Starting my journey...would love some feedback!!!

[miss meliss 0]

BandFan, thanks for the reasuring words. I can't believe this time tomorrow I could be back home and an official bandster! I guess my Mother day lunch will be my last big meal ( if I stay on top of my fills!). I really can't believe this is really happening. I have not truely believed I could lose all my weight since my 20's and now I know it really will happen with my band and this great support team! I appreciate your advice and I will be moving & walking around!

[Plow_jockey 0]

Hi~

Hope everyone is feeling great and doing well with their recent surgeries. I've had my consultation with the surgeon, an EKG and blood work done. I have my nutritional and behavioral evaluations on June 11th. My surgeon wants me to lose 15 lbs. (not going well) and a sleep study also. My insurance company says obesity is a total exclusion, so I will be self pay on this. I hope I can get surgery scheduled soon. I'm excited to start my new journey. Reading your posts has helped ease some of my worries. I do worry about the financial part a little bit, but realize I can help myself now or pay it out later for health problems. Looking forward to chatting with all of you.

[bandfan1 0]

Hey Plow Jockey: Welcome!! Is your doctor saying that he won't do the surgery until you lose 15lbs? Maybe he is trying to get you into the frame of mind that you need to be successful as a "bandster". Even after you are banded, it is still a very conscious effort to make better food choices and exercise. I am 2 weeks post-op, and my daily focus is to take in 60g of Protein. Maybe you should try that now. Focus on the Protein first.

When are these insurance companies gonna "get it"!!?? They are spending millions of $$ on medication and medical costs due to complications from people who are obese...diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc... If they would smarten up then maybe they would see their costs go down dramatically by approving these surgical procedures.

Good luck with everything!! Let us know how you make out!!

[bandfan1 0]

BandFan, thanks for the reasuring words. I can't believe this time tomorrow I could be back home and an official bandster! I guess my Mother day lunch will be my last big meal ( if I stay on top of my fills!). I really can't believe this is really happening. I have not truely believed I could lose all my weight since my 20's and now I know it really will happen with my band and this great support team! I appreciate your advice and I will be moving & walking around!

Miss Meliss: How are you doing? Did everything go ok for you??

Welcome to band land!!!:party:

[Plow_jockey 0]

Thanks Bandfan! Yes, the doc wants me to lose 15 before the surgery. To get in the mind frame and see if I'm serious and ready for this. Also, I think it makes surgery easier with a little less belly fat. He's got an excellent track record so I guess I'll listen. I've been trying to follow a diet plan he gave me but I find myself starving by late afternoon. Thanks for the advice--I will try to get more Protein in.

Two weeks post op, so how are you feeling? I hope you're having a speedy recovery and feel great.

Insurance is a joke. It doesn't make a bit of sense. We pay a big premium and have a high deductible. I was upset but not really surprised. All the money in premiums, I could've paid for my surgery in a year. I've thought about dropping our health insurance but our accountant said we need to carry something. We've got too much to lose (farmground and equipment) if something serious ever happened, and he says they'd take it all. I can't really switch insurance at the weight I'm at now--I'm sure they'd nail me even more. I'm about 60 lbs. heavier now than when we took the policy out, 90 if you consider what weight the agent put on my app.

[miss meliss 0]

Bandfan you are so sweet check in on me! This is my 1st really good day. 1st day, I mostly slept and did not drink enough. 2nd day I allowed myself to became dehydrated and had a really bad headache and nausea all day. My sister goes to the same Bariatric doctor (she was banded 3 years ago) and told the Nurse how I was feeling and they instructed me to sip nonstop all day, and I did. Day 3 & 4 I was having intense heartburn (so I thought) and by Thursday evening I was getting very worried. 1st thing this morning I called the doctor and they told me I was having esophageal spasm (charlie horse of the throat). It hurts pretty bad but is nothing to worry about. They advised me to drink warm tea when it start up and it has worked like a charm! I am feeling pretty good now.

Even though I have not popped up as fast as some, I still have not had anything big go wrong. I am not hungry... and I do have to remind myself to get my protien in. My port site is tender but no big deal.

I can't believe I really have been banded! I kept expecting it to not happen. :thumbup:

[whippoorwillow 1]

Is it true that when you first have the band put in place there is NO restriction at all?

[MargieOK2 0]

I don't know if this will reach anyone with the previous messages having been posted a while ago.

I too am seeking out those in their 40s....with metabolisms like mine that didn't slow down --- it stopped!

I too have started my journey and am now in my six month insurance company imposed program. I've completed the psych eval and have the pulmonologist scheduled, followed by the cardiologist. My insurance company also requires a 20 pound pre-op weight loss. I'm working on that now.

My primary doctor wasn't thrilled with my choice for "elective surgery" but was more assured when she heard of the pre-screenings I would be going through.

How are those of you who have posted on here doing? Do you regret the surgery? How were your side effects? Any problems? I have a few friends who have had bypass and others who have been banded and they're all doing well.

I'd love to hear from others in their 40s.

Thanks!

[bandfan1 0]

Hi Margie:

I think that I am the one who started this thread early this year. Since then I have been banded (May 1st). Losing weight for me has always been difficult. Even now after several fills, my loss is very slow.......but steady.

Since May 1st, I have lost almost 40lbs. The best part about it is that I am at a stage where in the past I would have given up. I can't do that with the band. I need to continue working on my behavior (ie good food choices and exercise!!!).

I am ok with the fact that I will be a slow loser. What is most important is that it is going in the right direction.

All the best to you. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like to communicate privately... mclondon@optonline.net.

Marilyn

[GlenSand 1]

46! Getting banded in 8 days. I am very excited about this new chapter. It's great to have a group for support. I am happy to meet you all!

[bandfan1 0]

46! Getting banded in 8 days. I am very excited about this new chapter. It's great to have a group for support. I am happy to meet you all!

GlenSand: Congratulations on your decision to go forward with the surgery. It was a very easy and positive experience for me. Don't forget that the band is ONLY a tool and must be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Healthy eating habits and exercise will definitely speed up your progress!!

All the best for 2009!!

[bandfan1 0]

MargieOK2: I haven't been on the site for a while, but I noticed your post. I don't regret my decision to go forward with the lap band surgery, but I am realizing that it is DEFINITELY not a magic bullet. It is a tool that needs to be used along with new healthy eating habits and exercise.

I finally got on the exercise bandwagon and am hoping that it speeds things up for me somewhat.

The nice thing about the band is that in the past when I have reached this point of weight loss I would have started to revert to my old ways and the pounds would slowly creep back until I weighed more than when I started. With the band, I am able to keep going and move past this point thanks to the restriction that I am getting.

If used correctly AS A TOOL, the band is a wonderful thing!!

Good luck to you!!!

[delrio 0]

Good luck to all of you! I'm 41 and I wonder if you think it's significantly more difficult to lose weight with a band in your 40's? Any thoughts?

[bandfan1 0]

Hi Delrio: I am 47 and I feel that it is definitely slower when you get into your 40's, but not impossible!!

I believe it will require more patience and persistence, but I also believe that we have more of that also in our 40's.....

Have you been banded yet? I couldn't tell from your signature.

I LOVE your exercise goal!! That is a great idea!! Exercise is the area that I am in need of most......

All the best!!

[Meri 0]

I'm also 41. I found my weight loss with the band to be fantastic! It was significantly better that any diet I ever tried. Don't let your age discourage you. You can do very well!