MissBS

Hi Everybody!!! Well... I'm in Houston. I had my pre-op appt. today and got to meet my doctor for the first time - I LOVE HIM (thank goodness). He is the perfect doctor for me. Mom and I are having fun, BUT... now there is a tiny problem... Hurricane Ike is coming to Houston too. I am from the desert in New Mexico and needless to say I have NO hurricane experience. My surgery is scheduled for Friday morning and Ike is supposed to hit late Friday or early Saturday - YIKES!! I worried about my liver being too fatty, I worried about not losing enough weght on the pre-op diet, but I didn't worry about a hurricane. Of course I am worried about the things people worry about when a disaster is headed your way - the people, their homes, and our safety..... but... I want my band. They can proceed with the surgery if it's VERY windy or if it is raining HARD... but I think if power goes out.... I am keeping my positive attitude and just want you all to send "power on" thoughts this way. I am so excited to see all of my September friends being banded... keep smiling those that have your band, good luck to those getting ready to get your band, and thank you all for your support and encouragement. I LOVE THIS SITE!!! Becky

Hi. Welcome!! You are feeling the same feelings that I think a lot of people do. No one can say what is best for you - only you can. I read lots of posts on here and when you read about someone who had complications or results that are not what they wanted.. it makes you think... and wonder. There are so many successful stories on here and even the ones I read that have had problems - MOST say if they had it to do over again, they would. Every surgery has risks. I just made a list of the risks of the surgery and the risks I am taking carrying all of this extra weight around. For me it was simple. My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 12th. I am keeping a positive attitude, praying, and hoping for the best. I am ready to do what I need to do to be healthier. The band is the tool that I have decided on to help me get there. I wish you luck in making your decision. Again.... welcome!!! Becky

I'm the 12th too LISAMARIE!! We don't have long to wait. Good luck to you!! Keep me posted on how you are doing!!! Becky

Hi hudlyn - September 12th too!! Not too much longer. Good luck and keep in touch!!! Becky

Hi. September 12th here too!! My post-op diet is *Week 1 Thin liquids ( 1 to 2 Protein shakes a day, cranberry juice, Crystal Light, sugar free Kool-Aid, popsicles, Jello, broth, Propel Water, coffee, tea) *Week 2 - Thicker Liquids (all of wk 1 plus 1 Protein shake a day, cream of chicken Soup (solids strained out), Danon Light N Fit yogurt, and tomato soup *Week 3 - Soft Foods (all of wks. 1 and 2 plus 1 shake, baked fish, mashed potatoes, sugar free Jello and pudding, soft scrambled eggs, well cooked veggies, soft fruit(mashed) melon, cantelope, bananas *Week 4 - Solid Foods - Breakfast - protein shake lunch - grilled chicken, fish, and veggies dinner - same as lunch What do other people's post-op diets look like??? I know the pre-op diets are all different - are the post-ops too?? I just finished day 18 of my pre-op diet and my cocoa butter lotion smelled so good today, I almost took a swig... hehehehehe.. just kidding!! Keep in touch Donna and obtech. Good luck to you both!!!! Becky

Hi Restless. Yes. My surgery is scheduled for next Friday (Sept.12th). I leave for Houston on Tuesday. Thank you so much. I've been thinking about you!! How are you?? Everything ok?? Are you smiling and feeling good?? Keep up the good work!! Becky

Debbie. Wow. You have been through a lot... and in a short period of time. You are a trooper and I sure do hope everything goes just like you want it to. I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you have a good heart!! Good luck to you and know that your fellow September Samurais are with ya!!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers - keep us posted!!!

Hi. I am on day 18 of my pre-op diet and I still feel great. I have not felt dizzy or light headed....just a bit moody. Some of my friends and family might tell you I've always been dizzy... but .... no difference while on pre-op. I walk outside and in the house on the treadmill and live where it is still pretty hot. Feel good. Don't know about after surgery... but pre-op is not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Trying to keep my body and mind busy. Good luck!!!

Hi Jaynell and welcome. You will love this site - I do!!! You will get answers to your questions from people who really do know. Read, read, read, and ask, ask, ask. I've made lots of friends already and I haven't been here that long!! Keep smiling and good luck with your journey. I will be looking for future posts on how you are doing!! Becky

Yes. Good luck!!!!!! I am getting mine next Friday. Keep us posted. Soooo exciting!!!

I agree with many things that Kat said. Sounds to me like there were existing problems combined with maybe a not so good surgeon. Not sure all of your problems should be blamed on the band. And your post hardly seems to fit in the "Success Stories" forum section. I'm sorry you have experienced all of these problems and I hope you find a doctor who will work to make you healthier and happier. Good luck to you.

Hey nayray. Frustrating!!! I am glad that your story did not end up with having to make bail... just kidding!! It sounds to me like that radiologist needs a vacation... or further customer relations training...or a new job. I would let someone know the way you were treated. Most of us have jobs where we deal with others... and some days you just don't feel like dealing with others... BUT... you smile and treat people the way you are supposed to.. my mom used to say "fake it till you make it". Good luck to you... don't let the turkeys get ya down!!! Becky

Hi Dee. Welcome. I haven't been here very long, but I LOVE this site. People have answered sooooo many of my questions, addressed my concerns, and it has given me a place to visit where I know people truly understand what I am going through. Everyone is so friendly and so helpful. Because of this site, I am much more comfortable heading into my surgery. My surgery is Sept. 12 and I am very excited. It sounds like you are almost there - keep up the good work and good luck to you. Becky

