2beskinny

I'm only 2 days post-op, so I'm not hungry (yet), but I did just make some pureed lasagna for dinner and it was very yummy! I just cut a very small piece of lasagna and used tomato soup to thin it in the blender. It was like lasagna soup! I also puree strawberrys with skim milk and splenda and top with a little sugar free cool whip. Also very yummy. I'll let you know if I come up with any other good ones. I also pureed some tuna with lt. mayo and pickle juice today. That wasn't bad either (good protein, too!) Good luck!

Same here - no co-morbids, but bmi < 40. I was approved no problem (after 3 month diet). Good luck!

I was banded on 7/19. Doing really well with everything! 1st day, it was the shoulder pain!!! Ouch! Yes - hurt WAY more than the incisions! Much better now, though. I have walked a bunch every day. Today I am just on advil, and I didn't even take a nap. Went shopping @ Sam's with my mom (she did the heavy lifting!). Feeling so optimistic. My incisions look great except for the one in my belly button. It just gives me the willy's to look at it, but I think it's fine. I think I can feel where my port it - a little more swollen there - used some ice on it today and that felt good. I also had a hernia repair. I was told I didn't have one when I had my EDG done, but I guess they did see a small one when they were actually in there, so my surgeon fixed it. I'm glad because I was having reflux at night so I am hoping that will be gone now! I'm on pureed foods. Tonight I pureed about a 2 x 2 piece of lasgna with some tomato soup. It was like heaven after all these protein shakes! I can't say that I'm really eating cuz I'm hungry - just to keep my strength up and to hopfully go potty soon (TMI). Everything is going down fine - I pureed some tuna fish and lt. mayo with pickle juice - about 3 bites was enough of that, but it did taste pretty good. As long as it is no thicker than pudding and smooth, I can eat it. 2 weeks of this then on to mushies for 2 weeks, then normal. Good luck to all the newbies on this thread!:thumbup:

Good luck with that one. The only way that I know an insurance company will pay is if the employer who contracts with the insurance company (in your case Cigna) will add it to their coverage options. Then, of course, it would have to be an option for all the employer's employees, not just a single person on the policy. You can speak with the person in your company who negotiates the contract with Cigna and try and convince them that it is something worth paying for. Only your employer knows what kinds of pre-existing conditions exists in your company (that they are paying for), but I would go in armed with data that talks about how wls can reduce the need for high blood pressure and diabetes medicine, stress incontinence, acid reflux, etc. My sister is currently looking into it for her company. She wishes it is something that was covered, but she works for a small law office and is actually the one who negotiates the contract. She, of course, will have to get the partners sold on the idea, but she can at least look at the costs differential before she brings it up to them - which she expects to be significant.

That is the best news ever! Congratulations to you! I can't wait for victories like that to start coming my way :thumbup:

Yesterday was the big day! I can't believe it is behind me now. I'm quite sore, but already so much better today than yesterday. Yesterday my left shoulder was my worst complaint (as I've heard many times and thought I was prepared for). Felt like someone had vice grips on my trapezoid muscle! Man, it really hurt. Today it is hardly anything though. My tummy is pretty sore today. I just took off my bandages...that left me a little weak in the knees, I must say (I'm kinda wimpy in that area). I really felt like I was going to pass out, so I put off my shower till after my 2nd protein shake thinking that I might feel a little stronger. I walked the house yesterday a lot to help the gas. It must have worked because I feel the gas is 95% gone. I know tomorrow will be a better day than today. Hard to get 64 ozs. of liquid in, especially with all the napping I'm doing. Yesterday I really fell short - today is going better. I just had about 1/3 of a frozen Yoplait "Whips" yogurt...it really tasted good (saw a commercial for freezing them). I highly recommend them for a little treat. I kinda felt like I needed the sugar as I literally had no calories yesterday and thought that might help with my energy for a shower along with my 2nd protein shake. I lost of total of 16 pounds on my 2 week preop. I'm sure I won't be losing much more this first month. I'm going to focus on healing and getting my protein in and I really don't care about the scale at this point. I'm having reality checks like, "I can't believe I actually went through with this!" I feel so optimistic...like it all makes so much sense. I know I made the right choice. Even after reading that recent post on LBT (the night before my surgery) about the woman who died from complications. I'm sure there is a lot to that story and we don't know all the facts. I just focused on the facts that I knew for me...I had done my research, knew the facts about lap band surgery and stayed focused on my goal. Looking forward to my progress and getting through the next month of healing so the real party can begin. Thanks to all who post on here for getting me through this decision!!!:tt2:

Wow, Gillian, you are doing great! You have lost a lot of weight...congratulations! My big day is tomorrow and I spend a lot of time reading this forum (and now posting) to keep me focused on this. I love reading about folks like you who are winning the weight battle with the band. Keep fighting and I'll be right there along side you!

I think it matters if you were on a pre-op diet as well...meaning - I have been on a 2 week, very strict, protein supplement diet. I have lost 14 pounds as of this morning (hoping for one more pound by tomorrow - surgery day!). Considering how strict and limited my diet has been and the fact that I can advance to pureed foods after 24 hours...I do not expect to keep losing at this rate. I'm still going to watch my overall intake of course, but my pureed foods will have more sodium, etc. I only ate between 500-700 cals a day on my pre-op. One day, I decided to make some chicken broth (from a cube)...the next day i actually gained a pound. It was from the sodium in the broth. I'm going to try and still lose before restriction sets in, but know that it will take pure willpower until the band can start helping. I've been able to lose well on "regular diets" in the past, just could never keep it off. I figure by the time I'm ready to start gaining again after dieting, the band will be there this time!

I wish you the best under the circumstances. I am the mother of 15 year old twins - I feel your loss. Take care of yourself. I find that I eat when I'm stressed about "little things" the "big things" take my appetite away. Staying healthy and strong are the most important things right now. You have lots of time to worrry about the weight.

:drool:Yes - go get that pudding!!! I hear ya....crystal lite is keeping me sane during my liquid pre-op. I have grown to hate all the protein powders/mixes, so I can barely choke them down anymore. Crystal light is the only normal tasting thing that crosses my lips these days! One more day! I go to pureed food 24 hours after surgery. It will be like eating at a 5 star restaurant as far as I'm concerned:laugh:

Wow - you look awesome! Thanks for sharing your inspirational story. My surgery is Monday and I love seeing results like yours! Size 4/6? Sounds like a dream :smile:

We were invited to a birthday dinner next Friday which will be 5 days after my surgery. I replied that we had other plans, but could possibly meet them after dinner for a drink (I will be drinking water!). I don't think you should put yourself into temptation yet...it will be fine when you can progress (which will be shortly), but you don't want to mess up this early! Good luck!:smile:

Congratulations....love to hear stories like yours! My surgery is Monday :smile: Sometimes I feel nervous, sometimes I feel like Monday is too far away! I am just ready to get this behind me. I hope I have an easy time like you!

Good luck tomorrow...my surgery is Monday! I think we are making the right decision!!! Let us know how you did!

I have 3 days left on my 2 week pre-op - surgery is Monday...whohooo! I am on a medifast diet - all protein based powders that magically transform into the nastiest concoctions you ever tasted. I was doing OK on everything until today. I made my "chili" for dinner, took 3 bites, gagged and threw it out. I seriously would rather starve than eat this stuff anymore!!! My saving grace is protein shakes...I really like the chocolate. It has a very smooth texture and if you only add 4 ozs. of water instead of 8, it thickens to a pudding. I have enough of those to get me through the next 3 days. No more "scramled eggs with bacon" (seriously??), "pancakes" and "chili." I can't take them anymore!!! The protein bars aren't tooo bad, but they kinda gag me as well. Oh well only 3 more days. I can progress to pureed foods after the 1st 24 hours on clear liquids. My nut said pureed Wendy's chili is really good! I can't wait!!! Sounds like heaven at this point Good luck to everyone! :sad:

No worries! It's all good! I'm looking forward to your input when I will undoubtably post some questions after my surgery :grouphug: I can't believe how much weight you have lost...awesome!

OMG, I sure hope it's easier! I'm on day 8 of pre-op diet...it is so hard! When is your surgery? I have to stay on clear liquids for 24 hours after surgery, then go to full liquids for 2 weeks. That's sounding good right now. I would rather have slmfast and homemade smoothies than all this packaged stuff I have to stay on now!!!!

Ummm...I think this is exactly what the OP was asking for...as mentioned, it's a guideline. Don't get me wrong - I like reading your posts...but you seem to like to stir the pot. Lots of us have families to take care of and being prepared is a necessity. How prepared? That is up to the individual. Some of us can chill out in a messy house - some of us can't. Lots of folks would stress about NOT having these things in the house prior to surgery.

I have lost 10 pounds on one week of pre-op - Medifast Supplements. I was so hungry and had so many headaches the first few days...I didn't think I could make it. Now it is much better. Yesterday, however, I was playing in a golf outing. Told my girlfriends upfront that I could not stay for the dinner portion (they do not know about my surgery). Long story short - I ended up staying for the dinner portion. I ate lean ham and 1/4 cup of cole-slaw. I couldn't get out of it and I didn't want to draw attention to myself by not eating. I am sure I stayed within the calorie and carb counts for the day. I did not eat the potatos, baked beans, chips and brownies that they offered :thumbup:. I did not drink any alcohol all day either (my first time doing that during 18 holes of golf!). I'm just not going to beat myself up over it. I did not use this slip as an excuse to raid the fridge (the old me would have). I am back on track today and doing great! There have been so many times when I could justify eating a little protein, or a veggie, as so many don't even have pre-op diets...but I stuck to the plan. Funny that I ended up being in a situation where I ended up doing it anyway. I really didn't even enjoy it. It certainly didn't feel like cheating! I'm sure it will be fine - the protein bars that are part of my diet plan have 15 carbs in them. I don't think the coleslaw had more than that...and I didn't eat the protein bar that day. My surgery is one week from today . I'm already not sleeping very well. I can't wait to get this behind me!!!!:thumbup:

Wow - you are a very busy mom! I had twins and a 2 year old (all boys) and I felt like I was in survival mode for a few years! Now the twins are 15 and my oldest is 17. I'm in survival mode again! HA! Seriously - it's great - they are such great boys - I love all the sports. They are great athletes. It goes by quick~~enjoy it!!! Sounds like you've got a great attitude about everything. My surgery is a week from today. I'm nervous, but excited. I'm more nervous because I'm not telling anyone. It's been weird living with this secret (my husband and my sister know). It's just what's right for me. I can't wait to be on the other side of this surgery like you are!

Congrats to you... you ARE doing great! You've got the right attitude for the long-haul...that's what this is about!

Congrats! So glad to hear you had an easy time! I think we all wish for that :thumbup: I'm curious...did you work out a lot before your surgery? I think your fitness level going in seems to play a role in your recovery...just an observation :thumbup:

Hey there - we are the same age and my surgery is on the 19th! I'm nervous, but not as nervous as I used to be. I am having my surgery at a surgery center vs. hospital. I felt weird about this. I asked my doc if I could take a tour of the center - he was very accommodating and let me go over right away with a staff person (there were no surgeries going on that day.) It was state-of-the-art and everyone was so nice! There are two brand new OR's that were designed to the doc's exact specifications. The pre-op and post-op areas were fine...felt just like a hospital. This really calmed my nerves :thumbup: It's funny...I the nerves build up in me and then when I have to go for an appointment...I feel like I'm doing the right thing when I get there and get around the staff. Most of them have been banded and really understand EVERYTHING. I received a call today about my EKG...they need me to repeat it, so I'm going tomorrow. I'm looking forward to being there again to get a dose of calm!

I have just completed my 3rd day without coffee...no headache today! I think doing it gradually helped. I do plan on going back to coffee after doc says ok. I'm not a Starbucks gal...invested in a super-automatic machine of my own and love the fresh brewed taste I get at home! I have always used splenda and skim milk, so not much to change there. Half & Half is a real treat for me...no more of that!

I'm on my third day of a 14 day preop - liquid only - diet. OMG it's hard. I definitely could not do this without this ultimate goal in mind! I am only getting 600-700 calories a day and I can't believe I'm still functioning! My doc's office called today - they want me to come in tomorrow and repeat my EKG...a little weird, said they just have to make sure the leads were placed right.....hmmm.....guess I'll find out tomorrow. I have lost 7 pounds since Monday!!! How crazy is that? I really just want to eat some vegetables...I may ask tomorrow if I can add those to my diet.