mom2twins

Before I even started getting this big I used to lvoe the Tony Little exercise videos. They are more toning and shaping than arobic which elps for me because of excercise induced asthma. It really did keep my legs looking good when I worked at a casino and wore a little skirt.

After my first pregnancy I used the spandex bike shorts to help shrink my tummy. It did help a lot, so I am going to use them again along with sports bras to help decrease the need for plastic surgery if I can. At least it will hold the skin in place and it won't flop all over the place if it doesn't help it shrink this time.

I understand the last supper thing, but the day before is not a good time for it. My surgeon is only asking for 1 day of liquids, but the lst is is to get everything out of your system. You don't want to get put under, loose control of your muscles and poop everywhere. I had a different type of surgery while pregnant and they could not put me under because of the babies, and it was not a fun feeling hearing the doctor yelling to get someone to clean it up. Maybe you could push the last supper back to the day before the last day. I am planning on doing a pero-op of a few days just because of my previous experience.

I have no family or friends where I am currently living. I have only told my mom in law, none of my personal family, and one lady from church. I tried to talk to a long time friend about it but she was very distracted on the phone so I didn't even go into it. I have emailed one old friend that I have just found online again and all she wants to know is how she can get it also, so no support there. I am counting on the people of this site for ALL of my support. I bought a "bean" exercise rocker chair type thing this week. My so called supportive hubby was very angry and had a fit because I bought something to help work out (since he hid my stepper in the garage) so I can at least get some flexability before getting the band. If I hadn't found this site I would not be doing this at all. The surgeons office was no help (would rather do the bypass and be done with you) and I have not made any friends since we moved. This site gave me the information and support that I needed to make an informed decission, I read a book or two that were recommended by people on this site, and chated and asked some question in the chat rooms. I even did my first blog entry in my life on this site. Keep reading this site and ask as many questions as you can think of.

I agree that having kids does change your outlook. I was the same way and even got more depressed when they had to save my life and let my first daughter die instead. You say that you are around and talk to mental health doctors all day long, but do you have one that is just for you? If you are on meds for depression and know that you are having these feelings of wanting to die you need to have a doctor that sets aside one hour (or more) a week just for you to follow you and help with all of your concerns. Life is not easy, family and friends are not easy, and Lord knows KIDS ARE STRESSFUL. You have done a wonderful thing by getting the band and wanting to live for your family. Take the next step and make sure that you get the help that you need to change your thinking (this takes time also), after years of giving up it takes time to change old thoughts like old habits. I hope I helped a little.

Relax. Breathe. The will have a team of different doctors that will be watching everything and you will be fine. If they do have to use the breathing tube they will wait unitl you are under (that way you will be relaxed and they can get it in) and then it will be out before you go to recovery so they can wake you up. Let you doctor know what you are worried about and maybe they can help you understand a little better (since most of us are asleep when they are doing this). I have even heard of them giving a mild seditive the few days before so that you don't get your blood pressure up before the surgery.

I tried the Special K protien water that is the berry flavor and it is a good option. I haven't tried the mixes but they do have a few flavors of them also. Have fun at the pool.

Maggie, The referral is asking the insurance (tri-care) for approval. When that little block on the right has an a (and the words approved pop up) that means that it was approved. So yes if the referral was approved by Tri-Care it means you have insurance approval. I am no expert but that has been my understanding of this whole process.

They still say to get a full 64 oz of water a day. I have been told to keep a water bottle close by, and have even started carrying one with me now as much as possible. You do need to watch out for the ones that you have to suck out of though, like using a straw it puts too much air into your pouch and makes you uncomfortable. Walmart has a Rubbermaid water bottle that is a 20 or 32 ounce and has a wide opening to fill the bottle, and the lid opens wide enough to get a good drink and when shut doesn't leak out. I have bought a few of them so that one will always be clean.

I agree that this site is the best!!! I too am an AF wife with 2 girls, and a pcs a few months ago. My hubby found this site when the doctor told me I needed the surgery. It is the best thing he has done for me since we got married over 10 years ago. This group is great for information, good and bad, and for telling it like it is not what the doctors want you to hear.

Thanks everyone. I have a fairly high tolerance for pain so I should be ok. I'll just let him know that after I talked to the doctor (I will call for their advise also) they said I would be fine with the cell phone for emergency and the girls to help with everything else. However, I do value the opinions from this group a little higher than the doctor's office, to them we are just a job. It will make them feel better if they can help me as they are getting a little nervous about the whole thing also.

Congrats !!! Yes it means that it was approved that quickly. What took so long for mine was that the surgeons office didn't send in the paperwork until three weeks after my inital appointment. If Tri-care is going to approve or disapprove they usually do it as soon as they get the paperwork. I checked that web site everyday until I wal typing my password in my sleep. I only have to have an endo scope and a phsyc eval because that is what the surgeon requires. Let me know when you get a date.

Each doctor is different about the pre-op diet. My surgeon is only asking for one day of liquid for my pre-op diet. Others have posted that they have done two or even three weeks of a pre-op diet. There was a really good post a few eeks ago that talked about shrinking your liver and they pre-op diets. It was very informative and worth looking up. I learned a lot from that post.

I understand where you are in the healing time cycle. If you are worried about how to answer people asking about your weight loss, that is none of their business. If you feel like sharing this with someone that is fine. However when people that you are not close enough to ask this question maybe you should ask them "when was your last period?" or something like "have you had your colon checked lately?" Unless others have been in your shoes they don't realize how personal they are being until you show them. I don't think they are doing it out of spite, but out of ignorance. These questions all fall into the same catagory, not their business unless you offer the information. When my twins were babies I used to always get the question, are they natural or did you take drugs? I learned that sometimes you have to stop being so nice when others want to be in your business.

From what I have read here on the forum, it is not unusual for some people to gain after the band until you get your first fill or even get to your sweet spot. Don't get discouraged yet, they says the first month is about recovery and healing not loosing weight.

At lapband.com they have a spot where you can look up surgeons by zip code. I did find that the surgeon my doctor referred me to is listed with this site. Another place to look is in the phone book. As more people are wanting the band surgeons are putting it in their ads. Good luck to you.

I am scheduled for August 12th!! I understand being away from family and friends, we are a military family. The one person that I would like to come for the banding has recently found a blood clot in her leg a can't travel. Myabe we can be banding buddies and help each other with all of these new and interesting things we are about to embark on. This site is a great way to learn about what to expect and tips to help be prepared.

Once my surgeons office did send in the referral, it took about an hour to get the approval. You can check it on the Humana-Military.com web page. The doctor's office called me and said they found a problem with my approval code and it was resubmitted, then two hours later she called back and said the second one was approved with the right codes and my banding is schedules for August 12th. AS long as you meet the 100+ pounds with 2 comorbids, or 200% over ideals weight you should have no problems. If Tricare had approved the bypass, you shouldn't have any trouble getting the approval for the band since they both treat the same problem, just different methods. Good Luck,

First let me say that I know everyone is different. Now, how many days do I need to have someone here to help me after surgery? My hubby saiys he would need a letter from the doctor to get time off from work. Do I really need to have him here or would my two 9 year old girls be able to help me enough? This is really a big issue for me since my hubby isn't a nuturing type of person (ok, he is an angry man waiting for an argument). I need some input on this from people that have been there. I would love for him to be here to help, but if he gets upset at anything he will blow very quickly. Any advice????

You are a wonderful person for taking care of your mom. Now that she is getting better I agree with the others that you should start doing things for yourself as you can. Maybe you and your new spouse can try to eat better together or go for walks together to get you started. This site is a wonderful place for support. Keep us posted on your new progress.

The only way I could get the ticker to show up on this site was to cut and paste it from the site I built the ticker at. I tried to use the addresses that they have in the boxes at the bottom and it wouldn't take. I did the old cut and paste and it has worked since then.

With Tricare Prime you can request an out of network provider if they don't have a network provider within a 60 mile range. Call and check to see what your options are.

I was shocked when me doctor told me I needed the lapband at my first appointment. I hadn't heard about it before (been out of country for a few years) and it totally scared me. My hubby is very disapproving of my weight so I was even more anxious about telling him. He was so upset he didn't know what to do or say so he found this website and told me to check it out. Since then we have both learned a lot, and been to a seminar together. I read the book "Weightloss Surgery for Dummies" and "Lapband for Life". They were both very informative and helped me understand what was going to happen. Once you get enough information you will know if this is right for you or not. I have been overweight most of my life and the since I had my babies (9years ago) it has only gone up. Good luck to both of you and keep checking the post here and even look into the areas of problems, diet, and post-op forums. They can give you alot of insight also.

Once again you guys have helped me talk myself out of buying a scale for the house. I have only weighed myself at the gym and doctors for years. I am so scared taht if I buy one I will be on it almost as much as I am on this web site now. Congrats on al the weight you guys have lost and hopefully I will soon be able to see my ticker start moving that direction.

I had a bigger wider seat that I got at Walmart for my bike. Since I have a bigger bottom it was a better fit for me, and not too expensive. Once you loose some of your size you can always change the seat back to the original one.