honk

I have Anthem BCBS NY. You will probably get a call from a Case Management Nurse to see if you have any questions.

PS I had an episode post band where I nearly fainted at a store. I thought it was because I was late taking a medication and drove home. It turned out I desprately needed to eat. I did'nt get food while out because I needed to take my pills and knew that I couldn't drink after eating.

How many calories are you on and are you doing cardio and or is your job physically demanding? Esp. preband if I went to long without eating I would get the same symptons. My doctor poo pooed it but I KNOW it was real (I have a sedentary job but do an hour of cardio a day). To me it sounds like you are no getting enough calories. I would speak to a nurse or the doctor directly and tell them you are not stable at work or to drive. Fainting while driving could kill you or others. This is very serious. I am esp. concerned because this is something that has gone on for several weeks and it's not your body recalibrating to a sudden change in diet.

I think you should up your protein at breakfast and lunch and forget snacks. My doctor feels you should eat meals and very rarely have snacks. If you had larger meals you may not need the snacks.

I also use Romaine lettuce as a wrap for chicken sandwiches. I put low fat laughing cow cheese down the spine and squeeze on mustard. Yummy

I am now 5 months out from surgery. I did not decide to have surgery until I had a mini stroke at 39. At 38 I had gone to a orthopedic surgeon about severe knee pain. He point blank said you need to loose weight and here's some pain killers. Well I did start exercising and lost about 30 pounds but 11 months later still had a stroke. Deciding to have weight loss surgery was the hugest decision of my life. I had lost over 100 pounds three times in my life but had put the weight back on. I saw the band as a help in loosing weight and keeping it off. This is NOT a magic wand. To loose weight you will need to eat differently than you do now. Half the journey is mental. Once you've reach restriction (which can take 5 months)the band will help in eating smaller portions; but it won't stop you from eating unhealthy food. For example after eating a healthy meal you could eat one oreo; whereas before surgery you might eat 5-6. With your other physical issues would you be able to go to the pool? Water based exercise is some of the easyiest for over weight people. At 364 pounds I bought a fat lady swim suit (with the little skirt) and started lap swimming. From 9/08-8/13/2010 (day of sugery) I lost 82 pounds. I have lost another 30 since surgery. Yes, people can regain weight with the band. One sure fire way to do that is eat food that basically becomes liquid once you put it in your mouth. The band basically creates a funell in your stomach. Anything liquid will pass right threw: ice cream, candy, crackers, chips, milkshakes. If someone were to eat alot of these foods they WILL gain the weight back.

I think of the pouch as a funnel. Anything that would pass through a funnel is a slider. Such as soup, ice cream, milk, juice, possibly yoghurt (greek versions are thicker). Also anything that starts to desolve in your mouth while chewing crackers, candy, etc.

Your stomach has been through considerable trauma. Yes, these rules are for a reason. Your stomach should not be churning during this phase. It needs to do as little moving as possible. Yes Liquids esp. Clears suck. I asked to move from full liquids to mushies two days earlier and the nurse said "Absolutely NOT" These rules are for a reason. It's 48 hours you can make it.

I gained nothing BUT I was in the bathroom alllllllll night. Both the night in the hospital and my first night home. So six of one half dozen of thhe other! FYI I bought protein shots, clear liquid 3 oz for like 30 g protein. Went through me like a blow torch so I wouldn't really recommend them.

Also keep in mind that your body burns calories all day as I like to say "keeping the lights on". Sitting, standing, doing the dishes, keeping your body temp regulated those all take calories. My Nut also says to stay around 1200 calories a day. I asked the nurse once if I was plateauing because I was'nt eating enough calories around 800 and she said "No you have lots of weight for your body to burn". Well no duh. So she does'nt believe in starvation mode; but I think there is enough evidence that it does exist. Another thing to consider is that as you are exercising your body will loose fat and gain muscle. I had 2-3 weeks were I was plateuing (and not at restriction); but I clearing was loosing inches. Also what is your Protein levels? If they are on the low end and/or you are having a hard eating day; you migh consider a low cal/fat/carb Protein shake. Esp. if you are working out a long time after you last meal. Premier shakes are 30 g protein for only 160 calories.

If you have an HMO your primary care doctor will need to give you a referral. If you are PPO find a surgeon and see if they are in your network. My opinion is to find a doctor that does not have a "program fee". This is a extra profit fee that you pay out of pocket to the doctor above and beyond what they can bill your insurance. I think those fees should be illegal.

Once your swelling goes down from surgery and before fills you body is the same as it was presurgery. This will be a diet that's all about will power until then. My fingers are crossed that that my fill this week (7th I think) will move me into the "restriction-green zone". I would agree with your Nut eat as dense a Protein as you can. At 3.5 weeks I believe I could have canned tuna/chicken which I made with laughing cow cheese (this can be microwaved which is nice).

I have also been turned down by BCBS. I was told I had to be more than 1 year out from surgery. I also had a blood clot so that is considered a preexisting condition. When my cobra ends I will have to go join a high risk pool health insurance moderated by the state of New Hampshire. I would look into a similar plan for your state Be prepared to pay through the nose.

My Nut. says to be around 1200. She made this recommendation knowing that I exercise 1 hour a day.

I agree you should try for more than 60 g of Protein. Are you doing RTD or using Protein powder? Premier brand Read to Drink is pretty good and has 30 g protein for 160 calories (Costco). As mentioned by a previous poster low fat/cal creamy soups (tomato, low fat squash, etc) are good at this stage. I really like Progresso tomato and basil and Pacific brand Tomato and Sweet Red Pepper (sometimes found in the Organic section). I would recommend drinking 8 oz of soup (use a coffee cup vs mug because mugs hold a lot more than 8 oz); and then an hour or do later have the protein shake. I was allowed jello at this stage but not pudding. Spreading out your calories may help with you headache. Hold the rotted tomatos but you could also try a cup of broth between "meals" as it only has like 15 calories.

I swam every day prior to surgery and was allowed to get back in the water at 2 weeks. I highly recommend swimming because it is easy on your joints. I use a water proof MP3 player (check them out on Amazon). If for some reason the pool is closed (high school swim team); I use the elliptical.

I think you will loose weight if you do a low cal/fat liquid diet. After fills I have to do 24hr full liq. and 24hr mushies; and I usually loose a couple pounds. The problem with doing a liquid diet long term is that the liquid will fall right through the band; to your "large stomach". So in my opinion counter productive. If you eat solid foods you will feel full longer and less likely to snack and thus eat more calories than you need. Personally I would take a week and measure all foods 3 oz protein and measure veggies. Be very stricked about what you eat. Ask yourself "If my doctor was here would I eat that?" If not don't eat it. After that week see if you have lost and use that experience to reevalute your eating behaviors.

30 pounds in 4 weeks is alot! That's 4.5 lb per week which even on an all liquid diet would be hard. So congrats on your 20 lb achievement. It could be that you've hit a plateau which does'nt shock me after 20 pounds lost. Will you be going to a liquid only diet presurgery? I would talk to you doctor about your current loss and see if they will go ahead even if you don't lose 30. Again, I think 30lb in a month is excessive and not very healthy. I was told to lose 34 in 3 months which I did. But that's 3 times as long!

Never weigh yourself more than once a day because you are almost guarenteed to weigh more later in the day. I also only weigh first thing in the morning after all bathroom visits; and before breakfast.

Never weigh yourself more than once a day because you are almost guarenteed to weigh more later in the day. I also only weigh first thing in the morning after all bathroom visits; and before breakfast.

I have a realize 11 CC. They also come in 14CC I beleive.

My aunt who was dying of cancer would point out women who she though would make my uncle a good wife. Gallows humor I guess.

At my first fill when I stood up I felt this constriction in my upper stomach area. It did'nt realy hurt but I felt it happen. I have not had that happen again though.

Sounds like you are too tight.

I would go to another gastro specialist and another band doctor for a second opinion.