Lisa73

I also have tried muscle milk light and purchased the pre-mixed ones so when I got home from surgery I did not have to prepare anything. I still think they have a slight after taste and I enjoy blending the body fortress with a little ice feels more like a shake verses just drinking chocolate flavored drink. I had my education seminar on sept 9th and that day I was scheduled for surgery on oct 7th. So that was 4 weeks I was shocked but excited. I think Dr D only requires a pre-op liquid diet if your bmi is 50 or greater. I only had 2 incisions he said that was all they needed to do for my surgery, one is in my belly button so you can only see one incision site. I lost a pound every day for 7 days, but as soon as my swelling went down and I could eat more I gained half of that back. I stopped weighing myself because I was getting discouraged. I really need a fill because right now my appetite is the same as before surgery. I really need to go to a support meeting. I can't stop eating the halloween candy I bought for the kids. I am one of those people that cannot have any temptation in the house. They never discussed counting calories I think just eat protein first then veggies and carbs last. You can drink whatever protein drink you want just watch the carbs, and make sure it's 100% whey protein. Lisa

No problem I would be glad to answer any questions you have. Dr. D. does not require very many of his patients to do a pre-op diet, I did not have to. Dr D. has an attenting physician-Dr Morales that works side by side with him in the office and the surgery room you really only speak to Dr D. after Dr. Morales has already answered all your questions, But Dr D. is still very patient and makes himself available if you would really need to speak to him. When you attend the all day education seminar there will be nothing you don't know by the end of that day, they take the time to answer everyones questions and is open discussion. On that day I suggest you try to be one of the first ones to sign in, she says it does not matter but I noticed that I was the 3rd one to sign in and I was the 3rd one taken back to see the doctor and schedule my surgery date, which meant the last person they called back had a 2 hour wait. The surgery went well the staff was pretty good just really depended on which nurse you got. The liquid diet went fine I tried 3-4 different protein drinks ahead of time. My favorite is the one they sell at Walmart-Body Fortress, by the fifth day I was adding sunflower butter, banana and an extra squirt of reduces sugar hershey's syrup and did fine. On my 1 wk follow up Dr. Morales put me on soft foods and I did that for 3 days and then then all lot of the swelling in my stomach went down and I went straight to solid foods and everything was fine. I am really wanting to get my first fill, since I can still eat quite a bit now that the swelling is down. I have not attended a support class yet, but I intend to. Lisa

Hi I was banded Wed 10/7 Iam doing well physically but also dreaming of food I almost ate a cheeze it without even realizing it. I finally went to walmart last night and bought some carnation instant Breakfast drink (no sugar added) just for something different. I felt like it helped and seemed like a treat compared to the protien drink I have been drinking-muscle milk light. My mom suggested warm skim milk, I have not tried that yet but she said it would be very satisfying. I aslo bought diet hot chocolate, that was really good to. Hang in there you know you can do it:thumbup: Lisa

Hello My name is Lisa I am looking for a buddy to talk with while going through this process from beginning to end, no experience required. Hx I live in Alton, IL. I am married with one daughter and run a home daycare. I am waiting for my educational seminar on June 10th at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, MO with Dr Scott and Dr. DelaTorre. I have United Healthcare and hear they are really good about quick auth. I have called the ins co. and they informed me they do indeed cover wls. I also called and received pre-authorization number for the psych evaluation. When I called my PCP in April the soonest appt. they could give me was three months out. (June 16th). I'm trying to think of everything I can do to make this happen as quick as possible. I think I have read every blog on this site trying to educate myself as much as possible. Thanks

Maplef50, Thanks for the info on sleep study very interesting. I thought about what you said about changing to a different psych. dr. but I had to call the ins co. and get the approval and an auth # myself, and the list of other bariatric psych. dr. on the list are pretty far from where i live but i did call the office and asked them to put me on a list to call if there are any cancellations. Who knows I might get that call. Today I am preparing to go on vacation next week. Me, my husband and 4 year old daughter are going to Branson, MO for a week. 5 hrs in the back of a mini van with a 4 year old. I hope this is going to feel like a vacation. Let me know when you find out your surgery date. Lisa

