palmtreegirl70

Hi friends. Well, I am banded! My long journey since November has finally paid off. I came home from the hospital this afternoon. Everything is going well so far. I have very little gas pain. My doctor did the single-incision in the belly button, so my pain is very minimal as well. Right now my biggest fear is eating and drinking. I don't want to throw up! I have had a popsicle, a few sips of Special K Protein Water, and a few bites of Jello. How do I know how much I can eat without getting sick?

I had my surgery yesterday. Everything went very well. It was a piece of cake. I had to spend the night in the hospital (which I was happy about). The staff has been wonderful. I just had my barium swallow to make sure everything is flowing correctly, and I am now waiting for my doctor to come in and relelase me. The waiting was the very worst part. I am so excited that I am banded!!! I don't remember anything once they rolled me into the operating room. Getting tubed bothered me a lot, but if they wouldn't have told me I never would have known! They put it in and took it out while I was sleeping. I was down 33 pounds yesterday, so I am pumped that I am on my way. Best of luck to those of you in pre-op stages!

My surgeon uses this, and I am going in for surgery on Monday. I have heard the recovery is much faster, too.

Thanks for the support. It has been a lot harder on the liquid diet than I thought. I actually broke down and had 2 saltine crackers this afternoon because I was so shaky and dizzy. I hope I haven't messed up my liver from this. I wish I could have a Protein shake or bar at this point. Clear liquids only. I am so upset at myself for giving in and hope I haven't ruined my chances of success. I had chicken broth tonight seasoned with a ton of pepper and it actually tasted really good. My surgery is scheduled for Monday. I have gotten my head back in the game with the help of my therapist and my wonderful husband. Thank you to all of you for your encouraging words. The friends on this board are such a blessing on this journey!

Today is day 4 of my pre-op all liquid diet. I am going crazy. My head hurts, I have no energy, I am hungry, and I am very irritable. I had a major melt-down last night and told my husband that I didn't think I could do this. I have worked so hard to make this surgery happen, but I do not know if I am strong enough to do this.

Hey Dave! I, too, am a patient of Dr. Wagner. I actually went to St. Alexius today for all of my pre-op testing. I am a nervous wreck now; it all seems very real and I am doing a lot of second-guessing of myself. My surgery is on Monday, and I am now trying to survive my pre-op liquid diet. I keep thinking about chips and salsa, but I've been settling for SF raspberry Jello. I'm glad that things went well for you. How did you do getting up and moving around? I'm taking 3 days off from work, but going back to work for the last 1 1/2 days of school at the end of next week. I know I will have to take it very easy, but I hate to miss the last two days of school with my students! Keep in touch!

I, too, had to go through a 6 month waiting period for my insurance to cover the surgery. I was so frustrated to have to wait, but now I am so grateful that I had a waiting period to prepare for surgery. There is a lot of information to learn about the band, and I really was clueless about how it worked and what to expect. The waiting period also allowed me to mentally prepare for my surgery. I used the time to slowly wrap my mind around the ENORMOUS life changes I would endure in order to succeed with the band. Use this time to ready yourself for the surgery. It took me almost 4 months into my waiting period before it finally "clicked" for me. Only then did I get into the zone and start making lifestyle changes that will help me be successful with the band -- exercising, smarter choices, and a commitment to my health. Best of luck to you!

Hi! My surgery is one week from today. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. Today is the start of my liquid pre-op diet: sugar-free Jello, sugar-free popsicles, Crystal Light, broth, and Water. I have been mentally preparing myself for this day, and I am ready to rock it this next week. I was down 20 lbs today! My pre-op testing is tomorrow. I am a bit overwhelmed by how many tests I have to undergo tomorrow, but I would rather them be overly cautious than run into problems next Monday! I am required to stay in the hospital for one night. My daughter has her 6th grade graduation on Wednesday. I hope that I am okay to go to it; she would be devastated if I missed it! I have recovered really well from two C-sections; my OB told me my body heals very well. I hope it doesn't let me down now. How long before I will be able to drive? I am planning to return to work on Thursday for the last 2 days of school before summer vacation. I am still looking for a buddy who is having surgery around the same time. Thanks to everyone for the support on here!

I am not sure what my level was on my Vitamin D. I am taking one capsule once a week for 4 weeks and then once a month. My PCP had my level checked after I spoke to the dietician, and she wanted to recheck my cholesterol levels anyway. More energy would be great, but hopefully dropping some weight in the coming months will help with this as well!

Hi all. My surgery date is right around the corner (May 17). I am looking for someone having surgery around the same time and who has similar goals to buddy with to share in this journey. I begin my liquid diet on Monday the 10th. I went to the grocery store to stock up on things that I can have on my pre-op diet last night, and I think the reality finally hit me. It was very emotional and overwhelming to me. This is it. Private message me if you are interested!

My doctor just called this week with results from my blood work, and I have been prescribed 50,000IU capsules as well. What difference can you tell taking them? Is it energy?

I have to go to a 2-hour class next Tuesday before my surgery on the 17th. I also have to get blood work, an upper GI, chest x-ray, bilateral venous doppler, gall bladder ultrasound, an EKG and a PFT. WOW!!!! Are all of these tests pretty normal? I am in good health (except for the extra weight!). I was a bit freaked out when I got my schedule for Tuesday. It is a full 9 hour day of testing! Now that the reality of having the surgery is here, I am getting a major case of the jitters!

Hi May Bandsters! I just received my insurance approval yesterday, and my surgery is scheduled for May 17th with my pre-op testing on the 11th. I am so excited. My doctor, Van Wagner in St. Louis, requires a 7-day clear liquid diet before surgery. I am mentally gearing up for that as I know it will be a definite challenge. Crystal Light, sugar free Jello and popsicles, and broth...OH MY! :bored: I am keeping my eye on the big picture! Best of luck to everyone!

I dread the liquid diet, but I know that it is necessary to reach my goals. I am grateful that it begins after Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day! :biggrin: I totally understand the depression of wondering how we let ourselves get this big. I lost 80 lbs on my own 5 years ago, and after having a baby gained back every last pound and a few more. However, I refuse to be held captive by this excess weight. I am trying to keep my health as my number one priority. Best of luck on your surgery! I can't wait to read about more amazing results! Whoo-hoo!!!

Just found out my surgery date is May 17th!!! I begin my liquid diet on Monday, May 10th. I can't believe this is finally happening.

I just got word that my insurance approved my surgery!!! This has been such a long road beginning 6 years ago when I initially wanted gastric bypass. My insurance through my job won't cover WLS, so I finally got creative and added my hubby's insurance as secondary insurance effective 1/1/10. After completing my 6 month supervised diet last week, I am scheduled for my surgery on Monday, May 17. I am so excited, scared, shocked, and giddy all at the same time. I am so ready for this next stage of my life. This board has been an inspiration to me over the past few months. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to post, respond, and encourage others.

Hi! Can anyone give me some insight into the pre-op diet that Dr. Wagner requires for the week before surgery? I would like to start stocking up for the beginning of my liquid diet on the 10th! Thank you so much!!!

Hi there. I, too, was scared to talk to my primary care physician about WLS back in October. When I brought it up, she said she couldn't support me having gastric bypass, but that she was 100% supportive of Lap-Band surgery. She has been one of my biggest supporters in my journey to surgery. Talk to your doctor...be honest with your reasons and your hopes for not just weight loss for aesthetic value, but for your health. Good luck to you!

