Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[kayabitim 0]

I have not set everything up on this site yet (will need my son's help to customize it and put a picture out there) but I just turned 50 on the 15th and I have complete all but one of my clearances I am trying to get an appointment with the nutritional then I will be able to submit the final package to Peachtree Bariatrics so they can submit to my insurance. I am getting very excited. I really love this site and once I get educated on how everything works I will be more involved. I am so encouraged by everyones testimony this is just GREAT!!!

[cher.56 0]

Medicare?? I have Medicare coverage because of end stage renal disease, I had a transplant in April of 2006. Medicare does cover but I was wondering what exactly "cover" means. Will there be uncovered expenses? I am still in my six month medical supervision, hope to be banded before the end of the year. I wish it were tomorrow!! I would appreciate any responses regarding experiences with Medicare. Thanks! This site is great!!

[orea15 0]

"The wait is a blessing if you allow it to be" -- words of wisdom. Thank you, Orea. One question - what is smartbandster?

Smartbandsters is a Yahoogroups mailing list. You can find it at groups.yahoo.com. In my book it is the best place to learn what to expect and how to do things "right." For example, when I woke up in recovery, in pain, and wondered what the hell I had done to myself, I was able to smile and know I was right on schedule!

People on this list are successful at getting to their goal weights. I figure if you want to be successful, hang out with the ones who are! And emulate them.

It's a high volume list, so I get the digests, but it is informative, and fun, and very supportive once you make yourself known there. This is where I've gotten the mottos I repeat here, like, "If hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the answer," and "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." And my favorite, "Are you trading what you really want, for what you want right now?"

Orea

[Great2BThin 5]

Medicare?? I have Medicare coverage because of end stage renal disease, I had a transplant in April of 2006. Medicare does cover but I was wondering what exactly "cover" means. Will there be uncovered expenses? I am still in my six month medical supervision, hope to be banded before the end of the year. I wish it were tomorrow!! I would appreciate any responses regarding experiences with Medicare. Thanks! This site is great!!

No experience with Medicare here, and I know we have a few here that have it, but you might also want to post your question in the 60, 70, 80 board as there might be more there. Good luck to you!!

[JoannMarie 0]

Medicare?? I have Medicare coverage because of end stage renal disease, I had a transplant in April of 2006. Medicare does cover but I was wondering what exactly "cover" means. Will there be uncovered expenses? I am still in my six month medical supervision, hope to be banded before the end of the year. I wish it were tomorrow!! I would appreciate any responses regarding experiences with Medicare. Thanks! This site is great!!

Cher, my coverage is with medicare. Your coverage and requirements may be different from mine - mine is just 'cause I'm old (over 65) (that's a ha-ha, because the 60's are the new 40's, right?:biggrin2:), and yours is because of end-stage renal disease - I don't know if there is a difference in our coverages. I suggest you ask questions at the facility where you are having your surgery. They should be able to tell you about the charges and coverages. Several people on the 60's thread have been banded (not me, yet) and covered by Medicare. Their experiences might also be helpful to you.

Good luck on your journey.

[cher.56 0]

Thanks! I appreciate the help, I'm new to the website (kinda) so I need to find that thread.

[JoannMarie 0]

At the bottom of the page you will see the thread train that got you to this "fifties" thread. Click on "Age Specific Lap-Band Support Groups (NEW!)" and look for the "sixties" thread... They are a good, supportive bunch, and the first age-specific group I went to. I have since enjoyed this fifties thread and they are nice enough to allow me to stay in spite of my advanced age...

Thanks, chics

[deedee16117 0]

Well finally the day is almost here. As I have said before I don't think that I am as nervous about the actual surgery as I am about the "afterwards".

I am just looking for some wonderful advice from you guys who have done such a wonderful job getting through this on the first week or so after surgery! What is the best "foods" to have on hand when I get home. I have already stocked the Vitamins, Calcium, etc., but worried about what to drink. At that stage of the game what have you all found to be the best to get you through the day. I see a lot of people talk about Unjury - I have been on the website but it's too late to order it now it won't get here before Monday. I'm getting apprehensive about this part - Help Please

thanks

Sandi

[jbflorida 1]

Sandi--follow your doc's orders. I had to have Clear Liquids for 2 weeks. broth, Crystal Light, SF Jello, SF Popsicles, Tea, Water, Light Apple juice. Remember, this is the time to heal--don't worry about weight. Just keep that stomach "quiet" (no digesting) so the band can set. It will be hard, but the pay off is worth it! People who cheat ARE hurting their bands and courting the possibility of future slippage.

I am 3 months out, followed all doc's rules and am 51 lbs less. It's sooo worth it. Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Judy

[Great2BThin 5]

Well finally the day is almost here. As I have said before I don't think that I am as nervous about the actual surgery as I am about the "afterwards".

