michelleintheoc

My surgery is tomorrow too. I'll pray for you, you for me, ok? Good luck! However, my surgery isn't until noon!

Thanks girls. I appreciate the input.

Hi All, I am having my surgery on Wed. 12/9/09. And I have been doing Jenny Craig for the past month. I've only lost about 4 lbs., but hey, I could have easily gained 15 in the past month, so I'll take it! Anyway, I am just wondering what food plan, if any, people are doing after their 14 days of liquids after surgery? I feel I need a plan to keep me on track. I tend to eat too much when left to my own devices. I'm wondering if anyone is doing WW or jenny craig, etc. Any input or recommendations would be great! Thank you very much! Michelle

I had 2 breast surgeries this summer and the Dr. warned me about the anesthesia making me constipated. And yes, he was right! Colace capsules work right away. Just try to drink a lot of water with them. If that is possible. I don't know because I'm having my band surgery on 12/9/09. Good luck!!!

Thank you for your story. I believe many of us on this site are addicted to food. Including myself of course! I am having my surgery on Dec. 9th. I had a hard time controlling myself at Thanksgiving. And I realize that I will have to super careful what I do for Christmas. I don't want to eat something wrong and mess up my surgery! So I am now trying to decide what to do, and how to handle the holiday. I may just have some friends over and watch movies, play a game, etc. And not have a focus on food. Pls wish me luck! Thanks, Michelle:smile2:

A lot of insurance companies will not cover the sleeve. So I would highly doubt that Medicaid would. I hope you feel better. Maybe you could call the Dr.'s office and speak with one of the office staff and explain the situation. Ask them if they have any suggestions for you? Many times the office staff is extremely knowledgeable.

Hi Dowhat..., I'm so sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I have had 2 major, fully open surgeries this year on my right breast. And I felt HORRIBLE for a few days after. But each day does get easier. I get my band surgery on Dec. 9th. But I just wanted to say, I really think you may want to tell one or two people because you are going to need A LOT of support. Surgery is something you really need help with to recovery as easily as possible. Also to help you with emotional support too. PLEASE, reconsider and ask one or two friends to come and stay with you for a day or two. It will help to get you through a hard time. Hugs, Michelle

By now your surgery is probably over!! Yeah!!! I think you will feel crumby for about 2 days. I had 2 surgeries this year and completely freaked out right before #2. I tried to go home in my hospital gown! (They were breast surgeries, not weight related) I'm very afraid of surgery also. But it's over now!! And you are on the road to health & happiness!! Pls ck back and let us know how you are doing. Also, my friends and family think I can do it without the surgery, blah, blah, etc. But I asked them to pls be supportive, because I will need it. So maybe you can confide in one or two friends? I think it will help a lot. Also, I will request you as a friend, once I figure out how to do that!! Blessings, Michelle

Wow, thank you all soooo much for the support! I am really grateful. Yes, I'll keep updated of course. It's so great to know others felt like me, but got through it. Thank you all again!

Hi all, My surgery is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 9, 2009. I am supposed to be on clear liquids for 2 days after the surgery, (I can do that), then 2 weeks of a liquid diet. Like Opti-fast shakes, 3 x per day. That's only 600 calories!! Help! I have a really hard time sticking with Jenny Craig's high protein, 1200 calories per day! (That is my pre-op diet). Did anyone else worry about this? What did you do? I"m afraid i'll cheat and mess up my surgery! Any helpful tips or info would GREATLY appreciated! Thank you, Michelle

Can you find another surgeon? Obviously if you could do this without the lapband, you would. I think you should look around for another Dr. My Dr. doesn't require weight loss prior to surgery. Thank God!

Thanks for the support Girls, I totally appreciate it!

Hi Pam, Thanks for the support! I'm hoping I can return to Jenny Craig when I'm cleared to eat solid foods. I choose the high protein meals. I"m wondering, are you thinking of returning to Jenny Craig once you are cleared for solids also? It doesn't seem like a lot of people follow a structured food plan after the surgery. I would like to, as I believe it's helping me to eat like a "normal" person. Something I don't think I've done in a very long time!

I don't think your Primary Dr. is very well versed in the lapband. It sounds like he just may not believe in the lap band surgery... Or something. I'm on 3 Psyh drugs for many, many yrs now. One for ADD, 1 for depression and 1 for combo depression & anxiety (Cymbalta, highly recommend). Anyway, I've been through numerous meetings with dr's. Physiologists, Dietitians, told them about my meds face to face, no one even batted an eye lash! Maybe you need to see another Primary Care Dr. just to get yr lapband approval through? Good luck.

