Jess1982c

That pain in your chest could be acid reflux and/or gas, I had both... I had to wait for my new acid reflux medicine to kick in (takes a week to really start working). Also, TAKE THE GAS-X STRIPS! I was told that by several people on here, cause I was so uncomfortable and had trouble sleeping. The gas was worse than the pain from my incisions. I had surgery on the 1st of this month, but was determined that I could walk off the gas, but it wasn't until I FINALLY bought the strips this past Sunday that the gas went away, almost entirely! It took about 12 hours to really feel the difference, but it works wonders!

Thanks for your responses.. you were all right. I sent my surgeon an e-mail... I thought it would get forwarded to his nurse, but he responded in an hour!! I have a great surgeon!! Anyway... he said that the restriction is vert common and due to the swelling and the residual Fluid (2-3cc) that is already in the band. So that explains it... he said they could take out that fluid to make me more comfortable... what do you guys think? I don't want to mess up my weight loss because I'm worrying too much. But I also need to get in my Protein and Water. Also, I think I may buy gatorade to drink instead of water... I was experimenting at my house tonight, and the heavier the liquid, the easier it goes down. Anyone know why that is? Anything that is truly of water consistency is hard for me to drink, but if I make anything shake consistency, I can drink a lot more. strange.

Hey,

Anyone have the problem of having a lot of restriction after surgery, but before the fill. I can already tell you that my doctor does not do a first fill until 6 weeks out, so I know he didn't do that during my surgery. I spoke to the nurse and she said to make sure that I stay hydrated and that some people have restriction coming out of surgery, but I don't want to have to choose between having my Protein or having my water! I had surgery on 12/1, can other tell me if they had similar experiences? and what were the causes of the restrictions (without a fill)? I'm getting a little concerned, I feel so FULL and I have barely had anything all day. By the way, I am still on my liquid diet.< /p>

Thanks in advance,

Jessica

I'm sorry about your leak :thumbup: ... On the plus side, your port leaking would not be your fault and should be covered by insurance. I asked my insurance a lot of questions before I got the band. Good Luck!

what strips??!!

Wendy,

I AM SO WITH YOU!! I got banded on 12/1 as well, and I have never wanted to pass gas more in my life! I am doing the walking thing, but there is still just enough left to bother the heck out of me!

I was told I could start swallowing my pills again after 10 days post-op. I am really looking forward to that!

I bought Zero Carb Isopure individual size drinks. They are not shakes and they are see through with a Water consistency, so you could drink it as a clear liquid. Plus side is that one bottle has 40g of Protein, so you will get a decent amount of protein in on one of the hardest days to do that.

Question for those of you post-op. I had surgery on Monday, and I am doing fabulously. My question is that I went into surgery 5lbs. lighter than when I got out, and I am assuming that that is because I am swollen, filled with gas, and was filled with Fluid from the IV. How long did it take for most of you to lose the weight that you gained in the hospital?

Thanks,

Jessica

Hey Christy,

You are on my same schedule. I just got banded yesterday and don't feel too bad, to my surprise! I also just put some before pictures up as well. I would love to buddy up with you, since we are both about the same age and going through everything about the same time. I hope your surgery goes well! I just put up "before pictures" last night... the front view and side view of me are pictures actually taken yesterday, while I was still swollen. I hope to talk with you again soon, and again, good luck with everything!

Jessica

Well I can have soups.. as long as they are liquid/milk consistency... so I am not straying at all, I am just looking for some Soup recipes, so I can try something different.

I have my surgery on 12/1 and have been on the liquid diet for 5 days now, from what I have heard some people do well with it and some people have trouble. My biggest problem was wanting to chew something, so I went out and bought 5 packs of sugar free gum... my doc said that as long as I don't swallow it, that I can chew as much as I like, lol. Just whatever you do, don't cheat... the purpose is to shrink your liver and reduce the amount of fatty tissue. If your liver does not shrink then it is hard for the surgeon to work because it is large and not flexible and he may not be able to perform the surgery. Good luck with everything!! Today was the first day that all of my cravings stopped, so once you get going it will get better.

Well I try to stay away from chocolate, but a really good healthy latte that you can get almost anywhere is a sugar free caramel skim milk latte- SO GOOD! They do actually have Sugar Free Chocolate too. The syrups are just made with splenda. But as long as you don't get too many lattes a day, it is pretty good... its mostly the calories in the skim milk that you have to pay attention to. Skim milk- 90 calories for 1 cup. Also when it gets warm again, a "light frappuncino" is good... again they use spenda in the mix and there is no whip cream. Can you tell I used to work for a coffee shop?

If you want increased Protein but try to stay on the liquids, you could try "Zero Carb Isopure", its a whey Protein Shake and has 50g of protein a serving. My surgeon wants us to have 60-80g of protein a day and that has really helped me. I start feeling a little sick if I don't get in the full amount of protein they reccommend, so I work hard to get it in. I hope the extra protein works, and the sooner you get back on the liquid the better. Good Luck!! What day is your surgery? Mine is 12/1.

I'm glad you were able to speak with your nutirionist, I just went to a lap band meeting on Wednesday and our nutritionist said that some people get the nausea when they need more Protein.< /p>

If so, for how long?

I'm have so much back pain now, I was hoping I'd have the surgery in a couple of months the most. :drool:

But I'm just going to meet with the nutritionist tomorrow for the first time and the other 3 specialist next week... then I'll visit the surgeon for the second time in 3 weeks.

I have to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. I have almost made it though the first week of the liquid diet.

So I am finishing up on the 5th day of my pre-op liquid diet. My doctor requires us to be on it for the 2 weeks before surgery. While I am doing well (have already lost 10lbs!), I am SO BORED with this food. I need recipes! I've got the shakes down, I would just love a good hot and healthy cream of something recipe! Any ideas??? I would love to hear from everyone!

Hey,

Your doctors office may have submitted the paperwork when they said they had. BCBS told me that it could take 1-2 weeks before they even acknowledge a fax has been received. But hey, cross your fingers, once they recorded that my fax was received and that I was under review by a nurse (this was a Thursday), I had my approval by the following Monday. So you may get an answer pretty quickly from the insurance company now. I would check back next week and see if the staus has changed. GOOD LUCK!!!

Jeni,

You have gone so far to help yourself, do not turn on yourself now. Look at all that you have accomplished. You have lost over 100lbs! THAT IS AMAZING! I am waiting for insurance approval right now and I look up to people like you, who have done so well and turned their lives around. You are such a great role model for those of us out their still struggling.

I understand your family is going through a lot right now, but I agree with the the previous person that responded to your message. Please talk to a counselor or even your doctor.

I do think you should be there for your family during these difficult times, but please do not forget that you need to take care of yourself as well, I'm sure you were like me and many of us that would feel guilty or physically bad after you ate what you knew you shouldn't have. And we all know that it becomes a slippery slope. It will be much harder for you to help your family if you are not well yourself. You will be the most helpful to them if you are healthy, and mentally and emotionally stable.

How about instead of turning to food, you go outside and take a walk or a run until you can't anymore. It will do wonders for your body and will clear your mind, which is what you really need right now during this tough time.

I'm here if you ever need to talk.

Jessica K.

Can you appeal?

Don't lose faith in the lap-band. Keep after it!

I'm guessing because you are on Medicaid you have a much harder time than private pay or privately insured. Keep after it, though. States are beginning to look what Medicaid covers and they are removing bariatric surgery from their covered procedures. At least that's what I've heard from one of the seminars I attended.

Insurance companies are doing the same thing. I've got BCBS of GA and when I told my surgeons office who I was covered by she said "Oh, BCBSGA won't cover any bariatric surgery." So I'm self pay and going to a great place in Mexico.

You are doing everything right. You have completed your pre-op items. You've even lost almost 50 pounds and you have it documented.

Keep on pushing! I suspect when you do find a doctor, you will be able to get in right away!

This may seem like an obvious question, but have you talked to anyone at Medicaid?

Hugs and don't give up!

Jena

Before you go to Mexico, I wanted to give you a heads up that I have BCBSGA and under my plan I am covered. It might be your plan that doesn't cover it, which means your employer did not want to include it in their offered plans, but I would definately double check. Because I have spoken to several different people at the insurance company and they all have agreed that I am covered (as long as I fit into the requirements).