Grandma26

Thanks for all your replies, I hope mine goes as well! good luck to any upcoming banders!!:tongue:

Sorry I haven't been banded yet....so I am not familiar with all the phrases yet. Sounds pretty gross, hopefully not painful! lol OH MY something else to worry about....:tongue:

Wow 8 lbs is great! The first thing I thought of when I read that is wow she lost 8 lbs of butter!! lol

Hi all, I am being banded next Thursday 6/25. For any of you that have been banded already what has been your experience so far with pain/gas? Any advice you can give those of us that are coming up?

WOW! Keep up the great work. I am being banded next Thursday 6/25, any advise on how to get through the first few weeks?

Congratulations! Glad to hear you are feeling ok! I am being banded next Thursday and my biggest fear is port pain. Are you suffering any of that?

I asked a friend of mine who was banded a year ago how she handles weddings, holiday parties and just going out to dinner. She laughed and said she had the same fears before her surgery. She said she takes a small plate whenever possible, a spoon full of only the items on a buffet table that interest her instead of a helping of everything, and eats a little bit of the small postion she took. If it is a plated dinner she takes only a bite or two of anything that she knows doesn't bother her. Most people don't even notice what's on her plate. Sometimes she said if it is an event she know will really tempt her..she has a shake before going or sometimes on the way in the car. I am hoping to try that same strategy

I haven't been banded yet (June 25 for me) but I try to keep in mind that even 1/4 lb = a stick of butter! Continued good luck and health in your journey

That article sounds to me like someone promoting their own product!! I have friends that had WLS and they all have said this isn't magic, you have to work hard at it. There are time you will be hungry but most times if you follow the plan you are ok. I can't think of anything, weather it is WW or Atkins or any other weight loss program that at some point you aren't hungry or you gain a few back now and again. It is always going to be an uphill battle, but it will make it that much better when we get to the top!

June 25the for me! I never ate in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep...but now I suddenly feel the need to, what that all about?? So far I have been able to fight the urge...but I don't understand why it's happening all of the sudden.

Congratulations !!

I haven't told anyone but DH. People sometime can be hurtful without really meaning to be. They don't understand that we still have lots of hard work ahead of us and that the LB is only a tool to help us along the way not a magic cure all I am sure after the surgery and I am losing the lbs. I will be so excited that I won't be able to keep it a secret anymore but for now, I just get that little smile on my face in anticipation! Count down to June 25!!!!

Scheduled for June 25! All tests are done now it's the waiting game. I was feeling like I had to eat all my favorite foods (yea the same ones that got me in the shape I am now..lol) before it was too late, thankfully that passed very quickly. I started Protein shakes this week 2x's a day and it's been working. I am trying to adjust to liquids so that the first stage after surgery won't be such a shock! Cutting down on caffeine is also helping, cravings for sweets getting less and less each day.

My surgery is June 25! Yeah! I started GNC Max Pro shakes 2 x's a day on Monday. I use either the choco or vanilla and add about a heaping tablespoon of fat free/sugar free chocolate pudding to it. It tastes pretty good and I am not having any problems with it. I tried alternating which meal I eat to see what works the best. So far if I have a good breakfast, egg whites and maybe fruit it seems to stay with me longer throughout the day.

Scheduled for June 25! Was originally scheduled for May 19 but needed a few more tests first :thumbup:

I haven't told anyone other than my husband. I wanted to make this decision on my own without the stress of everyone's opinion

My insurance is Oxford Health Plan, they don't require the 6 months of dr. visits, and weight loss documentation. They are pretty easy to get approval from. Glad tohear your approval came through!

Hi, The waiting is the worst! I was fortunate I have Oxford and my doctors office got the approval in one day. I hope it isn't to long for you! Hang in there

Hi Julie, I went to Advance Laparscopic Associates in Paramus, NJ They are associated with Hackensack Hospital. Here is a link to their web site Advanced Laparoscopic Associates :: Home I went to a few other seminars and picked the group I felt most confortable with.

I heard just the oposite! My cardiologist, who is not a fan of weight loss surgery to begin with, feels that the band is the safer way to go. The complications are not a severe as with by pass surgery and in a lot of cases the complications of the band are because the person didn't follow post op instructions and diet.

I Love this idea! My surgery is June 25, it was supposed to be May 19th but my Cardio wants a few more tests. My list is: 1. I will wear shorts and not feel like the whole world is watching and laughing 2. I will be able to buy clothes that don't have an "X" in the size! 3. I will find clothes "on Sale" 4. I will be able to hold my grandchildren on my lap without them being on the edge of it!! 5. I will wear a bathing suit again and swim with my grandkids 6. I will finally feel healthy again

Hi again Julie, When I went to my seminar (in North Jersey) all I had to do was give them my insurance. They new what each insurance company requires, and what you have to do, they even made all the calls for pre-approval.

Hi Julie, I am from NJ as well. I am pretty sure that BCBS requires documented weight loss programs. WW can give you a copy of you records and you give that to your DR. They will give you all the info you need at the seminar. I am fortunate to have Oxford, they don't require any "pre-op" weight loss documentation.

I went to several seminars offered by different doctors in my area. I chose a group that has the best after care/support and has the highest number of procedures a year,they made me feel very comfortable. They do other laproscopic procedures but bariatric is a large part of their practice. Any recommendations on which Protein shakes are the best?

Thanks Cathy. I think I can do it too. If I am not hungry I can do just about anything, it's just when I hunger hits I have to come up with ways to get over it. Any tips and tricks to offer?