lindas0809

Hey Agnes- I see you are in Elkridge too. I was banded two weeks ago at Johns Hopkins. Let me know if you have any questions. Good Luck! Linda

paisley pea, I'm to hear everything went well for you. It will only get better the next week or so. I know I didn't really feel myself until maybe 8-9 days post op. I have my two week appointment on Monday - then I have to go back to work. :biggrin: Good luck!

Well, I can tell you honestly I'm not sure if it's a huge difference. My hospital had switched to Realize and that's what I was excited about getting. I ended up changing to a different surgeon in the group b/c mine went on early maternity leave. Anyway when I met with my new surgeon she was going through the Realize certification because she was on maternity leave when the rest of the surgeons were certified, but thought she would be done by my date. Well, the week before my surgery the coordinator calls to see if I wanted to push out my date a month because she hadn't finished certification. Of course at that point I was like no just put a friggin' band in me!!!! I had all the stuff set on the Realize web site, but got the lap band kit after surgery and their site is good too. Good luck with your decision- I think I would would just go with what your surgeon is comfortable with.

I went to my seminar 8/08, was approved by insurance 3/09 and had surgery 6/5/09(two weeks today!). My insurance was pretty quick but my hospital program is very busy and I waited for awhile for several appointments. Good luck on your journey!!

Hi Polly! It sounds like you are really doing your homework and that's great. I know it's a bummer when you start and then find out about the 6 month diet requirement. My journey took from August 08- June 09, but it allowed my to really get my head around the surgery. I did want to mention that some insurance companies take weight watchers records as a supervised diet so if you've been on WW recently you can try to use those. Talk your surgeon's insurance coordinator about it. Good luck! Linda

I had surgery on the 5th and ended up taking two weeks. I think realistically I could have gone back this week, but may Dr. insists on two weeks before writing a work release. It definitely took a good 10 days for me to feel back to normal. Good luck!!

Jason, What a great job you are doing!! I'm happy to hear you may be banded in August. You have a beautiful family - just think how much more you can play with the kids once the weight is off(I have a 4 year daughter too and can't wait to play more). Good Luck!!

Jtejada, I was banded 6/5. I'm on the mushie stage now for the next three weeks. My surgeon suggests 2-4 oz of mushies at a time and aiming for 6 mini meals right now(then going to three meals). I log my calories and right now I'm hitting about 600-700 a day without being hungry. I have my guidelines in a pdf so if you want me to email them to you let me know. You're doing great with your weight loss! Linda

Congratulations! I just had surgery on the 5th and have Aetna - they have been really good through everything. Good Luck!!!

Melliecat, I don't know if it's just different terms- I'm on pureed diet until week 5 but it sounds like similar food, but you're allowed more solids. I'm eating: Soup eggs Tuna(chopped fine) yogurt cheese(had a string cheese last night - so good) cottage cheese ricotta cheese & marinara(yum) cream of wheat Hope you're doing well!

I think the dailyplate.com or sparkpeople.com are two of the best sites. They both have huge databases of food you can enter almost anything and it will come up. I would check out both and see which layout you prefer best. I think it helps me be more accountable and accurate. It also helps tally my Protein, fat & carbs. It is truly a great tool my husband has been using the daily plate religiously since last July and has lost almost 70 pounds! Good luck - I think if you start using one you'll appreciate it.

I'm with you! I had scrambled eggs last night - so good. I'm also loving cream of wheat (who knew?). I'm getting hungrier each day so I'm worrying I'm eating to much too.

My hospital did it as a rule. For some reason I was really worried about it, but they put it when I was out so no problem. I was awake when it come out - about 6 hours after surgery, it didn't hurt at all.

I love greek yogurt - chobani is great. Also if you shop at Trader Joe's they have their own that I like. I get the pomegranate it's 100 calories a cup with 12 grams of protein(smaller cup than chobani).

Lindsay, I'm still on mushies, but one thing I love and fills me up is chili. I've been buying Chunky Roadhouse chili and pureeing it - it is very good and filling with a little sour cream on top. It has 15 grams of Protein per cup (which is what I eat). I'm also eating refried beans- I think if you have no gas problems, Beans are great and filling.

PLEASE feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions about Hopkins. The surgery and hospital staff was awesome, but the road to it was not always smooth(not their fault directly). One thing I will tell you about Hopkins is that they won't hold your hand, so be very proactive. Make all your appointments(nutrition,psych) asap because they are a really busy program and it will just prolong your wait if you drag your feet(experience talking). Good luck! Linda

Moxi- Your post could have been mine a few months ago. I'd never had surgery and was terrified of leaving my daughter for something so "selfish". I was on this site a lot and saw how many people were having successful surgery everyday. I weighed the low risk of this surgery versus the risk of my manageable diabetes turning into insulin dependent and surely shortening my life. Believe me I was terrified until I woke up after surgery, but it was the right decision for me- I was banded on 6/5. Good luck in your decision making. Linda

I stayed overnight and didn't use most of what I brought with me. I did bring gas-x but didn't use it because I was on high test pain killers. I was blessed and got a private room, so when I was awake I watched TV. I still have to unpack my bag from last week. Good luck!!

It's protein loss, some banders get it but almost all RNY patients lose hair. I have several friends that have had bypass and swear by biotin.

23! 283 Total!

Saffy, I'm with you - was banded 6/5 and still can't sleep in my bed. I am still pretty sore and when I lay flat everything feels like it's pulling. I was able to take a nap on the bed this afternoon curled up on my side with lots of pillows- progress. Good luck - I know we'll get through it.

The program fee is something that some hospital programs require and some don't. I live in the Baltimore area and checked out a lot of programs- both GBMC and St Agnes require a $500 fee that cover a lot of the their pre op requirements. One reason I chose Johns Hopkins Bayview was that they did not require a program fee- all my preliminary appointments(nutrition,psych eval)were covered by my insurance. I was banded last week on the 5th and had a great experience at Bayview. Please feel free to send me a private message if you have questions or want to talk. Good luck! Linda

Tommy, I know the broth stage is not the most exciting. One thing I would stress is that Broth and Stock are not the same, stock is much heartier tasting, so pick up some chicken or beef stock instead. Good Luck!

Hey Christy- You sound like you are doing great. I was banded 6/5 and still in "functioning" mode. I will definitely check out your blog. There are a great group of bloggers that I follow from all over the world- you should check it them out (listed on my blog). Besides this forum they are a great source of feedback. Linda