imaluckydog

I have never been so HAPPY!!!!!! imaluckydog week one is over. I have survived Lap Band to talk about it. I do not think of myself as a blogger I hope this is not boring. June 29 Th., 2009 one week ago today I was banded at Lahey Clinic in Burlington Ma. my Dr. was Dimitry Nepomnayshy MD. My surgery took 3 hours because I also had a hiatial hernia he needed to repair while he was in there. Lucky me!!! Dr. Nepomnayshy is a confidante, kind and gentle man with a huge heart of GOLD. The Clinic is a teaching hospital utilizing Tufts University medical students and other area medical students 24-7. It seems like a party every time I am there. I am always asking what I think are the dumbest questions, only to get a very educated answer with a smile back. I am so blessed to have had such a happy and healthful experience. My two week post op meal plan consists of liquid protein drinks 3 to 4 a day with plenty of water or other clear liquid to equal 64 ounces. I do not have a desire to eat any food. I do enjoy watching the Food Network http://www.foodnetwork.com/ I seem to be addicted to it now. My mouth starts watering but I do not get hungry. I am starting to think about my next phase the mushy stage. I am entertaining recipes from other LB patient bloggers and I have started a file for all of them. The food network has a lot of recipes I can use it seems to be a wonderful resource. I found a web site that list all High Protein Foods that is easy to use http://www.highproteinfoods.net/ Maybe you might find it interesting as well. I have made home made broth and have enjoyed them. I have been walking everyday for brief distances. Yesterday I went to the Gym with my daughter and walked on the treadmill at a really good clip for 30 minutes. I have had no gas pains at all. I will see the Dr. on Friday July 10 for my first Happy visit. I just want to say thank you to all my blogger buddies your notes, well wishes, recipes and thoughts have all been appreciated so much. I have enjoyed the love and respect I have received on this web site. I have never been so HAPPY........... Love. Life.Lilly. and the Pursuit of Happiness for I’m a luckydog

Hi my June 29 LB Friends, So glad to hear from all of you. I too am still a little sluggish today 7/5/09. I am glad I do not have to go back to work for one more week. I took my first BM yesterday, I too almost took a LAX but I am glad I did not. I have been having 3 protein drinks a day 17 to 20 grams of protein in each, broth, and sf freeze pops. I would make sure you are getting enough PROTEIN because hair can fall out if you are not getting enough. I am drinking tons of water and I think that helps with waste management as well. I am still using pain meds. I am sleeping better and everyday I feel so much better I may even go and walk on the treadmill with my daughter later this afternoon. I have had very little gas pain but I have been walking, walking, walking even if it is just around the house. My port site still hurts I think it must be the stitches healing. I think it may take a couple more weeks until I feel 100%. I am happy in my head so that is a good place to be. Thanks for listening. imaluckydog Kathy

Hi I had surgery on June 29, let me tell you jello and broth did nothing for me. Happy 4 Th of July!! I needed a good protein drink to help me feel full and some what normal. I have not had too much hunger I am only 6 days out. I feel much better than day 3. Everyday gets so MUCH better. I have had the dizzy stuff as well. I am not in Orlando area but am heading that way in a week or so. Lets Keep in touch if you want. Kathy imaluckydog

No you can't let the bad habit ruin your chances!! But if you think stopping smoking is going to be easy. You have another thing coming. I quit 21 years ago it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life!! I was banded June 29, this is the next hardest thing I have ever done. Get ready it is worth it. Best wishes to you. I know you will do well. imaluckydog has faith you are up to it. Happy 4 th of July to you.

Hi Happy 4th I was banded June 29. I had a reaction to the Isopure and ended up in the Hospital on the third day. My DR. made me try EAS advant EDGE to see if I could keep that down. It is so much better. Not as much protein but if they say it is ok then it is fine with me. I am a gourmet and will be taking a trip at the end of July. I plan on trying in small amounts whatever I feel will be right for me at the time. I will just have to chew, chew, chew. and ENJOY

Yes there are lots of sites, I did buy a book but it is upstairs and I will have to get back to you as I do not remember the name. I am not on solids yet you are so LUCKY!!!! Happy 4th of July Kathy imaluckydog

Nice job, Glad to hear all is going well for you. I had surgery on June 29 I went early. I see my Dr. July 10 for my first Happy Visit. I will probably just get weighed. I do not get a fill for a while. I am doing so much better today. Happy 4th of July and thanks for the post. imaluckydog Kathy

Hi Lauraq, Your are my band buddy! Lets play together. ok Put the plate down do not go there. We will be as normal as we are ever going to be a few weeks from now. Now is not the time to eat these things. I have heard stories like yours and others not at all a good thing to start yet. You are very emotional with all that has happened to you this past week. Lets face it you are under Stress to the Max!! Please drink your nutrition today and follow Dr. orders and water and get out a go for a walk. Get away from the food as my sister said to me last week "The food is not your friend now" She is right the food will not make us feel better. You have felt the chest pain it can get worse. Get busy write me a longer letter and we can chat. I am home all day today. I will check my computer all day, keep busy I want you to make this with me. As my stomach starts growelling LOL hope you have a GREAT DAY Happy 4th of July. Kathy imaluckydog to have a band buddy like you!!!!!

Lauraq, I was also banded on Monday with you;-) I went in at 4 pm as the surgery before me ran over. I waited for 4 hours in the prep room bed with my head was spinning by the time they took me in to have my Lap Band. I stayed one night and was so sick. I did not think they would let me leave. I was back in the hospital on July 1 because I still could not keep any liquid down. My nurse made me try another kind of drink to see if I could handle it. I was there for more than 2 hours waiting to see otherwise they were going take the 2 cc out that was put in at surgery. Ok so I slow down and do not drink too fast, TAKE little sips and make the morning last. So far so good, I am not doing anything this week end. I am just resting. You have had an emotional few days and YOU NEED TO REST! and thats THAT. This surgery does change your body and mind and it needs time to catch up. My dear Lucky dog died 4 weeks ago yesterday, and my mother is my best friend. You have a lot on your mind so just do what you can do to take care of yourself today. You and your family are in my prayers. Kathy imaluckydog

Have a Very Happy 4 th of July everyone, I will as well. I am going to rest and relax and enjoy some needed quiet time. My family will all be taking care of themselves and taking care of me. Once in my life I am taking a few GIANT steps backwards mother may I? I am feeling so much better today. imaluckydog Kathy

Hi, I was banded on Monday, June 29, 2009. I am hoping to find other people who were banded the same day as me. My original date was July 20, but was moved up as I have done all requirements. Someone had to cancel for heart reasons. I stayed over night one night and was comfortable. Then came home and was fine until Wednesday I was unable to keep my liquid drinks and sf Jello down. I went back to the hospital and my nurse put me on another liquid Protein drink to see if I could handle it. She made me stay and drink the entire thing to make sure I could handle it. I have the Allergan Lap Band with 2 cc fill at surgery she said it was standard. I cut out the Jello as I always gage with it so she said I do not have to eat it. I think that was part of my problem. I and feeling 100 % better today. Let me know how you are doing? I look forward to hearing from you. imaluckydog

BG, I love your blog. I really do. This is my second day after LB and I am not feeling very well at all today. I do feel better after reading your blog. My body has been telling me all day to go to the hospital so I did. I have had three meals since my surgery all at home and none of them wanted to stay down. I kept thinking I am just too full to drink all this fluid. Long story short my nurse made me try another protein drink to see if it would stay down. Yes, it did it has 17 grams of protein and it does not taste that bad. I was told I have the Allergan band with a max fill of 10 cc and I have 2 cc in there already. I was surprised with that do you think that is normal? I am so full when I drink anything. I feel like I am sipping 24 7. I am just trying to pay attention to how my body feels. Thanks for being there for me. imaluckydog Kathy

My BAND BUDDY, My heart is one this yours. I will keep you and your dear mother in my prayers. My mother just came over and I have been throwing up all morning. I am finding it hard to drink and eat the jello. You are in my thoughts. Love imaluckydog Kathy

Happy July first to all my Canadian Day Friends. Thank you to everyone I had a GREAT nights sleep and feel OK this morning. My stomach is sore but I just had surgery. I have a little head ache but NOT that bad. I feel like today is the first day of the rest of my life. I am so grateful to everyone who has cared about me on this web page. It is a powerful tool friendship. It is amazing what one can do if you put your mind on something that you want so much. I must admit I do not like the clear drinks or the jello at all so I feel like a child right now. I will consume them but I am NOT liking them at all. Not at all I must say. imaluckydog who helped create my own destiny.

