pickles123

Congratulations, You are on the way now.

Sounds like everyone is doing really good. I am surprised at the great weight losses too. For those of you who have gone back to work. Good job. I am afraid my energy is just not up their yet. Keep up the good work.

I stayed overnight and I was very glad. They do keep you hydrated. Also they are available if you have a problem. I had a temperature. It went down before I left and everything was fine. I wonder if the people who went home even took there temperature. I also have low blood pressure and it went down but back up. I was very glad to have stayed. If you can not stay the night, please be sure to have someone to take care of you at home. You do not want to overdo. This surgery does have some pain and you need someone to help you.

Hi everyone: I had my surgery in Sept 22nd. I am feeling good except low energy level. I guess that is to be expect being on the liquid post op diet. Coloradomon: Could you tell me how many carbs are in that cream of broccoli soup? It sounds Yummy. Srenne: You are doing great. 16 pounds. Wow What did you eat? Nawlinzlady: Wonderful you are feeling so good. I wish my gas was all gone; but, it is not bad. Glad to hear you are losing already. Anni80: I am just the opposite. I am afraid to move on to anything. (I am still in the liquid 2 weeks post op). Sorry about your seroma. That sounds yucky. Have a great day guys. Pickles

Hi: Is there anyone here that is having, or had, surgery in September. I am having mine on the 22nd of september. Thanks Pickles

My doctor does the one incision surgery. However even if you ask for it you may not get it. I had a hiatal hernia that required more incisions. I have 4 with the hernia repair.

Hi September Bandsters: I was banded on September 22. Please add me to your list. I have been reading everyones posts and you all were a great help. I had a hiatal hernia repair and a 14cc LAP-BAND®® with a 5cc fill done in surgery. I am feeling pretty good. I do have some gas pain but not real bad. Someone suggested that I ask the doctor to remove as much gas as they could after surgery (you would think they would) so I did. His assistant told me they got as much out as they could. I feel the hernia repair is the most painful thing so far. I am not hungry at all. About 54 hours post surgery and I am taking the Hydrocodone in the morning and evening and liguid tylenol in between (way too sweet). I have been walking as much as I can. Doctor wants 10 minutes of every hour I am awake. I am not doing that much because I tend to faint so I have to go a little slower. Everytime that I do walk the gas moves to another spot so I know it is helping. Glad to hear most everyone is doing well. Have a great day!!!!

One of the reasons some people can not eat chicken is because when it is cooked too long it actually changes its total chemical composition, as do eggs. They are not the product you actually started out with. Often chicken in soups and other pre made products are not started with the best quality chicken and then they are processed at high heat. Chinese food is one. It is usually not the best quality and then smothered in sauces to make it seem most. A good way to cook chicken is to be gentle with it. Not our mothers way. They taught us to cook until not pink and then cook some more. Chicken takes very little cooking. It is hard I know I like to cook it to death and I know better. For example if you make Tortilla soup. Make the soup and then add the lightly cooked chicken at the end to just heat it up. It does not need to be cooked after adding to the broth. Another good thing to do to get chicken more tender is to pound the skinless boneless chicken breasts very thin to break up the fibers and cook very quickly. I hate to say it but I taught food and nutrition and am fat.

I have been sampling protein powders for my upcoming surgey. I have found I like Jay Robbs Whey Protein powder. For the sugar they use stevia (the natural sugar product) Maybe you could take that. It has 0 fat, 0 carbs 25g protein isolate (the good kind of protein that you want) It also says it comes from cows not treated with rBGH hormone. It is 110 calories and can be mixed with juice, water or milk. I mixed mine with skim milk just to get a little extra protein. These are availabe by the packet or tub from Fry's (Kroger) They are a little pricey; but, cheaper if you buy the tub. I am doing just that because then I can add flavorings to the vanilla for some variety. They are a little high in sodium 390 mg and a little pricey. Try one packet to see if you like it. I know they come in Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. I tried the chocolate but liked the vanilla better. Good luck on your search. Let us know what you have found.

