singingintherain

Now see...I always thought that 'Upper GI' and 'Upper GI Endoscopy' were one and the same procedure. Now I see that they are 2 different tests. It pays to ask questions ..and takes away a lot of worries too!

Another dumb question I just have to ask....were you required to have an endoscopy and if so, did they give you a sedative, or just ram that tube and camera down your pipes??!! Scared of that test:crying:!!!

I am Pre-Band. In order to bring my cholesterol down I eat oatmeal every morning, but especially for colon health. With the Band, is something like Benefiber which can be disolved in Water and mushies allowed in the diet to keep one regular seeing that thick textured food is scant. Or perhaps the Benefiber expands in the pouch)I have no clue) and it is not allowed?? Something like Activia is not recommended since smooth foods are not filling and have calories. How do you get your Fiber to maintain colon health? singingintherain

I feel your disappointment, but try to hang in there until you get word. That must be so disheartening after getting all psyched up for it. But..it is not over for good..it will happen soon. Hang in there!

Wishing you success, Jay!

My first with Dr Robinson is next week. And am also anxiously waiting, thinkingaboutit77. One thing one really learns about this Banding thing is how to WAIT!!!!

So very glad that things went smoothly for you, jean. I have yet to have my procedure,but I will wish you a good and complete healing. Rest Up.

I wish you the best tomorrow, Jean! I only wish I was in the room next door and my date was tomorrow also!

Thanks for sharing your sleep study experience, gals. Wed! Wow.the day is almost here. Make sure you give yourself plenty of travel time to arrive for prep...snow predicted tues eve thru wed!

Sleep Study! (said with fear) Does everyone have to have one of those? I'd fail miserably! If I know there is a camera on me while I am trying to fall asleep, ..that's it...I'm awake the whole night. How do I know that will happen if I've never had one? Because I can't even drop off if the shade is up in the room! I get the creeps. I'd fail one of those unless I snuck in some ether!

Dagnabbit! I was all dressed and ready to go out the door for the meeting and things came up and I couldn't go. What a disappointment. Anyways..I still do have my initial consult coming up at the Faulkner in a few weeks and am so excited about this journey I am on to take care of myself for a change!(always caring for others, aren't we gals?) What can I expect to happen at a first appt with the Doc? Exam? Talk? Tests? I have no idea, but my imagination sure can go to town! singingintherain

Can someone clear this up for me? re: tonight at the Brig... Lap Band Support.. Website says/ 6-7:30 in Bayles Info Brochure/ says 6-8 in Carrie Where is the LapBand Support on the 3rd Tues usually held?

I plan on going, but have not been banded yet.

Yikes! Iron John for sure! LOL

WOW! Look at that WL record in a year....YOU GO GIRL!

I know! If I could lose 10% of my weight, I wouldn't even be on these boards and going to the info groups inquiring about the Band ..or any WLS matter of fact. But want to hear something ? Two years ago I had breast reduction surgery..6 hours on the table. They amputate both breasts and reform them...sounds severe, I know, but that is what they do. (I was very large). Well they wanted to keep me 1 night and send me home the next day! Muscular Pain like you wouldn't believe. I requested an extra day and it was granted..no questions asked! Why? The Dr recommended it. If we ask, then perhaps the surgeon can suggest an overnight if we feel we need it for discomfort, Bl Pressure watch,etc. Well, I have gained 40 pounds since that reduction 2 yrs ago and...YEP...they are almost the same size they were before the 6 hour surgery! Drawer full of unfitting bras and a closet full of clothes in 3-4 different sizes! Now's the time to stop this cycle. but I'm still singingintherain!

kiz..I really like your tag about determination to start! I like that. And I like you steady weight loss. It is at a good pace..one which I would want. As for 5,000.00/I think if I were paying out of pocket, I couldn't afford that bill either. Fortunately I have a good insurance plan. Now the wrinkles and extra skin I will be left with to fix after Banding....that is another story

Jack...you are a strong individual, for sure! I have hypertension and really feel I need to be monitored a bit longer than a few hours because of that condition. I am not a strong person. Big, but not strong!

