lillyegg

I have to do the endoscopy on 1/17 and then I can schedule. Pretty sure I will be in February! Lapband to bypass revision. Can’t wait to have a date.

I was banded Sept. 2010 and I am in the process of getting an RNY revision approved. I hate this band and it is time for it to come out. I had no success in losing weight and I am back up to where I was when I had surgery. I’m nervous but excited to be healthier. Good luck!

That is encouraging! I also have Anthem BCBS. I had a consultation last Friday and have already scheduled the majority of the follow-ups. I want this band out.

Sorry to be such a downer last night. While the pain can get pretty bad, I would do this again. I am down 25. lbs!!! 18 on pre-op and 7 since surgery. My appetite is minimal and satisfied with 1/2 cup of pureed chicken noodle Soup.

Don't be scared if you haven't gone yet. Go in knowing that your shoulder may feel like someone is stabbing it with a hot poker. But also know that there are probably 50 other people on this thread just a post away with sympathy and advice. My two cents: invest in a heating pad; prepare to sleep sitting up; and enjoy!!

This is so worth it already. My friend, bless her heart, told me I look thin in a picture taken yesterday. 285 can hardly be considered thin, but I'll take it anyway!!

Hi everyone. I got banded on 9/14/10.. surgery went well thank goodness.

My question is for everyone, im 5 days out now and still have extreme gas pains in my shoulder. I walk and walk as much as i can, and still cant get rid of the sharp pains. Any suggestions? I also take mylanta by that doesnt seem to make it any better either..

I finally slept almost the whole nite last nite in my bed, I realized im ok sleeping on my right side and that made me a little more comfortable. If only my shoulder would stop.

I still have a little over one week left on Clear liquids and im not sure if im getting enough liquids or not because my stomach growls a little and im starting to think about food when i cook for my son and boyfriend.

anyone have any good suggestions for that too?

well I hope everyone is doing good who had the surgery this month too!

Purplevic, my surgery was the day before yours. The shoulder pain is excruciating. It flairs during the day, but at night--like now--i am in so much pain. I have barely slept. Sitting up, lying down. Doesn't matter. I keep the heating pad on it, but it just isn't getting any better. I feel like a baby, but I am in tears all night every night. Everyone says it is normal, but I can't take much more of this.

I put a bra on yesterday for the first time (surgery 9/13). I think it was too constricting because I ended up having shortness of breath and increased pain from my hernia repair.

The steri strips in my belly button fell out, but the one on my chest is still there. The doctor said to just leave it alone and it will fall of when it is ready.

Hi everyone! Finally checking in. Surgery on Monday went well! Checked in by 9:30 and in recovery by 12. I had to stay overnight because I wasn't producing enough urine. All better now.

Dr. Ren repaired a small hiatal hernia and the referred shoulder pain from the diaphragm is KILLING me. Luckily, I had single incision surgery and have no pain at all from the incisions.

Hope everyone is doing well and getting liquids in. I'm struggling a little.

Thanks! I am so nervous. My sister is on her way to pick me up. I'll stay at my parent's tonight and we'll all go together tomorrow morning. Yes, I really am 36, but when it comes to surgery, I'm still my mother's baby. She might never let me go home alone again! It's amazing to have the support. I'll be thinking of the rest of you and I'll check in when I can!

That is exactly how I chose her! I went to another seminar with Dr. Kurian and she was really great too.

The link to my blog is in my signature. I've been documenting this from the beginning. I am so excited that I can't even sleep. I have to arrive at 9am and the surgery is scheduled for 1:15. The patient access coordinator says that she always schedules with such a wide gap, but I could go in anytime between 9 and 1. I am so ready for this.

Let's definitely keep in touch. Next week is our week!!

Hi everyone. Maxi2010, I am being banded 4 days before you on the 13th by your doctor's wife, Dr. Ren! The NYU diet is pretty killer. I'm two days away and it has not gotten any easier. Can't believe by Monday night I'll be banded! Good luck to you all. Maxi, maybe I'll see you at the office. We should wear lapbandtalk nametags there. Lol.

Good for you! I know how hard it is having gone through something similar. But you are doing the right thing. Jason has not changed. You of all people know how hard it is to truly change. You are going through the process of changing your entire lifestyle. Has it happened in two months?

Jason needs to grow up and in order to do that he needs to take care of himself for a change. Replace the name Jason with Dominick and this is the advice I give myself every day.

Stick to your guns because in the end he is going to always look out for himself and change his mind whenever the wind blows. You have a responsibility to yourself here to be the one who says you will not be hurt anymore. He clearly can't make that decision.

Congratulations on your date! It will be here before you know it. The Carnation drinks gave me terrible gas and were not all that filling. There are tons of other shakes that people here use that might work better for you.

As to the light headedness, I am on Day 6 of the pre-op and so far I have not been that light headed. The only time I felt really shaky was in the first couple of days and I went too long without drinking a shake. If you keep yourself constantly hydrated and sip shakes slowly throughout the whole day, you'll make it.

It totally sucks, but it is so worth it and I swear it gets marginally better.

Hi All,

I will have to be something I am usually not - selfish and ditch her. I always look out for other people and try to help them and not help myself - I am usually the guy who gives and gives and gives but I think it is my time be a little selfish and take care of myself first for once.

-Brian :biggrin:

Oh Brian. Cathy is so right. You keep this up and you are going to have a group of banded women chasing you through the streets. (Remember I was here first. LOL)

My therapist once said to me "Putting yourself first is not inherently selfish. Always putting yourself first is selfish." That sticks with me. I had the same problem as you of not wanting to be selfish and thinking that giving in to someone else's needs before my own made me a selfless human being. In actuality it made me an obese and unhappy human being. Sometimes you HAVE to come first.

Good luck with your special friend, but remember it is not selfish to take care of yourself.

Same day for me too! Not sure how I will get through the next ten days. So excited!! Of all things, I'm nervous about the blood thinner shot in belly before surgery. I suppose now is the time to make my peace with needles in my stomach.

Hi CSinTX ( Cathy ),

I am wondering if I should go to a final dinner with a special friend ( woman I am in love / lust with but who triggers some emotional eating ) or just flush my old life / get ready for my new start. Decisions. Decisions. arrggggh.

-Brian :biggrin:

Well, Brian, you have come to the right place! I think there are a lot of single people here who feel the same way that you do about dating. I just got out of a relationship that I stayed in for too long because I was just so grateful that someone wanted me. I'm 10 days pre-op and I can't wait for the changes that are coming. The biggest one being self-confidence. I tell myself that I am confident all the time, but I don't think it is something I truly feel.

As to the emotional eating trigger girl, DITCH HER. You don't need anything derailing you right now. You are so close! Eyes on the prize, my man! (Liquid diet starvation sure does make me bossy!)

LOL. It is the Carnation Instant Breakfast. I have posted here about it and even blogged about it. I seriously felt like my stomach was going to explode the two days that I tried that one.

I have moved on to Muscle Milk light and it is sooo much better. No gas at all and there are tons of great flavors.

Ditch Carnation now!! It will only embarrass you in public. TRUST me. I know.:scared2::biggrin:

Hi lovemysgt. Today was Day 5 for me also. My diet is 5 14oz servings of Protein shake (I use Muscle milk light) and 2 cups of veggies a day. I can have broth and 30 calories worth of Jello also.

I too am really hungry, but I have lost 8.6 lbs and that feels amazing.

Every time I feel like giving in, I think about my big sloppy liver getting bruised during surgery and imagine waking up not banded. We can do this.

When is your surgery date?

Just finished Day 1 of pre-op. 13 more to go. I'm starving! Please tell me it gets better.

I will NOT be watching Top Chef this week.

Approved!!! I got the call this morning. If I weren't too fat to do cartwheels, I'd be doing them now!!!

I got the call while I was in the hospital doing pre-op testing. That was quick and hopefully went well too.

What a terrific day!! Good luck to everyone getting banded this week. I'll be there in exactly 14 days.

Hey everyone, thanks for all of the support. I finally reached my UHC nurse counselor and she assured me that I did not need the 5 year history. I spoke to the surgeon and they sent everything in on Tuesday. Now I just wait. So nervous.

Cathy, GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!! I am on my blackberry or I would add dancing smilies because you deserve fanfare for being so devoted to this group. We'll all be there waiting when you get home. (I mean here online. Not in your actual home because that would be creepy and weird. Lol) my thoughts will be with you tomorrow.

Cathy, you are honest to God like having a little angel on my shoulder. Those are all terrific ideas. You've talked me off the ledge and tomorrow I will put on my calm determined hat and handle this.

September brethren, I am in a panic. My surgery is 3 weeks from today. The surgeon's office insurance coordinator called today and said that my insurance told her there is a 5 year history required. I spoke to 2 different people at united healthcare who said it wasn't. I called the only doctor I have visited semi-regularly--my gyno--and they said 2 weeks to get my records!!! There is no time.

I have been calling my insurance counselor to no avail all day. I know it will work out, but I am frantic!

It's possible! My appt was @ 2 and I was there a bit early to meet with the nurse first. I just told her there was a lot of bad press not only around her, but the practice as well. She was really great about that part - which made me feel better. She was like YES, let's talk about it and we did. She wasn't so happy to hear about my anxieties, which again, I *get*, but it was off putting - but ultimately I trust her and that's what is most important.

We can be band buddies!

How is it going Dr. Ren band buddy? Do you have a date? Mine is less than a month away and I a freaking out slightly. Keep thinking that I am crazy for doing this. Then I heave myself off the couch, wait for all of my joints to crackle like Cereal, and remember why I am doing this.

Have you been back to see Dr. Ren?

I have a surgery date (Sept. 13) but I don't even think my doctor's office has submitted it yet. I have decided to trust that the woman there knows what she is doing. She does this all day every day.

However, my trust only extends until Monday. If she hasn't submitted it by then, I'm going to explode and email her. Again.

Congrats on your date Cathy. After all that waiting, it's great that your surgery is so soon. I can't wait for full details.

I bought the costco version of Viactiv which seems to meet the Calcium requirements. They taste pretty good actually.

My date is 3 and a half weeks away and I swear it feels like a year. I have not been approved by insurance yet, so I am panicking a bit. The doctor hasn't submitted it yet. I know they'll call if something is missing, but I'm starting to get nervous. Postponing this thing might kill me!