DaisyBell

Good to hear that everything is good now. It is amazing what just a little bit of change can do to send the band into fits. And, so hard to find that "sweet spot" with the band. Too little and it is not doing its job...too much and it still does not do its job plus it creates major problems. But, oh well, eventually we get it figured out. And, you are doing great on your weight loss. Congratulations. Have a great day!

Haven't had an EGD since my band. Have you been in contact with your doctor. That doesn't sound normal and he needs to see you.

My surgery was 10/28 (last Tuesday) and after surgery I haven't taken a Nexium or Zantac (and no heartburn but he did repair a sliding hiatal hernia). Also, surgery had my stomach so swollen that I really couldn't think of taking a whole wad of pills so I didn't and BP has been fine, and had stopped Zoloft before surgery, did start taking my hormones and chewable Vitamins again yesterday. Not crushing any of them just if they seem a bit more than I want to swallow I do cut them in half.

Hey, hang in there it really does get better. I still have some pain in my left shoulder joint (from how I was positioned on the table) but it will heal. I really didn't start to feel "normal" until about the fourth day out (which was Saturday). Yesterday, much better! In fact, my husband said he could tell a major difference in how I felt by how I looked yesterday. Today was a world of difference from yesterday. Patience and rest is about all you can do at this time. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Time for an ending to this discussion thread but here is the good news to close it with...last Monday pre-surgery weigh-in was 200.9 lbs and today post-surgery checkup was 195.2 lbs. I lost 5.7 lbs this week total of 18.8 since my first visit with my surgeon. Yeehawww!!!! (Hey, I am a little bit country okay?) Updated my tickler and couldn't believe that I'm at an even 50 lbs remaining to reach my goal. Ok, time to tackle that big number and start chipping away at it. Ok, I am going to go over to the post-surgery side. Thanks to everyone for you words of encouragement and support. What seemed like an eternity while trying to get through all the hoops for surgery has finally came and went. Time to make this baby work. See on the banded side!

I have Barrett's so I get scoped every three years anyway. They found my hiatal hernia several years ago but said it was minor. When surgeon got in there it was a significant sliding hiatal hernia so he had to fix it. I will say that although I am only four days post-op I have not had one bit of heartburn nor any Nexium and/or Zantac since either. I so hope this trend continues as it will be great to not have to take meds or deal with reflux or GERD.

I'm four days out and feel pretty good. First two days were definitely rough ones but then it just started turning around and I am feeling good. Feels like I am getting over the soreness and such. Just still tire easy but that will get better. Hope you are on the mend soon. Keep us posted.

Jodaggers thanks. This pain is more along the lines of an impingement and/or inflamed bursa. My daughter and her boyfriend are both Main OR nurses and think it may be related to either how they had my arm tucked or on the arm board. It pinched along that point but I will check with my surgeon Monday. And Orhtopedics is just one floor up and we are very familiar with one of the Ortho surgeons. Lol. Don't want any surgery but if an injection will help it may not be bad. The good thing is the Ortho surgeon has a lap band so he will be able to understand any meds he may prescribe.

Nicky, I understand. I have a pain in my left shoulder that will not go away. In fact I am going to ask the doctor if they dropped me after surgery. Seriously, I think it must have been the way they had me positioned that put a kink in my shoulder. It is s burning pain that only is relieved if I have my arm in certain positions to relieve strain/pull on my shoulder. I really didn't feel any hunger since surgery until maybe this evening. But the pain from the gas in your back and chest will take your breath at times. I am walking around and even walked down the street about four houses and back. Took a breather then decided to sweep my kitchen floor...a little while later I took my swifter mop to it. Just slow and easy doing only as much at a time as I wanted to do...nothing strenuous just piddling speed. Every time I take a drink of Water, broth, or Protein drink I belch horribly for several minutes. And that is painful. My sister, that had lap band, says that will go away and I am ready for that anytime now. Keep taking your pain meds and tomorrow will be better than today and each day will improve little by little...it will get better. Keep us posted.

