thecooley

Instead of getting a statement of covered services, I get a cc of a letter BCBS sent to the hospital to request more records. Are they trying to justify the charges the hospital sent, or could they be trying to back out of the coverage? This is scary!

Thanks for the reality check, Lolly. I've been so good with following my diets, both pre- and post-op. It's just really hard to come up with mushies you can eat at a restaurant that aren't packed with fat in some way. You are absolutely right that in the future, I need to come up with an alternative. What's great about that particular restaurant is that they have a lunch portion of fajitas that I can just eat the meat and veggies from. When I get to that stage, of course. Oh, and don't worry about the dumplings. They are homemade, not the canned crap. I know what went into them, and they are most definitely not high in fat. In fact, there's about a teaspoon of fat in the entire pot (and I made a bunch 'cause the hubby loves them). I understand now that the white carbs are just empty calories, so I probably won't make them again. Before I started this whole LAP-BAND® process I went out to lunch with the guys at least three times a week. While on the six-month diet, I cut it down to once a week, if at all. It has been nearly two months since I went out with them. I have been gradually making those adjustments to my life, even though I miss hanging out with my boys! There have been many opportunities for me to eff this up big-time, and I pride myself on knowing that I had the willpower to say "no thanks" when the guys wanted to go out for pizza, wings, or something else blatantly unhealthy. Believe me, this is not a pattern of sudden unhealthy eating. I've been working at this too long and hard to screw it up now.

To me, canned fish is stickier, stringier, and drier than a real fish fillet. I agree with the previous poster who said to try grilled fish. Another way to cook it is to make a foil pouch and bake the fish so it steams. It's fall-apart tender. The key is to not overcook it. Any mild white-fleshed fish should work.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks! I didn't see most of them before heading out to lunch, but they are still helpful for the future. I ended up getting a tamale and some refried black Beans. I ate half of the tamale (it was small) and half the beans, and boxed the rest for another meal. The total amount of food was about 1/2 cup. The chicken was fall-apart tender and easy to chew, and the masa broke down very well. So far I have had no stomach or band discomfort, but I didn't take into account that the fat content of the meal might cause some intestinal distress. Luckily I'm on good terms with the other ladies who share a bathroom with me. This will definitely have to be a special occasion type meal from now on.

I know how you feel! The day after the surgery was the worst for me. It felt like I had been in a horrible car accident or something. I was on Lortab for three days (had to increase the dose the second day), then suddenly on the fourth day, the pain was tolerable without meds. While in the hospital, they had to give me morphine for the pain. Apparently, the doc really had to jerk me around during the surgery, and they told me I would be very sore. I've never had anyone call me "technically challenging" before. I think day 10 seems to be the breakthrough point. I felt so good that we went out shopping all day. Just keep sipping liquids and try to get in all your Protein so you can stay strong and keep healing. You can do it!!

I'm 2.5 weeks post-op, and my problem right now with pureed foods is the texture. Having something basically pre-chewed for me is really grossing me out. So far, I've done ok with some extremely moist boiled chicken breast (so tender I can separate with a fork), cut into tiny bites and chewed until it's liquid in my mouth. I have also done some tofu with red curry sauce (not too spicy), and chewed it to a mush. The only food I've been able to actually puree and eat was some ground beef from a shepherd's pie I made. For whatever reason, the pureed beef doesn't gross me out. Maybe because it's not stringy like chicken. I'm going to try some grilled catfish this weekend, because I know that's really moist and soft, and at least something different. For some strange reason, my doc's post-op diet doesn't include carbs of any kind until week 4. So that means no Beans, potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, or anything like that. I fudged a little bit and made some dumplings to go with my chicken, but I cooked them to a mush, so it's more like thickened broth anyway. Sigh. I miss my veggies. I am craving salad.

I was hungry on the third day after surgery. It was real, honest to goodness, stomach growling hunger. I could only have about four bites of pudding, and then I was very full. I think part of it is that your stomach is still swollen around the band, and that is providing a great amount of restriction. It will loosen up as you continue to heal. If you can tolerate it, milk helps a lot, and it counts as a liquid. That seemed to help calm my hungry tummy down. Just be sure you are getting all your fluids in. That helped with the head hunger too.

I was banded on 9/14, and it took me a good 10-12 days before my largest incision area stopped hurting. I didn't wear a real underwire bra until this past weekend. Sports bras help to at least give you some support if you are top heavy. As far as going to the bathroom, I was lucky enough to have a doorway next to the toilet that I could use to pull myself back up. It's amazing how many abdominal muscles we use for everyday activities! I also agree with the poster who said not to sit up completely straight. I put a bunch of pillows behind me on the sofa so I was supported, but still leaning back a little. That helped relieve some of the pressure on the port area. You are still more swollen on the inside than you think you are. Good luck, and remember, it does get better!

