pmcfarm

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been on in a while. It's been a really busy month with out of town appts. (all my MD's are in Valdosta, GA) about an hour from home & my rear-end feels like its been permanently attached to my car seat. Today I saw the urologist & he gave me the GO to have my surgery, so now with all the necessary MD consults done, my surgeon's office can reapply to my insurance co.(I don't expect the approval to be a problem since the first approval only took 6 days). Thank you all for your ongoing prayers and support. God is so good, He knows and meets our every need. MarilynC.

Blanca, you will be in my prayers both for your surgery & for your grief...God will show you how to use both for His glory. MC Joann...thank you for yet another supportive note. God will always be our protector. MC

Joann...what great news, FINALLY a surgery date. I'll be praying for you that all goes well. MarilynC. Good afternoon everyone...I have an appointment 10/06 with my urologist & will find out then if he agrees with my oncologist that surgery is a GO and then my surgeon's office can reschedule. Otherwise, I will have to wait until after my CT 01/20 and waiting is not something I do well (especially since I took 2 years to decide). Well, all in Gods' perfect timing.

Well friends, God is always in control & is ever faithful to hear and answer our prayers. My PET scan was negative, my oncologist is going to repeat the CT/chest in 4 mo. to measure size changes. My primary care doctor thinks I should wait for surgery until Jan after they do the follow-up CT. My oncologist said the surgery can be done now. I have an appt with the urologist 10/06 & he's the one who originally wanted the surgery postponed 1-2 mo. And, when all the reports are in, the surgeon will ultimately decide when it should be done (all done in Gods' time).MarilynC

Lapband friends and prayer partners you are all so wonderful. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and now new friends that pray and support. His blessings are without measure. My PET scan was Friday and I have an appt. with my oncologist tomorrow...then maybe I'll know something definite. MarilynC. PS my surgeons nurse said my appts. are good for 6-12 mo. so the only thing to redo is the insurance approval.

I still need prayer. Saw my oncologist today and the CT/Lung was inconclusive (2 lesions present L lower lung...largest over heart is the size of pencil eraser too movable to needle biopsy and the other is too small) plan is to do a PET scan next Friday. I'm told they're too small at this time to consider thoracic surgery. So, if the PET scan is inconclusive, the oncologist wants to repeat the CT in 3 mo. The oncologist saw no problem with my planned gastric lapband surgery scheduled for 9/30, but my urologist called tonight and recommended the surgery be postponed for 1-3 mo.(well, since my obesity is 50+ years old I guess a few more months won't hurt). I finally know this whole battle belongs to God...not just verbally but hands off completely. I think for my not knowing is allowing the enemy free reign with my imagination & fears and that leaves my poor DH to put me back together. Thanks for letting me vent. MarilynC

Good morning and prayers for you all. Sorry I haven't been on much lately...just a busy couple of weeks. My oncologist really couldn't give me any definite answers. He scheduled a CT/lung for tomorrow & another appt. for Thursday.So hopefully & prayerfully I will know if my banding on 9/30 is a go or a postpone...His will always. MarilynC.

jennybyars2003...you said you are active duty (? dependent). Your psych, dietary, labs you should be able to do at your base med facility.MC

hi everyone...well psych eval. done and approved, dietician done. I'm keeping my pre=surg appts. because God hasn't shut these doors. Good news is my bone scan is unchanged except now shows my new L knee. The oncology appointment is next Tuesday & that will determine whether my 8/30 lap surgery will have to be postponed. Prayer is our strongest defense against the enemy...and every battle belongs to the Lord. Thank you all for being here. MarilynC

tutornmom...I will certainly hold you and your family in prayer with all the changes at home and for your surgery. While everything may seem overwhelming now, know that God is always in control...and His plan is always for our good.