Third day was much better. Feel almost human. Pain is much better just getting tired of broth and protein drinks. Doctor appt Monday will keep everyone posted.

Nicky, good luck and keep us posted. You will do fine. The biggest challenge yesterday was getting through the anesthesia. It kept me in such a fog and so grogy. Still a little bit today but mech better.

So, surgery went well. The doctor also repaired a significant sliding hernia. Stayed. In observation room till 5 pm and then went home. Slept pretty good just kept waking up for a minute or two to get comfortable. Felt like I had done 250 sit-ups and belly was sore from it. The gas pains in my shoulder joints are the most annoying. I get them worked out and they come back. Oh well this so shall pass. Every time I take a sip of liquid I belch. And I do mean a sip. That is frustrating. I really hope that goes a away soon. And, just on a side note sipping liquid Tylenol is gross. Better go for now but will check in later.

Getting ready to go to the hospital for my surgery. So excited to be in pain doesn't sound quite right does it? But you all know what I mean ????

Thanks guys. I will post as soon as I can.

My daughter is an RN and worked on the floor for awhile. She says warm prune juice and Dr Pepper works for patients in the hospital. Just a small cup a few times. Worth a try.

Just finished my check-in with my surgeon's office. Super easy just weigh-in and get time of surgery. Drum roll....tomorrow at 7:00 am...I am first on the schedule. So excited to get this done and start the next phase of my banded journey. I will keep everyone posted.

Nickybad, I will keep you posted. I have to go in today for a weigh-in at the doctor's office. The liquid diet has been a little tough but seeing the scale down 11+ pounds makes it all worthwhile. I am so excited that tomorrow is the day!!! Happy dance, happy dance!!!

flmommyof2 you will do fine! Seriously, the only part that was odd was when she went through an exercise where I had to answer some specific questions and do odd tasks like put these little blocks together to match the picture. It will all be fine. Keep us posted.

Yes, I started last Monday and got the date for surgery yesterday. Lost 10 pounds in 10 days. One way or another this weight will come off.

Mine was only 250 questions. Only note from them was that I don't complain a lot (shows the test is questionable). So, only concern for psychiatrist was that I could let things go too long before I would say something to the doctor. That won't happen.

So excited!!! Went to see my doctor yesterday and got the final go ahead and scheduled surgery for next Tuesday, October 28th...now, to just get through the last few days of liquid diet. I can't wait till Tuesday. Will be so happy to get this done and started on my new me!

Awesome news! Prayers were answered and I got a call late yesterday from my insurance that my surgery has been approved. Now, Monday will be a fun day to get things scheduled.

I hope you get a YES response. I am waiting for a determination from my insurance and they are supposed to call me this afternoon if the medical director is able to look at it to see if I meet all the criteria. ...prayers your way that you get a yes!

Ok, insurance has received the last piece of information they need (I hope). The Medical Director is supposed to be in this afternoon and my Utilization Review Nurse will get with him to go over all my documents to complete a review of my pre-approval submission. She is hopeful to be able to let me know the determination this afternoon. I sure hope that she calls me back with a "YES!"... Pray for me everyone. I really want to think that I have jumped through every hoop and that I can now get on with my journey.

OhSoNique, I had called the insurance to see what the requirements were and was told only "medical necessity." I specifically asked during the phone call were there any requirements such as psych eval, weight counseling, nutritional counseling and was told that medical necessity was the only requirement. The Bariatric Coordinator for my surgeon had also verified (by phone) what were the requirements and she was told "medical necessity" was the only requirement. So, that was the information we started with and then they came up with the nutritionist thing. Another girl at my work who had the band had to have emergency gallbladder surgery and the surgeon unfastened her band because it had slipped. Evidently, once they slip the likelihood of the band slipping again is much greater. She is looking to do a sleeve. When she had the band surgery she only had to have a sleep study. Same insurance now wants her to go to nutritionist before they will approve the surgery. It appears the rules change at their discretion.