Hello from central California

[amandastephens 0]

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and was hoping to gain some valuable information about the lap band. I am being banded either the end of February or the beginning of March. I should know by the end of next week. I am very excited about this new journey in my life, but also very scared. I am really worried about feeling horrible and getting depressed for the next few months after surgery. IF you have any comments or words of encouragement, please send them my way! Thanks

Amanda

[Jamie05 0]

Hello,

I am from Northern California. I am having my surgery done also at the end of Feb or beginning of March. I will know on the 4th of Feb.

Do you know where you will be having your surgery done?

Mine is being done in San Francisco.

Good luck to you, its normal to be nervous as this comes closer and closer. I sure am, if you need any support i'd be more than happy to be bander buddies!

[jillian13 0]

Hi Amanda it looks like we are in the same boat. I hope to be banded then also. With Dr. Kuri

[jillian13 0]

Hi I am looking for support as well. I am from Washington

[SillyGoose 0]

Hello everyone!

I am new to this forum and was hoping to gain some valuable information about the lap band. I am being banded either the end of February or the beginning of March. I should know by the end of next week. I am very excited about this new journey in my life, but also very scared. I am really worried about feeling horrible and getting depressed for the next few months after surgery. IF you have any comments or words of encouragement, please send them my way! Thanks

Amanda

Hi there,

I'm in the Central Valley too and should be banded in March. This is a great site with lots of information. I've been reading here almost daily since June 2008. You will most likely find other people here with the same concerns and fears that you have.

I hope everything goes well for you!

[HOWLUCKYAMI 0]

Hi there,

I'm in the Central Valley too and should be banded in March. This is a great site with lots of information. I've been reading here almost daily since June 2008. You will most likely find other people here with the same concerns and fears that you have.

I hope everything goes well for you!

Hi Cali Banders!!! I was banded on 12/16/08 and unfortunately my port flipped about 2 weeks later. With that being said I have to say that I LOVE MY BAND and would do it again in a NY minute! I finally feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel for me and my life-long struggle with my weight. I will be having a port revision early next month and from what I have read and heard from my surgeon it's a relatively simple procedure that's done on an outpatient basis.

Here's a few threads that have been invaluable to me in my research and post-op band life:

I'm Here to Help: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f260/im-here-help-64725/index130.html This thread provides you with information and advice from a 3 year post-op bander named Janet. She offers up advice and tough band love to all who ask for it! Don't be afraid to ask her your questions-she loves helping fellow bandsters out!

Surgery Day Stories: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/surgery-day-stories-64287/index18.html This thread was very intersting to me because it gives an idea of what actually happens on surgery day. Of course, every surgeon is different, but knowing this information up front can help you to ask questions of your surgical team before your band-day. It can also help you to make sure you're prepared for your trip home and what it's going to be like once you get there (don't forget to have a pillow to hold between you and the seat belt!).

Also, find your monthly bandster thread. For example, mine is December Bandsters. Your monthly thread can help you to make friends who are going through the process at the same time you are and you can get great advice and share your journey with others who can relate. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/december-bandsters-84755/index5.html

I wish you all the best of luck and hope that each of you feel like I do...that the band is the best thing you've ever done for yourself and your health!

Edited January 29, 2009 by HOWLUCKYAMI

[pvtash61 1]

I was banded on the 21st of Jan. and boy I am so happy. I too was excited nervous, but so ready to get with the program. I went to my post op on the 27, almost a week to date of surgery, and lost 5 lbs! I had almost no discomfort and followed all the rules, so important. Take your pain med, sip, sip and move move and before you knowit the week is over and you feel so much better. I had my procedure done here in Fresno, ca Dr. Swartz group with Dr. Felix, very good group. I am now at the mush state, looking forward to soft foods soon.

I waited so long to find a good safe method of weight loss, I have....the lap-band. I am so hopeful, so happy. YOU too will find out this is a good choice. Good luck, God Bless:thumbup:

[amandastephens 0]

Thank you so much for all of your support and advice! I really appreciate it! I feel much better now. I am still very excited and can't wait to make such a positive impact in my life. I am starting out at 257ish and I am hoping to lose around 100lbs. My surgeon is Dr. Juarez here in Fresno at the Surgical Associates office. I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity (insurance pays 90%) and will work the best that I can to lose most of my weight.

It's great that all of you have had a good experience with this surgery.

