BobbieDoll

Alice, I weighed about the same as you when I had my surgery. Seems the weight comes off slower. I have lost 20 pounds. (No pre-op diet required). Even though I am following the doc's instructions, exercising and drinking water, my weightloss is soooo s l o w. How are you feeling? I love my band! Just wish I could lose a little faster.

lhallab, I also had a BMI of 37 and was denied by my insurance company, Cigna, because I didn't have co-morbidities. Since you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you are a better candidate than I. My doctor called and requested a peer-to-peer with the insurance doctor. I was approved immediately that same day of the phone call. Have your doctor call and set up a peer-to-peer. Your insurance company will call your doctor's office and he/she can plead your case. I was told that after I start the appeal process, a peer-to-peer would not be an option so be sure to do that first. Your doctor's office has to set it up. Good luck. Don't give up.

I disagree. If you can't get through one day of clear liquids, how are you going to make it through the next two days? And how about the stages that you have to go through after the surgery? The next couple of days will be a test. If you can't do it, then you are not ready for the surgery. This takes some committment on your part. I don't think anyone should pat your hand and tell you it is ok. You are putting yourself at risk. You need to have an empty stomach and empty colon going into surgery. It is not just to shrink the liver.

My first fill is Tuesday. I have been looking forward to the day and hope I notice a change. What feels different after a fill? Do you still have to work at not feeling hungry?

Originally I was going to have surgery in July (was able to have it in April) and these are some July names I had thought of: Ruby Red Rebels Magnificent Sevens Summer Swans

Hey Violets! I peeked at your pictures and it looks like you had a blast! I was banded this April 08 so I am not a Shrinking Violet but if you come to Colorado next year, I would like to come meet ya all!

I wanted to share this with anyone who is interested. It is info that I got from my doctor. Thought it may help those who are in the first few weeks, like me. BANDLIFE... THE BEGINNING (FIRST 4 TO 6 WEEKS) Healing Key points about healing Take it easy, because your number one job in the coming weeks is to heal. You'll also break from some of your old habits and take on some new ones. How does the band work? The band is connected by a thin tube to an access port. Your access port sits just under your skin. Almost all surgeons leave the band empty after placing it because your stomach is swollen from the operation. There's already a natural tightness around the "stoma" (the opening between the upper and lower stomach). If the band was filled, food would have a hard time passing through the stoma. As the swelling goes down, you'll most likely need an adjustment (or a "fill"). Healing do's and don'ts Right now, your stomach is sewn over the band. As you heal, the tissue around your stomach will form scars, which anchor the band in place to help keep it from slipping. As your band settles in, there are some things you can do to make sure it doesn't slip: Do NOT do any heavy-duty exercise or lifting (like kids or bags of groceries) in the first few weeks after surgery. You don't want to strain yourself. DO get up and around as much as you can. After surgery, keeping your blood flowing will help prevent blood clots or pneumonia. Go ahead and take a walk. It will also help move some of that gas you're probably feeling in your belly. DO stick to the liquids-only diet as long as your doctor asks you to. Typically, this lasts for the first 2 weeks because eating things that can make you throw up or make your stomach churn as it tries to digest thicker food can cause the band to slip. Do NOT take a bath, swim, or soak in any Water until your cuts are healed over. You don't want to run the risk of getting an infection. Most doctors say to wait at least 1 week. But ask if it's OK to shower. Do NOT smoke after surgery. Smoking slows down the blood flow all over your body and slows down the healing process. The general rule about healing is "slowly but surely." Going back to work Most people go back to desk jobs in about 1 week, sometimes sooner. If your work is more physically demanding, you'll want to take more time. If you feel tired or feel any pain, do NOT push it. During this time you should call your doctor if something feels wrong. Call if you: Notice that your surgical area becomes red, unusually warm or tender There's drainage oozing You have a fever of 101° F or higher Have serious belly pain Are dizzy Are short of breath Have bad nausea and are vomiting If you need to go to the hospital, tell them that you have a LAP-BAND and show them your patient ID card. Then make sure they call your surgeon. Eating and Drinking While your stomach is healing, you have to be extra careful and extra gentle. You'll have to start listening to your body in a new way to see how it feels and what it needs. There are 3 eating phases following your procedure, and you should speak with your doctor about how long each one should last for you. Phase 1: Clear liquids These are liquids that you can see through, such as: Water Sugar-free juice without pulp Tea Strained broth Do NOT drink anything carbonated. Sodas and seltzer water can bloat and stretch your pouch. Stick to Clear Liquids as long as your doctor instructs. "Full liquids" are things like skim milk, low-fat yogurt without chunks of fruit, blended Soups, Protein Drinks, and anything low-fat and low-sugar that you can sip through a straw. Some doctors will keep you on full liquids for the first 2 weeks. But the amount of time in any one phase can vary. So find out what your doctor wants you to do. Phase 2: Soft foods This includes foods that are low-fat, moist, and mushy. You want to stay away from anything chunky, chewy, stringy, or solid that can get stuck inside the stoma. Your masher, food processor, or blender will come in handy. Good breakfasts are: Cooked cereal Eggs Ripe bananas Lunches and dinners include: Low-fat cottage cheese Soft broiled fish Mashed potatoes In this phase you'll need to take really tiny bites and chew them well. You want to make sure your food goes down easily. But successful weight loss won't happen if you stay in this phase too long. Soft, mushy foods that are high in calories or that you are eating all day long can keep your weight on. Phase 3: Solid food Regular, solid, but well-chewed food that's high in Protein stays in your pouch longer and gives you a full feeling sooner. Your doctor may or may not want you to eat solid food before the first adjustment. Please ask so you know for sure. Drinking You want to stay hydrated, so drink water in slow sips. Cold water can cause your stomach to spasm, so try water that's room temperature or warm. When you move into the soft food phase, get into the habit of drinking between meals and not before, during, or right after you eat. You don't want to wash food through your stoma. What's Next Even though your goal is to lose at least half of your excess weight in the first year, do not expect to lose much weight during the first 4 to 6 weeks. Some people do lose weight, but others don't. Don't get discouraged if you don't see the pounds fly off right away. As the swelling goes down in your stomach, your stoma will naturally widen and you may not get that full-feeling signal. You'll see big changes once your band is fine-tuned with a fill or several fills, and once you're eating solids, especially protein, you'll feel full faster. Right now it's most important to stick with your instructions, ask questions if you don't know the answer, and pay attention to how you're feeling.

