Lizalee

Hi, Regarding pre-op diets, my surgeon does not require anything special. He is associated with a "Center of Excellence" program, so that program requires 3 mos. dietitian supervised lifestyle/diet changes...I've lost about 35 or so pounds on that. He acknowledges that some surgeons require a pre-op diet to shrink the liver, however, he says he has been doing this so long (20+years) that he no longer feels this a technical issue for him (has a fantasticly low complication rate) so he doesn't require. As I hear many suffering through those 2 week liguid diets/ fasts...I'm grateful I can just stay on my low-fat, low-calorie "normal" diet for the next 2 1/2 weeks till my band-day! Can't Wait!! Best wishes to you all.

Hi, I had my pre-surgery consultation and was found to have H. Pylori by breath test (no symptoms). I was given a prescription to fill (no other info). My pharmacist said they have to order the med because "it's an older med...not used very much anymore." Now I'm wondering what is the current recommended treatment. Anybody been treated lately? What where you given? My prescription is for Pylera, a combination of two antibiotics and bismuth. Anybody have any thoughts?

It would be great to have a list of fellow April Avengers! Thanks for doing this!

I also was just recently treated for H. Pylori infection (no symptoms of ulcer, just infection by the germ that can cause ulcers in some people). I was on a different medication. Prevpac is two different antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin) and a medication to reduces acid production. The side effects you describe are common - esp headache and bad taste, nausea. I would suggest that if you indeed can't keep it down, call your physician and see if there would be an alternative medication for you. The side effects of the medication I was on (Pylera) weren't pleasant either - nausea, diarrhea - but certainly not as severe as what you are experiencing. Every body is different and you may have an intoleralance to one of the antibiotics. Good luck with your treatment!!

Hi Massa36, I just finished a 10-day course of 'quadruple therapy' - antibiotics, antacids. I survived it! When is your surgery date? I would think that as long as the antibiotics are done, you would be fine to go, unless you were actually diagnosed with an ulcer (instead of just a positive test for the germ that causes ulcers. Some doctors may do a follow up test to make sure the infection is cured. But, that's a good question for the doctor's office. Good luck!

SavedbyGrace, Welcome to the April Avengers! Just have to say enjoy the 30's! they are not so bad. I remember turning 30, thinking it was awful, and then 40 - thinking that was REALLY bad, and this week I'll be 51! I wish I had done this when I was YOUR age, and I'd have had much more fun these last 20 years! I'm scheduled for April 9 and counting every day...and hope to FEEL 30 again. I've been praying for a way to deal with my BMI of 50 (started at 54!), and finally, my prayers have been answered! Can't wait!

It's so fun to hear there are other April Avengers out there who want to ride again. When I was a kid, I wanted a horse SO BAD, that's all I thought and dreamt about. Took lessons when I was 21. When when I had daughters, I made sure they had riding lessons...and now we own 2 horses. They ride and show and are wonderful horsewomen (teens). Now they are ready for college in the next year or so, and I am "stuck" w/ two horses! It's so fun to think if I can get down to a reasonable weight, I can ride them! I've never been on either one of them. All these years I've been chief groom and bill payor.. I can't wait till I'm back in the saddle again after all these years! April 9 can't come fast enough! While I won't be doing dressage tests, a few trail rides sounds like heaven!

Well, Here's hoping that you get the best Birthday present ever. I've read about so many people who have spent a year...or more, trying to get approved. It's "only" been 4 1/2 months for me, and it feels like an eternity. Good luck to you!

