Tayter

I too have BCBS hmo IL. I did my initial appt in Jan, and then did about 10 other things, barium, sleep study, psych eval, etc and was cleared on everything. In late May I was done with everything, including using my cpap for a while and dr called and said I was cleared, they contacted my ins and I had my surgery June 10. For everything, I have paid $40.00 which was for 2 $20.00 office copays. Other than that, my ins has covered it 100% and I saw that bills and it was over 30k, total. I had a referral from my primary for everything and had NO issues whatsoever!!!

I am going to be honest. One fill only so far for me. It was not numbed and it hurt like a b****!!!! I seriously had tears running down my face. The good new is the pain was short lived and once it was over, the pain was gone.... It is not going to stop me from getting another fill!!

I too am a private person....I told no one except my mother and my boyfriend of 11 years. We didnt even tell our kids.... I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work Monday. No one at work had a clue. I was walking kind of slow, just told them I didnt feel well... When I got home that Friday from my surgery, I told the kids I wasnt feeling well and stayed in bed most of the weekend... I am eating a little and walking on both breaks now, so when people ask, I tell them exercise and watching what I eat. No one has a clue!!!

Hey everyone! I finally feel like "blogging". Yesterday was 8 weeks post op for me. I feel great and dont notice any difference in the way that I feel at all. Once in a while, I get an ache in my port area, but nothing I cant deal with!! I got my 1st fill at 6 weeks and I got 4.2 ccs. Since that time, I have lost another 5lbs bringing my total to 32 lbs. I am finally starting to notice in my clothes, and people are asking me if I am losing. I cant tell by looking in the mirror though... I will get there! I am sooo glad I did this! The pre op diet and the post op not eating were HARD, but I made it.......

Today is day 6 post op. My port has been sort of achy today. It doesnt hurt, but it is achy in that area and I was kind of slow moving because of it... Maybe I over did something to cause this, I'm not sure. Over all I am doing well. Each day gets a little better! Going to a baseball game here in a few.

Hello, its me again! This morning I went to work to work half day. I wasnt feeling so well. My urine was brown and i was jittery... I called the dr and they said that the brown urine is a sign of dehydration. So, I started sipping down the water and ate a sugar free pudding cup. Through out the day, I have had over 2 liters of water and I feel 300% better... I went to the dr today and got the staples removed. She said they look great, my weight is decreasing, and no fever, bp is good, etc. No need to go back to the dr for 4-6 weeks depending on me and when I want my first fill. Over all I feel good!!!!!!! No pain meds in a few days, no need for it! Ta ta for now!

Hi! I went back to work today. All went well. I am moving and acting like nothing is wrong, so no one had a clue Pain is minimal. Going back to the dr tomorrow to get my staples out. They are starting to itch, so getting them out will be wonderful. Going to have a protein shake for supper. I feel like I'm getting hungry. More later!

Hello again! Today is day 3 post op. Pain is hardly nothing. I describe it as too many situps. I havent been using my pain meds except at night, and that is just to sleep. I feel good. I am still struggling to accept that I actually have had the surgery. When I think about it, i get knots in my stomach. I have read several other posts that state the same thing, so that must be "normal". Each day gets a bit easier. Went to my sons soccer tourney today and I'm going back to work tomorrow!!

Today is day 1 post op. My pain is very minimal... (could be the drugs) Hardly any gas unless it's yet to come. I'm up, moving around, talking, laughing, etc.. Feeling good for now. I have an xray shortly and if that is ok, I am released!!! I go back to the dr 5 days post op.. I cant wait to get home (except i have a 2.5 hour drive to get there). I miss my kids and dogs. I have a busy weekend ahead of me with a soccer tournament so I hope I can withstand it.. If not, I will stay home.. More to come

Doing well! Slept in nice and late, got up and showered and feel pretty good. Pain seems to be more of an ache to me and I'm moving slow, but other wise ok. Today I can feel the gas that everyone has mentioned and I feely burpy. But I'm dealing with that ok, too. Tuesday, I get my staples out. Then 4-6 weeks later I can get my first fill. More to come

Today is day 4 of my presurgery diet. Today has been the best day so far... But not eating stinks!! Im hungry! Surgery is coming soon... 4 days til I'm an official bandster!:thumbup:

I'm currently at the hospital.. Sitting here waiting to go up to surgery. I am SCaRED to tears and I'm not kidding, Im not scared of the surgery, but the life after surgery.... Why one would be scared of eating half of a cheeseburger instead of 2 is hard to fathom, but it's the truth... I have had seconds thoughts several times today.. But, I'm staying strong and I will one day be thinner!!!!!!!!! I have to spend the night tonite and will go home tomorrow....... Thanks for your thoughts!!!!