23 lbs is awesome in 3 months!:thumbup: I am actually very glad that my insurance required a waiting period. It took me almost 4 months to really get into the mind-set that the band would not be a magic cure for me, but that it would only be a tool. Sometime in mid-March it clicked with me, and I have since lost 15 lbs. These new habits (drinking tons of Water, exercising, being conscious of what and when I eat) are going to be essential for me to have success with the band. I have used this time to read as much as I can about the band, and I feel that I have a much clearer idea of the reality of living a banded life. I am a little worried about the liquid diet, but I know that no matter how hard it will be that I can do it. My hubby has even offered to go on the liquid diet with me to support me. I am now getting the jitters about insurance. My surgeon's insurance coordinator has done an awesome job, and she assures me that everything is in order. However, my mind is playing tricks on me and I keep worrying that this hope will be yanked from underneath me at any time. I tell that voice in my head to SHUT UP on a daily basis.

Here is my list of what I want after: To be able to teach my 7th graders without feeling self-conscious in front of them. To be able to go to the doctor and not dread getting on the scale. To be able to go to Victoria's Secret and get sexy lingerie. To be able to go to Six Flags and not worry while waiting whether I will fit into the ride. To be able to fly and not worry about whether the seat belt will fasten. To be able to buy that black, sexy, sleeveless dress and look HOT in it. To be able to walk into a store, see a shirt that I like and buy it in a "medium". To be able to go to the pool and walk around without wrapping a sarong around my hips and thighs. To skinny-dip in the ocean with my husband and not care if we are seen! :thumbup: To be able to be with my husband and feel confident in myself. To be able to run a 10K run in October. To be able to live a healthy life free from the chains of carrying around 100+ extra pounds. To have confidence in myself...to see myself as beautiful. To be able to do ANYTHING that I want to do...bungee jump, zip-line...whatever comes my way. I finally believe that this life can and finally will be mine.

Yeah!!! I am so glad to hear that things went well for you today. My tentative surgery date is May 17th as well. I go tomorrow for my final appointment to complete my 6 month doctor supervised diet and exercise. I have lost 15 pounds. Hopefully I will get final insurance approval next week, and then pre-op testing on the 11th. I'm so ready for this!

Hi Leslie! Greetings from about 50 miles north of you! Welcome to this forum. It is a great place for making connections with others on this journey. I am finishing up my 6-month doctor supervised diet next week, and I hope to have surgery on May 17th. Who is your doctor, and where are you going for your procedure? Best of luck to you!!!

I am hopefully a May bandster as well! I am finishing up my 6 month doctor supervised diet/exercise plan at the end of April. My surgeon's office tells me Cigna is extremely fast in approving once all prerequisites are done. So...we have a tentative date of May 17th! That is one month from today! I am tired of waiting, too. I want to move forward with this! I am second guessing everything about myself right now...is this the right move for me? What if I fail at this? Should I just have gastric bypass because I know I will lose a lot of weight in a short period of time? Lap-Band vs. Realize Band? My mind is also racing a million thoughts per minute. I read hundreds of posts a day on here, and I also look at all of the pictures and still can't wrap my mind around the fact that this could possibly happen to me. It is almost as if I don't believe I deserve it. Ahhh...the devil sure likes to play tricks in our minds, huh? Keep in touch...I need all the support I can get!

Devana, So...how did you deal with the mourning of food and your relationship with it? I am getting very close to my banding, and I am really struggling with the mental aspect of the surgery. I am so scared of failing with yet another weight loss "tool".

Thank you to all of you for your words of encouragement. It was one bad day, but I really didn't let it get to me. I got on the scale this weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see that I have lost 7 lbs in the past 2 weeks through smarter food choices and daily exercise. You would think that I would not let a bratty teenager get to me as I have taught in a middle school for the past 16 years. It just really got to me because I see myself as a "fatso" right now, too. Ainnjay -- I am a big believer in therapy. I have been in it for almost 7 years, and it is helping me get to the core issues of how I have allowed myself to eat my way to 280 lbs. I think everyone could benefit from it. It is the best thing that I have ever done for myself! One more question....did anyone have to keep a caloric intake/exercise journal for insurance purposes? I am supposed to turn one in, but it wasn't given to me at the beginning of my 6 month period. Now I have to go back and fill in the blanks, and I don't even know how to do that! The support from you ladies has been so important to me over the past month. Thank you for giving me the gift of your on-line friendships!