nebraskahickchi

I am feeling much better tonight. How are you doin, Amy? Hope you are getting around a little better. I got my pain meds filled... Yay! Anyway... just to be clear... I have heard that some ppl don't have the gas pain as badly. I have NO pain where I had surgery.. hehe. My stomach is wonderful. I am going to try drinking less. My big fear is dehydration. Before and after my banding I met with a dietician who was very clear on what and how much to eat according to their diet plan: *Drink 64 oz of liquid (water, tea, etc.) per day (Only FLAT pop) *First 3 days: Drink 1 oz liquid every 15 minutes, only liquids the consistency of water *Next 3 weeks: 1 oz liquid every 15 mins, and meals 3x daily- For a meal you can have 4 oz of POURABLE food... anything that pours off a spoon. (Thinned down pudding, thinned down mashed potatoes, soup, etc) Again, eat 1 oz per 15 minutes, taking baby bites. Take a bite, wait 3 minutes, then enjoy another bite. This trains you to eat sloooowly (It makes me nuts, lol) *After that they are starting me on a 'normal' diet... but my portion sizes will never change. Right now... I just can't wait to get the gas gone!! Still hurting but not nearly as bad as last night. I was ready to throw in the rope... even tho THAT'S too late, LOL. I too had the same thoughts during that time: What was I thinking?! But I've heard it only gets better. Here's to hoping!:smile: **Just a note: An ounce is about the size of the cup that comes on top of a Nyquil bottle. Maybe a little smaller.

I'm sorry Amy... but I know how you feel. I was just banded Tuesday. The gas pains in my upper back and left front of my chest have been HORRIBLE. I ran out of pain meds and was trying to take Ibuprofen, then I think I drank too much liquid and am really hoping I didn't hurt myself. I can't burp or pass gas very much. The last time I burped was yesterday and I really feel like I have to. I move around, fold laundry, touch my toes... even just walk and it doesn't come out? I am miserable, crying and in pain. I didn't sleep at all. I'm so tired. I can't wait for this to be over. Hope you are feeling better today.

Well, I didn't mean stuck like... stuck in the band stuck... lol. I just couldn't burp and was having terrible gas pains in my chest and back. Hours later I was finally able to... Hope that doesn't happen too often. :smile:

I was just banded Dec. 22 - Tuesday. OMG I have got a burp STUCK... feel like my chest is going to explode! I keep walking around and trying to work it out. Any suggestions??

Mine is Dec. 22 too!!:thumbup:

Hi! I am so excited to be part of the December Bandsters 2009! I am a week from my surgery date December 22!! I am so nervous but elated at the same time. Also... I didn't seem to have an over-extended liver, so I didn't have to do the pre-op liquid diet. Only one day- the day before surgery. My surgery will be done in Scottsbluff, NE by Drs. Forney and Holloway. They are wonderful and caring doctors! I am so excited! Any last words of wisdom??? Nebraska Hick Chic:wub:

Just feeling a little nervous and jittery today... and it started yesterday. Not sure why? I've been wanting to do this for 4 years now and I am extremely excited! But, I'm also scared... how did you all deal with this? Nervous in Nebraska:crying:

Hi all!! My surgery date is DECEMBER 22!!! Soooo excited!!:smile2::thumbup::wub:

Hi all!! My surgery date is DECEMBER 22!!! Soooo excited!!:thumbup:

OOOoookkkk... UPDATE UPDATE: As frustrating as this is... I WILL HAVE THE LAP BAND SURGERY BY THE END OF THE YEAR IF IT KILLS ME... well, maybe not THAT drastic... but I have been trying to do this for 4 years now. Maybe just not hard enough? Anyway... this is what I went through. I had insurance through my job. I was approved in July 2008 for the surgery. Also, in July 2008, my insurance was cancelled due to my hours being cut at work. So... per my husband's insurance, I began the 6-month dietary consult. At the end of my 6 months, my work made a change in insurance coverage stating that the minimum hours policy had been waived. I got MY insurance back. I made the appt with my doctor and called my insurance company. Lo and behold they only requested an updated Physician's Verification Letter (Letter of Medical Necessity). My downpayment is paid... I am just waiting for the insurance company to receive the faxed PVL from the doc's office... and then their authorization. I started calling last week and I will call EVERY SINGLE DAY TIL I GET RESULTS!! So... wish me luck... I hope to post my surgery date sssssoooooonnnnn!! :crying:

