RKidder

I was also banded yesterday. Thank goodness for Oxycodone. My port site is very sore and when I try to get out of bed, wow, does it burn! I was not very hungry at the hospital, and stayed overnight in the Short Stay Unit. I, too, started my period yesterday, and I had just had it 2 weeks ago - amazing what stress does to a person. My abdomen on the port side is pretty swollen. I was not bothered by gas pains post-op. My husband took me for a walk shortly after I woke up in my room. I did alot of walking and I think it really helped alot. The nurses and nurses' aides were phenomenal, I had wonderful care. I plan to send the unit a basket of fruit, to show my appreciation. My surgeon is Dr. Renee Wolf, and she is currently 8.5 months pregnant with her second child. So far, I have been able to tolerate eating the mushies. Has anyone experienced back pain when eating? I am not sure if it is referred pain from the stomach, or a combination of the position I was placed in during surgery. I can't believe it's all behind me now - I had waited over a year for my surgery. No2

Thanks for the kind words! My hubby and I put this poem together in about 20 minutes this evening... Rachel

"Tis The Night Before Surgery" 'Tis the night before surgery, when all through the house Not a potato chip in sight, nor gravy stain on my blouse; The Klondikes were eaten by my son with such care I hoped the empty calories I would not have to bear; The Snickers were nestled, all snug in their wraps While visions of Milky Ways danced in my lap And hubby in his bandana, and I in my sweats Had just settled down with our favorite little pet. When out in the kitchen, there arose such clatter I found our son eating leftover pupu platter Away to the treadmill, I'll make a mad dash, To walk off the franks and Beans, and corn beef hash. The frosting on the cake was making me drool Eating that now, would make me a fool. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a can of RediWhip, and a Coor's Lite Beer! With a little two-step, so lively and quick, I passed by the fridge, in time, lickety split How quickly time passes, the seconds do tick I whispered and prayed, "Get this surgery done quck!" Now Doctor, now nurses, now drugs and IV's, Tend to your patient's pain issues, pretty please. To the top of the incision, to the top of the port. Now slash away, slash away, slash away pork (sorry about that one...) As the laparoscopy instruments probe and explore, Let the band slide in smoothy, snap in place, and secure. So off to the recovery room, the nurses will hover To see that their patient would soon recover And then, in an instant, I awaken with ease May I have morphine, and a bedpan, please? As I drew in my breath, and was turning around, I passed some gas, and inflated my gown. She was dressed in her scrubs, from her head to her toe "The surgery went well", she wanted me to know. A bundle of tubing descended from the pole The IV fluids ran freely, was I feeling cold? I have a broad face and a little round belly, That shakes when I laugh, like a bowlful of jelly. I am chubby and plump, a right jolly little elf And I smiled when I saw her, in spite of myself; A wink of her eye and a twist of her head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. She spoke not a word, and disappeared out of sight, Hmm, more patients to see and support group tonight. And away she flew like a bat out of h$$$ When I heard her exclaim, "my, what is that smell?" "Happy Band Surgery To All, And To All A Good Night" __________________________________________________ __ Dedicated to the doctors, nurses and OR staff who will help make this weight loss journey a reality. (Written on the night before my surgery on 5/22/07) Rachel Kidder __________________ Rachel Lap Band Date 5/23/07 Height 5'2" Highest 237 Current 202 Goal 135 Weight Loss To Date: 35 lbs.

'Tis the night before surgery, when all through the house Not a potato chip in sight, nor gravy stain on my blouse; The Klondikes were eaten by my son with such care I hoped the empty calories I would not have to bear; The Snickers were nestled, all snug in their wraps While visions of Milky Ways danced in my lap And hubby in his bandana, and I in my sweats Had just settled down with our favorite little pet. When out in the kitchen, there arose such clatter I found our son eating leftover pupu platter Away to the treadmill, I'll make a mad dash, To walk off the franks and Beans, and corn beef hash. The frosting on the cake was making me drool Eating that now, would make me a fool. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a can of RediWhip, and a Coor's Lite Beer! With a little two-step, so lively and quick, I passed by the fridge, in time, lickety split How quickly time passes, the seconds do tick I whispered and prayed, "Get this surgery done quck!" Now Doctor, now nurses, now drugs and IV's, Tend to your patient's pain issues, pretty please. To the top of the incision, to the top of the port. Now slash away, slash away, slash away pork (sorry about that one...) As the laparoscopy instruments probe and explore, Let the band slide in smoothy, snap in place, and secure. So off to the recovery room, the nurses will hover To see that their patient would soon recover And then, in an instant, I awaken with ease May I have morphine, and a bedpan, please? As I drew in my breath, and was turning around, I passed some gas, and inflated my gown. She was dressed in her scrubs, from her head to her toe "The surgery went well", she wanted me to know. A bundle of tubing descended from the pole The IV fluids ran freely, was I feeling cold? I have a broad face and a little round belly, That shakes when I laugh, like a bowlful of jelly. I am chubby and plump, a right jolly little elf And I smiled when I saw her, in spite of myself; A wink of her eye and a twist of her head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. She spoke not a word, and disappeared out of sight, Hmm, more patients to see and support group tonight. And away she flew like a bat out of h$$$ When I heard her exclaim, "my, what is that smell?" "Happy Band Surgery To All, And To All A Good Night" ____________________________________________________ Dedicated to the doctors, nurses and OR staff who will help make this weight loss journey a reality. (Written on the night before my surgery on 5/22/07) Rachel Kidder

Woo hoo - we are married to the same man! My hubby is the GREATEST!

Well, I can only speak for myself, but I visualize what my life will be like if I don't make changes now. I have a wonderful new husband and a 14 yr old son. I want to be around for both of them. I don't want to sit on the sidelines anymore -- I want and will enjoy my life. I have made this commitment, and have decided to just "do it". Best of luck to you, Rachel

Not all surgeons require a pre-op diet. Mine did. I began May 9th with my pre-op diet. My surgery date is May 23rd. Good Luck! Rachel

Woodys, Would you mind if I ask what type of exercise you've been doing? Congrats on your reaching your goal weight...Bravo! You are, indeed, an inspiration! Peace, Rachel

Oh my goodness -- too funny. When I first started reading bubble's post, I thought she was talking about applying the oil on her face! I had to re-read the post - duh, I am sorry, I had a senior moment... Rachel

It sounds like you had the "classic" PB - Productive Burp. In other words, you "ralphed your heart out". Either the turkey was too dry, you ate too big a piece, meat too tough, or you did not chew quite enough. I hope you won't go through that again - good luck!

Hi Weighting! My surgery date is May 23rd. My pre-op diet will begin a week from today, May 9th (for 2 weeks prior to surgery). Best of luck to you! Rachel

Europeans Find Extra Options for Staying Slim food, Ms. Spalliera, an office worker, quickly lost 77 pounds, dropping from 242 to about 165 pounds. She had read about the balloon on the Internet. Now, wearing a denim miniskirt and high black boots, she hardly looks like a candidate for weight-loss surgery. But here she is, at Rome's Policlinico Umberto I, asking for another balloon. Her goal: to lose another 22 pounds. ''This has radically changed my life; I can walk,'' Ms. Spalliera said. ''I can climb stairs. I have a love life.'' Surgical procedures to lose weight have gained popularity in Europe as methods have become simpler and obesity rates have climbed. Though still largely the province of people with dangerous obesity, the procedures are now regarded as so simple and safe by many European surgeons that they are being offered to people like Ms. Spalliera, who, after her initial weight loss, was merely overweight. In Italy, as in most of Europe, the number of procedures carried out has doubled in the last three years, according to medical studies. A vast majority use a simple, minimally invasive technique in which an adjustable band is slipped around the stomach to reduce its size. More recently, doctors have been using balloons like Ms. Spalliera's, which can be inserted through a tube in the mouth and inflated in 15 minutes. ''We can afford to offer it to more people since it is relatively complication-free,'' Dr. Nicola Basso, a leading Italian researcher on surgery for obesity, said of the so-called lap-band technique. ''This has become the most common surgical procedure in Western Europe for weight loss. It has the pole position.'' But even as Europeans rave about their bands and their balloons, many American doctors have remained suspicious, regarding the techniques as not terribly effective and even dangerous. Bands, used for more than a decade in Europe, are just catching on in the United States; balloons are not in the pipeline for approval from the Food and Drug Administration yet. ''There are really profound differences in how we think about weight-loss surgery,'' said Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the chief of bariatric surgery at the University of Minnesota. Eighty percent of weight-loss surgery in the United States involves a far more arduous and technically demanding bypass operation in which the stomach is cut and made smaller with staples, then reconnected far down in the intestine. While the initial weight loss is often more rapid, complications are more common and many patients are loath to undergo the larger procedure. It is a striking example of the way that patients' options are governed by doctors' habits in even the most sophisticated medical systems. ''It's really just a question of who got used to what first, and what has insurance approval,'' Dr. Ikramuddin said. In some early trials in the United States, he added, the less invasive techniques produced mixed results, and this lastingly tarnished their reputation among American medical professionals. Because the new procedures are widely accepted in Italy, both the band and the balloon are virtually free for patients, paid for by the national health insurance plan. In France, the banding procedure is covered, but the balloon option is not; it costs about 5,000 euros or a little more than $5,900. European surgeons extol the spread of simple weight-loss surgery to the masses, noting that obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. Most obese people have serious medical problems, like breathing difficulty and diabetes, which shorten their life expectancies; weight loss improves the condition of a majority of them. ''This is a lifesaving procedure which is very difficult for some people to understand,'' Dr. Basso said. Obesity rates are rising sharply in countries across Europe, according to the health directorate of the European Commission. Some are catching up with the United States, where obesity rates are 28 percent for men and 34 percent for women. European Union figures show the highest rates for European men in Cyprus (nearly 27 percent) and for women in Greece (38 percent). Dr. Basso said that 1.5 million Italians could potentially