CindyLou

The loan options offered through the OCC are simply finance companies and/or credit cards. One finance co. told me the minimum credit score was 600. Now if you have caught up on all your bills from before and are now current, your credit union may be willing to finance. They base it more on if you can afford it and what makes sense, then your credit score helps determine what your rate will be. I chose to go with my credit union. Even with a pretty good credit score the finance companies were still charging high interest and orginination fees. Good luck and keep us posted.

Not sure when your surgery is, but I would not take a diuretic anytime prior to surgery unless prescribed. It could cause your electrolytes to be off....which could casue cancellation of your surgery.

Hi, the other thing I would suggest is that you might get your thyroid checked and rule out any other metabolic issues that could be causing the problem. Just a thought, Cindy

I do believe they take care credit.....just call either care credit or the OCC and ask. It not a credit card per say.....no like they run the card through a machine......I would give it a try.

You're fine with the diet pepsi pre-op, I think. The purpose is weight loss and diet pepsi is sugar free. I am doing the 3 week atkins plan and just finished my first week. I lost 7 lbs. Its hard though. I had gained a little between scheduling and starting the pre-op so I got a little making up to do. Good luck and keep us posted.

How tall are you? I know their BMI requirements are in the low 30's. So if you fall into that zone, it should probably be ok.

Well, all I can say it that I hope that I can do as good as you as far as the weight loss!!!!!! I will be jumping for joy if I am as successfull as you! Evidentally the band is doing the job it is suppose to do! Congrats, keep up the good work, and stop making me jealous!

Well, as far as the financing, I was able to get approved through Surgeryloans.com and the other one on the website (I was shopping for the best interet rates). But I ended up going with a personal loan from my credit union at work. They seemed very willing once they knew it was for surgery and that I was going to do payroll deduction. BTW, I have a rocky credit history with a BK after a divorce a few years back. Its definitely worth a try for you! I know for sure, even if you have bad bad bad credit they will still approve you with a co-signer. Beware though, the finance companies charge a 10% loan fee, so if you can borrow otherwise its better overall, but if I hadn't gotten the credit union loan I would have done whatever I needed to get it done. The $500...its due within 3 days of scheduling. I didn't have any problems with my date. I schedule mine in mid-October first for Nov. 27th. Then last week called and moved it up to Nov. 29th. It seems that Fridays book with quickest. As far as the trip, there are some people on the site that take vacations right after the surgery. I would think a few months out would be fine. Well, welcome and keep us posted on your decision. Sincerely, Cindy

I am scheduled on the 20th! My husband and I are driving in from LA early that morning and meeting the driver at Mexicoach at 8am. I can't wait! There is a very very small chance that I might try and move it up to the 17th. My dad is supposed to have surgery in Florida on the 17th and I am planning to go there to be with him. (back surgery). But then he found out today he has a prostate infection and they may reschedule his surgery. I've already taken two weeks off work, so if they change his I will move mine up and just won't be able to go for his. Hopefully it all stays as planned. P.S......I wish we were going the night before, but I have a diabetic kitty and have to have a cat sitter 3 times per day.......so driving in is easier. See you there!!!!!!!!

Thanks, everyone. I will email them tomorrow at OCC and let them know my "new" pre-op wieght. I am confident I can lose 5% in the 3 weeks. I think I'll stick to Atkins as I know I have been successful in the past and its not very much torture.

Well, I probably didn't make much sense. I only gained between scheduling the surgery and now. Today is day 1 of my 21 day preop diet. I don't think I can do the liquids, so I chose the 3 week Atkins induction, which I am a pro at. I always lose around 10-12 lbs in 2 weeks, but always gain it back. I'm just worried that I won't lose the 11 lbs they asked me to lose PLUS the other 6 that I gained before today. I guess I'll just do my best and see what happens. thanks for the support.

hmmm.....well, if you had said yes, I would have said that's what it might be. Hope you feel better.

I scheduled my surgery about 3 weeks ago. Today is exactly 21 days until my surgery. I chose the 3 weeks Atkins as my preop (I'm good at Atkins).....WELL, I decided to weight myself today. I GAINED 6LBS in the last 3 weeks. Now I have to lose 17 lbs before my surgery instead of 11. How strict are they? I plan to stick to my preop diet, but I don't know if I will lose 17 lbs! Ugghhh.....I can't wait to get banded and get on with life. This waiting is hard. I wish I could have done it within a few days of being scheduled. Anyone else have these frustrations while waiting?

are you taking any medications like Ibuprofen or similar?

I'm planning a preganancy for end of next summer. I am only planning to wait 8-9 months. As soon as I ditch 50 lbs. Then I can work on my final goal afterwards.

OMG....its killing me. I hear these successes and can hardly wait the 24 days I have left until my surgery!! Congrats, you are truly an inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMEN! I won't even complain if it hurts!!!!!!! Nothing could be worse than the shopping trips for the bathing suits!!! Period.

I have a low theshhold for pain. (In other words I'm a big baby!) Also, I get easily nauseated. How hard is it to get a strong enough pain med to kill the pain and also something to fight the nausea. On the flip side, I also I have a very high tolerance of pain meds. ....runs in my family actually. Are they going to work with me on this? Will it be pills, shots, or with my IV? I'm always very shy about asking for pain meds...I hate to seem like I'm asking for something for the heck of it. But the thought of any pain at all is making me pretty anxious. Any advice?

I just changed my surgery date to November 20th!!! Travis, Thanks for the posting, I really puts me at ease.