Jodi_620

I haven't been banded yet so I can't answer all of your questions but I just wanted to "chime in" on the diet soda thing. I was a Diet Pepsi addict. That was my biggest worry...I just couldn't imagine living without it. I didn't go anywhere without a Diet Pepsi bottle/can in my hand and drank about 6-8+ per day. I started my liquid pre-op diet a week ago today and I haven't touched a Diet Pepsi since last Thursday. :thumbup:The dietician recommended that I wean myself off slowly but I wanted to make all my changes once the pre-op diet kicked in so I quit cold turkey. I did have a pretty bad headache for the first two days, Advil helped with that though. I replaced it with water and Crystal Light (those little "on the go" packets are great), and you know what?...I really do not miss it like I thought I would. The hardest part is getting the caffeine out of your system.

My surgeon explained it much like AthinnerDenise did. The Vagus nerve is on the top portion of the stomach, it is like a sensor that detects when our stomach is full. When we fill our stomach to the top, the food reaches this nerve and the nerve sends a message to our brain that we are full. Without a band we have to put a lot more food into our stomach before it is full and triggers this nerve. But since the band is placed on the top portion of our stomach, we eat a lot less before the food triggers this nerve. The band also holds the food in that upper portion longer so have that full feeling longer. With the band, since it takes less food to get the "full" message, it takes less time to fill your stomach so you get full faster than without the band.

As I am sure you are well aware we all are given different instructions on the pre-op. For me, as far as flavor I can have any flavor I like. I can mix it with water or Hood Milk (whatever that is...I never bothered going out to look for it). I can't have regular milk during my pre-op diet.

Thanks for your reply Renee. I suspected that it had something to do with tracking my progress. Before she left the room for me to go through with the scan she told me that I could take a look at the picture on the monitor when I was done, I assumed that she would explain afterwards what exactly I was looking at but I went straight from there to sit down with the surgeon and I never did get to ask the nurse about it. You are right, it does show every lump and bump and roll...I stepped out of that booth and I was like... :rolleyes2:

I had my pre-op visit with my surgeon yesterday. Prior to seeing him they did a body scan on me. This procedure had not been mentioned in my previous meetings with them. I meant to ask about it when I talked with the surgeon but forgot. Did anyone else have this done? Just curious what it is for.

That is exactly what my nutrionist recommended that I use. Along with the Atkins or EAS prepackaged shakes. She said she would prefer that I not use Slim Fast or anything that says "meal replacement".

Just to clarify this was not a test that I had to go out and get or pay extra for, it was done in the surgeons office just prior to sitting down with the surgeon for my pre-op visit. I guess it is just something they do to document your progress...dunno.

The first meeting was a classroom type meeting where she did a Power Point presentation explaining in detail what we should eat for Pre-op and for Post-op and details on why we should follow these diets. She gave us sample menus and information on what to buy and where to get it. She explained how we will need to re-train ourselves to eat slowly taking small bites and chew-chew-chew :rolleyes2: The second meeting was a one-on-one where we discussed my current eating habits, where/what/how I eat, when I eat, do I eat out etc. Gave advice on trigger foods, avoiding carbs and different tips to help me to lose weight after being banded. Then she gave me a pop quiz to make sure I was paying attention....I passed It certainly helps you to understand how to make the band work for you so that you can be successful with it. I think the insurance company requires it to make sure that you understand that you have to do your part to make it work or the whole thing will be a waste.

It's not that pressing to me. I was just curious; I don't recall anyone else here mentioning it but thought maybe someone could enlighten me...

They had me remove all of my clothes and jewelry and get inside what looks like one of those photo booths. A recording gave me instructions on what to do. There were two footprints on the floor showing where to place my feet (puts you in sort of a spread-eagle standing position). Then I had to grab two handlebars on either side of me. One of the handles had a button and when I was ready I pushed the button and the machine scanned up the front of me and down the back. When I got out, there was a computer screen showing a scan of the outline of my body filled in with various colors and with cirles around certain points on my body. They didn't tell me what it was for, I just thought it was interesting and was wondering what it was done for. I meant to ask but forgot and now I am just curious.

I thought it was odd in your post yesterday that they told you that they had already approved you and scheduled the surgery...I don't know of any insurance company that does it that way. And now you find out that the surgeon hasn't even submitted it yet???:eek: Sounds like maybe the person you talked to is clueless. Have them submit all of the information, give it a week then call the insurance company for a follow-up. I'll keep my fingers crossed Good luck and keep us posted.

I can understand your concern for his health especially when you have found your solution and have seen such great sucess. But I agree with others here and think that everyone needs to make this decision for themselves. Continue with your support with him trying to eat right and exercise and lets all hope that he will be sucessful no matter which route he takes.

ksandez, Not all policies are the same. The only way you can know for sure is to call them and ask.

I haven't been banded yet but I did have another surgery a couple years ago. At that time a nurse called me a day or two before surgery, went over any medications that I am on and told me whether or not I should take them on the day of surgery and what I needed to do to prepare i.e. fasting, arranging a ride, best clothing to wear etc. , she also said no makeup, no lotion, no perfume, no deoderant, no jewlery, no contacts, no dentures or partials...

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I have UHC but they sent me a letter letting me know that I had been approved. They didn't schedule a surgery date for me, the only date in the letter is a deadline date which is several months from now...

Seminar September 2007 Consultation September 2007 Found out my insurance through Anthem would not cover surgery so I put it off for a few months preparing to be a self-pay. During that time my insurance changed to United Health Care. Went back in April to get started through the process prepared to self-pay but hoping my new insurance would cover it. Had my barium swallow, psych eval and nutrition classes in mid-April. Surgeons office submitted a letter of recommendation for surgery to United Health Care on April 30th. Recieved approval from United Health Care in the mail on May 9th. Called the surgeons office right away and they scheduled my pre-op and surgery. Had my bloodwork & EKG done on May 14th, my pre-op is tomorrow and my surgery date is May 30th.

Yes, I am on day 5 of an all liquid Protein diet. I can have Protein shakes, Jello, broth, crystal light & yogurt smothies. The first couple of days I did alright except for a bad headache which I attributed to stopping my beloved Diet Pepsi cold turkey. :thumbup: I am not diabetic but I do have Insulin Resistance. At day 5 my headaches aren't so bad but none of the allowable liquids are stopping the hunger pangs. Yesterday afternoon I went out to Lowes with hubby and had to sit down...I suddenly felt so dizzy, nauseous, clammy and my brain stayed pretty fuzzy until I went to bed. And as the day wears on I get so tired of the hunger pains that I am irritable. I have ten more days to go pre-op then I will be on about the same diet for another 14 days post-op, hopefully after surgery things will be a little easier.

Welcome MyTurn and good luck!

casagirl, It depends on who your surgeon is, but some require a pre-op diet of liquid (usually high Protein low carb), some require part liquid with one meal a day or some say specific foods prior to surgery. Some require two weeks, some less, some only require liquids for just the night before surgery and some don't have any requirements at all. Mine has me on Liquid Protein for 14 days prior to surgery. His reason is that doing so will reduce the fat around the liver making surgery safer and easier. Your liver is in front of your stomach so they will need to move it out of the way to put the band on, if it is fatty, it could get damaged or be in the way of getting the surgery done properly or even having the surgery done at all. I will then be required to do liquids for two weeks after surgery and then graduate to puree then to solids. The reason for liquids/puree after surgery is to allow time for healing.

If you are going along fine, with no problems, and then suddenly develop continual reflux or symptoms of a too-tight band (without the obvious causes of not eating properly or a recent fill) it could mean slippage. It can be verified with an x-ray and barium swallow test.

May 30th!...

I guess it depends on your doctor. For me it was not just lower calorie and high protein but very low carb. According to my doctor, the low carb high protein liquid diet is best for preparing you liver for the surgery.

I agreee anewbb, I was not told that I was required to see the "in house Psych". It was just convenient to have everything in one office which is so close-just a couple blocks from my office so I decided that it would make the whole process easier for me to use her. I would imagine that the cost also has a lot to do with where you live...nothing is cheap in my area.

I am required to do the liquid Protein I can have the EAS shakes or Adkins. Other things that I can have are. Protein powder mixed with water or hood milk (they recommend unjury or any brand containing whey protein) chicken or Beef broth (1 cup) sugar free Jello (1/2 cup) Crystal Light Carb control yogurt smoothies (no more than on per day) They also recommended Citrocel because the Fiber makes you feel full but I just don't like that stuff... Have something every 2-3 hours as needed to control hunger.