ebowling

I was banded on April 7th, including my 2-week liquid diet, I'm down almost 22 pounds! I did notice today (Saturday) I'm starting to sense when I'm hungry. I just had some warm broth, and that seems to be helping so far. :biggrin:

I had my surgery on Monday of this week. Each day I'm getting better and better. I finally have lost the 2.8 pounds I put on from being in the hospital!!!! Since pre-op started, I'm down almost 16 pounds. When you say you started working out a week out from surgery, what are you doing? Are you walking, or actually using weights? I feel confident I could do the treadmill for about 30 minutes, but I know I wouldn't be able to walk as fast as I normally would. Congratulations on your weight loss!:huh2:

I agree with Sue Magoo. It sounds like you definitely need a fill. In the mean time, chart everything you are eating and make sure your calories and protein are tightly monitored. Even increase your exercise level, which will boost your spirits as well. Hang in there, you didn't come this far to stop trying.

p3photogal: I completely agree, if I don't up my calories, I will get sick. My surgeon's offic did give me good information as to when I can change phases. Tomorrow, I will be going to full liquids, so I'll fit in several shakes to get my Protein for the day. I will definitely be upping my calories tomorrow. I will mix in some broth and juices this evening as well.

Well, I made it through surgery! They said surgery was only 45 minutes and everything went really good. I have my gallbladder taken out last August, and this surgery/recovery has been day and night from the gallbladders surgery. I mean lapband was much less painful, no nausea, definitely been up walking... I can't tell if I'm hungry or is the feeling is the gurgling feeling you are talking about, or possibly the gas pains. I really haven't had much gas pain. I did stay the night at the hopsital, and walked the halls every hour. I did start full liquids just an hour ago. I had some chicken broth. I'm looking forward to a proten shake. I know that will help with any hunger I might be experiencing as well. But, I stopped eating at 6:30 Sunday night, and only ate about 500 calories on Sunday, approximately 10 calories total yesterday and so far today, I would say 50 calories. So, I really do think I'm hungry. So far, no regrets! I haven't updated my ticker, but I was down 15 pounds from the 2 week liquid diet. :thumbs_up:

I have Anthem BCBS from Indiana, and my policy requires an 18 month supervised program, then they will only pay $10K or my surgery if approved. While Anthem does approve this surgery, it still depends on your employers individual clause. I decided to have the surgery and will be self pay. I am worth more than an 18 month medically supervised diet, that I will still have over $8K worth of medical expenses (with my deductible).

I am also a patient of Dr McEwen. Everything that has been posted previously about Dr McEwen and his staff couldn't be more accurate. I feel almost like every step of this process has just been perfectly placed in front of me. Everyone on here feels like they have a personal relationship with their office, and I feel the same. I am due to be banded on April 3rd, and I know this is the best decision I could ever make. I constantly read posts from patients who say, "I just had surgery, and I don't know what to eat." I mean, are you kidding me? Did their doctors really not tell them what they could and could not eat? When I met with him this week, he said lap band on average helps you lose 50% of your excess bodyweight. His office averages over 70% and he feels the support they offer is the biggest reason. Ultimately, you have to have a comfort level, if you don't then you should look for someone who can provide that for you. For me, I knew I had that from him before I ever knew this board existed.

Congratulations Turler on the potential move up date! I actually thought my surgery would have been at the end of March, but it didn't work that way. I think because I haven't made it in to have my psych eval, they pushed it back. For those of you who are self pay, if you don't mind me asking, how much are you paying? I didn't price shop, I was looking for a doctor and office staff that would make me comfortable and support me through the process. Here is what my fee includes, I'm curious as to what different areas of the country charge. I know fees for Mexico are less. $15,600 This includes surgery, and 1 year of post-op care, including fills and meetings with the dietician. As well as access to monthly support meetings.

I'm scheduled for April 3rd, which is actually my 32nd birthday! That was the first date they threw out at me, so I took it as a sign! Here's to new beginnings! What are all of your doctors requiring for a pre-op program? Mine has a 2 week liquid diet. I did a program like that last year, so I'm not too worrried about it.