xxBlasianxx

I have already done my surgery and I didn't think to check to see if the Anesthetist was in or out of network. Well of course she was the only one not in network and she cost me more than the surgeon. Is there anything I can do because I didn't know? Should I always check before hand to see if everyone doing surgeries are in network? I'm just looking for some help, I don't want to pay over $500 just for her, it's gonna take me a forever to pay her bill along with the rest.

I had my first fill in July , about 4 weeks after surgery. I didn't feel any restriction between surgery and the first fill and I really don't feel much now. I had 3 CCs put in, originally it was 3.8 but I couldn't finish a cup of Water so the PA took some out. I feel hungry like normal and it makes it hard to not eat like I did before. The only difference I noticed is, I can still eat a good amount of food, but just not over stuff myself like I did before. Pop is a little harder for me to drink too, I'll take one or two sips and pour out the rest because it makes me feel uncomfortable. Here's to hoping my 2nd fill does better.

Congrats. My first fill was yesterday, started at 3.8CCs and then took it down to 3 CCs since it was too much. Still on liquid until tomorrow but I'm hoping it was a good fill. Your weight gain and feeling the concern of not feeling restriction is exactly what I went through. Good luck!

Also banded the 23rd, seems to be a popular June surgery date. I don't think liquid stretches it because it doesn't really last long in the pouch. The liquid diet for 4 weeks has been the toughest for me, I feel no restriction so I'm hungry shortly after a Protein Shake. I have found keeping a Water bottle in tow helps and diet drinks with flavor. I don't mean Crystal Lights or sugar-free Kool-Aid (I find them to taste weird), I like diet Snapple especially the diet Noni berry. Yum. The Fuze slenderize is pretty good and the bottle is less than 20 cals and 1-2g of sugar, does not contain aspartame which is a plus if you find yourself running to the bathroom from having so much. Good luck!

Banded the same day too. The surgery went well and no pain or issues afterwards, just the soreness on the stomach. Appetite returned a few days later and I feel no difference compared to pre-band. I have added a few things to help fill me up because the Protein shakes and liquid last no more than 30mins, I can't wait for the first fill which isn't for another 8 days. How have you been feeling?

Yes, I use them on occasion. I use it more for the recipes and tracking my measurements. I want to start using them for forums and other things too.

Sounds like we are both feeling the same way. Nothing is filling me up and I don't feel different when I eat, unlike a handful of other bandsters. I have been having issues sticking with what the Dr. says for the diet. liquid only for 4 weeks? I have added some soft/mushy foods because I start to get the shakes. Good luck and I hope when you get a fill you feel a little better when you're eating.

I have noticed a lot of restaurants have a "light" menu for alcohol now. They can make a lighter version of martinis and margaritas. I know juice isn't the best option, but it has not carbonation. I second a vodka and cran. sugar free redbull and vodka? I think just asking the bartender what they can make that is low cal and no carbonation should give you a few selections. If they are true bartenders that is.

I saved a few links to recipes for Lap Bandsters on Sparkpeople.com. You can browse cookbooks from other people.

Yes everyone has to get all of the blood work, EKG, ultrasounds, lung test and check x-ray from what I've read. It took my insurance company almost exactly 30 days for approval. My co-worker had the Sleeve done at a different clinic and it only took her 2 business days.

I was banded on June 23rd and the hungry feeling sucks. I have been hungry since a couple days after my surgery. The liquid diet does not help my hunger pains for more than 30 mins at a time. I do get all of my Water intake and I have caved and eating a greek yogurt, 2 hard boiled eggs (different sittings) and creamy grits. Just did the follow-up appointment yesterday and they said I can do 3-4 Protein shakes a day and I am on this diet until July 22nd. I don't even know if I can last that long, I feel like there is no restriction at all.

The insurance company does not decline just because you have lost weight during the process. They base it off of what you weight when you first had your doctors appointment. I wouldn't stop losing weight because you think your aren't going to be approved. Lots of people lose a good amount of weight before the surgery. Just because you have lost it during that journey doesn't mean it's going to stay off. If it did when you tried in the past, you wouldn't have gone to the doctor in the first place. Try not to worry and good luck on getting your approval.

Good luck, mine is tomorrow also! I have to check-in at 9am, but surgery is between 11 to 1, just depends on the first surgery of the day. Early check in is to fill out documents, speak with the anest (sp?) and just waiting to see how fast the first surgery gets over with.

The first couple days were the worse. It will get better I promise.

2 week liquid diet. 2 Protein shakes a day or a 3rd if needed. At least 60 grams of protein a day. I can eat things like sugar free Jello, sf popsicles and sf drinks/ sf tang/ sf crystal light etc. I can have light juice but it can't be more than 8oz and no more than 6grs of sugar per serving. Clear broths and liquids. Tomato juice is okay. It sucks... big time.

Mine is also the 23rd. I can't wait! Good luck! I had to do a 14 liquid diet, but only found out I was doing the surgery 10 days before, so lucky me.

I bought a handful of samples before settling on Champion Nutrition for my favorite brand. I bought my samples at Vitalady.com. It's not the best looking site, but the prices are good and she has everything from Protein shakes, to Protein Bars, syrups, Vitamins and misc things that anyone with WLS will need. I love it because I save shipping cause they live less than 5 mins from my house. Good luck, I suggest sampling before buying a bulk of something.

I did the EGD (?) back in the fall, it was fine. I didn't feel like anything even happened to my body/throat when I woke up. They do knock you out and my friend who did it the week before said they wake you up and make you swallow and something else. She remembered but I didn't. Neither one of us had pain or uncomfortable. The blood work I just did was the same blood work you will do during your journey, they are checking all of your Vitamin levels in your blood. But I also did other bloodwork for my PCP clearance so they may include that or not. That bloodwork was checking glucose, thyroid, blood count, etc. Good luck!

First time posting. My surgery date is June 23rd. I was supposed to do a 2 week liquid pre-op diet, but since I just received approval June 10th and started the diet June 11th, it will be 12days. It is hard to stick to the diet, it's tough watching everyone else eat "normal" things.