littlefroggy

When I did my labs they discovered I had a UTI. I didn't even notice because I had been using the bathroom more because of the heat, and my desire to drink more Water in preparation for having the band....I was on antibiotics for ten days!! But, now my surgery is on Monday and I really think it may have come back!! I am definitely feeling SOMETHING. I had my appointment today where I signed all the papers and everything. At that appointment they did another exam, but no labs. I need to have the last labs done Friday. I asked about a UTI and she said if I had one again, they would give me a big dose of antibiotics... but I am afraid whatever it is will mess everything up. Has anyone had any last minute things that prevented the surgery? I am hoping this is pretty minor and will be ok. :confused2: The good news is I lost a lot of weight since my last visit! :crying:

I was worried about taking the time off as well. I teach a 1st/2nd multi-age. I really don't think you need 3 weeks off. Everyone I have talked to said 4-7 days and they were up on their feet and back in their life again. Maybe two weeks just to give yourself time? You might be able to request 1 1/2 weeks off, and then have plans in place in case you need longer.

I am REALLY excited!! I was stressed out and worried that it wouldn't happen this summer, but it is! I'm a teacher and wanted to have it done before school starts on Sept. 3rd. I think I should be feeling good by then. If not, hopefully my kids will be nice to me! I started my pre-op diet today, which is just a low carb diet. I have done it many, many times before, so know I will be fine. Of course, I went to a music festival today and had a beer and a gyro, so my diet wasn't exactly successful!! It will be though. I actually started it earlier than needed, as the doctor said to start it a week before the surgery and I gave myself an extra couple days! 1. What kind of exercise do you plan on doing? I like swimming best, but it's not that convienent. I have a gym membership and NEVER go and they don't have a pool. I am hoping I will be motivated to go to the gym after the surgery. In the meantime, my bag is packed in the car in case the urge hits me. I think I will also pack a swim bag and find out the lap swim schedule at the pool in case I want to do that. I think it's $7 though... which will add up since I already have a gym membership. 2. What shakes are you going to drink for the post op liquid diet? I have to go to GNC or something and pick some out. My nutritionist gave me specifications but I haven't looked at shakes specifically yet. Any good brands? Any great flavors? 3. My doctor has all patients stay overnight. What do you bring to the hopsital? Do you bring slippers, books, etc? I know most places do an out patient procedure, but they always do overnight stays at the hospital where I am having the surgery. 4. Does anyone know how long until you can lift? They told me I can't do any heavy lifting, which is fine because I shouldn't need to lift at work, but I do need to be able to do things like carry groceries and laundry. Anyone know that?? Thanks!!

Anyone know about walking up stairs? I live in an old apartment building and go up two flights to get to my apartment. I'm a little worried about making it up and down right after the surgery so I might stay at my mom's house. Anyone know?? Thanks!

August 18th!!! I am so excited!

I am a self-pay patient. I have done every test, every lab, everything they asked. I am a teacher and have the summer off. I started this process in May. I realize some people take a year or more to get this done, but with self-pay I think it would be faster- and should be. I don't have a certain date yet. Once I was told they would TRY to schedule me for Aug. 18th, as this is the last possible date I could have the surgery before I have to go back to work. I still have to have I think 1-2 more pre-op appointments and have not been given a diet or anything. Last time I needed an appointment I waited a month!!! I don't have time to wait a month before time runs out. I also can't really afford to pay for labs and everything all over again and wait until winter break or something. I feel like there is so much more I could be doing aside from just sitting on my butt waiting and wasting time.... I want to call and ask to just make the appointment, but they said they wanted the labs back first. I don't know how long the last batch will take (I had them done Friday.) I feel like they could at least give me the specifications for the pre-op diet or SOMETHING!! I wonder if I should change surgeons but at this point it wouldn't be any quicker- aside from which I think my surgeon is really good. I just am annoyed at the process. Just need encouragement... thanks!

Anyone use this? I haven't even had the lapband yet but am guessing with my huge gut there will be some saggy skin. Do those lotions help, even a little? I bought some Nivea Firming lotion.

I have told everyone. I told my friends, some of my co-workers and my family. I am a little worried though... What if I am one of those people it doesn't work for?? I know IT WILL WORK but I don't want to have told everyone (and people can figure out anyway) but then to not succeed... it just would be so humiliating.

I went to my seminar on June 12, had my pre-op appointment on July 2 (I waited a bit to call while I did more research) and then got my labs finished last Wednesday. They will schedule one more visit and my surgery before I have to go back to work Aug. 25th. They basically nixed all the pre-op procedures, except the blood work/urine labs and the psychological eval... BUT the counselor I was seeing last year wrote a letter and they accepted that. I had to pay for the labs myself because my insurance won't even cover the labs. Because they are so finicky at my insurance company, the doctor said I was excused from everything else. I don't have any signs of sleep apnea, GI issues or anything else. So ONCE the labs come back I am ready to go!! I am super excited. Oh, and if I jumped through enough hoops I could probably get the bypass if I waited a couple years, but I don't want that procedure, I want the lapband, as it just seems better to me in every way.

It's like a soft gummy candy - a little marshmallowy. Not sticky though... I wonder if I shouldn't have bought them?

My nutritionist said I may need chewable Vitamins. I found chewable adult vitamins at Target. I bought the Omega 3, muti, C, and Calcium. They all taste good and only the multi is very chewy like a gummy bear, the rest are more mushy. Does anyone else use these? I want to see if I will still be able to use them once I am banded (late August date.) Thanks!! :biggrin2:

I am Jessica and I am a big, fat, lesbian too. I am interested in becoming a healthy, not fat lesbian shortly! Hopefully I will get really sexy, as I am not feeling sexy or cute these days!

I'm using Dr. Ross McMahon. I like him a lot, but they just moved offices and things are a bit confusing right now. But everyone is really nice and I trust his background.

I am also lactose intolerant and the nutritionist in the dr's office said to get soy protein shakes for the liquid diet.

Today at work, I went in to talk to one of my co-workers. Her partner is the boss, and we had talked about my having the lap band maybe 2 weeks ago. Anyway, today I went to just say hi and this was the conversation. It is sitting with me poorly now. What do you think? Her: "I don't know if this is public knowledge, but I heard you were having the lap band." Me: Yes, I should have it by the end of the summer. I am super excited!" Her: Let me tell you, I am scared for you. Me: Oh, don't be. I think this is going to be a good thing. I am really optimistic. Her: Well, I will keep you in my prayers, but I am very scared for you. Me: Have you known anyone who had the lap band? Her: I knew one person who had the lap band, and one person who had the bypass. That's all I will say. And with that I just had to sort of digest it and leave. She was very serious and it totally left me with a yucky feeling!

I am set to have my lapband in August (pending the psych eval and some labs) and everything else is all set. One of the questions they asked me in my questionnaire was what will you do instead of eat? I said journaling and writing as those are things I like. What did you say? What are you doing? Are you getting ansty for a snack at any time (like when watching tv?) Thanks! Jessica:biggrin:

I have been looking for surgeons, and noticed that some are NOT board certified, or not board certified in bariatric surgery. Is this possible? What does it mean? I am looking on the site of a hospital I used to work for, so am very surprised. I know a couple of the doctors personally, and didn't know you could practice and not be board certified (obviously my field is NOT medical, or I would know this sort of thing.) Any ideas about this? How important is it? I like the location of the hospital because it is within walking distance of my parents home, and I could stay there during my recovery.