mikeomando

I drink a protein powder-enhanced fruit smoothie for breakfast every day. It's the easiest way to get tasty protein at a time of day when I have the most restriction. I add blueberries and strawberries and use Body Fortress vanilla protein powder (cheap and available at Walmart). The fruit really makes it taste good. Solid food just doesn't work for me first thing in the morning, but I do agree that you should eat a varied diet of solid food when you can tolerate it for the rest of your day. mikeo (banded 1/2007. Down 105 pounds)

Hi everybody! I was banded 1/10/2007 at Northwestern in Chicago. I have BCBS of IL PPO. I was turned down the first time I applied for lap band, and told I had to have 12 months of failure on a doctor supervised weight loss plan. I went with the Wellness Center at Northwestern, and started the process. Half way through the 12 months BCBS of IL changed their requirements to 6 months doctor supervised weight loss. I was approved after the coordinator submitted my paperwork. They don't make it easy, but their rules are pretty straightforward, and once you satisy the requirements, you should be approved. Most of the dietician visits during the 6 month program were not covered by insurance, so I had some expenses out of pocket. Good luck! mikeomando

Be patient. I think everyone goes through these stages. I was banded Jan 10, and I learned the hard way that you should try and add fiber to every protein shake. I use benefiber. Also, you will feel hungry. You have to recover from the surgery, and then get adjusted until you get to your "sweet spot". I've had 3 fills, and only recently am I having good restriction. So for me it took 4-5 months to get here. Get enough protein and concentrate on healing from the surgery. Get enough fiber and water, and if you get badly constipated, use a suppository. Try different foods that supply protein in easy to swallow forms, and stock up on them. I like Instone high protein pudding. It comes in cans, and doesn't taste too bad, and when you finally have restriction, it's a good mushy food with protein. I wanted the band to start "working" right away, but there are so many things that have to get settled. Being nervous before the surgery, being relieved after, healing up, getting strong enough to move around again, eating differently. You're getting there.

Hi everybody! I haven't checked in for a while so I thought I would. Banded in Chicago 1/10/2007 with a VG band by Dr. Hungness at Northwestern. Down about 25 lbs so far, not much restriction, got my 3rd fill today, up to 6 cc. I've been patient, but it's time for the magic to kick in a little bit.

You haven't really given enough info. Do you want to be trained at home? Do you have a club membership? Most people choose a trainer that works at the club where they have a membership. If you don't have a club membership, you should shop the clubs nearby your home or work and find out if you can get a free pass and pay for a single session to see what the trainer is like. If you have to travel a long way to get to you club or trainer, it makes it harder to actually get ot the door and get there on a regular basis.

I was denied by BCBS of IL my first time too. After I was denied I joined the wellness program at Northwestern in Chicago to fulfill the 6 month supervised program requirement. One of the bariatric coordinators there then resubmitted my info, after talking to me and gathering some documentation. I was approved after this. You should carefully read the conditions for approval on the BCBS website, and see if you have any other qualifying conditions. For example, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and this was a factor in my getting approved. They don't make it easy, and you have to commit your time and money because some of the things they want (dietician consultations, for example) aren't covered by your insurance (or they weren't covered by my insurance, anyway). You aren't the only one who has gone through this. I hope this helps.

I like Nature's Best Zerocarb Isopure drinks. The Mango peach flavor and the pineapple orange banana flavor both come as powders you mix in water. They have other flavors in premixed drinks. I don't believe they have aspartame, but you should check for yourself. I usually mix one the night before and keep it in the fridge for breakfast. Good luck on your search.

Body Fortress Vanilla protein powder is sold at Wal-Mart and is one of the less expensive ones. I think it tastes very good when mixed with skim milk. Nature's Best Isopure zero carb powder and ready to drink drinks are more like sweet fruit drinks without any milk. You can get these at GNC or on the internet. I like those too. My favorite tasting drink is Worldwide Sports Nutrition Pure Protein Shake Frosty Chocolate. It comes in an 11 oz. can. I got mine on the internet from Vitamin Shoppe (look for coupon codes) I did a bunch of taste testing before the surgery so I would be ready and know what ech one tasted like. There is also a high protein pudding for the mushy stage: Instone Stallone high protein pudding. The only flavor I tasted so far is vanilla, but I though it tasted pretty good.

Tomorrow is the big day! 9 am. I just want to get it over with.

Way to go 1721summ! It's great to hear you're doing well. I have 3 days to go, and I'm trying to assemble all the stuff I may possibly need. Happy to hear it's a relief. I'm just trying to get it over with.

Hi, Long-time lurker, first time poster. I was approved by BCBS of Illinois, and just received my surgery date of 1/10/2007. I have been working with the Wellness Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital here in Chicago. I figured that since I'm in line, I should join up and start posting. mikeomando

Hey 1721summ, How was your surgery? My date is getting closer and closer, and I'm doing okay on the pre-op diet. Here's hoping you're starting to feel better. mikeomando

Hi there, January bandsters! I'm scheduled to be banded Jan 10 here in Chicago, and I start the pre-op liquid diet Jan 1. Meanwhile, I like champagne, and I know I'll have to give it up, so I think that New Year's eve is going to include a farewell tour. I've been nervous and excited all month, and I have been exhibiting what the dieticians call "last supper syndrome", and what I call 'holiday nervous eating'. I do like the timing of starting the new year with the liquid diet, and getting banded. GO JANUARY BANDSTERS! mikeomando

Hi 1721summ, So you're 8 days ahead of me, eh? Congrats! I was just over to the hospital today giving my blood samples and getting some x-rays to prep for the surgery. I'm nervous too, but I'm also looking forward to it. How did you get Dr. Nagle? I tried, because he has the most experience, but he was so busy that I would've had to wait until summer... Does your date mean you have to prep instead of eating Christmas dinner? And what about new year's eve? Definitely keep in touch, and let me know about any particulars. I personally think the Northwestern program is one of the best in the midwest, from everything I've seen, so I think we're both in good hands. mikemando

BCBS rejected my first request for surgery and sent me a list of requirements. The list includes things like co-morbidities, documentation of obesity for at least 5 years, and 12 months of a doctor-supervised weight loss program. I started in May 2006 with the Wellness Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. BCBS of IL changed their requirements to only 6 months of doctor supervised weight loss, so the benefits coordinator resubmitted my request and it was approved. The surgery is becoming more common and accepted, but you have to document everything to get insurance approval. I am pretty sure that the reason I was approved is because I went to a comprehensive wellness program that covers all of the bases. You have to be weighed in once per calendar month, and if you miss a month you would have to start over. The program includes education about the surgery, as well as nutrition counseling. Parts of the Wellness classes are covered by insurance, and parts aren't, so you have to be ready to commit the time and some money to get to the point where you will have a decent chance for getting insurance approval. I was ready to spend the full 12 months, and was pleasantly suprised that BCBS of IL changed the requirements to 6 months. Good luck!