I've noticed too that I get a little hiccup or two when I'm getting to the end of my portion size. I assumed that's when I should stop. Of course, I'm still on mushies, but I figure it's the same for mushies as real food.

When I went to my required psychiatrist visit during the pre-op phase, she said that it is very common for people to go through a post-surgery depression. She seemed very willing to prescribe drugs if I thought I would need them, but I tend to live on the sunny side of life. I suppose the logic is that you are mourning the loss of your normal lifestyle/foods/habits/vices. The surgery really is a major life upheaval, and I don't think it's odd at all to experience some form of loss/depression.

I got banded on 9/14. A month before the surgery, my surgeon's nurse put me on the pre-op diet (before I even had a surgery date). I took a week off the diet, then was on it again for another two weeks. So for a total of three weeks before surgery, I subsisted on two Protein shakes a day, with a small protein and veggie meal for dinner. I was ok with that. It is now 11 days after surgery, and I just cannot bring myself to drink these things anymore. I don't start pureed foods until Monday, and I am freaking out because I have no variety in what I eat. I want something with some texture! The only foods I get with any calories are cream Soups, pudding, and Protein Shakes. I am getting to the point where the thought of drinking a shake makes me want to gag. They're gritty and artificial tasting. I wish plain milk had enough protein to get me by. I could drink that all day long. The Protein Shake I'm currently using is Isopure dutch chocolate. I mix one scoop with 8 ounces of milk. I drink two shakes a day, but yesterday I couldn't bring myself to drink the second one. I did manage to drink one at lunch today. What else can I try? I just need to get by until Monday, when I can start eating some pureed meat and not have to drink this junk anymore.

Thanks for the great suggestions and encouragement! I didn't want to sound whiny, but man, those shakes were starting to make me gag. Blending them with some ice and other yummy additives may be just what I need. What a great idea to blend up some taco soup! I still have some in the freezer from the big batch I made up a couple of months ago. I have been craving something spicy. It sounds like unjury and EAS are pretty popular around here. I looked for them last time I was at Walmart, and all I could find was all that Trimspa and 5-hour Energy junk. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place, though. I guess a trip to GNC is in order. I can have a look at those Protein bullets too. They sound interesting. Do any of you folks use the soy protein shakes? Due to allergy reasons I will discuss below, I may need to switch to one of those. It turns out that I might actually be allergic to the whey protein. I've been fighting an allergic reaction since my surgery that we haven't been able to identify. I've cut out everything else that was new since the surgery (meds, foods, etc.), but I had a major resurgence Friday night and by Saturday morning; I was covered in hives literally from face to ankles. It was even on my hands and fingers! I had to go back to the doc-in-a-box for more steroids to get my immune system to stop. The only thing left that is different is the addition of protein shakes made with milk to my diet. I just went ahead and started mushies yesterday so I can cut out the protein shakes too. I can get enough protein from 6 oz of pureed chicken a day, which is easily doable if I split it into 2 oz portions for each meal. I haven't had any nausea or pain, so starting early hopefully won't have any side effects. I would rather barf from intolerable foods than die from anaphylaxis. Sigh, what a tradeoff.

When I called the surgeon's office about my rash, they said to go to my family doctor. If you suspect an allergic reaction like hives (and your symptoms aren't severe), try taking Benadryl every 4-6 hours for 24 hours. If that doesn't help, your rash gets worse, or you develop other symptoms, go to the doctor, because you may need something stronger like I did. Mine progressively got worse throughout the week, and I was to the point where it bothered me to even have clothes on. I didn't want anything touching my skin; it felt like the nerve endings were on fire. Cold compresses help, if your itching is unbearable, and try not to let the area get too hot. Check this Wikipedia article on hives and compare your rash. Mine looked like the picture of the guy's back, but it was all over the front of my body from the chest to groin and around the hips. The ones on my arms and legs were less severe.

I was banded on the 14th too! Went back to work this week, and it's been interesting to find a comfortable seating position (I work at a computer all day). I get up and walk around when I remember, to be sure I'm keeping my circulation going. I was wondering though, how long are we supposed to use the spirometer to prevent pneumonia? I used it every waking hour while I was at home recovering, but I haven't brought it to work. I just make sure to do it first thing in the morning, then at night before bed. During the day, I just breathe in very deeply while walking around.

Boo - you took the words out of my mouth! I was banded on the 14th and just went back to work this week. I wore my underwire bra the first day and it was torture. I work 10 hour days, and was almost sick by the time I got home - it was that painful! My port is in the fat roll that sits right under my boobs, and boy did that underwire squish it! I went back to the sports bras I wore all last week, and I am much more comfortable. Apparently I am still more swollen than I realized. Glad to know it gets better, because I require an underwire bra. My back is already sore from the lack of support!

