NYSparklegirl

Hi all. well....its been a week since joining this thread....and I am sooo happy I have found you all.

I have spent the week surfing this site and I cant get enough of it. I have found the information helpful, supportive, and educational. Everyone seems to want to share their experiences and connect with others who are willing to share their own experiences with others....so, thank you for making the beginning of this journey for me easier!!!

I hope I can do the same for everyone here and to come!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. My mother came to visit me and my daughter for the weekend. Of course, I cooked for the sabbath as I usually do every Friday afternoon. I am a quasi orthodox jew....lol cant think of a better way to describe what type of I am....quasi meaning.....sometimes?? when its convenient? when my daughter is home??

Talk about catholic school experiences?? I could tell you some experiences about Hebrew School in NY that would have everyone in stiches...however it would take all night...lets just leave it as.....with a question....

Are the pack of cigarettes that we hid in the fake plant in the 5th grade in the girls bathroom still there? You all could imagine how the two hours were spent two days a week after school doing.

Some where along the way I found the true beuty of judiasm however....the practical side of it was always hard to follow...hence the quasi Jew....that I am.

Unfortunately the one of the beutiful aspects that I really was able to catch on to......was the glorius food!! Fat enhanced at any given chance...carbs gallore...as in Europe where my ancestors were from vegetables were considered a potato! Cooking every Friday..three to four course meals for Friday nights, Sat lunches and Holidays that consist of three two four meals like this for three meals a day....well.....lets just say I learned to cook the way they did in the old country!

This has got to change....and Ive been trying..but to getting to the point of all this...I cooked some healthier choices from the natural Kosher cookbook....um well....this didnt go over to well. My daughter wasnt happy that there wasnt fat dripping from the chicken..and there was baked sweet potato pie...instead of heavy fat laden potato kugel. (kind of like cake) and ohhh the eye brow raisings that came along after the chulent (traditional sat meal) which i made with Beans and sweet potato and no meat, potatoe, barley, chicken fat or marach bones. Suffice to say....Im in trouble!!! Ill be working for the next two months on making delicious healthy meals...that if and when I ever decide up to having guests over again for any sabbath or holiday meal everyone will be happy with...even my daughter! Any suggestions will be accepted happily!

Tomorrow..I start my two week antibiotic for a stomach germ...forgot the name. I recieved my results from baritric doctor that I tested positive for this germ....which could cause ulcers so good we found it now.

One night I go to have a sleep study to try out the CPAP and get that started...not looking forward to leaving my daughter again so soon for a night...as she gets nurvous still when I go out and leave her for medical reasons.....I think that she thinks that I am have some other more serious medical concerns that im not telling her about but I keep assuring her that this is serious but not life threatening ...only if I dont do this it will be....I let her come to the basic doctors apt to reasure her....however she doesnt trust so easily any more...after all her father told her he was in excellent health when um he wasnt and then had a heart attack and didnt make it to tell her that it was because of his health issues..so I have to be careful and tell her the truth and try to weed out what she doesnt need to know..or see as well...after all shes only 10!!

Lastly, tomorrow is my psych eval. hmm that should be interesting. Like Ive said in my orriginal posts...this is the eval I am most dredding. Not sure really why. Maybe I jsut dont want to talk focus on the past anymore but want to focus on the future. Intake history is a must sooo ill be talking about the past ten yrs..and frankly I dont want to hear about wow and you arent in therapy?? You should be...you know after all so much to deal with. ahum. yes indeed...but no one can change it and make it go away or make it better.....only me....sooo If I say this...then the ultimate response....okay,.....ill give you the clearance but id like you to continue seing me...which I will say....no thank you I just need you to understand why Im doing this andthat I understand that I need to change the way I "think" about food and the way it affects my life. and he will be insulted that that is what im there for.....and continuing to see him will only add pressure to my allready pressured day.

Okay....im truly a NYker rude?? I so dont want to be so....id like to get this part over and get on with the rest of my process.....medical testing..no talking necesary.

well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week..those who are getting ready or who have started their pre=op diets I hope all goes well. GOOD LUCK.

