ambaloosa

We are just about the same! I had my band about 6 years ago and just revised to rny yesterday. The initial time in recovery was so much worse, but now I'm really starting to feel good. I am feeling hungry, though, are you?

10/16/13 ambaloosa

I am 36 weeks today and have gained about 4 pounds. My OB told me I didn't need to get unfilled and could even get more fill if it helped me regulate my weight and the baby was growing well. I had very little restriction at the beginning of the pregnancy but now I am pretty restricted. Everything is going great, though, so I do not plan to unfill.

Hi, I'm curious to know if anyone else has "transferred in" to the SMDC program? I had my surgery with Dr. Krook at HCMC in Minneapolis, but I'm looking for a program closer to home to have my fills done. It took weeks for SMDC to call me back and when they finally did, they told me that I'd need to be evaluated by their psychologist and dietician in order to be accepted into the program even though I'm just looking for fills. I had been planning on going there, but those requirements seem pretty ridiculous. Has anyone else had that experience trying to transfer into a program? Amber

I was banded on Tuesday morning and by Tuesday evening, I could drink about a half cup of water (that's about how much I could get from a glass of melted ice chips). Now, I can drink pretty much as well as I could before without any problem. I can finish a protein drink in 5-10 minutes if I want to, but I usually try to savor those over a half hour or so since I want to feel full from them.

Hi All, I was banded this morning at about 11 and I'm feeling really good. I've been up and down to the bathroom a couple of times and I'm not having any pain other than the incision sites are a little tender. The doc said everything went great and there were no problems with my liver. Now I'm just sooo excited to get started on losing this weight! Amber :thumbup: :frown:

Hi, I am having surgery on Tuesday (yeah!) and I am worried about my liver. Prior beginning my lap band journey, I used to drink a lot (not to the point of having a problem, it was just more a part of my life). My liver function levels were all good at my pre-op and I have been following a pretty low-carb diet, but I am still worried. Has anyone else been through this and did the banding go OK for you? Thanks!

Hi Karen, I think your surgeon's office was probably saying that your surgery will be scheduled about 4-6 weeks after you get insurance approval. The insurance company is required to respond within two weeks of receiving the request. I have BCBS of Minnesota and I received approval 2 days after my surgeon submitted the request. Out of curiousity, where are you being banded? Amber

I feel your pain, Daisy and Debbie! My doc only wants a 2 week liquid diet, but he said he wouldn't do the surgery if my liver is too big, so I don't want to take any chances. I thought maybe I would start my low-carb/liquid diet a week early (I am getting banded 9/16). I was on medifast this summer trying to lose the weight and it required 5 protein shakes a day and also allowed low-carb foods and it was haaaaaard. I got the info packet from the hospital today and they only allow 3 protein drinks or other caloric beverages per day during the 2 week pre-op diet. I want this so much, I know I can do it, but I don't think I'll start the liquid phase until I have to. Good luck! Amber

Hi Everybody! I have been lurking here for quite awhile. My insurance requires 6 months of physician supervised diet before they will approve the band, so I've been working on getting that done. I had my last dietician appointment in June and just had my consultation with the surgeon last Friday. As long as I get the insurance approval (which I expect I will, I should be scheduled for surgery in early October. It's been over a year since I started working on the requirements, so I'm very excited to finally be so close! Amber

Hello! I am wondering if you could give me some idea of how long it took from when you had your initial appointment with your surgeon to when you had the surgery. Did you hit any roadblocks and if so, what were they? I am seeing my surgeon for the first time on Thursday and I'm very excited, but I want to have a realistic idea of how long everything takes and what kinds of obstacles there might be. I have insurance and they do cover the surgery (although I don't know yet if they have any requirements). Thanks! Amber