singingintherain

Thanks, thinking. When I have hesitations(and I believe we all have them as well as doubts afterwards at times) I just look in my mirror or feel the fit of my slacks or feel my stomach behaving like a brat screaming for ''MORE" ....I get back on track real fast and wish the date would come sooner! LOL ....to change the things I CAN......is my thought at such times.

I am THRILLED for you! I thought we were scheduled to have our 2nd consult on the same day..the 14th ? How did you luck out and get a date already? I am envious! Another glitch. I got a call yesterday and I have to attend a funeral on the 14th, same time as my long awaited appt.(whine, moan, groan) So today I rescheduled for 1 week later. Ugh! Sometimes I do believe in that thing called Murphy's Law. I am happy for you that you have come this far and are on your way! YAY!

Are you heading for the Marathon? As for Unjury..it was mentioned, but somehow I 'heard' Glucerna as it was supermarket -available. I want the best..even if I have to pay for shipping . I will be looking forward to hearing your reviews of Unjury products, gals.(and guys)

Protein! I am trying to get used to what I am going to have to drink pre and post banding. One thing is..I need tons of protein at my age.'meno' does a job on hair growth even while eating solid food). I am presently drinking Kellogg Protein water..which is Wonderful for keeping one hydrated(thanks Y). But..the protein content isn't all that great as a supplement after Banding.! The Nutritionist suggested several drinks of pure protein. Has anyone ever tried that very costly Isopure in different fruity flavors? Is it palatable or did it make you gag? In comparing caloric content, she also suggested Glucerna cans(200 calories 20% protein... rather than Carnation Inst Br. Lactose Free in can which I love and find filling for breakfast(250 calories 18% protein). What are you doing for protein drinks and supplements?

Thanks for that info. My second appt is in 13 more days...and counting...!

I admire your perseverance. Some day you'll be running the Big race and doing Heartbreak Hill with the rest of the Marathoners. Question for those who have the Good Doc Robinson: At your doctor's visit, did he discuss and give you your date for surgery, or was it arranged through Jennifer?

Great photo, L2T ! What a dramatic difference from your beginning photo! An encouragement to all at the starting line. (btw..are your still in the road race?

It is good to hear from you Jay! As for not having support /company..I realize many of these threads here are from those pre-banders like myself. In visiting the other child boards of LapBandTalk, I find that there is a forum for EVERY stage and every problem of Banding imaginable. I often lurk around those other child boards and also pop into the Chatroom for some LIVE 'howdies' (LINK). Have you tried those other boards? It will help, I know. But it is wonderful to hear from you, Jay! Keep us posted on your fill. (there's a childboard for that topic too!!)

One step at a time...each appt I breathe a sigh of relief that 'that's done'. Are you having your procedure at the Brig or the Faulkner ? I am scheduled for 8:15 am on the 14th..what time do you see the Good Dr Robinson?

hooray ! i am excited for you!

The silly putty they put in my hair was horrible! I just told him to leave it in and I'd deal with it at home rather than getting baptised again with the spray bottle. Glad I brought a scarf along. I was exausted after that 'sleep' study, came home , hit the tub, hit the sack and had a good REM sleep! WITH NO CAMERA POINTED AT ME !

Y! I was wondering if you had flown the coop to another roosting place for your LapBand posting.....figured you had found another 'child board' with a very interesting discussion going on. Great to hear from ya!

you are welcome! I am fairly new, but share what I experience as I go along. No doubt you will receive several replies from those who have been banded and are well on their way and have much more experience and weight loss tips to share. ttyl!

Hi! I went to the January Info meeting and called immediately after and was given my first consult 4 weeks later. It all depends on the schedule of the surgeons and the openings they have. Make sure you pre register for the info meeting at the Brigham/Faulkner...either by phone or email. I went to the seminar given by Dr Robinson. Very well presented. I also have Harvard Pilgrim and they are fairly easy to grant approval if you have the BMI and co-morbidities to qualify. I called to make the appointment with the surgeon,then I called my primary care and asked for a referral. I just had my pre-tests and now go back to Dr Robinson on April 14th for a follow-up and hopefully, a date for the procedure! At the seminar there is a presentation with literature handouts and slides. The presenters are the billing rep, the Nutritionist and the Surgeon. Time is given throughout the talks for questions from the audience as the talks progress..and they are plentiful. At the first consult with the surgeon, you change into a gown(slacks left on), the assistant takes your weight and blood pressure, the surgeon comes in and asks questions about your family history with weight, diseases, sleep problems and any meds you are taking, etc. Then you lie down and he examines the stomach area and listens to the heart. I was told to lose 10-15 lbs by the next visit to help prepare for the procedure. Then I was on my way. The next step was to make appointments for an upper GI barium xray, a psych evaluation , a sleep study and a visit to see the nutritionist. All of that was scheduled by the surgeon's office for 1 day of visits ...except the sleep study. If you don't have a car, they are in the same area...you just hop from one to the other...there is plenty of time in between. Hope that helps.

