NYSparklegirl

Hi. Finding Me....Welcome...of course you can join us...just jump in at any time to respond, present concerns or just touch base about whats going on and how your journey is going! Good Luck on the road to finding yourself. I am reading a really good book that addresses your concerns about eating after the band and families etc....you might want to check it out..Im finding it helpful about food, eating and retraining our brains on how we think about food and eating called "BECKS, DIET SOLUTION" check it out maybe it will hep you too. Welcome again. Jodi Hi. I see that you wrote about having to wait to get a a consult with a nutritionist..even though you allready had one at NYU that you paid for. Why do you need another one? Cant you get the one you had the original consult with to give you her letter of clearance? I didnt have to use the nutritionist or psychologist from LI Bariatric if i didnt want to..and I didnt as they didnt take insurance and if found my own people I could. So i did...I called oxford and I asked them for referals and they gave me several in my area. Perhaps you can do the same? I would ask your doctor if you can use what you have previously..like you said no reason to have one again! I agree. You really want to do this..and you found a way you could!!! Good for you!! Good luck! Ive heard alot of people having going to Mexico and have a great experiences.

So...Today....I got my clearance from the sleep doctor. He said hes pretty confident that ive been using the CPAP machine correctly...as he watched how I put it together in his office to demonstrate. I felt like I was being tested putting together this machine...like I was being timed for precision and confidence lol. In the end...he laughed and said...I really didnt need to see this demonstration but you were so set on showing me you are using it properly..that I let you he said, "I just needed the information of the calibration of the machine thats why I asked you to bring it". hmmm. did he think he was funny?? lol ( I took that whole machine apart and cleaned it etc etc) Just as well...he gave me clearance three weeks early.... meaning: I get to have surgery...when there is a cancelation...between now and March 15th when my surgery date was rescheduled from Feb 8th. Now it could have been the end of Feb...but go know.....he said he wanted 5 to 6 weeks...so I changed it for 6 weeks. so now, I wait for a date..either March 1st or2nd or 8th or 9th. If there is none....then Ill have it March 15th....Id hate to have it then however, Dassis bday is the 16th and I would hate to be in the hospital on her bday as ill need to stay overnight. boo hoo. I would go next week if I could bu they still need to get insuarance clearance and that takes up to two weeks..with Oxford. so I wait..patiently. not!! I did go tonight to the support group that my center has once monthly. That was fun...met lots of great recent bandsters and want to be bandsters. We talked about some concerns and how and why people are banding....etc etc.. The surgeon was there to answer all questions that was nice....it was pretty far out so...I wont be going again as I needed to have a babysitter and that cost alot....as it took all in all a few hours... well....Thank god...there is school and work tomorrow..If I have to cook, bake and organize one more closet ill kill myself....Dassi had some friends over for the day and they at least had a blast in the snow again for the second day in a row. To think...that there is another day off on Monday?? Feels like another week vacation unplanned. Monica...let us know how the book goes for you!!!

Hi. BabyDiva yes, Oxford I hear is pretty easy and takes about two weeks to get approved. I hope that all will be good and they do approve! Tomorrow the center is starting to send them the request....do you have a copay with Oxford im paying $30 for each visit and for all the consults and tests....alot so far! I havent spoken to Oxford yet whether there is a copay for the surgery itself...not really looking forward to hearing the possibility of having to pay more for the surgery....it will be hard enough to pay the $250 per each fill that insurance doesnt cover at this time. lol Thanks for the info. Welcome LiftingChic, I hear you and all your concerns. I think everyone has pretty much the same or very imilar. lol. Yet we are all here waiting to be banded shortly so we must want it badly regardless of the concerns....so we have a month..pretty much to have those concerns squelched addressed or answered . Tonight I went to a support group at the center where im being banded with people who are going to be banded or have just been banded. All the concerns were addressed and well..bottom line....each experience for everyone is slightely different and each surgeon has different rules and regs. lol but, the group was a good beginning to get all those concerns and then some on the table. I think I will go again at the end of the month. Maybe you should find one and see if that will help you as well? You talk about your job and the physical demands but your jobs psychological demands are stressful too...Paramedics have the most stressful jobs in the US. Kudos to you. If you can take the time off now by doing this for yourself and getting healthier you will eventually be taking off less time later? Just a thought. Hopefully you will get your surgery date...for the March 1...but if its a week or so later....youve waited this long it will come!!!