Tina - share the same thoughts? You bet! As a mom, I've put this off for many years. While I do have insurance coverage - there will be plenty of out of pocket expenses between uncovered visits (dietitian not covered) and deductables, and co-pays. I never felt I had the money to do this...that the kids needs came first. Well, it's time for mom to take care of herself. I gave up on dieting because I had so much to loose, 30 yrs experience has taught me I can't stick with the "starvation" diet long enough because I get too frustrated being hungry all the time. Then I'd gain it all back plus more each time. Finally, I just quit and convince myself that I was happy as I was, and that hasn't worked either. I still kept gaining. I'm sick of being the fattest person I know! I sick of taking pills and ruining my joints, heart, kidneys because of dieabetes, hypertension,etc. Now my kids are growing up (high school, college and beyond) and I realize if I keep up my current trend, I am killing myself. I want to enjoy the rest of my life, and it's time to do what MOM wants. And, I want to be there for them as they grow into adulthood and parenthood. I want to have a lap to bounce the grandkids on! I want to be able to do stuff I enjoy like gardening and swimming and maybe even horseback riding. And maybe even travel someday in a skinny airplane seat! Yes, that's right! I'm doing this for ME. And, as a wonderful side effect, my husband and kids will all benefit too!! It's only money - you can't replace time or your life. I can't wait for my Band-day, and I bet you can't either!

Thanks Turler, that's good advice. I am! It sure isn't pleasant...constant gut-ache.

Aye! (as in April Avengers!)

Hey, I've got my date too...finally! April 9! It seems like FOREVER! 5 more weeks! In December I was hoping for January...and was just approved this week at last. Can't get a surgery date sooner because the hospital and surgeon are so busy this month :eek: When I hear others waited up to 2 YEARS I guess I'll make it for a few more weeks. Especially with you all to keep up the energy and excitment! I'm dieting basically on my own now...but it's getting harder and can't wait for the band so I'm not so hungry all the time. Like others, I can't IMAGINE only eating a 1/2 cup of something (and not being hungry.) So what will our name be? I like the April Avengers...

Thanks, Agoneen, for looking up the info. I had found that too...but was wondering if there indeed was something "newer." I think you're right...my pharmacist really wasn't up do date OR since my band surgeon is not in this city, perhaps the local docs aren't using this drug for whatever reason. I'm taking it now...retails, by the way, for $279, plus you have to buy 20 caps of Prilosec. Ouch. Good thing insurance covers a large portion. I'll be glad when the 10 days are up, as it does have it's unpleasant side effects (stomach upset--waiting for the diarrhea, yeast infection, etc.)

Once again, reading these posts have helped me stick to this journey that's just starting for me. I see my surgeon Friday - finally - for my consult, and then send to insurance. Approvals w/ my company take about a week, and I will qualify, so...surgery will be in in March. Lately I've been having second thoughts. I can't believe that this could actually happen to me-- the weight loss you're all describing. It seems so out of my grasp at the moment. Size 10 jeans, really? I would be happy just to WEAR real jeans! I wore size 14 for a couple months way back when I was 21. That's the closest to being normal I have ever been. I know it won't be easy. I know somebody who has lost about 90 pounds in the past several months, but recently her band slipped - so it's been hard. Now I'm starting the pre-surgery jitters. Knowing that you all have had success and believe it was worthwhile for you is very helpful to try to calm the "I can't do this" thoughts I'm having. The journey to get to the point I am at has been frustrating, jumping through all the hoops. Everything already has been expensive - $249 to see the pschologist, etc. I'm starting to question my choice of program, surgeon, and can I really live the rest of my life without splurging at the Chinese buffet?

Sue Magoo Wow! That's amazing! it's people like you that are keeping up my motivation through this eternal hoop-jumping process till I can get my band and then the rest of my journey after the band. You know, sometimes it seems like the Band might just be another marketing campaign like every weight loss program has "lose 5 pounds in 5 days if you follow this diet" followed by some skinny woman in a bikini. But when real people like you and the others who post here share your successes, it really helps! Loosing this much weight has never seemed so possible before. I was just sharing with my mother how it will be another month at least before my surgery, and she said "why not just diet?" Geez, mom, I've been trying that for 45 years!!! Thanks and good luck meeting your goal!

