moderator. Have a great day!

Every insurance has their own policies on what they will approve. I would call them and ask if your situation would be covered. That being said, my insurance requires 6 consecutive month supervised or two 3 month consecutive months with in the past 2 years. Good luck.

Welcome! Congratulations on having a band date! Lots of good info here.

Pat

Hi Martie,

Welcome to LBT! I haven't had the surgery yet myself so can't answer that particular question for you. There is a board just for us who are in our 50"s. Bet someone there can answer you. Here is the link.

Fifties - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

Pat

Congratulations on your loss! That's quite an accomplishment!

Pat

i have national bcbs plan and mine requires a six month supervised (weight watchers & jenny craig count) or 2 -3 month supervised within the past 2 years. The Dr's staff i have spoken to have a hard time beleiving me too. They say, "I know this is what you thought you heard". I have it in writing (email). I can't get an appt with my surgeon until November, so to be safe, i'm going to start a medically supervised diet with my pcp in sept. that way i'll have almost another 3 months just in case. I don't want anything to hold me up.

But i know what you're going thru. I'd get it in writing and give it to your surgeons office. And maybe start a supervised diet at the same time while you are waiting for appoval. Better to be safe than sorry.

obesityhelp.com has a sample letter and lots of good information about what you need to do in regards to your insurance co.

Thanks Stephanie, those are things i will make note of.

Actually the meeting was quite disappointing. They had a guest speaker about smoking, not an issue for me, and there was very little time for questions with the surgeon or his staff that were there. I went ahead and made an appointment (11/20), as his only requirement before seeing him, is attending his pre-op support group. His office is sending some more paperwork to fill out to bring to the visit. I have an appt with my pcp and am going to do start a med. supervised diet with him even tho my insurance requires only a supervised diet and i've met that requirement with Weight watchers. but am afraid the time frames will not work out. So trying to be safe rather than sorry later.

Is there anything else i can do to prepare?

Good Luck Mary D! Hope you have an easy surgery and a fast recovery!

Going to my first informational session this evening. Nervous and excited all at once.

Hope you all have a pleasant day!

Pat

Hi all,

I'm going to my first informational session this evening. I'm excited to go but a bit nervous also. Because i have to drive almost 3 hours to find a surgeon, i'm going to this meeting alone.

Are there any questions that you would have wished you had asked but didn't?

Really excited to take this first step!

Pat

Hi, I'm not yet banded. I'm going to my first information/support session tomorrow night. I could definately use the support of someone who has been thru the process. I am looking to lose over 100 lbs too.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! Blessed Be.

Pat

Indigo, Welcome back! Sounds like your trip was wonderful!

Orea, Welcome back! How was your surgery?

pj, Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery!

Pat

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's a beautiful day in Pa. today. Sitting on my porch enjoying the sun. I had verification from my insurance co. that my weight watchers time last year will count as my supervised wt. loss diet. I have made an appt to see my PCP for a referral. I'm going to go to an general informational session this wed. with the COE that my daughter and i have chosen. We will both go to the Lap Band informational session the following wed. So i think we are on our way. While it would nice to both be banded at the same time, we have decided it's not really practical. As we will have only each other to rely on after surgery. So i'm hoping that i'll be able to get banded first. It seems she needs to do the 6 month medically supervised diet.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I'm off to my parents to finalize plans for our annual family vacation to the outer banks next month.

Pat

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on taking this important step to a new you! Good luck on the pre-op while in Las Vegas!