Acadia

We treat every action, deliberate, or accidental, conscious or subconscious, as a personal slight — a sign the other doesn't care about us. Perception is reality. Alter your perception and you alter your reality.

Muscle Milk Strawberries and Creme (full meal replacement) and IsoPure Zero Carb all flavors (I order it six to eight cases at a time online).

It works, and it's cheap. Moist heat helps to get fluids and air flowing a little better than dry heat. I use it for arthritis too. And of course my cats enjoy soaking up the extra heat when I'm done with the bag

IsoPure is all made by the same company but there are several varieties. The one you want is IsoPure Zero Carb. It comes in eight different flavors, glass bottles, and is 100% pure Protein. No carbs. No sugars. No fat. Best place to buy it is at VitaminShoppe.com online, order several cases to get free shipping. Thats the least expensive place to buy it and look online for a 20% off coupon. I currently have 13 cases sitting upstairs waiting to be consumed, it's fantastic not only as a liquid for after surgery but drink a half bottle 30 minutes vetoer working out and the rest within 15 minutes of working out for a huge boost to your system. You can also use it as the cold Water part of making Jello to make super high protein Jello.

I go through four phases. Phase 1 --------------------------------------------------------- Day 1 Post Op to Day 10 Post Op Sugar free liquids including: clear no sugar added juices (no citrus), diluted with 1 pt water for 1 part juice, max of 3 oz juice per day. Clear broth or bouillon. Herbal tea or coffee. Sugar free gelatin. Sugar free Kool-aid, Crystal Light, Carb Solutions, Wyler's Light. Sports drink with fewer than 50 calories per 8 oz (Gatorade). Sugar-free Popsicles. Skim milk with protein powder or protein drinks up to 16 oz per day. 4-6 oz liquid hourly Multivitamin Iron B12 B1 Phase 2 --------------------------------------------------------- Day 11 Post Op to Four Weeks Post Op Foods allowed include all of Phase 1 and: cream of wheat, cream of rice, blended oatmeal, cheese with less than 5 g fat per oz, cottage cheese, yogurt (no fruit chunks), potato, pasta or noodles soft cooked, blended soups, sugar free pudding, scrambled egg, canned fruit no sugar added, soft cooked veggies ( but no beans, peas, onions, cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower), and crackers with less than 3 g of fat per serving. Phase 3 --------------------------------------------------------- 4 Weeks Post Op to Six Weeks Post Op Everything from Phase 1 and 2. Plus: low carb protein bars, deli shaved chicken or turkey, seafood, tofu, smooth peanut butter, chicken or turkey noodle, vegetable soup, cooked crumbled hamburger or turkey, crackers. Phase 4 --------------------------------------------------------- Six Weeks Post Op and for Life All foods from previous phases. Regular bread and other foods as tolerated including 1-2 oz of poultry, fish, meat, or cheese. No drinking 15 minutes prior to meals or 30 minutes post meal.

In Canada we call this a version of Lazy Man's Cabbage Rolls.

Point blank: if your policy specifically excludes weight loss surgery then you cannot appeal it. You will be self pay if you proceed. Weight loss surgery is considered elective surgery and falls to the employer to determine whether or not they will cover it. It has nothing to do with the insurance plan itself, only the waivers and restrictions/exclusions that the employer chooses. I work in the insurance industry and have worked at two separate insurance companies one with exclusions and one without. Check to see if your company offers more than one plan option, they may not have excluded it in both. Or look into personal insurance.

I've been fine taking an allergy pill, birth control, vitamin D capsule, and acidophilus bead the day after surgery (mine was January 14). Anything smaller than an m&m / full size aspirin.

$35 x 3 Psychiatrist Appts $35 x 1 Primary Physician papers $150 x 1 Psychiatric Report $110 x 1 Nutritionist $170 x 1 Specialist $110 x 1 Pre op consultation $2,500-4,000 for the 10% I'll pay for the procedure. BCBS will pay 90% Total Cost will be around $3,180-4,680 That doesn't count fills, which will be around $100 each.

I was banded on the 14th and am going through the same thing, as most people do. I feel like I need to belch and little burps come out but not what I need. A lot of stomach grumbling. Tightness in my chest. Shoulder and back pain. I'm taking the liquid T3 prescribed and will start to take the pills as soon as I can. A hot rice pack (tube sock with dry rice and tied then microwaved for two minutes) helps both with the shoulder pain and internal gas pain. I'm having problems getting comfortable for sleeping though, I have to prop myself up and can't be on either side, back only. I'm sleeping a bit but my neck and shoulders are paying for it.

