Sojourner

Yes, tuna is a great source of lean Protein, but you need to have the type which is packed in Water and not oil. I can tolerate only so much fish...so my favorite source of lean protein are skinless white meat chicken breasts. Especially post op, you need to be sure not to over cook them, because then they become too dry and are easy to get stuck during a meal. I use garlic powder, paprika, or other basic seasonings...and lightly spray the chicken with canola oil PAM before the chicken is grilled.

TMF has it right...it's all about avoiding possible liability for poor outcomes. Just because you have good insurance does not mean that another doctor will accept you as a patient. I'd go back to your surgeon's office to get your port site checked and verify that there is no damage to it. If you are still adamant about changing doctors...start calling around to locate a WL surgeon who will accept you as a patient.

I order off the kid's menu whenever they have healthy choices...but usually the options are fried or too heavy on the carbs...foods which are not on my "allowed list". Your surgeon should have provided you with some essential guidelines for portion sizes and what foods to focus on, and ones to avoid. It would be best for you to adhere to the instructions you should have been given. If they did not provide any pre op nutrition education, then I would be asking them many questions. If you are able, invest in attending an appointment with a registered dietitian to get their guidance about proper diet. Now nearly 6 months out from my surgery date, each meal consists of 3 oz lean Protein and 2 oz Fiber carb, measured by volume and after cooking. And whatever is left on the plate after 20 minutes goes to our opportunistic dogs...

Don't forget your exercise...and post op, you should not be relying on the liquid diet to promote weight loss. My surgeon has advised that over time, as our healing progresses, you need to rely on proper food choices and portions (along with exercise) for proper nutrition and weight loss. If you rely on the liquid diet to provide weight loss, it would also mean that you may not be acquiring the necessary life skills to follow the bandster diet for successful weight loss.

My PCP supervised my required 6 month medically supervised diet, submitted the required letter of medical necessity to my insurance company, and then I was notified by my insurance company of their decision (first letter approval). I then notified my surgeon's office, and his medical staff and insurance specialist took over from that point.

Simple solution to the problem...have nothing to drink on the the table while at the table or within reach while you are eating. Mindful eating (aware eating) would then take over your automatic actions to continue to drink during meals.

I don't think you are odd...I believe you had an exceptionally positive family and upbringing. I agree that so much emphasis on food in life events does tend to make it central to one's thoughts. You are now aware of this, and are successfully striving to make positive and healthy changes... That's a recipe for a successful weight loss journey...best wishes...

What are your surgeon's instructions to you about drinking while eating??? Every surgeon has their small variations on post op instructions...but I have never read of one who would permit drinking while eating as a bandster. So, yes, it's not advisable to drink and eat at the same time. For the reasons posted earlier, and also that it will likely confuse the sensors in your pouch into feeling full without consuming your much needed allowed portion of Protein. Thus, you would likely feel full before you got your needed nutrients in, which would then in turn likely slow your rate of weight loss. When you either don't have enough calories daily and/or don't eat enough protein to meet your daily protein goal you will slow your rate of weight loss.

I had to wait 14 weeks for my first fill due to medical complications, and had only 3 cc's put in as I've had some restriction since having my band placed. After 2 fills, I'm only at 3.5cc's. My surgeon did not want to increase the restriction at all as I am scheduled for surgery this week. At this rate, I believe 4cc's will be the most restriction I want to have. Since my second fill, my level of restriction has increased significantly.

Post op, you will be experiencing Fluid retention and swelling from the surgical trauma to your surgery site. Don't get obsessed with your scale, now or ever... I began to feel more normal with the swelling gone about 10 days post op. Now is not the time to focus on weight loss...but to focus on healing. Remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions, and the weight loss will come. Best wishes...

You may have reached a weight loss plateau...which is normal. I would be quite surprised if your surgeon has not already recommended that you follow a low carb diet pre op, post op, and for the rest of your life. My surgeon was very specific as to the amount and types of carbs which are acceptable post op; only 2 oz as measured by volume with every meal. I was also advised to eliminate any foods from my diet which had any added sugars and stay with SF foods whenever possible. Also, don't forget to get your exercise in...that's a part of breaking through the weight loss plateau. Changing up the amount and type of exercise you do, and also changing up the number of calories you consume daily have been observed to break through the plateau. I usually wait them out, as I never count calories, only measure portions and make good food choices. Best wishes...

