I wanted to start a thread for those of us who are waiting "with bated breath" for our surgeries in March.

I am supposed to start Optifast on February 26th. I am currently waiting for the shipment, including my surgical package to be delivered. Once I get my package I am supposed to call the clinic.

Ever since committing to this surgery (which I am paying for myself via a personal loan) I have been obsessed with reading everything I can about it and about people who have had it. I am still kind of hoping for some kind of "divine word" about whether or not it is the right thing for me to do.

I am "only" 75 lbs over my ideal weight but am type II diabetic. I am trying to figure out if my reason for doing this is my health or my vanity or a combination of both. The diabetes needs to be gone (when I am 20 lbs lighter it is gone) but I am sure looking forward to losing the weight and actually keeping it off for more than 20 minutes...

I have been reading and reading and reading! SDo m=nice to hear what "real people" are thinking and not just what the "info-mercials" want you to hear. I have not yet been banded, but found this group, as I have had to know that the first part is really like!

I want (need) to loose about 100 lbs and have my first appt with a Dr. next week! I hope (I think!) to get this ball rolling FAST!

Already looks like insurance is going to be a problem...can anyone give me an ida on the cost?

Thanks for listening! KIM

Kim every Dr. is 100% completely different.

Call your ins. co. and point blank ask them what/if they cover it, if they don't, your next CALL not appointment (appointments are costly,especially if you are paying for them) is to your local WLS to ask how much for him, how much for the hosp, how much for the surgery ctr (usually much lower than hosp), how much for anesthesiologist.

Than compare to the Dr's in Mexico; where it seems like alot of bandsters are going.

Go talk to babygotback about her Dr. in Mexico ~she and others loved him.

All this time I thought PB meant pouch barf!!!!! I swear!!!! I think other people do to.

:update:

:clap2: I am looking forward to having grits and eggs and tuna salad. :biggrin1:

Grits!!!! I would kill for some REAL grits. All I find here in Nebraska is quick grits. I used to live in Albany Ga and could eat grits 3 times a day. Love the stuff.

I am walking about 10 to 20 minutes every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I am finding that I get really gassy after my walk. I feel it in my lower chest area. The gas x seems to do a good job getting rid of it. Anyone else have this problem after walking.

What does PB mean? I an new.

Thanks.

Productive Burp. Kinda "throw-up" there is a thread somewhere with abrieviations but I don't remember where. Somebody, where is that?

Pregnancy

I don't know if anybody knows but, our hormones are stored in our fat cells. Which means as your body is ridding itself of fat, we are producing tons and tons of baby making hormones, so ladies you don't want to be pregnant make sure you are WELL protected with birth control.

Lots of my friends (non bandsters) have gone to fertility specialists only to have been unsuccessful at pregnancy.For whatever reasons months or years later have lost 40-50 pounds and have gotten the shock of their lives ~ miraculously they were pregnant and had not even been trying....

I am sure your Dr's have all told you to make sure you don't miss your birth control....

I am walking about 10 to 20 minutes every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I am finding that I get really gassy after my walk. I feel it in my lower chest area. The gas x seems to do a good job getting rid of it. Anyone else have this problem after walking.

Yes! Move that gas, that is what you are suppose to do, also use a heating pad. Good for you for walking this much, you will recover quicker too.

Productive Burp. Kinda "throw-up" there is a thread somewhere with abrieviations but I don't remember where. Somebody, where is that?

Here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/abbreviations-and-they-t7959.html

Pregnancy

I don't know if anybody knows but, our hormones are stored in our fat cells. Which means as your body is ridding itself of fat, we are producing tons and tons of baby making hormones, so ladies you don't want to be pregnant make sure you are WELL protected with birth control.

Lots of my friends (non bandsters) have gone to fertility specialists only to have been unsuccessful at pregnancy.For whatever reasons months or years later have lost 40-50 pounds and have gotten the shock of their lives ~ miraculously they were pregnant and had not even been trying....

