demsvmejm

Thanks for your responses. It's so nice to have someone elses opinion. I suppose my DH comments made me feel a bit like a failure. Why can't I do this w/o surgery? I don't want to put him in the wrong light, He says he'll suppport me in any decision I make. He understands I've researched and Googled and have been on this forum for a while now. He feels that I will make the decision that is right form me and stick by me. I know without him saying it, he's probably a little bit scared for me too. Still waiting to hear from my Dr. Chest x-rays from 12/26 came back with possible signs of pre-pnemonia.....What? Had another set taken yesterday, hope there is nothing wrong with my lungs! Thanks for the pep-talk...you are the best! Mary

OMG! :cry LB Dr. just called and said my chest pa showed an abnormality in the lower lung field and says it may be the onset of early pneumonia. Okay, 1st off, this x-ray was taken 12/26...wouldn't I have developed full blown pneumonia by now, or some sort of symptoms? I'm freaking out about what this could be. The thing that really ticks me off is the Radiologist. This x-ray was taken 12/26. The results should have been forwarded to my Primary Care Dr. and my LB Surgeon, he's the one that ordered it. I think someone dropped the ball on getting these x-ray results to the Dr's in a timely manner!:angry Nurse at surgeon's was putting my chart together for surgery date consultation (YEA!) and said she had to call for the results of my x-ray and asked if my Primary Dr. discussed the results with me...NO! What if this is something major? I'm so afraid this will totally eliminate my chances of getting the LB. Primary Dr. called in to hospital to have another x-ray. Just to double check everything. I'm hoping to do this yet this evening. I'm really hoping this turns out allright and my possible LB will still be a go!

Good Job to all the non-smokers! Wootsie, I'm sorry that others are smoking around you. It's gotta be twice as hard when those circumstances exist. I'm not sure I could have done that. I quit my bowling team this season, just because I knew I needed to quit smoking. Bowling, drinking beer and smoking all go together! I just couldn't put myself in that situation. You CAN do this!

Hey there Chubbola! Don't sweat the psych evaluation. I took mine Monday and it went really well. I'm sorry you have to wait so long for this appt. Hang in there. I've kinda drug this out too. I guess I wasn't in too big a hurry because my Dr. says no surgery until 2 months smoke free. So that would be around the middle of Februry. Hopefully he will call next week once the psych eval gets to his office and we can talk surgery date! Good Luck! and Congrats on the smoke free status! Here are some smoking facts I found on the internet: 20 mins your blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature of your hands and feet return to normal. 8 hrs Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal 24 hrs Risk of heart attack has decreased 50% 48 hrs Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and sense of smell and taste return to normal 72 hrs entire body will test 100% nicotine free 90% of all nocotine metabolites will have passed from your body. Chemical withdrawl have peaked. Bronchial tubes begin to relax, breath easier 10 days-2 wks Brain and body have physically adjusted to functioning without nicotine. 3 wks-3 mos Circulation has improved walking has become easier chronic cough has disappeared Lung function has increased 30% 1-9mos cilia have regrown in lungs body's overall energy has increased 1 yr excess risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to less than half that of a smoker 5-15 yrs Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker 10 yrs risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half 15 yrs Risk of coronary heart disease is of that of a person who has never smoked risk of lung cancer is decreased 90% Your overall risk of death has returned to near that of a person who has never smoked. sorry this is so long. I look at this list every day....been smoke free for 28 days!

I want to be the penguin with the cool yellow hair! That's exactly what I need to do this evening...."Walk it out!" Walking a mile on the treadmill should take away a few of the blues.

I need a hug today! I just hate crying, feeling moody and icky during PMS.

I think I'm goning to tell tell my boss (male) that I need surgery to have an ovarian cyst removed. With only 5 people in my office, I think this is the best way to explain why I need a week off work.

I just had my psych test yesterday and I was soo nervous! I thought the Dr. would think I was whacko because I've been a few different anti-depression medications. I took a 370 fill-in-the-circle test all true or false. Not too bad, some weird questions, some normal like "have you every lied?" well, yea! Do you ever get angry? stuff like that. He was such a nice Dr. I felt very at ease with him. I told him if I ever needed counseling, I'd choose him. He passed me! He said your an excellent candidate for the LB surgery, good luck, stick to the rules, and don't dissappoint me! I would really find another psych Dr. to do your evaluation. Keeping you in the dark about your results is unfair and unprofessional. There has to be some others close to you. GOOD LUCK!

I don't think I could be that patient to wait so long after completing my tests. I finally had my psych exam this morning and needless to say was VERY nervous! He was such a nice Dr. He says I'm an excellent candidate for the LB, and he said he had only given 2 other people that recommendation. I'm very excited! I suppose all I'm waiting for is him to drop my exam papers in the mail to my surgeon...... Than wait for the phone call to schedule!

I have that nosey co-worker also. She has made it very clear in the past about her views on weight loss surgery. She has already asked twenty questions regarding a day off I took for my x-rays and lab work.... "Is this lab work something extra, or is this part of your yearly check-up exam?" All I said was I have to have some blood drawn. And she proceeded to go on and on about what our BC/BS pays for and what it doesn't. See how nosey she is? Both of her kids have lost 100+ lbs. with diet and exercise and feels that anyone else could do the same. (not that she has much room to talk) I work in an office of 5 people. What am I going to tell them? I can't just take a week off work for no reason. I am thinking of telling my boss that I need to have a cyst removed from my ovary. (is this a "white" lie?) I really don't want the lectures, and the constant questions about what I'm eating, what I'm drinking etc.....because I'll be hearing it day in and day out from my nosey co-worker. And I hate confrontation. So I guess I'm gonna lie regarding my reason for needing a week off work. I do like Carlene's responses...I've written them down to memorize!

This board has been very informative. It's nice to hear of everyone's success stories, along with those that are struggling. No one has the same circumstances and this board reminds me of that fact. (does that mean I'm not abnormal?!) Hope to be banded the end of February. I will be 60 days smoke free by then. 21 days no cigarette!

I was really freaked out during the information seminar I attended. They said NO smoking at all for 2 months before surgery. So I did it! My GP wrote me a RX for Chantix. It stops the nicotine in your blood stream from hitting that happy place in your brain that says "gotta have a cigarette because it feels good!) Okay, that's my unscientific version of how it works. You take the pills for 7 days before your quit date, quit, and then keep taking them for around 12 weeks. I just finishing my starter pack of pills and will be using the continuation pack for another 4 weeks. I can truly and honestly say this has been a breeze. I have smoked for 20 years, stopped during my 2 pregnancies and kept starting up again. This time I really and truly feel it's for good. Just one person's story. Good luck to you.

I'm a secretary for Michigan State Univeristy Extension. I'm a mother of two. I am working on my volunteer hours to be a Certified Master Gardener. My DH opened up his own automotive repair business and works really long hours. I feel like a single mom most days.

Hello from a fellow Northern MI Michigander! (do you know where Traverse City is?) Just thought I'd welcome you. I've found this site really helpful on finalizing my decision about getting the LB. Hope all is going well with your band. Your weight loss looks like your doing wonderful!

Thanks lamamama for the encouragment. Going without a cigarette hasn't been that hard. I don't think I've been cranky (no more than normal!) You say your at a standstill, I think your weight loss gives me something to strive for. I went to the seminar in Nov, had my consult in December, I'm ready to get this show on the road! I just purchased "weight loss surgery for dummies" and it is giving me some really good information. Good luck with your fill. Mary

Gjdf52 Thanks for the update. It puts my mind at ease to hear your doing well. Having psych test next Mon. Wish me luck! As soon as they get the results to Dr. Featherstone, I should be getting a call for another appt. I think that's when they schedule a surgery date. I know there are just a handful of T.C. Bandsters, but as a future Bandster, it would be great if you'd keep us in the loop on this forum regarding your band. (Hey everybody, have I mentioned that I've been smoke free for 18 days???) I can do this!

Great question! I'm sure many could benefit from that answer. I did do a Google search on CPT codes, all I could find was codes for the Lap Surgery, Lap Band adjustment/port and Lap removal. I'm wondering if they could use some sort of generic code for "injections?" If anyone knows that would be great. I'm trying to budget how much this surgery is actually gonna cost me down the road.

