Manda87

In 8 days, I start my pre-op liquid diet with Optifast, and nothing else besides water. :thumbup:

Have you seen this show called "Say Yes to the Dress?" I've seen a couple of episodes where the women were about to pop out of their dress. They had like a thin piece of fabric covering their boobs. When I get married, I want people to focus on the ceremony, not my boobs.

I've had a cold for the past month. I'm starting to think it's not a cold anymore, lol. Anyway, during a cold you do end up swallowing a lot of phlegm. So, perhaps, since phlegm is sticky and kind of thick, it could cause you pouch to be somewhat full? That's just a theory though. I hope your cold goes away! They are the pain in the butt. :frown:

I think your situation comes with the risk of telling someone. Many people don't understand. In retrospect, you could have said "Why did you get liposuction? I'm sure if you worked on it a little better/harder/longer, you could have done it!" Whatever. People say negative things to other people because they feel bad about themselves and somehow talking negatively to/about another person makes them feel better. That's my conclusion, anyway. :frown:

Dr. Scott Bovard, yours?

I've heard of people mixing a vanilla protein shake with Crystal Light.

I used this BMI calculator: Calculate your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator According to that at 5'6" and 248 pounds, your BMI is 40 at 249 pounds your BMI is 40.2. So, just by your BMI, you are a good candidate for surgery. (I don't know what btrieger was talking about when he said you don't qualify. People with a BMI of 35 do get the surgery...) You are just on the border of getting the surgery without having an comorbidities. Call up your insurance and find out their requirements. Then find a surgeon, go a seminar, and hopefully set up the first appointment. Good luck!

I want a tummy tuck and new clothes. I can't really think of anything else though, but maybe when I get banded I'll find something else I want . :sad:

I went to my PCP first, but I basically spent a $20 co-pay for her to tell me to go find a surgeon, lol. I told my OB-GYN about it, and from just hearing her attitude, I feel as though she I couldn't do it. Oh well, I only have to see her once a year.

You should not have any problems going back to work in a week. You're lucky that you don't have much of an active job that some of us do. :sad:

My doctor recommends Crystal Light. I love the iced tea lemon flavor. :sad: I was told that my pre-op dietitian appointment was more for the insurance than anything else. My doctor can't really find a dietitian that he likes. However, he tells me what I need to be eating and how much. He's really good about it.

My doctor told me that the reason why I have to have a 2 week liquid diet is to shrink my liver...

Did your doctor(s) make you pay a certain amount up front? If so, how much? My pre-op appointment isn't until March 22. Would it be ok to call them before to ask that question? I hate asking questions. I haven't called the office in a while, plus I feel like I'm bothering them.

I used to be addicted to McDonald's. Finally, I had to tell myself that I cannot do it anymore. I'm also a crazy chocolate and coca cola addict. All of this comes within and the lap band can't help you in that area. What about joining Overeaters Anonymous? I'm not sure if you have one in your country (since you used kg instead of pounds, I assume you don't live in the US). Support groups are awesome. Try checking one out. :smile2:

My surgeon gave me a list of things that I can and cannot eat throughout the whole six weeks. Full liquid Diet: Allowed: Water, decaf coffee & tea, non-carbondated, surgar free drinks (0 calories) ie - crystal light, fruit 2 0 sugar free fruit juice, low sodium v-8, diet v-8 splash & tomato juice skim milk, 1% milk, lowfat lactaid milk, low fat soymilk, smooth low-fat yogurt with no added sugar (made with nutrasweet, aspartame or splenda low sodium beef or chicken consomme and broth, tomato Soup, strained cream Soups sugar-free Jello, pudding, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free hot cocoa, sugar substitues (equal, splenda, sweet & low) Protein powders, Protein Drinks, protein bullets, Isopure (less than 4-5 gms carb per serving. NOT allowed: regular coffee & tea, carbondated beverages, sweetened fruit beverages & drinks, alcohol, Fruit Drinks fruit drinks & punches, regular v-8 splash, and fruit juice 2% milk, chocolate milk, fruited yogurt bouillion cubes, soups with any pieces of food of any size - strained soups only regular sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, etc. no protein with sugar or sweeteners other than sugar substitues. Runny oatmeal and runny mashed potatos aren't a liquid, really. That shake was probably filled with a ton of sugar and whole milk. I guess the list above is a guideline though. I'm surprised your sugeron didn't give you a list.

I never really thought about a soft sign. I'll have to pay more attention when I'm eating a meal. I'm getting banded on April 7th also. Good luck to ya!

I've done all of my pre-ops and paid for all of those. But do they make you pay just before the surgery?

I think when you see 30 pounds lost in their tickers is because they did lose weight with their pre-op diet.

Are you eating healthy and exercising? Both are very important. Even those commericals about those weight loss "pills" say that you need a balanced diet and exercise to lose weight. I would talk to your doctor about your lack of weight loss.

Would it be considered sinful to spit out the waffer? I mean, don't do it in front of everyone. Just bring a tissue with you or something. Maybe you can tell your family members that you had another hernia repaired?

I have Empire Blue. It took a little over a week to get approved.

I'm 22 and in college. However, I haven't been banded yet - not until April 7th.

Which state do you live in? I have that insurance also, and I have a list of hospitals that they approve. They don't approve it by doctors, but by hospitals. Also, they should send a packet of information that does include the hospitals that they approve.

Like everyone says, it does depend on your insurance. My insurance didn't require a 6 month diet. My surgeon just submitted the paper work and a little over a week, I got approved. Like another person said, the surgeon's office will keep you busy with pre-op tests like upper GI, chest x-ray, EKG, etc. If you do have to have a diet, it will go by quickly. :biggrin:

I'm a CNA at a nursing home. It's funny when people think about old people in a nursing home. I think many people think that there are little old ladies that can't possibly weigh over 100 pounds. WRONG! I have worked with women and men that are over 200 pounds. Also, there are those people that cannot stand and can't possibly help. Because of that, I have taken pretty much a whole month off. However, I have a feeling that it is not enough. Good luck with your surgery and I hope for a speedy recovery!