NewStart95987

http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3839127 Hydro-Whey from GNC is by far my favorite. If you like mochas, this tastes just like one if you add a little coffee in the chocolate flavored. It's great, dissolves well in cold milk or water and tastes like chocolate milk if just mixed alone. I tried HUNDREDS of dollars in protein until a friend shared this with me. I was so thankful! You can also buy this at GNC, try it, and if you don't like it, take it back for a full refund! Can't beat that!

I haven't had anything done with my spleen but the diet isn't because of your spleen. Most surgeons require some sort of diet to shrink the liver to give them room to move around while operating. My doctor did not make me do any kind of a liquid diet because I did a high protein diet before-hand and lost 23 lbs. This was all they needed to know I was serious and that my liver had shrank enough. Good Luck to you!

I have been so open with my soon to be LB! Only a few people have said "Well, why not just keep dieting if you have lost 20 lbs on your own"? These are people who obviously do not have a weight problem. I explain that LB is not a solve all and will not "do" the work for me. It's a tool. It's a tool to help me eat better foods, not over eat and a tool to help me live longer. I then ask them something along the lines of "When was the last time you drank a soda, over ate, had chips, etc"? The band won't stop me from doing those things and eating those horrible things BUT it'll make my life a little more difficult and remind me of why I don't need that stuff! My mother even asked "Why spend $3000 on that and not do Jenny Craig or something"? I sat her down, showed her my research, answered her questions and explained that this is a lifetime tool for me. Not something that'll help for 6 months and I'll be done and gain the weight back. By the time I was finished talking to her, she wanted to get a band, lol! Though I am VERY lucky and have a wonderful support system, I have come into contact with the naysayers. You should NEVER be ashamed to better yourself, be it WLS, rehab, counseling or whatever you feel you need. Everyone has their problems. People don't need to judge you or agree with your decision. Your a strong enough person to get help when you believe you need it, other people are not strong or are to afraid of what other might think. That's the difference between those who understand WLS and those who are a "Naysayer"!

Good Question! There really isn't a clear cut answer though. Different doctors require different things. Even if you are paying out of pocket, they will still require some kind of diet to help shrink your liver which will give the surgeon room to work when they operate on you. I would say once you finish with your seminar, the surgeon's office should be calling you in the next couple of weeks. I would start gathering questions such as if you still need to do the nutritional consult and physc. evaluation. They may require the nutritional consult because the way you eat is affected the rest of your life and they want to be sure you are taking proper care of yourself. Good luck on your journey! I'm being banded on June 9th. It has taken me over a year with all of my hoops. I have seen people have a consult and surgery 2 and a half months later. Be patient! Certainly keep us informed. Best of luck!

Hydro-Whey from GNC. 30 Grams of protein, 2 carbs, no sugar. This dissolves well in cold water or milk and tastes great! You can't beat it. I mix a little instant coffee in mine and it tastes like a cold mocha. http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3839127

I am VERY excited and super nervous about the surgery, not the band. I am particularly nervous because a couple years ago I had a blood clot that formed in my leg (due to birth control I was taking) and traveled to my lung, I was hospitalized for a week and was being tested for a year on blood thinners. I was very close to dying but found it literally just in the time. My doctor has prescribed Lovenox which I will inject after surgery but I'm still nervous. I have been told that once you have a blood clot that you are more susceptible to clots in the future. I was lucky once and don't know if I could be so again. I am a worry wart so I remind myself of this and that if my doctor wasn't confident that I would be ok, she wouldn't operate. This is another reason I choose Lap-Band over gastric. Anyone else with a similar medical history?

