Sugarbear

Hello tmiller. I am about to be banded in a couple of weeks by Dr. Keilin also. I went by there (PS) to talk with them a little further. I talked to Betty. She is very nice and very educated about the procedure. I had many questions and she answered every one and very throughly. I feel much better since that visit. Yes, I am definitely nervous. Yes, it is life changing. BUT, so is a stroke, diabetes, knee problem, back problems, and what ever els comes in time with obesity. That is how I have to look at it. I feel like I need this tool to help me. I can't seem to do it alone. Of course this has to be your decision, no one elses. I have decided being fat is harder than this is going to be. Physically, and emotionally for me. I had thought of backing out too, but not now. There is a thread is the Texas forum called Texarkana Bandsters. Come by there and visit I think you will get a lot of support. (or March Bandsters too.) I am not even sure which one I am on now. Anyway, they are very nice at PS and will answer all questions. It is reassuring to get you info from the horses mouth too. Take care. keep us posted

Dr. Heiker and Dr. Keilin are lap-band surgeons in Texarkana. There is a support group that meets every month there. I will be banded in a couple of weeks by Dr. Keilin, Dr. Heiker assisting. There is also a thread called Texarkana Bandsters. They are all banded by that team. I am doing my pre-op now.

Congratulations Kelly!!!!!!!! Take care and do what the doc says, you will be fine. I am two weeks behind you. 2nd day of pre-op. ugh... I keep telling myself, I can do this........... Take care.

First day of pre-op. Kinda hard. I have to make it through..........I will make it..........................

Hello Becca. I have not been banded yet but I will in 2 weeks. My surgeon said I could not take in more than 4 ounces to 6 ounces. Your pouch holds about that much. If you take in any more than that at one meal, you will stretch or as they put it, dialate your pouch. Take care and good luck.

Hi Laralynn. Congrats on your upcomming surgery. What kind of pre-op does your doctor require. I am scheduled for 3/7. Start pre-op day after tomorrow. Good luck!

I think that is a mushie?

Hi Gail. I am from SW Arkansas. I will be having my surgery in Texas on the 7th by Dr. Keilin, with Precision Surgery. Her husband Dr. Heiker will assist. They are a husband/wife team. They are the only ones in our immediate area that does lapband. I have never heard a bad word about either one of them. So as far as the doctor end of all this I feel very good. I start my pre-op Wed. Ugh. I have to do 3-4 Slimfast Optima a day. After 3 days I can swap one SFO for a garden salad w/fatfree dressing. That, I am afraid will be a long two weeks. I just have to do it. Many others do and live through it....so shall I! haha. Lets stay in touch so we can compare our surgery experiences. Take care and good luck.

Hello Joan. Welcome aboard. I think everyone is nervous pre surgery and then again post surgery. I am nervous too. VERY! I start my pre-op Wed. and surgery 3/7. I doubt myself sometimes, that's worse than others doing it. BUT I am determined to get through the next six weeks, I think that will be the hardest. You will get a lot of encouragement from these bandsters. They are great. You may want to visit a few other boards also. Lots of Good info lurking around. Good luck and hang in there. Keep us posted.

Hello Char, and welcome to the March Bandsters. I am not from MO but just wanted to let you know I know how you feel. I don't think I make a good patient either. I have always enjoyed taking care of others. It is probably high time you did something for yourself that really counts. It sounds like you need it and most of all deserve it. You have to take care of you if you want to continue to help others. I will be a March Bandster also. Take care, keep us posted on how you are doing. Don't feel guilty! You deserve this!

Hi. I didn't even realize a March Bandster thread had been started. I will have surgery 3/7. I think I am ready. Little nervous, but guess I'm no different than anyone else. I have been back to the surgeons office for answers to a few questions about things I didn't quite understand. At least I don't have that uneasy, unsure feeling now. I dread the next few weeks of pre-op, post-op dieting. But I know I have to do this to be successful with this venture. At my age I don't have time to mess up. Should have done this long ago. I tend to be a worrier, hope I don't drive my dh nuts. Guess I will just keep it all to myself. Don't want him to be apprehensive about this. It is nice to have you all to talk with.

continued from last post...That fourth week- have meals 4 hrs. apart. Of course have sips of water between meals. week 5- Transition to solids-Baked potato, noodles,sliced meats, raw fruits and veggies..avoid stringy and fibrous foods. Avoid popcorn coconut andsoft white breads.

My doc has you do pre-op Slimfast Optima 3-4 a day. After the third day you can substitute a salad for one Slimfast-Optima. You can hace coffee, tea, Crystal Light, SF Jello, (o calorie drinks). This must be done for two weeks. Post-op, Week 1 & 2 room temperature clear liquids until all nausea (if any) subsides. Then full liquids, Slimfast, skim milk broths low-fat strained creamy soups, 100% jucies limit those to 4oz. aday. 3rd week-pureed foods,only 1/2 cup serving to keep from streatching pouch- scrambled eggs, SF low fat pudding, plain low fat yogurt. hot cereal, thinned applesauce. Week 4. 1/2 cup serving. soft foods, scrambled eggs, soft canned veggies, soft can fruits, tuna or chicken salad.week

I have BCBS (Arkansas). They approved my surgery in no time. I got all the necessary information, even letters of recomendation from two doctors. Did that part on my own. My policy pays 50% on Weight loss surgery. So I don't think there would have been any question of approval. Your lap band surgeons office will help you with the required things for insurance. Some require a sleep study, a psyc evaluation. If the insurance doesn't require it the doctor might. I did both. My pcp wrote them a letter promptly also. I don't know that he had to, I just ask him too. If you get everything to them, I doubt it will take longer than two or three weeks. Mine was less. But I got everything done and sent it to them at once. Hope this helps. I will get banded in March.

Hi blondylocks!! This is sugarbear, hope all goes as planned for you. March for me too! I came here to invite folks from LA to the Texarkana Bandsters thread, in the Texas forum. I think there are quite a few that are using PS in Texarkana.

Hello. If there are some of you guys that went to Texarkana, TX for surgery, there is a thread there called Texarkana Bandsters, it is located in the Texas forum. Come by for a chat. We would love to have you.

Anyone from LA that was banded in Texarkana (PS), there is a thread called "Texarkana Bandsters" in the Texas forum. Come on by for a chat. We would love to have you.

Anyone banded by by the team in Texarkana there is a thread "Texarkana Bandsters" in the Texas forum. Drop by for a chat.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope all goes well. Keep us piosted. Where are you having your surgery? My date is March, not far behind you.

By-the-way, that thread is located on the Texas forum.

Congrats wannabethin!!! I am so happy for you. Take care and heal..... In a few weeks you will really be on the road to "thin." I won't be too long behind you. Keep everyone posted.

How can you not have any restriction? I mean the pouch is there isn't it? I realize the band isn't tight but it is still there. After surgery and before a fill aren't you on broths for a while then progress to creamy stuff then mushie foods? Pardon my ignorance, just trying to understand all this before my surgery. One other thing, what is absolutely forbidden forever after being banded? Cokes, beer, and soft bread is all I know of.

Silry. Where are you having surgery and what doc? Most have to go on a pre-op diet. But I think I read somewhere (another thread, sorry I can't remember where) that someone didn't have to do a a diet or much of one. The reason for the diet is to shrink your liver. Saftey for you and for the surgeon.

My insurance also only pays 50%. I will have to pay50% of what is allowed by insurance. I have AR Blue Cross Blue Shield.