Take care and God Bless,

Amanda

[HOWLUCKYAMI 0]

Thank you so much for all of your support and advice! I really appreciate it! I feel much better now. I am still very excited and can't wait to make such a positive impact in my life. I am starting out at 257ish and I am hoping to lose around 100lbs. My surgeon is Dr. Juarez here in Fresno at the Surgical Associates office. I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity (insurance pays 90%) and will work the best that I can to lose most of my weight.

It's great that all of you have had a good experience with this surgery.

Take care and God Bless,

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

You and I started about the same weight and have about the same to lose!

I know what you mean about feeling blessed. I have felt blessed each day of this journey, and I've even got a flipped port. But I still feel so lucky to have had this opportunity, because I believe in my heart of hearts that it is going to work for me. I feel 'guided' through this process, and am.

I thanked my boss the other day for providing us with the exceptional insurance coverage we have. The hospital billed over $62k for my surgery of which $58k was written off by Blue Cross as being above the negotiated rate. In the end, the amount I ended up having to pay? $310.90! I was expecting to have to pay $3k. If that's not blessed, I don't know what is. That savings sure makes buying new clothes much easier to do!

Blessings to you!

[amandastephens 0]

How was it the first few weeks after surgery? I am so worried that I am going to feel sick after having withdrawals from not eating very much. Do you have any suggestions on the Protein Shake brands or anything else that you think that I should know before surgery?

[pvtash61 1]

:tt1:Morning Amanda, you are going to be so surprised that you dont really feel hungry after the surgery, its quite amazing. I have been now feeling alittle more hungry and I had the procedure done on Jan. 21st. I am doing the mush stuff. Trying to be more creative, so I dont keep having the same stuff. I hear your Doc. is a great doc, so think you are in good hands there. I had mine done by Dr. Swartz, Fresno. Good work and my small incisions look really good.

The pain was tolarable, keep up with the dosage on time and you will be fine. Before you knowit the week will be over and you will be so happy with yur decision. Good luck, you will do great, this is a good thing, embrace it was determination. :w00t: Keep us posted on how you are doing, before and after. All my best wishes for YOU!

Edited February 2, 2009 by pvtash61
spelling

[HOWLUCKYAMI 0]

How was it the first few weeks after surgery? I am so worried that I am going to feel sick after having withdrawals from not eating very much. Do you have any suggestions on the Protein shake brands or anything else that you think that I should know before surgery?

Hi Amanda,

The first couple of weeks after surgery for me were pretty easy. I had no appetite what so ever for atleast the first week. The second week was a bit more challenging in that my head started craving food like eggs and mashed potatoes, but my stomach really was fine on the Protein shakes and Soup. If I had that phase to do over again I would make a batch of homemade chicken Soup and live on the broth. When I finally did, I only had a day or two left to sip it before moving to pureed foods.

As for the Protein Shakes, I lived on Myoplex Original ready to drink. I wasn't good about making time in the morning to make my own shakes and the Myoplex ones have a very convenient twist on top that made them easy to take with me. I like the chocolate Fudge flavor the best, but it was nice to have a few vanilla and strawberry Cream on hand to mix it up a bit. One can (actually it's more like a juice box than a can) has 42 grams of Protein so if you can get one and a half down you'll likely have met your protein goal for the day.

Make sure you sip all day long and get your protein in. It will really help with your energy level. Remember, you're going to be taking in VERY small amounts at a time. Don't waste your intake on Jello or broth if you can help it. Get your protein in first and supplement with other items if you still feel like it.

[JennyLou 0]

:unsure:Hello everyone, I am new to this site and was wanting to get some feedback on a Primary care Dr. Recommendation in Fresno/Clovis. I have had Kaiser for the last year and will have Blue Shield Insurance starting June 1st. I need to find a primary care dr that is Pro Lap Band. Any suggestions, I don't have any other medical conditions I need to tend to, just need to get established w/dr and then get in to see a lap band specialist to see if I can get it done. THANKS

[SillyGoose 0]

Hi there,

Will you continue to have Kaiser when you get Blue Shield? If so, which insurance will be your primary?

[JennyLou 0]

I will be dropping the Kaiser June 1st and going with our companys Blue Shield PPO plan. Now I have to find a new Dr.; hopefully one that will be Pro Lap Band and not tell me to just lose some weight. I have looked at the Blue Shield website and recognize some of the drs names, but don't know the views on WLS. Thanks