cfmom716

I am positive That's how it worked for me. As long as you can get 6 weigh ins in the last 3 years from a dr saying you needed to lose weight you are all set. If you have any conditions due to your weight it can help. Conditions such as: high blood pressure, gall bladder problems, breathing problems, joint problems, GERD, depression,high blood sugar, heart problems, even skin problems are all considered medical necessity. Or as I said a BMI of 40 or more without any conditions.You will also need from your PCP a letter of Medical Necessity. The necessary psych appt. , dr. clearance, you will need an EKG and bloodwork, xray.

Medicare requirements are 6 months of weight checkins in the last 3 years by your primary care physician or any physician that has said you need to lose weight to benefit your health. Start searching for records from drs. you've been to in the last 3 years. They do not need to be consecutive. You need a Center of Excellance to get your surgery and for Medicare and Medicaid to approve. There is no amount of lbs. you need to lose just check-ins by dr. for weight. Must be medically necessary and you need a BMI of 40+. You'll meet that I did at about the same as you are now when I started the process. Be positive and active in the process to get this done and t will happen. Good Luck!

Hi, the hardest thing for me to get used to and accomplish is, drinking a gallon of Water a day between meals. I can't drink 1/2 hr. before meals and an hr. after but in between I have to drink a gallon. I had my surgery 6/19 and have not reached the full gallon yet. When I go to restaurants, I order a regular meal but get a container to take home right away. I seperate the portion that I know I can eat and box up the rest right away. Avoids overeating and when you get home you can usually get a couple of meals out of the leftovers depending on the restaurants portion sizes. I exercise everyday but I do my upper body with light weights one day and the next day I do my walking and lower body exercises. This way here I won't be sore all over and don't feel overwhelmed. Hope I helped a little!

Hi, sorry to hear you do not have a supportive family or group to help you through this. So you know what I say to do, Prove them wrong! I would absolutely go through with the surgery and do everything it takes to get healthy and happy and use your own motivation to get the job done. I believe if you want something bad enough nothing can stop you. I am lucky to have a pretty supportive family and an adult son that already has the lap-band so we help each other. I, like you have lost weight in the past, 100 lbs. one time, 75 lbs another time and always put it back on and now being over 40 yrs. old it just doesn't want to come off at all. I received my lap-band June 19th, 2012 and have lost 37 lbs. so far. I use the band as a tool to keep me in check with how I eat. I can't eat too much if I get the proper fills and when I finally reach my goal I will get a maintenance fill and keep up with the lap band the rest of my life so that I don't put it back on. The surgery is not that bad, it's laproscopic and I had very little pain and came home the nexxt day and was fine, no pain meds but Tylenol. So don't let them scare you about that. And, as for if you're eating right, tell them I know the plan and yes, I am following what I am supposed to do and tell them not to worry about it. Make them know you are getting in control of your own life and don't need their approval or advice. You can take care of yourself. You can always turn to this forum and get support from others like me and we help eachother through the tough times. That's what we're here for. Stay strong, take control and get that surgery done and start a new and healthier life and , "Prove them wrong." Blessing to you for Strength!

Hey girl, you won't be like that for long after surgery. Please stop beating yourself up about it. We are all here for the same thing that you are. Be proud that you are taking charge of your situation and are doing something about it. I am only 5 ft. tall and when I started my journey last year I weighed 352lbs, I had some health issues and lost around 40 lbs. last summer. I had my surgery 6/19/2012 and have lost 32lbs. Be ready for big changes, positive changes and please feel good about yourself for having the courage to go through with this process.

This is a site where size does not matter and yes I know someone your age that had the surgery and was much bigger than you. My son was 536 lbs., 23 years old and had the surgery 5/3/2011 and has lost 135lbs. so far. You are definately not alone in your size or your age. We are all here to support each other, don't be embarrassed about anything. You are taking a huge step and your future will be brighter and healthier for it. Take Care and stay connected with the site.

You can get this at Walmart or Target Pure Protein 100%Whey Protein powder chocolate it costs about $20.00 for 2lbs. of it. Pure Protein 100%Whey Protein Powder Chocolate This is from the nutrition label: Calories 140 Calories from Fat 25 %Daily Value* Total Fat 3g 5% Saturated Fat 1g 6% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 80mg 26% Sodium 190mg 8% Potassium 250mg 7% Total Carbohydrate 3g 1% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Sugars 2g Protein 25g 51% Hope this helps!