Stacey, I'm praying for you and your kitty. Our fur babies are a very important part of our lives. Hope you surgery went well & we'll hear from you soon. MarilynC

Prayer please. I am scheduled for surgery 9/30. Yesterday I had my 5th year post op CT/BoneScan for kidney cancer. This morning I was told my they found two areas on the L lung that appear to be renal cells. I am going to keep my set up appts. (I'll probably need them...esp the psych). Right now I'm floating between peace and fear. MarilynC

You indicated you didn't have support for your decision...thank you for trusting us enough to share your pain and frustration. Know that we will always be here for you. You can make your band tool your friend...remember while you are doing this for you, your family will benefit also. Have a blessed day...each day is a wonderful new beginning. MarilynC

My diet for the 2 weeks before surgery is going to be protein shakes breakfast & lunch; South Beach dinner (lean meat 4 oz., salad or green, leafy veg); protein shake @ bedtime. Protein shakes must be 20-25 Gm. protein & 0-3 Gm. carbs. I use Vanilla protein powder and flavor with SF jello or pudding mix (1-2 spoons) or a pkg. of Crystal Light (On the Go). Protein shakes are best made with very cold water rather then milk. Clear liquids only the day before surg. Yes, you can do this. You also can come to this message board for any emotional support you need. Have a blessed day...every day is a new beginning. MC

My process has been very quick. My PCM requested a referral for my surgeon on 7/7; my seminar and consult with the surgeon was 7/17; surgery was applied for on 7/18 & ins. approved on 7/25; surgery date is 8/30; psych, nutrition, cardiac, renal appts. are set; blood clot filter placement is 8/23. So...my start to finish will be 13 weeks (provided all my appts. are +)

Were you mixing your Unjury with milk or water? Protein powder mixed with milk sometimes causes nausea and/or vomiting. Try mixing it with very cold water. MC

I am Tricare South and I called them last week on this issue and was told all forms of wls are considered surgery and require an overnight hospitalization. I will follow that guideline rather risk non-payment of surgical costs,

I am being banded Sept. 5th and originally I was very fearful (all the what ifs') but after lots of prayer, DH & church family talks, I feel the peace of my Fathers protection...and that peace is keeping the enemy busy. About the liquid diet, high protein/low carb protein powder mixed with very cold water and flavor enhanced with SF jello, pudding, Crystal Light and/or SF DaVinci Syrups 30+flavors (I use Vanilla protein powder)

Are you having a problem drinking protein shakes? 3-4 protein shakes if you get the high protein powder (20-23 Gm ea. serving) with low carbs ( 0-3 Gms. ea. serving), should give you plenty of protein. They need to be mixed with very cold water and flavor enhanced with SF jello,pudding,crystal light or SF DaVinci syrups.

I agree that obese people with co-morbidities and morbidly obese people with or without co-morbidities need the availability of WLS. However, when a tool such as WLS becomes approved & available for use...there are unethical doctors who advertise for patients outside the defined perimeters (Outpatient Band Surgery in US 30 Pounds Or More Overweight,,,Gastric Band Research for BMI of 30-35...ad from the top of LapBand.com) . This is why insurance co. set perimeters for coverage, the potential for abuse is high.

Hi... I'm to start a modified South Beach diet and I have some reservations that I plan to discuss with my urologist & dietician this week...with only one kidney these diets seem rather kidney stressful. Anyway I plan on continuing with my regular diabetic exchange diet (I'm not diabetic) but decrease the calories.

Hi...I'm being banded Sept.30th & today I received paperwork for my diet prep. Adkins/SouthBeach diet with small modifications; 2 weeks before surgery I do 2 protein shakes & 1 lowcarb/lowfat meal a day; day before surgery its' clear liquids only with minimum 8 hr. fast. My DS who is a very big Adkins fan is going to help me with recipes for survival. Since I am looking at this whole process as a total lifestyle change, I'm thinking my food will probably be SB phase 2/3 & thats ok I do know my simple carbs are probably a thing of the past.

tkcnavy...I also am Tricare. I think it depends a lot on how your PCM and surgeons office prepare the necessary documentation. I had a seminar & 1st appt. with surgeon within 2 wks. after my PCM sent the referral request. My Tricare approval took only 6 days. My surgery is scheduled Sept.30th (his earliest appt). I think it also may involve your co-morbidities & their severity. Here's praying for a faster process.

All patients undergoing any surgery or procedure requiring general anesthesia have chest Xrays to assess the lungs for anything (infection, scarring, tumors...) that might contraindicate the use of certain meds/anesthesia.

Soulsister...thank you for your obedience to the Father to pray without ceasing for ones' own needs and also the needs of others.