I am new to the boards and just got my date today - August 17! I am so excited! My surgeon is Dr. Allan Geiss in Syosset, NY. Looking forward to talking to everyone.

I'm nervious, excited, and having just the slightest bit of concern about feeling the port. But overall I can't wait to get healthy!!

If your surgery is in August too, come on in!

:clap2::sun::Banane56::wave:

Thanks Josette. I like that idea, I'll think about the money I've saving long run, on food too!

Just for the sake of thoroughness, is there anything you can do to revisit the insurance issue? If not, then you have to go ahead, knowing that MO is more life threatening than many other illnesses and you're doing what you have to do. Sorry about the tooth -- and the timing.

Good idea GE mom, but the insurance is a no-go. The policy very specifically excludes any WLS. When DH got his band, we tried very hard to get him covered, so I knew going in that I wouldn't be.

Logically, I know this is the right thing for me to do. Emotionally, it was one of the "What the heck am I doing" moments.

Thanks!

I am 4 days out, Dr Ortiz was wonderful and I am healing well. I am on clear liquids and am still losing weight. The only problem I am having is sleeping... I am not used to sleeping on my back. Once I get to sleep I am OK but getting to sleep has been hard. I have walked my butt off and I have not had much pain. I am only using liquid tylenol and I feel fine. I am sorry it took me so long to post, I am glad to join the banded.

Good luck to all who are also on this journey.

Good to hear from you TerryB. Sounds like you're doing well. Thanks for filling us in.

Josette, thanks for the well wishes. I'm sure we'll be fine and we have such a supportive group here to turn to.

Hey, did anyone's doctors say not to eat red or orange jello before surgery? In some of the info my doctor sent, it said that because it looks like blood. I'm thinking it was meant for his bypass patients since we're not cutting into my stomach, right? (Some of the info he gives out if for banding and bypass patients)

Best of luck to all mid August Bandsters - you will be back to normal before you know, and it will be so worth the effort. Everyday I feel better and stronger. 11 days out and I have been back to regular exercise for almost 5 days, no pain whatsover for about 3 days, and feeling great. Don't fear the surgery - you are asleep for 30-40 minutes, will have an uncomfortable few hours after surgery, a little sore for a few days, and then be on the road to recovery to your new life.

For those who are keeping track, during the lapband procedure Dr. Spivak found a 1/2 inch adenoma on my liver. After an MRI, it has been found to be totally benign and all other organs are in great condition! I feel like my life has been handed back to me on a platter!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Thats AWESOME Robin. I didn't know he found anything but I'm so glad for the good outcome. It's all smooth sailing from here sister!

Is it just the 3 of us tomorrow? Bug, Libra and I for the big band day?

Im am sooo nervous about surgery.

First of all, good luck to you August 15 bandsters. We'll all be thinking of you tomorrow. :kiss2:

And wish me luck, too. I'm being banded on Wednesday, August 16. I went today for my pre-op with doc and had the big weigh in. He had previously warned me that if I didn't lose the full 5% (13 pounds), he'd absolutely and positively cancel the surgery. Well, I lost 17!. Whew. What a relief.

I've done liquids for over two weeks and have a clear liquid day tomorrow and probably a day or two after surgery and then full liquids for another four weeks. (He's a very conservative doctor.)

I'm excited for all of us!

Good job Diva Girl.

What does NSV stand for?

I will be banded Monday, August 21st! I am so excited, nervous, anxioius, etc. I am sure that you can relate! I want to do the right thing, eat the right foods (or liquids!), etc. Does anyone have any information on what to eat, what not to eat, what to do, etc.? I am trying to get all my information together into one binder so I won't have to 2nd guess. I know that the Dr will give me Post-Op Diet Instructions, but I have to be back at work the next week and I don't know how to handle that!!! Congrat's to everyone who has had the surgery! You guys are doing great! I am VERY encouraged by your success. I want to be a success story like all of you!!!!

I want to be considered a part of the "August Band Crew!"

Surgery 8/21/2006

Pre Surgery Weight 235lbs

Ideal Weight 145lbs

Caroline, thank you so much for yoru thoughful reply to my mistake. Fortunately, I was already feeling better later that night. (I believe you wrote back a few days later.) But now I have some ideas of what to try in the future, whether I intentionally do the wrong thing in a moment of weakness or by accident during the learning curve that is part of learning how to live and eat with the band. Again, I appreciate your post. You were only banded one day after me and yet you were so helpful. Thanks you.

:think OK, everyone makes mistakes, and I know what the cravings for really good food are. The deal is this, right now, drink as much water as you can, then drink the slim fast or chicken broth ( try the egg drop soup). You may need to get some gas x strips, and sit up!! try not to lie down. Just keep thinking that thin feels better than food tastes. You will be OK, but just don't set yourself up to fail, follow you doctors orders per your diet plan, and get a mixer or a blender to mush up that salmon, then weigh the salmon, make sure it fits with your doctors guidlines and then eat the measured amount slowly. Drink plenty of water slowly ( 15 minuits before you eat). You may be in for a few days of discomfort, but you will be OK, it just has to works its way through. If by Monday you don't feel better, you should call your doctor and fess up to the backslide, he may want to do an upper GI.

If you feel like you are going to slip on food again, think of all the crap you went through to get the band in the first place. And get a nicoderm patch for the smoking. I quit before my surgery but did it with the Losenge, which has a carbonated fizz to it. You are facing a huge change in your lifestyle, and I can see from this website that we are here to help one another.

We are humans ergo we make mistakes, ergo we learn.

Caroline

banded Aug 2

Dr Ashley Vernon

Brigham & Woman's Hospital

Texas Princess....NSV is "Non-Scale Victory".. .. for example, I'm really looking forward to being able to cross my legs at the knees again. That will be a big red letter day for me. It's fun to be able to look forward to or celebrate the non-scale victories with people who "get it". (that would be us, lol)

Denise...Welcome to the August Bandsters. Only SEVEN days to go. Woohooo.

Is it just the 3 of us tomorrow? Bug, Libra and I for the big band day?

Im am sooo nervous about surgery.

Yup, I think it's the three of us tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you both!!! I just found out my surgery is at 7:30 am and I have to be at the hospital at 5:45....and the hospital is an hour and a half away!! Not like I would be sleeping tonight anyway, but my poor hubby. Also found out I will be spending the night, so I have to pack a bag.

I won't be here to wish you luck tomorrow Diva Girl, so I'll do it now!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

P.S. Have I mentioned that I really want Italian Bread right now?? LOL!!!

Keep it up August Bandsters!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Good luck to all of you being banded tomorrow and Weds! Its been 5 days and other then the gas issue in my shoulder, I'm pretty good to go. Still sore where he put the port, but nothing I cannot manage. Like I said the gas pain is unreal for me. Im going for my post op appt tomorrow afternoon, so I will ask him how much longer I should be feeling this much pain. At times I feel like I cant stand it. I have been eating tomato soup and even had a yogurt. After almost 2 weeks of liquid I felt like it was a feast! haha....

I am so impressed of how little bruising and how small my inscicons are! They should heal up great! Havent smoked in over a week, so hopefully I can kick the habit this time. I am sure it helped in my healing since it has been before my surgery.

Good luck guys!!