I am just looking for some wonderful advice from you guys who have done such a wonderful job getting through this on the first week or so after surgery! What is the best "foods" to have on hand when I get home. I have already stocked the Vitamins, Calcium, etc., but worried about what to drink. At that stage of the game what have you all found to be the best to get you through the day. I see a lot of people talk about Unjury - I have been on the website but it's too late to order it now it won't get here before Monday. I'm getting apprehensive about this part - Help Please

thanks

Sandi

Sandi, in the first few days post op when I was on clear liquids I had to sip 1 oz. every 15 min. that I was awake. And one of those times every hour it had to be Protein. I used the Isopure Protein Drinks. Some folks hate them and called them Isopuke, I didnt' mind them as much as I did the shakes later when I could have full liquids. The apple was my favorite. They are available at GNC, also protein bullets, they are 3 oz tubes and I broke those into 3 individual sips, they had 42 gms of protein per tube so even at 1 oz you got quite a bit of protein. I also had broth. Then after the first 5-7 days I could add in 5 preselected foods by the hospital which were: scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, pudding, yogurt and refried Beans. I hate cottage cheese but rotated those other 4 a lot. That was for 2weeks, at 3 weeks I got solids. Every dr. is different though so follow your's instructions. Also on clear liquids I could have Jello and s/f popsicles. Hope that helps. I was lucky and had very little pain, my dr. said he sucked out most of the gas, the gas is what gives most folks pain. So I'd ask if he tries to get rid of the gas before closing you up. I came home from the hospital with an abundance of little paper hospital cups those helped so much in measuring out my ounces. Good luck, when is the day??

[deedee16117 0]

Thanks everyone - I will make sure I have some of those things in the house - my date is Monday August 25. About how long does the surgery take do you remember? It seems to me they told us the prep work was almost as long as the surgery and total about hour-hour and a half. Does that measure up to what you experienced?

Sandi

[Luv2scuba 0]

Morning Everyone!

Wanted to share a surprise i had yesterday. I've been trying to maintain at my present weight until i see my PCP to start a 3 month surpervised diet. Anyway, I measured yesterday and I've lost a total 10.5 inches overall since 6/30. I was so surprised! I haven't been feeling like i was making any progress, just sort of stalled! It has given me the boost to make it thru these next 2 weeks without giving up completely and packing on a few lbs.

Thanks for listening! Pat

[sunshine531 0]

Hi Sandi, when I had my surg. Dr also put me on clear liquids. I drank alot of chicken and beef boulion or broth, Special K2O Water mix (has 5 gr of Protein in ea indiv packet and only 6 g carb, and 5 g Fiber. helped me out alot. Also at Walmart you can get the generic powder drinks with no carbs, or cals. but they have no protein. SF popcycles and SF Jello was also good to have around. You will be fine, and you will find that the anticipation is much worse than the surgery. Good Luck to you.

Linda I am almost 3 mos post op and down 37 lbs.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Well finally the day is almost here. As I have said before I don't think that I am as nervous about the actual surgery as I am about the "afterwards".

I am just looking for some wonderful advice from you guys who have done such a wonderful job getting through this on the first week or so after surgery! What is the best "foods" to have on hand when I get home. I have already stocked the Vitamins, Calcium, etc., but worried about what to drink. At that stage of the game what have you all found to be the best to get you through the day. I see a lot of people talk about unjury - I have been on the website but it's too late to order it now it won't get here before Monday. I'm getting apprehensive about this part - Help Please

thanks

Sandi

Sandi - you will be in my prayers for a safe surgery & speedy recovery..

What are your doc's instructions for eating after surgery?? They all are so diff..

So my suggestion is if you are to be on clear liquids or full make your own Soups this weekend - Homemade chick broth is so much better than the canned stuff and so is creamed soups... That's what I did. Make sure you have your protien powder or clear Protein drinks on hand

[IndioGirl55 32]

Thanks everyone - I will make sure I have some of those things in the house - my date is Monday August 25. About how long does the surgery take do you remember? It seems to me they told us the prep work was almost as long as the surgery and total about hour-hour and a half. Does that measure up to what you experienced?

Sandi

Sandi surgery time is diff for everyone - I had a bit of scar tissue from a previous gall bladder surgery - pre-op was 14 vials of blood and that was it.. I had to spend the night in the hospital which I am glad I had to cuz they have great pain meds - and yes it does hurt - I won't tell you that it doesn't - I woke up and said "what the hell have I done" but the next pain shot took that thought out of my head... Each day after surgery got better and better - back to work day 6 - so felt I did really well.

Morning Everyone!

Wanted to share a surprise i had yesterday. I've been trying to maintain at my present weight until i see my PCP to start a 3 month surpervised diet. Anyway, I measured yesterday and I've lost a total 10.5 inches overall since 6/30. I was so surprised! I haven't been feeling like i was making any progress, just sort of stalled! It has given me the boost to make it thru these next 2 weeks without giving up completely and packing on a few lbs.

Thanks for listening! Pat

Pat Congratulations on your weight & inches loss... You are doing great !