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It depends on the place. I had to pay 1 week before surgery. See if the amount you need to pay includes all the testing etc. If not, check to see how long the test results are valid, you can start doing all the tests and stuff and get them out of the way... Mine were good for 6 months, but I had all my tests done the first week and paid when I went for my last test and scheduled my surgery for 1 week later. It depends on availability too. I know one other girl that got her date in December and she was self-pay. I don't recall where she's from though. I know all my doctor and his associates for the testing were all cash or cashier check only, so if they aren't included in the cost.. It gives you time to plan your appointments when you have money.

:smile2:Thanks everyone! That's very good news. I wear panty liners all the time, you never know when you have to sneeze! LOL! I can't wait until it goes away. =]

I have a question for 40+ gals who have lost most /all of their excess weight... If you had incontinence problems when you were overweight, did it reduce or go away after losing the weight? I just have it when I cough or sneeze right now.. that's bad enough... :girl_hug: I know it is linked to being obese, so I was curious if it goes away after the weight loss...

I think it depends on what your doctor uses to close up the incisions. Mine used glue and I took a shower the next day. I had no restrictions for bathing at all. In fact I had no restrictions for sex either.. (sorry, I know you didn't ask that.. just to let you know how things vary) No... washing your hair shouldn't be an issue. Just check with your doctor before hand, like you've probably noticed.. every doctor is different.

Yes, my nutritionist even recommended it especially for when you are on liquids only, in addition to adding protein on a regular basis. The berry tastes just like Kool-aid. It's a little too sweet for me, but great when you want something besides water. Luckily for me I don't like anything carbonated so I never had any problem drinking water, but I'm always skeptical about flavored water... this one is actually good.:girl_hug:

Isn't that horrible, all I could think about is either a hamburger or pizza! LOL! 4 weeks later, I had my first pizza last night. I ate hamburger patties by themselves on week 3. Funny how nothing is ever as yummy as what you think it will be after 3-4 weeks! LOL! Interestingly enough.. I haven't had applesauce in years and that tasted the best ever when I got to mushies and still eat some when I'm thirsty after a meal and can't have water.

As part of my pre-op I had to have 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate, each 4 hours a part. That took care of any issues before and even after surgery. They're only 99 cents a bottle and works effectively, but tastes like crap. Glad you found something that tastes better! =]

Lucky you... By the time I went to the doctor, I already had to start my 10 day pre-op diet, my 'last meal' was a salad with grilled chicken.

How is your hunger? Is it maybe time for another fill? I agree you're weight gain is due to adding bulk/muscles. Check with your doctor to see what he has to say. Great job! You're an inspiration to all us newbies!

Yes it's completely normal. You really don't have restriction at this point. Most of the food you've been eating, is just going straight to the lower stomach. Just make sure you are drinking a lot of Water and get your Protein in... the weight loss will slow or pause when you eat mushies/solids because of this... so don't worry... all this is normal. Focus on chew, chew, chew.. because you will more than likely forget, especially if you're really hungry... it's always that first bite that gets you! LOL! You go through this transition diet to help you develop good habits and to heal, don't worry about losing at this point. Enjoy it now! :confused: Caren, sorry to hear about Ike causing you to be without power. We didn't even get a drop of rain here! My mom who lives in Ohio got her power on last night after 8 days without it from Ike when it passed through there... she said she's gained 5 pounds at least from eating out. She said that they were even running out of things at some of the restaurants... I hope everything goes well for you.

I know on the Atkins diet, they tell you take take flax seeds. I haven't tried it with the band, but it's a good fiber source. You may want to ask your doctor or nutritionist if it's okay to take them to help you stay regular. Benefiber does work good also. Sometimes you get constipated even when you drink a lot of water. I love water and drink it all day... I still get constipated at times. Do you drink coffee or tea? My (regular) doctor told me once that drinking any hot liquid will help you 'go', I know coffee works for me... even decaf.:confused:

The place I used to work for awhile back was like that... (open enrollment once a year) the only exception is for new hires. I would make sure that the plans they have available will cover the surgery. HR can give you information on the plans even if you can't enroll right now. If you find one that covers it, see what is required to obtain the surgery, some require doctor recorded diets etc. If you can get the insurance to pay for it, I say start looking into what you need to do and start the process at least. Better to self pay a couple of doctor appointments (make sure they are a provider of your plan you will choose, so eventually the insurance will pay for the doctor visits and you won't need to change.) than to self pay the whole surgery. Unless you have $10-25K extra... try to go with the insurance. If none of them will cover it, then you look into self-pay options. I can tell you most individual plans will not cover it.. I checked and couldn't find even one. I ended up being a self-pay. Good luck... I know it's difficult once you make up your mind to have the surgery and you have to wait, but it will give you time to do your research. MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH. Seminars are free, meet with people who have been banded, make sure of what you are going to commit to... Most of us have no regrets, but there are a few out there that do.. they'll surface on the board from time to time.... know the good and the bad and that you can handle it. It isn't something you have done and you don't have to do any work.. It is work... it is as effective as you want it to be.

What a small world! That's my doctor! He's awesome. My friend and band buddy is from Buda, she uses Dr. R. also. I need to call Monday to see if I can get my fill on the 6th. He won't do it before 6 weeks, and Monday the 6th is exactly 6 weeks. Mondays are hectic though.. so I might have to wait for the 8th.

I lost about 16 pounds during the post-op, but during the first couple of weeks. Like RM, I haven't lost anything since then. But again, this time is for healing and adjusting, any weight loss right now is considered a bonus.:thumbup:

I know how you feel, are you on full liquids? A proteing drink like Atkins helped me a lot. Also watered down (or skim milk is what I used) cream of wheat helped also. No you won't be having pains like that until your first fill, once you get to mushies and soft foods you'll feel better.

Try to switch over to chewable or liquid vitamins. See if there are chewable or liquid forms of whatever pills you're currently taking. If not, you'll need to split them or crush them (or dissolve) depending on how big they are. Supposedly anything bigger than a pencil eraser you need to crush. I take Excedrin and I crush mine. My grocery store had a pill crusher for about $4.00, but you can crush them between 2 spoons.

I'm with you DAnna, I was thinking about waiting a week to get my first fill, because my birthday is on the 15th, and I can get my first fill on the 6th. I was debating, so I can have a decent meal on my birthday instead of being on the 'after fill transition diet' which lasts for 12 days.. but I figure I'm self pay and I didn't fork out all this extra money for a band to wait. I'm in S.A. also, which doctor are you going to?

You might want to try baby cereal or cream of wheat and make them extra watery... remember should be able to go through a straw.. even though you can't use a straw!:tongue2:I know I didn't get all my protein in early on.. don't forget vitamins too. Just do the best you can, but don't stress yourself out on it. If you notice you're tired more, you need to increase your protein. You can also add powdered protein mix to your cream soups and stuff... try a little at a time, since you don't want it to over power your food. This time is designed for you to heal and slowly get adjusted to your band and start the habits that you will need later on.. While you don't need to sip right now, drinking the same way you always have will more than likely not be possible after you start getting fills. If you catch yourself chugging water, try to keep water in your mouth a few seconds longer before swallowing the next gulp. When you get to soft foods.. try to remember to chew very well. It is no fun getting stuck, but at least if you forget it it is soft foods that may or may not cause a problem depending on what it is... so try to develop your habits now. Good luck!

Well, I don't know what you wanted to 'play' but you should be able to get out and about. I was pretty much back to my normal routine except lifting after week 1. Football is definitely out! LOL! Maybe a day at the park or something? I don't know what the weather is like there... or a day at the zoo. Walking is good for you. Maybe a boat ride or something...It might get you out of your 'rut'.

Wow! Self pay and you have to wait until December???!!! I was self pay and had surgery 1 week after dropping off the check. I also went home the same day. I also had a problem with nausea. Even with phenergen shots and suppositories. By the end of the night I was fine from that though. I was by myself and my bf just came by to check on me a couple of times through out the day. I just slept most of the day. In my opinion, I'd say go home, the hospital didn't do anything more for me there, than I did at home. They won't let you leave if there is a problem... I was checking out 2 hours after surgery was over. The had me walk the hall a couple of times. I pee'd. I went home. You'll probably get more rest at home anyway. But since you have people to help you out... I don't see a problem... unless you don't live in the same town you're getting banded in... then at least get a hotel room, where you can rest and it's a lot cheaper. Your bed is more comfy, no strangers bothering you.. I don't much care for hospitals though:sad:... so keep that in mind! LOL!

You might try drinking some pineapple juice, sometimes the acid in the juice will help dissolve whatever is stuck. To me, you'll know if something is stuck. I got stuck on a soft boiled egg, not paying attention to chewing, luckily since it was soft, some hot coffee helped wash it down but that was NOT fun. But I've heard others talk about keeping pineapple juice on hand. If that doesn't work, call your surgeon. Even being stuck doesn't feel like a heart attack, it's a pain in your chest, but like something being stuck and needs to come up or go down. If you are in that much pain, I'd skip the pineapple juice and go straight to the doctor.

Congrats! I slept most of the first day! LOL! The good thing is, I never really had pain from the surgery. I had a bad problem with gas. :thumbup: Be sure you're stocked up on Gas X or some other brand.