finallygettingthere

I've spent the past few months researching and reviewing various forums regarding insurance for the lap-band. The main question I sought to answer was, "Do I need to have the six months supervised diet or whatever". I couldn't find an answer anywhere. What I did find was conflicting, and often ambigious. I even resorted to calling the insurance company to see what they had to say. Nothing. Oh, the insurance company had pleanty to say, but they didn't say anything. No one could find anything stating that I needed the supervised diet prior to authorization. My medical group even called the insurance, and they couldn't get an answer. I requested that when all of my paperwork was ready, that my medical group submit it in any case, and we'll see what would happen. With the Anthem BCBS, I received a letter in the mail in about a week approving my lapband. Now, which Anthem BCBS do I have? I don't know. There is nothing on my card stating where they're from, and I work in a different state then where I'm actually insured. I also live in a different state then either of those two, and am having the surgery in another state altogether! Some questions I couldn't find answers to regarding insurance, and my answers: Does Anthem BCBS cover lapbands? - Yes. Depends on your coverage as to how much they cover, and also it depends on where you have your lapband, in-network/out etc. I have the full blown PPO and it covers 90%. Do they require the three/six-month supervised diet? - It was not required for my approval. How do you find out if you got approved? - I read about people getting approved, but I didn't see how they knew. I received a letter in the mail from my insurance company. How long does it take to hear from insurance? - It took about a week from when my medical group said they submitted the paperwork. It took about two months for the medical group to get their act together and get my paperwork together. I being former military, had all my paperwork back to my medical group within a week, ready for them to submit my paperwork. Took them two months for some reason. That was a killer since I was told that they were going to submit my claim the day I handed in all my paperwork. I was pretty bummed out when I called the medical office after a month of not hearing anything, just to find out they had delays in getting tax ID's and the shrink to sign off on their release. But I digress, took a week to hear from insurance. I hope this info helps at least one person who's trying to find out info on Anthem BCBS.

Thank you too for your post. I have only had one fill already, only 1cc, but my NP thought that it should be enough since I was losing weight. I know I was losing because I was being really good and sticking to the diet plan, but I was really struggling without the restriction. I have my second fill this Friday, and I'm hoping that I start to feel some sort of restriction.

Thanks for sharing!

So I just had my first week long business trip with my new band. I was in meetings all day long, so lunch was catered. I was a bit worried about what was going to be available, so I carried a Muscle Milk Light in my bag just-in-case. The meals were not bad at all. Each day, chicken in some form was offered, and not breaded or fried, and a salad was available and I was able to put on my dressing. I had my little eating computer with me, so I could sneak off after my meal and compute how well I did, and I believe that I did rather well. I was quite proud of myself. Although all week long I drank with my meal (and I'm trying to get myself out of that habit, but that one is difficult). Also, at this point in time, I'm going through the dreaded "Bander's Hell" where I can eat just about anything, and it'll go right down. So I'm not too concerned about the drinking with the meals. The weekend of the Fourth posed its own difficulties, as I'm sure everyone else had to deal with, but I kept things together. I even tried my wife's low-carb pasta salad, albeit just a small portion. Again, finally performing my computations, I kept things in line. Only once did I go above my carb limit during the past week, and that's when I treated myself to a Long Island Iced tea. It surprised me because it was very carbonated. When I made my own, I only put a splash of Coke in mine...and only for color. But, I sipped it slowly and enjoyed it. I didn't have any issues with the carbonation, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and enjoy a cold Coke, because I've worked very hard to get myself off of sodas. So...anyone try Pork Rinds as a low-carb snack? Throughout this "Bander's Hell", I've been able to eat everything I've had in my diet without any issues. I've not even thrown up or regurgitated anything (not even had the 'slimes' which I've read about). But I ate a few pork rinds and had a total blockage! It was very panic-inducing the first time it happened. I thought I swallowed a bolus that was just too large, but I was careful. I tried it again the day after, and the same thing happened. Very odd...but I'm going to keep away from pork rinds from now on. This Friday is my first fill. I'm quite anxious for this visit for a few reasons: 1) I'd like to get out of this "Bander's Hell", 2) I'd like to see if I lost any weight since my last weigh-in on June 10, and 3) I really would like a little restriction in my band, as I think it would be too easy to eat too much in my current state...at least until I can get my mind wrapped around just how to eat well, and how much is good for me to maintain my weight loss.

