ShrinkingViolet

New Hope, I asked my doctor about Pasta today and you are right. He does not want me eating pasta. He says it's too high in calories and no Protein. I suppose that means no mashed potatoes either? Wahhh! Glad that your tumor was benign!

Thank you for letting us know! I am sure someday I will have a fill, and I'm glad to know it's not a difficult experience. I'd love to know how it affects your eating once you can eat solids again. You've had so much success already! What made you feel that you needed a fill? How did you know? Forty-one pounds is just awesome! Cat

These are some great ideas, thank you!! I especially didn't think of hummus. I love hummus! Do you think guacamole would be ok, along the lines of avocados? Or is it too fatty?

Congratulations! What a trooper you are! Surgery just a day ago and already posting! Way to go. And three cheers for Splenda too. The news says there's a shortage, so I bought a huge box of 700 packets at Sam's club. Should last at least a week.

I don't feel the band, but I feel the port. I am hoping that sensation diminishes over time. I am almost always aware of it. But it sounds like other people have no issues with their ports. You meet with a nutritionist and a nurse before the surgery and you do get a list of what to eat and what not to eat at each stage. They give you a book. The first time I looked into surgery, they handled the lap-band and gastric bypasses together and I got a book primarily focused on gastric bypass patients. I was really pleased to discover this time around that they had separated the two and my book was solely for lap band patients. You can also pay for three post surgery consults with the nutritionist they have on staff. I can't recall how much it was. I'm still debating whether to do it because my insurance does not cover nutritionists. I'm a stay at home mother, so work wasn't an issue for me. I debated whether I would tell anyone; I had heard some people think this is taking the "easy" way out, etc. But I decided that since this was going to be a big part of my life for sometime, I would be open about it. Besides...some of my friends could use it. My ex-husband (from 11 years ago) is even thinking about it now and has called to ask me to keep him updated on my progress with the band. I think it's kind of exciting. I'm definitely not embarrassed about it. At first I just told people I was going in for surgery (to explain why I couldn't go to things or why their kids couldn't come over for a few days or why I needed them to give my kids a ride home, etc.) and then they'd say "What kind of surgery?" So I told them and the more I talked to people the more I heard "Oh I have a friend who is hoping to get that done!" Or "I know someone who had a gastric bypass. They've done really well with it." And it was all very reassuring. I didn't get any negative remarks at all and found people very supportive.

I look forward to hearing all about your experiences, especially since we share a doctor. Maybe we'll run into each other at a support meeting sometime!

New Hope, the nutritionist told me that mashed potatoes and oatmeal were ok, which are starches? So I guess I assumed Pasta would be about the same?? But during this period, I'm to continue my Protein shakes. Once I graduate to solids, if I can get enough protein in through my food, I won't have to drink the yucky shakes. I don't think I could eat blended meat. :/ Don't worry though. For lunch, I had scrambled eggs! Yum! And for dinner, I am having cottage cheese. But I am DYING for a salad. I need veggies so bad...maybe I'll make some sweet potatoes!

My doctor's eating guidelines were different, but what you've posted will definitely be very helpful for those who have no guidelines. I was allowed only clear liquids for the first three to four days post-op, which included sugar free Jello, broth, and Water. Then it was regular liquids to carry me through the first two weeks, which could include tomato juice (V8 was on the list). The nutritionist did say that the acid in tomato based products bothers some people and if we found ourselves having a lot of reflux to drop the tomato products. I had lots of tomato-based soup with no difficulty but I'm not prone to heartburn. This included a lot of fat-free cream soups (she told me cream of chicken without the chicken pieces, for example) and the Protein shakes, made with Skim Plus milk. I could also have sugar free Hot chocolate with Skim Plus milk. Now I'm on mushies for the next two weeks, but even this emphasizes lowfat/sugarless options. It also included "pureed" chicken and meats, and I asked if this meant we were to blend it, and she said no, just chew it very very very well. It did not say Pasta was a msuhy, and I wondered about that one. Can I eat pasta if I chew it very very well? I ordered several boxes of Malt O Meal from Minnesota, because it comes in chocolate. :D It's like Cream of Wheat. I figured this will help a lot during those monthly times when I have many cravings.

