dar36

I feel exactly like you do! Oh gee, I didn't realize that I had to exercise and eat less. Thank you for the news flash. Oh yeah, and by the way, I have been on every "diet" known to mankind and exercised like a maniac only to lose about 10 pounds. They don't understand that I have a list of medical conditions a mile long and I want to to be healthy and live to see my children grow up. As it stands now, I am on an unhealthy road and most of it is out of my control. As a result, I am taking control by getting banded. People don't get it and I am tired of defending it. In fact, this evening, all of my siblings and in-laws went out to dinner. We had an awesome time, but of course, my upcoming surgery became the topic of conversation. I felt like you and wanted to smack everyone. Thank goodness my husband stepped in and supported me and said it was about relieving my serious health issues so I could live. Hello people...this isn't a vanity thing! Thanks for letting me rant.

I knew that I snored and was exhausted all the time, but it never occured to me that I had sleep apnea. My surgeon required that I get a sleep study and I am actually very glad that I did. I was diagnosed with sever sleep apnea and am now wearing using CPAP. Although it isn't the nicest looking or most comfortable thing to wear, it has made a HUGE difference in how I feel and how I function during the day. The diagnosis helped me get insurance approval because my BMI was under 40. I had several co-morbidities, including the sleep apnea that helped me get approval. I get banded in four more days! If you can get your PCP or surgeon to refer you to a sleep study, I would go for it. You have nothing to lose.

Glad to know all went well. Keep us posted on your progress. I get banded in four more days! I am so ready to get this done.

Tony. Most of the responses that I have received have been similar because my BMI was under 40. "You're not THAT heavy" or "try this diet" or "try this work out". I was also thin most of my life and was an athlete through college so people assume that I just gained weight after having two children and let myself go. It's nothing like that. I have developed significant co-morbities that have made it nearly impossible to lose more than 10-15 pounds regardless of how much "dieting" and exercise I do. As you, I feel the same way about my husband, my mother, my best friend, but most of all me....I don't want to let anyone done. I now have accountability by sharing with others. But with that accountability comes milestones and succes, which I look forward to. I enjoyed your positive post!

Remember, once you tell someone, you cannot take it back. I didn't tell that many people, but I certainly wish I didn't tell some of the people that now know. My husband, my mother, and my best friend are incredible and have been supportive every step of the way. The bottom line is that many people are judgemental and do not understand many of the health issues that we ere up against. They don't understand the seriousness of the co-morbitities. They haven't walked a minute in our shoes. So when I decided to tell some other people, I quickly realized that it was unrealistic to expect that each peson would understand and be supportive. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. I have made a decision to have surgery and am making a positive step in a positive direction. I want to remain positive and do not want to have to defend my position or my health to people that I choose to tell and then tell me to just keep exercising and wathcing what I eat. Really, it's that simple eh? Again, they haven't walked in my shoes. I sound a little synical right now, but it just so happens that my entire family (expept my husband and my mother) think that because I lost the weight my insurance required, that I can lose the rest of it. Again, no one gets it expect a 2-3 people in my life. What started out as sharing my excitement and joy turned into defending my position. I discovered that this is something that is deeply personal to me and I don't want to share it with anyone else. My advice, choose wisely. It is a VERY personal decision and I recommend following your instinct. I wish I followed mine. You have received a lot of input and feedback to this thread. I hope all of it has helped you. On a side note, I get banded on August 17. I can tell everyone on this board because I know you ALL understand. Isn't it ironic that we can come to this place where we are strangers and get the help, motivation, and support we need from each other? I wish it was so with the people in our personal lives. My best to all of you. Thank you to everyone who understands, takes the time out of their busy days to post comments and give encouragement. I am glad we have this outlet.

I started this process in March and am getting banded this Tuesday! My process included the following: appointment and referal from my PCP and endocrinologist group informational session with a dietician, social worker, nurse case manager and insurance navigator. blood work chest x-rays cardiac clearance pulmonary clearance with two sleep studies, appointment with a social worker appointment with a dietician pyschological clearance attending a group counseling session pre op physical more bloodwork pre admission meeting with a nurse final meeting with surgeon SURGERY ON AUG 17 It can be quite a lenghy process but it is well worth it. Don't be afraid, if you are with a good office, they will walk you through every step of the way and answer all of your questions. I started with one program and had a really bad feeling. Something told me it just wasn't right for me. I then switched to program an hour away from me and was so happy that I did. I know I made the right decision and found the staff that I wanted to work with during this process. You must feel comfortable with the office and your surgeon. Let me know if you have any quesitons. I am more than happy to help in any way that I can. My best to you!

