GayleTX

That's not the rule with all.....if there's another doctor or aftercare clinic you are interested in, just call and ask!! I did not use my surgeon for my fills for the first 2 years. The doctor that did my fills just charged me for a regular office call and I paid my regular co-pay.

That was my answer....crushed ice!!:teeth_smile:

Alyson.....my thoughts exactly......I couldn't shave my legs BEFORE surgery! :tt2:

I was 61 when I began the process.......I was certain I'd be turned down because of heart problems, stents, bp, diabetes, arhtritis, etc etc.......but I was accepted. I had surgery at 62 with a BMI of 62....not a good state to be in. My surgery was a real non-event...no problems at all, not even a gas pain. Eighteen months later, at age 63, my BMI was 34.....and I feel my age to be 34. I'm off all meds and I feel wonderful. If I had not had surgery, I feel sure I would be dead or in a nursing home.....as it is, I feel I'm living my life in reverse - I feel younger, thinner, healthier, happier, stronger, and, even a my age, a whole lot cuter!!:thumbup:

On the other hand........don't know when your surgery was, but notice you just joined the board in May. If you are just a few weeks out, you may be limited in what you can eat. Don't try eating anything in public that you have not already tried in the privacy of your own home.....it can ruin your party if it's something you can't handle (chicken being one of the common culprits:scared2:). Eat at least 30 min or so before you go so you won't be hungry and tempted to eat things there that might cause a problem. Be sure you drink before you eat anything then quit during your meal.....and don't drink for 30-40 min. after eating...if you get your pouch full and then try to drink, it may come back up. Nibble around, think of something interesting to talk about and have a good time. Parties have got to become about more than food.........something many of us (like me!) are learning late in life!

Has your loan for your new house already been approved? If not, it could get shot down in a hurry if you take on an addition debt like the $18K. Also, if you should decide to go to Mexico, BE SURE you have an aftercare (fill) doctor lined up in your area who will do fills for Mexico surgeons...many of them will not. The Mexican doctors are wonderful but much of your success depends on your aftercare and the support of the staff there. Also, the cost of the fills varies greatly from $150-600 for a fill so check that out before making a decision.

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Spivak - he's the one that most of the nurses I know of go to when they are ready for surgery.

It was my cardiologist that first brought up wls to me. When I went to my PCP for the recommendation letter, he wrote the surgeon a letter saying, "she needs to try weight watchers.' I was furious!! Like I hadn't tried WW and every other @#%#@ diet in the last 40 years!! I went back to my cardiolgist and he wrote my letter for me. It has saved my life. I have a friend whose cardiologist and kidney specialist and PCP and endocrinologist are all ganging up on her right now and begging her to have wls and are being very blunt....do it or you're going to die - soon. She is still refusing, saying "I can do this on my own." She can't. She weighs 400 lbs, and is almost a total invalid. I understand her fear of having yet another surgery, but I was was more afraid of dying before my time than I was of surgery. It has prolonged my life and, even more importantly, has given me a great quality of life.

You have had your band installed but you it's not functioning yet - it's still in the healing phase (usually about 6 weeks), getting itself set into your stomach. Youll have a little restriction at first because you've got swelling but after that, you are on your own til you begin getting some fills...I've always likened it to having a shiny new Cadillac in the garage but no key to make it go!! :ohmy: It may take 2-3-4 fills before you begin to feel much restriction....this is a slow process and requires much patience and self-control until it's fully functioning. I wish doctors would explain that more clearly to patients....it would save some disappointment in the beginning. In the meantime, eat healthy and practice chewing and sipping and finding some Protein you love and experimenting with different flavors.....it'll help you stave off hunger and rev up your metabolism. YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Dr Fred Maese, Cardiology Wellness Center, on Sherry St. in Dallas does Mexico patients all the time.

I'm nowhere near your area, but wish I were........ I had to laugh when I read your post. I drove 60 miles to my very first 'support group'....at an IHOP!!! I had been doing very well, walking the line with my food and behaviors and had already lost 90 pounds. I thought everybody else was going along just about like I was. Imagine my surprise when that 'support' group (which was an existing, on-going bunch) spent most of the time ordering food and EATING that food.....PILES of food!! (IHOP is 'generous', ya know). They couldn't even talk for shoveling the food in! I never went back.... So....I don't know what your experience was, but I certainly understand what you are saying. All my life my family's only source of 'recreation' was eating out....eating in.....EATING (we don't dance, drink or party.....what else is there??) so I was very much in need of finding something social to do other than EAT....that's part of the lifestyle change most of us need to make this thing work for us. Meetings at IHOP are probably not the most productive method of affecting change. My little group I meet with now is very supportive.....we meet at a home and swim; or we walk and talk; once we met at a sugar-free bakery (that was about as daring as we've gotten); we meet and trade Protein supplements and recipes; we trade clothes; we go shopping at consignment shops......in other words, we SUPPORT our lifestyle changes and encourage one another in our journey and just enjoy the benefits of being LOSERS!!:cool2: Best wishes to you......hope you can get a good group pulled together.

Funny you should post this.....I had a very similar experience just last week. Had a heart cath (something I've had done many times before) but this time the experience was very different.....before my biggest fear was being dropped or of having a nurse get hurt trying to lift or turn me. Before, they would have to pull my belly up and then tape it to the sides of the bed to hold it back so they could cut iinto the artery in my groin - very humiliating!!! This time I recovered quicker, had less pain, slept more comfortably in the bed. Before I had wls, I had said many times 'I don't want to be skinny, I don't want to be sexy.......all I want is to be somewhat normal.' And normal feels awfully good, doesn't it!!!

Nectar is one of my favaorite brands......good stats and good flavors. I have coffee and Nectar Cappacino protein every morning. In the summers, I really enjoy their Fuzzy Navel (it's a clear drink like Koolaid). I order mine from www.netrition.com - shipping is flat rate of $4.95 no matter how much you order. Good place to order your heavier things like Davinci syrups and RTD's/

Mine was called an EGD....whatever that stands for.:embaressed_smile:

My surgeon insisted I have all the fluid removed before I had surgery a few months ago, then added it back gradually. It might depend on the type of surgery you're having, however - mine was abdominal and he was concerned that nausea/vomiting from anesthesia or just from a PB might damage the stitches. I would ask ASAP/

One little detail missing from the nut stats......one large banana has abouat 40 carbs in it - that's a lot for one little snack:eek: But I'm sure it's tasty!!

I understand your distress...I had all the usual co-morbidities and I was SMO - and I'd probably been that way longer than you've been alive. I had given up on losing the 'normal' way. You're right....lapband is work and it's hard and it requires attention and concentration and learning and changing and cooperation - but it's not nearly as difficult as having to sit in a chair to cook....or having to give up driving because you can't fit behind the wheel of a car....or keeping your family from going on vacation because you can't walk more than 20 feet.....or not being able to get a job because you're too fat or too sick or can't pass the physical.....or having people stare at you or not include you or make fun of you .....or knowing you're an embarassment to your kids and your husband....or not being able to find clothes to fit....or having to take a handful of pills every morning (and every evening...and in between)....or never feeling well....or being on a walker....or in a wheelchair....or not being able to your carry your share of the load in any given situation....of being dependent on other people for so many things in life.....or wondering how much longer you are going to live....how much longer you actually want to live......... So.....given the choice of 'all of the above' or having 3 tiny little incisions in my abdomen..... and having a tiny litttle needle stuck in my belly every few months....and learning to eat slower and eat less and eat differently - well, it was a no-brainer. I said 'sign me up!" "All of the above' are history at my house now. I have my life back. And it has actually been much easier than I ever thought it would be. I understand you have to get to a certain level of desperation to make the decision, but when you get there, you'll know it. It does require a lot of committment and a lot of learning and un-learning to restructure your life. But when you're ready, it's all worth it. Best wishes to you, sweetie.

Yes, you are going to feel full......it's very hard to get in all your protein and liquid requirements the first few weeks. Don't put pressure on yourself to do it....it will happen gradually. And remember that the protein drinks also count as liquids.

EAS is a good choice. The tastiest way to fix the powdered proteins is to get yourself a little Hamilton Beach Personal Blender ($14 WalMart) and use it to mix 1 scoop powder, 8 oz water, 4-5 ice cubes and blend....you can vary your ratios, of course, and you can add some SF syrup (like DaVinci or Torani) and maybe a few berries. Later on, when you can have coffee, try mixing it with a little cool water, blend it til smooth, then add your coffee and maybe a little FF creamer and/or some SF syrup - makes a good latte!

If you are in Richardson, you have a great surgeon right there.....Dr. Richard Benavides. And the Surgery Center of Richardson is his aftercare clinic. He has done my surgery and that of a couple of friends of mine. I was referred to him specifically by my cardiolgist because of my health issues. But I've only heard very good things about Dr. Barker also.

I had the same symptoms for 3 months....acid reflux, PB's, etc - I thought it was an ulcer (felt just like the ulcer I'd had a few years ago)......got an EGD - not an ulcer, after all - it was a band that was too tight. I just didn't realize that was what it would do to you. I ended up having a severe slippage (2 of them, in fact) because of the damage I did that 3 months - now I'm scheduled to have my band replaced.:confused_smile:

Ensure is not a good choice....not enough protein....not enough bang for the buck. Isopure is good for bariatric patients, so is World Wide Protein (canned RTD) altho RTD's are a little pricey ($2).....but 35 grams protein in 11 oz. Protein powders are the best buy....about 50 cents/serving - Nectar brand, Whey Gourmet, Body Fortress, etc (around 25 grams protein) and all appropriate for bariatric patients (lo carb, lo cal, hi protein). You need about 60+ grams protein a day altho you may not be able to hold that much early on. The liquid in your protein drinks counts toward your liquid requirements for the day, too.

*waving my hand here* I had had a heart attack and 4 stents for heart blockages over a 4 years period. I was sure I wouldn't qualify for the band because of my heart, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc etc etc......but I did. And it has made all the difference in the world in my health and my life. I've been banded two years and recently had to have another stent but it was just a result of heredity and 60 years of absue to my body.....nothing to do with my band or current diet. I'm recovering quickly and feel great. :smile2:

The purpose of a pre-op liquid diet is, of course, to lose some fat around the liver and to make surgery safer and easier for both patient and surgeon. I dont' think ice cream or smoothies would meet the goal of losing fat. Low fat protein shakes are as close as you can come to ice cream and still do what you need to be doing for your success both before and after surgery. Bending the rules ain't gonna work!! That's how we all got in this sad situation to begin with.

refried beans