benefit from weight-loss surgery, and that many were demanding it, especially now that simpler procedures are available. Davide Rubbio, 48, an ambulance worker in Rome, had missed nine months of work over a three-year period before having the stomach band procedure in February. At about 320 pounds, life was a struggle: he was depressed, could not tie his shoes, had diabetes and was chronically short of breath. He heard about the band surgery on television; it appealed to him, he said, because it did not require a big operation and ''nothing was taken out.'' Nine months later, he has lost 77 pounds and is losing more. ''Now I'm advising everyone I know to have it,'' he said. On both sides of the Atlantic, patients who are contemplating weight-loss surgery generally undergo intensive medical and psychological screening. A patient's body mass index, a measure of obesity, must be above 40, or above 35 if the patient has a related medical disorder like diabetes. (To calculate body mass index, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply the result by 703.) But in Europe, those criteria are being eroded by the presence of the balloons, and by patient demand. ''You have patients who don't quite meet indications for surgery, but they've failed lots of diets, and they are gaining weight,'' said Dr. Alfredo Genco of the Policlinico. ''So we should do nothing and wait until they get morbidly obese? This is a very safe procedure and can prevent it, so why not give them the option?'' He recently returned from Kentucky, where he inserted the balloon in 10 patients to initiate a trial for F.D.A. approval, which is still years away. His American colleagues, Dr. Genco said, ''continue to think of it as dangerous, but it's just not true.'' ''They don't have experience with the current device,'' he continued. To Dr. Genco, the balloon is a tool to help motivated patients lose weight, allowing them in the meantime to acquire healthier eating habits. He said his own wife, who has been struggling to lose 25 or so pounds for years, is now demanding a balloon. If she fails one more round of dieting, she will try it, he said. In a recently completed clinical trial involving more than 2,500 patients in Italy, serious complications occurred in 5 patients when pressure from the balloon eroded the stomach wall and caused it to burst. Two of the five patients died. On the other hand, almost 90 percent of people with obesity-related illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure were cured or showed improvement after six months of the balloon. Weight-loss experts on both sides of the Atlantic are somewhat mystified about why early trials of banding and balloons were not as successful in the United States as in Europe. Eating habits may be partly to blame, however, as patients must be capable of cutting down on food to benefit fully from the simpler European procedures. Although the procedures reduce the stomach to the size of a coffee cup, they will ''not be effective if it is filled hundreds of times a day,'' Dr. Basso said. The lap band procedure involves the placement of a ring around the stomach through a scope inserted through the abdominal wall. Intended to remain for life, it can be adjusted from outside to regulate the flow of food and can be reversed if there are problems. The balloon is kept in place for six months and is then removed because of concerns that the material might wear out. Massimo Chiovelli was at the clinic last week for balloon removal after losing a little over 68 pounds. Convinced that he can lose weight and still enjoy life while eating smaller meals, he said he could not eat a steak and that he felt full after a small amount of yogurt. He will soon undergo the longer-term banding procedure. Mr. Chiovelli, who is a dental technician and who, like many here, wears clothes that now hang loosely on his frame, said: ''I was just so fat I couldn't take a walk or climb stairs, and at work I just sit all day.''

Has anyone tried one of the flavored protein powders that GNC has? It's got 54 grams of protein per scoop. I can't recall the name of it. I figure I could get the biggest bang for my buck - and I could make just 1 protein shake a day and the rest of the protein could come from my diet. (My nutritionist recommended 60 grams of protein per day.) Thanks for your input - this site has been an incredible way to see how others are doing with their bands. I will be banded on May 23rd. Peace! Rachel

Congrats MusicalMomma! I got my surgery date too! May 23rd! Yee haw - I am sooo looking forward to getting this journey underway...What a feeling! I begin my pre-op diet on May 9th - and get my pre-admission testing that day, as well. Best wishes and good luck! Rachel

I lost only a small amount of sensation initially- but that has returned to a great extent. I would say about 90%. The majority of the loss of sensation is along the long longitudinal incision under the breasts. My biggest disappointment was that I was not able to nurse my son - the milk ducts were cut. I did have some milk leaking, but certainly not enough to provide enough nourishment. So, I bottle fed - no big deal. I love the way things turned out - my clothing fit better, and when I went out, men didn't look down at my boobs constantly - in fact, I would ask men what color my eyes were - many could not tell me. Don't be surprised after the surgery if you feel a bit "out of proportion". I did, at first. It took my brain a little while to make the connection and "settle in" to the new look. No regrets - go for it!

