Maya314

Congratulations on your 108 lb weight loss, I think that's awesome... I think this journey is all about the little milestones we make.. for a female that's overweight.. my first little milestone is to be able to cross my legs.. Um.. unassisted.. haha.. Anyway don't give up hope on the playboy mansion.. Hef is bound to die one of these days! :thumbup:

Keep up the good work.

WOW... that sounds like an ordeal to say the least.. but as I was reading.. (I work in the medical field) I was praying that you didn't have a Pulmonary Embolism... (Fancy for blood clot in the lung) and.. although pneumonia sucks.. much better for you! ARGH! I was just banded sounds like small potatoes compared to what you've been through the past few days.. but my back pain was what made me wonder if I had made the right decision... My Mommy (I love her) rubbed aspercreme on my upper back a few times a day... it felt so good, and although it didn't take the pain completely away it did help.. here's the thing tho.. you've got two reasons for your pain.. the first is the C02 and the second is the pneumonia... just try and make yourself as comfortable as possible! Good luck! Keep us posted!

I have two children.. I told my oldest that I was having surgery.. and my youngest just thinks I wasn't feeling well, My oldest mentioned when a friend of mine had surgery done that she was taking the easy way out. I have enough problems without worrying about what he thinks of me and having to worry that he would blurt my business out to anyone who remarks on my "shrinking" appearance. The only person in my family who knows is my Mother... and I'm hoping it stays that way.

I've made the decision that I want to be banded. I was concerned because I read where someone's insurance company denied her because her BMI was over 50. My BMI is well over 50. I'm 5'1" and 300lbs. According to the BMI calculator i'm at 57BMI. I wish self pay was an option but my credit is not good and I can't afford to go that route. Does anyone have any advice? I'm glad I found this website. I was starting to feel like I was on my own in this decision. After my sister's harsh reaction when I mentioned to her that I was considering this I decided to only tell my mom and a co-worker that I was seriously conisidering this. Unfortunately my family is 2,000 miles away. So I felt like I was lacking serious support. My co-worker has agreed to be my ride to and from the surgery. She still asked questions like have you tried hiring a trainer or she said Valerie Bertanelli lost a lot on Jenny Craig, have you tried that? It amazes me how even the closest people can be so judgemental. I've sruggled with my weight my whole life and I fell trapped by it but of course I can't expect them to understand. I'm young and I want to feel you. I also don't want to die. Well thanks for listening. Any advice you have to share would be great.

Hello April! I just wanted to encourage you... really I believe that the decision would be left up to you and your Surgeon. Your family Dr should write your letter of medical necessity in a way that states that you would benefit from bariatric surgery not really mentioning what kind.. this way it leaves you open to other procedures.. just an inside hint.. (I've worked in the medical field for years) Good Luck!

I was extremely fortunate Aquameliza, I expected so much more difficulty and breezed through, I started my process early to middle part of December and was banded last week! Some people have to wait months! Good luck on your journey..

Hi Niki, I'm in AZ too! Congratulations on your new and upcoming journey! I was just banded a week ago, and I found out that just when I thought I was well informed.. I'm really not.. so keep studying!

Good luck!

I actually requested a sleep study thinking it would help my chances of being approved for the LapBand if I had sleep apnea to add to my comorbidities, I stayed the night at the sleep lab, they hooked me up to a cpap in the middle of the night and found that I do have sleep apnea, I too had to take my machine to the hospital, I never knew that sleep apnea could cause headaches, I've been waking up with headaches for years, it was a real eye opener for me.

Ash, I feel your pain in more way than one, I have a 5 year old Daughter that I couldn't stand the thought of leaving, here's what my deciding factor was though, I wouldnt go out anymore or take a family vacation because I was embarassed that people would look at me because of my weight I was mostly staying at home.. sure I spent time with my Daughter, but it wasn't quality time. If I lose the weight.. which now I will because I've been banded I can live a more productive life along with my Daughter, screw your EX, that's what I said to mine, he doesn't deserve you or your Daughter, you can do it. Good luck!

Maybe some of you supermoderators will be able to help answer this, based on what I've read on the LapBand, you will lose approximately 1-3lbs per week so doing the math, you should at 6 months have lost ATLEAST 24lbs and up to 72lbs, I see some people on the message board (I am not trying to offend anyone, I just recently was banded and am trying to make realistic goals for myself) where after a year their only weight loss was 34lbs, how is this possible? What would cause that to happen? Is it bad behavior on the banded persons part? OR is it the band isn't working for them? Are they not restricted enough? Any thoughts? Also.. what would be a realistic goal to set for myself since I won't really be restricted for about 6 weeks yet, say 3 months from now? Any help or answers would be much appreciated.

Please and Thank you.

Oh! my I have been so hungry. I was banded on 2/20 and have been eating everyting. chicken, chinese food last night, 1 TBL of ice cream. I think I can eat anyting and fee like I want to.

