Froggie D

My nutritionist spent the time talking about what Vitamins I would need to take, where to buy them, about Protein drinks, the importance of lots of Water, and what the stages of diet were following the surgery. Since I had read a lot, reasearched the internet and been reading this website for a while, I was knowledgeable and we had a great conversation. The psych eval was an interview about my weight history and attempts to lose, I took two hours of computerized tests and them went back to talk about the results. He focused on things like who my support system is, what I was expecting out to the surgery, if I am really ready for a major lifestyle change, etc. One issue that seemed to come up was whether or not I believed I had the power to make changes in my life or if I thought the lap band was a magic answer. It was relatively non-threatening. Don't be intimidated. It is not scary.:smile2: Froggie D

I am so bummed out. I saw my surgeon on July 16 and he said everything looked in order and they would submit to my insurance within a week (July 23). I called my insurance today and they said nothing had been submitted yet. I called my surgeon and left a message, but no call back. It is so frustrating. I am so ready. I do not have to do pre-op except for two days of liquid, but I started two protein drinks and one meal on July 17. I am losing weight and doing well with it. I have stopped drinking with meals, stopped drinking Diet Coke, and gotten all my meds changed to liquids. I have my vitamins as chewables and liquids. I am ready to move forward!:smile2: Needing some support! Froggie D

Am I the only one getting banded in Aug 09? WOW. Deb:tongue2:

GOOD LUCK! You will be fine. I am so happy everytime I see someone posting they are ready to start their jouney. Post after your surgery and tell us how it all went!!!!

I am waiting for the word from my insurance. I thought I would hear last week, so maybe tomorrow is the day. I am having a really hard time being patient. I have done everything they have asked and I am ready. According to my surgeon, there should be no problem. Anyone else getting banded in August 09 or waiting for the word? I would love to have a place to check in with those banded around the same time I am and keep in touch as we start our journey. Anybody game? Ready and waiting!

I have not had my band yet, but my surgwon talked about this at a support group. He siad most people who have the lap band have reflux and it is not a factor that prevents the surgery. He fixes hiatal hernia while he is in there if you have that. After the surgery there is no more reflux because the pouch part of the stomach has little bile to come back up and the main part cannot get the bile back up through the opening the band creates. Tha sounds wonderful to me.

I never even considered the bypass as the idea of permanently changing my body, facing malnutrition and losing my hair just did not appeal to me. I have not been banded yet, but for me it is the only option.

Finally getting your band is wonderful. I am glad it has been easy for you so far. I am anxiously awaiting my approval. Nice to see some one get there! This is the first day of the best of your life, I figure!

Be aware if there are artificial sweeteners in your protein powder. The Alcohol Sugars (sorbitol, manitol and some others) can cause diarhea in sensitive people. I am one of those and get a pretty violent reaction if I use too much. Splenda (sucralose) and Equal (aspertame) usually do not. Most sugar free candy, jello, popsicles, etc have sugar alcohols in them.

I had a one hour interview. We focused on why I wanted the surgery, my wieght history, what kind of support I would have from family and friends, how important spirituality is in my life, what I have been successful with in my life, my attitudes toward medical care, following doctor's orders, what I already knew about the surgery, etc. Then I did an MMPI (about 350 questions) that gives a personality profile that tells about your thought processes, coping skills, anxiety and depression, energy level, self esteem, ect. Then I did a test created for bariatric patients that seems to focus on whether I felt my life was out of my control or that I was able to make decisions that affected my life and health and gave me some control, would I be a good patient, etc. It was interesting. I thought it was pretty non-threatening.

Best of luck and it will be over before you know it - then onward to a new life!

Mine is supposed to be submitted this week. I am waiting too. My surgeon said that since I had everything in order, It should only take BC/BS about 48 to 72 hours. I hope that is true. I am ready to move forward. I hope you get approval right away. It is so hard waiting! Deb

I agree, it is not about them, it is about you. You are doing this for you! Think how much 30 pounds really is. Visualize going into the grocery store and buying 30 one pound packages of hamburger and carrying them around all day. Think how much better your heart and joints are. Knowing you are doing good things for you will help keep you motivated and one day soon, it will begin to show and everyone will be making comments. Give yourself a big pat on the back for what you are doing! Deb

Best of luck - let us know how you do!!!! Deb

Thanks for the great ideas. I think I will go get a calendar and a journal and start tracking. I will tak my measurements today and track those. I have decided not to weigh myself at home - I want to wait and get weighed again at the surgeon's office when I do my pre-op. I did have my husband take some "before" pix of me that I hope I never look like again! Deb

I use the store brand that I get at Whole Foods. It is in a blue can and just says Soy Protein Powder on it. A scoop has 110 calories, 1 gram of fat, no sauturated fat, no transfat, and no carbs or sugars. I like the flavor fine, but then I am not very picky. It does have a gritty texture with water. It would probably mix better with soy milk. It comes in Vanilla and Chocolate. I hope it works for you. I have not been able to find a ready to drink shake with soy and not a lot of carbs.