linesj, You sound like ME writing this post. My thoughts exactly. And even down to the not communicating much w/ husband - because you get along better that way. Oh my, very true! While fortunately for me, my husband is supportive, we talk very little about it. (And generally, the less we talk, the better we get along -- some relationships are like that!) While he is supportive of my doing this -- he (and my daughters) also wants food in the house like chips, sweets, etc...so I can do this, but will still need to have the stuff around, which is hard. Which is why I need the band! Re: weight watchers. A bunch of women from my office have joined weight watchers, and all they talk about is how many points for this, how many points for that - - actually, it drives me nuts. And they've all done this before. Yes, they will loose a little weight, but will it stiay off forever? Probably not, since they've all done this before. I, like you, have come to realize that restrictive surgery will be my tool because it will hep me make those life-long changes. I can't just decide one day to eat tons of food if it won't fit anymore! It will help me stick to the food plan long-term, not just for a few months before I give up. At least that's what I'm hoping for... Good luck getting your approval!

Hi, I've been reading posts on this site for a couple months now, and have decided it time for me to join and introduce myself. After a final dietitian appointment this week, my request for surgery will be submitted to insurance. With a BMI >50, and plenty of co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hyptertension) I meet all the requirements. I'm hoping for surgery by the end of this month or early March. Haven't yet had my appointment with my surgeon - that will be the last step before surgery, but I've been to the dietitian and psychologist and gotten all the preliminary records, etc. Like many others who have posted here, I have been considering this for over a year. At first I didn't think I could adjust my life style to being a bandster - I LIKE to eat. However, learning more about the band or other options has helped me realize I CAN do this. When I made the decision to have a band back in late November, I actually started dreaming of what life would be like without carrying around so much excess weight -- and hope started to sneak back in. I had given up on myself and dieting. Each time I had lost weight previously, I quickly gained it back plus more. I grew up obese, but had a brief period of time in my 20's where I actually reached my goal weight. However, it's been a steady increase for the past 30 years to where I am now. Because it would take so long to get to a healthy weight, I just knew from my past history I could never do it on my own anymore. However, now I am dreaming of buying clothes in STORES instead of mail order women's extended sizes. While I have to say that people I work with are generally gracious, I do sense that many times I am 'overlooked' and not taken seriously because of my weight. How would it be not to have that barrier? To have energy to garden again (you have to be able to bend over and not topple over!.) To be able to get on a horse? Sit on any chair without worrying it will break? (yes, this HAS happened to me...very embarassing!) Can it really happen? Can I really loose this much weight? Reading the posts you all share has helped me believe that it CAN HAPPEN TO ME. Yes, it will still be hard work and major life style changes -- but if I'm not hungry all the time -- I think I can do this. Thanks in advance for all the support you have shared. Thanks for the questions you have answered already.

OK, so Friday's almost over...Did you hear anything? I have to wait probably 3 or more weeks before I will find out - they submit next Thursday, then a week for reply, then a week for Dr.'s office to call -- it's killing me! Hope you heard something!! I know how hard waiting is!

I agree...if I ever get to see my surgeon, and get a date, it will seem real. Did you see yours? I saw the dietitian today for my last visit...I thought. Now, wait a week till my case is 'staffed' before they send in to insurance. Then wait another week or more for the insurance company to approve (they say mine gets back to the very quick.) Then another week before the surgeon's office calls to set up an appointment! Then who knows how long before I can get in, then have to have a pre-op testing apointment, and then back to the dietitian for pre-op teaching, and then back to the surgeon for h&p...and then, if I LIVE that long, SURGERY! I know that these steps are important for long term success...but it sure seems like it's taking forever. I know I shouldn't complain - some folks here have had 6 - 12 months to get to the point where I'm at...but, as I'm sure you know, once you finally make the decision, you just want to get it done!

With 164 more pounds to loose before my goal of 160, It's great to know that there are others out there who are in the same ball park...and who are optimistic about actually reaching our goals! I hope to be banded in the next few weeks (no date yet). Maintaining that committment and optimism has always been a problem for me... and I hope that having the band will be my "tool" for keeping up the fight!