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Well, it didnt take long for BCBS of NC, to approve my surgery, however, my wait now is with the clinic. I have been calling everyday now, to get them to schedule me for my pre op appointment. I have been telling them that I am on a time limit, reason being right now with my insurance I am covered 100 percent, and if I wait until after June, the first of July, I will have to pay 3500.00 out of pocket. Big difference, especially for someone with financial problems to begin with. So, its not the insurance, or anything like that, everything went smoothly, now its the clinic, thats taking their sweet time. UGGH. They said that I will more than likely have the procedure done the first week of June, but I still have my 2 week pre op to do, and I think I will miss that deadline. Anyone else have any problems with their doctors taking their sweet time. I know that there are other people ahead of me they tell me Im second on the list. SO HOW LONG SHOULD IT REALLY TAKE!!!!>???? Anyway, I will keep you guys posted and give you a more defined date..

I think it’s what works best for you. First couple of weeks I had a legal pad and just noted all water, protein, etc. I now use Cronometer, it has app and website. I think most people use fitness pal.

I did speak to the nurse in my PCP office and asked that they start the referral process... been a week and haven't heard anything yet. Not 100% sure on the surgery yet, but I definitely want the nutritionist and such... Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I only go to the bathroom 3 times a week....is that normal because we eat so little?

I spent the first two-three days after surgery vomiting. After that, I'd get an isolated dry heave 3-4 times a week for the first month or so. All I can tell you is to hang in there, and it will go away.

I am 4 weeks out and totally not in sync with the guidelines. Get a small 30cc cup and drink from that for awhile.

You've lost .57 lbs a day average which is great! Stalls happen (for me a lot) and they suck but your skin & stuff is adjusting during that and as long as you are drinking water and eating mostly protein you will lose. I started at 310 the first week of May, 285 on surgery day 5/25, and this morning was 188.6. 8 full months, 121.4 down.

I was also very fortunate to not have a long insurance wait. I think they tell everyone 2/3 weeks for a response but I have read alot of others in this forum getting their decision in a matter of days. My paperwork was submitted on July 26th and I was given my approval on July 31st. Unfortunately, I have to wait until October 11th to have my surgery because my surgeon is so awesome in with VSG procedures, the waiting list is 2 months out. I am patient and staying involved in the process. I wish you luck and definitely recommend PATIENCE!! This is a life changing experience for us all. I will also follow you along your journey...

Thank you! I'm getting excited, I've just been trying to stay busy and not think about it to much. My doctor does not require a pre op but i've been doing my own and I can't tell you if I lost weight because i refuse to get on the scale. I will know the truth this Wednesday when i have my pre-op appointment. That's probably when the nerves will take over.. LOL... As for as purchasing anything major just the normal things for my hospital stay. I hope your decisions goes by fast maybe they'll surprise you and give you a decision one day this week coming.. Good luck!!

If you're weighing yourself every day, you'll definitely see some fluctuation. I was guilty of getting on the scale every day (OK, multiple times a day!) but I only "officially" weighed in once a week. Keep in mind that daily fluctuation is very normal and can be due to Water weight, approaching that time of the month, etc. If you're 3 weeks out, you could also have hit a stall as a lot of people do around that time. Just be patient, keep on your plan, and the weight loss will eventually continue!

I'm one month shy from being 1 year post-op. The first week post-op all I could do was think boutfood, watch the food network and look at recipes online! I was obsessed - I think it was the liquid diet that got me going mad! Good news is that it went away! Hang in there! Rebecca

No, I don't think so. I was a high BMI (48) and my doctor only had me do the liquid diet 48-hours before surgery. He said the whole 2-4 week liquid diet is just torture and so long as you can adhere to a high-protein/low carb diet and lose 10-15 pounds before surgery. Which I did.

For new bandsters, I posted this in post op but thought it would be better in pre-op. While reading some of the posts in the last few weeks I have read that some people are under the perception that doctors do not put any Fluid in the band at surgery. . I did ask this question at the hospital after surgery and was told by a nurse that they do not usually do that at the time of surgery. When I went for my first fill I found out that I already had 3cc in my band. They put in 2 more and I could not even sip Water so they took out I cc and now I have 4cc’s. I have had appointments twice for two more fills but I have canceled them due to the fact that I am still losing and have some difficulty in eating some foods. I did not know to ask the question of my doctor before surgery so I am hoping that all the new banders to be will remember this and ask the doctor doing the surgery and not the nurse after surgery

I had to find a primary care since I didn't have one near me. Luckily she worked with me and wrote a letter stating my need for surgery in order to get approval..... I also had to do a three mo supervised diet with PCP and the surgeons nutritionist. In my opinion if my doctor was not supportive of my WLS decision then I would find another doctor. After all, if we hadnt tried diet and exercise numerous times before then we wouldn't have come to the drastic decission to have the surgery in the first place. Majority of people that opt to have WLS have been obese the majority of their lives much like myself. And this is a long journey and if you don't have your doctor on board with your decision then it's in your best interest to find one that is, this is a stressful process and you don't need the added stress of someone you will have to work so closely with not being supportive. Good luck with the doctor and know you can always turn to this page to find people just like yourself to help you along the way!

Three days ago, before I "officially" started my pre-op diet, I went ahead and splurged one last time. Me, My husband and my daughter went to Outback Steakhouse and I went all out on my favorite food - A bloomin' onion (we all shared) Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and Shrimp (I could only eat half before I was full) and even a "sample" size of the chocolate Thunder from Down Under which was actually more like a normal size portion instead of the shareable one. It was absolutely scrumptious and so worth it to me. Now I'm 100% sticking to my diet until surgery in two weeks. I think it's normal to have a little bit of mourning before surgery..food has been our friend and companion for many years and it's hard to imagine life without that crutch. Just try to remember how great you'll feel in a few weeks when the weight starts melting off! Make a commitment to stick to the plan from here on out, the more you get off before surgery the easier it will be afterward. Good luck!

lessof me is rite, i was like you, had no problems, could eat almost anything, then bang, 5 weeks and pain, ended up in the hospital for 4 days. no leaks, but i think we get worried when we can tolerate food so well and maybe over due it. thats what my conclusion is for the pain i was in. i still have pain and now have to eat much less, not that i really overate, but had no problem eating a small plate of carrots and mashed potato,s, now i,m lucky to get 4 bites in. it will kick in...................saddie

I'm 2 weeks post op and I feel like I can eat anything??!! I seen the Dr and he said I should start eating as long as I chew slow and eat soft foods...well...I had some mashed beans maybe 1/3 cup....didn't bother me...no pain, gas nothing??? Then the next day I had some grilled chicken, maybe 2 tablespoons and the same thing....no gas, pain nothing?? And i feel like i can keep eating...i just dont because i dont want to strech my stomach. I never get that "food stuck in my chest" feeling that ive read about...or even throw up??? I must say in a crazy wierdo way im longing for that feeling so that i know the surgery worked!!!!???? But then this morning I was soooo constipated that I felt like I was going to pass out!!!!! I was on the toilet for about an hour...sweeting, heart racing etc. My question is...how come I can eat and drink whatever I want?? I've been drinking 3 protien shakes with no prob. and @24oz of water....I have a feeling my Dr didn't cut enough stomach out???? Is this common or possible?????

I have surgery on Monday, Oct 1st and I'm down 14 lbs in 10 days on the liquid diet. My weight loss stalled on days 6&7 and I'm not sure why. I stuck to the routine, except I ate a diet yogart with 50 cals. both nights, which is limited to shakes, broth, Water, sf Jello & sf popsicles. I try to walk 2-3 miles every other day and I did this on the 5th day. Is this unusual or do most people stall on their liquid diet? Also, I have a desk job and I took the week off from work, will this be enouugh time? Thanks!

Went to the seminar today to get much needed info. The group we are going with has three surgeons who do these surgeries. I was interested in the sleeve but the doc leading the group today said he is not keen on the VSG only because of the track record of restrictive procedures. He made sure to point out that whatever the patient wants the patient gets but I think they push for the RNY. One of the other docs really likes the VSG so maybe he gets all those patients. Our appointment is Oct. 10. We have to get letters of approval from our primary doc and show past weigh-ins from office visits. Has anyone out there had trouble showing a history? I especially am concerned about showing my son's past weight issues. He goes to the docs far less than I. Any input will be appreciated.

Hello All, I need a little encouragement. I have recently decided to postpone my surgery due to some pretty serious personal problems (separating from my husband and relocating with my lil one). I was planning to have the operation in December during the holidays because that's when I would have the time off from work, and I was 6lbs within reach of my pre-surgery weight. Well, it looks like the next time I'll be able to take 4 weeks off (My doctor recommends taking off a month) will be end of June. Since making all these decisions I've been really down and eating like crazy!! June is so far away! I'm an emotional eater and I'm trying not to be. But honestly, with the major transitions in my personal life I'm struggling and I've been eating everything under the sun! I'm scared I'm on a downward spiral to completely diving in to a bucket of ice cream and fried chicken! Any encouragement you can offer would be nice and is very welcome! Thx community!

Glad you are feeling so good after surgery! I have a couple of weeks to go and I hope to do as well as you! Is it accurate to say that you are not having much pain?

Congratulations, how very exciting! I am still waiting for my nutritionist to send in the necissary paper work (its been two weeks ) but after she does hopefully Ill be in your position, waiting for surgery!!!

Date of Surgery: October 26, 2009 (my "re-birth day") Pre-op weight: 288 Current weight: 208 weight goal: 150 Pre-op health issues: sleep apnea asthma high cholesterol joint pain difficulty walking, needed cane often shortness of breath had surgery on both knees due to torn cartilages from excessive weight back surgery was recommended I could not walk more than 1 1/2 blocks before I was out of breath, and experienced severe lower back pain that made me cry and stop in my tracks. My doctor was adamant that I had to have back surgery, saying it was not related to my weight. I needed numerous cortisone shots to relieve the pain. The back doctor told me I had to have back surgery if I wanted to be able to walk without pain - "I SAID NO". I wanted to see if the pain would subside if I lost some weight, AND IT DID! I no longer walk with a cane. I can walk many blocks without shortness of breath and WITHOUT PAIN. Dr. George Fielding of the NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss and his staff saved my life. There are two other wonderful doctors at NYU, Christine J. Ren Fielding (his wife) and Marina Kurian. Although I was confident that any of these three doctors would do a good job, I chose Dr. Fielding for several reasons. First, he had the LAP-BAND® surgery himself, and I felt he would really know what I was going through, and that he would really understand my feelings. Second, he is an Aussie, and I love his accent (LOL) - I love to hear him talk, so I ask him a lot of silly questions just to hear him talk in that Australian accent. I have had five fills so far - I skipped one month because my band was still very tight, and I knew they would tell me I did not need a fill - and I would still have to pay the co-pay. I saved myself a $40.00 co-pay (lol). I am going in for my 6th filling today, May 13, 2010. The only thing I hate about their office is that their scale always shows me three pounds heavier than my home scale! So I always ask if I can bring in my scale with me but after laughing at me, they tell me I can't do it (Grrrrr). I was told by Gaspar, one of the Nurse-Practitioners, that I should write an article for their newsletter about the type of exercising I do to help with the weight loss. I do lots of home exercising by using things commonly found at home, such as lifting weights (liquid laundry detergent), etc! I am thinking about doing that, but I also thought about starting this blog to have a shared support system. In this blog, hopefully you will find many helpful tools, such as: 1. healthy recipes, called recipe of the day 2. types of exercises 3. activities 4. ability to share your thoughts and feelings http://life-after-lap-band®.blogspot.com/ :thumbup::thumbup:

I am 3 weeks after surgery today and one week into mushy foods. I have found that if I am sipping Water or diet tea all day along I feel less hungry, I easily go through half a gallon of the stuff every day separate from the fluids in Soups and Protein shakes. I have noticed that on the days or evenings I neglect my fluids, I get more hunger pangs. Also I am continuing the Protein Shakes as high protein diet does make me less hungry. I have noticed that the protein shakes higher in Fiber also work better for me in terms of less hunger. Some store bought brands high in protein but low in fiber don't work as well. Best of luck to you!

i should be banded the first week of december as long as insurance response in time. so excited and nervous. 320 with a 55bmi. ready to be donee and over with.