kimmi5207

I would go specifically with the post op diet from your doctor. The book will just give you a general overview. For my post op, thick liquids is creamier Soups and yogurt for week 2. eggs, etc fall into the 3rd week post op (soft foods) for me.

Great idea! I had been wondering how I would let someone know no breathing tube if I was in an accident and unable to communicate.

THe time is almost here! I will wake up at 5 30 am, have to be at surgical center at 7am. My mom came over to spend the night tonight and she will be taking me tomorrow. She's staying over Friday night also. It seems weird - my mom has only been to my house a few times-it seems weird for her to be sleeping in another room, but I'm glad she is here. I am so excited! The anxiety has just floated away this past week (thank goodness!). I'm ready to enter this new chapter in my life!

I've heard a heating pad can help. I had surgery yesterday. Gas pain wasn't too bad (except while still in recovery) but I've been walking around the house a lot. I feel better when I do that. This morning I paced around the house for 45 minute! I think the pain medication is making me hyper instead of drowsy!. Don't forget gas ex. It doesn't make my gas go away, but it helps it come out. Also, as mentioned above, I had a heating pad right now on my stomach where the incisions are. I'm not sure if the pain Im experiencing is gas pain, or incision pain, although it tends to get better when I walk. Hope this helps!

Surgery completed! Things went much smoother than I could have ever imagined, except for some naseua and gas immediately afterwards, and not wanting to open my eyes! (I told my mom for them to leave me alone, I didn't want to open my eyes, just take me home!) I don't remember much of anything - Last thing I remember is moving onto the operating table, and next thing I know, I had my gown on in the recovery room! So that worked out well! I don't have any incision pain yet. I did take some pain rx as a precaution this evening so I won't wake up and be in extreme pain. That's my only fear. My throat hurts, but that's to be expected. I've heard that will subside within a day or two. I've been moving around today - I'm hyper! I think it must be something they gave me. Ordinarily, I would be tired and taking naps during the day when I was off. I'm so glad I took this step in my life! It seems weird to just be drinking apple juice and crystal light, but its all mental. I'm not hungry today. Bert99, hope your surgery went just as well today. And thanks to everyone for your well wishes!

Oops...missed that you already talked to your insurance company. As I mentioned, I did not have to have anything from my primary care physician so what they told you is very possible. The surgeon's office will let you know within a few days of your visit (generally) what your insurance requires because they will call to verify that you have coverage and to verify what your benefits are. By the way, I have United Healthcare for my insurance.

The requirements actually vary by insurance company. My insurance did not require anything from my primary physician. They accepted and approved based on the letter of medical necessity from the surgery center (they did a medical evaluation and EKG, and I filled out about 10 pages of health informaton!) When I went to the consultation, I did have a typed up a list of the diets I had tried in the past, the period of time I was on them, and the results amount lost and amount regained. I think that probably helped them quite a bit when they submitted my letter to the insurance company, as I had pretty detailed information going back to 2000 (I had most of my past WW booklets and found receipts or backup for the other diet centers I had tried in the past). I was approved within 1 - 1 1/2 weeks of when the surgeon's office submitted the letter. Other insurance companies require a 3 month, or 6 month supervised diet, but not all do. Some require you to meet with counselor and be evaluated, and some don't. Most require that you have a BMI of 40 and a document history of previous weight loss tries (or a BMI of 35+ with comorbities). Generally they ask for 5 years of documented obesity. I would go on line at your job, and look at your the details of your insurance plan (the detailed plan summary description, not the general info) to see what they will require. Actually, you can also call and ask if your insurance company covers the lap band surgery, and what are the requirements for coverage and the benefits offered. You may not get all the details, but you will have a general idea. Go ahead and try and start documenting your weight and diet history, and have your consultation with the surgeon's office. They generally are pretty knowledgeable about what each various insurance company requires, and which ones are easy to work with and which ones have you jump thru 1000 hoops! I hope this helps! Good luck!

Kroger's carry's this in Houston. I think it may be the Lloyd brand - not sure. It is in the refrigerated section near the meats in a plastic tub, in the different flavors mentioned above. I've had them before - they are very good! I never thought about this as a post band item - thanks for the idea. I was eating some regular chicken today and was thinking "there is no way I will be able to chew and swallow this post band". Of course, its probably my lack of cooking skill - my chicken breasts never come out as good as taste at a restaurant. Of course, they soak it in brine (salt)!

Great information Kacee. It was very useful. I am another person soon to be banded.