I didn't know that it was not good to exercise too much at this stage. Does anyone know how many stitches we have inside of us?

Just got home from Vegas. The .99 shrimp cocktail downtown at the Golden Gate was fantastic! Have fun!

I was on clear liquids for a couple of days and then added protein shakes. During the clear liquid stage, I drank Isopure. Then when I could have other liquids I bought the chocolate Whey powder at Walmart and mixed it with skim milk in the Bullet. This morning I added a little coffee to the shake. Tomorrow I am adding a banana. The Whey powder has a lot of protein. It tastes so much better than Isopure.

I am very happy that I chose Dr. Snyder. I came home from surgery feeling no pain. You can email him and he answers. I feel very comfortable with him. He has many support groups and seminars. Next week I go to a soft food seminar and then a solid food seminar. Check out the classes on denverbariatrics.com

I was banded just a couple of weeks ago. My insurance denied the surgery the first time and to tell the truth, I was somewhat relieved because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do something so drastic. Then I was approved and had to make a decision. I decided to go through with it. The day of the surgery I felt kind of down because I still didn't know if I really wanted to live with a lapband. Now, I am so happy I did this. I feel totally normal. No pain. Just have less of an appetite. Eventually I will be able to eat anything, just in smaller portions. Not only am I eating healthier, but my husband is too because he eats the same meals, just more of it. I am so much more into choosing healthy foods. I know I will feel a little hungry up until the first fill but that is ok. It is nothing like the hunger I use to have when on a diet. I am committed to this new lifestyle and I love it! I have three things that I must do: follow the doctor's meal plan, drink Water, and exercise. It is great to feel so excited! I really am looking forward to the future! If you are doing well on the supervised diet, that just means you will do well after the surgery.

This is how it was explained to me: The first few weeks after surgery is critical in allowing the band to adhere firmly to the stomach. There is a wound where the band is attached with stitches. Eating solid food will cause the stomach muscles to churn. Slippage of the band can occur if everything isn't positioned correctly.

My doctor told me that same thing. The reason it is important to follow the plan is because the stomach has not healed yet and should not be churning. I was told I can't have even one bite of solid food yet. My surgery was 4-24. I hope you got back on track.

I was on clear liquids for 2 days before surgery. Banded 6-24 and have lost a total of 10 pounds. I am thrilled!

My instructions were 5 to 7 days of liquids and Protein Shakes. Next I can add any of these 5 items: (1 ounce at a time, 2 to 3 hours apart) refried Beans, sugar-free pudding, low-fat yogurt, egg beaters, low-fat cottage cheese. Next I go on soft foods but don't know what they are. I have to go to a soft foods class next week. I am suppose to get 65 grams of Protein per day. Lots of Water. I drink a bottle of Isopure, which is 30 grams. I mix whey powder in skim milk and blend it in the Magic Bullet. Taste like a chocolate shake. Whey has 23 grams of protein in one scoop. I use 1 1/2 scoops. I have not been hungry. I ate an ounce of refried beans this evening and it filled me up.

The Magic Bullet works great. It is easy to use and easy to clean.

I felt the same way. My surgery was last Thursday, 4-24 and I wondered if this decision was too drastic. I never had a feeling of excitement since the insurance approval. The day of the surgery, I felt sad. Now just 2 days later, I love my band already! I am glad I did this. The surgery was so quick and hardly any pain. I am absolutely not hungry. Yes, I can lose weight without being banded. I have done it many times. Problem is, the weight always comes back. There are alot of compaints on this site but I think the majority of people who are happy about being banded, don't come here and post. I am excited now! Bet you will be too when it all over.

I was banded yesterday and had been feeling a little nervous, wondering if I made the right decision. Today, I am soooo glad I did this. The surgery was a breeze. Very little pain. It went much better than I thought. I worried about it for a couple of weeks. I could dance a jig. That's how good I feel. Instead I think I will go take a nap; probably a better thing to do. Good luck! Let us know how it goes for you.

Congratulations! That is great news! I got my surgery date. It is April 24th. I have gone from excitement to being nervous. It is coming up so soon. My doc only requires 2 days of liquids so that is a plus.

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It is 38 so I had to have at least one co-morbidity (that word sounds creepy) to qualify. You should qualify since you are 40. I am betting that you will get approval. Maybe we will be having surgery around the same time.

I completed all of Cigna's requirements and my surgeon sent the paperwork in on 3/3. He told me that I would get a letter from Cigna telling me they needed more information but just to ignore it. He also told me that if I call Cigna, they will tell me they didn't have any of my paperwork. All of those things happened. Then about 2 weeks later, I found out I was denied due to not showing "co-morbidity - such as a serious cardiopulmonary problem, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease or pulmonary hypertension -that have failed to respond adequately to appropriate medical management". I didn't know what to do next. The letter said my doctor would need to appeal. Everytime I called Cigna, I got someone else, each person telling me something different. On the internet I found an appeal form for Cigna but it says that if you are appealing a sugery denial, to fill out a stage one something or another. So again I called Cigna and was lucky enough to get someone who knew what they were doing. She told me if I appeal, I could not go back and do a peer-to-peer. She advised me to do a peer-to-peer first and if that didn't work, appeal. Yesterday I called my PCP's office and asked the medical assistant if she would call Cigna and ask how to go about setting up a peer-to-peer with my doctor. (That is a direct phone call between my PCP and a Cigna doctor to discuss why I should have the surgery. I doubt if my PCP even knows who I am. I always went to the PA so I didn't know how this was going to work out.) Later on in the day, I answered the phone and it was the PA calling. She said she was going to put me on speakerphone so we could discuss the situation. Then she told me I was approved. There was alot of cheering in the background, from the other staff members. Wow! They called Cigna, was able to set up a peer-to-peer that day. She explained to the Cigna doctor that the surgery was medically necessary and they approved it! She told them I couldn't walk very far without having to stop and rest. That was the co-morbidity. I can't tell you how important it is to have a doctor, or in my case, a PA, who will help you get the insurance approval. I have the all important approval number and will get my surgery date on Monday. :thumbup:YIPPEE! :thumbup:

I have access plus. Why were you denied? Dealing with the insurance company has been very frustrating. Good luck to you getting approved this time.

At the pre-opt class, my doctor told us that is we cheat, we will have the surgery rescheduled.