Sojourner

I can survive nicely on basic lean Proteins...the only deviation that I require, and would miss terribly if I did not have them would be to have salad veggies. Our brain needs glucose to function...so some healthy carbs are essential. I now enjoy a diet that does not have any bread, potatoes, or rice...and has little fruit, but I must have salads!

I use Wheybolic Extreme from GNC...I'm not trying to body build so I only use 1.5 scoops per shake. I like both the Cookies 'n cream and chocolate flavors. I also actually like the taste of these shakes; they don't have an odor or an aftertaste.

Shrimp salad was one of the first recommended solid foods by my surgeon. I am allergic to it, but there is no medical reason why you should not enjoy having shrimp...

It's normal and understandable that you would have some concerns regarding general anesthesia and even having surgery. Unfortunately (or fortunately) by the time I was medically released to have my band surgery, I had already had 2 surgeries...so I experienced no real anxiety. Every surgery does come with some risks, and the band surgery has fewer than other types of WLS. You should not worry about the care you will receive in the hospital; the staff are well versed in what they do, and they will take good care of you. I really have no recollection of the anesthesiologist administering the drugs, and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room with my husband. Let me share that post op recovery with the band surgery was faster and had less pain than the other 2 abdominal surgeries I have had. The best advice I can share for post op recovery is to stay ahead of the pain, and use your prescription pain meds as you need them...no need to be a hero and tough the pain out. The discomfort post op with the gas is helped immeasurably by just walking; others have written that a rocking chair also helped. I don't know about that...I never tried it. Walking is also important to lower your risk for development of DVT. I was advised by my surgeon to get up every hour I was awake and walk around the house. I have no regrets for having my band placed...I only wish it could have been done sooner. But the delays only gave me more determination and less hesitation to move forward towards a healthier me. Best wishes as you consider your options...

I'd stay with scheduling your appointments with your surgeon...this NP seems a bit useless when it comes to motivation, support and looking for solutions to help you loose weight. I feel you would see more progress with reviewing your eating patterns and food choices. I've made a conscious choice to stay with the most basic, natural and unprocessed foods I can find. I shop only on the periphery of the grocery store, where I find the produce, meats, and dairy products...and of course I skip the bakery! Some people feel it helps them to keep a food journal or use My Fitness Pal to track what they eat and number of calories. I just don't have the patience to do that... Best wishes to make some progress...let us know your progress with following up with the endocrinologist.

None of the efforts you are making to comply with your diet and exercise routine is time wasted...you have made progress towards your weight loss goals. Give yourself deserved credit for what you have achieved. We do hit weight loss plateaus from time to time...and yes, it can be extremely frustrating. Your body can become adjusted to a routine of expected type and intensity of exercise and the number of calories you have every day. Mis73 reported successful results with moving beyond her plateaus with changing up her exercise and the number of calories she had for a few days. As mentioned previously, this journey is a process and not an event. I've had to develop authentic patience, a life skill which eluded me for years. Stay the course, continue to be compliant with diet and exercise, and stay focused on your goals. The weight will come off. Best wishes...

My surgeon advised no caffeine, as historically it is known as a stomach irritant. Nothing was mentioned to me about it also being a diuretic. That said...I do continue to drink 1 glass of caffeinated iced coffee every day. I also have 80+ oz of Water every day, so I have not experienced any negative side effects.

Congratulations Jean...you have had an inspirational journey with your band, weight loss, and success despite challenging medical complications. You inspire people, give them hope to see the possibilities of what they can accomplish, and share insights one can only acquire through "walking the walk". Thank you!

It depends on the distance and the way that you are traveling. For several weeks post op your risks for DVT are still present, especially if you were to spend a number of hours on a plane or in a car. It's always best to contact your surgeon's office to get a definitive answer...

I can tolerate a very small amount of brown rice...usually about half a teaspoon. Everyone has different tolerances...so I waited until 6 months post op to try it. Part of the band diet is trial and error.

No, I don't recall having hiccoughs soon after post op. I do experience them now on a fairly regular basis as a "soft sign" that I have had enough to eat. Hope you feel better!

