shassy

willpower and exercise!!!!

absolutely do not skip a meal....that will slow your metabolism as your body goes into survival mode.....drink a glass of skim milk if nothing else!! Protein

from my experience, many bypass patients gain the weight back....if you use the band as a tool AND change your eating and exercise habits the BAND works! good luck!

3rd fill was it for me.......could still have some restriction added, because I do have some volume some days but I am happy with where I am....It's all up to you....At this level of restriction I can still eat a small amount of whole grain and that is important to me to maintain bowel health so I am staying here for now anyways!

Your insurance approval will depend on your comorbidities and how well your testing indicates the need for surgery. You may or may not need to show weight loss....don't loose hope. BTW I had my surgery done at AGH, Dr Uchal and I have done all my followups with Colella and he quit last week! He went to UPMC and AGH is suing him for breach of contract....The place may become a nightmare....I may stick with them as until now I have been half pleased with aftercare....we will see! Good Luck

i too have avoided carbs....if i eat any i notice that my hunger is "bigger".....i had my third fill 10 days ago and i have had some sticks and am feeling restriction for the first time. up until now i have lost with Portion Control, carb limitation, and exercise.........this week, i didn't like the band very much as it has been very hard to get Protein down without pain....i am learning to chew chew chew and take smaller bites and this has helped.....some things i have no problem with...but meat, yikes!

I have been having this dilemma for the last few months........thanks for your input. To GoodWill they go!!!!

coos coos hurts!!! otherwise haven't had any issues, i do try a piece of whole grain toast once in a while....no crust.

still going....

Thought I would post my progress. Banded Dec 8, 2008 by Dr. Uchal Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. My surgery went as expected, with more post op pain than expected and nausea that I hated in recovery room but overall went well. Overnight stay in hospital and back to work 8 days postop. The first days back to work were easy days as my coworkers are awesome and carried me through. Diet post op has been easier than I thought---I am basically eating broths, skim milk 24 oz per day, and no sugar added popcicles and splenda drinks. I also started to exercise this week. My incisions (5) are healing nicely, and now that the swelling has subsided, I can feel my port a bit, but not bothersome. I get my first fill next week. I am not using any Protein supplements and feel good without them. I am hungry in the morning, and drink my milk first thing!

I was banded 12/8 and have done ok postop. So far all I have eaten is skim milk, chicken broth, and nsa popcicles....except for a teaspoon of mashed potatoes and a teaspoon of squash christmas day. I walked/ran on my treadmill today for the first time and I feel a little sore.....I drank my milk after and my hunger has subsided. I don't really feel a restriction, but I have realized that I used to gulp fluids. That has been the biggest adjustment. Last night I sneezed and felt a burning at one of my lap sites and it stayed there all night. I took some pain medicine and it seems to be okay today.....So far so good.....first fill is Jan 6th

Hi, I have met both surgeons at AGH and I liked them both a lot. My deciding factor was that Hamot and UPMC send their difficult cases and the screw ups to AGH....It is also a recognized Bariatric Center. My surgery is Dec 8th. I would recommend them at this point!!!! Their outcomes are very good from what I can tell

No real preop diet here either....just the day before surgery.....anyways.......a little nervous, a bit excited!!!

Thanks guys for all the AGH feedback.......It has calmed my nerves.....And yes, Dr Collela and Dr Uchal are hunks....like GQ material but both seem very genuine and professional.........Surgery upcoming.........I was wondering if anyone has found out about the fills and if insurance covers and how many...........I can't believe I didn't ask!!! Anyways.........thanks again

So, Thanksgiving was a very hard time.....I cooked the dinner for my entire family and it was very hard to not eat all the goods. I tried to just portion through it and not eat any dessert.........I ended up eating pumpkin roll:redface:.....Regardless, My surgery is coming and I am glad to be through that awful holiday............!!!!!

Want to be thin so badly, but scared that the band will fail or that I will fail with the band........Also scared about returning to work....I go back to work in 7 days after the surgery.........Also scared of the fatigue factor................Soooo Excited to be on the OR schedule but scared that I have made a bad decision............Need a buddy also, I will not be able to go to the support group meetings because I live so far from the hospital.......so scared to be out on my own too!!!!!! Any advice for the scared cat???

Hi, I am from Bradford Pa. I am going to AGH in Pittsburgh. My surgery date is December 8th!!!! Good Luck to you both.

I also have a lower BMI, about 42 when I started the whole insurance approval thing....now at 40.....and I have a DATE although it is tenative........insurance approval this week, but they don't anticipate any problems. I have some comorbidities, asthma, high cholesterol, arthritis, depression, and I failed my sleep study. I am going to AGH, Dr. Colella....I am familiar with the hospital, and they have good outcomes. Both Dr Colella and Dr Uchal are very nice and eager to answer any questions. The office staff is ok....but not so nice and eager to help with the initial stuff....I live 4 hours away and trying to get appointments coordinated was a bit hard. Patty the person who works with all the insurance stuff has been the nicest one and most eager to help me get everything ready to go.

My sister, who has at her very most---while pregnant---was like 130......I have always been the "fat" sister....When I told my family, including my sister that I was thinking about having the surgery, they were all for it and very supportive. At first my interpretation of that was negative as I thought that it meant they were sick of my "fattness"....but I have come to realize that they just want me to do what I believe is best for me.....Now my sister is my biggest supporter in this, and I am glad I shared. I tell everyone who asks and even some that don't---I think that helps put some of my shame back on the shelf......We don't need to be ashamed......

I have been all over the board on this one.......i am short, and i am morbidly obese with my initial BMI at 42. I have been doing the presurgical diet thing and have lost around 11 pounds which brings me to BMI 40.........I work for a doctor, and I am a nurse. I see people who have several co-morbidities and are much heavier than I am.........I don't think that anyone should have the right to decide about WLS except for that individual and that person's medical provider. I have been discouraged all along my process thus far with statements like........"YOU are not 100 pounds overweight!" or "Sure you will loose weight when someone ties your stomach shut" or "Exercise...." yadayada u get my point......it wasn't until i really decided that i was going to go for it that i was sure and i don't think anyone can base that on weight........each person for him/herself.....

Just had my sleep study Tuesday and I had 27 apnea events!!! I had no idea........I don't really even think I have a huge snoring issue, but the test tells different..........Good Luck!:w00t:

In 5th month of waiting.....have appt at AGH in first of November. I have done all that Insurance requires......I am hoping for a surgery date!

I am from Bradford and have decided on AGH---good luck to you!

Hi all---I have two more appointments in first week of November and I think that I have met all of my presurgical requirements for insurance. Do you think I could get a surgery date during my appointment with the bariatric doc? I am a little nervous in the "not knowing stage" and wondering how long it took to actually get an appointment......I am in my fifth month of dietary waiting period---that is with documentation--I am planning my surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh......anyone else????? also....how do i get one of those weight loss progression things to show my weight loss? I started at 42 bmi, currently at 40---presurgery