Starprincess

I was banded on Mondy 06/28, it went well. I was in at 2:00 p.m. and left for home at 5:30 p.m. I wasn't too sore (had pain meds) and felt "OK." My post-op diet was clear for 24 hours, then liquids. The guideline was 3-4 ozs. every four hours or so for Protein. I am supposed to move on the "mushie" in 2 weeks. I got extremely hungry last night , I had a few sips of the protein smoothie. The materials I received from the O Band booklet also said I could also have "no sugar added" popsicles as well. When I spoke to the girl at my surgerons office today she acted like I had committed a cardinal sin by have some smoothie sips when I was hungry, I got a lecture and then was told I should not have eaten the poipsicles either. (25 cal., no fat, 2g sugar) One of the reasons I got this surgery done is that when I would try to modify my eating in the past, I would get sooooo hungry ( the shakes) that my body kicked into starvation mode, then I would cave and eat everything. I didn't expect to get so hungry after the surgery and did not appreciate getting yelled at (so to speak). I feel a little disillusioned right now, I thought once I made it to surgery the hunger would subside, she started talking about stomache shrinking (I have heard that this isn't possible) so I am sad, confused and don't know what the hell to think!

Today is a little better, but I am soooo hungry! My Pre-Op diet pt.2, was on Sat. I was allowed Breakfast (I had Special K and juice), then at noon till 2:00 a.m. on Monday only liquids (protein shakes and anything I can "drink") then clear from 2:30 a.m. on. This morning I had a Protein shake I had a receipe for (soy milk, tofu, banana, blueberries and acai juice all blended), I had an Adkins shake later and now I am having cream of celery Soup that I heated. I am drinking Water like crazy!!!!!!! This is tough because my head is going a little nuts! I will perservere! Good luck to everyone out there and Thanks to Will for his inspirational words.

Thanks that was very helpful........

This is one BIG GAME ins. companies play in oder to NOT pay. I had tried for almost two years to lose weight, I saw a nutritionoist, went to therapy, was in an eating disorders treatment group and was taking Topamax for appetite suppression and that still was not good enough for them. After submitting many, pages of medical records, including weights and dates of visits to my PCP, they kept denying the surgery. They kept suggesting I go and start the 3 month period again of being on a supervised diet. Since I felt I had already more than complied with their requirements, I refused. I got help through Allergan (who makes the O Band) they have an insurance advocacy program who hired someone to file a formal appeal for me. They sent the appeal in (took about a month to write) and I was approved 13 days later.

I am getting my lap band on Monday and am beginning my liqiud diet today. I had some problems sticking to my pre-op diet the last week because it was my birthday and I wanted to enjoy one dinner, one last time the "old way" before my surgery. I made the decision to have the surgery last December, but had ins. approval issues, that just got resolved in late May. I am in a completely different head space now than I was then. I want to have the surgery and make the necessary changes, BUT with the 5 month wait, I now have an extremely high dose of fear (food was a "friend"). I am cautionsly optimistic and am pushing forward nad looking forward to my new life.