txaberry

Coconut oil - Does anyone use it? I have heard you should eat 2 tsp per day - Also that you can use it for moisturizer for body and hair. I tried it on my face and hands last night, and I really liked it. Does anyone use it as a supplement?

I got a vita-mix last weekend. I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I am on pureed foods for another 5 days. I have been pureeing whole fruits and vegetables in the vitamix. Is this ok for this stage of my diet? The seeds and skins are pretty well pulverized. Does anyone else have one? How do you use it?

Now I'm 3 months post-op and I love the vita-mix. It has been a lifesaver. I am especially tight in the mornings so I usually blend up some fruit and tofu or protein powder and drink it which gives me a good start to my day and I don't have to worry about if I can eat it. I've also made soups and sauces. I recommend it to anyone, especially bandsters. Thanks for your replies.

Over the last three days we have traveled from Houston to Minneapolis. I have slimed way more than ever and tonight I threw up twice. I have not thrown up before with the band and I got my 2nd fill on the 15th of May. Now, it may have been because I overate and was talking, but usually I just get a "stuck" feeling if that happens. Could I have been affected by the difference in altitude between Houston and Minneapolis?

I have aetna and I was approved in January and banded in March 2008. They cover it, but you first need to make sure that your husband's company doesn't exclude it. Some companies make an exclusion to bariatric surgery. If you call they were really good about explaining it and checking if your company approves.

My docotor took me off my diovan right after surgery. She took me off my lipitor and my niaspan as well. She said it would be too hard to effectively monitor while I was loosing so much weight.

I was banded by him on 3/7/08. You have to go through the Methodist Weight Management Program if your insurance is going to pay. The psych, nutrition, and diet all happens through them first. I didn't even see Dr. Davis until after I had "graduated" from the program and I was approved by insurance. So sign up for the seminar through the Methodist program. He is a good doctor and I haven't had problems with people being rude. Sorry you had a bad experience, but I think and hope it was a fluke. There is a website for the Methodist program and numbers to call there. Good luck, I would highly recommend him.:thumbup:

I get mine in the bulk foods section of the grocery store. One important thing to know is that Quinoa is a COMPLETE PROTEIN - it is not like other grains that need to be combined to get the full protien, so the protein is complete in itself - like the protien from meat. I use it mostly as a rice type side dish. My sister eats it like oatmeal for breakfast, it is really versatile.

I'm trying to eat as natural as possible, so I don't add the artificial sweetners. I'm trying to like things unsweetened, but not totally there. I use the raw sugar, or agave nectar (highly recommended because has smaller effect on blood sugar) I read the book "Skinny Bitch" and one thing made a lot of sense to me was they said when you see the words "low fat" or "no fat" just think of the words "chemical st storm" And I have to agree. I don't like the idea that when I am only eat less than 1 cup each meal 3x per day it should be filled with chemicals. I'll take my .75 cup and eat the most natural whole foods I can find, even if they are more naturally fattening.

Hello - I too am a food addict. I have been going to a counselor for a few months now. I knew it was a problem for me and I didn't want to cheat my band. My counselor had me read a book "Fat is a Family Affair" and it has really helped me understand my triggers and other psychological issues with food. Are there any counseolrs in your area? My insurance pays for so many visits and I just have a copay each time. It has really helped me. Good luck.

Thanks!! That was my first thought, but after reading all the posts on here, I convinced myself it was something with my band.

Ok, I had my first fill a week ago. Today I have diarreah. So I haven't eaten much. Drank a purple gatorade this morning. Then I notice my diarreah has been bright greenish blue for the rest of the day. Ok, I thought it was the gatorade - then I remembered someone saying that the saline was blue in color. Now I'm kinda worried. Could something be wrong with my band? Has anyone ever experienced this?

Quinoa - it has a complete protien. It is kinda rice like - I make it with vegetable or no-chicken broth - tastes great! it has 7g protien for 1/4 cup. Also Millet - try them. I made them during the soft-food time of the diet. can be blended, etc...

Hello - I just bought this book and am on chapter 3. It is really crass, but straightforward. I'm wondering if anyone has read it, and what do you think. Thanks!

pasta is on my soft foods list. I had a cold pasta salad with chicken yesterday. Chewed it really good. You should be able to enjoy small portions of it.

Thanks for all your thoughts!! I finished the book and found it to be hysterical. My sister has now bought it and we discuss it! I have decided to become a vegetarian and work my way to vegan. I'm not going cold turkey, cleaning out what is in the house already and just making sure to buy veg food. I laughed my butt off for most of the book - except the part about the animals and slaughterhouses, that was a tough chapter. To all who are reading the book, enjoy!

You may have a different version of Aetna than I do. That sounds kinda confusing. My out of pocket maximum is 2K - since my surgery was pre-certified, its my understanding that that is the max I'll pay. I may be wrong, but I hope not. I think yours is different. Do you have your benefits information where it is all laid out? I called them with that in hand and asked. Also, call and ask to speak with a supervisor - once I got 2 differnt information.

If you meet the 2k out of pocket maximum, they pay 100%. If you are approved for that benefit, you won't pay more than $2000.00 - I paid the Dr. $325 for my surgery - now the bills from the hospital are coming in so I don't know the totals yet.

3 days for me to be approved - 2 days for my partner. We were quite suprised it happened so quickly.

I totally agree. I was complaining to my partner that I haven't lost any sizes even though I'm down 35 pounds. And she gently reminded me (scarsam) that I was poured into my size 26 and probably should have been in a size bigger. Now I'm wearing most of my 24's but it didn't click because I never really admitted I had gone above 24 in the first place. Oh the mind games we play on ourselves. I'm one month out today so I'm going to take some more pictures and compare to my pre-op pics, maybe that'll help me feel more accomplished. I'm sure it will come!

Yes, they took me off my meds. I was suprised too. Even at my post-op they told me to keep off them. I saw my PCP a few days after that and she has decided to keep me off them. Because we lose weight pretty fast, it is hard to regulate and as long as my BP stays pretty normal she's not worried. Mine was a diuretic too, but I haven't retained water like I used to since my surgery. Good luck!!

Since I've been reading these boards, I am totally freaked out that I have done something to stretch my pouch, slip my band, flip my port, and anything else I can hear about. I was banded on 3/7/08. I asked my doctor about how I'll know if I did damage and they said there will be excruciating pain. But then I read here how many people have slips or stretched pouches and didn't know. I haven't had any excrutiating pain (except the first few days) and sometimes I can eat what I think is too much and sometimes I'm full after a few bites. Sometimes when I eat too much I just feel really full, no pain, no PB, no vomiting. Is this ok, or could I have done damage? I've not lost any weight this last week, so this is adding to my fears. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My first fill is not until 4/22. Thanks!!

I lost 16 pounds on my 2 week optifast diet.

I have the magic bullet, and I was satisfied with it. But I got a vita-mix and have been in love!!! This thing purees anything in a few minutes. I have made something every day for the last 2 weeks with it!! It is well worth the cost.