Jodi

Welcome Helen,

Every doctor is different in what kind of pre-op diet they require their patient to do. You might want to give your doctor's office a call and have them provide you with a list of foods. There are quite a few of us on this thread and I'd be willing to bet that most of our diets were different. Always best to check with your own doctor.

Also, the pre-op jitters are pretty normal. There's the surgery, the wondering of what will be after, how a person will handle being banded. We have people in all stages on this thread and it might help you to have a place to go for support...such as this thread.

If your doctor did provide you with a list of foods, let us know what those are. Also, make sure you have a list of what it required after surgery.

In the mean time, try to do as much studying as you can about the LAP-BAND® and what is to come. Lap Band Talk is a great place to find information. This thread is a place where you can ask any question and will most likely get an answer.

Come back and tell us a little about yourself, etc. Good luck!

NY~ I have sleep apnea too (also diagnosed prior to my band surgery) and so do several others on this thread. I also thought I was waking up b/c of my son or that cats or the outside noise. What will be more interesting when you go to the pulmonologist is to find out what your oxygen level drops to during these periods also. It is treatable- they will likely prescribe a cpap machine. And then losing weight is the next step. I thought I would NEVER be able to sleep with it (before I got it) and now I can't hardly sleep without it. With 86 lbs gone my sleep apnea and snoring have all but stopped!!! I still LOVE my cpap machine b/c of the humidifier- it really helps my allergies/stuffiness. I have not gone for the repeat sleep study- which they ordered but I just haven't felt like doing it. I know I should! But that being said, I feel 100% since using the CPAP. I started dreaming again and waking up refreshed. I thought being tired was ONLY b/c of my weight but I realize now that the oxygen deprivation was MOST of it! A few days after I started using the CPAP my tiredness went away. It is also ONE of the most undiagnosed causes of high blood pressure in obese people. My high BP went away before I lost much weight- so I am convinced it was my sleep apnea. I am off all my meds except prilosec, Vitamins and baby aspirin. Good luck with the first step of your new life. I am sorry your surgery is delayed, but it is necessary.

Let us know what he says!! Good luck!

Thank you so much.,...Thanks to your post.....Im actually looking forward to getting the CPAP! (tollerable) but am looking forward to sleeping through the night and not having allergies bother me every morning!!

Helen,

Welcome!! I havent started any preop diet....hoewever I just met with the nutritionist who gave me a post op diet to follow from www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com perhaps they have a pre-op diet as well that you can look at and follow.

The post op diet seems to be fesible to think about following....I hope lol

Good luck

#1. Surgery date? 2/2/2010

#2. State you live in? NY

#3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr Nick Gabriel

#4. Insurance or self pay? insurance

#5. Age and height 39 yrs old 5'9 tall

#6. Current weight and goal weight? now 293 goal 170

#7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery?

My health

#7. Do you have the support of family and friends? some

I'm excited about doig this... I start pre op diet this coming Monday, 5 shakes a day that's it.....:w00t:

Hi Welcome!!! Im also in NY. Im using Long Island Bariatric with Dr. Holover. Good Luck with the Pre-diet on Monday. Im getting banded in March...was bumped from February to March so youl be letting me know how your doing,..but Ill support you all I can!!

Jodi

Hi Everyone,

#1. Surgery date? February 10, 2010

#2. State you live in? UK

#3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Stewart

#4. Insurance or self pay? Self Pay

#5. Age and height 40 5'2

#6. Current weight and goal weight? 218 & My goal ????

#7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? Tried all other diets and always put the weight back on

#7. Do you have the support of family and friends? YES

#8. Concerns and questions? Unsure how I'll cope with the liquid diet :w00t: will find out more about it on January 25th

It will be nice to hear how everyones doing & GOODLUCK to everyone. We can get through this

Glad to see you joined us here.....you will see alot of us have alot of the same concerns...as I have found out....so welcome and If I can help in any way.....Ill try!!!

Jodi

My surgery got moved to Feb. 9. That's only 1 day, so not a big deal.

As for the Preop diet. I am starting it today. I am hungry, but I'm trying not to think about it. Not doing very well though. I had to sit in my bedroom while my kids ate Breakfast.< /p>

It will get better!!! Just focus. Yes, one day isnt that bad...think of my month. lol

Good luck!!

Bummer about the delay.. but you will get there! We will all be there to support you when you DO get it done!

Thanks...and I will be here for you guys as well!!

Sparkle - I had surgery on Tues was back at work on Monday (desk job) and my insurance required overnight stay in the hospital - and I am glad I did - I needed the pain meds that 1st night - but again I don't think my pain tolerance is as high as others - alot go home that same day.. Truly dear there should be no complications and you should be up on your feet after a couple days - I remember by Friday I had company and was washing off the back patio - I wasn't moving super fast but I was moving...

Jewish :0) - I'm Catholic but my bff since I was 2 yrs old was Jewish - so I am a little familar with the holidays - sedar etc - plus I love the Peter & Rita Decker books that Faye Kellerman writes - Love Bagels & lox too ;0) - But gotta say my gf family weren't orthodox jews - I don't think they follow tradtions too much and I know they didn't eat Kosher either. heck she was at church more than temple and she celebrated haunkak (sp) & christmas..

Great - Yep his instructions 1 week each post op food plan - but hell I don't follow rules to well (did after surgery) but I will do liquids for the 1st day or 2 but then move to soft mushies.. No way could I do full liquids for a week - Once was enough..

Charlene - my dinner 4.5 oz steak 3/4 c butternut squash

Hugs about the weather and tummy issues.. I don't know the calories in the pretzels - Don't do them - will eat them if they are there but don't buy them :0)...

We must be getting you eastern/northern girls weather - I saw a glimist of the news - Rain next week with day time temps in the low 60's - I know that's summer for most of you but not us - that's true winter for us - Yea - I get to wear my sweaters a couple more times before I have to back up winter clothes..

Well gang I am pooped - I worked hard today - it was a busy day...

CBL

You have deff made me feel more comfortable and squelched my concerns regarding the dates in between all the holidays. Now that this isnt something im going to be obsessing over..ill concentrate now on the getting the CPAP set. I have to go to the sleep center again for this...so hopefully one night this week.

Its funny that you write about your friend who spent most of her time in your church...when I was younger..I also spent alot of time in my best friends church with her...when we were little. Much more fun then my synaguage was. lol

You brought back some good memories! Thanks

Ive recently had to change my surgery date from Feb 8th to March 15th due to my sleep study results which demonstrated severe sleep apnea and will need at least six weeks of treatment before the pulmonologist will give surgical clearance.

So I hope you all will allow me to join your thread.....I am now olmost finished running from doctor to doctor recieving consults and having exams....this was so exhausting but apparently necessary!!!! I have just one more consult to schedule...Psych! Saved that one for last. lol Figured if im still sane after all the above.. then I must be ready for surgery!

I decided to band for several reasons. They are really all connected as you will understand as you see......before I married I was a size 12 and 145 pds. I lived in NYC, had no car so exercize by walking was natural. After marriage at 32..I began to gain some weight....then became pregnant.

High blood pressure put me on bed rest for 6 months. The weight continued to 190. My husband wasnt really helpful in the healthy food dept so while on bed rest..fast food was really what we lived on. After the baby was born....ten yrs ago....the weight stayed.

The typical stressers of life after having a baby while working full time set in and the weight still didnt come off.

At the same time my husband at the time decided he didnt want to work anymore and wanted to just sit home and do nothing. well, not nothing but which ammounted to nothing but schemes and pyramids....We divorced after 7 yrs.

Three months after we divorced he had a massive heart attack and died after not following doctors orders about taking medications daily which he refused to take/do. (like work) leaving me and my daughter without any support or insurance.

(just a note to all parents..get life insurance...and never put a minor childs name to be a beneficiary to anything ever)!

Since then....the stressors have increased with being a single parent with no support. So another 20 pounds have added since..the divorce and his passing.

I want my life back!! Ive decided in the last year....it was time to begin to get it back and be in control again.

I want my premarriage/ pregnancy/ high blood pressure/cholesterol/ asthma/sleep apnea status!! Now is the time to do it.....

Ive had all first consult....visits with all the doctors and have recieved all the consults needed except for the psych. I am now waiting for all the written reports to come in and the second consult is next week and surgery set for...February 8th.

Im ready to get my life back in control....so this is the first step in getting a healthier me. Im so glad to see so many others here to share their experiences before and after. I hope I can contribute possitively and help others through my experiences. I also hope that I will be able to get help with questions and concerns that I know I will have before, during and after!!!

To all.....good luck, thank you in advance and and looking forward to sharing!!

Jodi

Fellow....Feb bandsters.....afraid....im not going to be banded on the 8th of Feb. I met with my pulmonologist and diagnosed me with severe sleep apnea and ill need at least 6 weeks to be treated before being banded. So not happy..but better safe....and if this is whats needed to be safe...then this is what comes first....so im being bumped to March 15th....but ill still be here to support you all....as you all get banded and then you all can tell me all about it!!!!

Im really sorry for this experience that youve had. Im also sorry that you feel bad that your grandfather couldnt do this for you either.....(but it wasnt about you)

I also ask the same thing about my ex.

I ask all the time why he couldnt do this for her?? for me??

It took alot of therapy and time to come to terms with the realization that he just couldnt do it for himself which meant he couldnt do it for anyone else either.

I needed to accept that there was nothing that I can do or my daughter can do or the doctors to make him take his medication,follow directions and care enough about his family but it wasnt our fault. This was his problem....and it was a problem..

it was selfish of him but it was his way to say...hey im not happy with myself enough to care about myself and take of myself so much so enough so I can take care of my family...

I always have this fear that my daughter will one day turn around and ask....the same thing that you have thought abd ask me...."why couldnt he do this for me"? and I wont have and I dont have the answer...except to assure her that she did nothing to make this happen and...nothing that could have made him do what he needed to...he needed to do it for himself....and he jsut couldnt.

I say the same to you...hold that close to you...and dont make the same mistake...you banded thats an amazing step.....youve gone this far... dont fall short...go all the way and live for ever....

Thank you all for all your input ......I really appreciate all your experiences in this area. It never even occured that this could be a concern. It was always my ex's health we were concerned with now its my turn.

It seems that I really do have severe sleep apnea and with about six weeks of treatment with a CPAP and only after that will I be cleared to go ahead with banding...so we are looking at March....which leads me to a whole new set of concerns......lol no suprise here.....

March is a really a bad month this year in regards to thinking about doing anything drastic especially a surgery if there could be possible complications.

Its really silly actually....however perhaps some outside input can help.....

In the beginning of the month is the holiday Purim....which means..alot of celebrations involving family, kids and freinds.

At the end of the month is passover which requires about a weeks worth of preperations and then 8 days of holiday....from two seders and multiple meals of cooking for and sitting and eating for hours at a time.....and in between alot of praying and sleeping.. lol

my surgery can either be in the 8th, the 15th or the 22nd. I have these choices. I chose the middle to be on the safe side.....lol However, my daughters birthday is the 16th and she has asked if Id be in the hospital on that day...hmmm.

The 8th....just might not make the 6 weeks from the time I actually get the CPAP sleep study and then mine ordered and working in time and I wont get the clearance again so that is taking a chance....which i do and get kicked off again....ill have to wait another month to sched as surgery dates fill up fast I was told.

The 22nd is the week before passover...which means...I will be doing ,...no cleaning, shopping, cooking, and shlepping to anyones house and seders?? forget it....not going to happen, unless someone else does all the prep and work...

this all seems really nice...

however as a single parent who doesnt have alot of money to hire full time help and have a big enough place to have people stay as well.

so the real question is....how long is recovery.....is one week enough to take off from work and one week to take it easy after...which then the third week I can begin preperations for the holiday ill be off that week.

Im thinking the 15th and hoping that I wont have to be in the hospital overnight...and have a week to rest and then go to work the following week and begin prep for passover with some help.

Help???

February was really good. I got used to Feb. lol I scheduled all around Feb....had my daughter taken care of and planned for all the what ifs......if it happened in Feb. March?? March is complicated lol. I suppose I shouldnt be suprised as my life is alway complicated...so why should this decision be any different?

wow. Help anyone? lol

Hi slightely dissappointed this afternoon.

