Long2BFree

Once you get the Lap Band you are only supposed to eat three meals a day with no snacks or grazing in between meals. You also say that you are a carb addict. With the LB, protein is supposed to be eaten first so would need make sure you got those requirements in before going for the carbs.

Blending the protein drinks in the blender with ice makes it so much better. You feel like you are getting a lot too. Popscicles and Jello will also help you feel like you are eating something. If you drink Unjury I understand that the stawberry flavor tastes good mixed into Lemonade Crystal Light.

Make sure you mention this to your surgeon and PCP. When I attended a nutrition class we were told to make sure we didn't use timed-released vitamin supplements, for what reason I don't know.

I saw the surgeon on Tuesday, request was submitted on Wednesday and got approval on Thursday.

My husband has seen me struggle with my weight ever since we've known each other (23 yrs) and is 100% in support of me having this surgery. Kelly, my husband always had the same reaction when I said that this time was my last time and I was going to lose my weight. He got to the point that he thought I would fail just like all the other times. However, with the band he feels like this is the last time.

Welcome to the message boards! Congrats on your surgery and weightloss! It's amazing what a difference a 20 pound loss has on bodies. Keep up the good work!

I just saw my surgeon on Tuesday to get my surgery date for July 17th and just checked Tricare's website and I've been approved! Now this is going to become a reality! I feel very blessed as I'm the last patient my surgeon has accepted with my insurance.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. The support here is incredible. Altoonasoup - I'm sorry for the disappointment you have had to deal with in trying to get your insurance to approve your surgery. I just learned in February of this year that my insurance started covering the procedure. Have you checked your policy for the 2008 year to see if they are now doing it before you start the process again? I hope things work out in your favor. Aculberg - My surgeon required lots of steps before he would even see me to discuss the surgery. Once all of his guidelines where fulfilled then I got in to see him to discuss the surgery at which point he looked over my records and medical tests and decided it was a go. His office then submitted the paperwork for a pre-authorization. I understand that Tricare doesn't require everything that some surgeons require. I even received a phone call from a nurse at the Tricare office this morning to tell me I was approved but I already knew that because I checked my profile on the website. She then asked me if I understood what the surgery involved, if the surgeon explained the post-op care procedures and the date of my surgery. She said they would be calling me again a couple of days after my surgery to do a follow-up. Clayverde - Congrats on getting your approval and your upcoming surgery! It looks to me that Tricare is one of the better insurances as far as getting quick approvals.

I would recommend you contact your surgeon or nutritionist to ask this question. They will be better able to answer your question.

I hope you feel better soon. I've read that drinking Adolf's meat tenderizer mixed with pineapple juice helps to break up whatever is stuck.

Indio Girl 55 - Thanks for the well wishes and prayers, which one can never have too many of. I feel priviledged to sharing a band date with someone who has been so successful with her band. The doctor diagnosed my staph infection as 'cellulitis'. I've heard of MRSA but I'm not really sure that's what I have as the infection site is not open and oozing which really has me stumped because I have no breaks in my skin. My family also razes me because I'm such a stickler about getting them to wash their hands and clean everything and spray everything with Lysol, alcohol or antibacterial products. I'm just thankful the antibiotics are working as the infection is going away. It's 94 degrees where I'm at today. I can bet you are REALLY warm in Palm Springs.

It looks like you are on your way to being successful with your positive attitude and really taking control of what you eat. BTW, doing the shakes aren't too bad.

Gratz on the new date Ann71!!! 1-tillydog, wsw27?, florida girl 2-trudeip, mackie, BethO,guitar247, minidriver 3 4 5 6 7 8-Zeama, Tamspri, knd, JaJeanne, 9-Missrach, st4r69 10 11-mellalot 12 13 14 15-Mellimel71 16-lotzasunshine 17-Long2BFree 18-CapitolChick 19 20 21-pennylane 22 23 24-daniml, nyllrap 25 -NewJEM 26 27 28 29-Chellets 30 - mamanmidwife

Congrats on doing so well with your surgery. I'll keep your warning in mind.

I saw the surgeon today and got my surgery date for July 17th. I have a bad infection on my leg and it has to be completely cleared before he'll do the surgery. He also told me that I'm his last patient to get in under Tricare health insurance. The appointment was quite short. He looked over my records, asked me if I wanted GB or LB. I told him Lap Band and then had to tell him why. He then looked at my stomach and made a comment about the 14" scar on my stomach from when I had my gall bladder out. He said from the size of it they could've taken out my liver. He then said it would be kind of tough to work around the scar but he thought he could do it. He asked me if I had any questions and told him I didn't because I've been doing research and reading message boards like crazy. I can't believe it's almost here.

You are probably having pressure with BMs because you aren't getting enough fiber. Check with your doctor to see if it's okay to add Benefiber to your foods and/or take a stool softener.

Most people have only hear of gastric bypass surgery and not lap band. They don't understand what really happens with both surgeries. When you think about it, you see many shows about gastric bypass patients so that's what they know. Lap Band hasn't been around as long.

It's good to know that you don't have leak, but sounds very frustrationg to have to go through the stress you've been going through. I would be asking for some money back since the error was their fault.

It's not uncommon to get bad headaches when reducing calories so drastically. Many people have the headaches for the first 3 or 4 days. What kind of shakes is she drinking that are so high in calories? She should try finding a high protein shake that is lower in calories so she can have them more often.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. My fear is that my surgeon is that my doctor will tell me he won't take Tricare when I go see him next week even though his staff told me that I'd be the last one to get by. Go to the Tricare office located at the closest military installation and get a list of doctors and hospitals that take Tricare. Mine provided me with a list though they were all no less than 3 hours away from me. You might have to go to a military facility to get the procedure done too. I hope you get this resolved soon.

Congrats on being banded. Remember, you just had surgery. Your body needs to heal. I have read posts where it takes some a month to get back their energy. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to drink the shakes in order to get the nutrition your body needs. Putting it in the blender with ice helps to make it more shake/malt like. You can also purchase unflavored Protein powder (GNC carries it and I believe Walgreens) and add it to your Soups and other soft foods. Protein is essential in helping your body heal.

It only seems like a lot of people are having problems to you because this is one of the few places people with LB can come and share. It's a small percentage in comparison to the number who have been banded. Two of my cousins have been banded for a few years and don't have problems, but I have an Aunt who had GB 20 years ago and she's had nothing but problems since her surgery. My friend had GB a year ago and though she looks great had to have emergency surgery 2 days after being banded because she was throwing up. The surgeon had to go in and make some adjustments. She also has regular dizzy spells and heart palputations since GPS.

I am so sorry that you had to reschedule your appointment. I can so relate to your disappointment as I went through the same thing with my surgeon earlier this week. He is also not going to take my insurance anymore so I'm just hoping he doesn't change his mind before he does my surgery. Hopefully the weeks will go by fast for you.

Are you banded? If you are hardly getting any protein in, then you are putting your health and possibly your life at risk. Please call your doctor and discuss your nutrition needs with him/her.

If you can give a city or county it will be easier to try and recommend a doctor. If you are self pay, ask for the cash price and it is cheaper than the price they give for people with insurance.