RickLB

I went today and bought a couple of long sleeved dress shirts and for the first time in over 15 years I didn't have to go to the "big and Tall" store. Just went to a regular old clothing store! Yea me!!!!

Been banded for two months now. I had a lot of gas for about a month. I remember thinking if I fart one more time I think I'm going to take off! It will go away, hang in there!

I was banded on 2-28-11. I am one of the blessed ones who has no problems with hunger or eating. I have 6cc's in a large band. I eat anything I want just not much of it. Just hang in there! They tell you all the foods you won't be able to eat but the truth is everyone is different. I can eat anything but there are others that eat only certain things (and some only at certain times!). You won't know what you will be able to eat until you get healed up from the surgery. So don't worry about it until you know what you can or can't eat. Hang in there it will get better!

@ Ktfrogger: Yes, I drink it right before I eat. My doctor says it cleans out anything that might still be in the pouch. It sounded goofy but it seems to be working well for me. Its easy to remember.

The guide line my doctor gave me was very simple. He calls the Four of Fours. 4 oz of fluid followed by 4 oz of solid, four hours apart, 4 times a day. I was banded 2-28-11 and I have lost 40lbs so far following the Four of Fours. Just hang in there.....it gets better!

I was banded on 2-28, down about 30lbs and doing fine. No hunger problems, no food problems everything is going great. So my thought is why change anything? I would like to wait until I actually need a fill. Do you have to have a fill?

Thanks to everyone for your advise and input! I'm not going to get a fill until I need one. Right now everything is working just fine. I guess I'm one of the blessed ones to have restriction from the get go. Good luck everyone on your journey!

I've been eating regular food for about two weeks now. I have no problems eating anything so far. Even though my band is empty I can only eat about 4oz at a time. I haven't been hungry at all. My doctor told me I can eat anything I want to as long as I can tolerate it. (Each person is different) The important thing is to make good food choices. Like Paul says in the Bible. "All things are permissible but not all things are profitable"! They want you to stay away from things with flour because it's not a good food choice. You have to make sure you eat your protein first then if you have any room left then you can eat something else. Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

I was also banded on 2-28. You aren't feeling full yet because your band is empty. You won't feel restriction until you've had some fills. The period of time between surgery and feeling restriction is what they call "bandster hell" because of dealing with hunger. Just keep eating what your doc told you to eat and maintain portion control and you should be fine. Hang in there.....it will get better!

I was banded on 2-28. Just got my staples taken out yesterday. What a relief! On mushies now. Lost about 20lbs so far!

Got my staples out yesterday and today I feel great! I was banded on 2-28 and had a rough week but today is a GOOD day. Still just a little bit sore at my port site but ready to get on with my new life!!!!

Congrats! My surgery is tomorrow too! Good luck to both of us!

Got to be @ the hospital @ 7 and surgery @ 9! Got to stay over night. Started pre-opt on Tues and as of Friday (only 4 days) already lost 14lbs! Already starting to feel better! I'm so excited!

My surgery date is Mon 2-28-11. I went to my final lap-band class today and the nurse gave me a tip to relieve some of the gas problems after surgery. She said to take a Gas-x strip right before I go to the hospital. She said it would really help me not to be so gassy after surgery. I thought I would pass it along.

I guess it's a good news bad news kind of thing. The good news is I lost 6 lbs in one day! The bad news is I would offer a human sacrifice for a cheese burger! Oh well just got to hang in there!

I can't believe it finally happened. I got my surgery date! Got approved by insurance for one surgeon, had to change to another surgeon (and hospital) and had to resubmit all information a second time to insurance. what a hassle! But it's over and done. Start pre-op diet tomorrow and have surgery on March 1st! Thank you Lord!

My Doctor has me on Slim-fast. 3 -4 shakes a day. Sm salad. For 1 week prior to surgery. You are right, there are so many different diets. Just go with the one your doc recommends.

I have United Health Definity. Paperwork was faxed Friday afternoon and got the approval today (Monday). I had a very helpful nurse pushing it all day!

I have gone through the process (Two months) of getting approved by the insurance. When I got my approval letter from the insurance co I was waiting to get my surgery date. I found out that they had not received certification yet to do the surgery so I couldn't get a surgery date for another 2 - 4 months. I was very disappointed to say the least. I didn't want to change clinics because everyone was great in helping me get approved. So I called another clinic and they were very nice and helpful and are helping me to get all of my records from the other clinic and resubmit for approval again. They said it should only take a few days or so and I should be able to get a surgery date! So now I feel like I'm back on track again!

Got approval from the insurance co is the good news. The bad news is I'm using a new organization that has to do three WLS at one time to get their WLS certification. Although there are many people going through the process of getting approved I'm the only one ready to go. Everyone one else had to go through the 6 month supervised diet. I didn't have to. So even though I'm approved and ready to go I have to wait until two other people are ready before I can get a surgery date. They said it could be a couple of months!!!!!! AGHHHHHHH! Help me Jesus!

Congrats! I finished mine last week. Insurance has had my request from the doc for 8 days! I'm about to go crazy! Doc said not to worry he was sure I would be approved. But still...

Finally got EVERYTHING done. All Doctors appointments, psyc evals, letters, weight history, EVERYTHING. Now I have to wait on insurance to give final approval so I can set my surgery date! So come on already!!!!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease! If I had a letter I'd be camped out on someone's door step till I got a date! I guess that's my alpha male personality coming out. Hope you hear something soon!

Thanks for all of the replies. Now I feel bad for saying anything because all of you have been waiting longer than I have. Praying that the time passes quickly for all of us!

I've already had my talk with the doc. She was very good. I had a bunch of paperwork and tests that I had to do before I went to the appointment. She asked a few questions about what was going on in my life, my childhood, etc. It was actually enjoyable. Hope yours goes as well.