Big AL

It's funny to me how it's so different from one doc to the next on how long patients stay on liquids. I have to do 2 weeks on clear liquids, 2 weeks on full liquids, then 2 weeks mushy food. I'm 8 days post op so I know what you mean Clare about being tired of Jello. Those Bill Cosby Jello comercial aren't so dang cute these days..... I'll tell you what I have been eating and maybe it will give you some ideas. I am able to have milk and yogurt so that helps. I mix my milk with On's whey Protein powder I also add a little Hershey's syrup once in a while. I'm sure the Hershey's is bad but I add very little, just enough to change the flavor. I am also drinking Dannon lite and fit smoothie's made with yogurt. I am tired of plain broth so once in a while I get egg drop Soup from the local Chinese place and just eat the broth. I am also eating soups that have a clear broth and leaving ALL the chunks behind. Some of the soups I am straining out the veggies first and freezing them for homade soup, or to add to caserole's later. Dole 100% juice popsicles are good. And as far a juice goes I bore easily with apple so I have been getting stuff like pomagranite juice, and cherry juice. I try and not eat the same thing twice in one day so it mixs it up a little. Hope this helps!! AL

Hey all, I was banded by Dr.Boutt on Friday 3-26. Everything went well! Way, way better than I expected. I am sore but other than that I have had zero compications. Just wanted to brag to my Michigan friends. Take care everyone!!

I have to say I can't believe how smoothly things are going. I was banded yesterday (3-26) and I feel great. I am a little sore but nothing at all compared to what I was expecting. I am able to drink without a problem, although I am taking it slow. If it hadn't been for this board I don't know if I would have went through with this. I don't know of anyone else who has the band so I didn't have anyone to talk to about it. This board has been a wealth of information! Knock on wood, I haven't had any problems. No gas, no terrible pain, nothing. I hope it stays that way! Again thanks to everyone for your support!! It's nice to be on the other side!!!

I'm leaving this evening to go to the hospital for my surgery. Actually we are heading to the hotel, I have to be at the hospital at 7am and we have a 4 hour drive so we are going a night early... I'm nervous, mainly about being put under but I'm sure that will go fine. Kinda wondering about the pain afterwards but I'm confindent it will be ok too. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement thus far. I'll let you know how it goes!!!

If your father makes 6 figures a year and has little debt would he loan you the money himself? You can set up a payment plan on paper so it would be legal? Just an idea....

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. I am rescheduled for this Friday. I'm REALLY scared about being put under. I'm trying to stay calm but with two very young boys it's a lot to worry about. I'm just glad this will be over soon so I can get to the loosing weight part. Good luck Becky!!!

UHC came through and approved my band... I feel like a ton has been lifted off my shoulders. They scheduled me for this Friday but I changed it to April 6th. Now I get to call back and see if I can change it back to Friday because of baby sitter issues and stuff. Anyway, I'm in and on my way!! I'll keep ya posted. AL

I'm still waiting.... and waiting..... and waiting. I have called a few times and they said that the person who is reviewing my records has the accessed the files so they think I should know something this coming week. I have a feeling I won't know any more then than I do know. I hate to sound negative but what's the friggin hold up? I'm sure there is more to it on their end than I know but I am NOT a patient person so this is really hard. Hope we both hear something SOON!!!

Becky, Sorry to hear you are having the same problem as I am. It is good to know I'm not the only one though. Please let me know when you hear from UHC.... I really hope we hear a "yes your approved" from them..... and soon!!!

AAARRGGGHHH!!!! My ins company hasn't decided either way if I will be covered or not so I had to postpone my surgery date. I was scheduled for next Friday but I needed to postpone it because of work issues. Oh well, at least they didn't deny my surgery. I'll post when I know more.... Thanks a million to everyone for your help and support. This site has be an awesome tool in learning about the band and everything that happens afterward.

Thanks to everyone for your help and support thus far!!! Well, everything finally made it ti the surgeons office and my info was sent to the ins company late Thursday. But, I have another question. My surgeons office said I shouldn't call the ins company because they had a person do this and it resulted in someone at the ins company to open another claim or something. Anyway I guess this resulted in this person being denied. I have heard of the paperwork being sent to the wrong fax number or the ins company not receiving the fax of info. So should I call and at least make sure they have the stuff? Patients is not something that comes easy to me....:phanvan I'm probably going to call. I'll tred lightly but I at least need to know they have the info.... Man, I hope I get approved after all of this... Thanks again to everyone for everything!!

My blood work that my PCP wanted done before she would give me a medical release came back. It turns out I have an elevated liver enzyme count. Soooooo, because of this I had to go to the hospital for an ultrasound on my liver last Thursday and am currently waiting for my PCP to get the results and write the letter. Hopefully nothing is wrong and this won't delay things further. I still have to send the letter to my surgeons office so they can submit it to the ins company to try and get approval.... I know I've said it before but I don't see this coming together for my scheduled surgery date of 2-27 but I am trying to stay optimistic. I guess I need to hurry up and wait......