bandster_1007

hey, i'm not where you guys are yet, but my doctor says that when i make it to soft foods, i can have meatloaf, ravioli, spaghetti, lunchmeat (turkey), etc.

i was banded this past Thursday and last night was the first time that i consumed something of substance (healthy choice chicken enchilada soup--blended YYYYUUUUMMMMMM). I'm having the other half for lunch .

I feel like i may have over done it last night. when i took my first bite, my body was screaming for more, so i ate a little over half of the can. did you experience this?

i found out that my problem is low blood sugar and i have to start taking in some juice to help until i can get a more balanced diet. i will of course have to count those calories.

i'm doing about the same as you minus the complications. however, i am extremely tired and dizzy.

did you have this and if so when did it go away.

i hate that burping feeling.

does any one have any recommendations for getting rid of the "fog" that you feel after being banded. i am on day 5 now and i feel very weak and dizzy. i'm drinking lots of fluid..but it is not helping.

ok, i have had no more nausea and i feel much better. my doctor's rule was Clear Liquids until i started to be hungry and then anything that i could suck thru a straw. the mashed potatoes were thinner than milk and i only had 2 swallows, as with the peas. That was on Sunday and my op was on Thursday, so according to my doc that was right on schedule.

My doc does prescribe pills and he says we should have no problem taking them.

i haven't so far.

i just noticed that i had said 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes and peas..yeah right, it was more like 1/16.

i have carrots and Beans for dinner tonight. they are the consistency of Water.

my docs says anything that i can suck thru a straw and is no thicker than the consistency of pancake batter (and i can count the calories of) i can have.

i think i will be back at work tomorrow. if i could just get rid of this "tired and dizzy" thing i would be great.

wasa--at the time that i threw up i was not eating anythikng. i had actually just got done b****ing at my dh for making me get out of bed because i didn't feel bad. i had thrown up the day before but i was more like heaves of air. however, right when he woke me up i started heaving for about 3 minutes and i literally could feel the Fluid go thru my stoma and come up into my throte. that was a weird feeling.

Since Thursday i have had 3 carn sugar free instant breakfast's, 1 cup of better than boullion beef broth, 1/4 cup of runny mashed potatatoes (thanks to my mom), and 1/4 cup of pureed black eyed peas (those were awesome) and a few glasses of gatorade and Water. the gatorade goes down easier. i also take milk of magnesia twice a day per doctor's orders and i am taking phazyme twice a day.

i am not as nauseous today as i was. i quit taking my pain meds and i am now just dealing with it.

i thought i was going to be able to go back to work tomorrow..but that i WAY OUT of the question..i'm still loopy.

i do not hurt as much now in my stomach, but each time i stand up and move around i feel this tightening in my upper abdomen, is that the band that i feel or what?

honestly i am looking forward to being here all by myself tomorrow, i am FREAKIN' TIRED AS HELL and my doctor told my dh no bed, so i only get to sleep at night.

(my doctor is extremely cautious of clots we where the compression things on our legs and he give us a blood thinner before surgery).

thanks for all of you help..i'm taking this one day at a time..

but i do have to say that runny mashed potat never tasted so good in my life.

Today is Saturday..i think. I had my surgery Thursday and everything else has been a blur.

i keep having this feeling like i'm going to hicup or burp but i do neither.

Plus i threw up today (talk about pain).

Is this normal.

i've been in a lot of pain so i have been taking mepergam 2 of them 3 times daily.

Any input would help...as i feel ike crap.

__________________

Banded: October 18, 2007 in Little Rock Arkansas with Dr. Wellborn

Ms Diva, are you in Arkansas the Susan G.Komen race was today here also. i'm not sure if it is a national thing or not.

stacy, the only thing that my doc gave me was the mepergan (sp), and i haven't wanted to take it today because it makes me so sleepy, and my dh and mom's want me to be out of the bed all day..and i can't because i'm too tired.

also, for those of you who have used the heating pads, are you using them on your belly, too, or are you just using them for you back?

i have not been taking phazyme or anthing, but if you guys think that it will help, i wall get some.

thanks.

i haven't been very nice to my dh because i can hardly keep my eyes open at all and he is making me get up and walk around the house every 15 minutes

i do not have the strength to any farther.

If you guys are feeling better today then maybe i will be better my monday.

Did either one of you actually throw up IT IS VERY PAINFUL?

Today is Saturday..i think. I had my surgery Thursday and everything else has been a blur.

i keep having this feeling like i'm going to hicup or burp but i do neither.

Plus i threw up today (talk about pain).

Is this normal.

i've been in a lot of pain so i have been taking mepergam 2 of them 3 times daily.

Any input would help...as i feel ike shit. :sick

<p>I am so excited about tomorrow(my seminar). It may sound silly, but I can hardly wait. I have read on some of the messages that some doctors require a two week Protein pre-op diet. Can anyone tell me if Dr. Wellborn requires this and if so what kind of Protein shake is the best to go with? Thanks so much! I am just wanting to get a head start.</p>

he only requires a pre-op diet if your BMI is over 45. as far as what the pre-op diet entails, i am not sure.

leslie or tonya at the office are very helpful, and of course i suppose that you could ask tonight.

you will get a lot of info tonight at the seminar. he is an awesome doctor. my consult yesterday just confirmed my thoughts about him.

Hi, did you go for your consult today? If so, how did it go?

i did go for my consult. it really made me feel better. i almost cried a couple of times when Dr. Wellborn was in the office because he was explaining to me in scientific terms exactly how i feel every day....and here this whole time i thought it was just willpower.

he and his staff are awesome. my time was cut a little short because the dietician was gone for the day, but i was still there from noon until around 4 doing the consult and pre-op testing.

the doctor also rates you while you are there to determine whether or not you are at risk for needing an "open" surgery. i'm ecstatic because i rated at the lowest risk. whooo-hooo.

i feel better. i'm looking forward to Thursday. just TWO more days.....ahhhhhh.

i did post some info on the arkansas bandsters??? forum. but it was more about insurance. i have not been in the office but i will go today and i will let you know. i had my date and everything before i ever went to a seminar. i was having a lot of anxiety. however, when i went to the seminar and i listened to dr. wellborn and his staff i was at peace. i am very comfortable with him.

his staff have all had the band, so that is helpful (his wife hasn't). they all know what you are going through, and they are fast to answer questions via e-mail or phone.

i don't have any advice yet, but i will let you know tonight after i go.

i have another friend who is going to the seminar tuesday. it is an extremely informative seminar. some staff members are there to answer questions, and if jamie is there she will let you feel of her port!!! i didn't do it, i tend to not do well in front of crowds, but i'm going to ask to today :cool:.

welcome mommathang!!!!! i'm glad to see you on here!!! there is a lot of support on this forum. i'm being banded by Dr. Wellborn on Thursday. I live in Jacksonville.

thank you brenda. i will keep you posted. i go for my consult monday.

i'm always amazed at the support that we have here.

SGACX-it sounds like you do have a good chance. i love dr. wellborn and his office so far. i go for my consult tomorrow, so i will let you know!!! my surgery is THURSDAY!!!!

MOMMATHANG-hello, i posted some information about Dr. Wellborn a little ealier in this thread, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. i'm scheduled for surgery this week.

<p>

Hey all! I have decided that I am going to start this journey and go to a seminar! I am excited, but scared to get my hopes up. I live in Conway and I have so many questions! I</p> <p> am hoping I can get my insurance approved with BC of California. How does that work? Does the surgeon take care of trying to get it approved? What is the cost of the lapband? The fills?</p> <p> </p> <p>I am looking at Dr. Welborn, he has had over 850 surgeries that focus on Bariatric Surgery. I haven't looked into anyone else. Does anyone have suggestions?</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks!

</p> <p>You will hear this again at the seminar but Dr. Wellborn has actually done over 1000 bands. (They haven't updated their info yet). They will file your insurance for you, but they tell you the code, etc. and ask that you find out the specifics before they do it. They charge a $275 non refundable fee for filing insurance because it is such a timely and difficult process. Also, it takes a lot of their time and they have had a lot of people decide not to go through with the surgery after they filed.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Wellborn and his staff are SUPER supportive. I am a self pay and i have bc/bs, my policy has a written exclusion, but each policy is different. i had completed my patient package, had my labs drawn, and was scheduled for surgery before i even attended the seminar!!! they are wonderful. of course self pay process is a bit more expedited because you skip all of the insurance filing and the requirements for insurance.</p> <p> </p> <p>i called and told them i wanted to do it..found out i was self pay and decided not to do it. three weeks later i e-mailed the girl back and i was scheduled in 2 weeks for surgery. i was in contact with leslie in the beginning and she is super fast and helpful with your questions. you may want to try to contact them first that way.</p> <p> </p> <p>i have been very pleased, and i will keep you updated on my journey. i will be banded on Thursday of next week, and Monday is my consultation and pre op testing. </p> <p> </p> <p>i live in jacksonville..it is nice to meet you.</p>

by the way the cost of the surgery is $16,000 and it includes 18 months of fills and follow up visits, the anestesiologist, and the hospital fees. if you use capitol one credit it is actually

$16,275. (i've read on here before that some doctor's bill the insurance companies an insane amount for the surgery like $50,000, so you may want to double check (if your insurance approves) what the total billed to your insurance will be to calculate your co-pay, etc.

awesome, a swing! And I hate having to wonder if I am too heavy for things that have a weight limit!!

that is definately one of the things that i am looking forward too, i will actually be able to get on the trampoline with my son...

there is a list on here somewhere about things that have improved...well...the weight limit thing and not having to have the "large" sized arm cuff at the dr's office when they are checking my blood pressure are two big pluses (not to mention the swing HEHE).

Socal Gal, wasting away would definately not be a compliment to me either. Sometimes i think people just do not think about the way that they say things and how it will affect the other person. It's hard though to just excuse it.

enterprise 01, i remember when i was anorexic and there was one girl in our whole school (small school) who was obese (try finding a school like that now). anyways, i would complain about being so fat and she would be around and i wouldn't think anything about it. i had no intentions on being hurtful, and when i looked in the mirror i looked just like her, but i knew our clothing size and scale said otherwise. i had done this for several months as my weight seemed to be my favorite topic. One day she looked as if she was about to cry and she just said, "i wish you would shut up, you are not fat and it is insulting to hear you say that you are. how can you look at me and then look back at yourself and call yourself fat". Of course she had no idea that i starved myself until my body would take itself to the refridgerator (freaky) or that i had thrown up so much that i could tighten my stomach muscles and cause myself to do it again (eventually it was uncontrollable). when she did find out she was more understanding. however, i was selfish, but i had no idea until she said that. after that day i do not make it a habit to call myself fat if there is anyone around me that is even close to my size. i do joke about my weight a lot, but i do not moan and complain about how fat i am and how it is so disgusting like i did then. (i am a lot older now though).

my surgery is exactly a week from today. needless to say, i'm getting a little nervous. i know however that it is the best thing for me. i started the process and left the rest up to God, so here we go.

<p>

LOL, I am always suprised that my husband is still as inot sex with me the weight I am right now. I did tell him I would buy a naughty dominatrix outfit for him when I hit my goal and his eyes got real wide!! Good times!

</p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>i hadn't thought of the dominatrix thing, but that is COOL!! i told my dh that i want a swing (because maybe it will actually be able to hold me)..he was ok with that, but then when i was mentioning that i may wear skirts out more often and some of the things we could do...he was lick...WHAT?????....oh well, that's why they call them fantasies...right...</p>

My DH recently said who knows when you hit 150 I'll probably want to bang you all the time. Gee, I- can- hardly- wait! Why am I settling for this chump?

That is funny to me, i have been telling my husband that he will probably want to bang me all the time. i mean, we have a very active sex life right now, but i'm sure that maneuverability will improve, and I excited about the opportunities that will arise. I think i've scared him a little bit telling him all the things i want to do with him when i am "skinny" . he says i am a freak now.

jelbel,

i'm not sure if you were talking to me about the same body shape, but it does sound like we are shaped very similar. i like having a larger butt, but i would by happy if my thighs would trim up more. even at my smallest weight, i have always had "thunder thighs" although they used to be quite muscular.

i haven't encountered many insults, but i do not take a lot of them personally. for example i've heard a lot that i have a pretty face, and there is no way that i am morbidly obese, and that i do not need to lose enough weight to have surgery, etc. etc.

i do have a few moments that have stuck out in my mind though:

one-when my dh and i were discussing this procedure, he mentioned to me that he is a jealous person and he is worried about how he will react after i lose weight. ok, i must defend him because he is very supportive of this whole process and he is willing to pay for it and thinks it is very good for us, most importantly me. however, he is worried about it affecting our relationship as he has heard that it does when people have a dramatic change (ps, boobs, etc). BUT, when he said this, i was like..."ok, i understand that position ...(went on about how it should be a compliment)..then i laughed and said, "you know i should be seriously offended that you do not see a reason to be jealous now, and that you do think guys give me attention."..of course he went on to tell me that he is jealous now, it just doesn't happen as often as he is afraid it will.....silly men.

two: my son is always talking about things that he can invent or start (he is 6), one day about a year ago he was talking about starting an exercising club called "Super Hero Karate Trampoline Club". I laughed and said that sounded like a good club. He said, "yeah, but only dad can be in it." (my son has never said anything about my weight..), of course, after many questions trying to find out why, he said, "ok, mom, you can be in it, but you will have to exercise a whole lot first, but only people that exercise and a small can be in the club"......it was then that i realized that my son actually notices my weight.

third:

this one still plays in my head. my son was 6 months old and i had lost almost all of my baby weight. i'm 5'2", pretty thick with wide hips, etc, had a small waist and big boobs (breast feeding ). i was a bridesmaid for my sister. her fiancee had a twin sister who was tiny. i mean 4'10" 90 lbs. would be pushing it, she was sooo small. well, we are all posing for the wedding pictures and the photographer makes the groomsmen get on their knees and has the bridesmaid's sit on their knee. the skinny twin sister laughed obnoxiously and said in a loud voice, "damn, i feel sorry for (groomsmen) she is going to break his leg") no one laughed, and no one responded. the groomsmen looked more embarrased than i was at the time. he assured me later that he did not feel this way and thought i was very attractive. needless to say, that one hurt...i didn't even feel fat. i thought i looked wonderful for having a baby and people told me that all of the time. they couldn't even tell i had one, and then.................SLAP ...in the face.

I was there last week that was why i was wondering.

This is exactly the post that i needed to see one week pre-op. THAAAAANNNKKK YYYYOOOUUU!

At the time of wls, I had been hypertensive for 30 years, diabetic for 20 years, had had a heart attack and 4 heart stents within the previous 4 years, took meds for all of that plus gout, depression, cholesterol, triglycerides, arthrtis, etc etc. etc. I was using a walker part of the time and shopping for a wheelchair (size extra-wide, of course).

By the time I lost 50 lbs, I was off my diabetic meds, another 25 and I was off my b.p. meds...the other meds went away gradually and now (after -160 lbs) I'm off everything!! I feel wonderful, I can walk, I can do my work.....I now have a life. "

.............................................................................................

Wow that is the most inspirational story that i have heard yet. it brought tears to my eyes. :thinkwhat a story. you need to be one of the lap band spokespeople. i think maybe it touched base with me hard because if i had not decided to have this surgery, i could be that same way in a few years. i have a 6 year old, and i want so bad to be there for him.

i realize that my environment is unsafe. it is just hard to actually accept the fact that it could really be doing this to my body. not to mention that a mortgage company would subject it's employees to this type of situation.

i have many battles to work thru...and you guys on this forum and giving me amo and confidence to proceed through them.

and you are right on about loan processing causing Migraines and ulcer's...amazingly i love the stress.