Yes, me too. I am 45 yrs old. My highest was 210. I'm now 200. I'd like to be around 140-150. 150 would still make me "overweight". But I'm shooting for a number I can live with. 140 would be awesome! But honestly, I think the last time I weighed 140 I was around 11 or 12 yrs old. At 13, I was about 150. At age 5, I was 100 lbs. The Dr. almost didn't sign off on the school medical release for me to go to school! 140 lbs would put me at the highest "healthy" weight for my height. I just worry, It may be hard for me to maintain.

I totally understand how you feel. I spoke with the Physcology in the Surgeron's office about this. She told me it is a very common reaction from friends and family. For them to say, "You can do it without surgery", etc. And that may be true. However I see the lapband as a long-term tool to help me to take in less calores and be satisfied. So I have told only told some friends and family and asked that whether they agree with it or not, to pls be supportive of me and my decision. And they have. I've also run it past 2 friends who are super against it. So I'm not sharing this info with them at this time. However, I believe in order to have long-term success with the lapband, it's very important to have a strong support system around you. After all, we have all tried losing weight on our own, only to gain it back. It will require major changes for us to have long-term success. I believe it's very important to have supportive people around us. Honestly, I"m kind of looking at those who are against it, as people I may not need in my life in the immediate future.

HI Deb, I haven't had my lapband surgery yet (12/9/09), but I have had 2 other surgeries earlier this year. I always feel totally "weird" for several days after the general anesthesia. Happy, then sad, then tired, then energy, etc. For me, I think it's like withdrawal symptoms or something. It does go away after a few days.

Hi Amaris, Great. I agree the closer to home, the better. And don't forget, any ethical doctor's office will do "free insurance verification". I think you will feel a lot better about this whole thing after the seminar. Keep us updated! Michelle

Hi all, I am scheduled to have my surgery on Dec. 9th. I don't have to do a pre-op diet, thankfully. However I will need to do a 14 day post-op liquid diet. My doctor told me to buy either OPTI-FAST meal replacement shakes or SLIM-FAST LOW CARB meal on the go drinks. He said it doesn't really matter which one. I am wondering if anyone can recommend one over the other? Is one better tasting, more filling, etc? Did you have to do the liquid diet for 2 wks after surgery? I see some only had to do it for 7 days. I'm wondering what the difference is? Does anyone know? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have not been banded yet, 12/9/09. But I already have my post-op instructions. Two days of clear liquids, then 12-14 days of protein shakes. Opti-fast or Slim fast, low carb meal replacement. Maybe you can call the dr.'s office and see if it's ok to start on the protein drinks? Good luck.

Thank you! Totally appreciate the advice.

I have not had my lap band surgery yet, it's Dec. 9th. But I HAVE HAD PLASTIC SURGERY! I had my breasts done in 2003 and a nose job in 2005. Plastic surgery isn't as bad as it sounds. Especially if you find a great Dr. You may want to get plastic surgery no matter which surgery you have, once you lose the weight.

I've been approved for my band through my Insurance co. Empire Blue Cross / Blue Shield PPO. My surgery date is Dec. 9th. However I was told at my 2nd appointment that there is a $4,000 program fee for services that are not covered by my Ins. Co. Such as meetings with a Nutritionist and on-going support groups. Is this normal? I also inquired at another doctor's office in my area (Orange County, CA) and they told me in addition to my Insurance that they have a similar program fee, around $3,800. It just sounds strange to me. Has anyone else heard of this? Or paying for this? I will, as I feel I really like the program and the Doctor. But I just don't want to be taken advantage of either. Thank you very much for any input! Warm Regards, Michelle

Thank you, and I agree! I think it also covers my out of pocket surgery deductible. I read your story and I"m very happy for you! I will move ahead, because next year my insurance changes and I don't want to take any chances!

Yes, I'm getting my band in December too. I happy and a little scared at the same time. My surgery date is Dec. 9th. No pre-op diet, but I have to adhere to 3 opti-fast protein drinks a day for 2 weeks. Gosh, It seems like a looong time on 600 calories a day! I'm afraid I might "stray" a little and screw-up my band! I don't want that. I wonder why some surgeons say 7 day liquid post diet and others say 14 days? Any input would be greatly appreicated!