ElfiePoo: very good points. I did my research prior to surgery and for five years prior to that and watched as the procedures changed. I kept an eye on people who had the various surgeries and found that gastric bypass, and now sleeve, because of their malabsorptive properties work great initially but result in a lot of left over skin (due to the rapid weight loss) and don't encourage the person to change their diet and eating habits enough because they're able to stretch their stomach back to it's former size and eventually, as mentioned, the negative effects are dampened. It's a personal choice. I believe if people do the research and if they're able to talk with people who have had the various procedures they can make an informed and educated decision. Doctors don't always know best, as we've surely all experienced at one time or another.

After hearing all of the negative feedback people say about WLS I don't feel comfortable saying anything. I find that it's a personal decision and that I'll do better being my own positive influence than risking negative feedback or comments, talking behind my back, etc. There's really no reason for anyone to know the specifics.

I was offered all three options and was told I would have to choose between sleeve and gastric bypass because of a potential Lupus diagnosis. Fortunately the Lupus diagnosis was not made and was able to choose what I wanted. I chose LapBand specifically because I do not want to lose quickly. I want to lose slowly and steadily to ensure time to keep my skin in order and to learn how to adapt myself. For those considering the more extreme procedures, remember, once you get sleeve or gastric bypass you won't have any more options and if you gain back you'll be in a worse position. Start with LapBand and see how well you do, then if you can't handle the necessary changes you can make a more informed decision.

I finally looked and I have the large incision in my navel and a tiny incision under my right breast. If there is a noticeable scar left in my navel it will be fixed with a tummy tuck to get rid of the stretch marks. But I have a long time to go before that happens. Enough time to forget how painful this is!

I see this as my personal decision and won't be telling anyone.

I take: multi with Iron (I use one-a-day sours), D3 5,000 IU, calcium citrate with D, Biotin, B1, B12, coq10, Iron, Cinnamon, Ranitidine (like Zantac), birth control, and Ceterizine Hydrochloride (allergy). All of those are required except Cinnamon, birth control, and Ceterizine Hydrochloride.

The biggest two benefits of the Realize band are: low profile port is the norm (1 cm high by 3 cm wide) and it stays low pressure whereas LapBand hits high pressure before it is half full. This is important because the fills are what keep you in your sweet spot and if your band is too high pressure the possibility of rupture, slippage, etc. Is greater. Also, the lap band has baffles like those air bubble strips used in packing, whereas the Realize band is one smooth silicone tube. One smooth tube is less stressful on your stomach tissue.

I arrived at the hospital at 9 AM as requested, filled out the paperwork, waited to be called back. Went back to the surgery prep area and was asked for a urine sample (kind of hard to give when you haven't been allowed to drink anything) for a pregnancy test (negative of course). Then was asked to change into a gown, hair net, and put all of my belongings under the bed so they would stay with me throughout my stay. I had my IV inserted (the nurse numbed the area first with lidocaine - big sting), then put the heparin shot in my tummy, that hurt more than I thought it would, it lingered. Then spoke with my surgeon quickly and he said I should do fine, that I'm very healthy and should have no issues at all, which was nice to hear. Then I went through my discharge instructions because I wouldn't have anyone with me after surgery other than my ride home. After that I was given Pepcid through IV to reduce stomach acid, another chemical to empty the stomach (not a laxative), then spoke with the Anesthesiologist's assistant, then the Anesthesiologist. Then completed the final bit of paperwork then I was wheeled off. All I remember is going through the doors and being told to breathe some oxygen and then I woke up around 2 PM and my pain was around a 5, bearable but definitely there. I was really dizzy and nauseated. I asked to wait a bit before getting dressed so I could lose some of the nausea, they let me stay there for a while. I was really tired and kept closing my eyes and falling asleep. So they removed my nausea patch as it causes sleepiness. Then they got me dressed and moved to a recliner in another room after walking around and urinating. I was given ice chips and that's it, which I was desperate for, very dry mouth. After another couple of hours I was given my first dose of liquid pain meds, tastes horrible, and was given a wee bit of water to wash it down. I came home yesterday around 4:30 PM, my surgery was performed around 10:30 AM. I am taking the pain meds, but they're minor - just liquid Tylenol 3 because Vicodin and Percocet don't do anything for me. I'm also taking Acetaminophen with Caffeine and Codeine pills, they're small and they work better than the liquid. The liquid also tastes like absolute hell. I had no problems walking after surgery, there was a lot of pressure but no actual sharp pain. When I got home I went straight to bed, I felt I couldn't keep my eyes open. I slept well considering. I had to lay on my back, I could not move to either side and had to use my legs to move me around in bed. I got up a few times, every four hours or so to take meds. I took them at 7 PM, 11 PM, 3 AM, 7 AM, and then took pills at 8:30 AM. Due to an injury when I was 12 my nerves are really sensitive so I'm feeling any twinge that happens. I've had to remind myself not to gulp water but just to sip. I've had a sip of Aitkins chocolate shake for some calories, am currently sipping on Isopure Zero Carb. I feel like I need calories because I'm dizzy from low blood sugar. My blood sugar was tested at the hospital after surgery and was around 127, but they had been giving me some glucose. Normally it sits around 60 (low) and I'm being careful not to let it drop too low. Today I'm feeling okay if I stay still, I'm very stiff in the shoulders, and neck, if I move my abdomen gets tight and I can feel the pain. It spikes at about a 6. I did prop myself up in bed somewhat, laying flat hurt, and I've found I need a rolled up soft towel in front of my tummy to brace it, especially while sitting (which I'm doing now). My office is downstairs so I had to do stairs today, they weren't too bad. I haven't gone back up them yet though. Fortunately I have a recliner and bathroom down here. That's it for my op story for now. I'm crazy hungry but know I can't eat, which is frustrating. Hopefully the IsoPure will fill me up.