I agree. I love this site. Aren't we lucky that we have a place where we can ask questions, provide feedback, and give encouragement? I know this sounds crazy, but I feel like it is our own little world where everyone actually understands the issues, concerns, and the mental and emotional stress of being overweight with accompanying health issues. I can't believe I am finally getting banded next week. It has been a long process....a good process. I have learned so much a long the way about myself. I have also learned some things about other people, those that support me 100 percent and those that don't. Where are you in the process?

Hey there. Good for you...you already dropped 27 pounds. You are on your way. Please let us know how you do and I hope all goes well with your surgery. Take care and congratulations. (I get banded on August 17) I can't wait. Our lives are going to change for the better. How blessed we are!

Ok, you have me laughing. I just had the boob conversation with my best friend. I don't want to lose my boobs! I have big boobs and I want to keep big boobs. Ok, all joking aside, here is what I am looking forward to in no particular order: Not being embarassed of my body anymore. Getting of my diabetes meds Resolving my adrenal gland issues Reducing my PCOS symptoms Wearing clothes that I like and not wearing clothes just because they fit. I can't wait to see my face again... The face I always had before the weight gain. CONFIDENCE a good role model for my children HEALTH Energy sharing the journey with people on this message board. not having to wear the sexy CPAP mask. wearing a nice nightgown if you know what I mean. helping others buying new clothes everytime I drop a size.

Glad to hear from you today. Happy to know that you are feeling ok. Keep us posted.

Hi there. Although I am not banded ( I will be Aug 17) I can understand how you must feel. I don't think anyone can comprehend the changes and emotions until actually going through it. I go through a ton of different emotions each day as the day gets closer to surgery. I have waited for this for such a long time so I am thrilled. My biggest concern is for my husband and the changes he will go through as he supports me. Have you been to a support group yet? I went to a group meeting and it was helpful to listen and receive support from others that have already been through it. I really learned a lot. If you haven't been going, it might be place to get what you need. It was an emotional experience being with everyone in that group. I am very happy that I went and look forward going back again.

Thanks. I had two c-sections as well and although painful, I did just fine. If the pain is less than a c-section, I can handle it! I also had a tummy tuck, which made my c-sections seem like a day at the park so with that said, I hope I can conquer this as well as I did my other surgeries. Thank you for your input.

I am scheduled for surgery on Aug. 17. I know everyone's experience is different, however, I am really curious about the pain level the day of surgery and the following week. I am not scared of the pain..I have been through much worse, but I just want to know what to realistically expect from people that have gone through it...not from the doctor that hasn't gone through it. During the first week post op, will I be able to play with my kids, go to the park with them, swim with them? What was your pain level on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst.

I am getting banded on Aug 17 and I am going through some crazy emotions right now too. I can't even explain it. I am really happy for you and the new beginning and opportunities that we will have. I am nervous and scared too about a large spectrum of things. I don't even know where to begin or how to articulate it. The waiting over the next two weeks is going to drive me crazy. I really have anxiety and I can't even put my finger on it. Then I also have tremendous excitement and feel so blessed. I didn't think my insurance would cover it either. I will be thinking of you and hope you have the energy and time to post something when you get home so I can hear how you are doing. I will say a prayer for you tonight wish you the best.

I started thinking about this last year at this time. I started the process in January and the date is finally set! I am so excited. I would like to to keep in contact with you if you are interested. I am sure we both will probably need some support and encouragement along the way. Have you started your pre op diet yet? I am starting mine tomorrow morning. Didn't even get time for the "last supper" as everyone in our support group calls it. It really hit me today that I am officially ready. I got the phone call from my insurance company for approval and hours went by before I even thought about eating anything or running for the last taste of pizza or pasta. I am thinking about everything that I am gaining and not looking back. I can't even explain the feeling inside of me. I know I am rambling and rambling but I feel like this is the place we can come where we understand each other and no one negatively passes judgement. Thanks for listening. I look forward to hearing from you and hearing about your progress. Good health to you!