It's absolutely essential for you to continue to take your Vitamins and calcium supplements daily post op, and as advised by my surgeon, for the rest of my life. I take the "Celebrate" brand bariatric vitamins in the blackberry chewable version, and they actually taste very good. Because I am unable to tolerate the preferred calcium citrate, my surgeon has allowed me to take calcium carbonate as a substitute. I would compare the amounts of actual vitamins, and their percentage of the "Recommended Daily Value" each dose provides. An off the shelf name brand name Vitamin whose target market is the individual who has not undergone WLS will not provide the necessary amount of vitamins to meet the special needs of a bariatric patient. This is an excellent topic to discuss with your surgeon or dietitian. Best wishes...

That's wonderful to read...and you should be happy to share! This is a wonderful NSV milestone for you have achieved. I have needed my sister at times to force me to look in the misses sizes for clothes...as my "head" has not caught up with my weight loss. It still takes alot of will power for me to stay away from the plus size department. Wise choice to save some money for fall clothes; I just purchased a light weight jacket for the cooler weather, as nothing I wore from last year fits me now. Congratulations on your progress!

A must have that I brought to the hospital with me was a chap stick for my lips which were incredibly dry... For your post op recovery, I would be certain to have at home prior to your surgery all of the prescriptions your surgeon should have given you...especially liquid pain medication. Both the prescription and liquid acetaminophen. I relied on these for a couple of days. There are conflicting opinions as to the effectiveness of using a heating pad post op in the area of my incisions, but I did find that it was soothing and did not cause any increased length of time for the incisions to heal. Also, being prepared to cope with the discomfort of post op gas is essential. Some participants on the forum swear by the effectiveness of Gas-X. I had it a home, but it did nothing to help me. The gas you have discomfort with post op is not the same as gas from digestive issues, which is the type of gas Gas-X is formulated to help. The best therapy for resolving post op gas for me was to walk around the house often, for short lengths of time. I also did as much walking while in the hospital as the nursing staff would allow me to do. Make sure to visit the grocery store prior to your surgery. Stock up on your necessary ingredients for your Protein shakes, SF liquids, SF popsicles, SF Jello, and because I ended up getting strong cravings for salt a few times, I also had cans of plain chicken broth in our pantry. As for rate of weight loss, no two individuals will experience the same. It's much healthier to only establish goals for yourself, and sometimes comparing yourself to others can precipitate unnecessary feelings of discouragement. This question would be better if answered by your surgeon. I would also advise you to not become obsessed with your scale. Minor fluctuations in your weight are normal, and I've read way too many posts from others who report how discouraged they are at gaining 1 or 2 pounds. It happens, is normal, and you will continue to see the scale move in the right direction if you continue to comply with your diet. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey...

It will likely take several fills before you feel any real degree of restriction. 1cc of Fluid can make a significant difference in your level of restriction...and in my experience even .5 cc made a major difference. I still have only 3.5cc and feel alot of restriction. My surgeon also does not do fills more frequently than every 6 weeks, and is conservative as to how much fluid he wants you to have in your band. I agree with him in that I don't want to experience the consequences of an over filled band.

It's best to begin to focus on adjusting your eating patterns now to those you will need to comply with post op. Dry toast of any description/content and crackers are prime culprits for precipitating stuck episodes post op. I definitely understand the limitations of taking medications on an empty stomach; I don't tolerate that well. What you want to do is to coat the lining of your stomach. Though I understand that dairy products may increase the production of mucus in your body, and are not the best choice now, in the future consider drinking some 1% milk or eating SF very low fat yogurt when taking your meds will be helpful. I'd try some no sugar added natural applesauce to take along with your medications. You can even take the meds with your Protein shakes. But stay away from the dry wheat products; they are not your friends post op.

It seems to me that you will have ample time to recover from your cold. Just prior to my surgery last February, my asthma returned after being essentially dormant for over 20 years. My PCP said that breathing issues, whatever the cause will interfere with the safety of administering anesthesia...and can cause surgery to be postponed. Get your rest, take the advice of your doctor. I hope you are well in time for your surgery...

I also have to agree with elcee...the first thing the trauma center did when I arrived was to begin to run CT scans to assess the extent of my injuries, and to determine of emergency surgery was necessary. Medical teams prefer to see ahead of time what situation they will encounter if they do have to perform surgery. The band does not interfere with these tests. The band can be seen with these images, and if surgery is necessary they would be aware of it's presence and plan accordingly. Also, though other's experiences may vary, for my surgery next week, I was advised by both of my surgeons that no special precautions need to be taken for the procedure because of my band. I tend to agree that practitioner knowledge of the band is not a requirement to follow treatment protocol in an emergency situation.

