faithmd

Hello Shelley, You might want to check out the forum on here called: food The very first thread in that Forum is a mushies recipe thread, here's the link to it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/mushies-stage-recipes-t17637.html In the Food Forum, there are loads of good questions and answers about the various stages and what folks have found worked and what didn't. Best of luck to you! I know what you mean that when you get back to work, at least your mind will be on something else. Are you much of a reader? Perhaps getting engrossed in a good book might take your mind off the food, or go to a movie, or a couple of them? Then again, some folks always eat at the theatre, I never did, so if that's something you would have done, never mind my suggestion And CONGRATS on the 14lbs!!! That's just wonderful!

My suggestion to you is to make sure your PCP does NOT write anything about the consults you get referred to as being pre-op for bariatric surgery. If you are seeing your PCP for a physical exam, then the thryroid testing could be part of that physical, and the sleep study and cardiac testing could be because of complaints you had at that physical.

ltravolta, spend some time on this board, there are many threads like yours out there, and many great responses. Since today is your first day seriously looking, take some time and read around, I'm sure many of your questions will be answered, and you may have more come to mind. May I suggest that you go check out the Pre-op/Post-op Questions and Answers forum here? Lots of great info there! Use the search function and search for words like scared or phrases like need info. Welcome to the board! I'm a newbie here myself, but I've been lurking for a while, and I've been researching the band since before it was approved in the US in June of 2001. No matter how long I have been doing research, I'm still learning some things.

In terms of what else to take, see the FAQ forum. There's LOADS of good info there. And congrats!!!! Best wishes!

Yep, I'd bring my toothbrush (the ones you get at the hospital are not very nice) and yes, go with a clean face. Take a shower before you go and don't put on any lotions or creams and no (or minimal) makeup. You'll have some tape on your face while sleeping and if you have makeup on, it will make the tape tougher to stick, so they may clean your face anyway.

Goldthimble, The best thing you can do is call your insurance company and ask for their requirements for WLS. At the info session you attended you should have gotten a packet of informationa and usually it includes the "codes" for the surgery and the fills. You need to call your insurance comapny and make sure they cover these "codes." If you didn't get this info, the surgical center I attended the seesion at gave me these: Laparoscopic surgical adjustable band: Procedure code 43770, diagnosis code 278.01 Most insurance companies have complex case managers who deal specifically with things like bariatric surgery. When you call you ins co, ask who handles bariatrics and also ask to be mailed the specific statement of benefits that either covers or denies the band along with the requirements. That way you have it in writing. Talk to the case manager, ask what you need to do. My case manager is great, she talked to me at length and gave me tips on what documentation she's seen get approved and what I would definitely be denied for. For example my company will not allow MD letters to say what I've done about losing weight, my documentation must be in the form of office notes from my MD. Good luck!

I like it quite a bit. My favorite is the lemon and I'm not much of a lemon fan. It is best over ice.

Sin, Thank you for coming on and clarifying the context. As I said in my first post to your GF I wasn't sure what to say back to her because I needed clarification as to what she really meant the conversation was about. I generalized a response and gave an instance in which I would think that response to be true. This is a classic case of two sides to the story and not enough info given (which is fine, considering no one has to tell their business if they don't want to ). Goodonya for being there for Hotpink_bubbles and for saying the things you have, you sound like you are serious about wanting to be supportive for her and you are doing a lot of research about this. That's more than my DH is doing right now. Perhaps he will when it gets closer to the date (I'm not scheduled yet) as you have. I can hope. But my DH is the type who lets me research and then tell him what I've found. Sin, you are right, no one is happy happy happy all the time, we all have our issues, and I'm assuming (from the tone of HPB's original post and another I read from her) that she's just really freaking out right now and is hypersensitive about everything. Things may get blown out of proportion at this point in time. It sounds like you are trying to keep the peace and let her know you want to be there, and that's the right thing to do. Best wishes to both of you and I can't wait to hear how well her surgery went!

CONGRATS!!!!!!:clap2:

Jillrn, thank you for writing that, I was going to write something like that earlier, but DH was urging me to shake a tail feather and get going to dinner. I'm right behind Jillrn 100%, Steph, they cannot take it out "in a matter of seconds" all the time, and you have to be awake enough (reversed enough, that is) to breathe on your own-not to say you have to be "awake." It does happen, but it is not often. And it is NOT necessarily incompetence. I'm sure that very rarely it is someone not paying attention when a patient is completely awake and is still tubed, but in order to pull that ETT (endotrachael tube) out, you MUST be at least somewhat awake and have your paralytic (the stuff they give you so that you don't move) reversed, because you have to be able to breathe on your own! Everyone wakes up differently, and everyone "processes" anesthesia in different ways. Believe me, no anesthesiologist or CRNA wants you to wake up intubated. But it occasionally does happen. It is NOT the worst thing in the world (at least not to me, I've been WIDE awake with an ETT in). But again, everyone is different. I hope that those who have not yet been banded do not think that this is a frequent occurence, because believe me, it is not.

Oh my gosh, TRY to relax! I' am about to go and put in my $.02 in on that "wake up with the tube in" thread. It does happen, but it is not often. And it is NOT incompetence. I'm sure that very rarely it is someone not paying attention when a patient is completely awake and is still tubed, but in order to pull that ETT (endotrachael tube) out, you MUST be at least somewhat awake, because you have to be able to breathe on your own! Everyone wakes up differently, and everyone "processes" anesthesia in different ways. Believe me, no anesthesiologist or CRNA wants you to wake up intubated. But it occasionally does happen. It is NOT the worst thing in the world (at least not to me, I've been WIDE awake with an ETT in. But again, everyone is different. You'll be fine! And congrats!

What a wonderful support you are! I'd suggest you check out a couple of threads on the main Forum board: the FAQ thread (has GREAT checklists for what to have on hand and to ask for from the surgeon), and the Pre and Post-op question thread.

First, try to relax as best you can. Try not to freak out too much, it will all work out. Second, I agree with you 100%, tell him that you hear he's got problems (who doesn't?), and you're happy to listen to him, but you cannot and will not let that get you down right now and you will not let his issues drag you down. If he can't accept that, then tell him you cannot hear about his problems right now. You just need him to be there for you. If he can't do that, then you'll have to cross that bridge when you come to it, because how someone reacts under stress says alot about their character and ability to handle relationships. Hope this helps. You must take care of you!

Congrats on having a date!!! I'm sort of confused...I'm not quite sure what you want us to say? I agree that you do need to concentrate on your own needs for right now and until you heal, but on the other hand, I don't think that means you have to be in a cocoon. I guess I don't understand why this is even an issue? One would think that naturally your parents and your boyfriend would be focused on you right now and be very supportive during this time. If this is not the case in your life, and if your parents and boyfriend say that they won't be there for you, then you need to separate yourself from that caustic situation. Are they saying that you shouldn't be doing this? Again, I'm flummoxed as to what you are saying in your post (could be my lack of sleep). I'm not sure what you mean by for once in your life you're thinking about you. Since I don't know your situation, I can't really offer too much advice, other than to say that you do need to take care of you right now. If your boyfriend doesn't understand that you will be having surgery, and will be undergoing a pretty big life change, then you need to seriously re-evaluate your relationship. After all, you are only 20 (by your age on your profile) years old and should have more relationships before thinking of settling down with someone permanently. I'd be happy to write more if you don't mind clarifying your post. We're all here to support each other!m:clap2:

Ditto for me, too! I've noticed that about Al Roker, too. And just think, he had the bypass, now he's hosed. I have my consult scheduled for the Band on 3/20. I have been trying desperately to lose the 27lbs my insurance says I have to to be approved (it's an MD prescribed diet thing, I have to lose 5% of my total excess weight in a year, but my problem is I gained 17lbs from when I started, so now I have to lose 27 lbs...but that's for another thread). I've been carb addicted since I can remember. I tried Atkins before, and South Beach, the Zone, etc... So this time I'm limiting my carbs to about 40-60gms per day and trying to eat only whole grains if I eat bread/crackers/etc... It's NOT working and my face is breaking out like crazy! I've NEVER had pimple problems (I'm 37), so this is killing me.

