sherilynn

Hey all - just a little update on where I am in my PRE-Band process. I've gotten my letter from my General Practioner, I've gotten a letter of necessity from my Neurologist due to my Pseudo Tumor Cerebri, letter of necessity from my dietician, letter of necessity from my neuro-opthamologist. I'm now scheduled for my cardio clearance. The only thing I have left to work on is a letter from a Psychologist. I found a 'bargain' for $150. Can I submit that to insurance? Anyway - I'm getting excited. Just four pounds down with the dietician; but that's great news. I had my consult with Dr. Abkin, and all is great - just need some further blood work, which I'll go for on Wednesday. So, once I schedule the Psych - I can let the office know; and I can pretty much get my date!!! Seems like such 'baby steps'. Those of you who are being banded just prior to the holidays - KUDOS to you all! I have some sort of warmth in knowing that this is my last holiday with a 'full stomach'. And if surgery is in January - by the time the holidays roll around; my band will be 'old hat' - and I'll be comfortable with all the new adjustments in my life. NOT to mention I'll be looking fine! Wow; seems like a lifetime away.

Well, it's here. After months of being here on line with you all, and gaining as much knowledge as possible - I have my surgeon consult today. Any last words of advice? Anything that I should ask - that you haven't already told me about?? AHHHHHHHHH, I'm scared and excited all at the same time!!!!

Hey all... I just got my Weight Loss for Surgery book (enjoying it so far). But they brought up a point that my insurance company may consider obesity a Pre Existing condition, when I get my new insurance (open enrollment now) in January. Has anyone had waiting periods, etc. due to obesity being a pre existing condition? I'm concerned.

Hey there! Congrats on your first steps! I too recently (September) started to get the ball rolling. For some of us it is a very long process. I'm done with everything but my psych. I too brought my Mom to my first seminar. Stick to this site; you can't go wrong with all the advice.

Hey all... The thing that I say I'll miss the most when I'm banded is going to dinner for Hibachi Japanese, as well as sushi. Well, last night we went out with some friends. I was VERY observant of just HOW MUCH food I actually got, etc. Anyway, I asked for my eel roll to be made with rice paper; just to 'check it out' pre band. It was delicious. Naturally, I tried it with the rice. But after the band I may not be able to have the rice, but I'm sure it will still be delicious. So...I also came to the realization - with the help from my 'doggie bag'...that I don't think I'll miss the big Japansese dinners out 'oh so much' after all. I took GREAT note of just how stuffed I was after the fact; so much so that I was not comfortable. I can't imagine trying this with a band! Now that I have that 'miss' out of my head, knowing I can still have a small portion - I feel alot better. hehehe The only thing now that I am certain I'll miss are my Water chugging. I drink a ton of water; at a time even. I'll miss that the most. Imagine THAT! If that was the thing I enjoyed most, then how the heck did I get fat? lolol Have a great night. Sheri Lynn

I am wondering what to do if my surgeon suggests the Bypass for me as opposed to the Band! I really don't know what I'd do.

Hi Marcy, Nope not banded yet. My surgeon visit is 11/16 and we'll work a date from then. Just when I am SO convinced that I can do this, the Band is the perfect tool for me - SOMETHING is said to knock my confidence in this. Now that I'm facing diabetes - I really can't imagine how I can even think NOT to get banded. It's a long journey of that I'm sure. But I'm still young and want to live a long HEALTHY life!

Good Morning All… I have read a few posts here, as well as other sites, as well as the 'guest speaker' from my future surgeon say something such as "As soon as I left the hospital, my diabetes were gone, and my blood pressure was at a normal range". HOW in the world can someone make this claim? Is it possible? This whole Oprah issue is all over the New York radio stations this a.m. on the commute. How the DJ's are 'bashing' the 'nutshell size' stomachs that are created with the Bariatric surgeries. I hate hearing this, especially since it's taken me some time to get up the guts to do this!!! :girl_hug:

Thank you Full Of Grace...I knew this could not be the greatest of data.:girl_hug:

Hi Everyone, My lab work is back from my visit with my General Practice doctor – and I am terrified. I have gone into this lap band surgery with the wonderful thoughts that I have no co-morbidities. Well I am very wrong. I cry as I write this, b/c I have been in a fright all day long. My blood sugars came back at 282! I spoke with a nurse at work, who went over the labs with me. Turns out she has been diabetic for 20 years; so she knows her stuff. I DO NOT know my stuff! I know nothing of the disease, it does not run in my family, and I am so terrified I feel like I’m frozen in time. My GP has not discussed these numbers with me yet; the lab report was mailed directly to me, but I did fax it over to him today; and will see him next Monday. The nurse at work told me that I’ll most likely have to do another series of blood work. She asked if I fasted and I did for 12 hours prior to the test. The only thing I did was water in the a.m. with all of my vitamins. I know that I have to loose weight, have better nutrition and exercise. This number has just made the horror of being overweight ‘real’ for me. I have never had a problem before; last blood workup was 18 months ago. I ‘feel’ fine; perfectly fine. I do know when I go off of carbs I feel much better. I’m not a sweets-a-holic, but I do get my occasional sweet tooth. My head is spinning. I’m so afraid to go on to the American Diabetes website; worst thing I think I can do right now. I’ll terrify myself to death. I told my best friend when I left work today, b/c I was crying then. I told her that I MUST loose weight. She does not know I plan on banding. “Sheri Lynn, you can do this, I’ve seen you loose weight a hundred times on WW – just do that and it will go away”. Yea. Sure. This is why I am not telling her I’m being banded. Do many of you suffer with diabetes, or still do? Can the weight loss truly help? I’m still crying. My FIRST thought was to come and write to all of you for support and advice. I know it’s my extra weight – I am not a stupid person. I know I have to get exercising, and of course my diet can improve – otherwise I’d not be considering the band! Please help me feel better.

