Loyalfriend

I was banded on 9/2 and I'm trying the full liquids but it's giving me loose bowels, bloating feeling an another uncomfortable feeling. I've been taking mylanta, gas-x, pain med, nausea (when needed). I feel your pain, but I don't regret this decision. My body is just adjusting to the band. Sometimes I think I feel fine and start doing normal activities only to be back in the bed a few hours later. As everyone said, take your chewable Vitamins and Isopure and drink from the medicine cup so you won't over due it. Good Luck and you are not alone. But we are on a wonderful journey!! This will pass and will only be a memory.

Congratulations on your approval for surgery! Also, I'm surprised with the last meal allotment, but every doctor and person is different. I had to make it through two weeks of liquids only!! I must admit it helped prepare me for this recovery period. Good Luck with your journey.

Hi Chris, first you should call Aetna Customer Service and tell them that you need to check your contract for bariatric surgery. Make sure you plan does not exclude this procedure. Also, ask your doctor's office to give you the CPT billing code for the surgery and double check with your insurance carrier on the rules associated to receive approval for this code. Aetna tends to be one of the insurance carriers that requires you to jump through alot of hoops to get approved so be prepared. That's why we call it a journey. Visit your PCP and make sure he/she can document your weight progress over the past two years. Then document all your attempts at losing weight utilizing OTC pills, Jenny Craig, WW, etc. This should give you a good head start on your road to insurance approval. Good Luck!

Congratulations for making it through the testing phase. Now it's the waiting game from the insurance company. Then it's the anticipation of the surgery after that. Fun Times, but it's worth it!! As long as your doctor believes you meet all the requirements you shouldn't have a problem with approval. BCBS is a great insurance carrier (I have that company as well for another state). Don't worry about the Deductible and Out of Pocket Max, if your family is willing to help. Let them help and you focus on preparing for your new lifestyle change. Take Care and Keep Us Posted. Warm Regards.

Thank you for all your helpful advice. I'm trying to make myself drink, but I am taking my supplements. I over did it yesterday so I'm making myself rest today because I'm sore. With that said, I'm still excited about being banded. Thanks for your support.

I made it through my procedure yesterday and I'm so glad the waiting is over. I'm in the recovery phase and trying to adjust to the band. I don't have much of an appetite and I had to be given an IV last night because I was becoming dehydrated because I had to use the catheter. Unfortunately, I don't have much of an appetite but I have to force myself the take in the liquids. I'm glad I made this change and I'm officially on the road to a new me. Thanks again for listening to my rants over the my waiting period. A little advice. Make sure you get all your medication, liquids and popsicles before your procedure. It helped tremendously to have everything available during this phase even when you have someone at home taking care of you. Best wishes to everyone.

Don't let pessimestic responses from people that are not educated in these procedure cause self-doubt. Everyone is different and everyone's experience is different. A reason I didn't choose the gastric by-pass because of the rapid weight loss and your stomach can expand over the years causing your weight to return, if you don't keep up the healthy eating and exercise. Enjoy you success and shake off that remark from that hater. Best wishes and Take care.

Yes, I am making myself walk around and take my dogs out for a short walk to keep my strength up. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Best wishes and Take care.

I hope you don't have to wait up to 20 days for a decision. But you can make the best of your waiting time by practicing your new diet changes. Trust me, it will make your recovery period a lot easier by making the right decisions as second nature. Start stocking your pantry with all the food and things you will need for your pre-op diet and post-op diet. I find that this process is my way of manifesting the an approval from the insurance company. Therefore, when I received the approval I was thrilled and didn't have to rush last minute to alter years of bad eating habits. Best wishes and Take care.

Hi Newbie, I can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions. The best advice I received while dieting was; physically your body is satisfied with healthy eating (including the liquid diet). It's only your mind that makes you think you are not satisfied unless you indulge in your comfort foods/drinks. You can do it! Have faith and just do what you have to do to make it through. Be true to yourself and remember you are making a positive step to a healthier and better version of you. Best wishes and Take Care.

Don't worry. I was just banded yesterday and had a lil issue to deal with, but things happen and I don't regret my decision to get banded. Remember everything you went through after you made the decision to become banded. Remember the promise you made to yourself and your doctor. My bestfriend hit a few plateaus during her years with the band. She just gets a few fills to find her sweet-spot and returns to the liquid diet and increase her exercise. It usually does the trick to get her jump started. Remember the band is only a tool and you still have to work at helping the weight to come off. Wish you well and this is only advise based on my experience and advice from my friends. Take care.

Thank God I made it this far. It's been a long two weeks and I've been antsey all week long waiting on 9/2/2010 (my surgery date). My friends and family are glad tomorrow is soo close because I've been a grumpy person with moderate mood swings. This is my first time to be excited to see September arrive. Yesterday, I was nervous. Today, I'm excited so tomorrow I will probably be nervous again. I hope everyone has a great day!! Happy September Everyone!!

Thank God for friends. I've been so grouchy since I've been on this liquid diet. I hope I still have a boyfriend after it's all said and done. He gets the most of my rants and attitude from wanting food, but he continues to drag me to the gym and encourages me to workout. He told me to take my rage out on the weights, LOL!! My bestfriend has been awesome because she had the lap-band for a few years, so she understands my misery. She reminds me the outcome is well worth it. I know a few people with the lap-band, so I'm confident I'll do well. I just miss food. But I remind myself my love for food caused all my health problems so I MUST make this change. To my online lap-band supporters. Thanks for your support and listening to me rant too. I'm fasting this morning for some tests, so I'm extra hungery and will probably be extra grouchy when I see my boyfriend for my workout... :wub:

I know you hate to do this, but I did it and I feel alot better. GET RID of your size 22 clothes and send them to charities or friends and family that can use them. Then... Purchase a black jacket and black pair of pants or two. Then..... Oh yea, keep a few tops. Switch your top everyday but wear the same jacket and pants. I'm a professional as well and luckily someone lost some weight around the same time I was dieting and she gave me some clothes that finally fit. Now I'm getting the band the size 18/16 wardrobe that I've built up will not fit me in a few months, so I will be doing the same thing over again BUT this time I will be glad to give up size 18/16 clothes for something smaller. Good Luck and Congradulations on your weight loss

Hi Hawyn, I don't have the band yet, but I'm sure someone will post some insight for you. Are you getting enough B12? Are you getting some fresh air to help with your headache? You may want to speak to your doctor to see if anything else maybe going on. Everybody is different so you may just need more time to recover. Also, make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet. I hope you feel well soon!

Hi Shayna There are different steps you can take as far as getting your procedure covered. I have experience in the insurance industry so I’ll give you a little bit of my knowledge. You may already know some of this information. You may send me a message if you feel your questions and answers are too personal. 1. Are you on an individual or group sponsored health plan? 2. If your group health plan is the group is the health plan self-insured or fully-insured. (If you work for a large corporation most likely your plan is self-insured and the best place to start is your HR Department). If you are on a group plan and the plan excludes the surgery ask the HR Manager/Director if they are able to amend the health plan next enrollment to include that procedure. 3. If you are on an individual or small employer plan call the prior authorization department and ask if the following CPT codes are covered under your health insurance contract; 43770, 43644, 43645. There are more CPT codes, but those are some of the normal codes used for the Lap-Band procedure. 4. If the insurance company said they will NOT cover Lap-Band that means your insurance excludes that procedure and they will not approve. 5. If the insurance company will consider you for approval, I’m encouraging you to follow their requirements to the “T” or you will be fighting for months with appeals. This process takes several months because a lot of plans require you to try other weight loss options. 6. Go to a bariatric seminar in your area and choose a surgeon. Their staff is the most knowledgeable and they are familiar with the insurance carriers’ rules for your region and they will be able to guide you through the process. I encourage you to pick a surgeon with a team that is actively involved because it makes this process a lot easier. Also, see if your insurance carrier has a preferred surgeon for the procedure because his/her office will be able to receive approval faster than others. This is just some suggestions but use your best judgment. I wish you well during your journey.

Peanut Butter-Vanilla Protein Shake Serving size: about 8 ounces Recipe makes: 2 Ingredients 1 scoop of whey protein powder, vanilla flavored 1 cup skim milk 1 cup ice cubes 1 Tablespoon low-fat creamy peanut butter Directions 1.) Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Enjoy! Strawberry Smoothie Serving size: about 10 ounces Recipe makes: 2 Ingredients 1 cup skim milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 cup ice 1 cup of no sugar added frozen sliced strawberries 1-2 packets of Splenda as desired Directions 1.) Put all ingredients into blender. Set on smoothie setting and blend for 3 minutes or until smooth. 2.) Pour into cup and enjoy immediately! Fruity Protein Drink Serving size: about 10 ounces Recipe makes: 2 Ingredients 2 cups water 4 protein shake scoops (such as vanilla or unflavored) 1 packet of sugar-free to go flavor packs of your choice (sugar free kool-aid in fruit punch kicks it up, or sugar free hawaiian punch, crystal light to go packets work just as well!) Directions 1.) Add water, flavor packet, and protein into blender. Mix until desired consistency and enjoy! Butterfinger Smoothie Serving size: about 8 ounces Recipe makes: 1 Ingredients 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (such as EAS, Jay Robb's or Gold Standard Whey) 1 teaspoon sugar-free, fat-free butterscotch instant pudding mix 1 cup skim milk Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Add ice if desired. Enjoy! The Caramel Crunch Protein Shake Serving size: 12 ounces Recipe makes: 2 Ingredients 8 ounces skim, 1% or soymilk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 Tablespoon toasted wheat germ 1 Tablespoon sugar-free instant pudding mix, butterscotch flavor 1 teaspoons sugar free caramel syrup (such as Starbucks sugar-free caramel latte syrup) handful of ice Directions 1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, blending until smooth. Add more ice if desired. Enjoy your protein shake cold and frothy! .AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}

I'm making it over the hump and I'm adjusting. Reaching for the liquids is starting to become second nature. I actually got to know more about my co-workers because I brought my lunch (chicken broth...um.um...good). Normally, I'm running out to grab fast food at lunch time. I'm taming the grouchiness but sometimes it rears it's ugly head every now-and-then and I have a moment of meaness, but I'm a work-in-progress. As a side note: my sister (whom works at a hospital) told me gastric patients are mean. I understand why because we are HUNGRY and have not had real food in a while and won't see or taste any of our comfort foods EVER again!!! :thumbup: I hope everyone has a good day!!:wub:

Congradulations!! I'll be banded on September 2nd. Welcome to the September Band Club!! I wish you well.

I understand your fustration. I lost 90lbs because I scared myself when I stepped on the scale and saw 300lbs. Somehow I managed to make a lifestyle change on my own and establish healthy habits. Here I am 2 years later and I've gained back 20lbs, but I'm still working out. Just not like was earlier and my bad eating habits returned. I feel the lap-band will the be the tool to get me back on track my healthy mindset and keep it there. I agree with Sandra. We have to avoid fast food resturants and allow sugar free popsicles to satisfy our "sweet tooth." Good Luck on your journey.

Congrats for being 5 days post-op and back to your exercise routine. Look up Dicks Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Kmart, WalMart or Target. Remember you get what you pay for with those devices. I brought a workout watch from Target for $60-70 and it tells how many calories I've burned, heart rate, etc. I love it and it keeps me focus when I'm working out and to challenge myself.

I'm on phase one of my two week liquid diet. I've become cranky and pissed at the world.:w00t: I miss food, but I know I'm doing this for a better me. Luckily, I have great support and my friends understand my emotions are temporary. Each day the liquid diet becomes easier, but it's a challenge to be on such a restricted diet. I'm glad my doctor gave me two weeks because it gave me time to adjust to my lifestyle change. :biggrin:

First, I want to say thanks to everyone that share their stories on this site. I has really helped me "wrap" my mind around this decision to get the lap-band. I was successful losing weight on my own for a little while so my friends and family questioned my decision to get this surgery, but they are supporting my decision. I'm happy and nervous at the same time. I'm ready for this new journey and life style change. I'm ready to be happy about the way I look again. I'm ready to see some results after spending 5-6 days per week at the gym. :confused:

Hi, I started on May 27th and I'm scheduled for surgery on September 2nd!!!

Congrats on your surgery and thanks for the insight on your experience. I hope all continues to go well on your new journey.