SuzanneG

Holy Crap, that is a big decision. I hate to say I would self pay (since I was insurance), but I think it would be really risky with someone who's never done one. Best of luck to you.

Sounds like they really scraped your throat with the breathing tube. That sucks. I don't know what would help that other than throat spray maybe. I had the thirst problem for the first 2 days. My mouth was so dry I couldn't even talk. The only thing that seemed to help me was ice chips and popsickles. How are you feeling otherwise? Suzanne

I have to admit, I was a little dissappointed with my recovery. I had my surgery Friday, the 4th. When I woke up in the recovery room, I noticed immediately that it hurt to take a deep breath. They were quick to control the pain. I was BCBS so I was spending the night, I thought I was doing great. They had me on morphine pump then Tordol, zero pain, I was racing around the floor like nothing happened. When I went home the next morning, I didn't even fill my pain meds, big mistake. By mid afternoon I was in significant pain, under my left rib cage and my left shoulder hurt with every breath. I've had 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy and I don't remember being this uncomfortable. I had planned to go back to work on Monday but just wasn't up to it. Here it is Tuesday and I'm still home. I went to the drug store today and getting in and out of the car netted me a couple of very nice, very deep burps and that seems to have helped. I think I have a couple more stoved up in there, but I'm going to try to go to work tomorrow. I'm so SICK of supplements and sweet. I felt like a rebel today so I had tomato Soup for lunch. That did wonders for my mood. I was starting to feel depressed, but eating human food for lunch was decadent. I'm still glad I did it, but I was a bit overly optomisitc about the immediate results. Good luck to you.

Good luck! I'm scheduled for the 4th. Will check back often. Suzanne

My surgery is scheduled for this Friday, the 4th. I had the same problem until my Dr. put me on a pre-op diet. I was totally out of control and first few days on liver shrinking diet were hell, but I made it through and am actually feeling much better. My blood sugar is finally under control and I am off caffeine and sugar. Having said that, I’m totally freaked out about the post-surgery diet; it’s not that hard drinking 2 shakes a day and one controlled meal, but to have to eat food 3x a day? I’m nervous about being able to do that. Sounds crazy huh? Good luck with your surgery, I’ll be watching for you on the other side! Suzanne

I'm currently on the pre-op diet. DH says he's afraid to even cause the microwave to ding for fear of upsetting me. LOL Yesterday he managed to sneak and eat soup and sandwich without me even noticing. Not that I'm a shrew or anything, I don't begrudge the man sustenance, I just don’t want to have to see and smell it. He did say he’s giving up sodas as a show of solidarity. He’s trying to be supportive, but that man loves to eat. My surgery is this Friday and I’m starting to freak out a little. I’ve had plenty of surgeries before (2 c-sections, hysterectomy, mastectomy), but this one is different, it’s life altering. I’m nervous. Suzanne

Chrisann, Good luck to you Monday. I'll be cheering for you. Suzanne

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hate my ex too! I'm finally done with him. Our youngest turned 18 in Sept. He's at Navy boot camp now, so I'll have to see jackass Jan 25th at graduation. :-( I agree with Jack. You should be able to call the insurance company directly and ask them to send you the EOBs. Since your daugther is covered, you have a right to ask for them as her parent. Good luck to you.

Chrisann, You are absolutely right! That's why I mix mine with a scoop of unjury. I tried just the Carnation Instant breakfast a couple of weeks ago as a test and my sugar tanked well before my next meal. I couldn't do it with just the Carnation. The reason I add it to the Unjury instead of that alone is because Carnation has some Fiber in it and I thought that would be helpful. Suzanne

Hi Megan, Nice to meet you! I heard that the vanilla and strawberry unjury aren't that good. I bought unflavored, chocolate, and chicken flavored (this one is a nice break from the sweet). I use a hand blender (electric on that you stick down in the glass). It blends up really smooth. I like it. I'm going to try another one that is in my paperwork, it's at The Vitamin Shop. I'll let you know how that goes. I'm being banded in Richmond, VA. I'm so glad I found this forum. Suzanne

UPDATED LIST: Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3 Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl Jan 15 Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber

The soup sounds like it was a good choice. Good job! I went on my pre-op diet Saturday the 22nd and have about the same experience as you. I too ate a reasonable plate of food on Christmas (nurse said it would be OK). Here's what I have been having and the results. Breakfast - 10 oz skim milk with 1 scoop unjury Protein powder and sugar free Carnation Instant breakfast. lunch - 1 scoop chicken flavored Unjury made with 8 oz Water 10 baby carrots Snack - 1 Light Yogurt dinner - 4 oz lean meat 1 cup veggies Snack - Sugar Free popsicle Pre-op Appt = 225 (with clothes) Today = 217 (without clothes) The first few days I was so weak and lightheaded and my sugar dropped several times (I'm hypoglycemic). I seem to have adjusted now. My surgery is Jan 4th. When's yours? Suzanne

Hi, I went to my first appointment in August and after months of fighting insurance and then Dr. scheduler, I'm finally scheduled for surgery. Just wanted to see if anyone else out there is scheduled the same day and how you are doing on your pre-op diet. Cheers! Suzanne

I have BCBS federal. I started in August 07 and was approved in October. I was initially denied, probably within a month, then took almost 2 months to gather my letters of support from all my docs. Then I wrote 2 letters of appeal to BCBS, 1-medical, 1-emotional. My surgeon forwarded the entire package to BCBS and I received my answer back within a week! Then I had to wait 3 months for my doctor to schedule me. It has been a frustrating experience, but I'm happy to report that I am scheduled for surgery Jan 4th. If anybody needs sample appeal letters, I'll be more than happy to share. Suzanne

Hi, I am scheduled for surgery next Friday, Jan 4th. I'm not a heavy drinker, but do like to have a few at the occasional party. I'm having a New Year's Eve party and was thinking about maybe having 2 Diet Coke and Crown Royal or something like that. My paperwork says no alchohol 7 days prior to surgery. I called the Dr. office and they just said, abide by whatever your paper said. My question is, is it just because of the sugar/calories or will it actually do something to my liver that would compromise my surgery? Suzanne

My BMI was 35.1 when I first started trying to get approved. I got denied because I didn't have heart disease, lung disease or sleep apnea. By the time I wrote my appeal letter, I had gained a few pounds and my BMI was 36.7. I had to write a letter of appeal to BCBS. I wrote a letter of medical need, then a letter of emotional need, then I gathered letters of support from my GP, GYN, Podiatrist, and Gastrointerologist. Then my bariatric surgeon sent the entire package through with his endorcement. BCBS called me directly and said my letter was amazing and that they decided to approve me. If you have to appeal, I'd be happy to share my letters with you, just post your email and I'll send them to you directly. Good Luck! Suzanne

My BMI was 35.1 when I first started trying to get approved. I got denied because I didn't have heart disease, lung disease or sleep apnea. By the time I wrote my appeal letter, I had gained a few pounds and my BMI was 36.7. I had to write a letter of appeal to BCBS. I wrote a letter of medical need, then a letter of emotional need, then I gathered letters of support from my GP, GYN, Podiatrist, and Gastrointerologist. Then my bariatric surgeon sent the entire package through with his endorcement. BCBS called me directly and said my letter was amazing and that they decided to approve me. If you have to appeal, I'd be happy to share my letters with you, just post your email and I'll send them to you directly. Good Luck! Suzanne

I had to write a letter of appeal and BCBS actually called me and said they had never seen one like mine before. It took me months, but I gathered letters of support from my GP, Gastrointerologist, podiatrist, and GYN, then wrote a medical centric letter and an emotional centric letter. BCBS loved it. I'd be happy to send them to you if you want to post your email address. Good Luck! Suzanne

Trying to figure this out myself. I also can't figure out why it's underlining my text where I'm putting my dates. I try to unselect the underline icon but it won't. I'm on my 5th day of liquid diet. I'm hungry.:think

My doctor told me that they don't go straight through. Liquids build up, like if you were pouring water in a funnel, if you pour too fast, it will overflow, you have to give it time to get through the narrow opening.

My 2 week pre-op diet consists of 2 liquid meals, then 4 oz of protien and 1 cup of veggies a day. I'm allowed 10 baby carrots or 1/2 apple and 1 yogurt for a snack. I asked my Dr. about cheating on Christmas dinner and they said it would be ok to cheat a little. My BMI is 37. I have stuck to it faithfully except for Christmas dinner. I had about 1 oz of ham, and then one spoonfull of the rest which I lightened up already. My daugther thought I was making a mistake, but I tried to be careful and not get too full. My next hurdle will be New Year's Eve. We're having a party. My daughter thinks it would be OK if I had just a couple of diet coke and Crown Royal. I wonder if that little bit of alchohol would affect my liver? Suzanne

Be careful cutting or crushing pills. Many pills are time release and shouldn't be crushed. If they have a score on them, that means they can be cut in half, if its not there, then they don't intend for you to cut them. I'm scheduled for surgery Jan 4th and I'm pretty nervous. I went and bought liquid Vitamins and liquid Tylenol in case I want something for pain when I get home. Also, I ordered the unjury protien powder, it's pretty good. They make one that is chicken Soup flavor so I don't have to have only sweets. I'm on a liquid, liver shrinking, diet for 2 weeks and it's been hard. I'm looking forward to getting to the other side. Good luck to you!