I have had a lot of personal experience with rashes - I have very sensitive skin. It sounds like the rash under your breasts and tummy roll is a yeast rash. It is like having diaper rash or athlete's foot, but just in a different place. It probably has a weird smell, almost sweet, and you may have a sticky moist discharge from it. The discomfort is more of a stinging burn than an itch. The best thing I have found for it by far is Resinol diaper rash cream. You usually have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter, but it will dry that rash up in no time! Slather it on after you shower or clean the area and dry it well. Keeping the area clean and dry is extremely important. If you can't shower, use an antibacterial baby wipe to get anywhere that skin touches skin on your body. Pay particular attention to your breasts, tummy rolls, and the spot where your thighs meet your groin area. I tend to get rashes like this if I sweat a lot, and don't immediately jump in the shower. Like I said, I have very sensitive skin. Not showering for several days could also cause it, considering we all sweat a tiny amount every day, even if we're just chilling out on the sofa. Fungus loves warm moist places! Now, I just had my surgery on the 14th, and let me tell you, I had a major allergic reaction to something. I had hives all over my entire abdomen, hips, groin, on the insides of my arms, and down the back of my legs. After getting to the point that the itching kept me awake at night, I finally had to get a decadron (corticosteroid) shot to stop the reaction. I'm still itchy today, but hydrocortisone cream keeps it at bay. Most likely I had a reaction to the betadine or some medication they gave me. That rash was more of an itchy, burning, dry rash than the one it sounds like you have. If your rash doesn't clear up with the anti-fungal cream, and you can't stand it any longer, call your doctor. They can prescribe a stronger anti-fungal cream or powder. Good luck!

Never ever trust your doctor's office to do anything for you. Call and get a solid date from them as to when they supposedly sent your paperwork. Wait on the phone while they do it, or they will never call you back with an answer. Then call your insurance company and see if they have it yet. They can at least look up a status in the computer, and should be able to see when/if they received it. For reference, BCBS told me it could take up to 30 days, but in actuality, it took 3. The holdup was in people not sending or checking mail but once a week. They inflate the dates to cover up their lazy butts.

Yep, that was me! I came in late because I somehow got signed up for the gastric bypass seminar (which is basically the same), and Linda wanted to be sure I got all the lap band specific info after the class was over. I was surprised at how many people were there for the support group. It seems like a nice bunch of folks.

Hey y'all, it's been a while! I think I killed the group with all my giant posts! I promise to keep it short this time. :frown: Well, I made it through the six month diet, and lost 23 pounds. During the additional month I had to wait for my surgery to be scheduled, I've lost another 6 pounds, bringing my total to 29. And that's before the surgery! Woohoo! I am scheduled to be banded on September 14. I started my pre-op diet yesterday. It consists of a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch, then 4-6oz of protein and a cup of non-starchy veggies for dinner. So far it's not too bad; it's just a matter of finding the right flavor for the shakes that won't make me gag and wretch. I've settled on the Isopure dutch chocolate and creamy vanilla. I added some PB2 peanut powder to the vanilla flavor this morning, and it turned out pretty good. The chocolate is good on its own. I will be at the bariatric surgery nutrition seminar this Thursday at the Wellness Center to get all my post-op eating info, so if anyone else is going to be there, let me know so I can say hi. Hope all you folks are doing well!

Hey y'all! Hope all you folks on the pre-op diet are staying strong! The weekends are so hard. There were a million things I wanted to cook or bake, but couldn't. I even made lunch for my husband both days and sat with him at the table while he ate and I drank a shake. I was proud of myself. Dinners weren't too bad; I grilled chicken and pork and served them with lots of green veggies. I guess my stomach has shrunk a lot, because dinner filled me up and I did not feel the need to wander into the kitchen for a snack later. I am not doing the pre-op diet anymore, as my surgery date is not for another three weeks (Sept. 14)! Grr! The nurse told me to stay on the diet until my surgery, but screw that; the shakes hurt my stomach. I will start back two weeks before the surgery, like the diet says to do. Of course, I'm not going to go crazy this week, because I don't want to lose the progress I've already made. I think I am going to have a "last meal" this weekend at our favorite Mexican place, but other than that, I will keep the carbs and fat low. Mia, I'm in the same situation as you. I've been "the jolly fat girl" since I was 12 years old. I was wondering just yesterday how the weight loss will change peoples' perception of me. In the end, I concluded that I really don't care; I am me, and that's all I can be. I will still be jolly, fat or not! Good luck to all you folks with upcoming surgery dates! I'm doing a happy dance for you!

It only took about 3 days for BCBS/AL to approve it, then another 6 days for someone to actually get around to mailing it. My surgeon's office won't schedule anything without a piece of paper in hand, so that was frustrating. I'm still dealing with my surgeon's office manager to get a surgery date scheduled. I had my approval in hand on 8/13, it's 8/21, and no appointment yet. The girl promised to call me back today, but I've had no call, and it's after 5:00. I won't be able to get in touch with anyone until Monday now. I hope you get good news on Monday too!