Has anyone ever heard of going early for Lap Band? I was content with my July 20 band date which is about 21 days away. OMG on this pasted Friday I got a call and the Nurse she wanted to know if I would be ready to have my Lap Band done on MONDAY yesterday? OMG again I said ???? I was not sure I was mentally ready. She said could I come down to the hospital and sign a few papers. She also wanted to go over the teaching classes with me. I had had all my blood work and Pre Op work just done on Wednesday. When I got to the hospital late Friday it was about 4:30 p.m. she said we have a glitch she just found out about. Yup you guessed it! INSURANCE Papers not complete yet. Well the insurance approved me back in the beginning of May and my hospital sent in the paper work to then as well. She just needed a signature. She said I could self pay to the turn of Fifteen Grand plus put it on my credit card or I could wait. I had been advised by many NOT to put it on my credit card because that could open all kinds of problems. I had a chance that the company would pay. I just tried not to spend my entire week end worrying about it, with the help of more friends on this site. I kept extremely busy. Thanks to them and their kind hearted souls and advice. On Monday I got up early and finished a few odds and ends that needed to be done so I could take a few days off. I also called the insurance co and called the hospital and at one point I had two phones on my head and talking to someone on the computer. I had all the bases covered. I was pretty sure I would have the surgery that day. My husband took the day off and drove me to the hospital and he was the one saying I would only have a 50 / 50 chance. I had to shut him out. We had to drive about an hour and the traffic was light, many must be on vacation this week. Just as I am walking into the hospital me cell phone rings. It was Elana from the hospital she said everything is all in order and to come on down. I told her we are here and I plan to go meet her at the check in. She must have worked a miracle today. But I also help to create my own destiny at the same time. I had surgery at 4 p.m. it was a long day. I am home now a resting quite comfortably in bed. I have been up walking and have not had much gas. I just spent one night in the hospital. Today I was released at about 2 p.m. So far water, sf Jello and broth is all I can have. I am NOT a JULY BAND BUDDY I need one from JUNE if anyone reads this and were banded in June would you please let me know? Thanks imaluckydog playing with the BAND early!!!

Has anyone ever heard of going early for Lap Band? I was content with my July 20 band date which is about 21 days away. OMG on this pasted Friday I got a call and the Nurse she wanted to know if I would be ready to have my Lap Band done on MONDAY yesterday? OMG again I said ???? I was not sure I was mentally ready. She said could I come down to the hospital and sign a few papers. She also wanted to go over the teaching classes with me. I had had all my blood work and Pre Op work just done on Wednesday. When I got to the hospital late Friday it was about 4:30 p.m. she said we have a glitch she just found out about. Yup you guessed it! INSURANCE Papers not complete yet. Well the insurance approved me back in the beginning of May and my hospital sent in the paper work to then as well. She just needed a signature. She said I could self pay to the turn of Fifteen Grand plus put it on my credit card or I could wait. I had been advised by many NOT to put it on my credit card because that could open all kinds of problems. I had a chance that the company would pay. I just tried not to spend my entire week end worrying about it, with the help of more friends on this site. I kept extremely busy. Thanks to them and their kind hearted souls and advice. On Monday I got up early and finished a few odds and ends that needed to be done so I could take a few days off. I also called the insurance co and called the hospital and at one point I had two phones on my head and talking to someone on the computer. I had all the bases covered. I was pretty sure I would have the surgery that day. My husband took the day off and drove me to the hospital and he was the one saying I would only have a 50 / 50 chance. I had to shut him out. We had to drive about an hour and the traffic was light, many must be on vacation this week. Just as I am walking into the hospital me cell phone rings. It was Elana from the hospital she said everything is all in order and to come on down. I told her we are here and I plan to go meet her at the check in. She must have worked a miracle today. But I also help to create my own destiny at the same time. I had surgery at 4 p.m. it was a long day. I am home now a resting quite comfortably in bed. I have been up walking and have not had much gas. I just spent one night in the hospital. Today I was released at about 2 p.m. So far water, sf Jello and broth is all I can have. I am NOT a JULY BAND BUDDY I need one from JUNE if anyone reads this and were banded in June would you please let me know? Thanks imaluckydog playing with the BAND early!!!

Hi, That is wonderful, traveling is always a worry for me. Just what you mentioned I too have to trust I will be able to make the BEST choice for me and my soon to be band about 20 hours away. Thanks for sharing YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Nice job. I have to remember to do that tonight. For sure. imaluckydog

Wow sounds so yummy, I will have to wait a few weeks, but I will give this one a try. I bet you could freeze this? Don't ya think? Thanks for sharing imaluckydog

Hi BG, I am having a great day, Thanks to you and your little pep talk yesterday. I found a penny this morning Yaaa me I am going shopping later and keeping busy. I am feeling very positive and my head is in a GREAT place. I am going to keep everything simple today. I MAY be PLAYING with the BAND tomorrow Yipppeeee. I'll play THRILLER MJ rip

I am not sure about much lately!! :cursing: I got a call from my nurse to have my surgery moved up to this Monday!!! Yikes, :thumbup: My dated was to be July 20 th. Hard to believe RIGHT? Who really ever has it done early? We are to wait for ever for the LB!! I was told I may get moved up because I have met all the requirements. But I never believed them. There is a twist, the insurance has not sent back the paper work GO FIGURE??? They think my surgery is July 20. Monday I will be on the phone first thing in the morning making sure they fax the paper work over ASAP. I have been given approval over the phone. So just being phone covered my not get you surgery. The PAPER WORK must be signed and in order first or NO surgery. Just my LUCK the Nurse who planned all this left Friday for vacation after our visit. Before she left she gave me her phone number. :cursing: I pray I do not have to call her. She was so mad on Friday at her hospital for not having the paper work done.:rolleyes2: Insurance office is closed for the week end and there is no one to talk to until Monday. So I wait Mind you I am not going to worry about it. Thanks to friends on this site:tt1: If it was ment to be it will be!!!!! I will make sure something happens. Wish me LUCK for imaluckydog and MAY BE PLAYING with the BAND SOON.:rolleyes2:

I am not sure about much lately!! :cursing: I got a call from my nurse to have my surgery moved up to this Monday!!! Yikes, My dated was to be July 20 th. Hard to believe RIGHT? Who really ever has it done early? We are to wait for ever for the LB!! I was told I may get moved up because I have met all the requirements. But I never believed them. There is a twist, the insurance has not sent back the paper work GO FIGURE??? They think my surgery is July 20. Monday I will be on the phone first thing in the morning making sure they fax the paper work over ASAP. I have been given approval over the phone. So just being phone covered my not get you surgery. The PAPER WORK must be signed and in order first or NO surgery. Just my LUCK the Nurse who planned all this left Friday for vacation after our visit. Before she left she gave me her phone number. :smile2: I pray I do not have to call her. She was so mad on Friday at her hospital for not having the paper work done. Insurance office is closed for the week end and there is no one to talk to until Monday. So I wait Mind you I am not going to worry about it. Thanks to friends on this site:tt1: If it was ment to be it will be!!!!! I will make sure something happens. Wish me LUCK for imaluckydog and MAY BE PLAYING with the BAND SOON.:thumbup:

Hi d4lussier, I have been married for 28 years. I also have a love affair with food. It is so hard for me to keep my paws out of the cookie jar. I finally tossed the jar out and now I have no friends any more. I have a date with a lap band on July 20, I am getting all ready for this and yesterday I get call and the nurse says to me, we had a cancellation do you want to come in on Monday???? I am like OMG yes, but I am not sure my head is ready for this? The TWIST is that the insurance has not send back the approval yet because my date is a month away RIGHT. Well my surgery time is at 12:30 so maybe I can call the insurance and they will fax over the paper work.. It always is paper work...... I just have to take it a day at a time. If the paper work comes in I have surgery and if not my morning will be spend at the hospital talking to the insurance people. Go figure this life of mine. Sure NOT going to look for my cookie friends. Hope you do not mind me chatting away here. Thanks I hope all goes well for you. Best wishes. imaluckydog MAYBE???????

Hi KTK1982, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. But I just had a twist. I called the insurance back in early April to see if I am covered? They sent me back a packet and it said I am covered. Paper work I though was all set!!! Did I say PAPER WORK!! yes I did. I have a surgery date of July 20, I am all set in my head and getting ready for it. Finished all blood work, all group and ind. Psychic classes, all nutrition and teaching classes are done. I get a call This past Friday do you want to have it done on Monday? This Monday OMG, YES but I am not sure I am ready. Well the twist is that the insurance co. who said I am approved has not sent back the paper work. I have a 12:30 surgery time and the insurance office opens at 8:30 am. I think I am going to be on the phone trying to see if they will fax over paper work as it is almost a month early. Not sure why but always make sure the paper work is signed before you get a date. I may not be able to have the surgery if insurance does not pay. I hope this helps. imaluckydog MAYBE???????

Wow you are an inspiration. I day dream about wearing a line of clothes called "LILLY" off the rack. I have only ordered over phone from lands end for years. I can so hear you. We can do this. I had a date of July 20. But got a call on Friday that said I could go as soon as Monday if the insurance is in order. How cool is that!! I am not sure I am not sure my head is ready. If not I just wait for insurance to come through. Best wishes to you, you write beautifully. I enjoyed you story it is so like mine. Thank you, imaluckydog MAYBE??