What kind of replacements did you come up with to replace eating out of boredom, stress, emotions, being tired,etc? Obviously, I won't be able to eat my way thru those emotions, so I was wondering what others came up with. I thought that in the evenings, a hard time for me, I could catch up on a ton of reading. I love to read. During the day at work, I can start back working out during lunch at the company sponsered gym, instead of going to the food court and eating lunch at my desk. But I'm looking for other ideas for when things are really bad. Thanks

I started my pre-op diet today. I'm not sure that I'm making the shakes right! :help: I used 8 oz milk and 1 scoop powder per the instructions. The shake recipes say add 1/2-3/4 cup of ice. But I'm ending up with something that is more like a drink with little ice bits. It's not smooth. Does the ice need to be added first, so its on the bottom where the blades of the blender are? Do I only use ice if I'm making a smoothy with fruit, which would thicken it (I think?) Just trying to make the shakes as enjoyable as possible for the next couple of weeks (and the weeks after the surgery). Actually, the taste is okay, so that's good. It doesn't taste like a chocolate milkshake, but I can drink it, and that's what counts. The doctors office told me not to make it with Water because it would taste really bad that way. Also, I'm hungry!!! I do get to eat some real food during my pre-op diet, in addition to the 2 shakes per day. 1-2 lean meats per day, unlimited greens, and 1 cup of fruit. of course no carbs, fatty foods, etc. I had a shake before coming into work, and I'm drinking one now. I guess I need to go get a grilled chicken salad before I let myself get too hungry. I'm supposed to work thru lunch today, but I may have to run downstairs and get something to eat in addition to the shake. I guess I should finish the shake/drink first and see if I'm still hungry. I just feel like I would be hungry after just drinking a cup of milk with chocolate powder, but I should give it a chance first. Gotta change these thought processes!!! Anyway, I welcome any ideas on how to correctly make Protein shakes or anything else. Also, if anyone has any good recipes using fruit, that would be great.

Getting ready...seems like Dec 28th is approaching really fast! Next Tuesday is Christmas, and 3 days after that, I will be having my surgery. They called and gave me my surgery time yesterday. 7am. That's a relief. I'd rather go early and get it over with, and not be one of the last patients he does for the morning. I struggled with the Pre-op diet over the weekend when I started it. I talked to them yesterday, and they said I can add in Snacks (like sugar free jello) or more Protein, if it will help. They would rather I eat that, than to feel so bad (headache, light headed, naseous, weak) that I reach for a candy bar. Although I'm not a sweets person - I'm more likely to reach for a burger. Anyway, I'm glad I talked to them yesterday because now I'm more optimistic about sticking to the diet. Has anyone found as their surgery date approached that they actually started to dislike food? I've found that it is not bringing me "joy" anymore. It doesn't taste good. The last few days, I would eat something, thinking it would taste great, and it would be so not worth it. Maybe mentally I am preparing myself for the surgery and the future, and starting to change my mentality and way of thinking towards food. Which is a good thing. Hopefully that will make the next couple of weeks easier, as well as the post op. I'm hoping my counselor will be able to help too. I plan to set up at least bi-weekly appointments with him, maybe weekly, that first month after surgery. Anyway, good luck to all the December bandsters!

There are some antidepressants that are notorious for causing weight. My doctor refused to put me on anything except well butrin because of my family history and my weight. He didn't want to give me anything that could cause weight gain (gained 40 lbs once in 2 months on an antidepressant with another doctor). Well butrin is not shown to cause weight gain. I'm sure there may be a few others. I think it is really important to see your doctor, and get back on medication if he thinks it is warranted. And continue to take it! Just make sure to discuss with him if you want something that will not affect your weight - there are many medications doctors have to choose from. Be very careful with just stopping anti depressants because some can have a huge effect on you if stopped suddenly. Good luck.

Could it be from lack of calories and dehydration? You may have over done it a little. . Being newly banded, if you are on the liquid stage of the diet, you are probably not taking in a whole lot of calories yet. I know that I suffer a great lack of energy when I'm not taking in very many calories and I get that naseous feeling. Actually happened to me over the weekend when I was starting pre-op. Be careful and take care of yourself! And congratulations on your new surgery!

Haven't been banded yet, but the doctors office warned me that the last two weeks of the post op diet would be the worst - that is when I would really begin to feel hungry. Looks like you are approaching that 2 week point. Good luck. Your doctor may approve something you can add in. Of course, check with him first!

I am using Arbonne Figure 8 protein shakes. Had never heard of them prior to the doctors office recommending them. I ordered it from a contact they gave me that was able to get me a 35 % discount because she is a sales representative. Surprisingly I like them, and I'm a really picky "eater". I mix it with 8oz skim milk. They told me that they taste bad with water but with milk, I've found they are good.

Good luck! Your new life begins soon! Check back in when you are able and let us know you you are doing!

Those are all great ideas! I will definitely take a look at "the work" and one thing I've really been wanting to do is volunteer, especially with disadvantaged kids and teens. You look like you have it all together. I'm going to make a list of the things I've always wanted to do and never had the time or money. All the money I will save on fast food and eating out - I will be able to afford some of those other interests.

Where any of you naseus or light headed when you first started your pre-op diet? It's a big change in calories. This afternoon, I am feeling light headed, naseus, can't focus on anything at work, tired, and very gassy (maybe from shakes made with milk?). Today is first day of pre-op diet. I only had 2 shakes (breakfast & lunch)and Water today, so that's really only 400 calories. I finally went and got a banana because I felt like I was going to pass out at my desk and also I want to make sure I don't go thru a drive thru on the way home. (I can have 1 cup of fruit per day although they want me to avoid bananas-it was the only fruit available.). I'm still not feeling very well, and plan to leave work in an hour and lay down before going to my son's soccer game. I know I'm probably going thru some carb and caffeine withdrawal also. And I may need to eat my meal with Protein at lunch. Anyway, I guess I'm looking to see if others had this experience, how you dealt with it, and if it got better after a few days once the body adjusted! I don't want to screw up and do something stupid, like go thru a drive thru. I feel like if I can make it thru the first couple of days, I'll be okay. Thanks P.S. I may have lots of posts as I try and adjust and get ready for surgery in 2 weeks. And I'm sure after surgery, I will have even more posts. Please put up with me!

Thanks Dave. They just called me (during lunch) to give me my actual surgery time. 7 am! I am glad that I'm early - that means he won't be tired after doing a lot of other surgeries! Hopefully having a concrete time will help out too. I would hate to walk in there on Dec 28th and have them reject me because I couldn't stick to the diet. Lots of Water , and no caffeine is what I will focus on the next few days. And of course staying away from those carbs. Every day is a new day. I need to take it one day at a time, instead of thinking about all the days ahead of me. Sometimes, I may need to just take it one hour at a time.

Thanks. It was better when I only used a couple of ice cubes on Saturday.

Thanks. At least I know I'm not alone! I'm struggling to stick to pre-op diet. I did have to eat something Sunday (a little carbs) because I was feeling so sick and weak. But I still ate much less than normal. The next two weeks will be extremely long......

Thanks for the response! I welcome any information you have from your doctor. I'm sure you are right - I'm thinking of food (its lunchtime) and thinking I should be hungry, and therefore, that's how I feel. A little of it may be true hunger just because of the drastic change in the volume of food. But I'm not as hungry as my mind is telling me. The mind is a very powerful thing! I know I can do this. Once I get past the first couple of days, I'll be fine. Being at work helps. It's more structured. This weekend will be scary. I actually gained 10 lbs in the month between my consultation and now. I bought a digital scale last night, as I wanted my true weight before starting the pr-op diet. I want to get down, or close to, my consultation weight at least, in these 2 weeks before surgery. Good luck with your surgery! Make sure to report back and let us know how you are doing afterwards!

I'm on day 1, 2nd shake (lunch), and already panicking with 2 full weeks ahead! And 4 weeks after that for post op. Keep hanging on strong! You will be glad you did. I admire your determination not to get off track! :clap2: I have a 15 year old son who still has to eat! Much like your kids! That makes it hard. I will refuse to order pizza though!:scared: That would be too much of a temptation. He can get pizza 2x a week at school, so he can get his pizza fix there! Good luck! Your surgery will be here before you know it!

My words of wisdom...you are normal! Experiencing normal feelings. It was so hard waiting for insurance decision. Then once I got surgery date, a friend that doesn't know I'm having the surgery made negative comments about it, which definitely made me question myself for a few hours. Then I realized.....we are doing this for ourself, not for others. We are doing this for our health and to improve our standard of living. We aren't just doing it to be a size 2. You have the support of your doctors, which is great! The thought of the changes we will have to make is scary....generally most people are looking at having to change eating habits we have had for years! Or even our whole life! But if you look at all the posts on this forum, and look at everyone's signatures and weight changes, they are doing fantastic! That helps keep me going when times get tough or when I start having doubts and cold feet. If they can do it, we can too! 6 months from now, your life will be totally different. More than you could have imagined! Good luck with your insurance!