Instyle98

I did it! Had my banding surgery first thing this morning! Had to get up super early 3:30 am, but was the first case and home by noon (I think. I was a little fuzzy and super uncomfortable at the time). Nice not to have to spend my whole day there. Met a really nice person who was also there for surgery and I hope I gave her support and encouragement. Told her to come and join us here on the board.

I was banded first thing this morning so I made 2 big pots of stock - 1 beef, 1 chicken. Glad I did, just not so hungry right now.

Good luck! My surgery is also tomorrow morning! 2013 here we come!

Best of luck to you Oxycomic! I see we have almost the same birthday too (I'm July 24 and you're July 25)! Let us hear from you after surgery!

My post-op instructions say to start Protein shakes (1-2 per day) the day after surgery but do not add fruit to them. I wonder if that means I can switch from Light Soy Milk to skim milk in my drink? I'm not crazy about the milk substitutes. I've been using the unjury Protein Mixes. I don't care for canned broths or powders plus I figure if I make my own it will not only taste good and be good for me, but be lower in sodium and fat than the canned stuff or bouillon cubes. My instructions for the first week are: At least 2 quarts of water/day. And I can also have cranberry juice, apple juice, white grape juice (diluted), No Sugar Added Diet Ocean Spray, Aqua Cal, coffee, Tea, Water, Crystal Light, sugar free Kool-Aid, Sugar Free Jello, Sugar Free Popsicles chicken, Beef, Vegetable broth, Propel Water plus the 1-2 protein shakes per day. BTW, the other day I tried some V8 juice. I used to really like the stuff, but it tasted weird, like it had an aftertaste or something. It was also a lot less salty which is a good thing. Did they change their formula or is it me?

I remember them saying that if I went more than 31 or 35 days (can't remember the exact number) that I would have to start over and I needed to have my surgery by the end of December or I would have to start over. They gave approval very quickly after the center submitted my stuff so Aetna gave authorization before I was ready. I had to have some gum surgery and I wanted to get that out of the way and heal before undergoing band surgery.

Okay - I report for duty tomorrow at 6:30 am! Got all of my supplies ready (almost).

Let's see, I'm getting banded tomorrow and here's what I have on hand so far: GasX, heating pad, No sugar added/light fruit juices, no sugar added fruit and juice bars, sugar free Jello, Crystal Light, water, homemade beef broth, homemade chicken broth (making that now), protein powders, soft pajamas and comfortable stretchy pants.

Mine approved me the first time and actually called me twice because they thought I already had the surgery! They called me after it was approved and I told them no, I was not scheduled yet (due to other stuff), then I was scheduled for 12/17 and they called shortly after that so I expect to hear from them right after the first of January since I'm scheduled for New Year's Eve day. They were very nice and just wanted to know how I was doing and how the staff at the center was.

I didn't need an EGD, colonoscopy, stress test or chest x-ray. I had to have blood work, PFT, ECG, clearance from my cardiologist, nutritional consult and psych eval.

I have Aetna. I'm scheduled for surgery with True Results on Monday. According to them I only owe around $1200.

I'm trying to take a different look at food. Instead of viewing eating as a pleasure and something I planned and looked forward to, I am treating it as fuel for my body. I really enjoy cooking and watching cooking shows but for now, I need to put that to the side and devote that time to other activities.

I'm not quite sure yet. I say 140, but when I was 135 my doctor said I looked gaunt and unwell. I didn't feel well either. I am 5'3 ? maybe a little taller and 51 years old. My surgery is scheduled for New Year's Eve so at this point my goal is anything less than what I weigh now and a smaller size pant!

I don't really care for the Strawberry flavor True Results powder or the Unjury. There is a calorie difference between the two. Unjury has 100 calories so I mix that with Light Soy Milk and the True Results powder has 190 so I use water with that one. You can also add cocoa powder to the powder for a more chocolatey flavor.

When it comes to forums and lists, no matter what the subject matter is, I just take what I need and leave the rest. I may get a chuckle out of something or go "Huh?" but I refuse to acknowledge the people that have nothing better to do but troll and post irrelevant crap. I always hope that if they are ignored and don't get any recognition that they will go away!

Perhaps someone is just trying to jerk our chains! )

I buy it at the grocery store where they keep the drink mixes. Remember the old fashioned little envelopes of Kool-Aid that you had to add sugar to? I buy those and sweeten with Splenda. Of course you could use whatever you prefer, like Stevia for example. They're usually 5 for $1 at my grocery store. I also tried mixing strawberry with Crystal Light Lemonade. It was okay, nothing to write home about. ) For variety I just try mixing different flavors together.

You're welcome! Mine only had a 4 month wait period though come to think of it. I have Aetna POS. I guess it all depends which company your insurance is through. It will depend on what they contracted with them.

Doing it now! I'm on 2 protein shakes per day and 1 meal of 3 oz of lean protein, 1 cup of veg and 1 cup of fruit. Surgery is scheduled for New Year's Eve.

Maybe, but I doubt it. Years ago my insurance didn't even cover weight loss surgery. If they are provided with information indicating this has been on ongoing issue for you, you'll probably be okay. When I explained to the rep that I had not had surgery and the reasons why she was very nice and understanding. She didn't mention a thing about weight gain or loss. You could say they approved my surgery before I was ready!

TX

I have Aetna and I gained weight since my initial visit. I didn't have any problems. In fact Aetna has called me twice to see how I'm doing because they thought I already had my surgery! LOL! I didn't start my diet until the 2 weeks pre-op. I'm scheduled for the 31st so I'll let you know!

http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/ You may want to get the starter kit so you can sample the different flavors and see if you like it.

Hi all My surgery is scheduled for 12/31. I've got mixed feelings about this but damn the torpedoes, I'm hoping for the best! Sandy

Thanks! It's just one of those things that I don't want to do, but I know I HAVE to do! Every so often I ask myself if I'm doing the right thing, but I know in my heart, I need to do this to be happy and healthy and if I could do this on my own I wouldn't have gained back almost all (not quite) of the 165 lbs I lost. ( Five days to go!