Hi Blonde, I am literally in tears after reading your post. My process ended up taking a year so I know exactly how you felt. I was on my husbands insurance when I started calling about the band and was told by the cordinator to go ahead and start the process. A couple of appointments in, pre-op testing done, I start getting letters from the insurance saying that they were refusing to pay for my costs, they were in the thousands. I spoke to the coordinator again who told me that all was well and that they would review my case and get it approved. I continued my weigh ins with my surgeon and continued my journey. After another letter I called the insurance directly and explained. I got a call back saying anything like "this", anything weight related they would not cover. I was devastated, I couldn't get it done and ended up with MANY bills. The coordinator called and apologized when he found out, I appreciated this, but it didn't make up for the time off of work I missed and the bills I now owed. I'm 23 years old who has a good job but not so great of pay because of the economy. My husband works full time and attends school full time. We don't have extra money laying around. I found out I was denied and they would not touch me on the 4 year anniversary of my grandmother (who was obese)'s passing. I took it as a sign. I cried for five minutes, felt so sorry and decided to wait until January and start using my benefits through my work. I went back in January with the new insurance and we tried again. I didn't hear anything and after 2 weeks of it being submitted I couldn't help myself. I called after having lunch with my husband on our anniversary. The insurance woman I spoke to had to transfer me to someone else and warned they may not be able to tell me anything. I'm transferred and hear "HELLO!". I was caught off guard and asked "Is.... this... the pre approval/authorization department"? She replied "Yeah". I was so caught off guard, I explained I was looking for an answer if a decision had been made. Turns out they thought I already had it done. I was approved! I cried and my husband laughed at me, not understanding that it's been so emotional. I called my mother, she cried and my husband started making fun of us, lol. I see some people spend a month and a half between seminar to surgery and it amazes me. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and paid the $3,000 non-professional fee and will pay the surgical center their $3,000 later today. Even with insurance, It's costing WELL over $6K I had a bit of anxiety while on my diet (lost 23 lbs and will NOT have to do a liquid diet because of this) about food and I think it's normal. I was so happy I was losing on my own that I didn't miss what I didn't have because I knew I would not do as well or may not lose at all. I am still worried about what I can and can't eat after but it's all a lifestyle. We get used to it once it's our routine. The un-known is scary! You're doing this to be healthier and yes you'll miss bread at first BUT you'll forget about it eventually. Will power plays a huge roll and just look at the soon to be GREAT success you'll have! P.S. I LOVE Potatoes!!!! I enjoy bread as well

Freddy! CONGRATS! I'm so excited for you and glad you are doing so well :-) Keep us posted!

I have a new bathing suite and a couple cute shirts as I slowly start to lose. I am super excited! I don't have a drastic dress or outfit that's super small.... yet! :-D

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday. They said since I'm no longer on the birth control which caused the clot that the Lovenox should be enough. Getting active after surgery will be especially important for me but beyond that, they are confident that all will be well! No filter, no compression stockings no anything! Wow! Thanks for everyone's input :-)

Different surgeons & different insurances= Different Requirements I had an EKG & chest x-rays (standard from my understanding) and a bi-lateral leg doplar because of my past history of blood clots. I'll find out about my liquid diet today and go in for surgery on June 9th. I have seen people who end up with NO liquid diet before surgery and people with a month of liquids before! It's all based on your doctor and THEIR protocal. It's crazy to me seeing all the requirements for some people and others not so much. You would think it would be very similar for everyone.

Ow my goodness how scary! My clot traveled from my leg to my lung while int he ER and they were scanned my leg. The guy said he had to pump my leg and get blood flowing because it would show better. I told him that I am not responsible if I kick him in the head because my leg was so tender and he was grabbing and pumping it! UGH! Anywho, almost immediately after, I started getting chest pains. I'm afraid of injected it since I'm not a huge fan of needles but I will do what needs done because I don't plan on ever having a clot again! Thanks for replying :-)

I'm glad all was well for you :-) I paid $15 compared to the almost $600 the insurance paid. I was lucky. The surgeon is doing it as a precaution because of the past clot and I have not taken Lovenox before. In have taken Warfarin, Heparin and the such. Did you have any side affects from Lovenox?

June 9th! I have my pre-op tomorrow and will know when I start my liquid diet I have heard of people having NO pre-op liquid diet and others with a month! Crazy! I am curious to see where I fall

Even with insurance I will pay $3000 to my surgeon and $3000 to the surgical center. Fills will cost $40 each so I would say $10,000 is a good deal. As long as the doctor is legit and has a good reputation, I would do it!

YAY! Another June 9th! I'll be thinking of you! I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. I'll find out what time I will have surgery and when I start my liquid diet. they asked me to lose 20 lbs and I have done so. Since I am so overweight, I am anxious to see how long I'll be on it. I know someone not nearly as heavy as I but went to the same surgeon, she had NO pre-op liquid diet. JEALOUS!!! Not sure but will find out soon :-) Luckily, I like my protein but may not if my pre-op diet is a long time, lol.

Good luck Freddy! I feel nervous the same way you do, not the band but the actual surgery. Surgery will be over before you know it! You wouldn't be human if you weren't nervous. Will be thinking of you

I have tried tons of protein and nearly vomited with some. An acquaintance who recently had surgery gave me a scope of this and I fell in love! It's called Hydro-Whey and I get it at GNC. I buy the chocolate and toss in just a small amount of instant coffee and it tastes just like a mocha. It mixes so well in cold milk and I can down it quickly. It's 30 grams of Protein, 2 carbs, 0 sugar! I have yet to find anything that tastes better or is as good nutritional. I highly recommend it and would totally be a spokesperson for it! :-D I put my scope in a water bottle and fill with milk and instant coffee crystals if desired. Shake and done! I will make multiple drinks for work and pull them out, re-shake and they are good to go!

Hello all and good luck! I will be banded on June 9th :-) Butterflies, you bet, excited, that too!