Kobdish, You are NAUGHTY! wow, I'm slightly jealous, I'm on phase two, not quite mushy, I'm jealous of anyone who can eat normally right now.. But I'm not willing to risk any complications and wonder if long term you'll have any problems. Good luck..

I think this happens when you don't chew your food well enough, I'm told that at some point it will happen, try and prepare yourself ahead of time, I started setting the timer when I would eat, to make sure that I was taking ATLEAST a half hour, counted my chews to 30 (liquid form) and set the timer after a meal so that I wouldn't drink anything, I think someone who is real disciplined might not have that problem with the exception of at a fill when you forget that you were just filled and eat like you had before. I hope I didn't ramble too much.. Good luck.

Billie, I think the rule of thumb is that if you are able to lose like 5% of your weight in the few weeks before your surgery that is best, however, some Dr's don't require a preop diet before hand, I think you've done excellent so far, I wouldn't stress too much. Good luck on Tuesday... Walk walk walk as soon as you can.

My insurance required that I stay overnight, Stinky thing tho is that the hospital was too full so I never made it out of the recovery room, they were also short staffed so I wasn't able to walk like everyone says to do so I was and am still quite gassy, The nurses were actually great with the exception of not being able to allow me to walk, I tried to promise them I wouldn't fall but they wouldn't buy it . With the exception of the heparin shots, I don't see why I couldn't have stayed at home, I would have slept much better.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd do what quasi did, My Dr really lacked in the bedside manner department, not including surgery when I was passed out, I spent a total of 3 minutes with him. I really liked his staff and so I was willing to put up with the fact that he had no personality, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd make sure it was with a Dr that seemed genuinely interested in my health as opposed to someone just out to do another lapband for the money? Good luck in choosing, this is a commitment, be sure it's someone that you're going to WANT to put up with for a while.

It was hard for me to get through the first week. I didn't like the Protein powders mixed in my foods. I pretty much lived on Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast (like pre-op). I also found when I was not getting enough Protein I couldn't control my hunger.

After I got into thicker foods I found that I can get 30 grams of protein by making smoothies. I used yogurt (about 5 grams of protein), soy protein powder (25 grams), crystal light (Sunrise), frozen fruit, and sometimes a little vanilla. I found I couldn't really taste the protein powder (even my mom could barely taste it and she's anti-soy anything!). I try to have one of those a day. Between everything else, I manage to get in my protein.

I also take a couple of cans of refried Beans and put them in a blender with a can of enchilada sauce. I will usually add a little cheese sauce in it to boost the protein amount.

Seeing I'm taking 3 classes right now, I switched my bottle Water to the Special K protein Water. It helps me get that little bit extra. I still drink plain water when I'm at home and only save the protein water for school.

My sister-in-law told me about Naked juice (Welcome to Naked Juice) having a Protein Drink that is 20 grams of protein in one serving (the bottle is almost 2 servings...your body won't process more than 30 grams at one time). There's no sugar added. You can find it in the organic area of your grocery store. I bought a bottle to try. I just gave it a taste, it really is pretty good.

Thank you so much for posting that about the Naked juice, I love the stuff, but didn't know that they even had a protien drink, I've only had the bare naked juice which is heavenly.. now I can hardly wait to try some.

I can totally relate to the hungry part, I think we had surgery on the same day and I'm having hunger pangs like crazy, My mom made me some chicken broth and cream of rice mixed together which was sorta like mushy chicken noodle soup.. It served it's purpose. Good luck.. keep me posted on yummy stuff.. but not like cheeseburgers cuz right now I'd stab someone with a spoon for one of those!

JenJen, I did the same thing when I needed an appt with my PCP, I called around to find out which Dr's had the same philosophy so that I wouldn't waste my time, I originally started out having to participate in a 6 month program but it turns out that after the new year it was no longer a requirement for my insurance so I was able to get banded sooner which was just lucky.. now I'm just a few days postop and hopeful for my future, good luck in your journey!

Hello All!

I'm a single Mom of 2 kids they're great! I'm a surgical assistant and attend school as well, I was just banded on 2/20, still awake now cuz I slept so much during the day, I'm not feeling too hot cuz I'm still so gassy, The hospital I was in was short staffed and not able to allow me to walk immediately so I'm afraid the late walking has me off to a late start.

I'm so grateful for finding this thread, it's so nice to hear other's that "JUST" had their surgery, or are about to and am amazed at all the progress!

Good luck in your journey.

I made it!!!!! Im officially banded!!!!:tt2:

My surgery was uneventful thank god, and my doctor said I had the liver of a skinny person!!Yippie, 4days of liquids did it.

When the nurses woke me up it felt like it had been minutes not hours. The nurse told me I had been in recovery about 1 hr and my room would be ready soon. I went back to sleep I guess because next thing I know she was shaking me again telling me to take some PERCOSET(WOW:biggrin:). Thank goodness because the pain at the port was more than i expected. The rest of my incisions dont hurt at all!?!? My night was very long, since i couldnt sleep i practiced walking the hallway. That did wonders for me because today I feel 110x better than yesterday :smile:.