Good to hear from you, tiny! After the Holidays I went to info seminars at 3 facilities here in Boston. One in particular was very poorly attended(the first one I went to and, I might add, the one which gave me a first impression of this whole process...not a good one at all). I then went to 2 others and after doing a lot of searchng for mor info on each facility and their programs..which are different as to requirements, follow up, support, when compared with that first one....I came to the strong conclusion that the Brig was for me. I have since made an appt with Dr Robinson and plan on attending the support groups before my consult in about 3 weeks. I trust what I heard and saw at the Brig moreso than at the other facilities....especially the first one I attended. But...that is just my opinion as there were Banded gals there who swore by that center. I hope to meet you at an upcoming meeting, tiny!

Went to the info meeting last night and of all the info meetings I went to in Boston , this was the most informative and most well attended. Questions were answered in abundance and the presentation was given by Dr Robinson and support staff. 2 hours of explicit info. Kudos to the Brig! Yay! I got my consult with Dr Robinson for Feb! I would love to attend the next support meeting which would welcome those beginning the process before surgery. Is there one at the Brig coming up??

As I live my life every day and think of how things will change, questions pop up. 1) Question on spirituality for those who partake:....How long did it take you after Banding to be able to take the Communion Altar Bread wafer and consume it? 2) I take 6 pills a day.. Vitamins, supplements and meds for high Blood pressure. Some of them are Horse-pill size! What do you do about that..crush them up and eat them in your mushies? Are they crushed up forever? One of them in particular tastes so like POISON!

music..I usually get an emil notification of replies to threads, but somehow missed this one and just got it today..Sat. I did go to the meeting on thurs...VERY informative , I thought. I was sitting way in the back against the wall.I left early because of the prking rates..I parked in the wrong garage! I was impressed with the 3 'losers' who spoke to the group. Before making up my mind, I am going to the one this tues at Brigh & wom. I was amazed that there is such a LONG waiting list before one has the surgery! I'm sorry I missed your email.

Tomorrow I go to the meeting at Beth Israel Deac and next week I go to my final meeting at Brigh and Wom. For some reason I gravitate towards the Brig. One thing I definitely want is a facility with a good post op support ring to attend and good aftercare as well as a good facility and , above all, experienced specialist. So next week I will be on the forum looking up drs and finding out about the treatment received by the guys and gals here. Do they provide a nutritionist to help you lose the 10 lbs? Even 10 lbs is monumental for some of us! One of the many reasons I chose the Band vs the GP, music, is the weight gain is not scaringly dramatic! I'd rather lose steadily and moderately...if I don't do it that way, my body will look sick and saggy ...especially at my age (a young looking 59 so I am told)

Hmmm..I find it amazing that you gals wanted to go home. the same day. I guess the possibility of pain is the main issue, really. And as long as you have that and some anti nausea meds things should be fine. But I really wonder about the blood pressure issue after anesthesia, though. I can't get over the BMI's of you gals. I am not young...I am 59, 5'5" with a BMI of 39. The weight gave the lovely present of high Bl Pressure, High Chol, and mild Sl Apnea developing.... I envy you gals and look forward to getting Banded ...SOON! I wish all these info meetings were this week so I could make a choice and run to my Pr Care for a referral tomorrow. But, I have 2 more to go and will be able to go after next Tues. singingintherain (the 'freezing' rain today here in Massachsetts)

Great to hear from you gals this a.m. You must be SO excited re: your upcoming day..it is getting really close. I envy you carolina mom. Someday it'll be my turn. BandedCG...I admire your steady weight loss. Your BmI is really coming down. You were kept overnight and I really think I would prefer staying overnight even though there aren't any major incisions. I went wild the other night watching the LB procedure on you tube and it left me feeling so 'invaded'..looking inside there at the tubed going in, under and around..smokin' away! LOL I felt like I needed a week's stay never mind overnight!