YngGram

Pre-op I had a liver shrink diet, he wasn't concerned about the amount of weight, but the fat around my liver. If nothing more stay away from the bread and potato salad. Doc should give instructions, but there will be clear liquids, then smooth/creamy liquids and soups. Mushies are next in line.

My guess is Small framed--being able to get your hand around your wrist (I think) 100 lbs. is your ideal weight and you weigh 300 I had the comorbs so I fell into the 100 lbs. over group..

Couple of factors, which TriCare? Prime is different than Standard and location makes a difference. Also I think it matters if your spouse is active or retired. Obesity Treatment TRICARE only covers morbid obesity surgery such as gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery I was 240 lbs. , ideal is 135 . Hypertension & breast cancer in my history. We have standard and I was approved frist try. Good luck with the appeal

1. My doc says no Protein shakes/drinks AT all. Do you agree? ( because i don't at all, nor does anyone i talked with ) 2. Two weeks of broth & juice ( no milk,..ect ) 3.Do you have the stitches removed or do they dissolve? 4. Should i be taking any Vitamins or something? I'm getting at most 500 cals a day. 5. What did you eat the first week, second week & then finally at a month? 6. Can you take Gas EX? The first week, 1.5 to 2 quarts of clear fluids each day. Caffeine free, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated. Second goal is protein intake of 50 to 60 grams per day of liquid portein from sugar free low fat yogurt, Boot Glucose Control or Boost Diabetic, Carnation Instant Breafast 0 Sugar Added or Slim Fast High Protein Chewable multi vitamins were recommended, later added calcimun, B6 & B12, Biotin for my hair...it will break off after about 3 months. Once they made sure I could keep Water down in the hospital I was allowed popcisles, then some broth that night. The next morning started the protein shakes. Surgery was Mon. and I strated mushies on Sun. for another week. I could have one meal of solids for 3 days to make sure I could tolorate it. Gas was a BIG deal for me, Gax X instant disolve was my best friend. It woke me in the middle of night. I walked through the house every 30 min. or so to keep in moving. I was able to go out the day I was discharged and the next two nights. My doc was really good about answering my questions, he is with a Center of Excellence and had done many of these. His PA is great and I was very happy with the care. Good Luck

Sorry the first couple of days have be bad, but I hope you are feeling better. Make sure you keep trying to get your fluids in.

You might not want to go that way, a big change up might cause problems with the insurance company. The guidelines for each insurance is different, so you might want to look at that. I had 2 co morbids and more than 100 lbs over recommended weight. Some even require you to be under weight management for 6 months to a year,

OK ladies stiffen up. The things ahead will be sooooo wonderful!. I was 50 when I did it. My feet hurt, my knees, my back and I HATED the clothes that I could wear. I was really lucky, overnight in the hospital, an hour and half ride home. I rested couple of hours and went out to watch my husband play pool. I also went out the next two nights. I was sore, but not in pain. I had a pain med devilry system in for two days. When it ran out I didn't need anything else. I sat in the bar sipping Crystal Light, told the waitresses my issue and they let me even have a protein drink. I walked and walked inside my house to ease the gas which was and still is my only real issue. I was so happy about the weight I had lost on the pre-op diet I didn't even think of being sad. Hang in there, we will all be OK. I wish each of you luck, but remember there are many of us here for you. Vent, brag or ask questions, whatever it takes to get you to your goal! :Banane14:

Good choice, while I am not at my best point right now; I would not change my decision. It has done so much for me, I did it for my health but got so much more from it. Make as many changes as you can now. Little things like giving up soda or sweet tea, I used to guzzle it. Dropped 4 lbs by giving that up in one week. Try to start eating less, maybe no seconds and start to love water. You will need to get in lots of fluids after surgery and it was a hard lesson for me to learn. Good luck to both of you.

Soy Protein was recommended, but I hate that stuff. It never seems to completely dissolve. I use either Whey protein, Breakfast Essential or Slim Fast High Protein. OK, to help me I "doctored" my protein shakes. As a chocolate fan I buy that flavor powder most often. So, I added instant coffee, giving me the Jamocoa (Arby) Shake. I always blend with ice cubes, added extra protein with powdered skim milk. These would be nice and thick and I could eat with a spoon. My doc OKed me adding fruit, and I love the taste of strawberries and chocolate. Vanilla powder, powdered milk, 1/4c skim milk , 3/4c OJ or orange flavored Crystal Light, drop of lemon juice, 3 or 4 ice cubes and Orange Slush! Fudgesicles (No Suger Added) also kept me very happy. Knorr makes a Tomato bouillon with Chicken that is tasty. Just don't eat, your tummy really needs time to heal, and to let the band settle the way it needs to.

You will be very surprised by how you feel about solids after surgery. I was on clear liquids in the hospital and full liquids for 2 weeks, my doc likes Carnation Instant Breakfast, now called Breakfast Essentials and Slim-Fast High Protein. It was work trying to get in the amount I needed daily because I was full so easily. Before surgery I had a 2 week Liver Shrink diet that was a lot like the Slim-Fast plan with 1 meal, 2 shakes and 2 or 3 snacks. It won't be bad, many make it through that first stage.

Well, I;m not losing. Of course this has be due to bad choices, not only what I eat, because I stay away from the bad stuff. The problem may be that I am not eating often enough, and with only a little restriction and never feeling full or hungry. I need to not be able to eat some of the things I can. I might not get a fill, instructions are to call for a fill if I am not losing 1.5 lbs a week. There is an issue in here somewhere and I hope the appointment will help me find my way. If you check the original post I say that no hunger means no fill by the guidelines.

From the handbook Breakfast 1 Slim-Fast Hight Protein Drink lunch 1 Slim-Fast 1 smal piece of fresh fruit Snack 6-8 oz light yogurt or light yogurt smoothie or 1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese dinner Sandwich: 4 oz lean turkey or chicken breast, ham or roast beef 2 slices of lite low cal whole grain bread Mustard, fat free may, lettuce, tomato as desired 1 C raw or cooked, non-strachy vegetables or 6-8 oz tomato or V* juice. or 1 Slim-Fast 2 oz lean turkey or chicken breast, ham or roast bee 1 C vegetables Snack 10 baby carrots, small cherry tomatoes, cucmber coins or broccoli florets Be sure to drink at leat 64 ounces of sugar-free/calorie fre breverage! Happy and safe 4th :Dancing_chief:

I went to Brengman because of someone on the site. I really like him and Erin, his nurse. I had the seminar in Nov. and my approval on the first try. Thanksgiving and Christmas caused the "delay" till March. I prepared myself by giving up sweet tea. I swear I used to drink a gallon of the stuff daily. I also started to eat on a smaller plate, no seconds and tried to learn to drink water. Doc gave me a liver shrink diet for two weeks. I thought it was a ton of food, but by the time of surgery I had lost 18 lbs with the diet and the changes I had been making since Nov. Keep me posted on how you're doing. I was really lucky in that I never felt hungry. So many people seem to have that problem in the beginning.

Hi VA ladies. I am here with you. I am in Northern VA, really King George. I had my surgery done by Dr. Brengman and it went really well. However, I have not been behaving the last year, so I am about to pick up the phone to make the needed appointment. Good luck on your journeys.

How long since your surgey? I was the gas master with constipation for about 2 weeks. Almost every meal stills give me gas. Drink Drnk, and slowly ad somethin g that always makes you go. My personal treat is International creamer with the first cop of cofffee. I am gurgelying right now. Keep some gax-X untill I settle down.

Thank you ladies! My husband is on me daily to eat. Most mornings I feel to tight (mental), I just know that my tummy is not yet open for business. I will have a coffee to get started, then some water to do my meds. I look up and it's 3 and I haven't eaten anything. Yesterday I had a coffee, a shake and 2 bites out of a club sandwich. My tummy was still closed to business and I was fast reaching for my enzyme tablets! Two weeks ago I ate a hamburger no problem, I just never know what will go. I think it's best not to eat just to eat, but if we don't eat enough and get that water, we don't loose weight. Catch 22

It is crazy, but being to tight can be the cause. I don't think most docs would encourge you to do another surgery if there isn't a fixable problem with your band. He may just run an upper GI to see how things are flowing before he'll do anything. Good luck