Hi, Please stop knocking yourself down. OK, you have a problem, but you are not disgusting and you should be proud you are starting to do something about it. I know it's hard when you are at the beginning of the process but look forward to the new you in the future and use your energy and mind on getting to that point. Every step you take and every pound you lose pat yourself on the back because you are succeeding. No, it is not easy and it takes time, but you are doing something very important for yourself and your daughter. She will grow up knowing you have worked very hard to enjoy special moments with her in her life and she will be proud of you as well when she gets older. Just close your eyes and imagine how you will feel when you are able to keep up with your little one and how proud and happy she and your family will be of you. You will get there and you will feel so good about yourself and look back and wonder why you felt this way. I am on the same journey with you I have more than 100lbs. still left to lose to reach my goal, so I am right there with you sister and will pray for you like I do for many others on this site. Hold your head high, be strong, do your best and have faith in yourself and you "WILL GET THERE!"

Hi, I really doubt you are feeling your liver shrinking. I don't think that is possible. If you have pain on the right side under your ribs I think it might be your gall bladder. I have trouble with mine and that is where I get my pain. Eating healthier should never make you feel sick or in pain. You are improving your life by eating healthy. I would absolutely talk to your Dr. and Dietitian about your problem and do not change your mind on having the surgery, yet. I had my surgery in June and it has only improved my health and well-being. The diet my Dr. has me on is all Protein (meats, cheese, eggs etc.) and only healthy carbs (vegetables, green leafy). I also drink lots of Water or Crystal Light daily. The pre-op diet sucks and I am the first to admit it. I could only have Clear liquids for two weeks, but on the up-side I lost 12 lbs. Be positive, talk with your medical professionals and keep trying to get healthy by getting the lap-band. Good Luck to you!

Don't let it get you down. No one is perfect. Everyone of us have made mistakes with our diets or we wouldn't be in this situation. Just do the best you can and you will be fine. The fact that you are worried about it shows you are trying to make a change and be proud of that. Hope everything goes well with your process from here on and keep us updated on your progress.

You have to have liquids that you can see through. sugar free popsicles and Jello are OK because if they melted you could see through the liquid. No milk products at all. You can have broths and Crystal Lite, also. After surgery when you are on week 2 &3 you can have dairy and Soups, they call that full-liquid diet. Good Luck!

Like the Master said drink a lot of Water or crystal lite it helps you lose Fluid weight and don't worry so much about the numbers. Take a walk and get moving that helps burn calories and to relax, it will all be ok. Don't be upset your body is working it just sometimes takes more time than we would like it to. Wait a couple of days and then weigh yourself. The object to this diet is to shrink your lliver and if you are faithful to the plan you should be ok. Good luck and God Bless!

If you don't have a fever and it isn't severe they will give you medicine. It might be your nerves getting the best of you and if you're on a liquid diet or any diet for that matter you can develop diarrhea and upset stomach and headaches. Take only Tylenol for headache and some Immodium w/Gas relief. You can also get Emetrol for vomitting it is natural and sometimes helps. Just relax and don't worry it will just make things worse for you. Say a prayer and God willing it will pass. Good luck!

Most bariatric surgeons have a plan for you to follow two weeks prior to your surgery. But if you want in the meantime, try to stay on a high protein, low carb diet. No sugar or starches. Drink plenty of water or Crystal Lite and have sugar free jello or popsicles in between meals. Try to limit your calories to about 800-1000 calories a day and you should get good results until your surgeon puts you on a plan. Good luck and God Bless!

No one is perfect. Don't worry about, just be as faithful to the diet as you can be and make sure to keep a check on your sugar. If you need Protein try to make it healthy (cheese, small amt or lean meat small amt.) Keep your calories below 800 and just do your best. Good luck to you and have faith in the Lord to see you through...

Best of luck and you are in my prayers! I'm sure you will be fine.

Hi, I realize the diet is hard, I could only have Optifast shakes and sugar free popsicles and Jello and broths and as much Crystal Lite or Water I wanted. It sucked, but is worth it. You need to shrink your liver before surgery and that's real important. See if you can have low carb Protein Shakes they come in flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla and may help with the sugar craving plus provide Protein which will help fill you up. We are on opposite ends of the diet I wished I could have anything not sweet except for the broth when I did the 2 weeks before surgery. Just keep motivated and try to keep busy when you feel hungry and drink a lot. Crystal Lite has nothing in it and is sweet and you can drink it all day long as well sugar free jello and pops. Stay strong and best of luck to you!