From my understanding, "Bander's Hell" is the month or so after you get your band where some people feel no restriction from their band. They feel that they could pretty much eat anything and the band won't stop them from filling up their new 'pouch'. It's a wee bit frustrating for some as I'm sure you can imagine. Hope that helps.

IMHO, this is an excellent and informative read about the lapband. It goes into a great many detail about the surgery, the procedure, pre and post-op expectations, the psych exam, and what to expect and what do to following the surgery. "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfully", by Dr. Swell. I got it for my Kindle from Amazon. Has anyone read it? Thoughts? http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Loss-Surgery-Adjustable-Gastric/dp/1600940021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308620739&sr=8-1

Wow...I made it to week two. Not that I didn't think I'd make it, but it just seemed to have taken a while. Some observations of the surgery: Scars - I have five small 1.5cm cuts which were sealed with the glue. They are healing well. I wash them daily with the surgical scrub I used before the surgery. They no longer hurt when rubbed up against anything. A few are almost totally closed, and a couple are almost there. I think that surgical glue will be there long after I'm totally healed. Mobility - I've been very mobile and active since the fourth day after surgery. I walk daily, and pretty much do everything I can except for picking up anything more than about ten pounds, as per my doctor's instructions. I know I'm a bit more cautious when bending over, because there are some things that area a wee bit sensitive when I do. No real pain, but more of a discomfort in certain spots in my chest. Eating - I seem to fall into that group of "I believe that I can eat anything I want and it won't get stuck", although I don't push that. I make a conscious effort to chew everything completely, and I try to eat everything without fluids, but sometimes I just have to have some water with my meal. Just habit, but I think I'm slowly breaking myself of that habit. I know I'll have to get used to that when they tighten up the band on my first fill. Discomfort - Okay. Here it is. A whole new sensation - I am totally aware of where my port is. I read before that many never know where their port is, or that they cannot feel it. I can. I know exactly where it is, and I know that it is the focus of some of the discomfort when I bend over, and move about too much in the abdominal area. From what others have said, and what I read, that is about normal, and that it will go away. I guess I can comfort myself in the fact that it's easy to find, and there won't be much sticking around with the fill needle when it comes to the fill. Weight Loss - I'm not really sure about this. Although my clothes seem to fit a lot better , but I haven't been back to my doctor's office to weigh myself. I keep a record of everything I eat. I try to keep my calories below 1,400 a day, my carbs below 40, and my fat below 40 as well. My protein is always above 120. I've read that a very high protein diet, especially in men with the lapband significantly reduces the chances of excess skin because of the weight loss. But then again, I don't believe everything I read, so it's taken with a grain of salt. Also, my dietitian states that my protein intake is just fine for someone of my height. I'm quite anxious for my first fill, not just to experience 'the fill', but to find out my true weight loss (as I have used it from the start) has been. Shakes - I'm really getting sick of the three flavors and variations on the themes of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. A the end of this week, I'm going to explore more flavors. Although I really enjoy the Isopure Fat-Free shakes, especially the Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Mint.

I'm in the mushy phase, but they didn't put any calorie restrictions on me. I know that I was restricted to about 1000 calories before the operation, but afterwards, they told me it's all about the healing. And 330 calories a day???!!! WOW. That's amazing. One of my fat-free shakes is about 300 using unsweetened almond milk! I'm sure I'll get more restrictions when I go for my first fill, July 8. Good luck to you!