Hi all.... Just for point of interest/reference.... The February Bandsters are beginning their surgeries this week and ive been reading their posts.. to see what kind of experiences they each are having..I started out in that group but got bumped to March which is how this thread.group was started. I wanted to wish them all luck and see how they were..... Its kind of interesting to look up to them and kind of see them as our mentors as they are a month ahead of us in getting banded. I think it would be a good thread to read if you want to know about peoples recent experiences being banded in the first days.... I think its helpful.....to know at least for me. another snow day tomorrow.....and ive spent the day cooking and baking ....what ever shall I do tomorrow? Clean and shop online??? lol Have a great night all.

thank god....you didnt have the endoscopy today....as you have strep. That wouldnt have been a good thing I would think...they might have cancelled it in the end regardless? Im sorry you are not feeling well. If all that you are waiting for is the endoscopy and the psychologist...it shouldnt put off the surgery for the 8th. Hopefully it wont...but no matter when it should be the right time..thats what counts. I also am a worry wart and am always the pessimist...but some things just arent in our control ...like the damn snow lol How was your day? Tomorrow there is also no school in LI. I have the babysitter in the PM but...I have these two doctor apts. the second consult..and the pulmonologist afterwhich my daughter has an apt with the ped. orhopedist for braces to wear at night. what a day its going to be...I hope things clear up by then. Well, have a good night...feel good!! Jodi

Well...all you Feb Bandsters.....you guys seem to be doing great!! I wanted to check in and see how you are all doing and everyone is really coming along...glad to see....Good Luck...with the rest of the months bandings....Ive been keeping up reading posts but there are just so many...but just wanted to let you all know that ive been thinking about you all!!!!

Hi... was just wondering if you were still on for your endoscopy today or they cancelled your procedure due to the BLizzard. I hope all is well and if you did go for it....it all worked out and you are feeling good! Keep safe and dry!! Jodi

Hi all. Good morning. Well, we are having a real snow day in NY. All the schools are closed so...I figure if this is the case so am I even if I didnt get an official we are closed from the agency I work with...why I dont know. Should have I suppose if the BOE is closed all over in NY. LOL Its a great day for baking, cooking, drinking hot chocolate and watching soap operas! I have lots of baking to do for the holiday coming up ....and Im going to be making healthy baskets to give out to friends and families for the holiday Purim. Just need to find some healthy recipe for Hamentashen....using whole wheat flour. hah I think we will venture out and go to the supermarket which is around the corner and buy all that we need...If I can convince Dassi to come...otherwise...we wont be baking Hamentashen as I dont have the stupid filling at home. I had two appointments cancelled today. One with the surgeon for the second consult..just to touch base...see if anything is missing in the files and to discuss anything else needed for surgery. I think pretty much all is done and for the next month Ill be starting a exercise program and begin to read "BECKS SOLUTION"! The other apt. was a follow up with the pulmonologist to see how the CPAP machine is going. MOnday, I went to a new Chiropractor where not only do you get an adjustment but you get a deep tissue massage. I liked that. I needed an adjustment because ive been so nurvous about the CPAP working at night that I apparently am tensing up and sleeping in wierd postions..so ive gotten a stiff neck and slight muscle tightening in the upper back. Not helping the Asthma. After a week.....I figured it was time to find a new Chiropractor here in the neighborhood. No one really recommended anyone in particular but after a year and a half of being in this neighborhood...I figured I needed to just pick one and try. Im happy!! After I was happy; I took Dassi and she was as well! Now. I need to find a dentist. lol I found everything else...but not a dentist for me. Im hoping ill find one before Ill need one. Hope all is well and everyone east is warm and keeping safe out of the snow....and driving if possible. Jodi