I had a breast reduction in 1977 - long time ago - I was only 23 at the time, but really had large, pendulous breasts. Sort of like the cartoon of the little old lady in Playboy magazines (remember her?) I am now 52, and my husband says my "girls" look fantastic - very perky, still. The reduction bought me some extra "perkiness" years. I have gained weight over the years, so I am curious to see how my boobs will "hold up" after losing weight. We'll see. My husband jokingly tells me he'd like to personally thank my plastic surgeon. LOL Rachel

I love the new look. Question: When reading a post, I have noticed that in the right hand corner, there appears "Rep Power" and a number, also what does the little green square mean? Keep up the great work! Rachel

You know what they say about men with BIG FEET! BIG SHOE BOXES!!!

Billie, It is dependent on your employer. Sometimes the employer has an exclusion in the policy. Check with your employer's human resource department/benefits dept. and start there. Ask if Lap Band surgery is a covered procedure. Also, Aetna has a weight loss surgery policy bulletin. This is available by contacting them or you can see the bulletin online by going to Aetna.com. I made a copy of the policy and provided a copy for my surgeon's office. I highlighted the specific areas of the policy that pertained to me. Even then, I did not find out until later that Aetna requires 5 years of documented weights; 3 months of consecutive visits with your primary care provider with documentation that those visits included discussion of weight loss efforts, exercise efforts, and letters of medical necessity from the primary care provider. Aetna does not exactly provide you with a "checklist". I found Aetna to be evasive when called and asked about specific requirements to be met. Nevertheless, I was woman "on a mission" and would not give up - I think insurance companies make it difficult so one will give up and not pursue it. Good luck - let me know if I can help in any way. Rachel

So beautiful! You must be so proud, as you should be. God smiled down at you and sent you a sweet angel - so precious. Congrats, and best of luck on your weight loss journey. Rachel

After 25 years of struggling with the weight gain, I realized that I could not continue along this "path of self-detruction". I had my first child at 39, with all the complications that come with being obese and pregnant. When my son turned 5, I was diagnosed with Diabetes (after having gestational diabetes while pregnant). I continued gaining weight, yo-yo dieting, gaining more weight, and feeling like a failure after each diet attempt. I have high cholesterol, and need to take multiple meds. 1 year ago, I became insulin-dependent. I no longer have energy, and I want to be able to keep up with my very active, supportive husband, and teenage son. I want to feel "healthy" again. I want to feel attractive. My husband gives me compliments all the time, but I truly want to feel "cutely average". I don't want to be too thin - just average would suit me just fine. I want to enjoy the wonderful life I have with my new husband and my terrific son. They deserve someone who is fun and willing to be adventurous with them. My surgery is scheduled for May 23rd. A new chapter, a journey I am willing to take to finally make things right for me and my family. God has smiled down on me before, He is always there for me, always.

Congrats Hazelnut! I will be banded on May 23rd in Portland, Maine. I will keep you in my prayers and best of luck to you! Rachel

Yes! I watched it - I missed the first 20 minutes or so - but I was fascinated by the program - very enlightening! I wish I could have recorded it and watch it again. Rachel

After 2 previous "tentative" surgery dates, I have been approved! Surgery date of May 23rd!! Advice to some of you with difficulty getting insurance approval: Sometimes it is the surgeon's office staff that don't submit appropriate paperwork in a timely fashion. Call and follow-up -- regularly. I found out that my denial letter sat for 2 weeks in the surgeon's office and Aetna had requested a Peer to Peer Review within 14 days of receipt of the first denial letter, and nothing had been done. Secretary was out on vacation for a week and the second week, she did not act on it -- even after several phone calls from me. So, my May 2nd surgery date was cancelled. At this time, I would be hard-pressed to recommend this surgeon's office for lapband surgery, unless someone would be "self-pay". The office staff evidently are inept at handling insurance matters... Rachel

If there is an opportunity to socialize, you could tell the host that you are unable to make it to dinner, but would go after dinner, to say hello, etc. That way, you could have the meal that you can have at home which would be within your restrictions and you would not insult the hostess. Rachel