Hi bobogange6: You have received a lot of good advice here. I think personally your most important thing is aftercare. That is why I changed surgeons. The funny part about this is I live 6 months of the year in Mexico so I will have to drive back to US for my follow up appointments. I would only choose a US surgeon just because of my comfort zone. I think there are some great surgeons in Mexico just get yourself hooked up with someone that knows the ropes. A person not a service that helps you. Good luck on your journey.

Good Luck Erin. I am so sorry the band did not work for you; but, there is always the good old fashioned way. That sounds what you are going to do and I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

Good luck Fancy. You are really brave to do the travel so soon. It looks like you received excellent advise here. Nothing much I can add; but, the keep taking brakes to walk. My friend did a plane trip that wasn't even that long and ended up with a blood clot. It can happen. That was great of your doctor to give you contacts. I am having my surgery September 22 and just yesterday got offered a job I really want. I told them I will not be availabe until Mid October. I hope that is enough time. Let us know how you are doing and if you think it was too soon for you to take your trip. I know others are in the same boat. I hope you have a good trip.

Good luck everyone. Most of you have had your surgery by now. Please post and let us late September bandsters know how it was. I hope you had an easy time. I get my band on the 22nd. Very nervous.

Hi everyone. I am getting banded on September 22. Can't wait; but, really scared. Good luck to all of you September bandsters. Have a great day.

Hi everyone: I have been approved for my surgery by my insurance; but,I am changing surgeons. I just can't work with this surgeons office staff. I have an appointment with the new surgeon and their office said that all they do is call the insurance office and tell them that I have changed surgeons. It is not a change to a surgeon in the same office.They said I would not have to get reapproval because their doctor is also an approved surgeon with my insurance and they have done this before. Does anyone know about something like this. I have all my records except the psych exam and dietian report which I will have to get from the old surgeon. What problems can you for see?I have BC/BS Anthem. I am really bummed because my surgery was scheduled for September 24th. I have found out that the first surgeon does not even have a full time office staff and they are hard to get in contact with and even more difficult to deal with. They are a Center of Excellence in Arizona and don't even answer the phone half the time. Actually my cardiologist even freaked out when he heard they had No full time office staff. Sorry for going on so long. Any help would be appreciate. I am so disappointed. Thanks Pickles

Thanks for the good thoughts. I have changed surgeons and I am having surgery next week.

WooHoo. Great work!!!

I am so sorry. This is what I dread. I am sorry it happened to you. Keep us posted.

It is harder than you think not telling people. Only my husband and daughter know. So what do you think happend. My postman delivered my post op packet to a neighbor. And what was on the front of that packet. s... Bariatric Center. Who ever got it did not ring the bell and there it was by the front door. I hope it was not a neighbor who talks too much. But, boy oh boy, you just can't keep anything quiet. You gotta laugh.

Does anyone feel that WLS is going to be harder and harder to get approved. I know some plans have dropped requirements; but, I just have an inkling (is that really a word) that after the frist of the year, things are going to start really tightening up. No facts here just my intuition kicking up a little bit. LOL I would certainly try and get it done ASAP if you are really interested. Just my opinion. What does everyone else think?

David: So sorry to hear about your port. You have done a great job at the weight loss so far. Good luck.

Thanks for the reviews. I have been testing different shakes and I know that is too many carbs for me. I am very carb sensitive. The more I eat the more I want. It was on the list for me to test. Thanks for saving me a few dollars.

Minimeme: I know just what you mean. I am afraid also. I have done my research, been approved and now I am just waiting. I think it is common to worry about everything at this stage. I know I am. Each day it is something different. I just have to hang in there. If you think it is something other than pre-op nerves I say talk to someone about it. If you know yourself, and know that it is nerves, try and hand in there. Good luck. The waiting for me is the hardest.

I sure hope that WLS is more easily approved. I think it will help a lot of people. I know when mammograms first became more popular my insurance did not cover them. I had to pay out of pocket; but, it was worth it to me. Here is a case where insurance did come through and are paying for more women's mammograms. Maybe weight loss surgery will be the same. I wonder.!!!

I think it is the possibility of Obama's plan getting past that has given me the opinion it may be getting harder to get. Just in MHO the insurances companies in the U.S. have never done too much to help our health care. My insurance company did drop the 6 month diet requirement and I am really glad. That is why I am going to take advantage of it now while the getting is good.