I saw my surgeon today and he said I have everything in order for getting approved. Said I should know in a week or so and be set for surgery within 3 weeks. I am excited.:scared2: I only have to do two days of liquid and lose 3 pounds before surgery. However, I am ready to get started. I need some ideas of things others did that helped get prepared. I stopped drinking pop 10 days ago - not a bad as I thought it might be. I have a Protein powder I like (I am allergic to dairy so I have found a soy product with no carbs, one gram of fat and 24 grams of protein). I have found I like it ok with just Water and Crystal Light. I plan to start having Protein Powder drink for Breakfast and lunch and do a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I want to have my protein stores built up and my liver leaner by losing weight before I face the surgery. I have started on liquid Vitamins, Calcium, etc. I plan on seeing my docotr to find out what meds he wants me to continue and how to get liquid or can I crush them. I would welcome any other suggests of things that helped other people get prepared and do well in surgery and after. Thanks for your help in this. Debra:thumbup:

I had mine done a week before the new laparoscopy started at the hospital I was at. I was so sick I was not willing to wait four days until the new surgery started!

My surgeon said it makes it a bit harder if you have the old style and might have some scar tissue around the big incision. He said the surgery takes about 10 minutes longer but it doesn't prevent it.

I have BC/BS and have been working with a health advocate nurse. She is supposed to help you get all your ducks in a row before the info goes to the company for approval. It has been a long slow process. I went to my first seminar in October last year, found out I could not start the process until January. In Jan I started working with her and found out the surgeon I chose did not go to the right hospital so I had to find a surgeon that met all the requirements. She walked me through everything necessary to get approved. I finally have jumped through all the hoops and am seeing my surgeon this week. His nurse said I should be approved and scheduled for surgery within 3 weeks. What I learned is you can't rush the process. Just work with them and you will eventually get there. Debra

I had the sleep study done last summer. I did not think I had apnea, but I do. Using a C-Pap has been very helpful. I feel so much better. I did not sleep well, but around 3:00 I finally fell asleep and they saw the apnea. I hope that being banded and losing weight will result in not needing the c-pap any more. Go ahead and do it. If it is required, just go for it.

I got a C-pap lat summer. I tried a mask first, but had the same problem. I got a mask that is a strap around the head at the fore head and a tub that runs down the front , away from my face and turns under. It has nasal pillows that slip into your nose a short way. It is called a Respironics Comfort Lite II. I was a mouth breather too, but if you open your mouth, it makes a big sucking sound and feels weird. It would wake me up and in just a short time, I learned to sleep with my mouth closed. it has no cheek straps and I can sleep on either side. It also doens't leave pressure marks on my face with no straps. It looked like it would be hard to keep in place, but it actually is easier than the mask I had. One secret I learned is to use moisturizer, not petroleum products like Vasoline, and the plastic adhears better. If you truly have apnea and get a mask you can be comfortable with, you will be anazed how much better you will feel. I never take even a nap without it now! Good luck!

Sounds painful. If you lose a lot of weight and feel like getting more active, you will probably want to have it taken care of. I can see why you would not want to be on crutches. I could never lug my weight on crutches - I have enough trouble just on normal stairs LOL. Deb

I have bone spurs in both heels. My doctor said the bone spurs are not the problem, but a symptom of the problem. The problem is the ligament in the bottom of your foot that loses stretch over time. (Look up plantar fasciitis). It pulls away from the bone and the bone lays down new bone tissue (the bone spur) to try and protect it. I got custom orthotics from a podiatrist and all my pain went away. I did not have the bone spurs removed. I would look further before I had surgery on bone spurs. My asthma started after I gained a lot of weight. I am not expecting to be "cured" but using less meds would be wonderful and breathing easier would be fabulous! Deb

Thanks. I have seen several things on the internet saying it probably will help. I was unaware of that, but one more great reason to go for it!!!