losing4life

good luck!!!

Just ask once in awhile (till your date) if there are any tests or paperwork they still need at the surgeon's office. Just in case, because it is never nice to get a call at the last minute saying they're missing something. Other than that, good luck to you, hope you're pre-op diet isn't too horrid. :thumbup:

My surgeon didn't make a big deal out of the calories. I have to have a lite Protein shake twice daily and one meal that consists of lean meat and veggies (as many veggies as I want). I also get one piece of fruit. Not bad really. How long do you have to go? You'll get through it!

The best thing I can tell you is to talk to the surgeon's office or place where you will get the fills. Maybe try asking in the Post-op forum, their might be more people there who have an idea for you. Good luck.

$12,900 covers everything at True Results in Houston, TX. It even includes some fills. See if there is one in Dallas

You know what I think you should do? Visit the section about Pre-op testing. there are answers there about why or if you may beed a certain test.

Congratulations! I'm glad you feel good, I'll be banded day after tomorrow.

I guess I need to clarify. I have been evaluated for this surgery since 2007, once a year, being told over and over my plan excludes it. I had the GERD, nausea & other fun stuff since 2006. Have slept sitting up since then. Treid a special diet in 2007 and lost my gallbladder, THANK YOU. Next month my foot broke-from overuse? Yes, from walking in the store and to and from class? Again, I approached about the surgery, no good. Insurance won't cover it and I couldn't get a loan. DIagnosed with plantar fasciitis and 2 heel spurs, now wearing special inserts. I did not have the procedure done that found my hiatal hernia until Feb 2009. Fed up, I started walking four times a week. My back started aching. I had a full work up of tests run... somewhere in the vicinity of ten. I had a back X-ray. I'm so darn NORMAL when the tests come back... Two months into the workout I was having back spasms every few weeks and the pain in my back and feet were a constant. I quit working out and pulled out the number for the surgery center once again. I called all the hospitals and nearby surgeons and got quotes. My insurance said no, the hospital said ask about the hiatal hernia. Now there was some small hope, but I could already feel depression creeping back into my life. I was already having quick dreams about bad things happening to people I love (that's how mine started before). My mom said she would pay and I jumped on it. The surgeon said they could send my results in but that I may have to do a study. i was so unhappy, my mom just told him that she would pay. I went to the eval, but I didn't need to have extra tests run because I had them in February, May and June. This woman hadn't seen a PCP in years, I see mine almost monthly. That's the difference.

Thanks, BG!

Well,I'm just two days away from the BigBand placement... nerves kicked it just thinkin' 'bout it. I am a bit miffed though because the nurse said that I won't get a call about my surgery time (or arrival) until tomorrow. ONE day before surgery... so frustrating.:cursing: I understand that there are emaergency patients that take precedence, i.e. Diabetics, but why only one day's notice? :cursing: Bummer.:cursing:

Well,I'm just two days away from the BigBand placement... nerves kicked it just thinkin' 'bout it. I am a bit miffed though because the nurse said that I won't get a call about my surgery time (or arrival) until tomorrow. ONE day before surgery... so frustrating.:smile: I understand that there are emaergency patients that take precedence, i.e. Diabetics, but why only one day's notice? Bummer.:thumbup:

Once you were approved for surgery, how long before your date did you know what time you were to be in at the hospital? My surgery is on Friday, July 24 (2 days away), and they are telling me today that they always call the day before to schedule because of emergency patients. Anyone else experience this? It's slightly frustrating.

I think the only way you can get around running a lot of tests is to self-pay. My option was fall into depression because the pain was becoming too great, while I sit around and wait for a few months worth of tests to be run on the hiatal hernia I've already been diagnosed with. No thanks. I am very lucky because my mom has paid for the surgery in full. Good luck to you in whatever route you choose.

Sorry you had to suffer some after that, maybe they should've kept you at the surgery center a bit longer for the nauseating effects to wear off some. I'm glad to hear you are really only a little sore because that bodes well for me. I'm famiiar with the gas pain, as I had it twice; once with a c-section & another time I had my gallbladder removed. Good luck to you!

