I am glad to hear that despite the complications you made it through this ordeal okay. I will continue to keep you in my prayers through this healing process! Diana

Congrats for getting to the loser's bench!! I'll join you at the end of the month! I'm sorry to hear about all the troubles you had with the surgery, etc., but glad that you made it through OK and are home resting now. It wouldn't hurt to call the surgeon's office today and ask about the indigestion that you are having. They may be able to ease your mind - or let you know you should get in there sooner. Take care and keep us posted on how things are going! You're doing fabulous!! ~Nancy~

Dear friends: I would like to know what I can do about my gas problems? I'm suffering from horrible gas that makes me feel nausious. I hate to be in public because I can't always hold it. I'm not sure if it is the foods I eat but I'm wondering about how long ai have to deal with this? Is there anything I can take to stop this or at least contain it, I get so scared to eat out in public because the aftermath. Please help!

I've got mine on the 15th too. My first big step is tomorrow. I have to start the bowel prep and drink a bottle of Magnesium Citrate and then only liquids. I don't have the exact time yet, but it's probably about noon. I've been taking two showers a day, washing with antibacterial soap since last Thursday. I was also given a special soap at the pre-op that I have to use Wed night. I wasn't too nervous about the surgery until today. I had to have a stress EKG today because my heart rate on the pre-op EKG was under 50. Up until now I was nervous about the surgery being cancelled because of my heart and now (because the stress EKG was normal) I'm nervous because I know it's really going to happen. It's kind of taking a little bit of an emotional tole on me too because I have two 6 year old children. They know about the surgery and even though I try to assure them that everything is going to be fine, I think they aren't completely sure and are anxious. I'm in CA. How about you? Christina

I've also got UnitedHealthcare Premium PPO (Oracle). It took about 2 weeks to get the approval. I was never denied. I was getting anxious and called them. The couldn't say anything, but that it was being reviewed until the approval came through. When I asked what they were looking for, I was told. Weight, height, BMI and 5 year history of weight loss attempts. I started to get nervous because I knew my surgeon's office hadn't submitted the 5 year history. I scrambled trying to get it together, in case I got a denial. (I didn't have the same PCP for the 5 years and we used to live in another area.) It turned out that I didn't need it. I definitely qualify at 100 pounds overweight and BMI over 40. Christina