LeeLee76

Don't let your PCP discourage you if this is something you really want to do for yourself. Every insurance company is different so you may need to do the 6 month recorded diet before they will approve the surgery that is your insurance company requirement not the PCP. When I decided on the LB surgery I didn't even ask my PCP her opinion and pretty much told her I was doing it. I was fortunate that I have an insurance company that didn't have a requirement for a diet plan or waiting period and I didn't need a referral from my PCP. In the end you need to do what is the best thing for you and your PCP should be on board with your decision and support you. If not, maybe its time to get a new PCP. Good luck and feel to reach out with any questions!

Feeling great today! I went for a nice long walk before work this morning, a walk on my dinner break and I have so much energy I might just go to the gym after work as well.. sounds a little crazy I know.. I'm scouring the websites for some different low fat recipes for Cod and Haddock. I eat mostly those two and chicken and don't want to become bored too quickly. Also, does anyone have any recommendations for breakfast things that are really quick, easy to make and can be eaten in the car or on the run? I have an hour commute to work and work a ton of overtime so generaly I do not eat my meals at home and breakfast is a must. I made a pact with myself. I'm going to try not to weigh myself for the next 2 weeks, until 9/14 when I go to the doctor for what could be my first fill. I want to concentrate on eating right and finding that spot where I feel full rather than stressing about what my scale says. With any luck when I arrive at the doctors office I will be pleasantly surprised. Hope everyone in bandland had a great week and have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend!

I just started on solid foods this week and not too bad. I am tracking my food and liquid intake using myfitnesspal.com which is great! I have only had a total of 571 calories today and 92 grams of protein.. Is that normal? I can't see how I am going to get more calories when I'm eating my 3 meals and a snack. Any suggestions? Does anyone know if its ok to get such a low amount of calories? I'm hearing different thoughts. Thanks for the help!

Hi Roseyposey-<br><br>I have been doing a carnation instant breakfast with milk and a scoop of whey protein, I have usually 4 oz of grilled chicken and a vegetable for lunch, a greek yogurt in the afternoon for a snack and then either grilled chicken or fish and a veggie for dinner. So the protein adds up fast but not so much the calories<br><br> <br>

Thanks everyone! so it sounds like a lot of people add some protein drinks in during the day to get some extra calories and protein. I'll try that too.. I figure I can also add whey protein to things as well. I guess it takes getting used to and a whole new mindset.

Today was my first day back to work after being out 30 days. It was easy to adjust and thankfully I wasn't swamped so I could catch up on my emails. One of my co-workers who is a good friend, she's the only one in the office other than my boss that knows about my surgery hugged me tight and said you look absolutely amazing. It was such a great feeling. I'm a little aprehensive about the whole eating thing at work. My schedule is so crazy and I work a lot of overtime. I pretty much end up having lunch and dinner at work but sometimes we're so busy that I don't end up eating and I know I can't do that w/ the band. I usually bring my food its just getting time to eat it. One day at a time. I go back to the doctor on 9/14, little over my 6 weeks post-op and I'm wondering if they will do a fill at that time. Time will tel. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I go back on Wednesday for my 4 week post op checkup. I don't even think I'm seeing the doctor I think its with either the nutritionist or the nurse practitioner. I haven't managed the mushies very well so I'm afraid to tell them when I go but know I need to be honest. When I eat or drink lately I feel a sharp pain in my stomach, sort of like a cramp and not sure what would cause it. I'm back to work on Thursday and that will be an adjustment since I have been out 30 days. Everyone keeps saying I should stay out longer since I'm not even eating mushies let alone solid food but I can't imagine being out any longer. Not sure what to do. Oh well, positive outcomes only!

Decided enough was enough, no more moping around the house over my failed relationship. By no means will it be easy but I'll do what I need to for me. I even have two dates set up for this weekend. Yikes! haven't "dated" in over 4 years lol. I think I have found a cardio kickboxing class near home that has early morning classes so I'm excited to check that out. I hear its a tough workout but great for total body sculpting and firming which I want of course. I finally stepped on the scale this morning and I'm down a total of 22.4 lbs since my surgery date on 7/26. By no means is i a ton of weight but it sure is a start! I have my next appointment on 8/24 and back to work on 8/25. I don't have any fluid in my band and won't get a fill for at least another 2 weeks. Hopefully I feel some restriction when I switch to solid foods even without having any fluid in the band. Hope everyone has had a great week and have an even better weekend!!

