monkeymama

I was banded on 4/27/ I currently have healthnet although I started the process on CIGNA- CIGNA sucked and was making me jump through hoops... Healthnet approved in a few hours after my doc submitted all the info. There are a few issues now but that is just because I was approved for overnight but ended up going home that day. My docs office isn't concerned and are just saying they have to resubmit. The one thing I would check- I don't know if it is nationwide but here (NJ, NY) Healthnet was actually taken over by United so when my companies policy expires we will either have United or some other company if they choose to switch.

Hi There- I don't have Afib but I do have a histroy of an irregular heartbeat that sometimes slips into an Aflutter type rhythm (albeit for a short time). I take a beta blocker to control it and my EKGs are normal. Before surgery my doc had me take a stress test which had some abnormalities so then I had to do a nuclear stress test. Since the NST was fine I was cleared for surgery. I did have to take my beta blocker before surgery. No complications at all. Good Luck!

Deep Breath!!! Sounds like some reflux. Did you eat cottage cheese preop? If so, what effect did it have on you? I started mushies recently as well and they weren't sitting right with me (especially the ricotta cheese)- So today I went back to puree type foods with some chicken that I chewed until it was almost puree and I feel better.

Have any of you felt pain when you were first eating mushies? Do you think it means I should go back to purees?

Dehydration was the first thing that popped into my mind as well. You definitely should go see your PCP for a check up....

I agree it does seem gross but I have to tell you pureeing the food in the blender really will help you add flavor. The first time I tried it was with some light broccoli cheese soup and smoked turkey meat... it looked gross but it tasted just like the lean pockets broccoli, cheddar, turkey. It really was a nice change in flavor for me. I also would make a heartier soup and just strain it.

The same thing happened to me. I believe that there is swelling around the site of the band which causes this restriction. Plus when you don't eat for a while you "shrink" your stomach so to speak and get full on less. I have read many posts where people say that this does go away (which most wish it didn't)

I always seem to break out on my forehead when I am detoxing my body and/or losing weight. I like the Neutrogena acne pack- it comes with three containers- A face wash (which is Awesome), a night spot cream and a day SPF cream. I don't really use the day cream much but the other two work great for me.

Kelli- Thanks for sharing- the same exact thing happened to me after the doc told me Thursday that I could advance my diet- I too went overboard. It is so nice to know that I am not the only one. Today has been better but I agree... measure measure measure!!

Count me in! I am shooting for 16 pounds... First challenge as well. How does it work exactly?

I was going to ask the same questions... about fiber and the timing of the sliming!!! Anyone else have input?

I have no stitches either. Nothing has popped open though...

Does anyone know if you are allowed to have sugar free sucking candy when you are on clear liquids or full liquids?

Banded 27th... my incisions itch as well but nothing I can't tolerate and it comes and goes.

If you go to the website there is a coupon for $3 of two boxes... Carnation

I got really hungry a week post op (on clear liquids) so I was advanced to full liquids and that has helped. 1/2 cup of a creamy soup and I am full..

Hi Pam... I can't say for sure what your doctor saw but it is quite common for women who are overweight to have gallbladder problems- especially with rapid weight loss. If you have had children that also increases your risk. THe one thing to keep in mind is that the labs that indicate gallbladder issues are non specific. That is why he is ordering the US - so he can see if there really is a problem. Are you having any pain in the right side that radiates to the back?

I was told to let them fall off on their own... I also used to work on a surgical floor in the hospital and we NEVER took steri strips off unless there was a reaction or the doc wanted em off for some reason.

Laura LOL I am still on clears and I fantasize about protein shakes.. just for the flavor change :thumbdown: The things I drink: Sugar Free Weyers drink Jello Vitamin Water Zero Isopure G2 gatorade ProSlam Protein bullets Sugar Free Popsicles Chicken Broth Strained Egg Drop Soup (only broth left) Water Home made slushie- Ice and tiny bit of flavor...

Love It! Thanks for sharing.

For some reason my bloating got worse again today... My first day back to work and by mid day I was a gas machine...thankfully I can step away when needed... Kerbear... the fuzzy teeth definitely one of the unpleasant side effects...

Banded the 27th and my bloating seemed to go down today as well- not 100% back to pre-op but I don't feel like I will float away either. The low energy really hit today. I went out and bought a Vitamin Water zero that was B fortified and some egg drop soup. I strained the egg drop soup so only broth was left and drank about a cup over the course of the day... I felt like I needed some vitamins and fats... and believe it or not I feel A LOT better!!! Best $3.50 I have spent in a long time (soup and vitamin water)..

So facing five more days on Clear liquids I got a little sad... I needed some flavor changes... too much berry, fruit punchy or chicken brothy...bleh I have had enough... So after taking my son and his friend to the movies (my first movie without popcorn and I survived YEAH) ... I went to the store to buy a blender. I decided to cruise the food section just to see if there was anything else I could possible get that had a different taste than these damn clear liquids I have been drinking. Almost immediately I found some root beer flavoring (15 kcal tablespoon) that I could add to a slushie! AWESOME! I also picked up some werthers sugar free sucking candies but I am not sure if I can eat them or not (anyone know?) But the best thing... this is huge for me... As I was cruising the aisles and believe I went down all the food ones except the chips (my downfall) I saw so many things that I love to eat.. Peanut Butter m&ms (on sale), frozen pizza, Pasta dishes and I looked at them longingly but then I realized that even if I try I can't eat this things-- because of my band... it was such a relief.... There was no internal struggle anymore because I can't reach inside and take my band out to fit a pizza down there... What a freaking relief... This is why the band is better than any diet for me... It takes the option away :thumbup:.... now let me return to my 30 kcal root beer slushie (that I won't finish)

I wasn't required to do a pre op diet either. I thought about doing a self imposed one after reading these boards- but ended up just working on some habit changes (like Betsy mentioned) and having a Protein Shake for breakfast. I also cut my carbs a lot. At my preop appointment I asked my doc- are you sure I don't need a preop diet- He said no eat whatever you want until 10 the day before the surgery... And I did. I had surgery Tuesday and I have to say that my recovery has been great. My surgery went fine as well. If I had any carb withdrawal I didn't notice it and I have been on clear liquids since Monday night. Perhaps because I had a non stressed body before surgery my recovery was easier??

Oh I am sorry to hear about your delay! Mine was delayed too for cardiac clearance (I had to do a nuclear stress test). In the end I kind of enjoyed having a few extra weeks to prepare... Don't worry it will pass and you will be reassured that your heart can handle the stress of surgery!