TQUAD64

If you are looking for Protein during the clear liquid phase, then try the Isopure products. They have 40 grams of protien and come in great fruity flavors. This product is low carb high protein and tastes great. Plus, it is consider a clear Fluid. Think of it as a Crystal Light drink, except less sweet and lots of protein. You can find them at GNC. See the link: GNC - Nature's Best

Great question! I worried about this as well. I was required to do the 6-month medically supervised diet with Blue Shield of California. I started in January 08 and did not lose weight because I was told not to drop below 40 BMI. Personally, I think the insurance company requirements are ridiculous for bariatric patients. The issue is not weight loss, but keeping it off. I can lose weight, but struggle to keep it off. Anyway, I never went below a BMI of 40. I was told to make sure not to gain weight either during the supervised diet. In August my primary care doctor submitted my supervised diet records to the insurance company along with a letter recommending me for the procedure. The insurance company approved me in August to move to the next step, which was to meet with a bariatric surgeon. Once the bariatric surgeon met me and weighed me, that weight became the official start weight. Not the the weight at the 6-month diet. Then, I had to complete an upper GI and a H-pylori test. Once those two tests were completed, barring any complications, my bariatric doctor submitted all her records pertaining to me to the insurance company for approval of the bariatric banding surgery. Once, I was approved for the surgery (approval in 24-hours), I could officially start the pre-op diet and lose all the weight I could without having to worry about the insurance company rejecting me for a lower BMI. Hope the information helps. It really is dependent upon your insurance company's requirements. Good luck!:tongue:

I would call your bariatric doctor just to be on the safe side. I would not self-diagnosis.

Good question. I wonder about this too, especially in-light of the cold weather. I like to have liquid soup with a small meal.

Oh, I love that part of the show too. It gives me hope when I can see other people accomplishing their health goals. It is not so scary when I can see others going through what I am going through.

I love Ruby and I am rooting for her. I really hope her support system can give her the love, encouragement, and strength to win her battle with weight. I really want her to live a healthy life. She is such a great person!:sad_smile:

Are you are stating that you are having surgery on 12/8/08 and that your doctor told you can not have Fluid or food after 7:00 a.m. If that is the case, I would call and get some clarification. I have had 11 surgeries and each time I was instructed no food or fluid after midnight. The only exception was an instruction to take my thyroid medication the morning of surgery with a small sip of Water. I would be careful. If you have something in your tummy and you vomit during surgery, it could be potentially serious.

This past Friday's episode was really interesting. Robert and Garth (the doctors) have to help Robert's daughter...Garth's sister. The sister had gastric banding done, but lives out of their area. She had an issue with a fill. It was odd, because it was a delayed reaction to the fill. She had been doing great with the fill, but then she could not keep fluids down and was vomiting. I got the impression from the show that her bariatric doctor told her to go to the ER for help. The ER room did not know how to help her. They tried over and over to find her port, but could not. She called her brother and he and her father both instructed her to get on a plane ASAP to get to Ohio, where they were at. When she got to her brother and dad three hours after a plane flight, she was shaking and really scared. When she layed on the table and they lifted her shirt, you could see all the bruising and marks left by all the attempts the ER doctor made in trying to locate the port. As soon as her brother (Garth) removed some Fluid, she was able to finally drink (8 oz water) and was much better. The moral of the story: After care is so important. How available is your doctor to handle emergencies???

Thanks for the tip on the December 21 marathon. I will Tivo it.:sad_smile:

Friday my energy was zapped no exercise. Saturday: A million and one errands and a day out with the girlfriends. No treadmill. But I went up and down the flipping stairs at my home with the flipping groceries. So that was 10x up and down. Free weights upper body. Back on the treadmill tomorrow.

Congrats on your weight loss. I love hearing from the long-term bandsters. You give us newbies hope.

Bravo that you are still down 40 pounds, that is awesome. But don't give up. Is there a support group near by you???? This forum is great, but there is something about a personal support group where you actually are accountable in front of people, not behind the guise of a computer. Get another fill. I know you have a 4cc band, which is at 3cc, but you can still get more, so call the doctor. Whatever you do, please don't give up. You have come way to far now to give up.

I don't have a wedding ring, but my rings are loose now and so is my watch.

Good luck with the procedure and to a healthier new you!

I have never heard of it before. I think it is really hard to get a balanced diet while on the liquid and mushie post op diet. I am trying though and what I cannot get nutritional wise via food in-take, I hope I can get from my vitamins.

Wow, I didn't know they had liquid motrin. I never really looked for it. I use Liquid Tylenol and drink it really fast like it is a tequilla shooter.

My doctor gave me the same talk regarding the complications, which I wanted to hear. I need to know everything, the good and the bad. How else can I make an informed decision unless, I know as much as possible. Additionally, we discussed the difference results between the two procedures. I did a lot of research and I don't mean reviewing the threads on this forum. I utlized the e-library at the university I attend and down loaded medical journal reports on gastric badning and the By-pass procedure. Together, my doctor and I decided that the band would be best for me. It is less evasive, slower weight loss, quicker recovery, and my portions would be less because of the fills.

I was given two choices and had to select only one. Choice 1: three high Protein drinks, which were low carb Choice 2: two high Protein Drinks, which were low carb, plus one high protein meal low carb. If hungry, I was allowed two small fruit servings as a snack.

Weight loss success so far 30 pounds and banded 11/11/08. 10 pounds pre op and 20 pounds post op. I feel great. Seminar: was a huge auditorium size room, which was completely packed with people. The doctor spoke, the nurse spoke, clients spoke, and administrative staff spoke. They allowed us to ask questions once they completed their presentation. They provided resource materials and told us what the process would be to have the surgery and what to expect after surgery.

After surgery I could was on liquids for 14 days. So unger kicks in. Liquids only fills you up for so long. However, my doctor said I could have non fat sugar free plain yogurt, which filled me up. I am sure the reasons why I lost so much weight post op is because I work out on my treadmill every day, plus I also use light free weight 3x a week. 3ccs were placed in my band during surgery and I am on the mushie stage. While on the mushie stage, I feel less hungry than while I was on the liquid stage.

Congrats on your approval to be banded. You will not regret your decision to make your life healthier. Good luck tomorrow!

I cannot tolerate the protein shakes, so I drink the Isopure, which is clear like coolaid. It has low caebs abd has 40 gram of protein. I also like the New Whey Bullets, which are 3oz containers that have 42 grams of protein. The bullets are slimy but I like it. Many different flavors tatse good cold or room temperature. Both products fill me up and I buy them at GNC.

I was told I could swallow my thyroid pill whole, but I had to take chewable vitamins. If needed, I could take liquid Tyleno for pain relief. :thumbup:

Congrats Motivated. How exciting to be banded for the holidays. It is the best gift you can get. Good luck!

This story is shocking and sad. I feel terrible for the family and now the holidays are here. I have no idea who the doctor is.