We've all wondered if this is the right decision. I still have thoughts running around in my head about if this is gonna work for me or if I can be disciplined enough to follow the rules of LB. I am still convincing myself that I can do this! My health and life is on the line. This will be the best thing I've done for my health and my family (next to not smoking any longer)

My Dr. has done 500+ RNY surgeries and around 20 LB. I origionally went to the info seminar to get info on the RNY. During my consultation the Dr. suggested the LB. I have fewer than 100 lbs. to lose and he felt that the RNY was just too drastic, and my sister has Chrohn's disease. Even though I don't and probably never will get it, he still wouldn't do the RNY because of that. I need to do this. I've seen such results from the people on this forum and the before and after pics keep me inspired. Hoping to get a surgery date in Feb/March

Dr. says 2 months no smoking before he'll give me a surgery date. Put me in the catagory of EX-smoker waiting for a band date...I'm never going back to smoking! Keep up the good work all you non smokers. To those that are wanting to quit: I'm using the Chantix RX from my GP. Working well for me. I'm also on Wellbutrin XL for depression. Hoping for a Feb/March LB date!

Good Job and keep it up to all the non-smokers!... to those thinking about quitting: You can do it! There are many over the counter aids and a few RX ones your Dr. should have no problem perscribing to you. I've quit smoking 4 times within the last 20 years. Nicotine Patch worked well. Zyban didn't. Chantix is working wonders for me right now (smoke free for 9 days, and my DH hasn't moved out yet!) Ha! not a bit of stress or bitchiness! Of course, I think it has a lot to do with my state of mind. I know that I won't get a LB surgery date until I've been smoke free for 2 months per the Dr. It's weird what things drive you to quit, and what doesn't. Anyway, You can do it! I know you can!

Ladypitboss Hello from another soon-to-be TC Bandster! (actually I live in Kalkaska) When did you have your surgery in T.C.? It looks like your doing well. Way to Go! Dr. Featherstone said he had only done 15 LB when I had my consultaton on Dec 12. He stated that all his patients were loosing more than expected and they were only 3-4 months post-op. Have you had any complications? How does he conduct the fills? Does he use flourascope? I'm a little freaked out after reading some of the posts, some Dr's are taking 5-10 sticks to hit the port and I'm not into needles that much! I have my psych exam on 1/15 and after his results get to the Dr. I'll get a call for my final consult and hopefully get a surgery date scheduled around Feb/March. Let me know how you're doing. Hearing others ups and downs can really provide some support when others have worries about this whole new life changing decision.

My health is my #1 reason for this surgery. And of course everything else that goes along with that.....riding bikes with my kids, hiking, cross-country skiing, when the kids ask to go to the local swimming pool, I will say YES every time and not make up some lame excuse. Wearing one of those cute baby-doll strappy tops all the skinny girls wear. Shopping for clothes without sobbing in the dressing room. I'm 4'11" and nothing looks good when your 200 lbs. My husband's favorate "positions", and keep it going without leg cramps! You get what I'm saying. Actually getting out of the boat, go down the ladder, proudly showing my new little behind to go swimming at the lake.

Been there, Done that! Congratulations to all the non-smokers! I have smoked on and off (more on) for 20 years. I quit during both of my pregnancies. Whatever possessed me to start again?! I had a stroke almost 2 yrs ago at 36 yrs old. My Dr. told me to quit or else I'd have another stroke within 5 years and it would be severe the next time. Well, I quit again for around 2 months, had some marriage problems and started again. I have been smoke free for 7 days and 17 hours!!! I've been taking the newest drug on the market, Chantix. It doesn't have nicotine, it somehow stops the nicotine in your blood stream from hitting a part of your brain that causes you to like the feeling of smoking. I actually quit 1 day before my quit date. I was surprised to find that my van actually starts without rolling down the window and lighting a cigarette!!! Good Luck to all and keep up the good work! WE CAN DO THIS!

Hello sean5732 I just had the pulmonary test on Tues. I was put in a little booth with a chair. It was all windows. There was a tube that you put in your mouth kinda like the breathing thing for scuba divers and a plug for your nose. (It's not scarry) They measure lung capacity with a few different tests. I had to following instructions for breathing...breath normal for 4-5 breaths and on command I had to inhale as deeply as possible and on command, blow it out as fast as possible and get every bit of air out my lungs. She kept saying push! push! push!, I felt like I was delivering a baby again! Anyway, it took about 35-45 minutes. She said I didn't pass my second set of tests (60%) and I'm kinda worried what my surgeon will say about these results. I hope it doens't ruin my changes of getting a band. Of course, being overweight can decrease lung capicity and I have just quit smoking (7 days ago) I don't have to have a cardio test so I can't help with that. Good Luck!