So the only advice i can give everyone is the same given to me WALK WALK WALK as soon as possible.

Congratulations Taismommy, I was banded 2/20 also, not feeling so hot tho.. The hospital I had my sugery in was short staffed and so they couldn't let me walk cuz now one could keep an eye on me, So I got up at one point to go to the bathroom and made them take me the long way back cuz I was trying to follow the advice of my fellow band buddies, I can't imagine having to do it outpatient tho, I felt so much better knowing that there was someone there if I needed them, and my nurses were so awesome. I'd love to keep in touch with you.. kinda the kindered thing since we were both banded the same day.. so when you have time.. I'd love to hear about your milestones and setbacks. Congratulations and good luck in your journey.

I was banded 2 days ago (Feb 19th) I am on Clear liquids and pre-mixed Protein drinks, we are not allowed to do any type of powders - ever - that sucks, cuz I spent tons on powders before hand. Oh well. I am not hungry, actually have a hard time drinking the slim-fast/atkins drinks, but wow, I could only imagine a cheese bread stick from pizza Hut Yumm! (This from the girl who can't stomach 1 oz of slimfast - I guess I am experiencing head hunger!)

Haha.. I can't decide if it's a nightmare or fantasy, I keep thinking of biting into a cheeseburger! My Mother was complaining of being hungry last night, I glared at her mentally and drank my chicken broth. I guess it has BEGUN right? I was banded on 2/20, still feeling pretty crappy but hopeful, My Dr started me on Clear liquids but said that I could move up to semi clear tomorrow which means Fat Free pudding.. Here I come! Yay!

Good Luck All!

Hey all--

I am a LONG time reader, first time poster. This community answered many questions I was afraid to ask my doctor regarding my lap band, and I want to thank you all right now for just being so helpful and communicative.

I am 23. Right now, I am 5'8" and around 350 *gasp*

I finished my Pre-Op work up through Dr. Moran in Raleigh, NC, for those of you that are familiar. Saw the cardiologist, the nutritionist, the psychiatrist, got the blood gas, the chest xray, the blood work. I am good to go!

They set my surgery date for March 19. Now, my Doctor is telling me that Blue Cross Blue Shield will deny me for lap band as my BMI is greater than 50 and only approve me for gastric bypass. I am horrified beyond comprehension of gastric bypass and am literally panicking here thinking about the remote possibility of it. I was very comfortable with lap band.

Has anyone had a similar situation with Blue Cross Blue Shield? Other insurance providers? Has anyone had success or failure with an appeals process with insurance for these reasons? Has anyone been so scared of gastric bypass they'd rather eat celery sticks for the rest of their life than move on to a normal, satisfying but controlled life with lap band? Gah.... any help, experience, or advice is appreciated.

Thanks people, and have a great day.

:tt2:

I didn't hear anything like that at all, I have bc/bs and my bmi is around 52 and some change.. I thought what they submitted for was a CPT code of 43370 (Don't quote me on the exact number) but it's just for gastric surgery and does not specify what type of surgery, have you already gotten your letter of medical necessity? that may play a part in it as well, I wrote my own letter of medical necessity and I specifically put down that I wanted the lap band but my Dr changed it to say bariatric surgery as to not exclude me from anything using that 43370 code. Good Luck, maybe your Dr was just trying to prepare you for something that "Could" happen.

Keep us posted.

I had my surgery on Monday, everything has been great so far except that I would gladly pay $1,000 to break wind! I am so bloated and somtimes pass tiny burps and toots that only tease me for relief. Please send some suggestions my way!:tt2:

UGH.. I had surgery on Wednesday and feel the exact same way, I get a little relief from my pain meds.. but shouldn't rely on those for relief from the gas, I walk every hour down a few blocks and back but still am quite uncomfortable, I was hoping it'd be better by tomorrow.. but now reading your post I still have a few days in store.. Good luck.. I hope something works quickly.

Thanks Maziemommy!! I was seen at StJosephs hospital in tucson by Dr Schwartz. The hospital staff there was AMAZING!

I'm ALIVE! Yay, Thanks for your well wishes guys it's so sweet of you, I feel a little bloated and gassy but it's tolerable. Had a few glitches with the schedule but otherwise things went as planned!

Thank you so much please keep me posted your your progress AND Good Luck smsmithart! d

Thanks for your well wishes all! I called the hospital and they said that I'm still on the books.. So far so good! less than two hours til I need to be there!

DUM!!!....

SO! Hopefully tomorrow will be my big day, I was originally scheduled a week ago and got booted cuz the hospital was in "Crisis Mode"

(I'm in AZ and lot's of snowbirds here sucking up our resources! haha.. j/k birdies)

AND My Dr's wife is about to have her baby anyday.. so I might get cancelled AGAIN!! I'm hoping that all the people that were sick taking up my bed last week are well.. AND that my Dr's wife had her baby already!!

So Wish me luck and say prayers for me PLEASE and Thank you! :cursing: