kimmi5207

My dr. office wants me to order Arbonne figure 8 shakes (Protein powder) for my pre-op diet. She told me up front that they taste bad with Water, but they had some recipes that a lot of people use to make smoothies so they taste better. Anyway, wanted to know if anybody had tried this brand and what you thought of it, and if you recommend a flavor-they have chocolate, vanilla, and chi-tea (mispelled I'm sure) THanks

Hi everyone, I need to know what you think of the below and whether or not I am over reacting. My doctor primarily works in a different city (about 5 hours away), although he flies in once a month for a few days to see patients and do surgery. Insurance has been approved. I was repeatedly assured, as recently as last Thursday, that he would be doing surgery in my city on Dec 21st, which was great because it would give me until Jan 2nd to recuperate. When the lady called officially today to schedule, she said he was doing it Dec 28th. How does that change between Thursday and Monday? That give me Friday-Tuesday (Jan 1st) to recuperate and I would have to be back to work the following Wednesday. I can't take off longer than that because I can't miss the first 4 of 5 days of the month in my field. He always does surgery and followup appts around the last weekend of the month in Houston. He is in Dallas the rest of the time. So even if I did the surgery a different month, I still wouldn't be able to take off much time (plus insurance would have to be reapproved for 2008) I work in an office , so its possible that having fewer days to recuperate may be okay. I've seen some say they can go back after the weekend, others seem to need longer. Also, the office emailed the consent form to me to sign and fax back "as soon as possible". Well, I haven't had my pre-op appt with the doctor, so why would I sign a consent form stating that I had, and that we had discussed my individual situation and the risks, etc (which are mentioned in the letter)? So now that has me questioning whether I should go ahead with this. Will it be a rush job - see as many patients as possible on that day, and fly back that evening? I am putting my life in somebody else's hands, and I'm a single mother. I want to make sure I am dealing with a reputable doctor, and not an "in and out" processing plant. There are supposed to be other Houston doctors that are on call should an emergency come up. Actually, other doctors located in Houston are affiliated with this company, but the one whose seminar I attended happened to be the one located primarily in the Dallas. Also, my first followup is after 1 month. How often do you normally have follow ups? Is it just assumed that everything is okay for the first month after surgery? Again, I guess they are there for me to call, but is that a red flag or is that normal? I could just be jittery and ready for it to be over, and hate it being put off another week because that gives me another week to worry about the risks. Also, now, my surgery will be done when my father is out of town with the grandkids (my son included). I still have my mom, but my dad and I are really close and I know he liked the fact that he would be in town on the 21st. Any and all comments about all of the above are welcome.

Hi Everyone, I am going to be training the Houston half marathon being held in January. My concern as a lap bander is nutrition. I can't eat lots of carbs (rice/pasta/bread etc due to it not wanting to go down), or even a lot of calories, especially in the mornings to fuel up for training. Even meat I can't eat a lot of..... So what have some of you done? Also, any training advice? I am working with an organized training group for my group runs on Saturdays. About 10 years ago, I use to run 3 miles a day, every single day. I've tried off on on during the years to get back into the running habit, but I haven't succeeded for any length of time, which is part of the reason why I have committed myself to the actual race. Thanks everyone in advance for any nutrition advice, training advice, or just your own personal story of how you accomplished this goal (or even a 5K goal).

Thanks everyone! Today was my first "official" day of training. It went pretty well. I had 2 pkg of hot cereal before heading out there this morning. That seemed to last me for the 2 miles (I could feel it giving out a bit the last few minutes) so I know when we increase miles over the next few weeks, I will have to fuel up with more. I'm making a list of different options that I'm going to start testing my tolerance for. I was able to eat some Pasta prior to my most recent fill...I just started back on solids yesterday so I will test and make sure I am able to still consume some pasta or I may consider a small unfill. The half marathon is a dream of mine and I will do what it takes to achieve it. With all the exercise I will be getting in, if I have to get a small unfill to make sure I can have the proper nutrition and energy, I will do that. I know the eating/calorie guidelines aren't really designed for someone running 1,2, 3 hours at a time. Thanks again for all the great advice and opinions!

No, its open to anyone! It is actually posted on our local houston area bandsters yahoo group by the nurse who leads it.

Thanks! I agree that the high Protein low carb thing won't work. I know from past experience that I have to have some carbs for energy when working out. I should be able to get down hot Cereal in the morning, as long as I thin it out. Of course, mashed potatoes are another source. Sometimes I'm able to get down Pasta late at night, although I just got a very small fill this week and am not sure if I will still be able to eat it. Thanks for the great advice regarding the nutrients from the drinks/gels on your long runs and for endurance. I was worried about that too. I'll have to look into some of those products and try them out. My main concern is just giving out of "gas" while running. Not because I'm tired or fatigued....just from not having enough fuel. It's great receiving advice from others who are finding a way to make it work so I appreciate all the responses I have received so far.

Thanks to both of you for your advice and comments! Do either of you find that shakes upset your stomach if you have them before working out (i.e. because of the milk)? I will be taking a look at the links in your signatures for more insight into how you are doing things. I start a 6 month training program tomorrow morning so I'm kind of nervous although I think once I get past the first 4 weeks, I'll be okay. I really liked running before when I did it consistently. It's never fun when starting back because you have to get your conditioning back. I'm hoping to find a 5K in a couple of months to keep me focused since my ultimate goal is so far away in Jan 09. Thanks again!

Sugar Land Support Group Sugar Land Surgical Center All bandsters are welcome! One Saturday per month. Next meeting is Saturday July 26th at 11:30am Led by Sandybuff, a nurse, and a nutritionist. Directions: Hwy 6 to Brooks Street. Turn onto Brooks street and take medical center's entrance. Drive around the right to the back and look for the surgical center awning. Meeting is in the lounge and there are folks to direct you. There is also an informational meeting for nonbanded folks at 10:30am. Some also stay for the support group. Email Sandybuff directly if you would like a reminder email at sgbuff@...

There is a group that meets 1 or 2 Saturday's a month at Hwy 6 and Brooks road. I think it meets at a hospital. I will try and find the information on it and post it later.

P.S. Basically right now I am a beginner runner. i.e. I will be starting with run/walk intervals of 2 min/1 min and working my way up. So its like I haven't run in the past and am a complete newbie.

You really are not expected to lose weight without a fill. By postponing your appointment, you are putting off the one thing that will help you control your eating. And often times, it takes many fills to get to the proper level of restriction, so after 1 fill, things might not totally change but they will get better. But you have to do what is required and go in for your appointments. It is too early to give up. You just need a fill so that the tool can work as needed. Please call your doctor today and go in as soon as possible. Don't worry about feeling embarrassed because you have gained weight since surgery. Trust me, you are not the only one. Again, it is normal because you don't have restriction. Work with the doctors, ask then for the signs that you should look for to indicate you need a few fill (after the first one). Good luck!

Every one does not lose huge amounts of weight right after surgery, although it seems that way, so please don't be so hard on yourself. Some don't even lose huge amounts 6 months after surgery. Some may lose 50 lbs in 3 months, others lose 50 lbs in 1 year. For those that lose slower even though its frustrating, the main difference they note is that they are not gaining the weight back like they would have prior to surgery. But your situation is different because you are just a few weeks out from surgery. You don't have a fill right now, so its expected that you will be hungry. Basically you are the same as before. I lost 12 lbs in the first 2 weeks (from liquid diet plus the first week I could barely get down liquids)...and then nothing for a while. It was frustrating because I was eating a lot less even without a fill. But in mind, I was eating more than I thought I would after surgery so I was too hard on myself. As the previous poster stated, don't worry about weight loss right now. Just follow your doctors rules regarding what you can and can't eat, and try and heal (that's why most don't give a fill until about 4 weeks afterwards). Also, don't beat yourself up over your weight loss or by comparing yourself to others. The most important thing is where you end up. This is a journey, not a race as they say! You will do fine!

Usually after a fill, I have to be careful not to take gulps of water/liquid. To make sure I am taking small sips and swallowing - otherwise it almost feels like food getting stuck. But if it has been a week since your fill, you should have loosened up a little (unless you are gulping, in which case take smaller swallows). Are you able to get down any kind of solids? You do want to make sure that you aren't too tight, because eventually you can become dehydrated if you aren't getting enough liquids in. If in doubt, always call your patient advocate/nurse at your surgeon's office and ask if you could be too tight or if its just a sign of drinking too fast.

Your fill shouldn't interfere with work - i.e. you shouldn't need any time off except for the time that you need to actually visit the doctor's office. I went and got one during my lunch break today and came right back. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much!!!! I needed to see this. My ticker isn't updated below (i've lost about 22 lbs total), but I've been in a holding pattern since the first 2 weeks after surgery. I go up and down the same 2 lbs. It has been frustrating. Especially since I'm exercising also, and eating much less than pre surgery, although I can still eat too much. I've had 2 fills, but I need another one - we are going conservative on the fills, because right after surgery I had to have an unfill because I was way too tight. Anyway, this just lets me know not to give up. To keep exercising. Keep eating less, get my fills, and eventually the weight will come off....not everyone loses 30-50 lbs in 3 months, unfortunately!

It is very common. I lost 13 lb post op in the first 2 weeks, then didn't lose anything (actually gained) over the next 2 weeks until my first fill. I had my first fill last Friday, and I've already began losing again. Do don't let it get you down.

As mentioned above, you need to find out if it is not covered because it is excluded from the plan, or if they denied you because they don't believe you meet the qualifications. If it is because you don't meet a qualification, if you have the backup, etc, an appeal is possible. To save money, many companies exclude certain procedures from their health care plan. Especially smaller companies. I had a friend that had an insurance company that is known to approve surgery if you follow a 6 mo supervised diet plan - but when she checked her insurance policy specifically, it excluded any WL surgery so she was not able to get it (could not afford to self pay). So its not just the insurance company you have, its also the coverage that has been purchased by your company. Call your insurance company and ask specifically if they cover bariatric surgery, or lap band surgery. If they do, ask what are the requirements. If they don't, ask why (i.e. if it is excluded). FYI... I do have united healthcare and it was covered, but I work for a very large global company. Good luck!

I took a break from the computer 2 weeks before my surgery.....it was very good. I was much calmer on the days leading up to my surgery, and wasn't "freaking out" as much about what could go wrong. And everything went fine!

A pillow for the ride home. To keep the seatbelt from resting on your incisions. Have a heating pad at home for afterwards. I didn't feel the incisions the first or 2nd day but on the 3rd day, I felt them and I just put a covered heating pad over it and the heat was soothing. Also is good for gas pains.

I've never heard anything like this! The patient advocate at my lap band doctor's office is african american (as am I), and she has had wonderful results, and she is 2 1/2 year out and still maintaining. I think that is a big generalization for a doctor to make, and I do not think you should let it stop you from taking this step. I think the likelihood of success without the band is even lower! The success of the band is up to the patient - eat right, follow the "rules", and exercise, and you will most likely succeed. If you don't feel comfortable with that doctor and his viewpoints, try talking to another doctor (maybe get a recommendation from another bandster) and see what they think. Again, I've never heard anyone mention that. Also, in the before and after pictures section on the of the other message forums, there are before and after pictures. There are some very successful lap banders of every race and size out there. FYI...I have heard of people not having success with the band, but you have to be willing to make the necessary changes for the band to be successful. You won't magically lose weight with it if the eating habits don't change. Someone I know didn't succeed, but she found a way to "work around" the band and wasn't really putting forth the effort, so she was basically intentionally sabotaging her efforts. I think she really wanted the gastric, and that is what she later got.

I experienced this for about 2-3 days after surgery from the tube. (Had surgery Dec 28th) If it continues, call and let your doctor know. Or if it will reassure you, you may want to call and let them know exactly what you are feeling. I'm sure everything is probably okay, and its all normal.

Please call your doctor and let them know exactly what is going on! Don't wait until your next appointment. It sounded as if your band might be too tight, but you said they removed the fluid, so you do need to let them know ahead of time what is going on in case its something more serious.

There are lots of lap band support groups around Houston, if you doctor doesn't have one. Some meet in SugarLand, the Galleria area, Woodlands,etc. I don't have the exact details with me now, but if you find out your doctor doesn't have groups, I will try and find the information.

Have you tried seeing if the doctor's office work out some kind of payment plan so that you can get a partial unfill? This is your health...I hate to see you suffering. Just a thought. I know many places just want their money upfront. I hope you feel better

Make sure you talk to your lap band doctor before getting pregnant. They generally want you to wait 18 months after surgery before becoming pregnant. If you can get the pills down, you can take them. A lot of times, with the restriction, people can't swallow the pills without them getting stuck. Good luck on your future pregnancy!