Hey there. You responded to my insurance approval thread and I wanted to let you know I got my approval today! It took less than one week. I have my surgery on August 17. I notice that you are getting your surgery in two days! I am really excited for you. How are you feeling? Excited? Nervous at all? I will be thinking of you and since you are two weeks ahead of me I will be interested in your progress and advice. Take care.

I too have PCOS and every symptom that goes along with it. Although I have always had a big belly, it was absolutely horrible after the birth of my second child who weighed 10 pounds at 37 weeks. My belly was outrageous. I have yet to be banded, however, I did have a tummy tuck 3 years ago and it was the best thing I every did. I have since experienced other health issues that have made it difficult to lose weight, which is why I am getting banded now. I guess I did it in reverse, but I still have a flat stomach and it really changed my life. My advice is to get the lapband and when permitted by the doctor, work out as much as possible to lose the belly fat. If you c an do it without a tummy tuck, do it! The tummy tuck was extremely painful...can't even explain to you how painful it was. It made my 2 c-sections seem like a day at the park. Any weight you lose is going to help you get on the road to a healthier you. I do know that once banded I am looking forward to a normal cycle, less hair growth, more energy, lower blood sugar, and everything else! I can't wait and I am so glad that there is the support of other PCOS women out there. Let's support and motivate each other. We can do it!

I had to take advantage of switching masks within the first 30 days. If you aren't comfortable with your current one and still have time left, make the switch. I hated my first one and wanted to run it over with my car. The second one is much better and I can actually wear it all night. There was a very big difference in the way the two fit my face. My favorite aspect of this whole experience is the fact that I am now developing some really pretty acne around the mask areas despite my obsession with keeping my face clean. Now I am a fat person with acne that has a lot of energy. It doesn't get much better than that.

Oh dear. I had my endoscopy last week and I too, have hiatal hernia. From the sounds of everything hear, I guess I have some shoulder pain ahead of me!

Ok, you totally have me laughing! When they hooked my up, I had them take a picture of me with my phone and sent it to my husband for a good laugh. You definitely have to have a sense of humor with the head strap and mask over the face. Not sure what is more of a turn on for my husband....the mask or the previous snoring and snorting that could be heard three blocks away.

I had to go through two sleep studies and was actually glad that my surgeon made me do it. I was mortified at first to go through with the study and be hooked to everything, but I took a xanax and didn't have a problem falling asleep. They discovered that I woke up an average of 40 times per hour. No wonder I was always sleepy during the day and would fall asleep all the time. I had no energy to do anything other than survive the day taking care of my two toddlers. I know have the CPAP and as much as I find it annoying, the benefits outweight the drawbacks. In addition, I know once I lose the weight, I probably won't need it anymore. It is nice to have energy again. I can exercise! I can play more with my children and I don't have to nap during the day. It has made a big difference. I do, however, have trouble falling asleep with it on if I don't take a xanax or some tylenol PM. I hate to have to take something, but again, I am actually getting some sleep. The number of times I stop breathing during the night has been reduced by more than half. It's not the most flattering aparatus, but it's tempory. I am glad that I have it.

I will miss pizza!

That's awesome. You don't hear of those stories often. Good for you. So are you waiting for your surgery or did you have it already? I started a program in January, lost my required weight but really did not like the local bariatric program. Something just did not feel right to me. So I followed my instinct and found a program about an hour away that was a much better fit for me. Unfortunately, I had to lose an additional 10 pounds, but it was worth it. I am happy with the program and am awaiting approval.

Obviously, my husband knows and he has been my biggest supporter and biggest fan. I told my two closest friends, and decided I would tell my immediate family, but the responses haven't always been supportive or positive. I agree with not telling anyone and I wish that I didn't tell a few people. This is a huge decision and anyone who hasn't been through what we have does think it is the easy way out. I am sick of people's opinions quite honestly. I should have done this only with my husband, but it is too late now. I started thinking about this one year ago and decided to start the process in January. I initially had doubts but as the year progessed and the worse my health was getting I know I made the best decision of my life. I am moving forward and not looking back. I am 100 % ready and am totally positive and do not want negativity in my life. It is harmful and unhealthy on so many levles. I am happy for you and wish you all the best in the world. Thank you for responding.

That is why I am worried....my BMI wasn't 40, but I have a list of comomorbidities a mile long, which are documented. I don't see why my insurance company wouldn't approve since I meet the requirements, but I guess you never know with insurance companies. I eagerly awai the newst!