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Unjury vanilla has 20 grams of protein (whey protein isolate).

I find unjury very tastey though a bit pricier. www.unjury.com B

One year before I had surgery my weight was 40 lbs. lighter due to some meds I was taking. I didnt have any trouble getting approved by Aetna.

I got some relief when I would lie on my right side and raise my left arm over my head.

Hi, Try this link to Aetna's coverage policy. This will give you the general guidelines. Plan sponsor specific information will need to be applied after that, such as whether or not your company has an exclusion. Hope that helps. Obesity Surgery

I'm glad you mentioned that Jill. I had my first fill last week. Restricion went away and then returned eight days after the fill. I thought that was strange. Why would it just pop up days later?

I had pain in the top of my left shoulder for about a week. For some reason, I got some relief by putting my left arm straight over my head while lying on my right side.

Wow! Can they do that? Are you protected by Family Medical Leave? Don't they have to restore you to the same or similar position/pay?

I was banded 1/27 and recovering quickly. Did have some trouble getting my vitamins in, vomitted once. Today I was having an irregular heartbeat and throbbing headache. Figured out I probably needed to increase my mineral intake. I took a magnesium supplement, increased B12 and switched from low sodium broth to regular bullion. Doing fine now. I'm on full liquids: 1/4 cup of protein shake, three times a day plus calorie free liquids and Jello in between. Will see the Dr. Monday and will probably advance to mushies. Looking forward to that, let me tell you. :redface:

Hi there, I'm being banded on Tuesday also, so you have company. There are others on here as well. Don't worry too much. I'm sure everything will go fine and we have lots to look forward to. :confused: Are you on any special pre-surgery diet? I'm on Protein sparing (since Thursday). It's not as hard as I thought it would be, but glad I don't have to do it longer. Take care! I'm sending lots of good wishes your way.

Hi Kathy and all, I'm also going to be banded Jan 27. Have gone through the six month program and just have one last appointment on Tuesday to meet nurse and anesthesiologist. I have to do the pre-op diet for five days: Protein three times per day along with broth - no veggies, no shakes. I think it is going to be really hard, but gotta shrink that liver. Looking forward to checking back with you all. Best wishes for everyone! Barb

If your providers (doctor & hospital) are considered in-network for your insurance, their contract with the insurance company may require that they be obtain the necessary precertifications before surgery.

Hi Deana, My surgeon's office handles this by giving a referral to a physical therapist to do a pre-bariatric surgery exercise evaluation. Hope this helps. Barb

Wow, that is GREAT! You are sure moving right along. I have appt for chest xray and abdominal ultrasound next Tues. I need to get checked out by pulmonologist and get the cardiac stress test. No one said anything about the endoscopy yet, unless it's the gastroenterologist that does that. I have to see a PT about an exercise program. I'm starting to form all these questions. Need to start writing them down. It sounds like you will be able to go in December for your surgery. I told Dr. B that my insurance looks for a 3 - 6 mos diet/exercise/psycho program and he offered up December, so sounds like it's do-able. I can't take time off though until last half of Jan or later. You're having lap band, right? How long do you plan to be off work? I had the idea I only needed to be off a week. Not sure if that's right. Are you going to the Oct 7 open meeting?

Hi Heather, Just your stress test and cardiogram to go? Fantastic! Endoscopy was okay then? I saw Dr. Benbrahim today for the midpoint. I have gained about 4 lbs since I started. He says "you know what to do." I started a swimming aerobic class at Faulkner's physical therapy in Wallingford last week. I really enjoyed it. It was great to move around and be active without gravity cramping my style. Think I'll go again tomorrow. How is the treadmill work going? I'll probably have surgery in January or February. Taking more than a day off here and there before the end of the year won't due. It is our "crunch" time. Barb

Thanks SaraJaneQ--glad it's not just me. Best of luck EbonyRose! How is everyone else doing? Barb

I'm having a trouble grasping the concept of not being allowed a fill until you lose a certain amount of weight. Isn't the idea of getting a fill so that you improve your chances of losing weight? This worries me a little. Let me know what you think.

Hi SaraJaneQ, Good luck with your approval and surgery! Thank you for the info.

Ughh! I feel your pain. It will be embarassing for me to see the nutritionist again and have no weight loss. My mid-point appt with the doctor will come before long. I'm sorry your day did not go so well. Stress doesn't help the situation either, I'm sure. So they are letting you set up your appointments. Maybe you will be able to go ahead with the surgery if you lose the rest of the weight on the pre-op diet. If you are exercising a lot, maybe you are building muscle which will not show on the scale. I've had that happen to me before. Eventually, the weight loss will kick in. Keep up the great work! Is it Sept 4 you go for the endoscopy?

I'm having trouble losing the pre-op weight, in fact I have even gained a couple of pounds in spite of doing WW online and trying to get in some excercise, so that part is a little discourgaging. The doctor would like me to loose 27 lbs. before surgery. Yes, I only met Karen briefly but she seems like someone who is very caring and takes her job seriously. I was a little concerned about what all the psych eval would entail and how we could have something to talk about for two hours, but sounds like you had a good experience and I'm glad to know that. I work with Anne Young for the diet part and she is also terrific. The seminar you mention is one I was considering. If I attend I'll be sure to make it a point to meet you. Well it sounds like you are well on your way Heather. I wish you all the best. I check in here daily so I look forward to "talking" to you more. I want all the details. :biggrin: And I hope you are dealing OK with your daughter being away for college. Take care, Barb

Hey Heather, How are you? I'm kind of in the same boat (and same doctor), but a little behind you . I've had two nutrition classes, have third and pschyc eval in two weeks. Good luck to you. I'm thinking mine will not happen until early next year. Since we are using the same place would you keep me posted how you're doing? Barb

Hi Gail, I'm from Meriden too but haven't had surgery yet. Can I ask, did you have Dr. B? Barb