I just found out that my feb 8th date is going to be changed....for at least a month....my sleep study came back and demonstrated severe apnea....not sure what 98 episodes throught the night on the back and 78 on the side.....means exactly.....I have a 4:15 apt. with the sleep doctor (pulmonolgoist) I guess ill find out then and what the treatment I will need, however he is not clearing me for surgery on the 8th....

Ill need at least a 3 weeks to a month to treat and get on track. Im worried about the apnea...he said it was very serious and to come in today....sheez...must be really bad!

I know I snore terribly however, I didnt think I wasnt breathing at times. Even though sleep apnea becomes better with the lap band...being banded before it is treated can be apparently dangerous...

Perhaps this is why im so damn tired in the mornings....attributing it to frequent wake ups due to my daughter coming in for some reason or another.,...the dog pitter pattering, the heat, the train, the planes....lol. I just figured this was the reason for all the sleep interuptions. Well, this too shall be taken care of!!!

This is the year....I told myself....I am going to get healthy...and what ever that means...I will do it...at 44 my life isnt getting easier healthwize its getting more compicated sooo I better do all that is prescribed....and then get banded at the right time...when all else is cleared.

I promised my daughter when my ex-passed...that I would do all I could to help stay alive as long as possible for her....but in making that promise I knew that meant..getting it together mentally and physically.

So......just wanted to post my frustration today. Thanks for listening all!!

Jods

Michelle I spoke to my doctor today and he said....I dont need a pre-op diet. Just the day before to drink liquids. I thought this was strange...however he said that if you are a certain BMI then you might. Im glad as I was worried about this initial stage more then anything else. Good Luck with the pre-op im here for support however !!

Jodi

Well, I wont be joining you guys for the 8th of Feb as of today. I have not gotten clearance from the Pulmonologist as the results from my sleep study shows severe apnea. He is recquiring a month of treatment before clearance...so not sure when I will be banded...end of Feb or early March. This is okay...another few weeks isnt going to make a difference at this point!!! Im doing it anyways!!! Ill still be supportive to all those here being banded in Feb!!!!

I wanted to give a quick intro...

I'm a part-time student and mom of three. I haven't been banded yet, but am hoping to be by the first week in March. I went for pre ops back in December and thought I'd be all set for the first week in January...but my thyroid was too out of wack...I'm hyper. So, my doctor adjusted my meds and we are waiting until my thyroid levels are better.

I've been overweight all my life...so a few more weeks aren't driving me crazy. I want a safe outcome. I am here for support and to hear everyone's story. :thumbup:

Hi....I just found out as well that my surgery date for Feb 8th is cancelled because my sleep study showed tests of severe apnea and the pulmonologist wont clear surgery for at least a month till it is treated. So, Ill probably have surgery early March if all is good by then. Like you....I feel its better to have a safe surgery and recovery.

Glad you joined!!!! Good luck!!

Before you read this please remember that I am NOT an insurance expert!! I'm just going by what some of our patients have dealt with regarding general insurance issues, I don't work in the field of bariatrics so I'm not referring to bariatric patients.

Diabetes vs. pre-diabetes. I have two friends that have been banded and they are both pre-diabetes. One has PCOS. Insurance required full blown diabetes in order to be a comorbidity. BTW, they were both self pay for their bands.

If you get an official diagnoses of pre-diabetes and let's say you don't get approval for the band because it isn't full blown diabetes, will this diagnosis now exclude you from getting coverage at a later time for a future insurance? This would be a question for Alexandra. I don't know the laws regarding this.

What are your fasting blood sugars? That is more what insurance is going to be looking at along with the comparison after you eat something.

We had a patient a long time ago that suffered from Munchausen Sydrome. She would fake illnesses in order to get the attention from diagnosis and treatment. She would come in NOT fasting for a blood sugar test and she came back mildly high. Then we'd have her drink glucose and her blood sugar did not reflect the additional sugar. In her case it was easy to demonstrate what she was doing for a variety of reasons. Point being, pre-bandsters get pretty anxious about getting the band and they do all kinds of strange things such as gaining weight to meet a required BMI, etc. Don't try to fool anyone with your blood sugars because it won't work. We need to find another way.

