Hello All,

Just wanted to introduce myself.... My name is Shae and I have been reading your message boards for a month or so... you all have so much helpful information and Its great to read 'first hand experiences".

I am 28 years old, and live in the Bay Area, Cali. I have been overweight my entire life.. can remember being put on diets in the first grade. I did have one successful weight loss about 2 1/2 years ago and dropped over 100 lbs... but quickly regained it... the 'feeling of full' is something i have the hardest time with. So, after reading about gastric bypass and lapband, I have decided lapband is the way for me...

I have almost completed my pre-op tests..

1. abdominal ultrasound-found gallstones.. but will wait till after surgery to remove if necessary

2. echocardio-done

3. ekg-done

4. 2 nutritional consults-done

5. primary physical and letter-done

6. Overnight sleep study- next week

7. Psych eval- TBA

8. Bloodwork-next week.

Because I am currently on UHC EPO, I have switched to PPO to cover the Doctor I will be using ( Dr. Mckeen in San Jose, California). So, after open enrollement this month, it will take effect Jan. 1st, 2005. I hope to be in by the end of the month!

I am excited about this life change, and I think the holiday season will make the time go by quickly...but on the other hand im VERY nervous. Surgery will Scare the heck out of me, but also scared about pain after and FILLS. The whole needle thing I will HAVE to get used too. lol.

Just wanted to introduce myself, and am very happy i found you all on here.. You are all such an inspiration... my heros.. hehe.

I wish you all continued success!

Sweetness

Hiya Sweetness! Glad to see your shining face around here. And WOW to that list of pre-op tests they put you through! I got the Mexican discount band treatment and only had an EKG, nutritional consult (30 min) and bloodwork. Maybe you can ask them to get rid of your stones during your band surgery? Good luck to you!

Welcome Sweetness! It sounds like you are well prepared. I have to agree with Lisa, have them take those gall stones out at the same time. Good Luck with your journey. You will find lots of support and information here.

Hi Sweetness, be glad you're getting a battery of tests before your banding. You'll feel that much more confident knowing that you got a "clean bill of health" first! I went through a ton of them, too. I had my gallbladder removed when I was banded. (No sense going through 2 surgeries and recoveries!)

Surgery is never fun. But this is laproscopic and after a few crummy days, you'll be back on your feet. Fills are a little needle poke, nothing traumatic.

Use this presurgery time to start drinking lots of Water, get used to not drinking w/ your meals, and wait an hour afterwards to drink. That takes some getting used to at first. Start walking, or some form of routine exercise, that you enjoy. Start wearing all your favorite clothes, because pretty soon they'll be falling off you! Best of luck to you!

Awww you all are so nice! Yeah I called the doc about removing it during surgery... he said he only does that for gastric bypass patients. But, since my mom had hers removed this summer i have a feeling they will need to do it later in my life anyways.. so I will ask him again and bug bug bug... You are right.. get it while they are in there!

Thank you for the tips on starting to drink my liquids 'outside of meals'... I need to start doing that as well as getting my butt on a regular exercise program. I bought a treadmill and placed it downstairs in front of the TV so i would have no excuses of being bored while walking on it!

Welcome Sweetness

Most everyone caught everything already, but I just wanted to mention that fills are really no biggie. Sometimes the port can flip and then it might be a pain, but it's still nuthin. You'd be surprised how much it's not a big deal to have a needle in the tummy. It hurts less than the arm

It is nice to meet you! I am 30 years old and had my band done almost 6 months ago. I am glad you found a way to get your insurance to cover it. I had to do a self pay in Mexico but am overall very happy with my band. I was initially TERRIFIED of surgery, recuperation and fills but it really never was TOO awful. Surgery was quick and I don't remember a thing, I recuperated quickly and was back to my housekeeping job the following week. I go in for my first fill this next week and though I was nervous, I have heard so many good things about the doctor I am going to use for fills that I am more excited to meet him now than anything. Best wishes, Teresa

Welcome Sweetness!! Please feel free to browse all the sections of this forum. There is some great experience free for the taking! Good luck with your journey!

Yes, welcome to one of the most addictive forums out there for a person who in considering or has had the band placed in them!

Welcome Sweetness!

THis is an awesome forum and you will find oodles of support and gobs of information here to help you with your journey to bandland! Welcome!

Darcy

Welcome, Sweetness!! It's great that you found this site because there is so much info to be gained. Good luck on your journey! I was told by a nurse that there are fewer nerves in the tummy so it doesn't hurt as much to get a needle poke there as it does else where. I think I'm gonna hold her to that, LOL!!!