bandmember

This may or may not make sense, but I noticed a correlation between skipping my protein drinks & irritibility, depression etc... After I was on regular meals (albeit smaller portions) I figured I didn't need the expensive protein drinks in between, so began skipping them periodically. Maybe it was coincidence but it seems whenever I went without the protein drinks for a few days I became very irritable & depressed.. Every time! I recently re-ordered my protein powder and have faithfully been supplementing my meals w/the drink & I don't feel as depressed and I have lots more energy. I can't explain it, (maybe it's just a placebo effect!) but when I read your post I felt the need to write w/my experience. Good luck.

First of all I'd like to say congratulations on your decision! Yes, you are doing the right thing by having this procedure. I made up my mind to have the procedure once I developed diabetes, and I have never looked back. Don't let anybody tell you that you are taking "the easy way out". You are making a wise choice to improve your health and longevity. All the "diets" in the world don't take away that constant hunger that sabotages even the most motivated dieter. This procedure does. Pure and simple... I went through the grieving process that you addressed, thinking about all my favorite foods that I'll never be able to eat again. I actually went out for a big steak dinner the day before I began my 10 day fast prior to surgery. Surprisingly, now that I'm not hungry all the time, I don't even miss those foods. Once I watched the scale drop, my blood sugar readings return to normal, and my energy level increase food became something I had to do to survive, not something I looked forward to all day long. I will tell you that you'll need to have patience... It's been 6 months now and I'm still not adjusted perfectly. I've had several incidents where the food got "stuck" and I needed to have the (saline) Fluid removed from the Lapband after one of those episodes, setting me back a few months. Also trying to remember when to eat and when to drink fluids and keeping those 2 functions separated is a learning process! Read / learn as much as you can, (but don't believe everything you read), listen to your doctor and always follow his/her directions to the letter. You'll have moments when you yearn for the "good old days" when you could eat whatever you wanted... But, just as somebody w/food allergies learns to avoid certain foods, you will soon adjust to the fact that there are certain items that just won't work. Trust me, you won't miss them! Congratulations again, I wish you good health.

I weight myself at the same time every morning, before I dress & before I eat or drink just to keep myself in check. It's not an obsession just a good way to monitor myself & to make sure I don't get off track. If the weight goes up I know to change my eating habits & make different choices. It's only been 6 mos. since the surgery and I'm still getting adjustments so I find a daily weigh-in helpful to me.

Congratulations on your decision! Mine was done in December, 2007 and everything went fine. The worst part is what you're going through right now with the liquid fast... My doctors and hospital were absolutely wonderful and supportive, and I had zero post-op pain in the hospital thanks to the pain medicine. You won't regret your choice and you'll feel so much healthier for it later on. Just be patient with the band, and follow your doctor's orders. Good Luck!

Yes, they are excellent. I had the procedure done in December, 2007 at Norwood Hospital and had a very positive experience with both dr & hosp. I also have BC/BS of MA, and no, they don't pay for the psychiatric test which costs $175.00. It's a test the office mails out to you to complete and then return to them prior to your visit with the doctor. They then sent it out for evaluation and the findings are sent back to the psychiatrist prior to your appointment with him. My insurance did pay for the psychiatric visit though. I only had to pay the co-payment for that visit. If you meet the criteria BC/BS has no problem pre-authorizing your procedure. They actually encourage this type of Bariatric surgery, which is how I found out about Dr. Glasgow in the 1st place. Outside of my deductible (I have a lousy BC/BS plan) they paid for everything; the pre-op., appointments with my PCP & surgeon; bloodwork, etc... They (BC/BS) even called me after my surgery to make sure everything was going well! The seminar is very helpful. Good luck and maybe I'll see you at one of the monthly support groups they offer when you're post-op!

Congratulations! You just gave yourself the best gift you'll ever receive, the gift of living a longer, more healthy life! Now that's the best celebration you could possibly ask for. Forget the cake!

Yes it is normal, at least from my experience. I did well during the post-op phase and felt fine (except for the "gas" issue) after about 3 days, too. I decided I felt good enough to get out, and went grocery shopping a week or so later (I had somebody w/me who pushed the cart & did the lifting). All of a sudden I became so overwhelmingly exhausted I had to cut the trip short. I went home & straight to bed & slept the rest of the day. Don't worry, just listen to your body, & take it easy and let everything heal properly. Although it's good to do a little walking after surgery, I too found the shopping trip exhausting! I took 2 weeks off from work per my doctor's orders and was glad for it. Don't feel guilty about the rest because right now that's what your body needs!

Wendell, Great post w/good information. Thank you for sharing your pictures, too. You have inspired me!

Your BC/BS will most-likely approve your surgery; My BMI was slightly under 40, but I had hypertension, diabetes II & high cholesterol. They approved it without a problem. You should also show some sort of proof that you have tried various weight-loss programs; showed some weight loss then regained the weight. I made copies of my Weight Watchers & Diet Workshop weight records; prepared a print-out of my South Beach Diet on-line weight readings, etc... They attached those records to my other documents for approval. PS - You are in VERY GOOD HANDS with Drs Glasgow & Glasgow. They are very skilled, knowledgeable and conscientious. You will not meet a more qualified team to perform this procedure.

Drs Glasgow & Glasgow did my surgery, too in December, 2007. Excellent physicians... I noticed a discussion about lactose intolerance which I am experiencing right now... It's making me quite miserable actually! I also read the word "temporary". Does it go away after a while? Practically all I consumed were dairy products for the pre-op prep. & the 1st 3 weeks afterwards. Now I'm stuck as to what to have that does not contain milk products. Lactaid doesn't do a thing... I bought soy milk to prepare mushy mashed potatoes & the like. So far so good w/that. I'm continuing on the liquid/soupy pureed foods a bit longer because my body isn't ready for the next phase yet. (A bit of stomach pain & trouble swallowing.) No big deal but I'm running out of ideas of what to puree!

Well said!

I am referring to comments made that were directly related to my obesity. Period. It was NOT "my perception" based on my size. As I stated before I spent my 1st 30 years at a normal to below normal weight (BMI range 17 - 20). I was (still am) beautiful, and I was treated totally differently. No one made "fat" jokes about me then... No need, I wasn't overweight. Even at my highest weight I never really thought of myself as "morbidly obese. I was a thin gal trapped in a large body... Hearing someone bash an obese person is not a perception; it's reality and it's also discrimatory.

My doctor did not allow lapband patients to return to work until after 2 full weeks of recovery at home. I kept myself somewhat active by short walks and the like, but no lifting whatsoever during that period. Although I have a desk job, I really needed the full 2 weeks to heal and get my strength back. I had a laparoscopic procedure done about 10 years ago & at the time I felt the need to return to work within a few days time. I paid the price. I ended up with a number of complications and then developed adhesions from being too active too soon, which I still feel to this day. I learned my lesson & felt no remorse for "babying" myself for this procedure!