NYSparklegirl

Is it like any other operation?? I remember hearing this after I had surgery when I had a cyst in my ear drum...when I had by daughter and when I had something else that I dont remember,,,,,hmm

Thank you so much!!! These tips....the best so far....I know the exp is diff for everyone..however constructive tips.....like these...very concrete to use as guidance has set my mind as ease!!!

Hi all....last night met with the nutrtitionist and had my second sleep study with the CPAP. It went okay...however really tired now...not sure why they call it a sleep study....when there isnt much sleeping with all those adjustments!! lol Good luck....Northern Mist...tomorrow is the 20th!! Hope all goes well!

Originally Posted by Manda87 For some reason, my dr schedules all pre-op tests in one day. We couldn't do the psych eval because they are closed for the holiday. But I could do Upper GI, EKG, Chest x-ray, and labs and the consult with the nutrionist. I was supposed to go to one hospital in Raleigh, but when I got there the lady at the desk said I was scheduled to go to the main hospital which is on the other side of town. I couldn't see my nutriontist because she was the one that I should have gone to at the hospital that I was supposed to go to, plus I was more than 15 minutes late. UGH. I was and still am frustrated. When I called my dr. I was about to cry. So, they have to reschedule that appointment. I thought this was supposed to be happy? I'm just frustrated and stressed out. This is the hardest thing that I've ever done. I'm alone in this process. My family isn't supportive and when I talk to them they get negative. I mean, really? They see how big I am, but apparently they don't care? I remember a couple of years ago they cared. I know there are support groups and the such, but it will not replace what I should have. Sorry to rant... I so feel for you!!! I have been running around with consults as well....tests and more tests. Unfortunately the consults and med tests are recquired....and I find this the most frustrating of all procedures..but we must be in good health with no complications in order for us to be able to have this surgery... My orriginal date of surgery was for the 8th of Feb however, when doing the sleep study...one of the recquirements in NY they found I have severe sleep apnea..SO, I need a CPAP fitted which means another sleep study..before and after treatment starts with 6 weeks in between. My sleep doc..(pumonologist) will not give clearance till after this is all done....this will put me at March..15th the new date. He also did a full lung work up and my lungs are not working as well as they should...so he changed my asthma meds. After the endoscopy the upper GI Doc.,...found I have a germ testing positive that Ill need to take an antibiotic for two weeks straight. This would not have interefered with date of surgery however left untreated causes ulcers. I needed to go and find my own nutritionist and psychologist...because the centers...didnt take oxford my insurance...and they wanted $250 each...as opposed to a $30 buck copay each..I called the insurance and called anyone on their provider list and asked if they had exp, with LAP-BAND® if yes...how soon can I see them? I got one of each which was all I neede..turned out I really like the nurtritionist so Ill be seeing her on a reg basis. Im still waiting for the lan results from the endocronologist....and i wouldnt be suprised if they find I have some weird diagnosis...lol but im hoping not! I get them back today. I was told this is the harderst time period of the whole prodedure...I feel like im running from work to doc to doc to work to home to doc to home to work lol however, it all needs to be done,,,,so im just doing it... This is what helped me.....perhaps it can help you I have a pocket calendar, in addition to my blackberry. I write everything down each doctor, date of consult,phone number, address in full....I know ill be calling each to hound them for tests results, scripts and the clearance letter. I do this for every apt..regardless if ive been before ..this way I have the info in several places if needed. (and youl need it multiple of times) I made an excell spread sheet...(had help here) with all the consults needed and then spaces that I can check off each with the headings....consult date, test done, results, consult letter, in to LAP-BAND® center. at the end of each I put a big check showing everything was done. In addition to above...I tried to find all the doctors in the same building or area..so if I need to run from some office to another for any reason....I can...and have. In LI, NY this is possible most practices assoc with one Hospital are usually in one location. This has been a harrowing experience and I can understand your frustration! This all is hard enough with support...I cant imagine it without!!! SOOOOO let us be your suport family. come talk to us...yell with us cry to us, laugh with us..believe me their will be plenty of all the above....so far...Ive been here two weeks...and I thank my lucky stars I fell upon this site.... Dont give up,.just keep going it will be over before you know it and surgery will be just around the corner!!! Good luck!!! Jodi

Hi Amy, Hi Nicole.....Glad to see you guys posted!! Yes, a social group seems great....I started a social group it has the same name as this thread.....that I started before I figured out how to post new threads...so join it...soon we will have a whole bunch of March Bandsters to support and recieve support in return. im going to copy some posts that I posted about my experience with the pre-op testing...which im still going through even if I thought I was done! lol I live in NY. Long Island. Im a special educator. Im 44 and have an 11 yr old daughter. We just went to the second visit with the nutritionist last night...that was fun lol Learned some very interesting behaviors that my daughter has...involving beahviors, some really good habbits and umm some bad she learned from me. After the nutritionist I went for my second sleep study with the CPAP....which is the reason why I was bumped 6 weeks... for the surgery... well, nice to meet you both....any information that you think is helpful that you found, heard or learned....post them...so we can all benefit!! Have a great night Jodi

