djw6171

I am having aweful pain in my shoulders. Has anyone else had this? It is worse than the stomach pain. The nurse said it was from the gas but OMG, it is bad!!! I put a call into the doctor but have not heard back. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

I was banded two days ago and I am itchy too. What helps me is the same thing I did when I was pregnant and itched....gently rub the sites with a shirt on as a barrier. It seems to work for me.

Actually, I was banded on the 18th as well and I don't hurt where my port is, I hurt on the other side. I don't know about you but I am feeling better every day. Good luck!

Well, I had it done. Monday was the big day! As you all know, my hubby did finally decide to take me. I made sure to tell him all day how much it meant to me that he was there even though he did not agree with it. They did find a hernia that needed repair and the surgery went well. I was supposed to be there overnight but was able to walk without problems and got them to let me go home so I got out about 9pm. Had a rough first night sleeping, could not get comfortable as I am not a back sleeper. I have been eating little bits of liquids broth, jello, etc. I feel really full after a couple bites of jello, this is great! My biggest problem is shoulder pain. I have a call into the doctor about this because it is unbearable. If I sit real still for a while, it will go away but my shoulders hurt worse than my belly! For anyone considering this, I am really glad, so far, that I did it. Thanks to everyone who was so encouraging!!!

So, many of you know my dilemma with my unsupportive husband. Well, he told me last night that he took off work (gasp!) Monday and Tuesday to take me and pick me up from my surgery!! Miracles do happen!!! He is not happy about it and that is fine with me, it just shows that he does not want me to go it alone and I am shocked. Monday is 2 days away! Wish me luck, I'll keep you updated!

I live in Harford County in work in Baltimore County. I will be banded at St. Agnes one week from today on 8/18. I am scared out of my mind. I have not been to any support groups as it is really far to drive and I have a hectic schedule. Would love to get together if there is a group closer to Harford County.

Just need to give myself a little boost here. I know you all will understand. First, let me say that I hate exercise. I will find ANY excuse, even scrubbing a toilet, to not exercies. See, I used to be a competitive powerlifter and my demon-coach made me work out 4-5 hours a day 6 days a week and since I gave that up, I can't stand it. WELL, after my pre-op class, I was determined to try. I can hardly do anything because I get out of breath and my knees and feet hurt but I am doing it!! I did 10 minutes on the treadmill followed immediately by 10 minutes on the bike. And not only did I do it once, I have done it daily for 3 days now. I just feel so good and for those of you who have read my other threads about my husband, you will understand my need for validation that I am doing something good!! thanks for listening!!:thumbup::ohmy::thumbup::smile2:

OK, so my journey started not too long ago and moved very fast. I am scheduled for 8/18 and had my pre-op class yesterday. Here is where I am struggling. My husband has decided he will have nothing to do with it. He will not take me to the hospital or pick me up. He does not want to talk about it or hear about it and I cannot expect any help from him with our three kids while I recover. He says I am lazy and have no discipline and I could just diet and exercise on my own. I swore to myself I would do this for my own health but I am starting to wonder if it is worth it? My mom will take me and pick me up but I will have no one there when I wake up in recovery or for visiting that night. My mom will be the cell phone number the doctor calls in case of emergency. This just does not seem right. Part of me says that HE is not worth it if he feels that way about me but I am not sure I want to test that theory. Any advice would be helpful.:cool2:

I am 8/18 also!!! So glad your approval journey is over and it is nice to see someone else starting their new life the same day as me! We will have to keep in touch! Good luck! Deanna

Thanks everyone for your comments. As much as I would like to believe he will come around, I know he will hold this against me forever. He is very controlling and if it is not his idea, it is not right. Oh well, I am going to do it anyway. Got a boost today....I moved into my new office at work and my boss gave me his refrigerator because I knew I would need to keep food/drinks on hand. That is support. Thank goodness for my Mom and my boss! I will keep you up to date but thanks again!

Wow, this has all happened so fast! I went for my psych eval today and when I went to check out, they gave me my date! I knew it would be quick once I got approved since my insurance changes on 9/1 and I need to have it done by then but oh my....now the butterflies start! Anyone else being banded that day?

OK, so I just started this process about 4 weeks ago and I got a call yesterday from the surgeon telling me that I need my psych eval asap. I have already had that scheduled and they knew it so I could not figure out this phone call. When I called them back , I was advised that it was approved and just waititng for that! I could not and still cannot believe it!!! Now I am really nervous, I did not expect it to happen so fast. No 6 month diet or anything!! WOW! I will keep you updated, I get my surgery date next week!! Wish me luck!!!

I have MAMSI Optimum Choice and my doctor only had to refer me to the surgeon.

I am just starting the process for the lap band and was wondering if anyone here is from Maryland that has had it done. Could use someone to talk to . Contact me djw6171@comcast.net.

Well, I met with my primary care doc yesterday and am very pleased. He is 100% behind my decision to follow through with this. I was concerned about the 6 months of doctor monitored dieting but he says that because I have been seeing him regularly since April for my weight, I am already 3 months into it and he will continue to see me monthly for another 3 months as he feels it will take that long to get a date. My husband is furious as the doctor for supporting me. He asked what the doctor said and when I told him, he would not speak anymore about it. Wait until he finds out I have to pay out of pocket to see the dietician today! Oh well, this is for ME and my health for my KIDS!!!:wink:

Just wondering if anyone out there has MAMSI / Optimum Choice and if so, how easy was it to get approval? I spoke to them and it is a covered procedure if you follow the steps but I am still concerned............I am so motivated to do this I am afraid something will go wrong ;(

My husband came straight out and told me he thinks this is a bad idea, I am only doing it because I am too lazy to diet and he will not support me. I am going to do this for ME and my health. I have 3 daughters and I want to see them grow up and have kids of thier own, not stroke out at a young age. The only thing I can tell you is to continue to focus on YOU and hopefully he will come around. Just let him know how much you need him to be supportive and reassure him that you will continue to love him even when you are thin!!!! Good luck!

I have MAMSI / Optimum Choice and they require documentation of 6 months of dieting prior to approval of the procedure. I am trying to find out how anyone else did this. I have been on weight watchers and taking diet pills forever but have not seen my doctor monthly while doing this. If anyone can tell me how they did this, I would appreciate it.

Thanks for all the replies. I saw my doctor yesterday and he seems to be very comfortable that this will be an easy process. Since he saw me in April and May and again yesterday, and I had my Weight Watchers log with me, :thumbup:he will write up those 3 months as my first three and then I will just see him for the next 3. He said they have never rejected his documentation before. I meet with Arlene today at 11:15 so the process is moving along!!!

Congratulations and Happy Birthday! What an inspiration to us "newbies"! :thumbup:

Well, I met with my primary care doc yesterday and am very pleased. He is 100% behind my decision to follow through with this. I was concerned about the 6 months of doctor monitored dieting but he says that because I have been seeing him regularly since April for my weight, I am already 3 months into it and he will continue to see me monthly for another 3 months as he feels it will take that long to get a date. My husband is furious as the doctor for supporting me. He asked what the doctor said and when I told him, he would not speak anymore about it. Wait until he finds out I have to pay out of pocket to see the dietician today! Oh well, this is for ME and my health for my KIDS!!!

I live in Forest Hill and would love to find someone to walk with. I am still quite overweight so running is not an option for me right now but any friendship / support I could find would be great (Happily married, too :smile2:) You can contact me at djw6171@comcast.net

OK, so I am laying it out here for all to see. A little about me. I am 37 years old, married with 3 daughters, 11,4 adn 2. I work full time as a paramedic instructor at a college and part time as a paramedic. I am also a 9 credit per semester student at Towson University. My schedule makes it crazy for me to try to diet. 25 weight watchers points spread out over a 24 hour shift is tough! So, my doc recommended the lap band. I have a consult with the surgeon on 7/9 and am really anxious. I am concerned about the 6 months of diet documentation. I have been doing weight watchers but not seeing my doctor monthly so I see him tomorrow to see if I have to start over again or not. Anyway, my husband is 100% against me doing this and that makes it really tough for me but I need to do it for my health. I will keep you all up to date...... Deanna

I am still waiting for my surgery date but I have a question. Does the lap band really make you not feel hungry? I have read success and horror stories (people gaining weight, etc...) and I am wondering if it is worth it. I love healthy food, fruits and veggies and chicken but I always eat because I am always hungy and I feel like I would do great if there were somthing to make me not be hungry but now I am wondering if this is it? Help!

OK, so I am laying it out here for all to see. A little about me. I am 37 years old, married with 3 daughters, 11,4 adn 2. I work full time as a paramedic instructor at a college and part time as a paramedic. I am also a 9 credit per semester student at Towson University. My schedule makes it crazy for me to try to diet. 25 weight watchers points spread out over a 24 hour shift is tough! So, my doc recommended the lap band. I have a consult with the surgeon on 7/9 and am really anxious. I am concerned about the 6 months of diet documentation. I have been doing weight watchers but not seeing my doctor monthly so I see him tomorrow to see if I have to start over again or not. Anyway, my husband is 100% against me doing this and that makes it really tough for me but I need to do it for my health. I will keep you all up to date...... Deanna