I see all the posts about people banded and frankly, at this point, im jealous, i cant wait to get banded.

So, for the pre-banders, tell us how your experience has been thus far...what are some of the things that scare you the most about being banded?

as far as myself, it has gone fairly smooth. At this point, i am just waiting on approval from my insurance. I am pushing for an April date! :gluck: the only things i really thing about is be hungry, i cant stand that feeling, and not being able to drink while it eat and having to wait 30 min after....

Murphles, I love the part about looking pathetic - I had a laugh and thought "me too!". Just went for my pre op today with my family doctor. She has never known anyone who has had this done, so she is interested to see the results. No presure eh? Today is the last day ( of my life, I fear) that I will eat "normal" (which we all know is not normal, I suppose). My last supper will be chicken parmesan and a Cadbury's Easter Creame Egg tonight. Anyone else have ideas for thei last supper ??hahah

Shrimp and Lobster are on the menu for me tonite. My hb is going to be at the Houston rodeo cook off for the next few days and and I won't see him until Sunday nite. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30 on Monday morning. Last chance to dine out on things I understand will be hard to swallow. Everything I have read about types of foods tolerated, Shrimp and lobster are right up there with steak. Those are two of my personal favorites. Maybe for desert I'll endulge in Cheesecake.

Donna

I am afraid of GERD and ruining my esophagus.

My mom has GERD (not band related) and she just doesn't eat after 7pm at night and that seems to stop any problems she has.

no shrimp or lobster???? maybe I better reconsider this!!!

You can shrimp & lobster, but these are some of the foods that are more difficult for people. I'm already looking for recipes where I can blend these to a paste. lol.

Whats GERD again?

I am a prebander and I am so ready for this to happen and I just talked to my provider and they said that this is not covered in the policy I asked even if this is necessary they said no I can't believe this I have BCBS plus I think they are trying to make me change my mind (but its aready made up) I don't see why they won't consider this and that they can just say no WHAT IN THE WORLD!

Im sorry to hear this bread34! Is this insurance through your job?

I am also pre-band. I am scheduled for surgery on 3/17. I can not wait, but I am also nervous about complications etc. I am trying to find information on the post band eating diets etc so I can try to get into the swing before the surgery.

Hey everybody,

Been chatting with folks here on LBT since I made my decision in November. It was supposed to be easy with my PacifiCare insurance which covers both procedures..... my choice. When in on Janurary 26(magical day) they decide to change ALL the requirements for bariatric surgery. Those of us who had already started the process had to add 5-6 extra appointments..... like Psych eval and 4 follow-ups and Dietcian and 3 follow-ups..... whats up with that? Anyway, instead of getting stressed with it I'm just knocking them down one at a time. Now, if the job and kids and ex-husband would just keep quiet for a while I could concentrate on this task (ha-ha)..... (I just crack myself up sometimes)! Thanks for the great thread, hope to make lots of new friends,

I am getting banded on Monday, Feb 27th by Dr. Spivak...and I am just excited...not nervous or worried at all. I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago using this same sort of procedure with no complications. I have been in the operating room as a circulating nurse for 100's of more complicated surgeries as well, so I am not afraid in the least. I have complete confidence in Dr. Spivak. I am telling most people I am having my hiatel hernia repaired (which is true, he'll repair it at the same time)....only a few close friends and family know the rest of the story. Good luck to everyone!!

I called UHC today, they said all my info was rcvd on 2/16/ and went over to the pre-determination dept today... so, im still waiting...:scared:

Glad to hear you called. For me, it does me good just to know that my paperwork is there. Hopefully, you will get a quick turn-around time. I have NGS and they have 30 days. I will be calling them once a week. :welldone2:

Hi Dutchgrl59...I can't believe that, but we are at the mercy of the insurance companies. You have a super attitude that is to be commended. :clap2: I am very impatient and want my band now. I am slowly but surely jumping the hoops so I don't miss anything.

Even after I'm approved, assuming I won't need to use the apeal process, I will be waiting 2-3 mos :omg: for the surgery b/c they are that busy in Indy. I'm going to request to be put on a list if someone cancels. I talked to my DH and is willing to jump in the car and go when I give the word. I swear I would marry that man 100 times over. :nod:

I am new also. I have scheduled April 5th to be banded by Dr. Ortiz. I am a cash patient because of a lower BMI. I am most nervous about:

1. complications from surgery (DYING)

2. hunger and weakness

3. failure to follow instructions

4. erosion

5. long-term problems that have not been encountered yet, because the band is faily new.

6. feeling I have failed because I have to have surgery and can't do it on my own.

7. I can't really think of anything else...

Every morning I wake up and think that I am crazy. But then I remind myself that I am miserably fat, and that there is hope through this surgery!

Thank you for starting this new band Sor. Chik!!! We can support each other!!

I just can't wait. 2 weeks from yesterday but this OptiFast for the next 2 weeks is hard. This is only day 2 and I'm missing not just food, but something with taste. My last meal was at a Japanese Habachi restaurant, steak and scallops with fried rice. YUMMMMM! But boy that lobster really sounds good.

My band date is April 3rd. I am thrilled to finally get this done. I was sched. last July and bailed out to try the medically supervised diet, all i can say is "YEAH RIGHT like that works!" I, as of today, have sucessfully gained back everything I lost plus 10.

Currently my biggest fears:

1 I might be pregnant- I go to doc. friday for lab test. :baby: NOT a planned event! I am hoping things are just messed up from gaining weight so fast.

2 I won't stop gaining weight until my surgery. I am now up to my highest weight ever and I show no signs of stopping. I really don't want to double my work load all month, resulting in having to work that much harder post op. :violin:

I keep having last supper syndrome especially since I got my surgery date.

The funny thing is I actually asked my doc. how much weight I could lose and still have the surgery. He chuckled and said as long as I didn't come back weighing 130 pounds he would still do it.

AAHHH someone smack me, I feel crazy right now! :help: