Rainydayz

I'm not banded yet but am curious about getting fiber afterward. I see a lot of people can't/don't eat bread or fibrous veggies. Do you have a problem getting enough fiber? I am someone who needs a lot of fiber to stay regular if you kwim. I eat whole wheat everything. I'm just afraid if I'm eating mostly protein that I won't have room for enough fiber. How do you do it?

My doc says it will be done in the morning and I will go home that afternoon. Maybe your doc is super cautious. It's good he's appealing, so if he does feel like you need to stay overnight you won't be worried about the bill.

You sound like you are positive about your decision, you are just having nerves. So read some success stories. Imagine what your life will be like a year from now. Try to remember how excited you were when you first started out. It'll be here and done before you know it and even though there may be some hard parts (bandster hell!) you know it will be worth it. Just follow the rules and you'll do great. Congratulations on being almost there!

So glad that's over! It wasn't horrible but it wasn't the most comfortable night I've spent either. The tech was very good and made me as comfortable as possible. The worst thing was the tubes up my nose and the chest band was irritating under my arms. I hope to heck I don't have apnea because I can't imagine sleeping with a cpap mask every night. Plus I would have to go back for the adjusting night. I hope the results come back soon and it's negative.

Sorry Shirley, I didn't mean that last part toward you. I was talking about the poster who said they didn't want to go to meetings like a junkie. Actually, we kind of are junkies. I'm hoping the support meetings will help me enough but if not, I plan to try WW or TOPS or something like that for the accountability if nothing else.

You'll never know it. They wait to uncover you until you're fully under. Don't stress. They do this every day.

A couple of years ago when i was first looking into Lap Band my insurance only required 3 months. Now they require six months. I figure in another year or so they will require 12 months too! Just another way for them to get out of paying stuff.

Good grief. I would just nod and say "Uh huh" then let it all go right out the other ear. All you need is that piece of paper saying you passed the eval. Just another example of a "health-care professional" full of BS.

Get well soon! It'll be here before you know it.

Just let them know. They know what to do. It's not like they haven't seen a little blood before you know?

Oh that's good to know. I do not have IBS but do have issues at times. Fiber is the only thing that keeps me right. Thanks for the suggestions!

You're doctor didn't do a very good job explaining things to you. My dr. says absolutely no fill until at least 6 weeks out. You want everything to heal correctly.

I agree its a bunch of bs. Just a way for the insurance companies to keep their expenditures down. I'm sure they have some actuary reports that say anyone who can stick with a plan for a few months is more likely to be successful with the band and thus cost the insurance company less down the road. But in reality I think it's to weed out more people who might decide that if they lose weight on their own they won't get the band after all. But seriously how many of those people keep it off? The insurance doesn't care, by the time you gain it back they hope you're on another insurance plan. Anyway, it's just a hoop that we have to jump through. I'm just trying to make the best of it.

Good luck. You'll do great!!

Shirley you are right. I tend to swap addictions. I used to smoke. Then I quit and I've gained almost 90 pounds since then! I'm hoping that I can become addicted to being healthy and exercising. When I was young I loved running and playing sports. I really hope I can get back to that kind of "addiction." And as far as food being an addiction like alcohol or drugs - well can you imagine a drug addict just taking a little drug every day or an alcoholic taking one drink a day? I've known recovered drug addicts that don't even take pain meds because they're afraid of becoming addicted again. But food addicts can't do that. We have to eat everyday. Maybe a program would help. I don't think it's a horrible thing to do a program if you're addicted to something. It shows that you admit you need help. And we all need help or we wouldn't be here getting the band right? So, like pp said don't knock it. It may be just what you need.

It can be frustrating can't it? We have to remember that the surgeon's office sees dozens of people a week. They can't be expected to remember each case by heart. They were just being super-careful about what your insurance requires. Believe me they want you to get approved. They will do what they have to do to make that happen. Just chill and be confident that you will get approved without the 6-month since your co-workers did. When I went in I was under the impression I would have to do the 6-month diet because that's what my insurance requires. But the nutritionist said that since I was under a drs. care for 5 months before when I was taking diet pills that would count and I only have to do one month now. So I'm trusting her. But if I still have to do more then I will. It's not that long really. I've been overweight for years and years, what's a few more months? I went to the seminar in Feb. tonight is my sleep study, next week is my psych eval. It takes time. If you just now went to the seminar and you're this far along then you're doing great. This will happen before you know it. Good luck!

I do not have my surgery date yet, but I have already through several periods of doubt. I have kept an open mind and looked at all my options. I have weighed the pros and cons. The Lap band comes up the winner every time. And when I start thinking that I could do this on my own I have to be honest with myself. I have lost weight before. Lots of weight. But where is that weight now? Right back here on my body! So that tells me that I need to do something different. I'm just glad we have the options today that we do. I'm sure there will be options in the future but right now I think the best for me is the band. I've looked into the sleeve but I like the adjustability and reversibility of the band. As far the Protein shakes: Try several different ones. Pick out the best and mix with skim milk or soy milk and add 1 tsp of sugar free pudding powder to it. Yummy!

Yeah, I have my 1st sleep study scheduled this Friday. They told me if it appears that I do have sleep apnea I will have to come back for a 2nd night to adjust the cpap settings. Not looking forward to that!

I've got my papers for the sleep study I'm supposed to read and sign. One is for permission to release my SS number to the medical device manufacturer. Why on God's green Earth would they need that?

Yes, but can you drink as fast as you used to?

Well I asked the receptionist how much they charged for the evaluation and she said $200. I was there less than 30 minutes yesterday, so I guess what they do is split it up into 4 30-minute sessions? So silly if you ask me. (But nobody did!) Anyway I'm not sure if I'll have to pay a copay for each visit or not. probably. But whatever. At least it is getting done and I'm getting closer!

My psych eval. is tomorrow morning. I couldn't get an appt. with the dr. I wanted so i went with the second choice in the papers the surgeon's office gave me. I knew the first one was in my insurance network but when I couldn't get him I made an appt. with the other one not checking if he was in my network or not. Tonight it dawned on me to check and he's NOT! So now I either have to pay for the late-cancellation charge or go through with it and just pay for it hoping my insurance will reimburse me something. I have no idea what it will cost. I might be worth it just to cancel and wait for the other one to have an opening. What do you all think? Has anyone had to pay out of pocket for their psych?

This is a great question. I have been worrying about how I will get my fluids in as well. I drink a lot when I eat now, so it's going to be hard after the band. If I drink too close to bedtime I'm up to go pee in the middle of the night. I'm wondering if you can still drink fast after the band? Like, can I drink 2-3 cups of water within 15 minutes or do you have drink slowly as well as eat slowly?

Wow. I only wish I didn't have to go through all these hoops! But in my case most of it if for insurance reasons. They are the ones that require the supervised diet, EKG, blood work, and psych eval. My dr. asks for the sleep study because the anesthesiologist wants to know if I have apnea before he puts me to sleep. And my dr. suggests the support meetings because studies show that those who have more support do better. So I guess there's a reason for everything, but it sure is a pain to be going to so darn many appts. right now. But you know what? There are those who go to Mexico and self-pay and don't have to do any of this stuff and most of the time they do OK too.

Congratulations to both of you! I'll be watching for updates.