My start weight was 320. In just four weeks, including 2.5 weeks of just protein shakes, I lost 30 pounds prior to surgery. I'm sure it's doable for you, you might have to exercise a great deal of discipline. Good luck!

It's Friday, and the guys in the office want to order pizza.Wow, what a dilemma since I absolutely LOVE pizza, and haven't had it for abouttwo months. Nope, not even for my infamous 'last supper' before all the liquiddieting. I actually was jonesing for a bacon cheeseburger for my 'last supper'.Boy, did that hit the spot. I can fondly remember it now, and as I type this, I'maware of the creepy smile that is growing on my face. But I digress. Pizza forluch. I already packed my lunch for today. A Muslce Milk Lite (not a favoriteof mine, but I didn't want to bring in the shake mix, and then the CalorieCountdown Milk, and have to wash out my mixing cup and have to remember to takeit home (I'm a guy, I always forget my mixing cups at the office. It'll beSaturday morning, and I'm scouring the house for my mixing cups, when my wifewill remind me that I didn't bring them home so they weren't washed). So it's Muscle Milk, me and a reduced fatstring cheese. Or pizza. Being my Aspie self, I start to methodicallyand logically scour the internet for caloric information on pizza – it's mymission today to make this pizza logically sound like a healthy decision. I'mfocused and decided now, so there's no stopping me. How many carbs, calories, etc.I'm trying to logically fit this piece of pizza into my routine, AND make it a 'healthy'decision. I could just eat the cheese and maybe a pepperoni or two. Maybe I'llbe totally satiated on just half of the cheese and a single pepperoni. Maybejust one bite. With the dough. After all, my port is wide open, and it almostfeels like I don't have a port at all. Sure, I can handle one bite of doughwith the cheese, and I'll have to make sure that my bite counts and get thatpepperoni in there with it. Ah, new updated information from my colleague. It's going tobe a really good pizza from the gourmet place down the road (lots of those herein DC). I'm even more determined now to fit that in to my routine. AND keep ithealthy. So I continue to search, and of course I keep going throughthese forums. I read of how many people have whatever they want, even pizza,within moderation, and making sure that they chew well and get it past theirband. I also read of the people dedicated to the new lifestyle that they havebecome a part of with the band. A turn of a new leaf in their lives. That'swhat it is to me too, I think as I read these. I remind myself that this is alife decision, that I know I took a lot of time, and did a lot of research tomake this decision. That I underwent surgery (and I loathe surgery…not thatanyone really loves it…but I am a firm believer that the body is like a car,once it's at the mechanics to tweak or adjust something, that something willforever squeek, squak , or just not work properly ever again). I know that I'vebeen doing really well, and that I need to reward myself from time to time, toremind me that I am keeping myself on track, not just for myself, but for my family,because that is why I'm doing this. That this is a new lifestyle, and I've gotthe best tools to accomplish this. I'm going to stop at Trader Joe's on the way home and pickup some Veggie Pepperoni, and save enough fat/carbs to allow myself a 'nice'dinner. I'll get that pizza fix I was set on, but I'm going to do it the rightway, the way that I set out to do. I know the veggie pepperoni is pretty decent(at least that's what I believe), I just wonder if the low fat cheese sticksmelt? Maybe even a little 'Skinny Girl Margarhita' and a stop at the bookstore on my way home to treat myself.

I was going through some of the recipes on this site, and there are a couple of really good sounding pizza recipes. I'm definitely going to have to try them out. I ended up getting some Veggie Pepperoni and reduced fat cheese to snack on for dinner and that satiated my pizza desire.

That's an awesome recipe idea. Thanks!