Hi all.... To start us off....Ill begin with a little about myself. I had joined the thread Feb Bandsters...however...Ive been booted to March...as I am being treated for sleep apnea....so I needed to push back surgery date from Feb 8th to March 15th..hoping it stays there!! Im hoping to connect with others that are on a similar time frame for surgery, for support, advice, education, encouragement and just to shoot the breeze...to share experiences from the first consult if needed to way after being banded...lets get together and share this journey the good, bad and the ugly of it all!! so.....lets get to know you....by answering some questions that was asked of me before....im passing them on through this group....it was a great beginning. Ill start. Date of Surgery: March 16th Where Surgery will be: NY Doctor/Center: New York Bariatric Group Dr. Holover/Manhasset Seminar date: January 2009 1st consult date: Dec 30th, 2009 2nd consult: Feb 3rd, 2010 Consults and tests completed: Cardiologist. Pulmonologist, Endocronologist, Sleep Study, Nutritionist, Endoscopy Tests still needed: Psych test How is surgery funded? Insurance Concerns? How will I ever be able to re-educate my brain to eat differently Reason for banding? See thread in "Introductions"for NYSparklegirl.

I so feel for you!!! I have been running around with consults as well....tests and more tests. Unfortunately the consults and med tests are recquired....and I find this the most frustrating of all procedures..but we must be in good health with no complications in order for us to be able to have this surgery... My orriginal date of surgery was for the 8th of Feb however, when doing the sleep study...one of the recquirements in NY they found I have severe sleep apnea..SO, I need a CPAP fitted which means another sleep study..before and after treatment starts with 6 weeks in between. My sleep doc..(pumonologist) will not give clearance till after this is all done....this will put me at March..15th the new date. He also did a full lung work up and my lungs are not working as well as they should...so he changed my asthma meds. After the endoscopy the upper GI Doc.,...found I have a germ testing positive that Ill need to take an antibiotic for two weeks straight. This would not have interefered with date of surgery however left untreated causes ulcers. I needed to go and find my own nutritionist and psychologist...because the centers...didnt take oxford my insurance...and they wanted $250 each...as opposed to a $30 buck copay each..I called the insurance and called anyone on their provider list and asked if they had exp, with lap band if yes...how soon can I see them? I got one of each which was all I neede..turned out I really like the nurtritionist so Ill be seeing her on a reg basis. Im still waiting for the lan results from the endocronologist....and i wouldnt be suprised if they find I have some weird diagnosis...lol but im hoping not! I get them back today. I was told this is the harderst time period of the whole prodedure...I feel like im running from work to doc to doc to work to home to doc to home to work lol however, it all needs to be done,,,,so im just doing it... This is what helped me.....perhaps it can help you I have a pocket calendar, in addition to my blackberry. I write everything down each doctor, date of consult,phone number, address in full....I know ill be calling each to hound them for tests results, scripts and the clearance letter. I do this for every apt..regardless if ive been before ..this way I have the info in several places if needed. (and youl need it multiple of times) I made an excell spread sheet...(had help here) with all the consults needed and then spaces that I can check off each with the headings....consult date, test done, results, consult letter, in to lap band center. at the end of each I put a big check showing everything was done. In addition to above...I tried to find all the doctors in the same building or area..so if I need to run from some office to another for any reason....I can...and have. In LI, NY this is possible most practices assoc with one Hospital are usually in one location. This has been a harrowing experience and I can understand your frustration! This all is hard enough with support...I cant imagine it without!!! SOOOOO let us be your suport family. come talk to us...yell with us cry to us, laugh with us..believe me their will be plenty of all the above....so far...Ive been here two weeks...and I thank my lucky stars I fell upon this site.... Dont give up,.just keep going it will be over before you know it and surgery will be just around the corner!!! Good luck!!! Jodi

Hi all...Hope you all had a great weekend. I am going tomorrow night for my sleep study with GPAP. That should be fun. Today I had surprise....Im not being declared insane. He didnt even pressure nor ask me to come back to see him on a regular basis. I had my psych eval..why was I so nurvous? It happens....that the psychologists kids and my daughter went to the same private school and the conversation was very comfortable...after shooting the breeze about the school and principal and teachers the rest of the hour went really well. I filled my script for the AH, PH or what ever germ they found ilast week in my stomach during the endoscopy. I need to take this for for two weeks...but it wont push my surgery back even further then the March 15th. lol Im hoping the endoconologists tests...come back okay....cause I have to say....these tests are all coming back with results that arent too promising for that new March 15th date....if those tests come back stating that I have some wierd diagnoses.... Welcome to all those newbys that just just joined.....Looking forward to supporting you and sharing experiences. Jodi

Great news!!! Keep on going.....its just around the corner!!

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

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

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

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

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....

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!!!!

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!