Things that are zero calories are just like Water. Crystal Lite has no cals, no sugar, no sodium and so does the sugar free Jello and popsicles. As long as you are not consuming calories or solids (which fruit is both solid and sugar and a no-no on this diet) The reason for the diet is to shrink your liver and have nothing solid in your system before surgery and that is exactly what you need to do. You can get flavoring sugar free and calorie free on the coffee aisle of your grocery store. There are chocolate, caramel, raspberry and hazelnut that I found and add nothing bad to your shake. Keep the faith and do your best.....

Hi, I lost 14lbs and Dr. said I did good. Don't stress it and get plenty of fluids it helps you so you don't dehyrdrate and helps you lose too. Good Luck!

sorry it did it so many times. I think my computer had a nervous breakdown

I just was banded 6/19 but know exactly where you are coming from, food has always been my friend when I'm sad or upset or bored. I found that when I want to reach for a snack I do something else like go for a short walk or clean something or do a hobby (I like to read and paint) just get your mind off of food, get motivated. I know it's easy to say but I am trying to do the same thing. So I'm right here with you sister. Keeping a food journal helps when you see what you are eating in writing you have a better grip on where you are going wrong and can see where to correct it. I get upset when I see too much food on my journal because I know I'm just hurting myself. And, above all do not drink when you eat. You can over eat that way and that is not what you got banded to do. Keep sugar free and healthy food around you so you won't be able to make excuses and eat poorly. Stay positive, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm important and I am going to lose this weight and not let anything stop me, I love myself as a person and want to get healthy." Weigh yourself once a week and keep a record of it so you can see how you are doing. Be proud of yourself you already made a big step by getting banded now do what it takes to finish the deal. My prayers are with you.....

I just was banded 6/19 but know exactly where you are coming from, food has always been my friend when I'm sad or upset or bored. I found that when I want to reach for a snack I do something else like go for a short walk or clean something or do a hobby (I like to read and paint) just get your mind off of food, get motivated. I know it's easy to say but I am trying to do the same thing. So I'm right here with you sister. Keeping a food journal helps when you see what you are eating in writing you have a better grip on where you are going wrong and can see where to correct it. I get upset when I see too much food on my journal because I know I'm just hurting myself. And, above all do not drink when you eat. You can over eat that way and that is not what you got banded to do. Keep sugar free and healthy food around you so you won't be able to make excuses and eat poorly. Stay positive, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm important and I am going to lose this weight and not let anything stop me, I love myself as a person and want to get healthy." Weigh yourself once a week and keep a record of it so you can see how you are doing. Be proud of yourself you already made a big step by getting banded now do what it takes to finish the deal. My prayers are with you.....

I just was banded 6/19 but know exactly where you are coming from, food has always been my friend when I'm sad or upset or bored. I found that when I want to reach for a snack I do something else like go for a short walk or clean something or do a hobby (I like to read and paint) just get your mind off of food, get motivated. I know it's easy to say but I am trying to do the same thing. So I'm right here with you sister. Keeping a food journal helps when you see what you are eating in writing you have a better grip on where you are going wrong and can see where to correct it. I get upset when I see too much food on my journal because I know I'm just hurting myself. And, above all do not drink when you eat. You can over eat that way and that is not what you got banded to do. Keep sugar free and healthy food around you so you won't be able to make excuses and eat poorly. Stay positive, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm important and I am going to lose this weight and not let anything stop me, I love myself as a person and want to get healthy." Weigh yourself once a week and keep a record of it so you can see how you are doing. Be proud of yourself you already made a big step by getting banded now do what it takes to finish the deal. My prayers are with you.....

You can have more than water. You can have sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, Crystal Lite. There are no calories in any of that and it makes it less miserable. You can also have beef and chicken broth. Don't let it get you down, stay strong and be brave it will be over before you know it. Good Luck!

I had a bladder infection prior to surgery and was still on antibiotics and it did not affect my surgery at all. Just make the surgeon aware that you have had a bladder infection and are currently on or just finished your antibiotics and they will make adjustments to the antibiotics they give you during surgery anyway, You will be fine and should have no problems at all. Good Luck!