Ms. Blue

I went for my initial visit with the surgeon in March and was just banded Monday. I went through my insurance and, from what i understand, fairly common insurance hoops including: 6 months of diet/nutrition classes, clearances from gastro, pulmonology, cardiology, psychologist and endocrinologist. Plus 3 weeks of "life skills" with a nurse and dietician which was basically how and what to eat before and after band. The 6 month diet thing was the big thing, the classes were once a month and we squeezed everything else in around them. All said mine was 8 months from initial to surgery with insurance. It's a drag but don't give up!! 6 months from now you'll be glad you started when you did.

My surgeon said liquid is anything that can go through a straw (but dont drink thru a straw with band) I am 5 days post op and I've been tolerating Jello just fine. You know how you feel and how your band is healing. In my opinion, I think you'd be fine with Jello. I've been taking my meds in pudding and ate cottage cheese this morning, all with no problems. I had my band Monday.

Day 3 post op. I seem to have caught a chest cold that's been fun (not) still have a lot of bloating and gas pain. Also apparently im insane because I'm at a job interview right now. Yikes

Made it through my first night I made a pillow fortress on the couch and slept in a certain position all night. I have a lot of gas pain in my stomach and abdomen today. I took gas x and that seems to help move it around. Definitely get up and walk. That seems to help some. I'm eating 1/2 popscicle or 1/2 to 1/3 jello cup at a time. Yesterday I had 1/3 cup of broth. It's odd because my brain says mmm hungry and my tummy/ body says no you're not! I'd like to punch anyone who says Lapband is cheating or the easy way out. This is definitely not easy. But will be so worth it. I got the realize band. My incision sites look great under the steristrips. Minimal pain there. I only told 3 close friends and my inlaws about my Lapband surgery and every one of them called to check on me yesterday. Kinda helps when they're 2 fellow social workers and a nurse. I made the right decision who to tell. The support is great. Plus my partner had hers last week. She's doing great and has been babying me. That helps. Good luck all newly and soon to be bandsters.

Good luck! It'll be over before you know it.

Had my surgery this am. Already home on the couch. Definitely having pain from the gas but so far so good. I was so nervous this weekend I broke out in hives. Hoping to blog my experience soon. Best of luck to you all with upcoming surgeries. It's an exciting beginning to our new healthier slimmer lives.

I've been following everyone's posts and I hope to have some free time this weekend to reply to some. What a great thread this has been. If I created an October 2012 bandster "group" on here would you all want to join? Might be a better way to keep tabs on everyone and bring up individual issues without them getting lost here. My surgery is Monday, I've only lost 12 lbs on Optifast so far. A little discouraged. I wrote more about it on my blog http://thefatgirlthin.blogspot.com/2012/10/counting-down-biggest-loser.html

I didn't either I was so discouraged. I weighed myself yesterday while at the hospital for my partners band surgery and I had lost 9 lbs in a week. I felt good by that even if I can't notice it yet. 10lbs is a drop in the bucket on this frame. Stick with it. After the first few days my head trip went away. We can do this.

I like your thinking! And for my own sanity! I'm gonna wake her closer to midnight to eat some jello and drink something then let her sleep in as long as possible tomorrow. Very nervous for her!

Tomorrow is my partner's surgery. It was supposed to be at 9am and they called and bumped her until 3pm. But she still can't eat or drink anything after midnight tonight. Good luck to Oct. 1 bandsters. I'm next week.

The price depends on BMI which dictates how much you buy. It's like $100-150 a week. It's only sold by health professionals. My surgeon had a little store in his office. I wrote a blog post about my honest feelings about optifast http://thefatgirlthin.blogspot.com/2012/09/optifast-800-day-1.html?m=1 An overview of my optifast food is here http://thefatgirlthin.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-have-date.html?m=1 Personally I like the chocolate shake mix and the chocolate bar. Most of the items are sweet so I find myself craving savory. I'm on optifast only for 2 weeks. I cheated last night and had a grilled chicken salad (sooo good). I miss eating and crave certain foods but honestly I'm not hungry like I thought I'd be. And for the most part i feel pretty good and energized. I have a shake at 8:30 and 11:30. 1/2 bar around 1 and 1/2 around 3. Then I do shake or Soup for dinner. I'm supposed to have 7 servings a day but I don't. My partner is supposed to have 6 but does 4 and has a glass of sweet tea a day. She's in the upper 200s and has lost like 11 pounds her first week on optifast. I also use myfitnesspal to track its been great and has all the info for the optifast food.

Which preop are you doing? My surgeon requires 2 weeks of strictly Optifast. It's been ok but I'm really hungry right now. I've been blogging my adventures with the whole process and just uploaded a long one about my first day on the diet. http://thefatgirlthin.blogspot.com/

Good luck!! My wife has her surgery 10/1 as well. I'll be checking back for your update!!

I start my Liquid diet (2 weeks) tomorrow. I'm so excited/nervous. I posted about my last day of eating whatever I want on m blog http://thefatgirlthin.blogspot.com/2012/09/last-meal.html

What type of presurgical prep is everyone doing? We have two weeks of optifast. I start Monday.

Hi Tim! Welcome, I noticed your wife is being banded the same day? How did you come to that decision? My wife and I are being banded a week apart. We thought about the same day but then decided a week apart. I think there are pros and cons to both. Do you have friends or family coming to help?

My doctor requested almost the same thing on mine ^^^ Band date, No NSAIDS or NG Tubes

Mine was really basic too. Once he found out I'm a mental health social worker he skipped a lot of the redundant questions. Most of the talk focused around realistic expectations of surgery, what the surgery entails, support groups and following doctor's recommendations.

I just got the call today !!! After finding out Friday that the Drs office messed up my SSN. Once they got that straightened out it only took a day. I so excited!!!

I've only told 2 people. I'm not telling my mom cause I know she would use it against me when she's mad. Some people are so toxic... you have to do what's best for you.

My partner and I have the same insurance (diff policys) and my paperwork was submitted 5 days before hers. She had approval in about 3 business days and I didn't. When I checked my info at the surgeon's office they had messed up my SSN by one number. So I threw a (polite) fit and talked to the office manager and the insurance company (this was on Friday evening) the office called the insurance and I had my approval by Monday morning. I have BCBS PPO

Does anyone else have any good sites for these? My surgeon requires it to say Band (date) No NG tube and No NSAID http://www.americanmedical-id.com/ https://personalize.kay.com/kay1.html?q=ctg_engravable_jewelry:medical_engr http://www.zales.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2194756 http://www.medicalert.org/shop/medicalert-jewelry/emergency-medical-id/bracelet/detail/A789.htm?n=Bronze-Leather-Medical-ID-Bracelet I'm pretty picky, clearly it's going to take a while to choose!