I take all of my pills without cutting or crushing them since 2 weeks post op... It definitely depends on the size of the pill (some are too large), and my surgeon has told me that taking them whole is safe and acceptable...the smaller ones, that is!

Loosing 50 pounds is not a failure... You did not mention portion sizes or what types of food you are having for your meals...diet compliance is a major part of the success for weight loss. Definitely more exercise will help... Best wishes...

Other aspects of what the psych eval is looking for is mood stability, any past tendencies towards eating disorders, any history of abuse or addictions (either chemical or behavioral), and to assess if you have realistic expectations of post op outcomes. Post op it is not unheard of to get depressed as you make major adjustments to your lifestyle...the more emotionally healthy you are to begin this journey, the less difficult the post op adjustments will be.

This is a question that needs to be answered by your surgeon...and their decision will be based on several factors, such as the amount of weight you have recently lost, how rapidly after a meal you are feeling hunger, and if you are still able to tolerate meat. This is my surgeon's criteria. My surgeon will not do a fill sooner than every 6 weeks...no exceptions.

Very happy for you and your family...enjoy every day...!

Best wishes for a successful journey...you're off to a great start!

We are always going to be our worst critic...and the fear of failure is quite common, especially newly post op and with your body and mind having to cope with many adjustments. Do a reality check...has no one else ever been successful? Why should you not be one of the successful ones? It is accurate to understand that the band is very self empowering, and you are the one who will ultimately determine the degree of your success. Setting realistic goals for yourself to achieve and having dreams are part of the equation you need for success. You can do this, and you will if you want to. Keep your eyes on the prize of a healthier you, and remember that this journey is a process and not an event. Best wishes...

Though we would ideally prefer to have the "blessings" of those who we love and care about the most, sometimes this is not going to be possible. Each of us is endowed with some degree of free will and self determination...so when others do not agree with our decisions, we accept that "we will agree to disagree" and move on. Just as your mother is not able to change your beliefs that surgery is the best choice for you, you will not change her beliefs. Accept this and move forward. Undeniably this journey is made better when all is in harmony, but we can't always have what we want. I have 2 sons who are medical professionals who came right out and told me "don't do it mom" (the surgery)...however they don't walk in my shoes. Best wishes...I understand how difficult this can be...

...that's no fun to be stuck.... You did not mention how much Fluid you have in your band...I only have 4cc, and feel that if I go any higher with fills, it will be too much. I hope you feel better fast...just wanting to give you some caring and support...

Medical professionals often don't consider the big picture...and I agree that much can get lost with the "rubber stamp" approval process. Being that you are in a medical profession, the coverage for the uninsured comes with the territory. I also did a great deal of pro bono work when I was in active practice. I don't know what your situation is regarding the possibility of retaining an attorney...but there are some whose professional focus is strictly to interface with insurance companies. Sometimes the "threat" of getting an attorney involved may be enough to have your case reviewed with "a fine tooth comb." Good luck...I sincerely hope that you win your appeal.

I was required to submit 3 years worth of medical records to Aetna with other current documentation regarding the 6 month supervised diet and letter of medical necessity. The surgeon's office was not very optimistic with my being approved, as there were significant breaks in the time that my weight had been recorded. I was advised to submit a letter to the surgeon's office to explain why so many weight records were missing (scale was located in an area where HIPPA regulations could not be adhered to), and my PCP included in his letter of medical necessity that I had been obese for the entire time he had been my physician (9 years). I was approved with the first letter...Best wishes to get through the appeal process...

So happy to read of your success...and such an inspiration to others! Congratulations...well done!

I've had steak several times...but I also have TMJ problems. Having to make the effort to chew, chew, chew, was too much for me...so I will also stay with chicken, fish, and occasional sliced pork. What works well for me is to have Boar's Head Londonport roast beef in my salad or rolled up with romaine...not steak per say, but an acceptable substitute for me.

My surgeon gave all of his patients an entire manual to take you through every stage of the bandster diet from pre op through weight maintenance. He advised waiting until reaching 3 months post op to begin having dark leafy raw veggies. I followed his recommendations, and have never experienced any negative effects from having a very small salad using romaine lettuce most days of the week. As always though, when you have questions, it's best to begin with finding the answers through your surgeon.