Hey Everyone,

Ive been learning so much from yall over the past 4 months! I have 2 weeks, and I cant belive my time has finalllllllly arrived! Of course Im dealing with the lovely Insurance company who one minute says they cover it 90% then the next minute drops my claim, but I have faith it will all work out. Not stressin over that.

I am SO excited and ready to start this new lifestyle. I am nervous though...

I have been trying to gather from everyone's experiences and suggestions about what to take to the hospital, what to have ready at home, Vitamins to take, foods to take in accordance of course with what my doctors orders are.

I wanted to run by you guys what I have so far and see if you guys had any other suggestions for me... all is welcome.

Pre - op- doctors just wants one day of Clear liquids and nothing 12 hrs prior to surgery. (Ive considered doing low carb one week prior to help reduce the size of my liver, or adding a few days onto the the liquid pre-op)

Hospital- loose clothing, slippers, change of underwear, toothbrush, paste, body wipes, deod., brush, ...?

First days home- Mom is flying down from or home in Oregon , I got a heating pad( someone said they had a bear with hot rocks in it, thought this might work for the insicions), various jellos, gatorades, carnat. instant Breakfast ( although i hate milk, and dairy products), protien shaker, a lounge chair to sit in, should i get straws? ordered queezy pops from Bariatric Advantage

mushy stage: yogurts, Beans cheese, protien shakes, jello's, chicken broths, .....

Vitamins- ordered sublingual b12,chewable Flinstones, and Calcium ......

Entertainment: Movies!

When do you think ill be well enough to go in a car, and walk around target or something?

Sorry for the long post... just know you all are the best and I wanted to thank you.. I had to attend a 'support meeting' prior to having surgery last tuesday and was so dissapointed because out of 22 people that attended, one person was having lapband... all the rest were gastric bypass patients so Ive been able to find a lot of my information here.

Thanks again!

OH that makes sense then about Sue and Michelle. Sue also mentioned doing Teleconference numbers, were we specify a certain time, and we all can dial into a 800 number and have a facilitator. That would be great too if he attended everyother one.. or once a month even.

Wow that great he is in high demand, makes me feel even more confident with going in for this surgery and his great reputation.

Thanks for the info, and keep me in the loop

Sweetness:

Went to the meeting Wednesday night, there were about 12 of us. 4 having their surgeries next week! Vera, Sylvia is one of them. She finally got it covered under insurance. Hers is on Tuesday.

The next meeting will be at my house on February 6 (Sunday) from 1 to 4. I will talk to Dr. McKeen next week to see if he is available. We will also be setting up a McKeen group message board soon with more information.

I think Sue seemed relieved to be able to concentrate on her husband (he has inoperable prostate cancer) and that things will work out.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Oh great, that is so nice of you to pull everything together and host it at your house. I met Sylvia last week, what a nice lady .. I forgot to ask her her email/info wanted to wish her good luck if you happen to have it..

I feel so bad for Sue, she is so sweet and that is so horrible to hear about her husband..

Thanks for the update..

2 weeks are up! How are you doing? Thinking about you.

Best of luck to you! I was banded 01/11/05. Two weeks ago tomorrow. I lost 9 lbs the first week if that makes you feel a little more excited! Your stomach will be so sore for at least 4 days. Any kiddos? I have a 4 year old and 6 month old. They spent three nights with my parents. I could of never taken care of them. And my husband needed the rest too. I am a side sleeper, so it was really hard to sleep on my back. But, needless to say, two weeks later, I feel great about doing it all!!!!!!

I was able to eat normal after one week, so don't overbuy a bunch of liquid stuff. I love the fat free pudding and applesauce. broth tastes so good too!

You will definately need a pillow for you stomach. They are going to want you to try and cough as much as you can. Coughing and Sneezing sucked the first week. Try not to get anyone to make you laugh...... My husband would make me laugh at something and it was so hard! Funny, but hard! Ummmmm ask me questions and I will answer. Being a new bandster, all the beginning stuff is fresh in my mind!!!!!

Sounds great however my problem was riding, the car made me sick for 3 days for some reason. Not real sick now just queasy (did I spell queasy?)

Strange huh.Lot of gas in the shoulders. I also thought I had a breathing problem and even went back to the Doctor. It was typical for being under and gas. I felt as if I had trouble getting my breath. I made it with no problem. This board really helped me. If you need anything let us know!

Congrats.

It'll be no time now Sweetness!! I wish you a great experience!

Thank you guys so much... I am sitting here so nervous... i go in at 445 am... Im scared about anesthesia.. and waking up.. but then the pain after... my mom has flown in to help.. and i dont have any kids ...

I am never this nervous about surgeries.. do you ever feel somtimes you try to talk yourself out of something at the last minute.. its taken me 6 months to get to this point. .and i think.. oh .. it is going to be a full moon.. not good.. or Oh.. they told me i was denied and i had to fight with them to get approved.. probably just going crazy in my head ... i know it will all be over soon..

thank you guys so much for your support.. ill keep a pillow with me.. and message you all when i return.

O.K., Sweetness, you're ready as you're going to be. Now go get your band, girl! (((Hugs)))