g00dbyefat

Hi ya....congrats!! I'm getting banded on the same date. I understand about nerves, I am as well and anxious, and excited. So many emotions!!! Apparently its not all that bad, is over quick and not much to worry about. Here are some stuff I got today that other ppl have suggested I will need. Shopping list for post-surgery: · Gas X strips · Gauze to cover incisions/tape · Protein in form I can stand · Full Liquids-On Approved List · liquid Tylenol · Chewable Vitamins · Wet wipes · CHAPSTICK!!!!!

I am scheduled for the 18th too. My pre-op apt w/ dr. is 8/15 but I have completed everything else, and am approved w/ insurance. It's right around the corner, I can't believe it! WOOHOO!! :w00t:

I'm a bit nervous about procedure too, but not much....more anxious to get it over with and start losing. I had a cardiac catheter procedure done in april for insurance approval. My ekg was crazy and then stress test was false positive, both for NO reason really. But since my grandpa died of heart attack, doc insisted we do cardiac cath. It's where they run a cath(tube) up your femoral artery up to your heart and dye it directly then take xray pics to see if there's any heart probs. Well anyway, it's a surgery, and I haven't had one since I had my tonsils out at 7yrs old. I felt like sucha BABY as I was litterally crying while they were prepping me. The nurse was very sweet, I'm sure she thought I was NUTS but kept assuring me that it would be alright. I just don't like all the prep work they have to do. They did vitals, IV w/ a million viles to test, urinary cath (no biggie, I was scared of it), shaved area of my leg. I think that's it. Well dr came in, asked why I was teary eyed, I just told him I was nervous cuz first surgery since I was 7. He asked if I wanted something to calm me down, and gave me some valium in IV. I felt much better until they wheeled me in OR and told me to scoot to OR table. I started tearing up again, the staff started talking to me and I said "I just want to be asleep, I just want to be asleep" and she said ok, I'm gonna give you something now. Next thing I know I'm waking up in my room, I feel a dull ache, but not really pain and it was over. I felt like sucha dork...that was it?? It's over already??? I think I was in there like 20min...lmao! wow.... Well honestly since that, I'm more at ease for this surgery. I mean I was sooooo worried and for what? Just tell them you're nervous, explain to them it's your first surgery and they will give you something to relax. There's really nothing to worry about thou, it's over and done w/ before you know it. My friends dad was in OR for 40min, that's all when banded. We'll make it thru it ok! No worries! :w00t:

No I can understand fully. I feel similar and I'm only on the Atkins pre-op diet. The other night my family was eating Cookies, I stayed out of the room as I know it would be hard for me. But everyday it's getting easier...and it will w/ the band too. There's sure to bee a time of adjustment needed. You're retraining your brain, body and everything. It will take some time, like w/ everything. I know my best friends dad was banded about 3-4 yrs ago now. When he first got it he was freakin out, wondering if he should have done it. Now he's 140, down from 400lbs and VERY happy in the decision he made. He can eat ANYTHING, no probs w/ any food, he just eats about 1/8th what he used to! :w00t:

Hi there...just introducing myself. I will be having my surgery on 8/18. I'm VERY excited, anxious, nervous and everything else. Seems like it took forever for the 6mnt insurance approval steps to be completed. Now movin' full speed. I can't wait to see the changes that are made. I have learned sooo much from this site. I'm glad to have found it as it's helpful to know other ppl are going thru the same things I am!!

YES>>>Nervous, anxious, excited, and a whole whirlwind of other emotions. It's been a LOOOOONG time coming as I've been thinking about this surgery for years, but only recently had the insurance to do it. Got approval and and sooooooooooooo thrilled to death! WOOHOO! We'll have to keep in touch and support eachother! :w00t:

I'm getting banded on the 18th and a bit nervous too! Don't worry...we won't remember it in a year, but we will be SKINNY!!! Well at least a lot more healthy! :wink_smile:

WOOHOO I got a date!!!! Pre-op apt on 8/15, surgery on 8/18! AWSOME...I have been jumping insurance hoops for over 6 months, got approved on 7/30 and now have a date! Seems like waiting forever, and now running full speed! I'm not complaining thou! New me....here I come! :wink_smile: :tongue: :thumbup:

WOOO HOO I got a date!!!! Pre-op apt on 8/15, surgery on 8/18! AWSOME...I have been jumping insurance hoops for over 6 months, got approved on 7/30 and now have a date! Seems like waiting forever, and now running full speed! I'm not complaining thou! New me....here I come! :wink_smile: :tongue: :thumbup:

No I TOTALLY feel for you!!! I too have PCOS and my periods are VERY irregular and I woul dhave no way to tell them when they should fill me either. I don't believe my place does that, but I sure will ask now! I fully understand and would be very upset and PO'd too! :wink_smile:

I was told no more than 30grams of carbs a day. It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would. I found sf fudgesicles today that are only 8gms carbs...YAY! Pretty much been eating just meat, cheese, eggs, salad(and lots of it)...got 1carb salad dressing, and ketchup, and veggies. I felt a bit tired first 2 days or so, but better now!

