Hi all, just wanted to see who was in the same boat as me. I'm getting banded on the 26th of feb in Boston Ma. I'm sure there are others that are going through the same fears...questions...etc. Let me know!

This is me exactly. Since I decided to do this, I just eat and eat and eat. I feel horrible for doing it, but feel like it is one of the last chances I will get. Can't wait to finally have some control. Good luck with your journey. Mine begins in 10 days...yikes!!!:omg:

I am feeling the same way about food. It's crazy that they want you to loose weight before the surgery. I understand why but dang... I just can't seem to get focused this week. I am ready for my liquid diet AFTER the surgery but not before. My date is on Friday and I haven't lost any weight. I hope I'm not in too much trouble. I am going to try really hard to stick to liquids for the next couple of days and maybe I will drop 5 pounds. Keeping my fingers crossed!:think

I'm getting banded on 2/13...I can't wait. I will admit when the doctors office called with the date I did have a moment of doubt. But thankfully it didn't last long.

hello, its good to know that ur in houston like me, im also having surgery this month on 2/9 im very nervous but happy to think that soon i will loose weight. hope to hear from u soon:huytsao

I keep hearing about this shoulder pain? Is this a common occurence?

Hello and welcome to LBT! The shoulder pain is gas that settles in the shoulder. Some get it and some don't. I didn't have the shoulder pain, but I did have gas pains in my abdomen and chest. A heating pad and gasx helped as well as getting up and walking. Best of luck to you-Gigi:)

I get banded 2/22 in Raleigh NC. I am really looking forward to having the procedure and starting a new me...I am not nervous at all but am hoping of course that everything goes well. I am sure I will be in good hands.

I'm getting banded on the 21st and thought I was holding up pretty well as my 10 day diet date approaches (starts sunday)...then I heard the song "dust in the wind" by Kansas on the radio and it launched me into a complete frenzy! I started thinking about everything that had to be taken care of prior to surgery...clean house, pay all bills and teach husband how to handle finances...make sure he knows cremation not burial...do they burn you with clothes on or not? 'cause I'd like to chose an outfit if they do...write letters to my son, or everybody for that matter!! I had to pull over and call the Dr.'s office to see if there was some free sample of Xanax that was left out of my orientation packet--there wasn't. Mark, a great nurse at OWLO calmed me down and reassured me the best he could...said they have not lost a bandster yet....but that makes me feel like they're probably due to lose one and it's gonna be me! I'm trying to stay positive but the truth is that it's been a long time since I've done anything for myself and I'm still trying to think about everybody else...ok I'll stop for now. :violin:

There is a February 2007 thread going! I'm on it, but I doubt I will make it! LOL STILL WAITING ON A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH NO... I thought you'd had your surgery Tracy! There's still time.

I was banded yesterday. Feel good sometimes a little weak. But all and all good.

Joan

Hey!!

I'm scheduled for this Monday. I can't wait!!

And i'm also in Boston. Which hospital are you being banded at?

:help:I have been gathering information on the lapband for several months now and have decided it is the path I want to take.

I am unable to affort to pay for the procedure up front, but I have concerns that my insurance company is going to give me the run-around as my bmi is 36 (but I do have the qualifying medical conditions to go along with having a bmi under 40).

Anyone have a bmi under 40 that is using United Healthcare? I have called them several times to find out what their qualifications are, but they would not give me a direct answer - they said they were unable to give me that information and they would only give it to the doctor performing my surgery.

I do have my doctor picked out and have gone to 1 support group meeting so far, but the doctor said it is best (and less expensive in the long run) to find out what the insurance company needs before scheduling an appointment with him.

Any suggestions?

I'm scheduled for Monday and am a little nervous. I need to go shopping this weekend and wondered if there's a list posted anywhere of ideas for the liquid portion...I'm afraid I'll come home with jello and chicken broath and be in real trouble! Thought there would be more help with the diet. I'm on the lower end of the BMI chart, (33.3) but with several other health issues and self-pay, was given the OK. Battled this 60 lbs. for 30 years and I'm done! Ready for a new start. Thanks for all the good advice, not too good at navigating the site yet for help.

Kara, I think I would explain to your insurance carrier, that YOU pay the premiums, not your Dr. and that YOU want a copy of the requirements concerning WLS. That seems like the royal run around to me. It may not be necessary to get that way, the next rep you talk to may be more than willing to share info...some are rude, some are not, it seemed like it was always luck of the draw.

Good Luck!

Kat

I'll be banded next week on the 15th in San Diego. Before the pre-op diet I ate everything I was craving. So far I've been good on the liquid diet. It was tough today since I had to buy a few things at Costco. Oh I miss sampling.

I'm getting banded tomorrow by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana Mexico. He is highly qualified and has performed over 4000 lap band surgeries. He also wrote a book called Lap Band For Life. I am self pay so I had to research some less expensive options. He charges $8,500 total. You can get more info by going to his website www.obesitycontrolcenter.com . There is another lap band forum at www.lapbandforum.com that a lot of his patients use. They ony have really positive things to say about this clinic.

Anyway, this is an option if you are self pay. Some people will think it is crazy to go to Mexico for surgery but you just need to do the research yourself. I am totally confident with my decision to use Dr. Ortiz.

I keep hearing about this shoulder pain? Is this a common occurence?

The shoulder pain is a result of the gas that they put in during surgery. It is common and normal, but you might get lucky and not have it. I had it with a previous gall bladder surgery but didn't have it with my banding. Keep a heating pad close by just in case.

I'm scheduled for Monday and am a little nervous. I need to go shopping this weekend and wondered if there's a list posted anywhere of ideas for the liquid portion...I'm afraid I'll come home with Jello and chicken broath and be in real trouble! Thought there would be more help with the diet. I'm on the lower end of the BMI chart, (33.3) but with several other health issues and self-pay, was given the OK. Battled this 60 lbs. for 30 years and I'm done! Ready for a new start. Thanks for all the good advice, not too good at navigating the site yet for help.

-jello

-consomme

-protein drink

-juice

That's it for the first few days, and you won't want much more. Good luck. I'm finding the second phase a little harder and I'm hungrier.