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Was it ever mentioned to those that got approved (and those that didn't) this having to have your surgery by a "UHC center of excellence/doctor of excellence"? My employer has an addendum or something like that...it had the criteria that I had to have been employed for 5 years by them, I have been there 24!.... My BMI had to be over 40 or 35 with comorbidities...:Banane17: Also, that it had to be performed at the center of excellence...which LUCKY for me...My doc is and is a preferred physician etc..:Banane52:. So, yes I guess it is that way....keep fighting and switch docs if need be..:biggrin: OOPS, I see you were banded..self pay? .I really found UHC to be pretty easy to work with...my employer is the one that had the specifics???? Good Luck :rolleyes2:

Thanks Denise! We are lucky for Lapbandtalk.com too for bringing us all together!

I have the little blender at work from Walmart....it is good for a small shake which I guess we should aim for....I can sometimes get carried away with the liquids and add too much and then I make a mess.....same with the magic bullet thing...my daughter loves them but I think I must add too much ice... If you need a small one the 15.00 dollar one s good and can sorta crush up ice... I also have a larger blender...I have burned up a few over the years! I have always loved Protein shakes for Breakfast.... I really never HAD a mushy stage I went from Clear Liquids to food according to my doc so I did not use the blender for mushies... So, go with the $15.00 dollar one, if you need more later...you can always take the small one to work like I did...I am also taking it this weekend to a hotel as we are traveling and I can make my shake in the room in the morning...use their ice too! Good Luck to you!

Good Luck I am glad Mandy had an answer!

Hey Wassa! FYI...Denise and I went shopping, you were the one missing! LOL....Maybe in August......or sooner...let me know when you are up to it! So, the issue of head hunger is INSANE! I have been trying to ignore my head for a few weeks...oh yeah, surgery was just a few weeks ago...I know...in time.....I'm TRYING!!!! I was at a class this week and today someone put out homemade Cookies and pastries! YES I IGNORED THEM AND SIPPED MY YUMMY WATER! YES, ILIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT....YES I AM PROUD THAT I IGNORED IT...but darn, I'm sure they were good! See what I mean? Shelley

Shelly, glad to hear you are better...I have actually been hungry now??? As for portion control...they told us at class in post op, that we may have "more" than we think but we should not be worried about measuring just eating slowly, put the fork down between bites and only eat for 20 minutes or less....try and tell when we are "full" by listening to our body....LOL... So, I try and have like the "jenny craig" sized meals...you know...protein about the size of a deck of cards, 3 bites to one bite of veggie or fruit etc... to be honest, I have been volumizing in terms of the veggies (only cooked ones) because I do not have restriction and I don not want to be hungry...so I eat a few more bites than I should or at least once I am filled and restricted. I am still not allowed to have beef or pork...only chicken and fish (shrimp is ok just not oysters and clams?). As I menioned above, my favorite lunch or dinner is my fake enchiladas: I got 5 meals from 1 can of refried beans... so 1/5th cup of refried beans 1/5th can of rotell tomatoes ( I used the ones with lime and cilantro) 1/5th a portion of creamed spinach (frozen bag) Sprinkle of 2% mexican blend shredded cheese Stir, microwave about a minute or so....eat! Darned good if I do say so myself...since I invented it! Pesky....good luck with your back..poor thing! Weight loss should help you....

HI Denise, I fully understood your first post! I am definitely just starting the "bandster hell" stage and I am sure half of it is just my brain...Oh well, I keep ignoring it! Take care , Shelley

Ok, not to be a voice of the other side...but I have UHC and it all went fine for me...I DO have the comorbid. and a high BMI...Showed the 5 year history thing etc....but I had no problems with them? I hope it gets better for you all.

Wasa, I am glad you are on the mend! I will think in my mind that I am sending you the 10 lbs from my surplus! My dr. office just announced that they are going to be offering the sleeve...too funny considering I just got banded and 1 week later here is the "new" thing there...LOL I am sure I will do well with the band. I will be interested to hear about your progress and still would love to meet up with you some time...I met Denise at her last visit here! Take care, Shelley

Shelly, sorry to hear you are so tired. I was great until I got a bought of hives and that zapped me...or was it the Benedryl? I do think food is the reason...be sure you are getting in your protein because your body needs it to heal. My diet was advanced very fast...just clear liquids until day 4 and then food as in chicken, fish, turkey, cooked vegatables, cheese, yogurt and eggs, and fruits (no peels). So, I have been fine since then.....I usually do a protein shake for breakfast...they don't like that I use them...they want me on food but I am allergic and hate eggs anyway and deli meat is not my favorite either..... Then I have creamed spinach and refried beans with a bit of cheese for lunch (it is my fake enchilada...not tortillas) and a few grapes and then dinner is like fish or chicken and broccoli..... Good Luck! Shelley

You poor thing! BUT...I love Dasani...and would love to have it free at work! I don't even miss soda... just iced tea and coffee which I can have after a month or so...

Congrats! I am glad to hear it all went well...I am healing too....I broke out in hives this past week...not sure why....they were more bothersome than the surgery! Be sure and take care...good luck! Shelley

Thanks for the info...I will get some ASAP! Thanks again!

Kammi, did you rub the oil on right away? I still have some scab/open'sih scars? I was afraid to put anything on them yet?

Take care wasa! I am praying for you!

Ok gals...Sorry to let you know I had no staples! I have steri strips over the glued incisions....One just fell off tonight up by my cleavage...my bra must have rubbed it too much! TMI Last year I had staples after my hysterectomy and they really do not hurt coming out...if you two are pierced and tatooed I think you can handle it. Kammi ...glad to hear you and hubby are doing great! I am doing great also...I really have never napped yet. I got home Thursday and was druggy and laid about then slept really well considering I hadn't slept much since the night before the day before surgery. I went walking around the store on Friday morning and then just hung out at home...Sat I went out 3 times to places just to walk...it is too hot to walk outside here... Sunday I was out several hours with a friend even went to restuarant...I am on mushy's so had refried beans... Same with Monday...drove around with my DH as he had things to deliver and then I window shopped and walked from like 10 - 3...was tired when we got back and just hung out at home... Today, I went by my school to see everyone...theyare teaching summer school but NOT ME this year...yea....Then went out to lunch with the family...had hummus and some banana.....then bought a pair of shoes...then tonight went to the casino and played slots and walked around...got my free 2 buffets....watched hubby pig out while I had some salmon and sf jello.... Now I ready for bed...so I guess the sooner your body lets you get back to life...the better you are.... What I am NOT doing is playing MOM...lucky for me my kids are older and can take care of themselves and me if needed... I guess I am just lucky because I bounced back last year after my hyster pretty much the same way... I have not taken pain meds since Thursday PM...well really early Friday am...I think that has really helped plus I am allowed soft food...have been eating since Sat, My surgery was Wednesday... 1 week ago tomarrow! MY port area definitely gets sore every now and then but I am being careful when I get up and I do not try and bend down.... So, that is my story...I am really sorry some of you are so miserable and I wish the best for all of you. I am not writing this to make any one feel bad...I just think those waiting to be banded should hear everyone's experiences..good and bead so they are prepared! Be well everyone....OH yeah I am down about 7 pounds since my weigh-in at the hospital! MY ticker reflects the when I started the process and preparing for all of this...I worked hard preop...I think it helped me! My blood sugars have been great too! And BP! Yea I am on the road to health!

Yea Barb! I know what you mean about the tub! OK, but I have a huge one now and that is OK too....just more room to splash in! I feel the same way about patio chairs...like the white resin ones...If I stand they practically come with me! HAHA

Good Luck Nance and well put! I am Realized too!

Crystal...I agree that picking a "tool" in our body is not about a website. I don't think that anyone can say what is the BEST. As I said earlier, I would use the one my doc feels most comfortable with..... I do think it is great that there is a choice....It will keep both companies striving to improve.....that is what it is all about... As for me, what is done is done...I too did all my research and had my reasons.....for ME and MY doc...so no harm talking.... Good Luck to anyone making a decision....be 100% sure of what you personally want...and then march on!

What I meant by protocol is the doctor preps the bands different in OR....My doc's nirse was telling me...the Realize band takes a bit longer becasue they are required to like put it in water or something to check for leaks first etc....the stuff, as we are asleep and don't know it is going on... As for the port...go to Realize.com and it will show you how there is a tool that "stamps" the port in place...reminds me of a studder for like gems on leather....the port has its own little claws that grab the fascia muscle (sp?). Also, if it needs to be removed after plastics they can use the tool to retract the claws move and then stamp in place again! My doc told me that part! HOpe that helps

Thanks for sharing Kat! Mexican food is a mainstay in my life so I am glad that I will still be able to eat..it is going to be hard to ignore some of it though since I am just starting out!

Good for You! I can't wait untill my Mama Joe's fall off too!

I just had a half of a cheese and spinach enchilada...did NOT eat the shell...and about a 4oz portion of refried beans! YUMMY!

Lucy, are you felling any better? I sure hope so! I am doing well, just have to not twist or bend or move with out thinking then I feel a deep burning feeling at my port! Take care - Shelley