My endo actually recommended this surgery to me. That was the day I made up my mind. She said that insulin resistant makes you store more fat, which makes your body create more insulin, which creates more fat and so on and so on. She said the best thing for me to do was get banded, follow a lower carb diet, and make sure to exercise. She said MANY of her PCOS patients have been banded and followed this and had great success! I'm hoping I'm the next one, as I'm getting banded this month! :cool2:

Hi there....I'm being banded by DR. Carcamo this month. Could you tell me more about your surgery day in detail? I'm very interested. I've read some posts where they said that were in 7am out by noon. Was this the case for you? All the info you could give me would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm excited, but nervous as I haven't had surgery since I was a kid. Thanks a lot!!! Christy :cool2:

Hi there, I am going to be banded by Dr. Carcamo this month. I was wondering if you could tell me how you liked him? Also about your surgery day in detail? I'm excited, but a bit nervous as I've only had tonsils out as a kid. Thanks

I know this post was awhile back, but I am going to be banded by Dr. Carcamo this month. Can you tell me more about your experience? I'd love to know how he was, and what you surgery day was like in detail. I'm excited, but a bit nervous about surgery as I have only had my tonsils out as a kid, and cardiac cath in April for insurance approval of the band. Thanks a bunch! :cool2:

My weight loss center told me about the carbonated beverages causing the pouch to swell. They told me I could have soda (preferably diet) on OCASSION if I let it sit a bit so it doens't have so much carbonation! I too drank a LOT of soda, but have cut it out over my 6 month pre-op ins. requirements. Honestly it wasn't that hard, I was suprised. It's just empty calories, and one thing I have to learn to deal with. If that's the hardest thing I do for weight loss...that would be great! haha :cool2:

I was told by my weight loss center that it wasn't how much I lose that mattered. It was to shrink the fatty liver so it was easier to retract. She told me most ppl lose about 10lbs. I've only lost 8 and been a week, I've been working out a lot. Keep it up and you will make it, no worries! :thumbup:

GinaJ: I don't have my date yet...True Results said it would be this month thou. I did my pre-op bloodwork on Friday, they should have results by tomorrow. They said when they have it in, we will set a date. They told me to start the pre-op diet last week, so I'm assuming I'll get in quick. Good luck w/ Atkins...so far it's worked well for me!!! What specifics did they tell you about carbs? WOOHOO>>>Dr. Carcamo's office just called. They want me to come in for my pre-op apt. I told her I'm visiting my mom out of town and could I make the pre-op apt the same week as surgery. She said it shouldn't be a problem. She'll check w/ him tomorrow, and we'll go from there. I asked her how far out we're looking....she said she could get me in as early as 8/14 next Thurs! OMG>>>:thumbup:

Did you get your surgery done in Savannah? I'm looking for a good DR for aftercare in the Savannah, GA area!

I'm having my surgery in San Antonio this month. I was approved last month, done pre-op bloodwork and currently on pre-op diet. I just moved back to Savannah and will have to have my aftercare here. Any good DR's you can reccomend?

Hi there...I'm going to DR. Carcamo in San Antonio too. I'm from Austin, but the True Results center there is sending me to SA because of my insurance. They said it's their main center, so I figure they must be good. Anyone had surgery w/ him?? I just did my pre-op bloodwork, and have lost 10lbs on pre-op (Atkins diet) so far. I should have a date in the next day or two. But it will most likely be the 2nd/3rd week of Aug. WOOHOO :thumbup:

Sorry to hear...that sucks! I agree that I think it's jealousy. Luckily most of my friends/family is VERY excited. Like you I have been heavy all my life, tried EVERYTHING under the sun to lose it and can't. I remember when I was 21 I lost and got down to a size 22, that lasted for about 4-6 months until my thyroid went autoimmune and really screwed me up. Then I found out several years later I had PCOS too. My endocrinologist now told me about lap-band and how it was my "best option". She said w/ my 2 illnesses that I will just keep getting bigger and bigger, pretty much no matter what I do. I made up my mind then and there!! I do have one friend who doesn't agree w/ my decision. She said that said I should just "strictly diet" eating low carb options and work out (like she has). I have been doing that for years, and no change...just holding off massive gains I suppose. Well I was of course VERY UPSET at the lack of support, and haven't talked to her much since then. I heard thru a friend that she was complaining of gaining weight no matter what she tried (she has PCOS too). Well she can do what she wants, I KNOW I'm doing the right decision for me!!! You are too...STAY STRONG no matter what anyone says. You know your body best!!! :biggrin:

Yes...I started the Atkins diet last on Wednesday(7/30). It's getting a bit boring, but better than shakes all day I suppose. I have lost about 10lbs from it already so that's great. I would love to be below 300lbs before my surgery. At this rate, I should make it!

Hi there...I'm a newbie here. I finally jumped thru all the hoops for insurance pre-approval. I finished last month and my paperwork was submitted. I Humana called about 3-4 days later to see if they had gotten all of my paperwork. They had, and said I was APPROVED....YAY!!! I was in shock...for some reason I was sooo worried about them not approving me. So I did my "pre-op" bloodwork last thurs and should have a surgery date by tuesday. WOOHOO!!! I can't wait...I know it sounds crazy to be in a hurry for surgery, but I know it's a whole new start! :biggrin: