MaggieB

No regrets. The head hunger part has been difficult - just old bad habits are hard to break but as this last year has progressed it is becoming easier for me.

I would go straight to the surgeon. The surgeons office will know exactly what to submit to the insurance since they deal with it everyday. I have Aetna & had surgery done june 2010, my husband will have his done in August. We went straight thru the surgeons office for all the required appointments - the only info he needed from the PCP was a 2 year weight history. They weight history did not even need to be an official letter either - the PCP made copies of his exam sheet for us.

Dr Stephen Hamn in Plano, Tx.

You can puree anything - for me the problem was actually eating the pureed food. yes, it tasted/smelled the same but it was so gross watching it being pureed, looking at it while eating and then the texture on top of it - uggg . I tried it once and couldn't do it.

sometimes I can handle it and sometimes not. I too have cooked it every way possible.

It is always best to check with your doctor you will get conflicting info from all of us . I was on a "full liquid" post op diet for 6 weeks - My doc was ok with anything blended & watered down/strained to liquid.

I am sorry you seem to be having a tough time with this decision. Just hang in there. I bet there are many successful lap banders out there that can say they have asked themselves at least once during this "journey" "What have I done to myself?" - I know I have. For me - this has been the best decision of my life and wish I had done it sooner. I feel so much better, I am much more active and have way more energy to spend with my family. I am one of those that doesn't really "work" it. I do and did follow my doctors instructions but I do not weigh or measure my food. I also do not work out as much as I should. The weight just fell off in the beginning but has slowed down this last 6 months. Overall my weight loss average for the last year is 1-2 per weeks - which is supposed to be "healthy". Find yourself a support group. See your doctor regularly, follow his instructions. In my opinion - it seems as those who do not keep up with doctors appointments, do not follow the instructions, do not attend support groups etc, etc are the ones that have the most trouble.

yes - Size 8 down to 7. Sandals I wore last spring no longer fit correctly - there is so much room.

I use Unjury and order it from the website - around $20 per can (includes shipping). My doctor sells it for $24 and the pharmacy at the hospital has it for $30.

I am finding this to be the same for me.

My weight is from the start of my "journey". I did not lose or gain on my 'supervised diet" and lost 4 lbs on my 3 day preop liquid diet.

Did you find it difficult? We are debating about participating in the Tough Mudder in Texas later this year - I am really intimidated by it I did the Warrior Dash without any problem in April, but the TM scares me.

When drinking thru straws you tend to swallow more air = gas = possible pain. I drink thru straws & have since I came home from the hospital. My doctor did not recommend it but also told me that if I did not have any issues with the gas pain, feeling discomfort or bloated than go ahead and use a straw. For me the protein shakes were an aquired taste in the beginning and the only way I could get them down was using a straw. I use a straw for just about everything & do not have any issues.

I do have drinks on occasion. I usually have mixed drinks and am starting to learn about & enjoy wine now Love beer but the carbination just makes me feel so bloated and miserable. Yes, it seems to hit me faster than pre-band, I'm guessing it is because I just don't eat the volume of food anymore & there is nothing to help "absorb" it.

Love it "Band Nerd". Yes, I am a rule follower. I felt like I had to jump thru hoops to get this surgery approved I am not screwing it up I followed my instructions after surgery ( 6 weeks of full liquids - uggh) I did not want anything to happen.

I wouldn't say I have lost interest in food but I have lost interest in certain types of food/restaurants - mainly fast food type of places.

I agree with one of the other posters - there usually is nothing on a kid menu that I want. I will order whatever I want to eat & take home leftovers, share with someone or order off the ala cart.

I was outpatient or "23 hour observation". Had my procedure early in the morning & discharged the next afternoon. Although I knew I would not get much rest or sleep, I preferred to stay overnight incase of complications, wanted to be sure I had adequete pain control, & concerned about mobility - getting in/out of bed.

I'm a big fan of Unjury protein mixes. I drink one every morning for my breakfast. If I am in a bind and waiting for an order I will do the Muscle milk.

Eating at those kind of places is not "pleasurable" like it use to be - I think it is because I really cant eat that big burger - especially with the bun. Besides I grew up in California and In-outs & not a big fan of them - we only ate there after a night of partying - I still consider it "drunk food"

5-7 days. I order 3 containers at a time and most of the time when I open my last container I reorder. I have found that I am not a big fan of any other Protein mixes/drinks out there. If I am in a bind I will do the Muscle milk to get me thru till my unjury comes in.

I weight my self daily - every morning after I shower. I don't think I am obsessed with it - it is now a habit for me.

I scuba dived last summer and did not have any problems - never thought to ask the doctor about it. I would be worried about contact sports - check with your doctor.

Chips are a slider food for me - I can eat them without any problem - I do not buy them but if I am at a party/BBQ or someplace they are served I will eat them. Not a big fan of popcorn but when I have had it I didn't have any problem with it either. Pasta can go either way for me - some days I'm Ok with it other days after one bite I can tell I will have trouble. Mexican food is usually ok for me - I have only had trouble with things like enchiladas - I guess it is the tortilla that bothers me.

I drink normally now except for first thing in the morning. The only habit I had trouble with was the drinking while eating.