Hi surfergirl..I just posted the schedule in another post . Hope that helps. Went for my upper GI this week as well as my psych eval(waste of time and parking money) and saw the Nutritionist . The upper GI was not bad at all, and the barium liquids are not at all that bad as to make one gag. Test went smoothly and fast. The Dr and Technician knew how to make one feel relaxed. The psych eval was a mess. There was only 1 psych there and they scheduled 3-4 patients for the same appointments. People were livid. There were no seats and many had to stand for 1/2 hr or more for their appointment. Some were elderly. The anonymous questionnaire handed out (don't bother )was not reviewed, but only a general survey piled up with all the rest. The most pertinent questions asked in the exam itself were those related to harming oneself and others and tendency towards bulimia or anorexia. All the others were geared toward counting backwards, reciting the months of the year in reverse order, naming the last 3 Presidents, etc. Waited to be seen for an hour, whisked in to the office, shooed out within 10 minutes! Total waste of time. The questions could have been asked by the surgeon. The nutritionist visit was well worth the trip...VERY INFORMATIVE and she took time to answer questions thoroughly. Food lists and diet literature were handed out and ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN. Kudos! to the Nutrition Dept. Just saw on the tv that obesity is the topic for OPRA's show today..Thurs March 26...extremely obese people 900 lb mom and 800 lb high school student(not typos) and bariatric surgery/rehab. Could be a great encouragement to those of us pursuing the LapBand Procedure. I'll be watching. Have a good day all! singingintherain

Received this helpful schedule from the Nutritionist this week and thought I'd post it : Brig & Women's LB Support Venue:(parking)45 Francis St Boston..Carrie Hall 75 Francis St entrance.Floor 2 Free, no registration required, family and friends welcome Time: 6-7:30 pm 3rd Tuesday of each month Jan 20 Feb 17 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16 July 21 Aug 18 Sept 15 Oct 20 Nov 17 Dec 15 #################################### Faulkner Venue: Faulkner Hosp. 1153 Centre St Jamaica Plain Suite 4420 waiting Room Enter at the Atrium , walk straight past the elevators and down the corridor. At the end of the corridor take elevators on your right to 4th floor. Turn right and right again down the hall to Suite 4420. Free ,no registration required. Time:6-7:30 pm 2nd MONDAY of each month January 12 Feb 9 March 9 April 13 May 11 June 8 July 13 Aug 10 Sept 14 Oct 19 NOTE: THIRD MONDAY Nov 9 Dec 14

enter 45 Francis Ambulatory Parking(valet or underground) take elevator to 3rd floor get off and go right at end of hallway go left to "SUITE B" Those are the directions from my next follow up sheet at the Brig. My initial consult was at Faulkner, but I prefer the Brig.

I so wanted to be at the support meeting this week. I thought I had the stomach virus, but it turned out to be an attack of gallstones!!! Only had one other attack like that...horrid pain. I am going to have my upper GI , psych and nutritionist visits Monday. Then I go to see my PCP to see if I really need to have my gall bladder removed. Has anyone ever heard of them doing it in the same procedure as Banding? The method of operation is similar, and I figured I'd get blown up like a balloon only once and have the whole shebang over and done with.

I sit and read your post heidib and I identify..big time. Not Banded , but holding my stomach right now and I think it is that same virus. I do hope you find some pain killers and some anti-nausea meds soon. I have some tucked away in the drawer from last year's episode which sent me to the ER. I don't handle stomach pain very well. Now as for LP...I hear people talking about a pain which is described as a pressure when the food can't get past the band, etc. BUT..does one get stomach pain like the cramping , sick pain of the stomach virus kind?...You know...that duodenal sickly type pain? I can't stand that, and no way will I get Banded if I have to deal with that. I thought I got away with being hit with the bug...guess not.

Hi Babyfat. I am surprised that I missed this thread. Welcome! I am pre band, but in my search for a facility and physician, I registered for the Informational Seminars that the hospitals offer those trying to make a choice and wanting to know more about the procedure and facility. I would suggest looking up the info at the hospital site online and then registering to attend one of their free evening presentations .

Jay...have you seen this thread? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/would-you-do-again-89808/#post1171528

Jay! It's so good to hear from you. I see you are having a tough time and I am hoping that it is something that is just a stage of the process everyone goes through. As a pre band person, I want to ask what it is that is making you feel full of regrets? Do you think it is a tiredness from eating less causing a depression? Jay...YOU HAVE LOST ALMOST 45 LBS!!! THAT IS A BIG DEAL, MY FRIEND AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT! (cummon, big smile, now) :thumbup:

How often do people puke after being banded ? Is it a 'normal' post banding common occurrence?

It 's workin' for ya ! I think that is great. Now you can get through your day w/o exhaustion. Mine was on Boston Ave and my tech was a middle aged man with gray hair named Bob....excellent. Unfortunately I get more sleep at my own home than at that test last night. I'm ready for a good night's sleep w/o wires and glue!

I am glad it tastes a bit better now. I remember it tasting like chalk way back when. I am gonna try my durndest to keep it down because I will just have to drink it all over again if I 'lose it;. My appointments are all on the same day too....were you at the Brig or Faulkner? Well you are making progress steadily but surely.