Hi Sonia. I'm not sure what the doctor will do in your case, but in mine they did not insist my blood pressure be normal prior to surgery. Although I was on medication for high blood pressure already for one month, I had started with a very low dose and my blood pressure was still slightly elevated until, surprisingly, the morning of surgery. You'd think I'd have been so tense my blood pressure would have shot up, but instead it was normal for the first time in months. I don't think it matters much whether you get the letter from your physician now or after your appointment. Either way, you will have to go back and get blood tests. I did not have my letter available at my first appointment, but sent it in after that, with other material. I was put under at 7:30 a.m. and first recall waking up at 9:00 a.m. I would guess (only guess) that I was out of surgery prior to 9:00 and was perhaps in and out as I was waking up. I used to be really nervous about anesthesia, so don't think there's anything abnormal about your worries. I think it's natural to have some worry because it's a situation over which we have no control. But the anesthesiologist I had at Morristown was wonderful and very reassuring. You may not have the same one but all the anesthesiologists at Morristown come from the same company. I accidentally missed my first appointment so I had to do the whole two weeks of liquids. Wahhh I started mushies last night (one meal early) and had no trouble, but I can eat a pretty fair a mount and I feel hungry again a little while later. This morning I had one cup of Malt-O-Meal (with milk and splenda) at 9:30 am and I'm already hungry again. :/

Hi Lisa. It's not hot to the touch and the discomfort hasn't spread beyond the area of the incision, but I did notice that a tiny part of the incision--about the size of the point on a thumbtack--has opened up. I will be going to the doctor in the morning for my regular post-surgery visit and I'll make sure to let him know what I'm experiencing. Thank you for being concerned! I hope yours gets better soon.

I have been under general anesthesia many many times (at least 7). I always seem to have a hard time "rousing" myself afterwards and I don't push it anymore. Once it wears off, I am usually fine and start getting up and everything; I recall after having my gallbladder out, they really pushed me to get up and walk around before I felt ready. They did not do that at Morristown at all. They were pretty patient about it, which was great. Also, I asked the anesthesiologist if it made any difference in post-anesthesiology recovery whether you were given a sedating drug before hand to "calm you down" and she said yes, that the effects of that drug can linger, making you a little more tired. So I asked not to have it. It's something they give you if you're anxious before anesthesia, but I really didn't feel anxious and if I did, it was only going to be another 15 minutes before I was out. The best part about anesthesia is when you are just waking up and they give you these incredibly toasty soft blankets. I want one of those blanket warmers for my house!

Leatha, I'm glad to hear that yours did feel better later. I'm hoping this is something that will go away with time (but a year!? Ack!) and your account is reassuring. Lisa, I have an appointment on Wednesday, never fear. I had one on the first but I missed it because my son was sick. I'm kind of glad though because at that point I had just chalked up the discomfort to surgery (which it still could be). My incision is red but not leaking, so I'm hoping it's not infected. Side ones are definitely in a bad spot because of waist bands and everything.

Hi! I had Dr. Bertha, too! Definitely do not bring your kids. I was required to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. and had to sit in a waiting room that had no magazines (maybe to minimize spread of germs?) for an hour before getting checked in. It went quickly after that, but it was definitely not something I would have wanted my kids around for (ages 13, 8, and 6). Actually I didn't even have my husband come until 11:30 or so. Also, after the surgery, they put you in this post-stage recovery room with a lot of other people who are recovering with just curtains between you. I'm not sure how old your children are, but younger children could be disruptive or distracting in this room? As for preparing your family, I guess every family is different. My husband was not enthusiastic about this. But he went from telling me it's nuts to "Whatever you feel you need to do" after I was put on medication for high blood pressure and diagnosed as borderline diabetic. I told him it was no longer about "appearance" for me but rather a very real concern about my life and longevity. Then I bombarded him with statistics on death rates for women from heart disease, etc. He has been pretty supportive since I've been home as he sees that it is actually working so far. And it's made me "force" everyone else to eat healthier also. I don't even buy white bread anymore and Cookies are out the window. As for my kids, I just told them the surgery is relatively easy and I'd be home that night but they'd have to be quiet. And I told them it was very important we all tried to eat healthier, because the bad things you eat can make bad things happen with your body. My six-year-old thought my incisions were "gross." My eight-year-old thought it was interesting and had a lot of questions and my thirteen-year-old, who is overweight and recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, is starting to understand the importance of eating better. At Burger King, he no longer orders a burger and fries but gets a chicken whopper with no mayo or cheese and a salad...and he's not complaining about it. (Fries have been his favorite food since he was two.) Good luck with your surgery! Morristown was pretty good, and there was one nurse there named Manny who was the best. I also thought my anesthesiologist was great. I was feeling well enough to sit up and watch a movie downstairs with my family the next day and my surgery was on Tues. and by the following Monday, I was driving and grocery shopping.