From what I hear....the average time people have been taking off is about a week and taking it easy the following. I put in for a week and the following ill take it if I need it. Lucky that my work is flexible enough that I can at the last minuet take off more or less time. Deffinetly a week however. I work with babies and so lifting and bending, sitting on floor and standing up is problamatic the first week or so....not sure about the second. I have my 2nd consult with the surgeon Wed. I will ask what he thinks. I wonder if what that Bariatric center is about in Canarsie. You are in Canarsie? I work in Crown Hghts...so I pass through Canarsie everyday to/home from work. Yes, LI or NY would be a trip to get to for you to use Garber or Holover. Even for me Manhasset is a trip but my saving grace...all the consults and tests with all other doctors have been in or around the same building as my surgeon. Ive scheduled apts on the same day and right after one another lol. Three are on the same floor even and they were all refered by my PCF and surgeon. Im also a little concerned with the snow storm on the way for tomorrow. I have the 2nd consult and a follow up with the sleep center/Pulmpnologist in the afternoon. I will be coming from work in Brooklyn to LI for the apts on the North Shore and I live on the South Shore. Im not happy about the thought of all that driving in the storm. I guess Ill have to not go to work lol. I hope they dont reschedule your endoscopy if you dont have to. I did need to take the rest of the day off after I did mine. My throat was sore for three days. More scared of the endoscopy then the whole surgery and all the other tests combined...but it really was nothing to be scared of after all. yes, check out that book if you can find it lol. I had such a damn hard time. let us know what you think. good luck with that....drive carefully and stay WARM! Hi Eileen. Welcome!! Glad you have chosen to stick it out and are still going through with the surgery!! Seems like you are doing what you can and doing it well...you have a great attitude about getting it all together now while you can...I feel the same. I finially decided to go to work for an agency full time to get the benefits so I can do this surgery and get healthy. I was an independant contractor before and had to pay my own for everything...so I decided until this is all done and finished and over....meaning...im down to a healthy overall condition...including all the weight loss I will think about going back full time...right now...this is good!! Let us know how all is going. keep us posted!! I will be banded on the 15th so we are the same week....Your blog is cool. Thanks for sharing. I hope all goes well now. Keep us posted.

oh your welcome btw....no need to thank me...thank who ever started this site!!!

Hi Monica, Today..was great....I actually had some time to myself which rarely happens. My sister and brother in law who was in the states for vacation came to take my daughter out for the day! Spent the day..just shopping at the mall as it was sooo cold in NY. lol Hope you had a great day as well. I was told you can get the book on Amazon.com. I tried three Barnes and Nobles and finially had to have it put on hold at one and then transfered to another in order to pick it up! All sold out...it is a goody. Anyways...good luck finding it. Let me know when you do and if you get it and if you like it and find it helpful Have a great week Jodi

Hi, "Becks Solution" is a book about changing the way we think about eating and food. The premise behind it is..its all about our brain not our stomach or mouth or food. Its our brain and how we have been trained to think about food and eating a certain way. In order to loose weight we need to retrain our brain.. Food for thought! Let me know if you get it and what you think of it! Jodi

Hi to all the new March Bandsters that Ive not yet welcomed over the last week!!! Welcome to Natrlblonde, Fern, Laurel, Jacquie, Suzyqindy, JVw2009, Bob, and JC1. I hope I did not miss anyone!! Its nice to see so many new March Bandsters. I havent been able to post for about a week so Ive missed alot of posts and have spent the last 1/2 hour reading though the site..wow! Sometimes I get so tired reading through all the great information, experiences and ideas that people have shared that I dont have time to respond at the end after catching up. Ive finially gotten all my consult letters in to my surgeons office and I have my second consult this wednesday and I meet with my pumonologist regarding my new CPAP machine which im getting used to. Its been two weeks so far...and im not sure I feel any different yet. Im not sure what im supposed to feel. The only difference so far is that im not waking the dog any longer hence she is not waking me. lol I am trying to eat healthier now...and begin to walk, walk, walk. I am reading "Becks Solution" which was recommended by alot of Bandsters on this site and am finding it informative, helpful and and easy to follow. You might want to check it out.... How is everyone? I hope all is well and all the tests and consults are winding down now. To whom ever is going to begin their pre-surgery diets within the next few weeks I wish them good luck!! Have a great week.. Jodi