I am sure your Dr's have all told you to make sure you don't miss your birth control....

I have to confess that I hope that happens to me!!!! The reason that I am trying to lose the weight---not only to be healthy, but my husband and I want a baby. We have been trying for 2 years...not luck. So, I hope one day (soon!) to have a band baby:becky:

Hey Melissa

Congrats! You looked fantastic last night and sounded great tonight.

what a great accomplishment, I can't wait to be there!

hugs

jennifer

I went to my 2 week nutritionist appt today... actually on been 10 days but she wa going to be gone all next week. to my dismay, I had lost more weight. I quit weighing because it had started going back up the last few days. I was getting so totally depressed. I have been eating real food since like day 3 post op... but she told me today to start moving into the real food phase. oh well already there and no problems. Have figured out my limit finally, if I eat too much or drink too fast, I get the hiccups.... better than throwing up or having pain. I hiccup an dI quit.... I see my Dr. on next tuesday.

Quote:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by RowdyReptile

Here's something to look out for. I usually get protein shakes from the fitness club i belong too. They contain whey protein, pb, a banana, ice and some kind of dairy. They make these in a blender. They must get really airated when they're blending them, because it felt like I swallowed a bowling ball the whole afternoon after I drank one. So - maybe those aren't a good idea after being banded

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I had asked my dr about the pb and bananas because I was all ready to make a smoothie with that kinda stuff and I was told no. Something about them being sticky so they don't go down as well. I can have them when I'm back on regular foods, but just saying this might be the bowling ball feeling you mentioned.

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Ah.. that was probably why i felt bloated all day.. Today was the hardest day yet. I was starving before lunch and before i got home from work. Had to grab a yoo hoo, because i thought i was going to pass out. I am ready for realy food. Is pudding considered mushies? I've been eating that all week.

I'd be willing to bet that way back in time Pb stood for "puke birp"

I was just banded on Monday and it was amazing what a whirlwind it was in the hospital once I got to the operating room. They wheeled me in at 1:25. The annesthesiologist said you may taste or smell something funny and next thing I know it's 2:20 and I'm waking up in the recovery room. They didn't even put my cpap machine on. I waited there til 3:15 and then was wheeled to radiology for the barium swallow, etc. My god, I think that was the most painful part. Having to move over onto the xray machine and twist my body around was really rough. Then it was off to second recovery where I got dressed and waited for my ride.

I think I am in the state of depression you all are speaking about. I'm in a lot of pain still. I tried driving today and just turning the wheel and getting out of the car was pretty painful. I was always an emotional eater and now with the stress and anxiety and time off work, I'm wishing for comfort food.

I was pretty hungry today, which has been a change since my surgery. I couldn't get down the protein shakes I needed (just too much liquid) so I went out today and bought those test tube bullets of protein. God they are so horribly sweet, but at least it gets me my protein. I'm building up my water intake. I wish it was 64oz but I'm averaging about 40 oz now. My biggest worry is that I'm not getting enough calories right now. Today I had that protein test tube which was 200 calories and some protein pudding for 100 calories. But that's it. Any suggestions for getting in more calories right now? I'm on full liquids until April 5th when I see my doc for post op visit. Gonna try for some whipped cottage cheese and skim milk tomorrow.

Virginia

Hello March Bandsters.

My surgery is 3/29/07. I live in Iowa. My surgery will be in Grinnell, Iowa.

I am a bit nervous, but mostly because I am planning to have surgery Thursday / return to work Monday (and not tell my coworkers what's up). Plus, my husband leaves for a week-long biz trip on Monday, and we have three kids to cart around (seemingly from dawn to dusk). We are trying to line up some help to come and stay with me while he's gone. My mom is coming but sometimes she's as much work as the kids. At least she can drive them around and manage stuff while I rest. (They are mostly self-sufficient anyway.)

I am nervous about the anesthesia, the pain, the catheter (ick) and the fact that they might make me stay overnight. I am pushing for same-day release but will play it by ear.

This is a great website.