Jessica1977

I am one to always repect someones opinion but, I just wonder if "Iamwiththeband" realizes how totally ridiculous that sounds?! NO ONE should ever give up on being healthy at any age!!!!

Betttybboop - My TOM came conveniently the night before my scheduled surgery...I went anyway and i was still able to manage. It was actually kinda nice to get them both over at the same time...They want you to get up and walk asap anyway, so it wasn't bad at all....

I am 3 months post op and I also was a fast eater. That being said I practiced, practiced, practiced before surgery and it helped me a great deal. I also used a small plate and kiddie fork, and sat my utensil down between each bite. With the drinking part I had a hard time with that also, but my Doc suggested having a sugar-free mint after you are finished eating and it gets all of the left over food out of your mouth and it will be a lot easier for you to go without drinking after a meal..The mints were a life saver for me!

Jamie, I went through the same thing about 2 weeks before my first fill. I just stuck to the diet that my doc gave me and I drank more water to fill me up and sometimes would have a protein shake depending on how hungry I actually felt. I also just started doing more things like working out to help me "forget" about being hungry. Hopefully this helps you out a little bit...And congrats on your new band!

Thats awesome! Good luck to the both of you, and Congrats on your new band 80s Chick!

Hi JanaBanana! I had the same pain with my port area, and I also had a hard time getting out of bed. It just takes a while to heal. If I remember correctly it took a few weeks for the pain to subside a bit. My doc said it is was perfectly normal. Goodluck to you!

You are very welcome Cathy! Anything I can do to help, just let me know!

Cathy, Thanks so much! I am doing great! I am down 45 lbs and feel awesome! Before surgery I had chronic heartburn, and my joints were always achy as a result of my weight, and I am happy to say that all of these ailments are resolved as a result of just losing the 45 lbs. I did have to do the 6 month diet plan along with all the other requirements for Cigna to approve me, and it took them about 1-2 weeks to deny me the first time, and all I had to do was get another dietary consult and send it in with the appeal and it was approved within a week or so. My surgeons office took care of all the contact with the insurance company. Cigna had originally told me that it could take up to about 30 days, but they were much quicker than that! I had tons of different emotions before and after surgery, so everything you are feeling is completely normal. This forum has helped me tremdously with a lot of different questions and concerns I had, especially after surgery. Well, goodluck on your journey and keep us all posted on your progress! If you have any more questions or concerns about the process or about Cigna don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome to LBT! I also have Cigna, and I started my diet plan out on the diet drug Meridia, but quit taking it 2 months into the diet plan. I was worried that they might not cover the surgery since I quit taking the medicine and that pretty much changed the diet plan I was on, but they approved it and I was banded on 1/14/08. I just thought I would pass along my experience with Cigna. Good Luck to you all!

Hey Jig, I like you had to do the required 6 month diet plan. I used my primary Doc. I was like you I was so afraid I was going to lose too much weight and then inturn not get approved. I have to admit that I only followed the diet to an extent, thus only losing 10 lbs in that 6 months. I also have no problem losing it, is just keeping it off that is the challenge for me. I talked with the bariatric surgeons office and they informed me that it does not matter how much weight you lose, or if you lose any at all, one of the things the insurance companies are looking for whether or not you have kept your appointments and have gone every month like required. Hope this helps and good luck!

Hi Stacy! Welcome to the forum! Let me start by saying that what you are feeling is totally normal! I had the same exact feelings you are having. I was banded on 1/14 and for me it was tough for the first week or so, but then it gets better everyday! By about a week post-op I was good as new. Just keep thinking about the end result! You will do great! Jessica

That's great! So how have you been doing post-op?

I am 3 weeks post-op and I had the same feelings you are having. The whole first week post-op I was asking myself why I did ever did this over and over again. I felt like I shouldn't have gone through with it. I just have to tell you that it all gets better, I promise! I was sore until about the 5th or 6th day post-op, then I woke up one morning and almost all of my pain was gone. Good luck!

Nice to meet you! Dr. Wagner did my surgery, Who is your Doc?

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum thing, and just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Jessica and I am from the St. Louis area & I was banded on 1/14/08.