I doubt anyone will do anything other than to tell you to watch your diet, watch your caloric intake, and exercise for any blood sugars below 200 after food.

I can't see how hormonal issues would be a band issue. You would likely have those same issues as a thin person.

Reflux... you might have something here. You have to demonstrate that you have it but the more important issue is why. If you have a hiatal hernia THAT is something you can work with. Many obese people have them as often times obesity causes them. The key here is that if you do have a hiatal hernia you can have insurance pay for the OR, anesthesia, etc. to repair the hernia and then self pay for the band itself. The incisions for a hernia repair and the band are exactly the same. Most docs will fix a hernia while the place the band. See what I'm talking about? Let insurance pay for everything but the band itself. You may have to self pay for the band and the additional doc time to place the band. Much cheaper than paying for all of it. However, the band is $2K in Mexico and an OR person was just posting yesterday that the US cost for a band is $4K. Then surgeon fees on top of that.

sleep apnea... just waking up a few times isn't sleep apnea. But you could try to get insurance to pay for a sleep study to see if anything is there.

Joint pain... you'd have to demonstrate on xray this is weight related. Do you have arthritis? Degenerative joint disease?

Honestly, I'm not seeing how you would possibly meet the requirements for insurance to pay for banding.

Hi. I was just wondering how Sleep Apnea affects the banding process. I just recieved a message from my pulmonologist that I missed....that my sleep study came back that I have sleep apnea and wont be able to have surgery till this is treated? How is this treated and how long does it take to treat? Does it go away after treatment or is this a lifetime daignoses and need to be treated with intervention lifelong? Why would this put off the surgery if we know it needs to be treated and begin treatment?? how long after the onset of treatment before surgery can be done??

IF anyone has information on the above..would love it before approaching doctor tonorrow.

Thanks....Jodi

Connor is 5 1/2 and is the light of my life. He was 5 days old (yes five days old) when, err, the police called and told me there was a warrant out for my husband and that they felt my son and I were not safe...That was the day we left and the last time we saw him so it's been just the 2 of us since the beginning (with grandparents to help, thank God). It was an interesting beginning but we are awesome, he's my side kick and I am apparently the most awesome mom in the whole wide world if he is to be believed. He has been hysterical with this surgery, held my hand when I walked down stairs, kissed my tummy to make me feel better...he's a good kid, AND was starting to get a little tiny bit chubby so this has been good for both of us.

And now...it's time to take care of me! All I can say is keep working towards your goal. I'm still new at this (first fill today WOOHOO!) and just can't wait to see what this year holds for me. I've had days that weren't easy and bandster hell is a pain in the butt but it's so worth it! Good luck with everything, I'm very proud of you for taking the time to start taking care of you!

Christie,

wow!! I am so sorry youve had to deal with so much and with an infant...I had a hard time with a 5 yr old.

I dont know what to say.... but you are truly a mother that has apparently protected and cared for her child and continues to do so!!!

As we have made the decission to do this banding so we can be healthy and alive to continue to take care of our children is the only thing we can do...as I see it...its not a choice its a must dont ya think??

Its that extra burden on us as single parents knowing there is no one else but "me". Sad but true...makes the pressure so much more heavy!

You mentioned that your son was so upset about you getting this surgery..Interesting that my daughter also is so upset and worried that something will happen to me when I do this as well.

She knows that this is something I must do and wants me to be healthy...she made me quit smoking after my ex died....made me promise never to have another cigarette and I havent..since that day..three years ago.

The things...we do for our children that we wouldnt do for ourselves!! lol I am proud of you too!!! We are going to do this!!!

I did begin to have my daughter see the nutritionist that I began seeing..so she can be a part of this process with me as well....as to begin to change our whole eating habbits in and out of the house. This seems to have helped alleviate some anxiety on her part....maybe this can help you with your son as well??

Jodi

Some incredilbe stories. I ask my wife all the time how do single parents do it. It seems like as a team we are maxed out. Congratulations for making it work.