I'm so sorry to hear about your problem Rachel. I don't know your story, but I wrote a letter to some members of my family that I felt might be able to help me out. They know the battle that I have had with my weight. I told them about my decision and explained the band to them. I also told them that I want to be healthier, live longer, and improve the quality of my life. None of them are wealthy, but they have found ways to help me. I have to make 7 round trips (750 miles) for my surgery and follow up visits.... my brother has lots of frequent flyer miles so he has donated some flights, my mother and my daughter and son in law are going to pay for my surgery, and my sister works for the Hilton hotel chain, so she got me a great deal on my room in Houston. I KNOW that I am very blessed and not everyone has a family like mine. I kinda feel like I have "sponsers" now and I will work extra hard to make them happy that they donated to such a worthy, wonderful cause. I wish you all the luck in the world and I am here if you just need to talk. Becky

I am on day 15 of my pre-op diet and I really like the Atkins Advantage shakes. I've ordered them online, bought them at Wal-Mart, and even found them at Albertson's. My favorites are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and caramel mocha latte. My doctor said these were better for me than the Slim Fast Low Carb shakes. Some people probably don't like them, but I do. Be careful ordering a large quanity online until you have tasted them. Good luck to you!!!! Becky

Hi spitfire!! My name is Becky. From what I have read, there are some medications that you can get in liquid form and some that can be crushed and added to other things you are eating or drinking. I have one that cannot be crushed and does not come in liquid form. I will be meeting with my doctor next Wed. and I'm sure he will have an answer for me. They are not big pills, so maybe there won't be any problem. I have purchased chewable vitamins, chewable calcium, liquid tylenol, chewable Gas-X, and chewable nausea medicine (just in case I need it). All that chewing might burn up a calorie or two :thumbup: I need to check with him about when it is ok to start taking all but the prescription meds, and hopefully I won't have to take that one pill much longer. That is one of my goals. Good luck to you! November will be here before you know it!!!

I am going to have to speak with my Dr. about my high blood pressure pills. They are not huge, but my pharmacist says they cannot be crushed or dissolved. I too hope that I won't be taking them much longer :party: I got Centrum chewable vitamins. One a day and they were not too expensive at Wal-Mart. I also got chewable calcium because I need that too.

Good luck to you Debbie!!! I hope it all works out for you. I completed day 14 of my 23 day pre-op diet today and I do drink 2 protein shakes a day. It has not been nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think it has helped to get me away from some of my bad habits and ready for the post-op diet that I will be on. I'm not saying it has been easy, or that there were not times that I've been hungry, but I've done it and I feel positive that I can do the post-op liquid diet and then eat what I am supposed to in order to become the healthy person that I want to be. I've also found some foods and strategies that I know work for me and will have these tools ready to use after my surgery. Good luck to you all!!!!! Hang in there Debbie. Keep us posted. Becky

Don't even get me started on insurance companies. A few people on here have had a pretty easy time getting approved and banded in a reasonable amount of time, but MOST have to fight and go through what I consider rediculous LONG pre-op diets, testing, etc. They just want to make it so hard that people will either say "forget it" or fail. It makes me sick!!! If your doctor says you need surgery, then you should have it..... not in a year, not in 6 months, and not when some insurance company decides that you are ready for it. I know some people will argue and say that doing the insurance hoop dance is one way to find out if people are really ready and committed to having this procedure done, but I think it is outrageous!!!! Many people have no choice but to do what their insurance provider says, and I do understand that. It just makes me sick what those companies do to the people who keep them in business. Just another way overweight people are discriminated against. If anyone does switch insurance providers because Lap Band surgery is not covered, PLEASE let them know this is why you are leaving - maybe it will help others in the future. YIKES. Maybe I need to take a Midol... just kidding. (it's the pre-op diet.. hehehehe) Just wanted to say what I've been thinking as I read people's posts. Good luck to you all!!!!!!!!!

Hi Becky. I'm Becky too. I just completed day 13 of my 23 day pre-op diet. I am drinking a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and then 6 to 8 oz. of protein (chicken, fish), unlimited green vegetables, and 1 cup of fruit for dinner.... doctor's orders. I drink Atkins Advantage shakes. I think they are good. I like the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. I tried the chocolate mocha and it was OK, but I like the chocolate better. I ordered chocolate caramel mocha but they haven't come yet. They are not quite as easy to find as Slim Fast and they don't seem to go on sale as often, if ever.... but I've been drinking them for almost 2 weeks now and still like them. You might not, but you could try them. Good luck to you!!!!!

NanaDi. Where did you have your surgery done? Just curious. It sounds like you are doing great!!! It is always nice to read a post from someone who is not having problems and seeing great results. It helps those of us who haven't been banded yet to feel better... well it does me anyway!!! Congratulations on the meds.... a goal for many of us!!

Hi. We know where you are coming from. I am on day 13 of my 23 day pre-op diet. It is hard when I am home - like 3 day weekends. I do have to keep busy. When I feel like eating, I come on here and read people's comments, questions, and words of support. I also will clean a cupboard, a closet, etc. Leaving home is a good idea too. Anything to get your mind off of food. Hang in there.

Just wanted to say that I too am going to True Results in Houston. Dr Hollis will be doing my surgery. Thanks Andrew for all of your help. Texas here I come!!!!

Hi Andrew. Welcome. My name is Becky and I am scheduled to have my surgery done in Houston on September 12th. Where did you have yours done and who was your doctor? Thank you for sharing your story - it is inspirational!!

Hi Donna. I'm Sept. 12th too.... in Houston. Maybe we can keep in touch and compare notes.... and cheer each other on!!! Good luck to you!!