RestlessMonkey

I had a similar problem years back when I had my gallbladder removed. I had to pay the anesthesiologist because he wasn't in my network...so insurance did pay SOME on him, but I was billed for more. As is usual, he accepted my offer of a reduced lump payment in lieu of me paying the bill off $10 at a time. If this were me, I'd start with the surgeon and ask him why he selected an assistant and anesthesiologist that weren't under your plan, and take it from there.

Call your doc and ask him when you should've "gone" and if you don't, what can you take? With the weekend coming up, you don't want to wait until Monday and not "go". He'll recommend a Fiber supplement or laxative if he things it could be problematic! :thumbs_up: You should have one, even if very minor. If you have an opiod pain killer it can be constipating...so do call the doc, ok? :thumbup:

There was a thread about this very thing yesterday or the day before.... Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending I guess !) I weighed enough that it wasn't an issue for me. However, you can bet that if I only needed to gain 10 pounds to "qualify" for the surgery, I'd have done that in a heartbeat. Many feel the same way; others do things like wearing weights, heavy clothes, quarters in their pockets, etc.

Mine hurt for a while post op, especially when I exerted myself and had to breathe more deeply. Have you noticed if it happens more, say, after you eat or maybe eat too much? I'm wondering if maybe somehow your band or port/tubing may be occasionally irritating your diaphragm? When it happens have you tried having someone rub your neck and shoulder (like getting a massage)?

If you're trying to decide between weight loss surgeries, I'd suggest going to a seminar (or two, or three!) and getting some info that way. It may just lead to more questions, but is a good start. They want you to exercise, to be healthy, WLS or no. That's not something unique to the lap band.

Yes you can lose 6 pounds of more of water weight. The first week I was on diuretics I lost more than that.

referring also to JMS and Annie's posts....forgot to click "multi" :thumbup: Looking back through her old posts, she's been around, although sparingly, for a few months and is an RN! In one post she chides people for not checking with their doctor about fills. I'm, uh, flummoxed. I do understand food issues, but she says she's a "medical professional"...had her surgery in Mexico...she should know better than to eat a hamburger 2 days out, even if her doc didn't give specific direction. Wonder if one of "Tripi's" kids or someone posted under the name as a prank? (And I assume Tripi is female but actually I have no idea). Anyway, don't cheat on your post op diet and if you do, check with your surgeon.

At least you didn't go through the surgery just to be told your liver was too thick and you couldn't get the band! I'm sorry this happened to you! but you're another good example of why we need to do what our doctors tell us.

If insurance doesn't cover, it doesn't cover it. There's no appeal there. However you can finance the surgery; many surgeons have financing options available. There are also less expensive surgeons in the states, as well as outside the country. Sorry I have no info about surgeons in your area. There are quite a few people who "self-pay" in order to get the surgery.

I WISH! I'm not restricted yet (sigh) and other than the 1 beer I tried (had about 3 sips, burped like a ...well, a burper LOL, and that was that) I can eat anything. And things that DID taste good still do. I have read posts where people say certain foods just aren't worth the trouble any more and I HOPE HOPE I get there soon!

I think bypass is punitive...allowing your guts to be cut up because you're fat just seems sad to me. The band? No. Honestly, I don't think it barbaric, any more than, say, a pacemaker for the heart, or a stint. Some day medicine will come up with something better, and 100 years from now people may think it very rustic and old fashioned, but for now, I think it's pretty cutting edge medicine and I'm glad as can be I have it!

My surgeon, in the seminar, shared with us a horror story of a patient of his who ate part of a tuna sandwich day 2 and was back in the OR with his band messed up. I personally wouldn't risk it. Not for a few bites of some food that I can have safely in a week or two.

I hear you. I weighed 405 and at 5'5" and 53 years old, i was pretty miserable! Can't fix the age or height LOL but every pound that goes is not missed! I lost a bunch on my preop diet; it was like I was a new person. :thumbup: I will tell you this one very important thing I wish I'd known....DO WHAT YOUR SURGEON TELLS YOU. This is a great site and I post here a lot! BUT....the anecdotal info doesn't replace your surgeon and his team. I cheated on FIRST preop diet because I read poster after poster who did and got away with it (Didn't know why mine was 3 weeks, either, when others only had to do 2 weeks or 1 week or 3 days or none!) SO I lost 15 pounds "my" way, not following docs orders, and my liver was too thick. That is RARE! But I learned a valuable lesson I like to share (it helps make it worth it LOL) and that is...read stuff here, take it with a grain of salt, and do what your doctor tells you to do. I don't think any single soul here would intentionally mislead or misguide, we're a pretty helpful bunch...but what works for one doesn't work for the rest of us. We may all be getting "a" band, but they are different, the docs are different, and WE are different! You'll do great!

Depends on a lot of things...my surgeon only does small fills so my first one was a big non-event; I got 1.5 cc in a 14 cc band. When I started to complain he very kindly and patiently explained to me why he wanted to take it slow, and darn it, I agreed with him LOL I had a little pain the first time because my port had tilted slightly. It wasn't bad at all. I was supposed to do liquids for 24 hours, then mushies, then soft, then regular food day four. Subsequent fills 2 and 3 have been fast and easy....now that he knows my port is tilted it's fast and totally pain free.

Each surgeon is different and each patient is different so take what's posted here as "interesting" but not what will happen to you, ok? having said that... I had a 3 week (which is rather long, most are shorter) preop diet consisting of specific low carb shakes and one meal of green veggies and lean Protein. Then preop I had to drink a bowel prep starting at noon (and from then until midnite Clear liquids only, if I recall)....after midnight, NOTHING by mouth. NADA. It's fairly standard that they have you eat and drink nothing 8-12 hours before surgery, but the rest varies from surgeon to surgeon. There's also a great variance in post op diets, too.

I've had 3 fills for a total of 4.5 cc in my 14 cc band. I came to hungry in recovery and spend a lot of my time that way now! LOL (not whining though) My surgeon is not aggressive and has good reasons not to be. The literature I found supports this so I'm gritting my teeth and waiting for that next fill! I have gained back SOME weight but not nearly as much as I would've had I lost 41 pounds in 8 1/2 weeks pre band. So I'm not eating as much (DH says I'm not) but I am so ready to have that "satiety" and it last for longer than 2 hours! I COULD diet while I'm waiting but that plays games with my head...I start to get a little obsessive about food (where when how much etc) and it's best if I just cruise along, making my best healthy choices, and trying to adapt! My next fill is 2/5 and I think at 6 cc's I'll finally feel "the love" at least a little. Now every once in a while something goes down "odd"...so I'm getting there! :thumbup:

I don't give a good rip what "people" say and if I had an overweight husband dissing me, well, I won't even tell you what I'd tell THAT loser. Chin up. You did this for yourself, not everyone else.

What are your surgeon's rules? Mine will only do fills at 4 weeks or more...but they are all different.

No kidding! I think it's awesome you are so close!

Thank you so much for sharing! I think that's one thing the band saved me from. I didn't even know such a thing exists! UNTIL...the doc tried to place my band and my liver was too thick. He said it wasn't diseased YET. So the band is giving us both health! :thumbup: Good luck!

I did after 2 full weeks of liquids (no Protein shakes etc 1st week)...BUT it is VERY important to do what YOUR doc tells YOU...not anecdotal info you read here. If you are truly starved and feel bad, call your surgeon or nutritionist and see what you might be able to add in. That is WAY safer than just doing what some other doc says to do. We're all different, surgeons are different, the way he sutures your band may be different and patients who progress too fast have issues. There could be many reasons why your surgeon has that diet. It is HARD...they call it bandster hell....but you can get through it. I've read of people with 6 WEEK liquid diets! (that's just inhuman, in my book) Call your doc tomorrow and see if you can move forward sooner.

What transplant do you need, if I may ask? (Please don't feel like you have to answer) Good luck to you!

I agree, perhaps another surgeon? Because if it is that long to schedule surgery, how on earth will you get in for fills, or if you have other problems? My surgery was scheduled in under 2 weeks once insurance gave the green light. I'd look for another surgeon! :thumbup:

Froggy, did you try a complete unfill first, or did you just want the band removed? (Just curious...trying to learn and more info is better. You did what was right for you so I hope I don't sound funny)

I was so excited to finally be having the band I never even hesitated, but I know not everyone is that happy to be having surgery! I wanted it SO BAD I just could not wait and being rolled into the OR was like Christmas. Lots of people feel preop jitters though. Yours should resolve! :thumbup: