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Hi- I'm Gwenn. Banding is scheduled for April 30 in Los Angeles. Cedars Sinai Hospital. Dr. Kahlili. I've been on and off this forum for months while doing the prep, etc. I find it very very big and a bit overwhelming. I'm hoping to find a group that's smaller to get to know. This is great for looking up something or asking a questions, but I'd like to see some of the same people hanging out and supporting each other through this. Does that exist within the board? Any suggestions? I'll be back on Tuesday. Thanks-Gwenn

I'm not banded yet...I'm April 30th. I am having a matzah free Pesach and no grape juice either. I'm always sick on Pesach and in fact, last year I thought I was having a heart attach and ended up in emergency. It was a matzah attack! I'm happy to have the excuse not to eat it. I want to try to go to the surgery "clean". I'm eating carefully right now in preparation. But as I'm Orthodox, it's tough because everyone tells you you must eat a certain amount of matzah etc. So I'm having first seder at a good friend who knows about my surgery and is very supportive. No one will bother me there. 2nd night my husband and I decided to low-key it and make a seder for just the two of us. I actually think it will be very nice. Next year.....is next year. I think I'll be just as happy not to eat matzah, but by then, who knows. Have a happy Pesach. Good Shabbos. Gwenn

Hi French vanilla. Very good question. One I didn't know the answer to and was a bit shocked about. Turns out the referrals for consultation and for tests are just that. Once you complete all of the tests Dr. K requires (and if you look back at my earlier note below from 2/17 you'll see they are very comprehensive), THEN your insurance decides if you can have the surgery. I was so surprised that they'd make the investment without the decision made, but no, it comes after. Once you finish the tests etc. Kahlili's office submits it all. It took about 2 weeks, maybe almost 3 for me to get the okay. Then you can schedule surgery about 2-3 weeks after that. I was at the office today for my pre-op with Khalili. I'm being banded on April 30th. I met the chief resident for general surgery at Cedars and asked him about Khalili, and he called him the "Michael Jordan" of this surgery. Everyone's nice, but BRANDY (nurse) is the best of all. She's a doll. It makes a difference. Good luck! Gwenn

I've been approved under Blue Shield and my surgery is end of April. My company is considering switching to Pacific Care (in July). I will have had my surgery, but does anyone think I would have to worry about fills, etc. I think I'll phone my care coordinator. I'm very active in our union and I want a lot of info before the staff meets to discuss. Thanks. Any info is helpful. Gwenn

I've received my surgery okay from Blue Shield, but my office is now considering switching to Pacific Care. Both are HMOs. Anyone have any especially good or bad experience with either? I'm very concerned about a change. Thanks. Gwenn

I'm still confused. Were you able to take chewables right after surgery? Anyone? I take leventhroid and I can cut that in 1/2 and it's very small. Also can crush but it's one more chore and I really believe you leave a bit of your pill in the cup- it may be dust but with a small pill, that dust adds up. I take protonix, which can't be crushed. At my seminar they said cruch for life....but after when I mentioned that most people I know who had LB can take pills (or cut them), she smiled and said she has to say what they tell her to say....which to me means you don't really need to crush. With thyroid, you can't take the crushed pill with anything but water, or you might as well not take it. Any further suggestions? Gwenn

But did you have to wait to use the chewable until you went on food? the "caramel" types stuff is delish but it is solid, right? When did you start using that? Gwenn

Bless you- you are angels. I know it's silly to have something that small (no pun intended) throw me, but there's so much to deal with and so much change that this crazy thing was making me nuts. I certainly can cut even my small pills into smaller ones. Thank you again. Depending on the speed in which my insurance gives the final okay, I'll be banded either in by end of February or else end of April. Thanks for making me feel welcome here. Gwenn

The pre-op seminar at Cedars Sinai in LA says that for the rest of our lives we'll need to take medications/vitamins in liquid form or crush. Especially during the first weeks when on Clear liquids. I take protonix, which can't be crushed and leventhroid which can. Also taking wellbutin extended release which can't be crushed. I'm making myself crazy trying to deal with this. Also metamucil capsules (I'm switching that to powder). The nurse said when I crush the thryoid meds use a littel sf jelly or my Protein drink.....but doesn't she know that that reduces the effectiveness? I feel so silly that this is what I find hardest to deal with- I think I'm maybe using these small things to stress over to put off the realization of the bigger changes. I'm sure many of you are taking hte same meds I'm taking and have solved these challenges. SO, I'm wide open to advice. And need to know how much is what they want to tell you vs. what do people actually do? Many many thanks, Gwenn