BandedBrunette481

I'm about a week away from the mushy stage myself so I've been gathering ideas too! I have a blog with a recipes page. Here's the link to the blended foods ideas if you want to check them out http://blissfullybanded.wordpress.com/blended-foods-aka-mushies/

I don't think it was too soon for mushy foods I just think you were eating too much in one sitting. My nutritionist said 1/4 - 1/2 cup per meal (with 4-6 meals per day), depending on when I feel full, but I shouldn't go over 1/2 cup per meal at this food stage. It doesn't sound like much, but you'd be eating every 2 hours or so instead of every 4 like you mentioned. It's easier on the band to eat small, frequent meals. As you are able to eat more filling foods, you gradually eat less meals per day because the food can sit longer in the pouch. Of course, every doctor has different instructions, and you should follow yours, but I think when you give mushies another go, you should try reducing the amount per meal. Don't be afraid!

I'm on day 7 of my pre-op diet and I promise you, its easier than you think it will be! You'll go through a wide range of feelings both in your head and body and you'll have to face your head hunger straight on for a while, but it gets easier the longer you do it. Stay strong everyone!

I'm super jealous of all of you that got to have actual food during your pre-op diet!!! My surgeon requires a 15 day, liquids only diet. I can only have protein shakes, jello, popsicles, broth, limited amounts of fruit juice, and decaf tea/coffee. I'm only on day 4 and it's hard lol

You can do it! I'm on day 4 of mine. I'd be lying if I said it was easy, but it's not SO much of a struggle that it's unbearable haha just stay busy! It helps. Good luck!!!

This is random, but my surgery date was originally scheduled for the same day as yours with the same surgeon! So weird haha mine got moved to the 18th because my pulmonologist didn't practice at St. Alexis, only Alexian Brothers, and they can't just give me a different one for whatever reason. Anyways, small world best of luck to you!

I had a feeling she wouldn't be very helpful! Lol. Adding peanut butter didn't do anything but give me indigestion and peanut butter flavored burps so I agree, it has to be the product! I'm part of a support group through a coworker (also banded) and when I told all of them what was going on they all agreed I should switch brands. They all were on different brands pre-op, so personally, I don't think it makes a difference if we don't use Bariatric Advantage. How are they ever going to know I didn't use it? Lol I know it's terrible to not follow doctor's orders but it seems crazy to keep making myself sick over a brand of Protein shakes! Good luck though. Keep me posted on how you're doing

I was JUST thinking about this today when I was folding my laundry. I was like "Wait...am I going to have to buy new underwear soon!?" Hahaha congrats on your nsv!

Like everyone else said, it varies based on your insurance provider, but I had a BMI of 39.2 during my first consult appointment and one comorbidity and I was told my insurance would not cover anything under 39.9 without two comorbidities (after the holidays had rolled around I gained a few pounds and finally qualified). If you want to self pay then your BMI would probably be fine. I'm not as certain about the qualifications needed for that. As far as doctors go, I suggest getting online and doing some research. I started by looking at the big hospitals in my area and then chose one that had good credentials and good surgeons. My hospital was awarded/recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, so basically they are known for doing good work. I didn't have a specific surgeon in mind, I was just placed with mine. I was ok with that because they all had great reputations and skill sets (yeah, I googled them!) Some people want specific surgeons though. The road to weight loss surgery can be long and daunting, but it's all worth it in the end good luck with everything!

I'm also a Kane Center patient (day 4 of my diet) and am experiencing the same thing with the Bariatric Advantage shakes!! They make me feel bloated and nauseous no matter how or what I mix them with. I even tried almond milk, as Donna suggested for a sensitive stomach and it was still bad! I couldn't stand feeling like I was going to throw up all the time. I switched to Premier Protein shakes. They have pretty close to the same nutritional content as the Bariatric Advantage shakes I didn't exactly ask if it was ok though...I started feeling sick the 2nd day at it was a weekend so no one was in the office. I just switched because I felt it was the right choice. I'm interested to see what Donna had to say though if you called?

I started my pre-op diet yesterday and I have been plagued with nausea since I drank my first shake. My surgeon's office requires us to buy Bariatric Advantage protein shakes and I'm not fond of the taste or texture and they make me feel nauseous and bloated. I actually feel better when I don't drink them, so at this point I prefer to eat nothing than trying to force the shakes down. I've mixed and blended them with different fruits and it's still not helping. Constantly feeling like I'm going to throw up is getting old....Any suggestions?

Yeah. They definitely taste better when blended with ice and fruit but I still get SO nauseous after I drink them

That's so awesome!! I blog about my weight loss journey in the hopes that I'll inspire someone just like you have. I bet it's a great feeling congrats on all of your success!

Congrats!! I just found out a few days ago that my surgery date will be February 18th so I'm in the same boat, all full of butterflies and excitement! It's a great feeling knowing that you're taking control of your life and getting healthy and not looking back isn't it?