Is this a scare tactic? If so...it might work. Seems to me that a 3 year old study is just that; OLD. I'm sure there must be advances. Right???:phanvan

Good luck to you all! I won't be speaking with my surgeon until 11/16; it came up so fast! I pick up my labs today. YIPEEE

Hey everyone, I've done a search, and can't seem to come up with any list. Does one exist on this forum that would be good reading for both PRE and POST Banders? Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you, Sheri Lynn:girl_hug:

I actually called my favorite Japanese resturants after I read these posts. Sure as anything - SOY PAPER is available for my sushi rolls! Whooo HOOO! Doesn't look like I'll have to give up my sushi (hopefully I'll be able to tolerate it!).

Lisa, I have tears in MY eyes as I read your story! Congratulations, Kudos, Encore, Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!! Your story is just the encourgagement that I needed considering that I'm currently posted as '2nd Guessing Myself'. You are me. I mean, I can totally and completely feel what you're feeling, as many of us can. You have inspired me all over again, to keep up this fight - get my surgery date and move forward. No one can stand in my way. I want to fulfill my dream of controlling my weight. To feel HEALTHY, totally and completely is something that I'm looking foward to! I am already keeping a journal of my experiences with pre-surgical labs, doctors, etc. I'll be sure to post as my date approaches. Thank you!

Hey Everyone...Happy Tuesday! As you may know, I'm in the process of doing all my 'pre' work for surgery. Last night I had my 1st visit with a nutritionist. I went through some metobolic testing, a breathing test, and ever so briefly spoke with an fitness expert of sorts. The place I went is a nutritionist who sells packaged vitamins; liquid vitamins, power bars, etc., and is also a fitness center. Anyway, my first 'interview' with her and she was rather 'cold' in my opinion. She asked me if I had knowledge of the surgery (no, duh!); and was impressed by my knowledge. No worries - I credited all of you!!!! She went on to say that she's never known of a surgeon to back track and keep notes on how patients do after with nutrition "in her opinion". We talked more about my eating habits. She told me that I'd have to pick up alot more excercise, etc. She did question if I was 'ready' to give up alot of things as far as food goes, she questioned my ability to go through holidays without big meals, etc. **I think she was maybe a little condecending. My point is that I went in there so completely sure of myself and what I am going to do with my body, my self. She had me 2nd guessing the lap band last night on my way home, all night I couldn't sleep thinking about it. I'm not sure if it was her pss poor attitude toward me or what; but I didn't like it. I could go for a 2nd Nutritionist as my insurance pays, but if she's giving me my 'note required'; why bother. I guess that I have to ask this of you experienced Bandsters: How many of you rely on a nutritionist to help you with your eating habits after surgery? Do you rely on a nutrionist for your supplements, etc? I think I'll need help after surgery, but can I get enough help on this forum and with my own knowledge? Any opinions and words of encouragement are GREATLY appreciated!! Thank you, Sheri Lynn

Tia.... ALL GOOD THINGS TO THOSE WHO WAIT! I don't even have my surgery consult until 11/16! But that doesn't mean I'm going to be mad at every that is 'standing in my way'!!! Be positive; look at this time of waiting as your chance to get yourself educated on your pending surgery, how your eating habits will be forced to change. Look toward the future!!!

I think that this weekend I was more aware of how much food was going down my throat, than ever before. I am aware of everything I eat. I also noticed how much I eat; even when I'm not hungry. And I'm thinking either I'm going to go through the "Last Supper Syndrome", or loose weight before banding, b/c I'm just disgusted with myself. If I think of my stomach in terms of being a 'gas tank' just for fuel for my body...I should realize I don't need 1/2 of what I eat - probably more. Wow, I'm excited for the band. Now...lets eat! j/k!

So if I know I have really good teeth - I really don't have to make a special trip to the dentist before surgery, right?

Hey all, I'm not yet banded, but I've begun my journey with doctors, testing, etc. I can tell you this much: I feel GREAT. I've been in a great mood. I am out there shaking my thing, I'm walking taller and just feel 'giddy'. I suppose b/c I know I'll be loosing soon - and feeling fine. I keep laughing at myself with my clothes saying things like "Ahhhh, if I ruin it - so what - this time next year it won't fit me anyhow"! I'm getting SO excited. Just a few more doctors, and I'll get my approvals I need. Question is: How are you feeling now that you've started your journey to the band? Are you nervous, anxious, depressed, Excited, silly? For some of us it's a long journey (months) before we can be approved. What keeps us going? Me, knowing I can give away all my 18's!!!!!!!! Sheri Lynn

I too am Pre Band, and I've being made VERY aware of just how fast I eat, how big my bites are and how little time between bites I leave. I am trying to get into the 'habit' of chew, chew, chew before the Band, and I'm trying not to drink with meals. I figure that if I start the habit now; I'll be much better off than doing this all 'cold turkey' the day after surgery.

Hi Rita, I saw my GP on Monday, and he's in total support of the surgery! So naturally he has me going for the battery of tests, etc. He also gave me referrals for a psych doctor as well as the nutritionist who I see on Monday. So things are 'moving right along'. I'm getting excited!

Hi Kimmie, I too am a PRE Bander. This is the best place for information. I read and read for hours! WELCOME!

Hi Alexandra, The support groups; do I have to register to show up? And what time do they start? I'll be there one of the dates in November for sure. Right after my official consult with Dr. Abkin. They MUST be busy...I had to wait over a month for my consult appointment.:faint:

Told you that you'd be great! I have tears in my eyes reading your post. I am sooooooooooooooo excited and happy for you!!!!