Aurelia

Thanks! Today wasn't actually too bad. I've been walking so it has helped with keeping the gas moving. Right now I'm trying to find a happy medium between just enough walking and doing too much. I think it's great that you're getting the tubal done at the same time as your band. It's knocking out the two surgeries in one go and you'll have less pain in the long run.

I was banded today March 18th. I went into the OR around 2pm and woke up sometime after 5pm. They repaired my Hiatal Hernia and I only had three incisions instead of the usual five. My doc said I was the easiest surgery he had all day. I can't stress how important it is to get up walk around as soon as possible. I had some gas when I woke up but once I started moving around I started burping and the gas pains seemed to have dissipated. I've been home for a few hours now and the worse pain is from the port incision. I'm wanting to cough but just can't seem to get it right. I feel some stuff on my chest and I want to get it moving. Anyone else get banded today? If you've been banded already how are you feeling?

Just a tip guys... GAS X WILL NOT WORK! The gas is pumped into your body cavity so movement, massage and heat will get it moving. Gas X only helps stomach gas so try to get moving as soon as it's comfortable for you. You have no idea how even just standing helps with the gas.

My only advice is to walk, walk, walk and use a heating a pad. Forget GAS X as the gas is floating around in your body cavity. If you're moving the gas will move. Also, try not to be fixated on weight loss right now. Focus on healing...the weight loss will eventually follow.

I'm on day 3 of my Pre-Op liquid diet. The urge to cheat is rising. I'm so hungry!!!!

I'm getting banded on the same day too! I'm on day two of my liquid diet and I'm so weak :thumbup:

My surgery is on the 18th as well!!

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. My surgery is on the 18th.

Anyone getting banded on this date? I would love to have a banding buddy!

Yeah I did that this weekend. I had filet mignon topped with Foie Gras, handcut fries fried in duck fat, truffled mac and cheese and a flourless chocolate cake a la mode. I start my pre-op diet in two days. I couldn't think of a better send off.

I haven't done the restaurant thing as I haven't had my surgery yet. However, my doc gave me a special key ring that says I've had stomach surgery and if it's possible to have me order off the kids menu or have a smaller portion. It lists his name and telephone number. I look forward to using it and seeing the looks I get.

I have this same issue with the patient coordinator at my surgeon's office. She went as far as telling me she would submit my paperwork and after a month of not hearing a response I call UHC and they tell me nothing was sumbitted. I called the surgeon's office mad as hell and she said she would submit it but doubts it will get approved and it would take at least 30 days to get a response. Guess what? It was submitted on monday and I got my approval by friday. You can imagine the things I want to say to the patient coordinator.

*WAVES to all my fellow UHCers* I went to my seminar in late october and had my consultation in early november the doctor said my BMI was too low to qualify without co-morbidities and suggested I get a sleep study. Did the sleep study on 11/24/08 and got the results two weeks later saying I had severe sleep apnea. The patient coordinator gave me the hardest time about the wording on the results of the sleep study and I wasn't able to submit the paperwork that was to her liking until 1/5/09. She told me she would submit the paperwork for authorization but said it would take NO LESS THAN 30 days to get a response. I said ok and I waited and waited and waited patiently. I call UHC to check on the status late january and they tell me nothing has been submitted. I am livid!! I call the surgeon's office and no one can tell me why my paperwork wasn't submitted. On 2/9 I get a snarky voicemail message from the patient corrdinator saying she has submitted the paperwork and they should get a response in 30 days. On 2/13 I get a call from the surgeon's office saying I was approved. I went to my pre-op visit today and one of the assistants who had always been sweet to me told me that the patient coordinator didn't want to submit my paperwork because she didn't think I would get approved. You have no idea how much this makes me angry. I should also add that I went to a cardiologist because I was having palpitations. It turns out that I have high blood pressure and a mild form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, I had to do my own research and basically find out if I had co-morbidities that would help me get approved. I suggest that you get a full work up because you may have a problem that you're not even aware of. It took them only 5 days to approve my surgery and give me a date. I have a BMI of 38, Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure. If your surgeon's office is reluctant to help you then do it yourself!!

I'm in South Florida and my doctor charges a program fee of $600 that's due 7 days before the surgery. They charge this fee only after you've been approved and have a tentative surgery date. It includes a bariatric manual, online learning modules, mandatory fitness classes at the hospital gym, Pre-Operative and Post-Operative Education Classes. A bunch of other classes and support group privileges. I should also note I have United Healthcare PPO and they offer similar programs for free online and on the phone. I'm just happy to get the surgery approved and don't mind paying the extra $1100 out of pocket for the program costs, nutritionist visits etc...

Hey everyone! I joined a few days ago and this is my first posting on this forum. I got approved for my surgery on 2/13 and so far I have a tenative surgery date for 3/18.