I'm sure its probably been due to my mood but I have had absolutely no appetite for the last 4 days. I am attempting to get my protein in but am falling short. Also, I was ok'd to start mushies last week and have yet to do that. Has anyone else stayed on strictly a liquid diet even though they were given the go ahead to move on? For some reason the idea of pureeing my food or eating baby food just does not appeal. I have managed some soup but not more than 3 oz at a time. I'm definitely going to try and get more protein in and try for more mushy food. I'm back to work next week and will probably have to start with solid food and I'm nervous my body won't be able to handle it.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery and welcome! I also did the EAS Advantedge shakes pre-op and have continued them post-op, I'm now at 3 weeks post-op. I also ordered Unjury which is great for bariatric patients. If you don't buy the shakes I would recommend getting the unflavored whey protein so that you can add it to shakes and soups it helps you get your protein. Good luck and feel free to get in touch with any questions! Lisa

Today is a rough and more days like this to come. After 4 yrs my boyfriend decided he is done. Lots of friends will mark this as a great event and feel its for the best and my family will probably stage a celebration party but of course I'm not in agreement. I'm trying to stay busy and distract myself but its so hard and I find myself wanting to hit the grocery store running and pick up all the crap thats so bad for me. Of course I can't and I won't but the temptation is there. And of course I'm still not back to work until the 25th so I have all this time on my hands and not a whole lot to do.

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement, it means a lot to hear. I know in time I will heal and I just need to take it one day at a time. And you're right, with all this time on my hands I can concentrate on me

Today was day 2 back at the gym and I was amazed at myself.. I figured after having not been in over 2 wks I would be sluggish and out of shape a bit but surprisingly I managed an hour of intense cardio both days and yesterday I worked my legs w/ the circuit training and today I worked my arms with weights. What a great feeling!! I'm trying to find a cardio kickboxing class I can take a few days a week but might need to join a different gym to take it. On another note, I was supposed to start on the mushies this week but am feeling like I want to do another week of just liquids. I have no interest in eating baby food or going through the trouble of pureeing the food myself. Wonder if t his is ok? any thoughts? I'm still 4 weeks away before I can even have my first fill. I don't feel any time of restriction in the sense that I can drink normally I even guzzled my water today (oops). I'm not sure how I would be with food but I'm sure I'll find out in the next 2-3 wks when I'm cleared to move on to the next stage.. Thats about all for now. Hope everyone is having a great week and have an even better weekend! :D

Here I am at exactly 2 weeks post-op. I had my checkup yesterday and they finally removed those stupid staples! Amazing how much less my incisions bother me with them gone. Doctor feels I'm on track, the appointment was actually very brief, it was a longer wait to see the doc than the appointment itself. He cleared me for the gym, basically to do what I'm comfortable with and go at my own pace. On another note, I decided to take the full time that I have been approved for and not go back to work until 8/25. Feel a little guilty but I also don't feel 100% and I know I'm not ready to go back to working 60+ hrs a week. Better to take the time now. Thats about it for today. .I'm off to do a major cleaning on the house one room at a time and of course the closets! The with any luck I'll have enough energy for the gym Have a great day all!!

Tomorrow will be my 2 week post-op check up with the doctor. Not really nervous since he's probably just taking out my staples (thank goodness!!!!) and I think he's just doing a weigh-in. For some reason, my doctor's instructions have been to weigh myself each morning and keep track so I won't be pleasantly surprised. If my scale is correct and its a good digital one, I'm down 18lbs since the day after my surgery. I had thought to lose a little more pre-op but it seemed I gained that back right after the surgery but I'll take every lb lost I can! I went to my girlfriend's luau yesterday and did fine. I poured myself a glass of wine when I got there and 4 hours later still had a half glass. I added water to it when no one was looking so they thought I had a new glass I didn't really care much about the not eating since I really don't have an appetite these days. I have to admit though the dessert table looked sooo good including the cheesecake platter I brought. I made my exit before they started serving them though lol. Last night I went out with friends for a little while and had a pretty good time. My boyfriend was nice and tipsy after a rugby tournament so I got to be designated driver . I got a glass of wine while we were out and it took all night to drink it. So I'm thinking I'll never have another drunk buzz again thats ok though, I've never been a huge drinker anyway. ok, so that's a lot of rambling on lol I'm off to go take a walk.. with any luck the dr will allow me to go back to the gym!