OOOoookkkk... UPDATE UPDATE: As frustrating as this is... I WILL HAVE THE LAP BAND SURGERY BY THE END OF THE YEAR IF IT KILLS ME... well, maybe not THAT drastic... but I have been trying to do this for 4 years now. Maybe just not hard enough? Anyway... this is what I went through. I had insurance through my job. I was approved in July 2008 for the surgery. Also, in July 2008, my insurance was cancelled due to my hours being cut at work. So... per my husband's insurance, I began the 6-month dietary consult. At the end of my 6 months, my work made a change in insurance coverage stating that the minimum hours policy had been waived. I got MY insurance back. I made the appt with my doctor and called my insurance company. Lo and behold they only requested an updated Physician's Verification Letter (Letter of Medical Necessity). My downpayment is paid... I am just waiting for the insurance company to receive the faxed PVL from the doc's office... and then their authorization. I started calling last week and I will call EVERY SINGLE DAY TIL I GET RESULTS!! So... wish me luck... I hope to post my surgery date sssssoooooonnnnn!!

UPDATE: Yes, my surgery was cancelled last year because I lost my insurance due to losing hours... couldn't keep the quota. Mr. Marriott apparently felt sorry for us who lost our ins. due to that problem as he remedied it by waiving the minimum hours worked policy!! So, YAY... I jumped right on that and have $100 left to pay on my downpayment and I am STILL approved!! Should have a surgery date scheduled within the next couple of weeks... I won't have surgery, just the date... and they say it's going to be before the end of the year!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooo, soooooooo excited!!

Well, I have been trying to get this surgery approved through my insurance since February... and have actually been considering it for a couple of years now. The good news is on July 17, 2008 I received an approval letter from my insurance company. The horrible news is it may never happen for me. In June I was informed by my human resources dept. that I didn't work enough hours in the previous 3 month period to qualify for benefits. I took a lot of vacation days and downtime due to my health but didn't have the doctor's visits or notes to back it up. I am 330 lbs now, diabetic with NASH (non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis - a liver issue due to diabetes and weight). I also suffer from horrific migraines. So... I signed up for the COBRA insurance... I got the bill in the mail for my insurance shorthly after I got my approval for surgery... $1800... due by August 25th... !!! That is premiums for 2 months at $500 each and $800 due on my flexible spending account that I had already used for medications and medical bills. Well, that might as well be $1,000,000. =( I am seriously working 30 hours of overtime this week and get paid bi-weekly. I tried to get a loan through my bank, but with my 2 car loans I am maxed out. I am crushed. I don't know what to do. I will be eligible for insurance through work again in October or November. However, I spoke to my insurance and asked them if I were to be cancelled what would happen... they weren't sure if the new policy would consider my request for surgery as something of a pre-existing condition or not. They advised I just pay the $1800. Is there an insurance person that could honestly tell me what to do here? Or a millionaire somewhere that has $1800 in change laying around? I have worked so hard to get this surgery approved. My insurance is Blue Cross/Blue Shield of California. I work for Marriott Hotels. I also have to come up with $1000 for a downpayment for surgery, however, the approval letter I have from the ins company says it is good until January 1, 2009.... so I am certain I can come up with that in time. Any words of wisdom? :biggrin: Carleen

UPDATE - I have to finish a visit with a nutritionist per my ins. company. In the meantime, due to some downtime I had to take in March, my company is threatening to turn off my benefits!!! (Cry) Keep your fingers crossed. This has been such a long, hard road to go... and I am almost there! Godspeed! xoxo Carleen

Beautifully stated!

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Godspeed! xoxo Carleen

Hi! I know what you mean. I come from a family of "Food solves everything", too. I'm sure your Mom is like my Mom and set in her ways. But, it sounds to me like she wants desperately to make you happy... and it's probably the only way she really knew how - in the past. I find myself feeding my son - who eats like a horse and is the size of a string bean, age 18 - the same way my mother did me. He's not fat, but if it weren't for his metabolism, he would be. No thanks to me. But, until I read your post, I never really thought about it. Now I am wondering... what else could I do for him that would make him happy? Because, I am thinking, food always made me feel good... I want him to feel good, too, right? Maybe this is what Mom is thinking when she is trying to feed you?? Instead... if your Mom isn't as easily offended as mine, you might try explaining that your wants have changed and NOT eating that pie makes you happy. Old habits die hard and she has raised you and fed you one way all of your life... I am sure it is an adjustment that will take a lot of time, especially since she is not making that change to her life as well. Maybe if she would just keep some Slimfast on hand and say... "Want me to make you a glass of Slimfast?"... or something like that... I don't know, maybe I don't know what I am talking about. lol I just know that I drive my kids nuts now that they are old enough to think for themselves and I don't have to decide for them. I find myself trying to please them and make them happy any way I can. It's a "mom" thing. =) Good luck to you and Godspeed, dear. Don't give up. xoxo Carleen

I can't wait to have my surgery!! But, I'll tell you what my doctor told me. My doctor is Dr. Glen Forney from Scottsbluff, NE. Their group has been using Lapband for more than 5 years, along with Gastric Bypass and other bariatric surgeries. He said that in his experience he has found that you will be in the same spot in 2 years that Gastric Bypass patients are in 1 year, but healthier. The weight may come off slower, but you are not losing healthy nutrients and your body isn't going through the shock it would go through in a Gastric Bypass. He highly recommends lapband most of the time. However, there are cases where Gastric Bypass is literally the only option. I went to the consult hell-bent on Gastric Bypass with or without the consequences. I left feeling good about the choice to go with the lapband. I have read more positive material than negative on lapbands as well. They are safer and it is easier to keep the weight off as they are adjustable and are more of a "tool" than a quick fix. Good luck and keep us posted. Make sure you get your before and after pics... I find those so inspirational!! Godspeed! xoxo Carleen

Hi All! My name is Carleen and I'm from central Nebraska. I have posted before, but this is my first blog. I posted some messages after seeing some extremely wonderful "Before and After" Pics. Everyone is looking so, so wonderful!! Well - I just spoke with my doctor's office (Dr. Forney and Holloway with Western Surgical Group in Scottsbluff, NE) and Melinda, my insurance person, assured me that they would finally be submitting my files to insurance today. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED. I should hear something back in 4-6 weeks... hopefully sooner!! I am so excited to be making this change to my life. I almost feel like everything else in my life is "on hold". I am ready for the life changes I need to enforce to help myself live a longer, happier and more fulfilling life. For once, I am finally doing something for ME. I am actually looking forward to taking pics of myself... before and after. :thumbs_up: Once again, thank you all for your inspiration. I am so thankful to have found this online group, I so seldom go out and about. Godspeed! xoxo Carleen :smile2:

Hi All! My name is Carleen and I'm from central Nebraska. I have posted before, but this is my first blog. I posted some messages after seeing some extremely wonderful "Before and After" Pics. Everyone is looking so, so wonderful!! Well - I just spoke with my doctor's office (Dr. Forney and Holloway with Western Surgical Group in Scottsbluff, NE) and Melinda, my insurance person, assured me that they would finally be submitting my files to insurance today. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED. :thumbup: I should hear something back in 4-6 weeks... hopefully sooner!! I am so excited to be making this change to my life. I almost feel like everything else in my life is "on hold". I am ready for the life changes I need to enforce to help myself live a longer, happier and more fulfilling life. For once, I am finally doing something for ME. I am actually looking forward to taking pics of myself... before and after. :thumbup: Once again, thank you all for your inspiration. I am so thankful to have found this online group, I so seldom go out and about. Godspeed! xoxo Carleen :smile2: