conniesueb

Borat made me almost pee my pants! I don't think I have ever laughed so hard at a movie in my life! Hysterical! I am waiting to see Talladega Nights---my husband got it for Christmas--he's already seen it and loved it too(of course he's a huge NAscar fan, so that probably helps).

Wow-that sucks. I have United HealthCare, but They approved my request. Although, I had to pre-pay for my surgery, and am now waiting for re-imbursement, but they did say that the procedure would be covered. So, now I am just waiting. They told me when I first called that if they did approve it, it would be covered at 90%, so I am really hoping that is the case. I am also a little worried about them paying for the anesthesia, and the surgery center along with the actual doctor. If they don't, I am going to be very upset, and appealing right along with you! Don't give up though--maybe your doctor's office could help you with your appeal--they know the right terminology to use. Good luck with everything!

I got a couple of pages from the nutritionist listing post op guidelines. Now, I know all surgeons are a little different when it comes to post op instructions but here are my doc's: 3-5 Days post op: liquids only: nothing thicker than thin paint... broth, Jello,popsicles(sugar-free are best), veg. or fruit juice, skim or 1% milk, ice. 1-4 weeks post op: Slowly add: low fat yogurt(no chunks), tomato Soup, low-fat cream soups(no chunks), pureed or very soft fruit(no skin), sugar-free Carnation instant Breakfast. 4-6 weeks Post-op: low-fat creamy soups(with soft chunks), fish, chicken, canned meat(tuna, chicken-low-fat, packed in water). breads, rice, pasta--as tolerated, slowly add tougher meats like pork and beef, fruit, veggies. Common food problems: dry meat, shrimp, untoasted or doughy bread, Pasta, rice, seed and skinns of fruits and veggies, dried fruit, fibrous veggies, nuts, coconut, popcorn, greasy or fried foods. Some Protein drinks he recommends are Slim-fast low carb diet-190 cals, 9 gms fat, 4-6 gms carbs, 20 grms protein--Atkins Advantage--170 cals, 9 gms fat, 4-6 gms carbs, 20 gms protein--EAS advantEdge--100 cals, 3 gms fat, 2-3 gms carbs, 15 gms protein. I know there are lots of other protein drinks and powders out there though--check the health food stores. I hope this helps!

Hey Bill--thanks for the tips--I was banded Nov. 30, and am getting my first fill on Jan. 15. I have so many questions--my doctor did not tell me anything to do or not do before or after a fill. I have heard that I should not eat right before the fill, or should just have liquids before--have you found that to be true? I definately think I am ready for a fill though, because I feel much less restricted than I have in the past month since surgery. I am able to eat more than a half cup of food, but I am trying not to so that I don't gain any weight back, but I am a little hungrier than I have been, and not liking it. I'm sure it is normal to have loosened up in the 5 weeks since surgery though, right? I just can't wait to get my fill, and am hoping that I actually get some restriction back.

Hey Paige--I think there are many interpretations of that quote. I think that no matter what weight you are, it's all about your personality, and how you look at life. Some obese people live life to the fullest, and don't let their weight get in the way, but others feel sorry for themselves, are depressed, and don't enjoy life at all. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. I have been overweight most of my life--not necessarily obese until later in life, but never thin. I considered myself popular, had lots of friends, and lots of boyfriends. I tried to make the most of life no matter what my weight. I have tried every diet under the sun, and the band was my last hope. I have developed severe osteoarthritis in my knees and ankles--have had 4 knee surgeries. That is when things started changing in my outlook on things. I tried to continue on like before, but the pain had gotten to be more than I could handle most days.. I know the only way I will feel better is to get this weight off for good. I still consider myself a happy, somewhat popular person, with lots of friends, a loving husband and two beautiful kids, but thing are definately different. I can't wait to get back to the life I had before the arthritis took control of my life. Bottom line is, make the most of what you are given, and I think that if you are a beautiful person inside, other people will see you that way too. Unfortunately, there are a lot of simple-minded people in our society who judge people only on their appearance. But who wants to associate with people like that anyway? Love yourself, and others will love you too, and if you choose to lose the weight, do it for yourself, no one else!

That is funny and so true. I am a beer drinker myself(or at least I was before I got banded). ANd I am totally causal and low maintenance and love pool! I do miss my beer though:( ! Oh well, a small price to pay for a better quality of life, right?

Blue Bunny Health Smart Fat Free, NO sugar added Fudge Bars! 60 calories of yummy fudgy goodness!!!

HI-I was just wondering if anyone else out there belongs to Ladie's Workout Express? I just joined, and went for the first time yesterday, and I really liked it! They have a 30 minute circuit on various equipment, and the 30 minutes just flies by. And I hate to exercise! Or at least I did--now I am looking forward to going back tomorrow:) . Just curious if anyone else has had success with them.

I didn't have a movement for 8 days after surgery. I just don't think I was eating enough to move anything! And I am finding that I am really getting a lot more constipated than I ever was before I was banded. I have been so uncomfortable for the last few days, but now I feel about 5 pounds lighter if you know what I mean. I guess it's really important to get in a lot of fiber in one way or another.:party:

Hey Tom--did you get a lot of snow? What is the VG band? I guess I don't know the difference-I must not have that kind. I go for my first fill on Jan. 15. SO far my weight loss has been pretty good--21 pounds since surgery a month ago(10 before the surgery). I can definately tell me band is loosening up, but I still can't eat like I used to(which is a good thing!). Good luck finding a support group--I'm going to my first meeting on the 9th. Hopefully you will be back on track soon!

Hi! I was wondering if there is anyone out there from Colorado--especially from Pueblo. I had surgery by Dr. James Smith on Nov. 30, 2006, and would love to hear from anyone else who had surgery from him too. I think he is great. I have lost 17 pounds since the surgery, and had lost 10 on my pre-surgery diet, so I think that is pretty good. I am so happy that I decided to do this--no regrets so far! I go back for my first fill on Jan. 17, so am anxious to see what that is like. Would love to hear from you Pueblo or Colorado people out there! 258h/248s/231c/140g Dr. James Smith banded Nov. 30, 2006

I also have a difficult time with exercise due to severe osteoarthritis in my knees and ankles, but I was banded a month ago and have lost 21 pounds since my surgery, along with 10 before the surgery on my low-carb pre-op diet. So, I think that is pretty good. I have just started trying to exercise--I joined Ladie's Workout Express-it;s a 30 minute cycle and pretty joint friendly for me. I am hoping it will help me lose even more--I know I will not continue at this pace if I don't add exercise. I am trying to watch what I do eat though--even if you are not eating a lot, you can still be eating the wrong thing. I have not experienced any dramatic hunger pains yet, but I can tell my band is getting looser. I am due for a fill in a couple weeks and am looking forward to that. All in all, I think it is definately worth it-especially if your insurance will cover you.

Well, I think you are right about the exercise, and I have finally committed myself and joined a gym! What sucks is that we had a MAJOR snowstorm here(Colorado) and my gym is closed until Tuesday! That sucks! Just when I had decided to get on board--I went for the first time on Wednesday and was planning to go back yesterday, but the storm hit and they are closed now:( . Oh well, I guess I will just have to start back on schedule next week.

Audree--it is completely normal to be feeling the way you are. I think we all go through it. I know my husband is trying to be so supportive, but sometimes he just makes too big a deal of things like going out to eat. I am trying to just go on with life as usual, I don't want anyone making a big deal of this thing, but sometimes they just don't get it. Going out to eat does not hold the same appeal to me as it used to, that's for sure. So now when we are going to go out, I tell him that I don't care where we go because wherever we go, I will make do. He gets upset sometimes that I won't pick the place, but I just don't care. It is especially hard when you are on liquids though. I was fortunate not to have to do a liquid pre-op diet--just low carb, but the liquid phase the first weeks after was a challenge. You just have to re-define your relationship with food. My whole life used to revolve around food. Now, I have just changed the way I feel about it--I eat to live, I don't live to eat anymore. Just try and go on with your life as normally as possible, and not make this a bigger deal than it has to be. And your mom will come around-it's just hard for some people to wrap their brain around this concept of the band! Good luck with everything, and Hang in there!

Hey TrishS--I'm sorry to hear about all your problems. Hopefully things are looking up for you now. Dr. Smith does seem like a super nice guy. I do live in Pueblo, and would love to meet you sometime. Are you in Albuquerque? I have a very good friend in Albuquerque, and I go down there about once a year to visit her. You can also e-mail me whenever you need to talk or need some support @boonconburns@msn.com. Hang in there! Did you guys get any snow? We are getting dumped on like crazy--we probably have 6-7 inches on the ground where I live in south Pueblo. I'm glad it's a long weekend and I don't have anywhere to be for a few days!

I'm trying to figure out if this is a blessing or a curse--Before I got my band I thought I wouldn't be able to eat some of my favorite foods-like pizza or chinese food--but I have since learned that I can eat these foods(in much smaller quantities of course). I sometimes think it would be easier if I just couldn't eat them at all--temptation is a terrible thing:decision: Just something to ponder!

It was 8 days for me before my first movement--and what did it was drinking a slim-fast shake. For some reason, it loosened me right up! You might try that-but you will definately have fewer movements for a while.

Is there a lap-band support group that meets in your town? If so, maybe you could make some new friends there--they would certainly understand what you are going through with this journey. I am going to my first support group meeting on January 9, and am really looking forward to meeting some new people and maybe making some friends. And like someone else said, these boards are an excellent source of comfort and understanding. Hang in there!

Hey Callieanna--nice to hear from someone so close! Are you getting dumped on like we are? It is crazy here in Pueblo--we don't usually get this much snow! Good luck on your upcoming surgery--you will be so glad you did it! I am only one month post op, but I think it is the best thing I have ever done--well worth the minimal pain and discomfort during the first week or so!

My doctor told me that once I start eating solids, I should give up the shakes, because they are a liquid, and will not stay in the stomach and slowly digest, which is the whole idea, right? He said that if I feel like I need the protein, to have a protein bar instead of a shake or drink. Just something to consider.

I thought I was the only one who swallowed their gum without knowing it!:biggrin1: I won't even try to chew gum now because all my life I have swallowed my gum without even realizing I had done it, so I don't want to take that chance! I'm surprised the doctor didn't tell me they had to remove a huge wad of gum from my stomach before they could operate! Probably better off not taking any chances.

Congratulations! I started exercising yesterday too! I joined Ladie's Workout Express, and went for the first time yesterday, and actually enjoyed it! They have a 30 minute cycle that you do on various equipment, and the time flew by! I am actually anxious to go back tomorrow--which is really a miracle for me! Let's keep it up!

I started out weighing myself every day after my surgery, but that just made me crazy because there would be days that the scale said I had gained 5 lbs in one day! Which seemed crazy to me considering the very small amount of food I was eating! SO now I try to only weigh myself once a week. And I think the comment about constipation is VERY true--it took me 8 days to have my first bowel movement after surgery! Also, the sooner you can start getting some kind of exercise--like walking--the better--just don't overdo it too soon!

I ate a lot of creamed soups-Cream of Chicken, Cream of mushroom, tomato, Broccoli cheese. I was worried about them being too chunky, so I blended them in a blender before eating them and it worked beautifully. Also, plain or vanilla yogurt, sugar-free pudding, jello. If you have a little food processor or a good blender(I love my magic bullet, but there are cheaper versions out there) you can make your own deviled ham or chicken salad that will be the consistency of baby food. That's a good way to get your protein. Also, protein shakes can be very helpful. Hang in there, it won't be long before you are trying solid food. I actually was eating solids at three weeks, but not all doctors will approve that like mine did. Good luck!

Well, my surgeon required a visit with a nutritionist, and a psychologist before he would even schedule surgery, so it was about three months once all the paperwork from the psychologist was completed. I know it seemed like an eternity in between, but it really wasn't so bad. Have they had you start on a pre-op diet yet? My doc suggested a low carb, high protein diet because it shrinks the liver, and they have to move the liver to get to the stomach during surgery. Some docs require a liquid diet before surgery--glad mine was not one of them. I lost 10 lbs ont the low carb diet before my surgery. Just keep your eye on the prize and it will all be worth the wait. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Good luck!