Well, I did a really disappointing thing today. I decided to jump on the scale at work. I asked a colleague of mine how accurate it was, and he says it was 'right on'. Okay. Good. I'll see how much I've lost since I last got on a scale, just before my surgery. Way wrong move. According to the work scale, I GAINED a few pounds! Ugh. I know that I really didn't. I've been keeping to my 1,200 calorie or less, high protein, low fat, low carb diet, and walking! I know I had some fluids built up from the surgery, but geesh...I didn't think I was continuing to build up fluids. I know that all scales aren't accurate, and they vary from scale to scale. I'm sure that I did lose weight, but it was just a little disconcerting to see a little gain. I know it's ridiculous to lament on it, but it still annoys me. I can't wait to get on my doctor's scale. Whether or not his is accurate, at least I can judge my loss/gains according to that standard. Not the $10 scale-in-the-corner-of-our-work-kitchen scale. Lesson learned. I'm going to the bookstore to get myself something, and my mind off that dang scale. ________ On a more positive health note, I'm feeling really great today. The only discomfort is a little poking pain when I bend certain ways. I don't know if it's the port, or part of the band, but I'm sure as time goes on that I'll figure it out. Still feeling hungry, but I'm spreading out my snacks and meals so that I don't go over my limits.

<br><br><br>\ <br><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">Thanks for the comments! I so totally understand that knowledge is power. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">One reason I keep buying books and asking my doctor questions. But it’s funny, I’ve also found that if you ask ten people a question, you’ll get ten different answers. That not only applies here, but to each of our doctors. So often I’ve seen conflicting information – “I didn’t have to have a liquid diet”, “I did”, “I can eat anything I want in moderation, that’s what my doctor said.”, “I can’t have fruit, breads, rice or cereal” etc. So, yes, you just have to do your own research, take everything in with a grain of salt, but most importantly, know yourself (and your band) </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black;mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol; mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">I didn’t get banded for just the end result. While it’s going to be nice to be in shape and healthy, but it’s also for the journey, for that’s where we gain the wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">I totally absorb everything that everyone says on this forum, as well as my own research, and what my doctor says, and am enjoying the journey and especially the new experiences that it brings – seemingly every day!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">Thanks again for your input, I wish you the best of luck, and welcome all<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>your wisdom from your experiences to help me grow in this journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black">Onto the blog….<o:p></o:p></span></p>

So I've been told that I have to be on this liquid diet for twoweeks after surgery. My post-op exam went well, and I was told that I couldslowly migrate from liquids, to soft foods, to regular foods before my firstfill. I have fallen into this ‘hungry’ stage, where it feels like I don’t evenhave a band. I wish my PA or doctor would have told me to expect this, becauseI feel that this could cause problems adjusting to ‘real’ food. If I don’t haveany restriction when I drink my liquids, and none when I eat my soft foods, Icould become complacent and not pay attention to me chewing my food. Just myworry, because I’ve read the articles and blogs of others who have experiencedthis, and who were reminded that they do indeed have the band, when they getfood stuck. I've decided to accelerate and push myself early. I decided to do this because I feel that I'm healing very well,and very quickly from the surgery. The surgery went well, and I'm back at worknow full time. Although I'm pushing it with the food, I’m still taking it veryeasy with the weight I lift, although I still walk about thirty to sixtyminutes each day. The past few days I’ve been experimenting with the soft foods.Namely cheeses. Oh what a joy it was to eat cheese after all those shakes. Lastnight was my first night going out to a restaurant. I’ve tried to avoid thatuntil I was totally comfortable, and confident in my new eating abilities, butit came as a surprise. Up until then, I only had eaten cheeses and a few soycrisps. Always keeping within my protein, fat and carb intake. I was fortunateenough to go to a restaurant that had a ‘carb friendly’ selection! So, I ordereda bacon cheeseburger with salad. It came without the bun. I ate a couple leavesof lettuce from the salad, making sure I chewed very well. A couple times I gotengrossed in conversation, and swallowed a large bit of lettuce. I was panickythere for a moment, but all was well. I had to remind myself to chew chew chew.The burger came and it was wonderful. I didn’t eat the whole thing, although Ithink I could have. What I realized was that by chewing slowly, I took a longtime to eat. So I was only half way done with my meal when everyone was anxiousto get the check. I didn’t feel full. I also didn’t drink anything with dinner.My first time trying that. (I personally think that is going to be the hardestthing for me to get over, as I always have drinks with meals.) Once I got backinto my car, I did feel full. That lasted for a few hours. I just wondered whyit took about ten more minutes for me to feel that way. Again, the hardest partwas trying not to drink anything after the meal. I failed. I keep a full water bottlein my car, and I stopped myself from drinking from it twice, but the third timeI wasn’t even paying attention and had a few gulps. Oh well. I’ll keep ontraining myself. Today/this morning. I feel great. What I noticed about the surgeryis that the scars/cuts were what hurt most during the past week. Either whenthey get rubbed up against something, or when they snag on a t-shirt. Today,nothing. I can feel them from outside my shirt, but no mild pain at all. Instead of a shake today for lunch, I went out and bought some veggiebuffalo wings! A nice little treat to get away from the shakes. To top it off,one serving is a lot less than a shake in all regards (carbs, calories, fat,protein), that if they don’t fill me up, then I can have a half a shake andstill keep within my eating plan. I’m definitely not a vegan in any sense, but I thought I’d pick up some veggiestuff for my ‘soft’ foods stage. I’ll let you know how they taste.

