MSan914

My surgeon recommended putting something on the incision sites, AFTER the strips came off. She said it helps the site heal and possibly minimize the scar.

Lose2regainme -- CONGRATS!!!! Let us know when your surgery date is -- you must be SOOO excited!!!

Sorry to hear of the problems - but glad they are starting to get better. Did you get your band in the USA? Just wondering -

My insurance covered everything 100%, My surgeon's office requires an up front $750 payment for their 6-week nutrition classes, post-op monthly support meetings and the 2 weeks of liquid diet items.

I was banded on April 28th also --- Let's keep this thread going to help one another. I feel like I am able to eat ANYTHING in ANY AMOUNT..... my will power is getting thin (but not me!!)

Hello - Hope all that are Mother's had a good day yesterday! It was the 1st Mother's Day without my Mom and without my Mother-in-Law......so it was both a joyous and sad day. I am now 2 weeks post-op and have NO restriction what so ever. I am able to eat almost anything, I have had little bites of steak, lamb, chicken and spring salad. Now I have NOT had a full portion of any of that. My calorie intake is around 800 a day. I am SUPPOSE to be on the mushy stage, but have had solids with NO PROBLEMS at all. I can't wait until that 1st fill.

Hey Joan - Glad to hear you are going to stick to the letter your Pre-Op diet!!! It takes will power and being able to do the pre-op will help you with the post-op and the future. I now several people that are post-op lapband and they did NOT have the will power to stick to the pre-op as much as it sounds like you will and they are doing great post-op. The band is a TOOL that many people need to be successful. Will power and sticking to a diet has failed for so many - which makes the band a perfect option! Good Luck with your jouney, sounds like you will do very well!!!

The differences in BCBS is actually the employer or policy holder. One company can create their own coverage plan which can differ greatly from another company's coverage plan. So my BCBS coverage as a state of michigan employee is different from my neighbor's BCBS coverage as a employee of a hospital system.

I have BCBS of MI PPO and did NOT have any problems. I called the service center the morning after my seminar and they clarified everything for me very well and then also followed up with mailing a letter detailing that thre is NO pre-authorization needed, etc. I think some of the testing and stuff is NOT only insurance policy but some of it is SURGEON policy ---- It was 4mos from Seminar to surgery - could have been 3mos, but I had a cruise and a work conference that I had to do. GOOD LUCK!

Then it sounds like the best thing is to see if your dr office would record your height as 5'6" or the 5' 61/2"

You are doing great -- I don't know if I could make it on just clear liquids - no Protein??? wow That seems odd -- 3 weeks with little to no nutrients?

Sanderson - How are things going??

I found the Isopure clear protein drink at GNC. For me, the Apple/Melon was best tasting. Each glass bottle contains 40g of protein. This has helped me to get in the 70g of protein that the nutritionist indicated I should be consuming.

yup - I forgot to say eggs - I scramble them with some cheese. And yes, tuna and chicken salad - but with it blended really well. The nurse told me I could eat peanut butter too - but I don't care for it so I haven't tried it yet.

mushy stage I am eating greek yougart (high in Protein and low in fat), cottage cheese, oatmeal, and anything that I can get smooth in my VITAMIX blender...lol If anyone doesn't have a VITAMIX - all I can say is WOW, well worth the money (in my opinion). However, for less money the Bullet Blender I hear does well.

My 2-week post-op appt is next Tuesday. I am anxious to see what the scale says (I do NOT own a scale!!). My clothes are starting to get a little loose - I do not feel ANY restriction with eating. I am on the "mushy food" stage already, which seemed quick to me but the nurse okayed it. How is everyone else? I am interested in hearing how the post-op visits are going with the docs.

after 2 days I was able to sleep on my tummy -- no problems.

Gatorade/Powerade were all NO's for my pre-op diet. Too much carbs and sugar. But check with your surgeon's office they will tell you positively. I found the Isopure clear liquid to be the closest to the Gatorade that I could have. Good Luck!!

My surgery was on Tuesday April 28, 2009. Arrived at the hospital at 6am with my DH. Went right to the pre-op surgery room, put on the gown and slippers. Nurse made sure I was ME - and then gave me the heperin shot in the belly. That burned a little. I had brought my belongings in my new Vera Bradley bag - and ALL the nurses were coming in to take a look at it. They all wanted to see the inside and the little matching cosmetic bag, etc. My husband was not so thrilled with this part. My surgeon and her residents came in and asked if we had any questions. we didnt'. So we were just waiting on the anethesiologist, who was running late, so his partner said he would do this one. and away we went. That is the LAST I remember until I was being transported up to my private room. VERY NICE I had two cases of vomiting that 1st day/night. The first was nothing but dry heaves - and that was HORRIBLE.:ohmy: The second was the liquid the pain medicine, still bad. Slept well, then the next morning I was taken to the X-ray for the barium sallow............and yes it is really bad. SUPER THICK and a strange vanilla taste. But I was able to see my insides on the screen, so that was sort of cool. A few hours later the surgeon came in and asked/told me it was time to go home. My DH and DD (6 yrs old) came and took me home. We made on stop for them to buy some BBQ from a church fundraiser, those ribs and chicken spelled SOOOO good. And they confirmed that yes, they were delicious. I am now 3 days post op and still have some gas - but not much pain. I have not had a BM since surgery but I hear that is normal, since I have not had much to eat. I am walking alot and I am on a full liquid diet. I feel no restrictions, actually I feel like I could eat a salad, sandwich or something, but I DARE NOT - Good Luck to everyone on their jouney - mine has been somewhat uneventful (meaning no real problems)...I am looking forward to shedding the pounds in the days, weeks, and months to come!!:thumbup:

Be ready to start the pre-op diet that your office requires. (remember, you and I have the same office!) 14 days of the Protein drinks - get the boxes and the shaker PRIOR to leaving the surgeon's office. Here are my fav's and my not so much fav: chocolate shake w/fiber **** Chocolate pudding **** Tomato Soup **** Cream of chicken soup **** pineapple Apricot Shake ** strawberry Shake * Hope this helps!! Good luck - let us know what they say on Thursday!!

Hi everyone - I had my surgery yesterday April 28 at 8am! I stayed overnight - which was a good thing - About noon yesterday I had the dry heaves, NOT PLEASANT at all!! And then I vomited in the evening after downing the liquid pain killer. The IV pain medication has been working for the most part. No real gas pains yet, but lots of burping. I am VERY hungry, which seems different than most of you. The Protein powder in the hospital is the worst protein I have ever tasted. Couldn't wait to get home and have some good tasting protein shake! I feel some slight pain at the port site and the site where they lifted the liver. But it is tolerable. I have the rest of the week off of work - so those days will be good for my recovery. I do NOT have a scale at home so I don't know whether I have lost or gained - which is good, I don't want to worry over that. The weight will come off as long as I stick to the food plan. Can't wait to get to Onederland!!

Here I go -- it is my turn!!! :eek: Wahoo!!! I am so glad the date is finally here - I drank my last item 30 minutes ago -- Wish me luck - :ohmy:

I am getting banded tomorrow!!! Yea - the day is finally here - 8 hrs to go and I will be in the Opr Room!!!