First, Lisa, congratulations on your weight loss. I think you're very pretty and I hope you're not offended but your picture reminds me of Lindsey Lohan. Second, and this is just something to think on and not anything of which I have any evidence whatsoever...but I was talking to my husband about this Dr. Lopez and the problems that people have been reporting. I also talked about how he's in Mexico and people get the banding done there because it's less expensive. One of the things my husband asked right away was "Is he using the same band?" His thought was that there could be a possibility that he's using a cheaper one that he's having made elsewhere which perhaps doesn't have the "purity" of materials, which is why (1) his surgeries are far less expensive; (2) he doesn't report his problems to Inamed; (3) he has more erosions; (4) your port is being rejected; and (5) your port has been "lost" before it could reach Inamed--unless that last one was a joke on your part. He would obviously have to order some ports from Inamed because they would know if he hadn't but my husband said he could drive down his costs by also using a cheaper non-Inamed band on some patients. Now Lopez wants to remove yours. If your body rejects the band eventually, you're going to have to have it removed. If Lopez doesn't remove it and some other doctor does, the band will find its way back to Inamed, who would then know if it's theirs or not. Of course it's all complete speculation but as my husband pointed out, all someone has to do is send one of these things to China or something and someone would come up with a way to make one. They don't look particularly complex. I apologize if this makes me come across as some sort of conspiracy nut. But everyone kept pointing out the high incidence of erosions and now Lisa's problem...and it just made me wonder what was going on and why this particular doctor was having so much trouble.

I had Dr. Bertha and was banded Nov. 23. I first saw him a year and a half ago, but my insurance--which was CIGNA--denied the surgery. Then my husband's employer switched to BC/BS--Empire. I was 5'7" and 285 pounds, with high blood pressure and borderline diabetic. So I resubmitted this Nov. The only "evidence" I had of being on a weight loss program were my Weight Watchers meeting booklets from way back, logging my progress. My family doctor was very helpful with his letter, and mentioned "prescribing Weight Watchers, Atkins Diet, and Meridia, all with no success." While he did tell me to try Weight Watchers (didn't help much) and then a lowfat version of Atkins (I lost 50 pounds and gained it back) and prescribed Meridia, which I took for one day because it made me sick, the diets weren't really "medically supervised." But BC/BS did not request any medical records to substantiate this. They just accepted my doctor's letter that he had prescribed these things. I also had my father write a letter detailing our family history of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes and expressing his personal concern for my health. I read that someone else did something like this and figured a personal touch couldn't hurt. The BC/BS nurse called me less than an hour after Dr. Bertha's office faxed my request, and she said "It was a very easy decision to approve you" and was extremely nice. So I think you'll have good luck, particularly if you have a co-morbidity. Newband, hi! I agree the liquid phase was very hard to survive (my last day is today). I haven't "cheated" exactly, but I've had some liquids that have a tiny bit of soft solids in them. Maggi makes a good Hot & Sour Soup mix. It's 35 calories per cup and has tiny little bits of mushy mushroom and tofu. I heat it to boiling and stir in one egg (like egg drop soup). It is pretty satisfying. Also, for my Protein I put whey Pro Protein powder in a blender/smoothie maker with 1 cup milk and 1 cup crushed ice (and Splenda). It's thicker and more pleasant to eat and helps me get in extra Water. The ice crunching makes me feel like I'm "eating" instead of drinking. I also have a really good recipe for a fairly smooth tortilla soup if you're interested. I ate that for two days straight. I also pureed clam chowder. I ate a few Yoplait Whips, the pina colada flavor. (I tried sugarless yogurt but it was icky). I also went out with my family twice and ordered egg drop soup once and cream of potato soup another time. So far, I'm down 13 pounds, although I went up one pound last night, which must be water retention because I definitely didn't eat anything differently or consume enough calories to gain a pound. I think some of the initial two week weight loss comes from emptying our digestive system of foods, in particular carbs, which hold water. One cup of water weighs 2/3 pound. So I think when people start mushies and gain a little or don't lose weight at first, it's because of the increased food matter inside their bodies and not real weight gain. Anyway, good luck to you Sonia and nice to meet some fellow New Jerseyeans.

...and I hate it. I was just banded on November 23, and maybe I will get used to it, but so far it's the only really unpleasant part of this procedure. If I am laying down on my back, I feel it every time I inhale. Also when I am sitting at my computer with "good posture" I start to feel a soreness there, as though something is pushing on it, and I have to lean back. I also feel it when I bend over and while lying on my left side. It's not pain exactly, but it's definitely discomfort. It's a feeling like something is "stuck" inside. I had not heard about skin soreness, but I have to say that is the only one of my incisions that is still sore. I am tempted to ask my doctor if there is any way to have the port moved if I can't get used to it. I am trying to imagine how I will exercise or do workouts; for example, you lie on your back to do bench presses; you sit erect to use the rowing machine; and forget about stomach curls. Other than that, everything has been great so far. Tomorrow I start mushies and I can't wait. Good luck with your surgery!