Hello Maplef50 sorry it took so long I didn't think anyone replied to me. That's great you're approved ! I just received a phone call from my surgeon's office and they scheduled me for a Psych eval. I was suprised she was booked all the way out to Aug 3rd. I was wondering how did your surgeon come to the conclusion you needed a sleep study or is that mandatory for the lapband surgery? I really do not want to do that I guess it just seems like a big hassle and a little bit of an invasion of privacy. Let me know how yours turn out. Lisa

If you scroll down to "similar threads" there are quite a few posting on both topics. Lisa 73

I have not been banded yet but i looked up some of the abbreviations Pb=productive burp I think slimming is vomiting saliva not postive though I'll definately check back to see if anyone else responds I would like to know myself. Lisa73

Babs15 Hey if you have to do the 6 month weight loss trial don't be discouraged it's very common with alot of insurance companies it will be worth the wait. I just got off the phone with my ins co UHC my husband just got a new job so this ins co. is new to me, but I just found out my surgery if auth would be covered 100% no co-ins. Hooray:lol:! I have just been assuming it would only be covered at 90% and the place Iam having the surgery charges 20-25,000 so thats a big savings I was not expecting. Lisa73:cool:

I have researched a couple of weight loss institutes and am very interested in DePaul Hospitals weight loss clinic in St. Louis Mo. I would love to hear some feedback from any of thier patients. anything from consultation, hospital stay to fill appts. I have read on this site that they offer one incision site vs. 5-6 incisions. I have also learned that the fills are done in the radiology dept under fluoroscopy not sure what that means. I am waiting to attend an educational seminar on June 10th with Dr DelaTorre. I have United Healthcare Insurance I read that thier pretty good about covering and authorizing this surgery. I hope I don't have to try an alternative weight loss method for 6 months before ins auth. Iam already obsessed with having this surgery done yesterday. :rolleyes2:Lisa

I am new to this sight and doing as much research as possible I have seen and read some on this sight about DePaul Hospital and Dr. Scott. I am attending a seminar on June 10th at DePaul with Dr. DelaTorre. I have United Healthcare Ins. and was wandering how Dr. Scott performs his fills.(office or radiology, does he use an anesthetic or nothing, does a nurse perform the fill or does he do it himself?) I would like to know any info good or bad. Thanks Lisa 73:lol:

Thanks so much for the info I did check out the "Doctors and Hospital" category and found good things about Dr. Wagner but not so good about St. Alexius Hospital. I called DePaul and reserved a spot to attend a seminar June 10th so I am excited to hear what thay have to say although I have done so much research already I don't think anything they say will be new news. Lisa73

Hello Iam just starting my research on which surgeon I want to use Iam considering Dr Wagner I have read other entries and seen Dr Wagners name, but not Dr. N. Richardson or Dr R. Follwell. I want someone who is experienced and has a great reputation. I would also love any feed back on how you feel about the staff's experience when you go get a fill done. Thanks for any information. Lisa

Hello Babs 15 I am also new to this site and I am from Illinois about 30 min from st.Louis where are you considering having your surgery performed. I also have hbp, cholesterol and was just dx with diabeties about 6months ago trying to control with diet and exercise, but thats not working to well. I know if I don't get this lap band I'll be on diabeties meds before the end of this year. I suffer with heal spurs so it's really had for me to get exercise my husband is helping me shop for an olyptical exercise machine. I hope this well help me. I have already made up my mind I want the band the surgery doesnt really bother me I have had my gallbladder removed laprascopically no big deal. It's the fills and maintenance of the lapband I'm dreading. Lisa73 245lbs Waiting to attend a seminar May 15 DR Van Wagner St. Alexius New Start Lisa73