Thank you! I will have to try the unflavored in a cup of veg broth sometime.

I was hoping that perhaps she was just mistaken with the name. Hopefully someone out there knows of another bouillon that is high in protein. I thank the poster above me for posting about unjury chicken flavor. Would anyone know if there is a mushroom or vegetable bouillon out there with good protein?

I'd like to revive this thread. I also went shopping for this product. Last night I stood in the aisle in my local supermarket checking the labels of all four varieties of BTB, beef, chicken, mushroom, and vegetable. Not one of them has over 1gm of Protein per serving. Can anyone out there tell us what is the product that has all the protein?

The last time I was there I was about 220lbs and I had no problem on anything but I felt really tight on the Mean Streak (the big wood one in the back of the park), that was before Top Fuel or Millennium Force were built. If anyone else is interested, here is Cedar Point's policy on "guests of exceptional size," I think it's pretty darned restrictive! Guests of Exceptional Size Safety is number one at Cedar Point. All passenger restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder harnesses and seatbelts, must be positioned, fastened and tightened to allow guests to ride. We are required by the State of Ohio to enforce all manufacturer requirements. Many amusement park rides have safety systems designed by the manufacturer to accommodate people of average physical stature and body proportion. These safety restraints may place restrictions on the ability of an individual to safely experience the ride. Extremely large or small individuals, people with casts, braces or prosthetic devices may not be safely accommodated by these systems. For example, height requirements are based on the size need for safety restraints to function properly and the level of maturity usually associated with a certain height. Due to rider restraint system requirements, guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, men who exceed 6’2”, or those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40” waistline or 52” chest or females who exceed 200 pounds or wear size 18 or larger. Each person has different body proportions so it is not possible to list exact size and weight. <!-- NEW PAGE -->Our larger guests may experience difficulty on Blue Streak, Chaos, Corkscrew, Disaster Transport, Mantis, maXair, Mean Streak, Millennium Force, Mine Ride, Power Tower, Raptor, Skyhawk, Top Thrill Dragster, Wave Swinger, Wicked Twister. Maximum recommended weight limits are posted on Camp Snoopy rides, Chaos, Monster, Scrambler, Super Himalaya, Troika, Wave Swinger, RipCord and most Soak City attractions. You may enter the ride via the exit to ensure the restraints function properly prior to waiting in line. We have test seats at maXair, Millennium Force, Raptor, Skyhawk, Top Thrill Dragster and Wicked Twister.

My insurance is 1 full year, with monthly weigh-ins. You miss a single one, and you start from the beginning... I only hope that my Dr. has been documenting what is needed in my chart (my discussions of weight loss attempts, exercise, etc...) or else I'll be back at square one again!

Excellent point, Jacqui. I also believe in wearing what I want and buying what I want now, but my list cannot be completed at a high weight. You must be a certain size to ride the coasters and fly in those tiny prop planes to distant places, and hiking in a jungle is tough enough when you are in shape, let alone when you are heavy.

I want to go to Cedar Point! I haven't been since I was about 22 or 23. I love roller coasters and Cedar Point is THE coaster destination. I also want to hike to Machu Picchu, fly over the Nazca Lines, and go to the Galapagos Islands. But my biggest dream is to go to Antarctica and live/work on The Ice for a tour.

I've been taking 1000mg BID for weight loss for a while now and have not lost any weight, either. I have NEVER had any side effects at all from it. I know that many people have, but I've been fortunate.