I just started my pre-op diet yesterday and my surgeon's office has its patients buy Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes right from their office. If you have a choice of shakes, I would try some of the more popular ones like Unjury! The Bariatric Advantage ones aren't that great, in my opinion. My doctor did give me a packet with some recipes in it though and they are pretty good! You're going to get bored of the shakes on their own pretty fast, so these recipes offer some good variety. Here's a link to it if you want to check it out https://workspaces.acrobat.com/?d=RjvpzKsxUkKFBtNXhC2WLw

Thanks for all the compliments! I might post this again in different forums just to get the word out to more people who might need it!

My dietitian said pretty much the same thing. That it's because it takes up too much room in your stomach and causes too much gas and pressure. Plus, it messes with your eating habits! It's no good if you're filling up on soda and have no room for water, protein, and other things your body actually needs!

Congrats!!! Wishing you all the best!

I'm towards the end of my pre-op stage right now, hoping to get my LapBand surgery in late February. I think it's hard for everyone because, to some degree, we all have a co-dependency on food. It's an unhealthy relationship that has to be dealt with though and I think a LapBand is going to be a great tool to help with that! I'm looking forward to actually feeling full and satisfied for once, among all the other health benefits I had many of the same doubts that you did but what really helped me was reading stories about people who have been successful long term. Seeing that they were once just like me and were able to turn their lives around gave me so much hope! Here's the links to their blogs if you want to check them out. Wishing you the best of luck in your journey!! LapBand Gal: http://lapbandgalsjourney.blogspot.com/ Amy: http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/ BandedWendy (video blog): http://www.youtube.com/user/bandedwendy ChicagoRose: http://mybandemonium.blogspot.com/ My blog is linked in my signature if you want to check that out as well. But i'm still pre-op so I don't know if I'll be as inspirational haha

I chose the band over the sleeve for many of the same reasons other people have said. I'm not getting my stomach cut or removed and my intestines are staying in place. I also liked that it can be reversed if anything goes wrong. I also don't have as much weight to lose as some patients so the slower weight loss from the band wasn't an issue (other surgeries have faster results and/or the possibility of losing more weight, according to my surgeon). The band requires going in for fills to get it working properly for me. Which I think is a plus, that it's adjustable. It is possible for the band to slip, as you mentioned. It can happen for a lot of reasons. Over eating too often can stretch the stomach and lead to slipping. Throwing up too much (which is not supposed to happen) can lead to slipping as well and the vomiting is usually caused by overeating, not chewing properly, illness, or a too tight band. All of the surgeries have their complications. All you can do is think about what would be best for you! The main things to consider: -How much weight do you have to lose? -How fast do you want to lose it? -Do you want something that is reversible or not? -Are you willing to have more follow up care? (for the LapBand) -What fits best with your lifestyle? I hope this helps a little and I wish you the best of luck

So the other night I had to go to a dietary instruction class to get some info on the post-op diet requirements and a nurse came in to talk to us about our hospital stay as well (my surgeon requires and overnight stay). The class was a mix of people getting different bariatric surgeries so all of the information she gave us didn't always apply to me. She mentioned that before surgery we would get a Lovenox (blood thinner) injection to help prevent blood clots and that after surgery we would have to give ourselves Lovenox injections for two weeks. My mom is a medical assistant and she said that didn't make sense. Perhaps it was specific to the other bariatric surgeries, not band patients and the nurse forgot to mention it? Did anyone else who have to do two weeks of injections after surgery?? Thanks in advance for any input you have!

Wow! And I thought my 3 months from first seminar to surgery was short! I say count yourself lucky, and just read up on it as much as you can What I have found helpful in getting ready for surgery is reading other people's stories. You'll start to notice all the similarities and differences and it will give you a good general idea of what you can expect. This is a great forum to read stories and seek out information on a certain topic. Here are some blogs by some really inspiring women who tell their stories in detail: LapBand Gal: http://lapbandgalsjourney.blogspot.com/ Amy: http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/ ChicagoRose: http://mybandemonium.blogspot.com/ BandedWendy (video blog): http://www.youtube.com/user/bandedwendy Feel free to check out my blog as well. I'm still pre-op but I think it's still worth checking out the link is below in my signature

Well, I'm still pre-op and I'm getting down to my last few appointments before surgery now and I'm getting so anxious!! My surgeon's office won't give me a surgery date until I'm cleared by the pulmonologist and the pulmonologist won't clear me until I do a sleep study. I have my sleep study scheduled for this Saturday. I really was hoping for a February surgery date but now it is looking more like March, depending on how long clearance takes! I'm wondering if anyone else out there had a similar experience? How long did it take you to get clearance from the pulmonologist after your sleep study?

Thanks everyone! I'm not nervous about it anymore I'm actually kind of looking forward to finding out if sleep apnea is the cause of my constant tiredness! Those of you who posted about how good you sleep with your CPAP machines made me feel a lot better about it!

There's a really great blog full of recipes run by a woman who had gastric bypass years and years ago that I came across. She has some really awesome stuff, so check it out http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/