honk

One of the members of my presurgery eating class had a first fill that was like 5cc's and got very sick. Had to go to the emergency room for an unfill, middle of the night. I would much rather have a small fill (which I will tell the doctor I want), than a large fill that requires a trip in an ambulance (I live alone).

If you are allowed "snacks" two that I enjoy are: low fat cheese sticks (60 cal), or Chobani Fat Free Greek yogurt (with fruit) and 2 tablespoons vanilla Whey Isolate Protein Powder (Less 200 calories but lots of protein). I usually need a snack between lunch and dinner (about 7 hours) esp. because I do an hour of cardio between the the two.

I have been doing 2 Protein shakes, small meal, Snacks (yogurt, string cheese) for a while. My surgeon said I could continue until the surgery. I'm trying to stay low carb (ie bread) though I do have fruit. I think I will do liquids only the day before surgery. At anastesia (sp) meeting I got a hand out that said if possible to do cardio exercise (30 minutes a day) to strenghthen the lungs. I think part of the liquid diet is not only shrinking the liver but general weight loss. My Nurse Practioner that by loosing weight it's like unpacking a suitcase. The less fat in the belly area the more room the doctor has to move around. A couple weeks ago I had the flu and tried different brands of chicken Stock (more flavorful than Broth). You could try those preband to see which ones you like.

Some surgeons have a program fee. My first seminar they charged $400 when asked what that covered they said; well this seminar and hand outs (photo copies), and support groups (not lead by med. professionals just people). I said ahhh no to that and found another doctor. If this is a program fee of course insurance is not going to cover it. Why would they cover mark up or pure profit. Your insurance may not cover certain things though. Mine will cover Nutritionist appointments if they are for health issues other than weight loss (shrug). I called the insurance and said if you are willing to cover the surgery and the doctor insists on the Nut appointments you should cover those as well. I think I won that one since the hospital now says those appointments have been paid for. My appointments with the nurse practioner were covered but I did have some out of pocket expenses.

I am preband so my comments are based on what I've read on this board. Yes after healing the amount you can eat will be less than before. One issue is what kind of food you are eating. Liquids or carbohydrates that can dissolve in your mouth (crackers, cookies, cake) will pass right through the pouch and into your stomach. The device isn't falling it's just doing what it is suppose to, letting fluids through. You need to be able to drink. I've read about people going to DQ and McD's and having ice cream and shakes. Those will melt and fall through. If you ate real food (chicken, fish, veggies) they will stay in the pouch and keep you satisfied. Also it depends on how much exercise effort you plan on. People are probably tired of me saying it but I've lost over 50 pounds since January (surgery planned for 8/12) with diet and ALOT of exercise. If I only lose 40 pounds in the next year I will see the surgery as a failure.

I agree with previous posters if they are pushing one surgery it means they have more experience with it. If possible find another surgeon. Go on the manufacturers website and run a search for surgeons near you. When asked at my consult which surgery I wanted I said lapband. The nurse said Okay, but just so you know for someone your size the bypass would be more effective. I had a blood clot last year which means that surgery was to risky (more trauma to the body with longer surgery) so the actual surgeron did not recommend that.

My doctor said no swimming for two weeks and when I started to do freestyle no breaststroke. I would be concerned about trying to supervise small children (ensuring they don't drown) if I was not 100%.

I don't have an answer to your question. I can tell you my doctor knows that I do an hour of fairly rigorous swimming every day. Which does/can involve a lot of core muscles depending on the stroke you do. He has never said it would make the surgery harder. In fact at my first consult after feeling my belly area said that he could do the surgery as I was and I had only lost half the weight that nurse had required. I am too much of a wimp but you could go on Youtube and watch a surgery and see how much muscle they have to cut.

Drink a large coffee on the way to your consult and your half way there.

I would call your insurance to see if you need a new referral for this new doctor. HMO's usually require a referral from your PCP. You don't want to get billed becuause you did'nt have a referal. I would think that practice will move you to another doctor. If not go to the web site for your band and find a doctor that will do fills for a band they did not install. I know the lapband site has that as a search parameter. Good Luck.

My doctor's office said two weeks before I could go back to swimming and to start out with freestyle vs breaststroke or butterfly.

Processed carbs are a bad choice for snacking (my opinion). Can you eat chicken breast? Or even the canned shredded chicken or tuna? I think protein would stay with you longer. How about reduced fat cheese sticks? Another option might be Greek Yogurt Fat Free with fruit with a couple tablespoons of Vanilla Whey Isolate Protein powder with Splendra (fat free can be sour).

This is very interesting to me. My doctor wanted me to go on the HMR 500 calorie diet Pre Op (which consists of 5, 100 calorie shakes per day). I ended up having an allergic reaction to them so I stopped. While I have a desk job (read sedentary) I do an hour of cardio a day. I told him I thought that would not be enough calories for me to work (job requires me to remember a lot of details, negociate salaries etc, I work in HR) and continue to exercise. Yes I know I have a lot of fat for my body to burn. The brain however burns carbs not fat. FYI I did that diet for 5 days and did not loose any weight. When I went back to my own diet I resumed my weight loss.

My surgury is now officially one week away; and if I get a morning spot it'll will be done by now! Re infections, sure they could happen but will they? If someone is going out of their way to stess you out tell them to mind their own business. When my admin assistant was having her wisdom teeth out I did'nt say a word, even though I personally had a horrible time with it. It was'nt until she said she'd planned to be in the next day (they were impacted); that I told her that mine had been as well and I needed 3-4 days to recover. I told her from my own experiences I was not planning she would be at work. I did not want her to rush comming back when she was not ready. She was out for 5 business days which she had not planned on at all.

"I signed a contract that says I will follow his every rule." Before I say anything keep in mind after my surgery was postponed for unrelated health issue; more of less I've remained on a modified liquid diet for 4 months (2 shakes a day with one meal). I also exercise every day for an hour. So I consider myself pretty dedicated to this cause. But signing a contract? Really? Aren't we adults? I think if I signed a contract that he would to: "I promise never to reschule your appointment last minute; causing you to reschedule a meeting with the CFO at your employer (thanks for that); and I promise not to stick you with a nurse practioner you've never met a week before your surgery (Who says "remember don't gain any weight this week". I've lost 54 pounds since January can we skip the lectures?) Sorry but the contract thing blows my mind.

Regarding exercise I find that swimming is a great way to do cardio that's non weight bearing. I have a bad knee problem which makes walking difficult (Got special joint goop injected to the knee which realllyyyy helps). As I've lost weight bearing exercise has gotten easier but now prefer swimming. I use a snorkle/googles, with a water proof MP3 player (look on Amazon) and the hour goes by pretty quickly. My mother has been swimming every day for 30 years (she's now 79); she however likes to meditate/pray while she exercises. You need to find a form of exercise that "works" for you. That you can commit to doing 3-5 days a week.

Have you considered using unflavored protein powder to mix into the cottage cheese? I ordered some yesterday have'nt tasted it yet.

In general it is always easy to make judgements from the outside. There's a reason for the proverb "walk a mile in my shoes". Personally alcohol does'nt do a thing for me. Period. I have to have sweet dessert drinks so why bother with the alcohol; I might as well just eat a piece of cake. My brother however is a recovering alcoholic. Our difference is I can walk away from beer; and you would have to force feed him cherry pie. I find that weight problems are something that many people cant empathize over. Unfortunately you may never get someone to understand why you've made the this decision if they are not of the mindset to really listen.

Sounds like you have'nt told them what kind of surgery you are having. Could you say that in preparation for your surgery you need to do a liquid diet to detox/cleanse your digestive system? If they don't know you are having surgery at all you could just say you are trying a Cleanse (those are hip right now).

My insurance did not have a six month diet period; but due to a health issue I had to postpone my surgery. This meant that my first consult was 12/28/09 and my surgery is now scheduled for 8/12/10. My understanding is that the doctor's office sends in your original weigh in from your first consult. While I still would qualify today my insurance reapproved me (had to be done when my surgery was postponed) no problem even though I have lost 54 pounds since my first consult. As mentioned by a previous poster; many doctors want you to loose 5-10% of your body weight before they do the surgery. Sooooo as my doctor said this is all about the end game. The more you loose before the surgery hopefully the more you will lose in the end. While I am impatient and a horrible waiter you will be putting the six months into good use. Realistically how long will it take you to loose 10% of your body weight?

Love baby carrots with crunchy Peanut Butter.

For those of you who stayed overnight in the hospital; how many walks did you take to get the gas to dissipate? My nurse at the surgeons office said not to bring stuff with us to the hospital. I am going to pack an overnight bag that can be left in the car until after the surgery. My mother will be there with me. I want to bring my own pajamas. If I am going to be walking the halls I don't want my but showing. Also for those who left the hospital the next day were you able to put on a pull over shirt? Should I bring one that button's up the front? Were you able to put on a bra that closes in the front? Just want to know the type and color/fabric I should plan on. Especially since my sister's boyfriend may drive me home (my mother does'nt like driving in the city) I don't want to be an exibitionist.

Okay is it her money? Not in the well it's her son's money and she thinks of it as hers. In the real whose bank account does it reside in? If you are an adult and are using your own money. Everyone else can go suck a lemon; and mind their own business. I don't always like other peoples decisions. But when they really have nothing to do with me I have to just cope with it.

AMEN to that

I don't mean to be a downer but you might find it hard to find a surgeon who will operate on a 16 year old. One you are not of age and two it's hard to determine if you are still growing. I would go to the manufacturer's website of both Lap and Realize bands look for local surgeons and see if they treat minors.