Cherishthepast

I was banded Monday, Aug 10th:thumbup:. I'm sore still, most of my discomfort appears to be from the hiatel hernia repair; a little discomfort near the incisions. My biggest complaint is that I'm so very tired. I'm walking around the yard and the house to keep gas at bay - I'm just extremely fatigued and worry if this will pass in the next week as I'm scheduled to return to work on the 24th. I'll bring this up with the dr Thursday when I return for my follow up appt. By the way, I can't wait to get a good nights sleep; sleeping with 3 pillows bracing me doesn't make for comfortable sleep.

BethfromVA, after speaking with the psychiatrist I informed him that I would most likely come back and wanted to make certain that I had ALL the tools available to assist me with succeeding. Dr H - the therapist wholeheartedly agreed that using him, and support groups are the best avenues to success. I'm very fortunate that I have the support of my family and Drs (Surgeon, Internist and Psych) to lean on and plan to do just that. I feel like crap now - surgery was just 2 days ago. I'm walking alot and using hand weights as ordered by the surgeon to get some exercise in. My spirits are lifted everytime I check the scale and see another pound gone.

Well, there's nothing like a good healthy debate.... I stuck to my pre-op diet to the letter and have lost 10 lbs in 7 days. My surgery is today at 2:30; still not nervous just ready to start this new chapter in my life. Will I CHEAT ever... this I can't say, but one thing that I'm certain of is that I LOVE MYSELF and will do my best (come hell or high waters) to succeed. Having major surgery is nothing to take lightly. It took me 2 years of soul searching to finally say that I was prepared to give this my ALL. Looking forward to joining the ranks of the BANDED - counting the hours...

Yes, I'm still new here and have not been banded yet - scheduled for Monday 8/10; but after reading a number of threads/posts I wonder why so many people are out to sabotage themselves? Why nibble that piece of chicken when your Dr. says liquid only... Falling off the wagon only hurts you and the outcome (success) you deserve. Believe me, these few days of the pre-op liquid diet haven't been easy - I continue to remind myself that nothing worth having is ever easy. I'm not judging - who am I to judge... Yes, I want something crunchy to eat and Yes, that Chinese food my husband ate last night was tempting and Yes, I want things to eat now that never crossed my mind in the past and Yes, I know that this is only the beginning and after surgery I'll be in band HELL as many of you have mentioned But, the thought of finally being in good health and more importantly being able to have tremendous acrobatic sex :tongue2: with my husband outweighs the urge to cheat. In addition, I have visions of wearing a 2-piece bathing suit next summer for the first time in over 20 years. :tt2: I owe this to myself, just as you all owe it to yourselves.

I just started my 7-day pre-op diet today. I have been instructed to have at least 100 grams of Protein and NO MORE than 75 grams of carbs each day. I'm allowed to have creamy Soups, yogurt, broths... and as many calorie free beverages (water, crystal lite, other sugar free beverages) as I want. I started my day w/ Isopure (grape frost) 40g protein no carbs. I have V8 Garden Broccoli soup planned for lunch. I have unjury unflavored protein, that I plan to add to smoothies, and my soup at dinner. Then end each day with another 40g protein Isopure. At least this is the plan, I'm sure I'll grow tired of this. However, I'll try to remember what I tell my kids "nothing worth having is easy":wink:.

Hello! No, you're not the only one. Someone else started a thread awhile ago asking for August banders to respond. Here's the link. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/ok-who-has-august-surgery-date-95050/

Hello, I haven't had surgery yet and can't supply first hand knowledge; but, thought you may find this useful. My Dr. has told me to take pepsid AC and mylanta everyday after surgery (scheduled for 8/10). The pepsid AC he instructed me to take each and everyday - forever... Hang in there, I'm counting the days until I'm where you are.

Thanks! Your responses really helps me gauge what I have to look forward to.

RestlessMonkey - so was the pain/discomfort comparable? I had both the gallbladder and appendics removed laproscopically - the surgeon will do his best to used the same incisions. I didn't find recovering from either procedure terrible and just curious if the pain is the same. Thanks!

your appendics removed? I've had both removed and wondered if this is the type of discomfort I should expect after surgery for the band?

Congratulations! This is the perfect forum to get support, everyone is very encouraging and best of all we share something very special - we're all working to change our lives for the better. Please keep us posted on your progress.