Hi.. im in NY as well!! I was orriginally going to have my surgery at NYU as well! As my insurance changed I needed to find a new surgeon so I switched to LI Bariatric Center in Manhasset with Dr. Holover/Dr. Garber. My surgeon is Dr, Holover. I work in Brooklyn, near Methodist hospital. About 10 minuets away and live in LI. Where are you? Its funny before you said anything about NY....I was thinking after reading about all the consults and tests.....she must also live in NY. lol I had to do all those tests as well. Other states dont recquire them all. I think we all fear the surgery to some extent..my worst fear? Thinking about flying and having the tube blow up because of the pressure and just pop out of my stomach like on alien. lol I know this isnt really possible but....still its so foreign. What you and us all need to concentrate on is the thought that this is the means to the end.....not the end! Its just the begining for all of us. Looking forward to journeying with you!! Welcome! Jodi

Hi Camile...welcome....I hope you get banded in March as well....what ever date....we will support you!! How is everything going? consults, tests etc. Let us know...... Jodi

Hi all...nice to see all the new people joining us March bandsters... It has been such a crazy week for me....I got my CPAP machine last wednesday and it seems that I am so nurvous that Im not using it correctly that I keep waking up every so often to see that the mask is on right. I hope by the end of this week things will get better because I could really use some sleep. lol I found out that my clearance letter from the endocronologist had faxed a letter to my surgeon without sending me one...so ive been hounding him to send one and he allready had....on the other hand I thought the psychologist sent his letter and he didnt....when all this is over the hardest thing about it better be this process of getting all these consults. l Wednesday I finish the two week Prev Pac...ive been sick to my stomach from not just one antibiotic but two. This Hpylol bug best be dead by the time the treatment is over....wednesday...or I will just scream. I thought I was finished with all the tests and consults and I found out that I might need a echocardiagram and stress test because im older then 40...but my cardiologist didnt think it was necessarary...I think ill let him and the surgeon figure it out and just let me know what to do when they do that! Going to a support group this Thursday...patient education group....before hand, that should be interesting. After this all......and not sleeping.....im tired!! so im going to sleep...I hope all is well with everyone and things go smoothly with all consults, insurance glitches and tests for everyone. have a great week..... Jodi

Yea you! Glad to hear that your pretty much on the way! As for as the nurtritionist and psychologist they were also really busy and booked for about a month when wanted to see them at the center..so needed to find someone and theirs did not take insurance anyways... so, I just picked one from the list of providers on my insurance plan which is oxford and started calling the numbers closest to where I lived...and asked "do you do consults for the lap band who had the next apt available closest. lol Turns out I liked the one I picked and am now seeing her on a reg basis. I did this for the psych eval as well...as far as the other consults that involve med tests etc I went to whom my surgeon recommended. food for thought. Glad you joined...... Jodi

Good Luck....Hope it all works out!!!

I am really really sorry...I did get it the SN wrong..I am so sorry!

