PATCHELTON

I was banded 3/25. My BMI was about 37/38 and I had elevated liver enzymes on my cholesterol blood work. Surgeon said it could mean a fatty liver rather than reaction to cholesterol med. I was put on full liquids (included: broth, yogurt, fat/sugar free Jello, fat/sugar free popsicles, cream Soups, Protein drinks, fat/sugar free pudding, plus a small amount of lean protein--I used unbreaded chicken tenders and hardboiled eggs--to ease me into the liquid diet). Four days before surgery liquids only. I ended up doing it for 3 weeks because I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week, not enough time to go off and back on the liquids, so I just stayed on it for another week, plus 2 weeks post. I had increased my exercise, adding walking to Curves, and by surgery I had lost around 35 pounds and since about another 20. I found I do boring diets really well because I didn't have to think about what I had to eat. I was somewhat hungry during the day at work, but I had prepared myself to be, saving my lean protein for the evening when I was most likely to overeat. The dietician wasn't crazy about the liquid diet but she said it is to shrink the liver to make surgery easier, and to jump start the weight loss. But not everyone is put on it, even in my surgeon's office. I am glad I did it because it prepared me for the 2 weeks post-op.

I was banded 3/25/08 and the strips stayed on for over a week. They were half on and half off, so I took off the top ones at first, then a day or two later gently took off the ones over the incisions. I was going crazy with an itchy rash (reaction to the tape) and my skin felt so much better. Everything looked healed, so I soap it good in the shower, and a couple times put anti-itch cream or lotion on the rash but not over the incision. That and an occasional anti-allergy pill (Chlortrimeton) that is used for itchiness. It is getting much better. That is the only big problem I have had.

I agree with those who say that we all lose at different rates, and I don't know that speed is of the essence, as already stated, because we didn't gain the weight overnight, why worry about losing it overnight. In my case, I was banded 3/25/08. My doctor put me on a full liquid (includes Protein shakes, yogurt, sugar/fat free jello/pudding/popsicles, cream Soups, broths) diet with a small amount of lean protein to ease the transition, then four days before surgery liquids only. Post op 2 weeks full liquids, 2 weeks mushies, then slowly transition to regular food, depending on tolerance. I ended up spending 3 weeks pre op because I caught a cold and they postponed my surgery a week. I had mentally prepared myself that I would be hungry somewhat during the day, and I saved my lean protein for the evening when I tended to eat the most. I had unbreaded chicken tenders that I grilled on a small George Foreman grill and hard cooked eggs as my lean protein treat. I would have 2 tenders or 2 eggs. I had increased my exercise from just Curves to walking in a nearby park (for distance, not so much for speed--I carry peanuts and stop to feed the squirrels). By the time I started the liquids the weight was already starting to drop some, but it picked up steam with the diet. The dietician said it was to jump start the weight loss and prepare me for the post op diet. By the time I had surgery I had lost around 40 pounds and it is still coming off. I entered Onederland this morning (weight below 200). I weighed in at 199.2. I am delighted and it really helped my motivation to see the weight drop. I started at 252 last June (had to do a 6 month diet for insurance--lost all of 10 pounds on that) and my goal is 150, so I am well on my way. If you are comitted to the process, and doing what the dietician tells you, I think you can lose 100 pounds with the band. You will get out of it what you put into it.

I was also banded on 3/25 and other than feeling like I have been punched in the stomach, I am doing well. I have a little diarrhea which I will call the doc about on Monday (it is a nice change from before where I was constipated all the time) and am learning how fast I can drink Water (very small sips, slowly), needed Gas-X once but on the whole I can't complain. My sister who had RNY a couple years ago was impressed with how well I am doing. I had a full liquid diet for 2 weeks before (actually ended up being 3 weeks because I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week) and am on full liquids for 2 weeks post, then 2 weeks mushies, then real food. The liquid diet really jump started my weight loss and got me used to eating a smaller amount, so hopefully when I go back on regular food I will be able to handle it ok.:thumbup:

I was just banded 3/25 and I dont have trouble with protein shakes. I haven't been putting ice in them though, just skim milk. I do have to drink slower. And with water, I definitely have to drink very small sips and drink slower, or I get that feeling of air in my chest and the need to have a minor belch.

I was banded on Tues 3/25, and I have noticed that I have to take very small sips of water or I have the feeling of fullness and have to do baby belches to relieve. It is not pain, just the feeling I need to belch. Yesterday evening I felt a bit gassy so I took Gas-X and that took care of it. Even tried runny oatmeal (it is on my full liquid diet--anthing that can be swallowed without chewing) that was more milk than oatmeal and that went down okay. So other than feeling like I have been punched in the stomach or the aftermath of 900 situps, I am doing pretty well. My sister, who had RNY a couple years ago, was impressed with how well I am doing, and I am 63 years old. Not bad for an old gal!

My preference is Worldwide Protein Shakes. They come in 21 g or 35 g protein, vanilla and chocolate. They are much lower in fat than Atkins (1g for WW and 9g for Atkins), only have 1 sugar and to me they taste better. They are found at Trader Joe's.

The ones at Trader Joes mentioned above are called Worldwide Pure Protein Shakes. Come in 21g protein and 35g. Website promotes as sports drink, and can says not for weight loss, but Brigham Womens Hospital has it on their approved list of protein drinks. It is 160-170 cal, little to no fat, 2g fiber, 1 sugar. Doesn't have a lot of vitamins like Atkins, but my dietician has me taking a multi, B-12 sublingual, and calcium, so I don't worry about it. It has 70% of calcium and 2% iron, that is about it. I think it tastes better than Atkins, plus has more protein. If you don't have a Trader Joe's nearby go to Worldwide Sport Nutrition for store locator. Just remember they promote it as a workout drink only.

I have told my coworkers. I didn't initially but actually they are more supportive than my family. One sister I didn't tell at all (she is the "just stop eating" type). My other sister had RNY and has been helpful, but recently she said all I talk about is lapband, forgetting that she spent a great deal of time talking about her journey around the time of her surgery. But she is babysitting me for a day or so after surgery, and my neighbor, who is German--thin and very disciplined, surprised me by being supportive and is feeding my cats while I am in the hospital and at my sisters. I didn't tell her right away but am glad now that I did. However I was at a cat show last weekend talking to two friends and remarked that one looked like she had lost weight. The other went on about how she should look that way. She lost 55 pounds with Weight Watchers, which is terrific, but I didn't think it was such a great time to mention WLS (people tend to think easy way out) so I didn't tell them. I kind of take it one person at a time in whether I tell them.

My surgery is 3/18, and I am on a 2 week pre-op diet. Full liquids (which includes: Atkins Advantage drinks-available at Target/Walmart, EAS Advantage-powder that is mixed-same locations, Worldwide Protein Shakes-available at Trader Joe's, lots of online stuff you probably don't have time to send for like Unjury, Nectar; I can also have low-fat yogurt, broths, cream soups, tea, coffee, fruit juice diluted 50% with water, sugar-free jello, sugar free popsicles, and to ease me into all liquids, a small amount of lean protein-for that I eat 2 hardboiled eggs, or a couple chicken tenders from Costco which are unbreaded--the serving size on the bag is 4oz and that is about a tender and a half). I take the ready made drinks to work, having mentally prepared myself to be somewhat hungry all day, and in the evening when I would tend to overeat, I have the warm stuff, like broth and the eggs, or cream of chicken soup with a couple tenders and 2 popsicles. Doing that seems to satisfy me, at least in the evening. In the morning when I wake up I am hungry as a bear again. I am losing almost a pound a day. I may disappear before surgery!LOL! I lost 10 pounds on my 6 month diet and 20 more since I beefed up my exercise and started this diet. All 20 didn't come off just this week. I had increased my exercise a couple months ago. Diet finished in January. Insurance took a month to approve. Four days before surgery (3/14) all liquids, no lean protein.

I am pre-op for March 18, and I have to do mostly liquids for two weeks prior. I have a collection of protein drinks. I have EAS Advantage (powder), Permalean (powder), Atkins Advantage (ready to drink), and Worldwide Protein Shake (ready to drink). Atkins and EAS can be found at Target. Permalean at specialty pharmacies that carry bariatric stuff, and Worldwide can be found at Trader Joe's if you have one in your area. I can also have sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello, broths, cream soups, yogurt, and to ease into the liquids I can have a small amount of lean protein, like a hard boiled egg or unbreaded chicken tender. I decided to write down everything, and to my surprise I only consumed 465 calories yesterday. I am calling the dietician to find out how to safely increase the calories without messing up the diet. Four days before surgery I go to liquids only. My pre-op visits with the dietician, surgeon and the class with the nurse are on 3/10. I also have some samplers of Profect (mentioned above) It comes in what looks like a test tube but tastes fine. It is a small amount of liquid with a large amount of protein, in case you are falling short. Not much else in them. I am saving them for post-op in case I can't eat enough to get my protein in. I feel like a mad scientist when I drink one because of the container. They are pricey, almost $3.00 each. I got them from the web site. They have 2 different sampler sets, and I bought 2 of each. I don't see them as a meal but a protein supplement.

I appreciate all the well wishes. I will keep you all posted on my progress. I have my pre-op with the surgeon, meet with the dietician for pre/post diet counselling, and the nurse for a pre-op class on 3/10. I took 3/17 off so I would have a long weekend to all the last minute stuff (clean litter pan, do laundry, etc) and plan to walk in the park all 3 days, weather permitting. I even walked in the rain once, but I prefer sunny days. To answer your question about insurance, mine is Carefirst BCBS of Maryland. I have the HMO version, Blue Choice. They required a 6 month weight loss attempt documented, and a psych eval, and consultation. The surgeon asked for a stress test, and my PCP wanted an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). I work for cardiologists, so I had them done at work. As an employee we don't incur any out of pocket expense, just what insurance accepts, so that was a help. I used the bariatric team for everything. It only cost $35 to set up the 6 month diet, but it will be $150 for the pre-op which covers me for 6 months after surgery for any diet issues. I expect to pay out of pocket for that because I think she is out of network. The psych evaluator was too, so she was $150. Surgeon was just a specialist copay with a referral. Once all my hoops had been jumped through and my paperwork together they submitted it to insurance for pre-authorization. THAT took 4 weeks! As for information, best to check with the surgeon's office, because they have been doing this for a while. I called BC/BS and the customer service rep nearly gave me a nervous breakdown! He told me I would probably be denied because I had used out of network providers for psych and diet. They accept Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and the like, but he said they may require me to repeat the 6 month diet because the dietician was out of network! Needless to say I was almost hysterical. He also said I had to have a surgery date BEFORE they submit for pre-auth. I called the surgeon's office and played telephone tag with the person I needed to speak to because she was always busy or with a patient. Good thing she only has two doctors to work for. I work for eight! She finally caught up with me to tell me I had been APPROVED! So everything customer service told me was bunk. She said they use an estimated date and then change it when they give the patient a date. I told her I thought you had been doing these a while and knew what was going on. They are a Center of Excellence, so I will never call BC/BS for info again. I do think my case reviewer must have been on vacation. I don't see why it took 4 weeks, but at least it is done and the out of network stuff was never an issue. Sorry to ramble but didn't want to leave anything out.

I am 63 and just got approved Monday (waited 4 weeks, if you don't count the 6 month diet). My BMI is around 37/38 and I have just about every co-morbidity except diabetes. I am on 2 meds for BP, 2 for cholesterol, 1 for GERD, 1 for Arthitis (knees) and CPAP for Sleep Apnea. I can barely afford the copays. I have no designs on becoming a hot mama (don't hold me to that) but I would LOVE to get off some of these medicines. I go to Curves 2-3x week, and have added walking since starting this journey. Found a lovely park near my home with a walking path and friendly squirrels. I take peanuts for them. Some will come up and take them from your fingers. Meet lots of walkers and dogs, too. I walk 2-3 times around the path (I think it is about a mile in length). I only lost 10 lbs on my 6 month diet, and a few more since walking. But my slacks have dropped a size (only thing holding up my fat pants is my belly). My surgery date is 3/18. Onward and upward! Or should I say downward?

The waiting game is worse than the 6 month diet that many of us had to go through. Personally I don't recommend calling customer service at your insurance company. Let me share with you what mine told me: I had been waiting 4 weeks for approval. I had called the insurance company on 2/8 but they had a high volume of calls and they would only take my name and number and reason for call. I gave them my name and number and that I was checking the status of the request for pre-authorization. I am still waiting for that callback. Never happened. I tried again this past Monday and got a rep to talk to. Well, he told me that I would likely be denied because I had used an out of network provider for my psych eval (I used the one on the bariatric team doing my lapband). He said I might even have to do the 6 month diet again because I used and out of network dietician (since I needed the diet, I used the dietician on the bariatric team). I nearly went ballistic over the diet (which I had finished in mid January). I said Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and the like aren't "in network" so what difference does it make that I used a dietician in or out of network. All he would say was stay in network. AND he said that my surgeon did it backwards, that I needed a surgery date BEFORE the request for pre-auth because if approved it is made out for that date. Needless to say I had a complete meltdown. This fool was telling me that the last 8 months of my life were just wasted. At 63 I didn't want to start over. I called the surgeon's office, tried holding, but ultimately had to leave a message for the person who gets pre-auths. After a bit of telephone tag, she caught up with me (I had already written a letter to the surgeon's office with 2 pages of complaints--hadn't mailed it yet). She was calling to tell me I was approved!!!! I am going to a Center of Excellence, so I kind of thought they had done this at least a few times before me. She told me they give an estimated date, then change it when they give me a real date. I also thought that if I wanted to go out of network and pay out of pocket that it shouldn't concern my insurance; one less claim to pay for them (I have Carefirst Blue Choice--Maryland). Obviously it didn't. Beside my weight (currently 236) and my BMI (~37/38) I have just about every co-morbidity except diabetes. I couldn't imagine them turning me down. But according to Blue Choice customer service, that was exactly what was going to happen. Sorry to ramble on. My point is: call the surgeon's office and speak to the person responsible for sending your paperwork for approval. She will know what is going on more than the insurance company. And I never mailed my letter.

I finally FINALLY got approval and a date. March 18 is the day. I start liquids Monday 3/3. Not looking forward to it, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I warned everyone at work I will be mean and ugly because I am hungry so if they are smart, they will leave me be. I have some Unjury samples I haven't tried yet, plus some Nectar samples. My sister (who had RNY about 2 years ago) gave me part of a jar of Permalean, and I bought Atkins Advantage and EAS Advantage at Target. Trader Joe's if you have one in your area, carries Worldwide sports protein shakes in cans. One has 23g and the other 35g protein. On their website it is only promoted as a sport supplement, but someone on LBT had a link to Brigham Womens Hospital bariatric program, and Worldwide is on their list of protein drinks to use. My frig is full of water, protein drinks and sugar free jello. In my freezer I have sugar free popsicles. So I think I am ready. I have to check with the dietician to see how much constitutes a meal, otherwise a protein shake and 10 popsicles might be on the menu. The jello and popsicles are on my liquid diet list. I can have fruit juice too, diluted 50% with water. I have already started giving my stomach pep talks. We WILL get through this!

To add to the list of possible esophageal studies, I work for cardiologists and I had to have an echocardiogram and stress test as preliminaries for banding. The echo I had is a transthoracic echocardiogram, but there is also a transesophageal echocardiogram. It is done in the hospital under sedation, and I don't know a lot about it but I believe a probe is sent down the esophagus as described in one of the other postings. So it is a little more involved but I suppose yields maybe more detailed information. An echo is basically an ultrasound or sonogram, just like what pregnant women have, but the gel and transducer (the gizmo that is moved around in the gel) are moved to the chest. It utilizes sound waves (like sonar) to visualize the chambers and valves in the heart (transthoracic). Not sure how the transesophageal differs aside from the probe, but since most of us have to get some kind of cardiac clearance, this may be what they are referring to. I am waiting for insurance approval. Hoping to be banded in March.

I have Carefirst Blue Choice (Maryland) and they required 6 month (or 2 3-month) documented weight loss attempts. I met with the bariatric dietician and we discussed food choices, she weighed me, and then from that point all I had to do was email her my weight every other week, being careful not to miss a weigh-in (they could make you start over). At the end she wrote a letter and sent me two copies of the letter and the documented weights. I had one for my records and one I had to take to my PCP to have her sign off, and then send it back to the bariatric office. The surgeon asked for a stress test, and my PCP sent me for that plus an echocardiogram (I work for cardiologists so I had them done at work and they write off whatever the insurance doesn't cover as an employee benefit). My paperwork was submitted 1/28 and now I am just waiting for approval. I was hoping it wouldn't take this long, but whatever, as long as they say ok and pay for it.

I have not been banded yet (waiting patiently for insurance approval) but since I had the 6 month diet to do I bought samples of stuff to try. I got some Bariatric Advantage and they were okay, but I agree with the person who said their texture is funny. In looking around (it didn't occur to me to check children's vitamins) I came across Centrum chewables, and they even come in Centrum Silver Chewables (I'm 63). I go to the LB support group (to learn) and someone there said she didn't care for the taste. I haven't tried them yet, but got them at Target for about $10-12 , I think for 60 (can't remember--that's what happens when you get old). I also got Viactiv in the the Caramel flavor to sub for my calcium pills which look like horse pills (Citrical +D). As my sister pointed out (she had RNY about 2 years ago) you won't be using these forever. You need enough to get you through to the point where you can take regular pills. Or do bandsters need to use these indefinitely? I am not sure about that.

A lot depends on your insurance company's requirements. Some require that the surgery site be a "center of excellence" which means they have done x amount of surgeries (I am not sure of the whole criteria, but if they have the "center of excellence" label that is a plus). Many also require a documented 6 month (or two 3 month) diet attempt, and a BMI over 40 plus 100 pounds overweight, or a BMI of 35-39 with one or more comorbidity (ailments afftected by weight: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/GERD, sleep apnea, joint arthritis and there may be a few others I can't think of). You will need to attend the bariatric seminar, have a consult with the surgeon, a psych evaluation (some may also want a stress test or echocardiogram), and when these are complete, your paperwork is submitted to the insurance company. I needed a 6 month diet so I just used the dietician on the bariatric team. Cost me $35 and I had to document my weight every other week, then at then end she wrote it up and I had to take it to my PCP to sign off. Once that was done my paperwork was sent. I am not-so-patiently waiting for approval. Hope this info helps.

The show is on Wednesday nights 10pm on TLC. The confusion lies in that Season 1 started on TLC and when the repeats started they moved to Discovery Health. Now that Season 2 is on they are back on TLC. I have seen a couple of the new episodes and I am pulling for Tiffany too, but she is up against it long term with her family. Her mother (who could also use WLS) cooks everything in butter, and I think they were bugging her to eat more too. If their thinking doesn't change about food, I worry that Tiffany's efforts will be in vain and she will eventually stretch her pouch and start regaining. I love this show. I have learned a lot about WLS and plastic surgery from watching. Dr. Lomanico gets amazing results. Now if I can just hit the lottery, I could get him to do me (I will need everything lifted). I can dream . . .

I am still waiting for insurance approval for me to have the Lapband. I considered RNY but the malabsorption issue concerned me and I felt the band a better option. My insurance (Carefirst Blue Choice-Maryland) as many others do, required a documented 6 month weight loss attempt, BMI of 40 or more/100 pounds overweight, or BMI 35 or more with one or more comorbidity(diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux/GERD, joint arthritis, sleep apnea, and possibly a few others). My BMI started at 37/38, weight 252, and every comorbidity on the list I gave you except diabetes. I have had my consult with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes-Baltimore), my psych evaluation (another requirement) and I saw the dietician on the bariatric team, but only for the 6 month diet, which I finished in mid January. I had a stress test and an echocardiogram (I work for cardiologists so I had it done at work), and my completed paperwork was submitted to insurance Jan. 28. My insurance didn't cover the psych evaluation ($150) and the meeting for the diet was only $35. Once approved I meet with the dietician for pre- and post-op diet, and with the nurse for a class. They make you jump through many hoops, but it is to make sure you are doing this for the right reasons and didn't decide on a whim to have surgery. I lost all of 10 pounds on the 6 month diet. I have increased my exercise (I walk on the weekends, do Curves during the week) as it is an important factor in success after banding. Hopefully all this info has helped and not given you a headache LOL!

I also had to do the 6 month diet for my insurance, and I went to the dietician on the bariatric team who will be adivising me on pre and post-op diet. For a small fee ($35 in my case) she set up the program and she documented my weight every two weeks. I finally finished it in mid January and she sent me paperwork to take to my PCP to sign off and mail back. Then it went to insurance. I have been waiting 3 weeks for insurance approval (seems longer than the 6 month diet). My PCP sent me for a stress test and echocardiogram (I work for Cardiologists, so I had them done at work--no out-of-pocket charges, just what insurance paid). If you have picked out a surgeon, check with their office and see if the dietician will supervise the 6 month diet for you. Good luck.

I am waiting for insurance approval. When I had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore) I told him my PCP was concerned because my liver enzymes were frequently elevated on my blood test for cholesterol. He told me that could indicate fatty liver disease moreso than a reaction to cholesterol medicine, and fatty liver disease can become non-alcoholic cirrhosis. He didn't say the surgery would be cancelled, just that while doing it he would take a sample for a liver biopsy to find out. Also once I get a date I have to do liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after banding. The before is to help shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. Don't know if anyone has tried this or heard about it, but in the current issure of Prevention Magazine there is a short article about milk thistle as a supplement and its main ingredient silymarin. Says it can detoxify the liver and help fatty liver disease, which (I didn't know this) can lead to diabetes. They suggest 200 to 500mg of silymarin a day and note that not all brands have enough. Trader Darwin Milk Thistle at Trader Joes and Natures Way Thisilyn are two that do. I plan to tell the surgeon's office once I am scheduled because they will be adjusting my meds anyway. I have pretty much every co-morbidity except diabetes. From what I read you need to buy what has been standardized to 80% silymarin, which means my 250mg milk thistle capsule has 200mg of silymarin in it and it states that on the bottle. I got the Trader Darwin, about $10 for 100 capsules. Prevention recommends 200-500 daily so I take one twice a day which gives me 400mg. And they said to be sure and tell your doctor. I figure anything that makes my liver a better surgical risk. The Nature's Way brand is more expensive but is availble at places like the Vitamin Shoppe and online. Has anyone tried this? I would love to hear about some experiences. My sister had RNY about 2 years ago and her PCP actually put her on milk thistle (though she doesn't remember why, and plans to ask him).

Great thread. Lots of good tips. My goal is more sleep. I prowl at night and sometimes get 4-6 hours in. That is, if you don't count the nap I take in the recliner when I fall asleep in front of the TV:lol:. I have a quote that hangs on the wall of my Curves, and if I remember it correctly it is "You cannot fail if you don't stop trying." My motto.

I have not been banded yet (going on 3 weeks waiting for insurance approval) but I have been eating ground turkey for years, so I will share some of what I make with it. My meatloaf is a make-it-up-as-you-go-along kind of dish. I use oat bran instead of bread crumbs or cornflakes (heart benefits) and depending on my mood I will use a meatloaf seasoning packet, or even a taco or chili seasoning packet (if you like a little zing to your loaf). Sometimes I throw in an egg, sometimes not. Sometimes with the taco or chili seasoning I will add chunky salsa instead of tomato sauce. If I want less zing I will throw in Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry (good on pizza too--consists of 3 colors of peppers and onion chunks) whatever cheese I happen to have (fat free or low fat shredded cheddar or mozarella or the parmesan/romano that you put on spaghetti, or even fat free feta). I usually make a large loaf about 2 lbs. or slightly more, and I add the wet ingredients then the oat bran and adjust if too wet or dry. I am not a scratch cook by any means, but my meatloaf is pretty good if I do say so myself. I also make chili with ground turkey (the 97/3 turkey is lower in fat than the ground chicken): 1 pkg turkey, browned; 1 pkg chili seasoning (I think there is a reduced salt one); 1 can Beans undrained (kidney, black, pinto--whatever you like); 1 15 oz can tomato sauce; 1 7 oz can chopped green chilis. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, spread shredded cheese over top to melt (I use fat free cheddar or mozarella) and enjoy. I think the above foods are permitted but if not sure check with your dietician.