It did not matter in my case...trust me when I tell you that the responders will only grab your ID...they are focused on only finding an ID, and won't be taking the time to sift through anything else to possibly discover an additional card unless they recognize it at a glance. Primary objective was to get me cut out of my car and transported to the Trauma Center asap because the extent of my injuries were unknown. Perhaps if you attach your band card to your license they will see it. Otherwise, like me you likely would arrive at the hospital unconscious and with only a driver license for identity. Everything else was left behind in what was left of my car.

I never heard of using a cath with band surgery...I did have one with my colon surgery, but that was a 7+ hour procedure.

I can tell you from first hand experience that in an emergency situation, the responders will not be looking for anything in your wallet except your driver license or other official ID. Last year, when I was nearly killed in a serious car accident, and was knocked unconscious, neither the police or the EMT's who responded to the accident scene bothered to look at my cell phone for the ICE ( In Case of Emergency) numbers I had in my contacts list. It took the Level 1 Trauma center over 5 hours to get in contact with my husband to inform him that I had been in the accident. To me, the ID bracelet or medallion that you wear will be the only means to alert medics to your band and any special needs which may be affected by the band. BTW, I will be undergoing abdominal surgery next week, though thankfully not in an emergency situation. Both the bariatric surgeon and the general surgeon who will be performing my procedure advised me that there is no need to remove the Fluid from my band.

Your post was heartbreaking to read...and never doubt the therapeutic value of writing about your feelings. It does help to express yourself in writing. As others have written, it is your mother who has the serious problems. Every child deserves to have loving and supportive parents...and that she apparently is neither for you is inexcusable on her part. It's excellent to read of your determination to improve the quality of your life with weight loss. Some relationships are toxic in nature...and these can occur even with family members. It's best to re-position your boundaries with your mother...and focus on the positive changes you are striving for and will see success with. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey...

Initially post op, I was advised not to take my pills orally without crushing them. Prior to my surgery I had as many of my medications revised to forms I could tolerate post op ( liquid or chewable). As others have posted, you are not supposed to crush time released medications ( you would risk possible overdose) or open capsules. I hated crushing pills; no matter what I used to disguise the extreme bitterness, I could still taste them and they made me gag. Within a few weeks post op, I was able to swallow the majority of my meds whole...a major improvement that continues today. I just have to remember to take a sufficient amount of Water with each pill, and to take them 1 at a time, and wait about 30 seconds between pills. The only "stuck episode" I ever had was with a pill and not having enough water to properly swallow it...life lesson learned; it only happened 1 time. Since having my band placed, I have had both CT and MRI studies completed without incident. I was told that the band has no metal parts, so there is no cause for concern.

In answer to your questions...Yes, I have been treated in the past for treatment resistant mood disorder. We finally discovered by base-lining my medications that the beta blocker I was prescribed for hypertension was causing my depressed mood. Once my medication was changed, the mood disorder resolved, and has not returned. That all happened about 12 years ago. I can tell you, as both the patient, post op, and as a licensed professional counselor, that it is entirely possible for there to be a resurgence of your mood disorder...and also the possibility of the exacerbation of your PTSD symptoms. Your body and mind will be making many adjustments to your "new life", where many of the old "rules" which you were accustomed to following cannot apply. Your hormones will be gyrating, your relationship with food will need to change if you want to be successful with your weight loss. If food was a source of comfort and/or security for you, you will no longer be able to use food to provide solace. Many individuals will actually go through a pseudo "grieving" process as they say goodbye to their friend, "food". I did feel mildly depressed post op for about a week. My mind was in a good place, but I suspect that it was due to the chemical changes in my brain and body which were responsible for my mood. But, yes, my band surgery did exacerbate my symptoms of depression. You also may find that your coping skills post op will be seriously challenged while you go through your initial post op recovery and are not feeling well or in pain. These issues are ones which I sincerely hope you will discuss with your therapist and/or psychiatrist prior to your surgery. Identify a coping strategy in the event that you may need it. You will be able to successfully do this...but understand that you may need to rely on your emotional support system to assist you through the post op adjustment period. Rely on them; that's part of their responsibility to you. Best wishes as your journey begins...

One's state of mind may improve over time, with or without professional intervention...so to make the assumption Ms. Wendy is presently "seeing a doctor" is presumptive at the very least. No two individuals will have the same experiences as they prepare for the surgery, or identical post op experiences. Projecting your experiences or perception of improved emotional health onto another individual is never a good idea...unless you are "in the mind" of the other individual you are referencing. It's essential that the individual speak for themselves...IMHO. I'm pleased to read that you are seeing a therapist, and that your emotional health is improving.