We are going to be banded the same day! :bored: But you're lucky because I still don't have the time of the surgery yet. I was told I will get a call tomorrow. Sorry you are on full liquids, ugh. I can say I followed my pre-op diet fairly well. The only cheating may have involved one or two extra bits of Protein and extra veggies. I think since I have lost 17 pounds since july 8, my liver should be lean as you please. :thumbup:I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I've read that some doctors prefer you not eat mushies, that you go from liquid to solid... guess it just depends on the surgeon. I think I may be going from full liquid to solids-not even 100% sure. My sheet says you can thin mash potatoes & refried Beans by putting them in the blender or processor. What kind of place do you work at? This decision is difficult. I chose to be up front with my boss eventually because she had mentioned to me before how she can't stand lying and she really is interested in my health and getting me back after the surgery. I knew I would feel really bad if I wasn't up front. You just have to decide what's best for you.

I haven't tried Isopure, although it doesn't sound too great to me. I really was surprised I liked the ready to drink EAS Myoplex, though. The vanilla is wonderful & creamy-great Breakfast. I like having the Atkins chocolate at night, because it really does taste like milk chocolate. I defintely prefer the creaminess of the shake to something more watery because it just feels like you're getting more. The morning shakes are usually 20 gm Protein and the evening I have either 11-15 gm protein. Always light versions.

Sounds like you have a great support system. Great loss! Good luck to you, I'm sure you won't miss anything in New York now!

I will be banded July 24 in Houston, TX by Dr. Ken Hollis. I started the pre-op diet on July 8 and I've turned down cookies, meals, brownies, donuts, and cake... all in my own office since that day! Yesterday I watched John Tucker Must Die and there is a point where he chows down on a Hershey Bar (my destruction of choice) and that was the first time I missed chocolate! I am already down 17 pounds, so hopefully that means my liver will be ready for surgery! Diet: I'm on a two protein shake, one lean meat with veggies meal, & one fruit a day plan. This has been a decent experience so far, and I look forward to making further progress post-surgery. So, what is the July bandster group name, anyway?

I have been feeling great lately, maybe due to my often empty stomach. Only thing that has continued to bother me is my new bowel pattern. Started a couple of weeks back and it's just odd. I get a wave of nausea, that is so bad and then I have to get to a restroom soon after. Sometimes I have nausea without any bowel movement, but that is not as bad. Has anyone ever experienced the nausea/bowel thing and had a diagnosis? I want to contribute it to my growing stomach issues (hiatal hernia) but how? Well, that aside, I feel great. Happy Wednesday!:blushing:

I have been feeling great lately, maybe due to my often empty stomach. Only thing that has continued to bother me is my new bowel pattern. Started a couple of weeks back and it's just odd. I get a wave of nausea, that is so bad and then I have to get to a restroom soon after. Sometimes I have nausea without any bowel movement, but that is not as bad. Has anyone ever experienced the nausea/bowel thing and had a diagnosis? I want to contribute it to my growing stomach issues (hiatal hernia) but how? Well, that aside, I feel great. Happy Wednesday!

Thanks Susan!

Good luck! I got pregnant with my first child (surprise after 7 years of marriage) when I weighed 285 lbs. It was NOT easy. I imagine that is the reason your OB/Gyn was hard on you. I had all the unusual pregnancy symptoms-might've just as well chucked the "What to Expect" book out the window. I'm glad you have new doctors, if you can't get compassion with all the $$$ they get from you, then On To The Next!

:smile2:Hello, I'm about 10 days pre-op right now. Have been visiting with someone from the surgeon's office on & off since 2007 trying to get insurance coverage. Finally have means to self pay. Saw Dr. Ken Hollis on July7, went for evalution on the 10th, and have surgery scheduled for the 24th! Funny thing is that I had scheduled to go to the seminar earlier on and it happens to be the day after my surgery. I know it isn't as fast as gastric bypass, but it is so much better because now I have the tool to help me consistently lose. I am so thrilled. What is exciting right now is the pre-op diet results. I'm down 13.5 lbs in seven days! It's even that time of the month & I'm losing!

Today I am about 11 days away from my surgery. I met with the doctor on July 7 & weighed 309 lbs. Friday I was 299 lbs and I met with the nurse for my evaluation. We sent for my last lab results that my doctor requested. Today I'm at 296 because of the pre-op diet. Tomorrow I need to call the office and double check that they have received everything they need. Can Hardly Wait:smile2: