tsteves1

So I talked to a woman at the resource center and she said that I qualify even though I don't have a co-morbidity because my BMI is over 40. She also said there is no 6 months diet plan, just your typical evaluations like psych and such and I could probably have the surgery here is the next few months. She has scheduled a phone meeting with me and a case worker at the resource center for next week 1/12 at 11 to get everything rolling. She is also sending me information on the surgical center I am required to go through and told me I could research their surgeons and pick the one that I want. It also looks like I may only have to pay 3k OOP rather than the 6 I was originally expecting. Seems the only thing I have to do is keep my BMI at 40+ until everything is confirmed which is not a problem as I cant seem to get any of the weight off anyway. Point is, this seems too simple to really be true. I would love some input from people on this. I would like to hear from people that were told it was this easy to get this approved and it turned into a nightmare as well as people who really did have such an easy process in the beginning. I'm trying to not get too excited yet but the hope is building and I can finally start to see the possibility of a new and better me. By the was my insurance is United Healthcare and my plan is a Choice Plus HRA through Wells Fargo.

Good luck tomorrow!! Update us!!

How do you know how many calories you should be eating each day? Just ask your Doc? Does it change with the band or could I just look it up online to see what someone my height and weight should be eating to lose weight. Me and my Dr haven't discussed it yet because I am not supposed to be focused on losing yet, just healing. We discuss it when I go in for my first fill on 4/3. I think lately I have been eating about 900 a day because I am on mushies and not very good at getting too many calories in.

I had my surgery on Monday 2/27 and I was the same way. I was so excited about getting the band but scared of surgery and recovery (im a wuss when it comes to recovery) lol but it was fine. I wasn't really scared days before but once I got to the hospital and sat in the waiting room the fear kicked in. After a bit I got to a room and changed, got my IV (I have horrible veins so it took about 20 minutes to draw the 2 viles of blood) and waited. Then the surgeon came in and told me the hospital was behind and just relax for a bit and just seeing him made me feel a little better. They came about 45 minutes later and took me up to the operating room area and parked my bed in the hall while they finished closing up the last patient and getting things ready. As i sat in the hallway looking out the window for about 30 minutes, I felt very calm and relaxed, like that was the point of no return so no use in stressing now. When I went into the operating room I got on the table they set me up, the nurse cracked a joke and then I was gone. Woke up in recovery, feeling very nauseated so I threw up a bit. When I threw up I peed a bit and the nurse had to take off my pants and put towels under me till i got to my room and THAT was seriously the worst part of it all. Right before they shipped me off to my room the surgeon came and checked on me, I told him I threw up and muttered about being sorry that I ruined my band already. He said not to worry that he got it on there good and I was fine. Rode listlessly to my room trying to keep my eyes open. I laid in the bed for about an hour dosing off so my husband had to poke me every few minutes and make me sip. Then the nurse came in, made me get up and go to the bathroom and get dressed. I walked in circles around the room for a few, hubby signed my release papers and home to sleep I went. The first few days it was rough to get up and move around because of the pull you feel on the port. By day 4 I was getting up as often as I could when I was home alone and my hubby was nice enough to help me get up when he was home so I didn't have to strain. I slept on the couch until this past Friday. Last night I was finally able to sleep on my tummy, could have sooner im sure but I was too scared to try, and it was amazing. By the way I live in a 3rd floor condo so all of those stairs were killer so I didn't even go down the first 2 days. I feel good today! Each day I feel better (The muscle the port is sewed too is still sore but nothing I cant handle) and soon I will be the same ol Tracie I was before except with better eating habits, better self confidence (working on that with psychologist) and a smaller figure. So that is my story and I hope it helps ease a bit of the nerves. You are making a great life change for yourself and I am sure you will be fine.

The coordinator at my center suggest a protein shake for breakfast. She said she will have a protein or a carnation instant breakfast for breakfast because she is never in the mood for solids in the morning and she is good. She admits to not understanding the logic as it goes through your band but she said she is always satisfied with it. I guess that situation all depends on the person. They do not suggest drinking your calories the remainder of the day. I will probably be one to drink a protein shake in the morning because I HATE eating in the morning. I can have a quick protein shake while I am out walking the dogs and be good.

My Dr suggest a balanced diet but emphasis that you eat your protein (majority of your meal), then your veggies and last a small amount of carbs (if still hungry). I think the point is that we are trying to lose weight and build muscle so protein is very important. He doesn't really say no/low carbs but as we all know that is usually the least nutritional portion of the meal and most of us have made that the base of our meal our entire life. So I guess his recommendation comes down to ... stop filling up on carbs. LOL

That is nice to know, I was wondering when I would feel up for everything!

I am just about 3 weeks post op and my incision are looking very good. I would say that you should be ok 7 weeks post op!

Yeah I was afraid to come back to work as well. I was actually supposed to be off until next Monday but my medical leave was denied and i didn't feel like wasting more PTO. In the process of disputing that now so that I can get my week of PTO back. Helps that I don't have system access so I can do too much so not really under as much stress as usual. I should get access back today then I will be full speed ahead.

So I had my 2 week post op appointment on Monday and my Dr was super happy to see that I had lost 6 lbs since surgery. It was very funny because I was stepping on the scale the nurse gave me the whole now remember it is likely that you did not lose weight at this point and that is fine because this is the time for healing so please don't get discouraged. Then the number popped up and she was like ...... or you could lose a very nice amount! I was super happy. I am feeling a ton better, just the muscle that the port is in bugs often. Today I am back at work and I feel like I did a major workout on my stomach muscles just sitting with correct posture all day. I am scheduled for my first fill on 04/03 which is the day after my birthday. So exciting.

Thanks! I am happy with the loss so far. I hope I don't gain now that I am on mushies. I think i can keep it all under control especially now that I can move more!

Nice to know I am not the only one struggling with Water. I am on mushies and my surgeon said to practice not eating with meals and it is hard because I feel like I have to schedule my drinks as well as the food. I start solids on 3/26 and my first fill is scheduled for 4/3 so it will be nice to hear how you do with the transition and the fill.

Hey!! it looks like you are having surgery on my birthday!

Congrats!!

I would be curious to find out too! I took off my bandages yesterday and saw how small the scars are and was so surprised. 4 of the scars are the width of my thumb nail and the port incision is just a little more than an inch! Yay!!!

I ended up not having to have anything from a PCP. They took my word that I have been overweight at least 5 years and the approval was still very easy. I have my psych eval and promised to keep in contact with my bariatric case worker as well as my behavioral health case worker and got a first letter approval! I was psyched and I am banded!

That is great news that you will be able to be getting your lapband! Im sure you sleep apnea will improve and you will be a very successful bandster!

I step on the scale pretty much everyday but I don't take it seriously as I really don't trust my scale. I will only use the numbers on scales I can trust for my updates. So far I only use my Dr's scale!

At first I didn't really tell anyone but as it got closer I told more people and a few days after surgery I posted that I was doing well since my surgery on Facebook and some people asked what kind of surgery and I told them. I figure the reason that I didnt tell in the beginning was because I didn't want the negative comments so I figured afterwards I could not have people try and tell me their negative opinion and their only choice is to wish me luck! I must say though I still haven't received any negative feedback which is totally surprising! I am happy that so many people are positive and my co-workers are all willing to help me, my boss is even starting up her weight watchers again in a show of solidarity! It is all personal preference! I am happy that people know and I have grown to have such a large support system!

So I had my lap band surgery on Monday 2/27 and I was on liquid diet the first week. This week I am supposed to be doing pureed, and the mushies for the following 2 weeks and then solids week 5 as my first fill is week 6. Problem is, I have no idea what to do for the puree diet and I am starving. Since I don't know what to do i have just stuck to liquids. The suggestions from the Dr say I can eat anything, just pureed to the consistency of a liquid. Anyone have any ideas for this so that I can feel a little more satisfied without eating totally gross nasty stuff? Or is it smarter just to stay on liquids and do lots of Protein shakes? Man I am so looking forward to mushies, there is al least hope with that phase!

I will have to try some of these. The re-fried bean with salsa sounds pretty good. I have never had greek yogurt but maybe I need to give it a try. Last night I made a can of beef and vegetable soup and tossed it in the ninja and it was so gross I just poured it down the disposal and had a Protein shake. I cant wait for the mushies! I think that will be much easier than puree.

Pre-Op - 5'6 270 - Size 18 currently at about 25o and still on 18!

That is a very good cautionary tale on how important the fills are. I am lucky because my surgeon tentatively schedules the first fill for week 6, which i think is fabulous! Keep up with the fills and the good work! You will get that 5 lbs and more off before you know it.

You are very right in your explanation of the reason the fills can be pretty pricey. It's totally understandable. BTW it is great that you guys have such an amazing medical system!

My first year of fills is included in the price of surgery. It is my understanding that my insurance also covers the fills later on and I would just need to pay for the copay.