You are doing great! keep up the good work! try adding a scoop of whey protein to your shakes I usually add a scoop of chocolate whey protein to the carnation instant breakfast and its not bad and definitely fills you up more. The extra protein is good for you too. You can also try plain greek yogurt and add some Mio flavoring and that's filling too. I say add the Mio flavoring because plain greek yogurt itself is pretty disgusting lol Good luck with your surgery, August 17 will be here before you know it! I had mine 7/26 so if you need anything feel free to get in touch

Its Friday already. I am now almost 2 weeks post-op, or will be as of Tuesday. Its amazing how fast the time goes by when you aren't doing much of anything. I have my post-op checkup on Monday and am curious to see how I do. I'll be thrilled to get these stupid staples out!! My incisions are bothering me a lot but I'm sure its because they are actually healing. I'll also find out if I can move on to the mushies stage. Originally I was planning on going back to work on Tuesday which would be exactly 2 weeks. I'm not sure now if I should take another week off. Part of me is worried about being on the mushies at work and how I'll do. I'm actually approved under my short-term disability to be out until 8/25 but its only 80% of my pay. Decisions Decisions lol A close friend is having a big party/pig roast tomorrow. I sort of have to make an appearance but don't want to. There will be so much good food and drinks and I'll still be on liquids. I didn't tell her about my surgery so I know she'll be wondering why I'm not eating. I'll just have to wing it. I know she'll be mad if I don't go. Not much else going on. I am antsy to get back to the gym and do more than just walking so hopefully I'll be cleared to go back soon. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

I have UHC and it really depends on each individual plan. I didn't need to provide the 5 yr history but they still kept me hanging on for an approval. How long have they been reviewing it? I wouldn't worry, UHC is one of the better ones and they will come through with the approval the waiting is what sucks though. Good luck!

Not sure what on earth possessed me but today I decided to try some turkey chili and pick out the pieces of turkey. I'm only a week post-op and supposed to be on liquids only so I definitely should NOT have done that. What surprises me most is that it went down without any trouble and I felt fine for the most part. That was about 2 hrs ago and now I actually feel somewhat sick to my stomach. Not sure if its the chili or my guilt I hope I didn't do any damage and I will definitely not do that again. I'm supposed to be on straight liquids for another week before I even get to the mushies..

Ok, so today is day 3 post-op. I feel worse today than I did the day after my surgery. I can't seem to shake these gas pains no matter what I do. Debating on whether I should pick up some gas-x or something. Don't want to waste the money if its not going to work. I've been taking little walks and last night took a half mile one around the block. I guess I need to be patient which isn't my strongest trait. I'm not used to sitting around with nothing to do, it drives me crazy lol. I'm excited to see how I do after I start feeling back to normal. I can't wait to get back to the gym. Guess that's it for now, not too much else going on. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Well, here I am almost a week post-op and FINALLY starting to feel a little more human lol. I do feel much better actually. The gas is almost gone and my stomach isn't making me look like a pregnant alien. I'm still getting some episodes where I feel like I want to burp but it just won't come but that too will pass I'm sure. Went to the beach yesterday with the family and it was great to be able to hang out and watch my nephew play at his first beach outing. I didn't have as much energy as I thought I would but I was able to walk around the beach and even went swimming! It was a little uncomfortable between my sister and I when it came to lunch time. She is not on board with this surgery and hasn't been so we don't mention it at all. Basically they ate their sandwiches and chips and I had a protein drink. I refuse to apologize for doing something that will make me healthier and happier. Everyone decided after the beach they wanted to go out to eat so of course I bowed out for that and felt a little bummed out especially when my 2 yr old nephew asked why auntie.. In any case, I know one I'm on solid foods I'll be able to join them and will just eat less and only eat certain things. I can't wait to get back to the gym, I really miss it. Also trying to resist the urge to hop on the scale since I know my body is still healing and the numbers might not be what I want to see. Guess thats all for now. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

I was banded on 7/26 so its been almost a week. I think the pains are gas and I can tell you they do get better walk as much as you can, even if its just a quick walk up your street and back home it will make you feel better. I've noticed also that I get a feeling, almost as if you have to burp but it won't come, that hurts too but it does pass. I also think you feel more pain from the incision where they put the port, I'm still getting that but its better. Just give yourself sometime to heal and your stomach to adjust and you will start to feel better. Most people say by day 5 or 6 you feel close to normal and I think they are definitely right. Good luck and take care of yourself!

Well, I had my surgery yesterday and all in all I feel pretty good. I am getting the gas pains but I'm walking around as much as I can manage. I am disappointed I shouldn't have weighed myself but I did this morning and the scale says I have gained back the 12 I lost on the pre-op diet. My mom says not worry, that its just the gas and water weight and will disappear. Does anyone know if this is true? I'm just taking it easy, reading up on some books and watching movies and adding couple of walks around the block. I'm very excited to see where the next few weeks take me!

Thanks, for the information. I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing the gain after the surgery. I"m going to try not weighing myself or a while or I'm likely to drive myself nuts!

Hi! Congrats on your upcoming banding! I will be going on 7/26 and can completely understand how you feel. Its seems so unreal, exciting yet scary and I feel a bit nervous too. Just think of how wonderful we will feel in the long run. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you need someone to chat with!