Hi everyone...good evening, Hope all is well with everyone. Kulzhawkrulz..... is this right? Im sorry if it isnt as.....I cant see the SN on reply posts. Ill get it right eventually. Promise. Glad you posted!! We seem to be getting banded the same week.....you before so you will have to let me know how it goes....lol. Until then we can support each other! You seem to know exactly what you are doing and are determined to see it through...AND AS YOU SAID....your SO will def come around when he sees your new you!! How are you children about all this? My daughter is scared of all the pretests and consults she thinks Ive got some diagnosis and is not telling her everything....it does seem some what scary to see someone going to see so many doctors for a consult... Finailly I let her come with me to the surgeon and he laid her concerns to rest. She really liked him.... he is cute and charmimg lol doesnt hurt. Today, My daughter baked her first homemade cake um twice. I gave her all the ingredients she needed and laid it all out and went to work. On the phone I walked her though the recipe and had the babysitter supervise and make sure she was doing everything right and they were! It was me...I gave her a container of what I thought was flour but was actually confectioners sugar. oops. The babysitter obviously hasnt done to much baking....as she didnt notice anything weird or a little strange when the batter looked more like frosting as opposed to cake. My daughter phoned me three times.....while it was cooking after 1/2 hour saying it wasnt looking like cake...I said let it cook some more.....after 40 min...I asked the babysitter what it looks like and she said...it looks like a molten lava of chocolate. hmmmm I said...take it out and dont eat it...Ill be home soon. When returning....I looked and said....you put in flour?? They said yes....hmm then I looked at the container of so called flour I gave them...and opps...not flour! Now, I understand the need to label containers when there are going to be others cooking in my kitchen!! This should have been a sign that we shouldnt be making cake with sugar and flour...however, its a Holiday this weekend so we are having guests... needless to say we will be doing a do over tomorrow and Ill be here. lol well....have a good night all. Tomorrow I need to phone the pulmonologist to see whether the CPAP came in so I can start my six weeks with it to get clearance for surgery. I need to phone the Endocronologist to see about the lab reports and make sure all is good.....and get that letter of clearance, and to phone the psychologist because as of yet his report that he said he would mail....didnt come..suprise, suprise. (not) I seem to be spending more time chasing people to get those reports/clearance letters in. I hope this is the hardest part of this whole process!! My second consult is on Feb. 3rd. and Im supposed to have everything in before..otherwise they might push back surgery....once again. welll. Have a great night all and a great week Jodi

Hi all...good morning, Its been one of those weekends where there is noplans.Bad idea to have no plans as then there is plenty of time to sleep and eat and eat. Cannot do this again. Today was not as bad organized my kitchen and got rid of things that were starting to clutter up the small space in my living area. My daugter decided to clean up her room and is still working on it. My daughter is off this week from school and most of friends are offon some sort of vacation. I am working so we arent. I have the babysitter all week....sometimes I wonder if its cheaper to go on vacation. lol well...this week I meet with the pulmonologist to get my CPAP, and the nutritionist for a second meeting. I have started the Prev-pac antiobiotics that the upper GI doctor prescribed after the endoscopy was done...and showed I have some wierd germ in my stomach.Apparently alo of people have this and the main effects are severe reflux...which I knewI had...but the endosscopy proved. It causes ulcers but I didnt have that. I have to be on two strong antibiotics and prevacid for two weeks!! If I dont he wont clear me for surgery. I am so sick from this three pac...I have this weird taste in my mouth and my stomach is beginning to hurt. I have been taking acidophilus pills because if I dont ill end up with a yeast infection and that will be yet another reason for surgery to be pushed back.lol so, i will be sick for two weeks. owell Hope you all well and are having a good weekend...whats your schedules for testing and cosults this week??? let us know sowe can support you!!! have a great week..... Jodi

Welcome Ms. Cherita!! We will be your support until your family and friends support you and if they dont...then we will be here for as long as you need it!!! I think after a month I can say.,...I truly beleive everyone here would say the same!!! Welcome aboard! Jodi

Hi all. I am reposting my initial post....as I couldnt find it before....but just came upon it when someone responded to it!! lol so here it is.....would love to get to know you all and hear your stories...and share your experiences and be a support system...along this journey..... so here it is!!! 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

Welcome....Glad you joined. Sounds like you are on your way! Whats a CNA? Listen.....they will understand or they will not.. if they dont..well....Ive got two words lol Its not about them is it?? Sometimes its hard to deal with all this and carry on a work life, family life etc while we are engaing on our new life...and their will be people who will on board and those who will never be...so just take it one day at a time. Ive heard that people have gone back to work after a week. Can I ask why you think you will be out for six weeks if its not too personal to ask that is. I am a teacher and work with Early Intervention..running from house to house all day....lifting and climbing stairs? Should I be taking off more then one week? I did let them all know...that I might take the 2nd week off...but im hoping not. well we will be banded the same week..if all goes well from now on..... Good luck to us. Jodi

So glad you joined.....not knowing for sure...afterall until we are banded its all up to what I call "Beseret: a hebrew word. the meaning whenn and what is meant be!! No matter when...well be here for you!!