JMV18

I know how you are feeling... Back in Nov. of 2008 I finally decided on Lap Band and made the appointment with my primary care doctor to get a referral. Well, before my appointment a few weeks later I found out I was pregnant. It was a total shock bc we hadn't planned on having a second child bc I had a very complicated first pregnancy that resulted in my son being born 8 weeks early. I am so thankful that it happened now. I ended up having a non-eventful pregnancy and now have a wonderful 10.5 month old son. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason. As for my pregnancy, I managed to go through the whole thing with gaining NO weight. I watched what I ate (although I didn't have to be real crazy about it). By about three weeks post partum, I actually weighed almost 20 lbs less then when I got pregnant. So yes, it's possible to not gain!

Hi Renee~ I just had my Lap Band surgery last week with Tricare (Marine Corps). Tricare does not require a 6 month pre-op diet. If you have any questions fill free to ask me. The whole process was very easy for me. Tricare approved everything (all my pre-op requirements, surgery, etc.) very quickly. It took me just under 4 months from start to finish (Getting my referral from PCM to surgery), but that's because me Lap Band doctor is very thorough. I personally did not have to do a sleep apnea test, but my doctor decides on a case to case basis (usually he makes people get them, so I was shocked when I didn't have to).

This is directly from the Tricare manual: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure I've heard that they stick to this to the T, but I'm not sure. I just had surgery last week and through the whole process had absolutely no problems with approvals through Tricare (from start to finish). All the approvals were also done very quickly. They should use that initial weight and since you have hypertension you should qualify. I was well over the 100lbs but I also have High BP too.

I like the pineapple one pretty well! I didn't like the Raspberry or the Apple Melon ones too well.. They have a very bitter/sour taste to them. I have a few more of these flavors and I water them down sometimes. I personally like them better then most protein shakes though. Nature's best also makes an extreme smoothie (it's in a can), that I like pretty well... It's pretty low calorie and has 35g of protein.

Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself... My name is Jessica and after a long, hard, and thought out decision I decided on the band over gastric bypass. My surgery date is set for April 6th and I'm extremely nervous, yet excited to start this this new chapter in my life. Like many others, I've battled my weight my whole life. I've never been thin or really even a normal size despite being a very active child and teen (I played softball competitively up through college and showed horses up until high school). Today, I have a wonderful husband who is a drill instructor in the Marine Corps and 2 great sons (5 yrs. old and almost 9 mos.). Yes, I'm the fat wife with a husband who's in awesome shape! I'm looking forward to this journey!

So far, so good... I'm still in the hospital, as my doctor requires an overnight stay. I actually feel pretty good, just ready to get home. Thanks for the thoughts...

My surgery is scheduled for next Tues (4-6) and my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet; only that there is no weight gain between initial consult and surgery day. I didn't think too much about it until I realized the purpose of the diet is to shrink the liver. My doctor has been very thorough about everything. During pre-op testing I had to have an ultrasound in which they did check my gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and kidney. I've read that they can check for a fatty liver by ultrasound. I'm thinking that if my liver looked large during the ultrasound then they would have recommended a change in diet pre-op. I have modified my diet and am doing my own high protein/low fat and low carb diet for this last week. I'm somewhat of a worrier by nature, and after reading about all the pre-op diets, I'm so paranoid! I've lost about 3-4lbs in the last two weeks by just watching what I'm eating and I'm sure this last week I can lose a couple more. I was so thankful I didn't have a pre-op diet before and now I wish I would have (to put my mind at ease)! Anybody else not have a pre-op diet?

Other April bandster here! My surgery is next Tues. (04/06)! I cannot wait, but I'm very nervous about surgery as I've never been under general anesthesia. Looking forward to a new me! Good Luck to everyone, especially those with surgeries coming up tomorrow and Friday!