Instyle98

It's probably right. At one time I was Vit D deficient and they gave me a massive dose at the doctor's office and then I had to take a huge dose either every couple of days or once a week. I can't remember. Since the surgery I have been taking liquid Vit D/Calcium B12 and a joint supplement plus my chewable bariatric daily vitamin.

It will get better! Unfortunately you have to move. Do you have some no sugar added or light juices? Sip on those. I think the evening of Day 3 was the worst for me. All of that gas must have started moving plus with my post-op discomfort I was miserable and wondering why I did this to myself! By the next morning I felt a little better and it was all uphill from there. Depending on your body and how much gas they used, it can take a while to get rid of it all. I thought it was all gone by now, but today I'm having discomfort and I'm thinking it's just soreness from the manipulation they had to do to get the band in and perhaps some gas that was still lurking. The nurse from my insurance company just called to check up on me and she agreed. It's hard but you have to balance getting enough rest to heal and moving around to get things going again. Congratulations and hang in there!

You might find it helpful to join myfitnesspal.com. If you log in you can put in your height, weight, age, how much and how fast you want to lose weight and it will give you a daily calorie count. Then you can track your food and exercise.

I read the article and watched some videos on You-Tube the other day of folks who had their bands removed for one reason or another. I sat there thinking that perhaps I had made a huge mistake (banded 12/31). However, I need to lose weight, I have to lose weight. This seemed the best option for me since it is not permanent like a bypass or a sleeve and if there are problems, it can be removed with not too much trouble. Other methods were not working for me. I'm determined to work within the rules and guidelines of the band and for me it's too late to worry, my band is in. Obviously, I'm all in as they say. I don't regret my decision and I'm not even on real food yet. I've already lost weight that I haven't been able to lose in years. I feel good about the fact that I'm doing something food for myself. Yes, there are negative articles and stories but there are also so many more positive ones and great success stories. I'm willing to accept the odds!

Call your doctor!

MKB805, No matter how you slice it or dice it, whether it's you or the band, something is definitely wrong. Please contact your physician before you get into serious trouble. It's no wonder you feel and look (according to you) like crap. Your body is not getting what it needs plus I'm sure this is taking some emotional toll on you too. Please let us know how you're doing and once again CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! (Yes, I'm shouting because it's important and YOU matter.)

I'm just starting so I don't really have a favorite yet, but I like the couple of recipes I found here: http://skinnybetsy.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

Good luck! Perhaps you can use the thought of having to pay so much out of your pocket as incentive to stay with it when times get tough.

They're still processing my claim since I just had my surgery 12/31. They had some requirements such as a 4 month wait period where I had to have 2 nutritionist appointments, psychological evaluation, blood work and a 2 year history of obesity. I let the surgery center handle getting the procedure authorized.

MissMia9, I have been using the unjury powders. I like the chocolate Spendor best. I tried the sample packet of the chicken flavored one, but I didn't care for it. It's not like regular chicken broth. It's got kind of a creamy texture to it, which is okay, but it was hard for me to finish the whole thing. You might want to try the unflavored powder and add it to a broth you like. I tried mixing it in sugar free Jello when I made it and it turned out okay. Except for the jello not being quite clear, I couldn't really taste it.

ErinSue2000, Here's the list I have from my doctor: unjury, smoothie King Gladiator High Protein/Low Carb, Labarada Lean Body, EAS Myoplex Low Carb/Lite, BSN Syntha-6 Core Series, Isopure (20 oz bottle), Nature's Best Zero Carb Isopure (2 scoops), Nectal, Protein Shots (dilute in Propel), IDS Sports New-Whey 42 liquid Protein, Myoplex (regular), Myoplex Lite (2 scoops), Muscle Milk Lite, Worldwide Sport Pure Protein, Whey Isolate Protein (1 scoop) Protein Powdered Mixes - A good Protein Drink should have the following nutrients per serving: +20 grams protein per scoop/serving, 7 grams or less of carbohydrate/sugars per scoop/serving, 5 grams or less of fat per scoop/serving Hope that helps you with finding a protein drink.

If you want, I can share the list of acceptable Protein Drinks I got from my doctor.

Setup...perhaps, but, food cost the same for everyone whether you are thin or overweight and there are plenty of folks out there that have not let their eating get as out of control as I did. The fact that fresh food and things that are better for me cost a little more and take more effort is no excuse for my obesity (there I said it, such an ugly word). It's all about choices and acceptance. I ate too much, too often and moved too little. I accept this and I choose what's good for me because I want to change.

SkinnyCubanChick I already went through what I could get and couldn't get in liquid form with my pharmacist prior to surgery. Only one of my meds which is a capsule comes in liquid. All of the others, if it were possible would have to be compounded and then I would not qualify for my discounted rate I get through my insurance. I can't afford to do that, especially since a couple of them are pricey anyway. So far things are working out.

SkinnyCubanChick, Unfortunately I tried that - didn't work. There are too many and all are so bitter that I can't get them down crushed so I've resorted to taking them one at a time slowly and seems to be working. I can usually tolerate taking nasty taking medicines, but you can't even wash away the bitter taste from these pills.

I was banded on 12/31. It gets better. I still have some soreness, but nothing like before. Stay on your liquids, you need time to heal. Try varying things a little with Crystal Light, homemade broths, sugar free jello, no sugar added fruit and juice bars, light juices,etc. When I got tired of stuff I started mixing my juices (no sugar added apple with light cranberry or light white grape and the cranberry with the grape).

Well done!

Usually the specialty clinics will take care of getting approval. That's what their insurance departments are there for. They will get your history from you, have you sign consents for release of records from your doctors, etc. If you are denied, most will help you appeal.

I contacted 2 different places that contacted my insurance for me. I chose True Results and even though I was out of network, they charged me as if I were in network so I had to pay my co-pay on my visits and at the time of surgery I had to pay my remaining in network out of pocket which was $1200 plus some change. I haven't gotten the anesthesia bill yet so I don't know what that will be. Plus I had to pay $400 out of pocket for my sleep study that insurance didn't cover.

Hey Chad We were banded the same day by the same doctor! Happy New Year!

Okay - thanks guys! I think I'm going to try the one at a time thing. If I have to crush them, they're not going down!

Hi all! I was banded on 1/31 so tomorrow I guess I can start thicker liquids like some creamy soups and Dannon Smoothies. I'm still a bit swollen but not near as much as earlier. I still have some gas pain, but that will be gone soon (I hope). I've been walking, stretching etc. and eating GasX so... I'll just have to let nature take it's course. I am having difficulty with taking my regular medication. I take quite a few pills in the morning and I'm supposed to crush everything. I've been crushing my pills, but no matter what I mix them with I can hardly get them down because they are so bitter. Sometimes I can't get them all down because they make me gag. The surgery center scheduled my next appointment a month out from my surgery. She said it would be for a fill. Does that seem strange? I thought perhaps they would want to see me prior to that to make sure I'm healing okay.

Well, if Saltlife is on the same pre-op diet I was on, the chicken, steak and vegetables are okay. Mine was two protein shakes per day plus one meal of 3 - 4 oz of protein 1 cup of vegetables plus 1 cup of fruit. No breads, pasta, rice or potatoes.

If you are having that much pain, you should contact your physician ASAP! It's possible you could have an infection. Check your temperature because he will probably want to know that.

Forgot one more thing, Ms Rhonda, Only you can make yourself feel bad. You control your feelings, no one else. Part of all of this is taking responsibility for your actions. We're here to support you and tell you the truth (as we see it).