"so, do they put the port in your belly button, then?" - Yes. Single incision was first started in 2008, so it is pretty new. I haven't had the courage to look at my abdomen yet to see how many additional incisions were necessary, if any. I'll post my surgery experience in the Post op area.

I'll be having the single incision, but the Dr. said there's a chance of a second incision if they need to hold the liver back (unlikely in my situation but I'll let you know tomorrow). Multiple incisions tend to be used on people with more visceral fat (all around the belly area and organs) to help hold things back and out of the way so the surgical instruments can be accommodated. Single incision is also rather 'new' in that it's only being done at some facilities due to the increased complexity. The hospital I'm going to only does single incision (with up to 2 incisions if necessary). I imagine most facilities will convert to 1-2 incision within a few years.

My surgery is outpatient and is on the 14th. I'm to be there at 9 AM and they expect me to be heading home around 2 PM. I've been on a liquid protein diet for the past week (Muscle Milk, Isopure Zero Carb, Broth, Sugar Free Jello, etc.) and it's been fine. I supplemented with one protein bar when I was out, hungry, and had no access to anything else and I didn't want to overeat later. I started the year at 253.4 and am currently at 246.2 and have been monitoring my body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, visceral fat percentage, weight, BMI, and more using a new scale. It's helping me to stay on track and it's neat to see a graph actually go down on a regular basis rather than fluctuating. I ordered 13 cases (156 bottles) of IsoPure Zero Carb (tastes like Crystal Light and is pure protein, no lactose, no carbs - 40 g and 160 calories, 1 a day will help me get 2/3 of the way to my protein goal) from VitaminShoppe online, they have the best deal and free shipping (but be careful ordering as that item causes multiple temporary authorizations on credit cards). I ordered a year worth of multivitamins from Harmon Discount ($102 for a year's worth of appropriate gummi multi vitamins), vitamin D (sublingual) and CoQ10 (sublingual) from AmericanRx, and B12 (sublingual) and mini Calcium with D from VitaminShoppe. I tried the recommended bariatric vitamins but found that they are just normal size vitamins that you have to empty the contents of. Totally pointless to spend more for the same thing. I also signed up for automatic 6 week Sugar Free Jello delivery from Amazon, removed all junk from my house, stocked my freezer with Diet-to-Go vegetarian meals for when I can eat (they are small portions - 1,200 calorie plan), and I imagine I'm missing several things. Either way, I'm very well stocked, prepared, and ready for Friday morning. It's taken me since 2004 to actually get to this point, and six months total from start to finish. At this point I have 121.2 lbs to permanently lose.

Here are three that come to mind. The last one amused the hell out of me. 1. I was visiting a new Dr. and after getting the results of the regular checks (blood pressure, blood sugar, general blood tests etc. - they were processed earlier in the week) he was performing my rather intimate female tests and with my legs in the air and me completely exposed he said, "You're the fittest fat person I've ever met." I was 180 lbs at 5'4" at the time. I had no idea what to say, needless to say I never saw him again. 2. My first husband made the comment, "When I look at you all I can see is my mother, naked in the tub, fat and dead from a heart attack." This was somewhat amusing since I was regularly running 5 miles and he couldn't run a single mile. 3. I was working at a company and training a new girl on how to run the front desk, she was very very tiny (size 00 - I tucked her tags in a few times). One day she came to me and asked, "Do you have a tampon?" I said, "Yes." She then asked, "Is it a normal size one or a jumbo one?" I assured her that it was a normal size tampon and that plus size women still use regular tampons.

Very inspirational. Thank you.