If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes.

I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc...

I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??)

My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism. :laugh:

I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! :thumbup: ~Renee

Good luck on surgery today. I have pre op today. So excited!

How's it staying hydrated?

I've found I'm obsessed with this darn website the closer I come to the date! Can't wait to get this started!

Nicole

So am I!!!

Its almost here only 12 days to go till my surgery!!! Being band on 25th. Started my preop diet today and so far so good. Working night shift so it is just the start of my day but we will see. I am starving but I have a great pre op diet that gives me a lot of choices so hopefully after the inital shock is gone It will get better. Getting nervous and so obsessed with this website it is crazy. I spend half my day reading how everyone is doing.

I have heard many people talk about a single incision lap band, my doctor doesnt seem to offer it... why would anyone choose 5 incisions over one? Any benefits to 5 incisions? What are others having done/had done?

I'll be having the single incision, but the Dr. said there's a chance of a second incision if they need to hold the liver back (unlikely in my situation but I'll let you know tomorrow).

Multiple incisions tend to be used on people with more visceral fat (all around the belly area and organs) to help hold things back and out of the way so the surgical instruments can be accommodated.

Single incision is also rather 'new' in that it's only being done at some facilities due to the increased complexity. The hospital I'm going to only does single incision (with up to 2 incisions if necessary). I imagine most facilities will convert to 1-2 incision within a few years.

the single incision thing is pretty new, as i understand it....im not sure that all doctors are able to do it. i think i'll have the 5 incisions, but i hadnt heard of the single before a few days ago...

so, do they put the port in your belly button, then?

Came home from the hospital yesteray about 4 1/2 hours after my surgery.

My experience with the surgery: Painful, painful, painful. I was given morphine to help but I don't think it did. My advice: walk as much as you can to stay loose. I find myself slumping over to "deal" with the pain. I also found myself to be very thirsty after surgery. I drank about 2 gallons the day before and thought I would be good the day of surgery. I went away last night to a family members house - was ok at first but was ready to come home and get more meds in me after about 1 1/2 hours. This morning, I was very thirsty so sipping away. I have pain today but not that bad so far. I am trying not to take pain meds.

I have 5 incisions, one pretty big one and the other 4 are small. My doc used glue, which is fine by me. I am pretty swollen and have been putting ice on my belly.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Shelly

I'm havign 5, and did not know about single until I read here. I did hear some people are upset at the size of the incision for a single and its onthe belly button. I don't really care as long as the lap band is in and I am not completely open! Start my pre op tomorrow for my surgery on teh 25th. So nervous! I have a big weekend and will have to schlep my chicken broth and water around. Oh boy.

I had 4 incisions including where the port was placed; closed with Dermabond. They're all an inch or less in length, and since I have no intention of running around in anything belly baring I'm ok if I get a bit of scarring. I feel SO much better today; the gas is almost all gone! I'm still having trouble getting in all my food and fluids but am doing better (and I'm not having the terrible "rumble" followed by the swift 'evacuation'). Down 5 more pounds since surgery which is crazy to me, but also worrisome since I don't think I've had 1000 calories total since surgery. Any old heads out there have some advice I'd be more than happy to hear it, and good luck to those just starting out!

I've never heard of one incision either? I had the five, with one big and four tiny. My Dr. warned me that with all the IV fluids you get that you will weight more for the first couple days until you start to loose the water again. I weighted 3lbs heavier the day after my surgery, down to 1lbs heavier today but am peeing like crazy so I suspect it will all be gone by tomorrow. I don't care if I go down right now, just don't want to go up!

"so, do they put the port in your belly button, then?"

-

Yes.

Single incision was first started in 2008, so it is pretty new.

I haven't had the courage to look at my abdomen yet to see how many additional incisions were necessary, if any.

I'll post my surgery experience in the Post op area.

Hi Renee,

Thanks for starting a new group. I am going to have my surgery on Wednesday (January 19th). I am paying for it up front, so I didn't have to go through all of the insurance hoops. I couldn't wait for a year to have it done. So I'm going to starve because I don't have any money left for foodI wish you luck with your tests. I'll let you know how things go on Wednesday. Good luck.

Barbara

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Hi,

I have never heard of the single incision lap band surgery. I am having mine done on the 19th and am having the 5 incisions.

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I have heard many people talk about a single incision lap band, my doctor doesnt seem to offer it... why would anyone choose 5 incisions over one? Any benefits to 5 incisions? What are others having done/had done?

I just came home from the hospital today. Surgery was yesterday. I don't know how some of you guys do it to go home the same day! Just took some lortab and phenergan for nausea. I had a hiatal hernia repair also. I think I have 4 or 5 incisions. He said that because of my hernia he used a large band instead of standard and that it would take longer to find that "sweet spot". Congrats to everyone and a healthy happy new year! Good job!