IL_MissKitty

Very good information! Thanks to all. I asked my Dr in my pre-op appt the other day about hair loss. He said to make sure I eat my protein first to make sure I don't get filled up on other things. If I skimp on protein it will cause hair loss. Good Luck Sissy in your journey!

I know you are suppose to remove the skin from regular tomatoes, but what about cherry or grape tomatoes? Also, does anybody do pilates rather than weight training? Just wonderding if they have the same results.

I am glad this was posted as a thread. I look at the threads more than the articles. This has great information, especially Step 2. Thank you Helen!

Had my Dr pre-op appointment this afternoon. Dr. Wieland took plenty of time to answer all my questions and told me I should always feel free to call his office if I ever have any questions. He said his number should be on speed-dial so if I am at the grocery store and have a question about a product, I can call. He said they are there for me and to use them. After reading the forums here I had a page of questions for the Dr. One important question I asked him was about Biotin for hair loss. He said if I am eating the correct amout of Protein, that I should not suffer any hair loss. Hair loss can happen when Protein grams go below 30 per day. I also asked about band slippage. He assured me that if the band is placed in the right spot that slippage should never happen. I also spent time with his nurse, John, who went through the do's and dont's before and after surgery. We discussed diet and John answered all my questions about different foods. John told me no lifting more than 10 pounds for 3-4 weeks post-op until the Dr clears me. So, it will be a bummer that I cannot pick up Anna. However, down the road I will have more energy and feel like playing with her. I had forgot to ask the Dr about the different sizes of the band but John told me that the Dr would make that decision at the time of the surgery. He will have sizes to choose from and pick the one that will work the best for me. My surgery is at 7:00 am on June 13th and I have to be at the hospital by 5:00 am. Will be an early morning, but I will be the first surgery of the day so it will be all worth it. I will be staying overnight, but the insurance company will classify it as outpatient because I will only be there 23 hours which starts after recovery. I will start my low carb, low calorie pre-op diet on June 5th.

The insurance co (Health Alliance) denied me, so my Dr sent in an appeal. I was denied again. Then my Dr's office said for me to do an appeal. They said sometimes the insurance companies just need to hear the patient wants the surgery and that the Dr is not out for the money. I was able to do a phone call appeal, which I did the same day as I got the second denial. Much to my surprise and the surprise of the Drs office I was approved. I think we had all given up. However, due to a new position at my job, I could not get my surgery scheduled until Wednesday, June 13th. I will be staying in the hospital overnight and then home the next morning. I will take the following week off from work and should be good to go back to work on June 25th.

I am in the beginning stage. I went to a seminar in April 2011 but just saw the lapband Dr in September. After the seminar, I told myself I could lose the weight on my own...WRONG. So basically I wasted almost 4 months. Anyway, as a requirement for my insurance I have to undergo a doctors weight management plan for six months, which I start October 11, 2011. At this point, my surgery will be next year in late April or early May. I am trying to get all my ducks in row now and I am researching everything and everywhere I can regarding the surgery.

Dana, thanks for sharing! I can't wait to be in shorts and a tank top again and enjoy going outside and doing things! Congratulations and again thanks for sharing your story. Your story makes me realize that the last year getting ready for my surgery has all been worth it. Thank you!!

Glad to hear that cherry and grape tomatoes are doable with just cutting them up. Does anyone eat oranges or the "cuties"?

I had my pre-op appt yesterday and they stressed to me NOT to weigh every day. They said once a week, same time, same day. However, we all know how hard that is because we want to see if we are making progress. Congrats to you and keep the good work. I'm sure I will be stepping on the scale more often than I am suppose to in the beginning to.

Congratulations!! And I am so glad you did not give up!!!!!!

Congrats!! I am scheduled for June 13th

Good Luck tomorrow!

Congrats Stephanie! June is going to be a GREAT month!

Welcome and congrats on your upcoming surgery!

Brandi, great question. I have been wondering the same thing. Does everyone eat ever so many hours?

Congratulations!!!!!

Chamie, I haven't had to deal with "snarkiness" because my husband is the only one that knows. I'm going to take vacation from work so I won't have to tell anyone there...lol

My surgery is scheduled 6-13th!

Thank you very much. I now have it bookmarked!

Oh, and in answer to your question, I have to do a 7 day low carb, low calorie diet (1000 calories per day) for 7 days before my surgery. I am also to start taking a chewable vitamin (probably Flintstones), one Tums with Calcium tablet twice daily, and Benefiber as directed once a day. So it is not a total liquid diet. I don't have to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery. I lost a few pounds on my physician weight management program.

Where is the June Bandsters Board? June is our month...woohoo!!!

Congrats to you! I know you are very excited. My surgery date is June 13th and I can't wait!

My nutritionist suggested I get Flintstone Vitamins when I have my surgery (June 13th). I too am over 50 (57 actually). She also keeps saying to make sure I eat my protein first. Good Luck!

Mine was more like an interview. We discussed weight loss and emotional eating. Basically I think he was making sure I wasn't bulimic. He could certainly tell I wasn't anorexic...lol Anyway, it was no big deal. I have not heard of the test the others are talking about.

Congratulations to you!!