Lori Voss Green

My doc had me on a 2 week preop diet. For me it was a protein shake for breakfast, 100 calorie snack, protein shake for lunch, 300-350 calorie/20-25 carb dinner, then another 100 calorie snack. The main focus was to shrink the liver, but also to get used to not eating as much. I lost 12 lbs in that 2 weeks.

I gave up pop during my preop diet. I was terrified because I get migraines when I go without caffeine. I found Crystal Light Energy that has caffeine in it, and I put that in my water. However, now that I've had surgery, that doesn't even taste good. So far I haven't felt the craving for pop and haven't had caffeine withdraw headaches. I am too chicken to even TRY carbonation now that I have the band. I don't want to mess anything up, and I also don't want to get a taste of it and get addicted again.

Thank you all for the support! I guess I just didn't expect the pain that I've had with this surgery. Tracy.....so how did you like Dr. Rohrscheib? So far everyone there has been super helpful and great to me.

I am about an hour from Champaign, in Hoopeston. You?

Tonyann.....thank you! I just feel like a wimp, especially hearing of other people going back to more physical jobs quickly.

Thanks! I just feel like such a wimp right now. In the last year I have broken an ankle, been hospitalized with 2 blood clots, had a hysterectomy, and now the lap band. I sorta thought I could bounce back from this surgery quickly with no problems. I guess I overestimated myself.

Man, I must be a baby! LOL All I was doing was sitting and the pain was just horrible. The incision for the port just looks nasty to me, but the nurse assured me it's "normal." She said there is an awful lot of swelling still. How long did everyone else have excessive swelling?

Oh, I do not blame you at all! I work there & I was impatient, calling constantly to check on it! I was actually approved in May but couldn't take the time off for surgery until August, so I knew there was no rush on my approval, yet I was checking in all the time until I got the word that it's a go. After all this is OUR health we're talking about.

Mine is my 16 yr old daughter, Ashlyn. I want to be here to see her graduate from high school. I want to see her graduate from college. I want to see her follow her dream of being an English teacher in South Korea. I want to see her get married and have children. I want to see her enjoy her life. :wub:

I work at BCBS of IL and all of the BCBS companies are different. It sucks that you are having such a hard time getting approved. I don't know about the other companies, but BCBS of IL no longer requires the 6 months of nutrition/Weight Watchers/etc. I am seeing an increase in members getting approved and getting approved quickly. I hope your BCBS gets on the ball for you and you are able to get approved quickly. It's definitely frustrating to have someone/something keeping you from your goal. Good luck!

It has been one week since I had surgery. I was nervous about going to the follow up appointment. I've been feeling pretty depressed and just not very positive the last few days. This appointment was exactly what I needed! They took the tape off and the incisions are all looking good. The huge incisions for the port looks nasty to me, but apparently to them it looks good, so we'll go with that. I am down 16 lbs in the last 3 weeks. There is still a lot of swelling around the port, and it's still really sore. The best part of the appointment was being told I can move on to soft/pureed foods!! Part of the depression I think was just getting so sick of soups and liquids. Of course I can't go all out, but potatoes and cottage cheese are like Heaven to me right now! I was so happy to get to eat a banana, it's crazy how happy it made me. I go back in 5 weeks for my first fill. She told me not to worry if I come back then and am only down a couple of pounds, since there is still a lot of healing to do. I don't think I'll be happy if that happens though. I realize it takes time, but I hope to see more than 2 lbs in the next 5 weeks!

Thanks, Tricia! The shakes and the soups just get old so fast.

Same here......while I was very worried that surgery would be put off, the idea that I might have something wrong with my heart had me terrified. It was also a wake up call......because had there been something wrong, I am sure the cause would have been my weight.

I am one week post op, and it came down to me finding out the day before if I was having surgery. My EKG came back showing signs of a possible recent heart attack. I was floored, and terrified as well. I had nothing happen to indicate to me that I could have had a heart attack. The results came in on Thursday the 2nd, and I was scheduled for surgery Tuesday the 7th. My primary doctor was great and got me in with the cardiologist the very next day, which was Friday. I had to wait all weekend not knowing if I had a heart problem and if my surgery was cancelled. I was on the phone calling the doctor first thing Monday morning. The Echo that they did came back perfect, not a thing wrong. They said 9 times out of 10 when an EKG shows something like that, it is due to a misplaced lead. It is definitely a scary thing, but I am so glad everything came back ok for you!

Thank you! You all are seriously awesome! I do not know anyone personally who has had this done, so I have felt pretty alone in this. It's nice to know I'm not!

I actually have depression and anxiety as well. It hasn't been too bad lately, but I do think not having my comfort (food) to turn to is what is making it a bit harder right now. I definitely do appreciate all of the support here!

Thank you all for the support. I DO know I can do this. I've wanted this for such a long time, and I am thrilled to have taken this step in getting my life back. I think the depression part gets the better of me at times. I just feel like if I get to the soft/puree food stage, things might be a bit easier. I still have another week until, but hopefully a positive visit with the doctor tomorrow will help me get a bit more positive.

I called today and scheduled my initial visit with the surgeon. I actually work for Blue Cross Blue Shield, so I am very familiar with what needs to be done for it to be approved by insurance. I am confident in having my procedure approved, so now I am focusing on getting everything lined up! I see the doctor on April 17th. From there we will set up the psychological/diet/nutrition appointment, get the preauthorization started with insurance, then start looking for a date to schedule. I am beyond happy. A bit about me. I am 36 years old. I am 5'7" and about 300 lbs. I have battled my weight all of my life. I did low carb about 12 years ago and lost 91 lbs in 10 months. I gained it all back though.

I literally had tears reading your story. It gives me so much hope to read success stories! Honestly, the thought of running.....I can't imagine myself running. The thought that maybe some day in the near future I can RUN on a treadmill....that is an amazing thought for me!

This is awesome! It gives me so much hope! I haven't even had my initial visit yet (April 17th!) but I am already looking forward to getting this done and seeing a change! Is this kind of weight loss within 6 months common? CONGRATS!!

In August I broke my ankle. In September I developed 2 blood clots in my leg. In January I had a hysterectomy. My husband is immune to me and hospitals/medical procedures! LOL He's very supportive though. He said if I am happy, then he is happy. He wants me to be happy and healthy and he knows this is going to help me with both. As for telling people......I am not sure how I will yet. I have shared with my online friends that I am taking steps to have this done. I haven't told my family though. Part of me thinks I just might not even tell them. I'm doing this for me, not them....so I don't know that I feel the need to tell them.

I know that they have removed the required 6 months fitness program requirement, at least BCBS of IL has. No longer have to do the Weight Watchers or similar program. That has made it much easier for me, that's for sure.