I'm scared out of my mind.. Everytime I think about it, I get sick to my stomach! I am doing great on the liquid diet though.. 10 lbs in 6 days! Man I cant wait til this is over!!! Pray for me!!!

I went to my preop appointment today. All was well with the surgeon. Then, I went to see the anesthesiology (sp) dept and they had NONE of my pre- surgery testing results... She states that they need it before I can officially be cleared for the surgery. I explained that all the needed stuff was done as that is why I was cleared by the dr for the surgery. She was talking to the Dr's office while I was there. She assured me that it would be ok... However, I'm a tad nervous... Hopefully all will work out... I have to be there at 7 am Thursday and surgery is at 930... I did well today with the liquids only, but damn is that hard!!! I cant wait until I am all thru this...

Thanks for your kind words... Yes, I am now liquids only. Surgery is Thursday! I am doing my best!!! Cant wait til this is all over!!!!!

I just realized i was commenting the whole time on my first post instead of adding more to it.... First time blogging error LOL

I am getting banded 6-10... At Loyola in Chicago. Where were all of yours done?

Good luck to you. I am 5 days prior to surgery.. Please keep posting so I can foillow your story!

HI.. just want to say congrats and good luck to you. I am enjoying reading about your journey each day!!! I am 5 days prior to surgery and I can't wait!!!

One other thing... I'm finally getting used to my CPAP. Just getting used to it and after some weight loss, I can get rid of it

Hi Everyone! I too am in the prelim stages of my banding. Here's my journey so far.... I started to have blood pressure issues about a year ago so was put on meds. Swelling from water in feet and ankles, etc... Then in Oct breathing issues (due in part to my size) and finally went to my dr in Dec. At that time I discussed my weight and options with her. By Jan, I had the approval from BCBS hmo IL to see a lapband dr for a consult. I was given Rush and Loyola for my options. Loyola is 2 and a half hours away, and Rush is even further. I chose Dr Sarker at Loyola. I had my first appointment with her Jan 15. She gave me the ever dreaded list of things to do... To date, I have everything done. I had the sleep study done earlier this week and they now want me to go for another sleep study to be set up for a cpap. Without the cpap, I was told the surgery can't be done... I talked to Gayle today at Dr Sarkers office and she told me that she is waiting for the sleep study and the psych eval and then my file will be given to Dr Sarker for review... After she looks at it and approves, then Marva(??) will send to BCBC hmo IL for final approval.... So, honestly things are moving rather quickly for me... I just hope they continue that way. Once the ins co gives the final approval, then I will see her one more time before surgery (I think). The other night when I had my sleep study, I was laying there miserable. I couldnt sleep with all them stupid wires, and I felt so trapped so I was laying there thinking and second guessing myself and was wondering why I was doing this. It actually scared the crap out of me and is making me rethink things. I need a serious support system and I dont have one yet!! I have only told my significant other, my mom and my friend in CO (who was also banded in Oct and to date she has lost 52 lbs) about this. I dont want everyone to know my business, so I dont talk to my friends or close coworkers about it. I also have 2 kids (10 and 17) that do not know Im considering it.. I feel like I am being sneaky all the time, and I hate it! Can someone help bring me out of this slump I'm in?? I need some encouragement. I seriously feel that I'm a food addict and will eat myself to death if I dont go thru with it.

Today is June 5th. In just 5 days, this will all be happening. I currently am doing the 7 day liquid diet. Honestly, it's not going so well. I have NO will power. I am defineatley eating less but not stopping. Tomorrow is a new day and I will DO this!!!!

All is well and I just got my approval from my insurance. I am shooting for June 10th. It's getting closer!!!