I honestly don't feel the restriction, never have. Can't remember how much is in my band, but I know when I've had to much. Last summer I found that my band gets tighter when it's hot. I had a couple of bad "stuck" incidents and I just kept trying to eat. This made my stomach swell and the problem got worse. I ended up having an unfill to get relief. If I get in enough fluids and my protein I loose weight, if I don't nothing happens. I rarely feel hungry, so I guess it's working like it should. The biggest thing is to get in front of and maintain your protions, because this is why the band works. My doc says that if I follow the rules of amounts, I won't fill full but satisfied. If I take my time eating and chew well I won't get stuck. It was wonderful for me, I got my 3/9 as a size 22, in May I got size 14 jeans for Mothers Day. Now 2 years later I am a 12/14 and happy to still be there, but I do treat myself a little to often. Cold weather, I want hot soup, it's easy to eat to much and I don't get enough water. Hot, well I am sliding back into southern sweet tea; this is my biggest downfall. It can be done. Just look closely at your amounts of food, get the protein in first. I think they told me 2 bites of protein for 1 of veggies or whatever. It does work, just stick with it.

First congrats on getting your band. I was an overnighter so I'm sure they were giving me something there. I was released with a slow release med tube. Pain and nauesa weren't a problem. I was on protein drinks and broth for two or three days, If I remember, I was told it might take over an hour to get 4 or 5oz. down. I just sipped and sipped. No straws! You will not starve, it is best to just do a little at a time as your tummy is still very swollen. My problem was the dang gas. It woke me the first night I was home. To combat this you need to move around. Just get up and walk through the house to help it move. Most important do whatever your doc told you to do for relief. These are the things I was told and they worked for me. Good luck

Getting in the protein really isn't hard. I go for no less than 65g per day. Pick your favorite flavor and roll on. I am the same way, if it tastes nasty it aint going down. Slim Fast power or Canation Instant Breakfast with skim milk, touch of instant coffee, ice and a blender. 1/2 cup OJ, drop of lemon juice, 1/4c s milk, ice and blender. These two got me through in the beggining. Lots of smoothie receipes are out there. I can't stand soy protein, it does not disolve. I use Whey power in vanilla from Wal-Mart, with whaterver fruit I have in the freezer. Powder milk added to these will add extra protein. Good luck

You just may be eating to quickly. This happens to me when I do that.

I think you might look at the choices you make. Get your protein around 80 a day, get in the water! And then there are regular meals. Try to eat about the same time every day if possible. Hunger has never been a problem for me and I have to be reminded that I need more than one meal a day. I am "starting over" tomorrow. I was banded 2 years ago and went from 240 to 178. I this without much exercise, giving up my sweet tea dropped 4lbs in about 2 days. I use a bread plate to eat from and I don't do seconds. I didn't reach the goal the doc set because I just think that 135 is to small for me at my age. It won't look good, and I did this to feel better and it worked. Winter is hard for me because I want soups and chili and bread and hot chocolate. Warm weather it's easier for me to get my water in and when it's hot I have never really wanted food. Also, when it is hot I am tight in the morning and can only sip down a protein drink. I mix in instant coffee and powder milk for the taste and extra protein. Keep working at it.

From what I have seen every person can eat different things. I can eat some days that I can't eat others. I even can eat something for lunch WILL NOT go down for dinner. With a fill your stomacha can be irriated and needs a few days to recover., My doc has me not eat before a fill and then liquids for 2 days and then 2 days of soft foods. Get in the water, or at least a water based product like Crystal Light. I use a 32 oz McD cup, fill it and I'm done when I have drank it twice.

I have found that if my water intake is down, so am I. I tend to let is slip in cooler weather. If my protein intake is low, I am exhausted. No matter what I eat if it isn't the right stuff it doesn't do anything for me. If I don't try to be active I become a stone. While I really don't exercise, I try to move around the house doing the daily chores. I take an iron pill twice a month, all my system is able to handle. Calcium, multi vitamins, B6, B12 and Biotin daily. I am over 50 and have many "life" issues that can keep me down. The supplements help me to feel better. You really need to eat, simply put the car needs gas (sry) to make it go. If you are tight in the mornings, I am, try a protein drink like Carnation Instant Breakfast or SlimFast with skim milk. Deli meat and cheese take care of my lunch, or a grilled chicken tender and a veggie at lunch. Somethings I have learned recently about how it is supposed to work is because my husband now has diabetes and food intake is his control. I wish this had been explained to me with the lap band. Our bodies just won't drop the weight if the right combinations and portions aren't provided. It is about so much more than calories. Also, sleeping might not be restful enough. To much sleep can be as bad as not enough. Try to put eating right and sleeping on a schedule.

Never have felt my band, but my port is right up front always. It is a little tilted and I swear it has a pimple on it on the inside but no pain.