I began looking into getting a lap-band in June 2003. I originally had CIGNA insurance. I had no serious co-morbidities at the time but had a lengthy history of them in my family, including diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol--everything. They denied me and said in part because the lap band wasn't proven to be successful. I didn't appeal. Then we switched insurance companies to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. After several months of trying on my own and losing nothing, plus being put on medication for high blood pressure and being diagnosed with borderline diabetes, I contacted my surgeon and got the ball rolling again. Fortunately I didn't have to do the psych or nutrition appointments. I saw my surgeon on Nov. 1 and Blue Cross approved the procedure within an hour of getting the request from my doctor's office. It was amazing...and a relief. So I had my surgery on the 23rd. The only thing that may cost me out of pocket is the anesthesiologist. My surgeon works out of one hospital, and that hospital uses one group of anesthesiologists who do not take my insurance. The anesthesiologists insist my insurance should cover it, but Blue Cross says they'll only pay "usual and customary" and I'll be responsible for the rest. I'm not sure how much that will run, and it's a decision I will appeal since I had no choice in which anesthesiologist to use. My surgeon's office says Blue Cross/Blue Shield (in NY/NJ) is usually very good about approving this surgery. CIGNA is notoriously bad.

Hi! My surgeon's office recommended this board. They say that people who get lap-banded and take advantage of a "support network" on-line or in person have a greater success rate. So here I am, to take advantage of all of you. I was banded November 23rd. Mostly I feel better, although I have some pain where the port is located and when bending or stretching. I'm also really sick of cream of chicken Soup, and it hasn't even been five days! Ack! I have another 9 days of the liquid diet (after a 2-day clear diet), then two weeks of 'pureed' solids, then soft solids, then solids. I feel like I could eat solids now. I swallow my Vitamins and everything just fine. The only odd thing I've noticed so far is that sometimes, particularly when I haven't eaten for awhile, my stomach gives this kind of heave (not like I'm sick, more like a strangled hiccough) and it feels like the air gets caught in my chest and it aches for a few seconds then subsides. Could this be acid coming up but not quite reaching the top? I never taste any acid (it doesn't get that far), and I don't feel like I'm going to toss my Cookies (not that I'm eating any). It's just an uncomfortable feeling for a moment. But I figure if that remains my biggest problem, I'll consider myself lucky. I'm down eight pounds so far, which I realize is common in the first week of any 'weight loss program,' but a few people said they can already see it in my face, which is kind of nice! Also, my doctor's nutrition guide says "no straws." Any idea why we can't have straws? Thanks and I look forward to getting to know all of you and following your progress. I've already read a lot of your posts before adding mine. You seem like a nice group! Cat aka ShrinkingViolet

I appreciate the good wishes. Jack, you are so smart building up a support system before the surgery and learning about peoples' experiences with the band so you know what to expect! I only looked at the "official" literature and read some statistical studies; I neglected to explore the 'patient' side of things. The band's success rate in the US is not as good as it is in Europe, and I've been trying to figure out why and worrying that I won't be able to make mine successful. In looking at Inamed's literature, people with diabetes have significantly lower rates of success. I am borderline diabetic (definitely insulin resistant), so I'm a little scared of going through this and not losing weight. But I don't have unrealistic expectations either. If I get to 230, I'd be accepting and to 200, I'd be thrilled. It's funny...I remember as a skinny teenager when 150 seemed "huge" and now, 200 seems..."wow."

Hi Leatha! I didn't realize it's the employers who choose what to cover. The CIGNA we have here said WLS was covered, but just not for the Lap Band because they didn't feel it was "proven." My doctor took issue with this (of course), because it was approved by the FDA. And I might have had luck if I had appealed but since I had no co-morbidities at the time, I let it drop. And who's to say that BC/BS would not have been the same way if I had no co-morbidities? I suppose they might have been. Hi Alexandra! When our surgeons' office recommended this site, they mentioned that one of their Lap-band patients was a regular and someone who always attended the support group meetings. I only wrote down the last name, but I'll bet it was you! I had to take a pass on this month's meeting as it came the day after my surgery. I will think about next month's but I think they will be difficult for me because I live over an hour away. I really like Dr. Bertha, and I think the office is great in explaining things and working with the insurance company. I was in a meeting with the scheduler and she took a phone call from some patient's insurance rep., and she was really arguing with him about covering a service he needed that the doctor felt was necessary. She really went to bat for him. It reassured me a lot. Thanks for the information on NJ insurance. I will look into that in case I have to appeal. My insurance provider is out of NY, because my husband's company is in NY, so I hope they have to follow NJ laws for NJ patients. I'm clueless about this whole insurance thing. Congratulations on your successes so far! Cat