Thanks! You too! After looking at your great before/after pictures, I'm really looking forward to my first fill. The 'wings' are: Lightlife Smart Wings Buffalo Veggie Protein Wings. Let me know how you like them.

Thanks, I'll try Boca! I already have gone to Trader Joes. Good stuff. I really enjoyed the veggie buffalo wings.

<div> <br><br><br><br></div><div>Thanks for the feedback! I still think I'm losing weight, it's just I thought I'd be fuller!!! After all, that's why I spent all that money! LOL</div><div><br></div>

Good luck this Friday! You'll do fine. I was nervous also, but it's a great relief once it's over!

Thanks! Funny, I didn't read about the mysterious 'hunger' part between surgery and my first fill! I'm glad I know, and I'm glad I'm not the only one! And again, thanks for your support. Pj

It’s been one week since my banding! The novelty has dieddown quite a bit for me. Here are my observations: I don’t feel like I have a great deal of restriction- I am able to drink relatively easy and without anydifficulty. I’ve taken a couple Tylenols caplets for headaches (which I figuredout was a caffeine withdraw – I don’t have much caffeine, but I guess enough tocause a withdraw headache. A Crystal Lite Tea alleviated that.) I was a littleconcerned about taking the caplets, as they would have been the biggestobstacles which my new pouch would have faced. I accidently took two at a time,habit, but they went down okay and I didn’t feel anything. I felt as if theywent straight through. When I drink my protein shakes, those do seem to fill meup a bit. I actually have had to reduce the amount of liquid that I mix myshakes with. I used to do about 20 ounces of milk-like-product (Hood CalorieCountdown), or just water. Now I’m down to about 10-14 ounces of liquid withthe mix. Those will satiate me for quitea while, enough that I’m able to just do three shakes a day, and then maybe acup of broth somewhere in the middle of the day. Pain- The only pain associated with the band right now for me iswith the cuts healing on my chest. I seem to rub them against t-shirts, and bumpthem against everything whenever I move. The ‘gas’ pain that I had only lastedfor the first two days. After that, each time I hiccupped, I would feel somepain just under my ribs (the surgeon did repair a hiatial hernia), but that toohas subsided to just a discomforting twang of a reminder that it hurt much morelast week. The Port- When I went for my post-op check up last Friday (Day four),my PA asked me if I felt my port. I didn’t, because I really didn’t go lookingfor it. Why? Because I know that my stomach area is bloated and filled withliquid from the surgery. Also, because I have a lot of bruising from thoseanti-coagulating shots I had to give myself twice a day, so I just left thatalone to explore another day. She did point it out to me, and that answered aquestion I had in my head about some swelling where I would have guessed myliver was located. I thought, from what my research suggested, as well as whatmy doctor told me, that the port would be located to my left side of my navel somewhere.My port is actually located to my right of my navel (as I am looking down atit). There is a small swollen bump over it, and I do worry that it might bemore prominent or visible in the future as I lose more weight. Weight Loss- I started the shake/protein/liquid diet at the beginning ofMay. Just about three weeks before my surgery. I was 320 at that time, and myweight at my post-op check up was 292. Diet- Right now, my doctor has me on the liquid diet for two weeksfollowing the surgery, then on to soft foods, then on to more advanced foods.My next follow up appointment would be for my first fill, and my PA stated thatI might not need a fill if I’m losing weight as is. The