Hi Mia, I'm 26 and should have a surgery date scheduled by this afternoon! My family has been extremely supportive of my decision, to the point where they're already planning a shopping spree for new clothes at Christmastime. I've had to reign in their expectations a little. My goal is to lose around 125 pounds, but more certainly wouldn't hurt. Most people are surprised that I have so much weight to lose. I suppose I am a very dense person or something, or maybe I just don't look my weight. Or maybe they're just being nice. I have talked to my co-workers about the surgery, mostly because I have to explain the entire week I will have to take off. I work in the IT department, and I am the only girl among five guys! But they are supportive and understanding. They miss me when they all go out to lunch, but I promised them that after I get past the post-op diet, I can go out with them again. I'm currently on the pre-op diet, which consists of Protein shakes and a light low carb dinner. It's been hard to be creative with my cooking, but it will get easier with time. Nice to meet you Mia, and good luck with your journey! I'm heading over to the Twenties board to check it out.

I am getting the same run-around from my doctor's office too. When I got the gastric bypass instructions, I asked if there were any different instructions for the lap-band patients, and was told that the instructions were the same for both. Riiiiiight. They also keep asking me, "which surgery are you getting, again?" I swear I'm going to have my husband write LAP BAND on my stomach the day of surgery. I don't want to wake up with half my digestive system missing!!

I should start a blog; my posts are becoming novel-length! Sorry about that. :biggrin:

Well, I said I would post a followup, so here it is. Dr. Mailapur's office is in the Blackwell Medical Tower, just west of HH main. When we got inside the building, there was a man directing people to the stairs because sporadic power outages were affecting elevator operation. The doctor's office is on the fifth floor. THE. FIFTH. FLOOR. (cue ominous music) I pondered for a brief moment just waiting it out, but I hate being late, so I hauled my big ol' butt up five of the longest flights of stairs I have ever seen in my life. I was huffing, puffing, and sweating, but I made it. Talk about determination! :biggrin: When I got to the office, the computers were down because of the power outages, so there was no paperwork for me to fill out (in addition to the 9 pages I filled out for the seminar, go figure). One cool thing, if your company does a flexible spending account for your medical expenses, it works here! I was able to put the $200 fee on my FSA Visa card. I will have to keep that in mind for the nutritionist, psychologist, or whoever else I have to hit up over the next 6 months. After waiting about 45 minutes, I was called back by the nurse to gather some baseline data. They had this spiffy machine that takes your weight, body composition, and height, then spits out a bunch of percentages and your ideal numbers. Apparently I need to lose about 150 pounds. Not unexpected, but hard to hear when coming out of someone else's mouth. After that I finally got to see the doctor. Since I had already filled out so much paperwork, he pretty much knew everything about me. I thought it was good that he had actually looked over my records before he came into the room. So basically he just asked what I wanted to know. He doesn't volunteer much information, so you really have to direct your questions and be specific. For my first question, I asked if he thought I would be successful with the lap-band, and he said no. So I asked why he felt that way. He said most of the people he's had experience with who had that much weight to lose tended to fail on lap-band because they had no discipline and ate a lot of soft foods like ice cream just to get around the restriction. Fair enough. I asked several other questions about insurance, diet, and pregnancy, and I think over the course of the conversation, he decided that I do have the determination and discipline to do this. The last thing I asked was if I am doing the right thing, and he said yes, he thinks I can do it. Woohoo!! So now the process begins. He gave me a HUGE checklist of stuff that I have to get for the insurance (he flat out said that BCBS is a pain in the butt and they are the hardest to deal with). Additionally, I have to lose 20-25 pounds before the surgery to be sure my liver isn't too big. No problem there. I think I'm going to go back on Weight Watchers, since that is what I am most familiar with. The doctor said that the last patient he saw before me cried because she had to lose "so much weight" before the surgery. Boy is she in for a rude awakening. I guess I should give an overall impression of my experience so far. I think the tone of the seminar and the office visit is one that assumes the worst case scenario. They assume that you know nothing about either surgery, have no control over yourself, have unrealistic expectations of this "miracle cure", and that you have trouble remembering basic concepts. I think once I proved myself to him, that made the lines of communication much easier. He still didn't necessarily leave me with warm fuzzies, but I think a lot of his ambiguity comes from just wanting to do whatever you want (or feel like you can manage). Plus, I would rather him be a good surgeon than a good conversationalist. I did have a look at Drs. Britt and Groves' website, just in case, but I think I am going to stick it out with Dr. Mailapur. I am going to watch the surgery video when I get home from work. Thanks to everyone for your support and recommendations!