One thing that got my attention with these posts are the men that died so young. I am 44 with the high blood pressure, and haven't controlled it as I should have. It's been as high as 200/110 this year, but was 130/80 today. I get bannded on 1-22. I hope I am not too late. I go to bed nightly thinking of what could happen if I died. I can't get life insurance because of my health (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, asthma....). I am encouraged by your stories with so many issues, and working through them. Thanks for sharing.

Your welcome...however, if our stories dont help you change your mind about taking meds to control the high blood pressure....then it was for naught.

If it didnt...prompt you to.....

I can if youd like go into details about how my exes decision to not control his destroyed our marriage and relationship with his myself, our daughter, family, carreer and um g-d?

basically, when the doctors tell you its not going to be how its going to be when....its not good!!

I can tell you how his death at 38 has effected so many people that loved him but mostly his daughter who thought the world of him at age 7.

How do you explain to a 7 yr old that your father could not control his pressure with what ever the doctors said to do...diet, pills, surgery etc....not even for her??

How do you explain that we had to live in sect 8 housing...recieve money from charity and food from food banks because instead of insurance money..or savings all that was left for us was unpaid bills after bills etc etc

I can tell you in details all of the above....and you would not believe the effects of not controlling high blood pressure means....please. Please. please....youve gotten banded...this is going to help however, if you dont get that pressure down....it could mean a ticking time bomb.

If you were impressed and admire us for our courage and ordeals....please dont make your wife one of us that someone else will admire......

we are all here to help, support each other on this road....lets make it the healthiest possible...and by the way...my heart is aching to say so much more...to convince..but my job here is just to support so I will refrain with saying more......

good luck!!!!!

Jodi

Wow to both of you; how stressful and awful. Good for you both for doing something for you. I wish both of you much success :thumbup:

thank you!!! Ive started reading your blog..pretty impressive. Your doing really well too....Keep it up!

Quote

"Many of you may see that I want to lose 70lbs and want to tell me to hit the road but I'm only 4'11" and every diet I've tried just makes me hungry!"

Mariposa -

Everyone has a different body type, height, goals, etc........ don't let anyone make you feel bad about your choices - they are, after all, YOUR choices.

Welcome and good luck!

Not telling you to hit the road...and just to let you know....I have a friend who was banded and she is 4'11" and she lost 80 pds and she looks amazing!!! You will as well!

Jodi

It seems like a few of us are scheduled for the 8th. That's cool!

Those who are having surgery on the 8th, when do you start your pre-op diet? I have my "nutrition class" this Thursday, and I think I'm supposed to start the diet a week from today. That's 3 weeks. I'm really worried that I am going to struggle a lot with the pre-op diet.

Michelle

Michelle I spoke to my doctor today and he said....I dont need a pre-op diet. Just the day before to drink liquids. I thought this was strange...however he said that if you are a certain BMI then you might. Im glad as I was worried about this initial stage more then anything else. Good Luck with the pre-op im here for support however !!

Jodi

I like it!!!

as I work with Autistic children..I appreciated this story.. thanks!!!

Hi. all.....If you are a pre-surgery or post surgery patient....we should get together and support each other. I am scheduled for Feb 8th. Would love to hear some other experiences with Dr. Holover and staff....So far.....it has been supurb!!!!

I am confused....this shouldnt suprise anyone after a while....lol.

I have read alot of the posts and most people talk about a pre-surgery diet of 2 weeks. Meaning liquid Protein shakes and sensible dinner etc.

Today I spoke to my doctor and told him that ive been hearing about this two week diet before banding...he said the only pre surgery diet is the day before of Liquid Protein other then this there are no restrictions or diet beforehand...afterwhich there is for two weeks. He said he heard this from others but there is no need for me to do this.

Is there anyone else who's doctor also feels this is not a recommendation?

I am nurvous as well about the port being seeing or uncomfortable esp when filling up air......The doctor told me that mine will be in back of the bellly button so no one will see it and it wont hurt when filled as this is where the initial one incission will be so aftewards the site wont hurt anymore....is he for real I think??? lol (not holding breadth)

going to the endocronologist now....good luck me!!

thank you!!! Ive started reading your blog..pretty impressive. Your doing really well too....Keep it up!