PA stated that thedoctor put the smallest band on me, and it could be possible that I might notneed a fill. We shall see. Personally, I don’t know if that will work, asyesterday and today I find myself hungry between shakes. Not an uncontrollablehunger, but I know that if it keeps up, I will have to put another shake, orcup of soup in my diet to satiate me. I’m quite eager to start the soft foods,and feel that I could introduce something of more substance than ‘jello’ rightnow, but I might introduce that later this week, maybe a couple days earlierthan planned, depending on the hunger. Right now, I try to keep my calories as close to 1000 as possible, myfat below 30, and my carbs as close to 30 as possible. I used to worry about myprotein, as I use the Isopure shakes, and they have about 40-50 grams ofprotein a serving, but in talking with my dietician and PA, they told me that Idon’t need to worry about too much protein. I’m 6’2, so they said that tallerguys will need more protein in any case. So, I’m going to roll with that. Myaverage day is 900-1100 calories, 20 grams fat, 30-40 grams carbs, and about140-170 grams protein. I keep track of all my foods and exercise on my iPhonewith a free application/program from www.fatsecret.com.I’ve found that to be the easiest and best program for me to keep track ofeverything. Work – I’m back at work full time now. I knew it was a bit earlylast week, but I thought I’d try it in any case. My PA yelled at me (tongue incheek) saying that she usually tells her patients to take three weeks off. But,I work in a place where I can take it easy and type on the computer all day ifI need to.

I'll try to keep up with the blog. In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions you have. I too was very reluctant to get the band. I held off for quite a while, and even now, only my wife knows, as I try to hide it from my family and friends for fear of their disappointment. Like I could lose weight all on my own and keep it off. I now know that this was the best decision for me for life. I needed a tool to assist me for life. Good luck in your research, and quest. Pj

I too cheated on my pre-op diet. When I did, I scoured theforums looking for others who did because I was worried about my liver size andthe ‘waking up and not having a band’horror stories. I only cheated three times, but I tried to keep my cheatswithin my liquid diet requirements. Meaning, I didn’t go over my carb or fatlimit, and I met my Protein limits. But I still was so very worried, like I’dwake up and the doctor would tell me that he saw the cheese I ate stuck in myliver and he couldn’t give me the band. Well, I woke up with the band. I stilllost 28 pounds on the liquid diet for two weeks, and a hybrid liquid diet theweek before that, which my doctor’s office put me on. I was told I had a fattyliver before, and I guess it still was fatty after the surgery, but I still gotmy band. I personally feel that if you still stayed within your doctor’sguidelines, even though it wasn’t liquid, you’ll still be fine. Especially ifyou show some sort of weight loss during the time you were on the liquid diet.Good luck, and I’m sure everything will be fine!

Yes. I really like the Isopure shakes. I try to mix up the zero carb ones with some with carbs so I feel more satiated. I had my surgery last Monday, and have been drinking the Isopure shakes since then. Along with the Cookies and cream I mentioned above, I really like their Dutch chocolate (low carb), and their Chocolate Mint (zero carb). I didn't particularly care for their Fruit Punch (zero carb). One thing I really like about the 'mix-it-yourself' Isopure shakes, is that they taste great with Water or milk (albeit skim, or the Carb Conscience Hood Fat Free Milk). Good luck and enjoy!