BCBS MA required Psych, Nutrition and Cardiologist, supervised diet wasn't required. I was approved w/n a week of submitting the paperwork.

LL67 - I'm also scheduled for the 10th. I've tried a number of Protein drinks as I didn't want to wait until that was all I could have to try taste testing. I tend to like drinks that aren't milk based, I've tried and like Isopure (grape frost, fruit punch and orange), which contains 40g of Protein w/zero carbs. I've ordered samples of unjury vanilla, chicken Soup and unflavored - the unflavored mixes well w/yogurt... I can tolerate the GNC 100% whey (Vanilla), it has a strange aftertaste. Also, I've ordered samples from vitalady.com of nectar products, I understand that the roadside lemonade is wonderful. I've ordered samples of all flavors, which I haven't received yet. I plan to order larger quantities once I decide what I like best. Some of the individuals here have recommended adding frozen fruit, crystal light and Peanut Butter to various milk based drinks to add a little zest. I understand that adding orange flavored crystal light to the vanilla Protein Drink, results in a dreamsicle flavor - haven't tried it yet. Hope this helps.

After reading several threads/posts, it appears that many receive their first fill during the surgery while others receive it 6 weeks later. I wanted to know if the individuals that receive the fills during surgery heal at the same rate? Again, just curious and wondering if it worth discussing with the surgeon. Thanks in advance for your replies and patience.

Hello! Thanks so very much for all of your responses; they have really aided in me having a better understanding that 7 days isn't odd. Thanks!!!

Hello! I'm scheduled for surgery 8/10, I'm told to start the pre-op liquid diet on 8/3. I've notice that many individuals are on 2-3 week liquid diets prior to surgery. Is this unusual? Have others also done a 1-week liquid diet pre-op?

Received approval today and have a date - August 10th. YIPPEE!:thumbdown:

HELLO!!! I received approval today. Surgery is scheduled for August 10th. Thanks so very much for your words of advice.

Currently waiting insurance approval; shooting for mid-August.

THANKS!!!! That's great to hear.

unfortunately, patience isn't one of my virtues :thumbup:

I'm hanging in there. The person that handles insurance submissions at the surgeons office told me earlier this week that they're really fast (BCBSMA), she expects to have an answer this week - keeping fingers, toes and eyes crossed... I'll keep you posted and would love for you to do the same.

Hiding from the camera. I can't wait to feel comfortable enough to stand proudly in front of a camera. I take the occassional pic, but do my very best to stay behind the camera. I swear the camera puts 30 additonal pounds on you. Is it my imagination (probably) that we often feel and perceive ourselves differently from the image the camera projects? People often gasp when I tell them how much I weigh (currently 222) - I hear "you look great!" "why are you trying to lose weight?". I actually heard these very comments from my General Practioners receptionist. She pulled me aside and said that she saw the letter my dr was sending to the surgeon and really didn't know why I would do such a thing (weight loss surgery) when I looked so good. Perhaps I should share some of my photos with her since she appears to see the person I sometimes perceive : o } At any rate, I'm waiting impatiently for insurance approval and can't wait to meet the person that's hiding behind the 90 plus extra pounds.

Whatever the saying, I'm anxiously waiting to hear back from my insurance BCBS MA. Can't sleep, eat or think straight; I guess the can't eat is a good thing. I've jumped through all the hoops and would be crushed if this didn't happened. Okay, I know - I'm doing my best to think along the lines that the glass is half full and this will be fine. I know there shouldn't be any issues as a co-worker was approved and had bypass surgery in February 09; she says that they received approval w/n 2 business days. It's only been 3 days and I'm losing my mind. How in the heck did you guys make it through the wait?

I enjoy gardening, reading and cooking. After an afternoon of gardening there's nothing I enjoy more than relaxing with a good book (murder mystery, historic/paranormal (vampire, fae, highlander) romance...). In lieu of days and days of working out at the gym, I've decided to take belly dance and salsa lessons (salsa w/hubby). As my surgeon strongly suggests that the key is to keep active. Find something you enjoy (swimming, hiking, badmitton, dance....) and go for it. He says that most people stop working out due to bordom - his words, "spice it up". Can't get much spicier than belly dancing - can't wait. Yep, I've signed up and am ready to shake my "BIG" soon to be smaller belly.:eek: