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Hi Betsy! Everyone experiences different "turn times" depending on your medical provider. Some people wait 1-2 years (unfortunately) for approval, some as short as a few weeks. My time from start to finish was 2 months. Call your insurance and ask! Welcome & good luck! Keep us posted! Stacey

I have tried Premier and a protein powder from GNC which I just gave to my brother. I was ok with muscle milk for a bit but now that is bothering me too. I will try to mix with coffee like you do. That should get me through the week before and I did see soups on the Bari store approved for Pre surgery. Thanks!

trace10.. What I mean by restriction is that I'm hungry just like before I got my surgery. No I'm not on mushy foods. I was on liquid for the first week and mushy for the second week, after that it was soft solids. At the moment I am able to eat anything that I put in my mouth. It might be different for you as every doctor is different. Some people will have restriction for longer than a week and some will not. I was hoping I was one to be restricted till my first fill but unfortunately not. I lost 10 pounds on the first week and a half, but after that, once the swelling went down I was hungry all the time. Now I just have to watch what I eat and for the most part I'm just maintaining my 10 pound lost.This is why I said that I can't wait for my first fill, I need restriction. I will not complain because I know my time will come and I'm just so happy that I had the surgery. I hope this help and good luck on your new journey:smile:

Kind of a long story - Six years ago I was in a car wreck that totalled my car. I severely damaged the ligaments in my right ankle - all three that attach the foot to the ankle. I am left with an ankle that rolls over on me with the slightest provocation. For the past six years I have slowly been adapting my life to dealing with my ankle. I gave up wearing any shoes except tennis shoes with my custom orthotics. Even flat womens shoes make my ankle ache by the end of the day. I normally wear some kind of ankle brace every day - depending on what I am planning on doing. I have about every kind on the market. Driving any distance makes it ache (I commute two hours each way to work). I have sprained my ankle at least once a year (sometimes more) since the original injury and it takes a month or two to get back to my "normal". I have a low level of pain all the time. Imagine a radio playing static at a low volume in the background 24 hours a day. I can mentally block the pain, but it is always there. Over the years, I have done less and less physical things that might cause me to sprain my ankle. While I was morbidly obese, I had a fear I would sprain my ankle and do major damage (broken bones, etc) to other parts of my body when I did it. So seven months ago I was sleeved. I am approaching my goal and feeling great. Two months ago I sprained my ankle, stepping off of a step while cleaning a closet getting rid of "fat" clothes. No more Zumba (I always wore a brace and was REALLY careful there). One month in a boot cast, one month is a stabilizer and now I am in physical therapy. The good news, I have strong ankle muscles that compensate somewhat for the shot tendons. The bad news? I have NO STABILITY in the muscles. I can not stand on my right foot with the left foot off the ground and stay balanced. Without strength and stability I am doomed to repeating the same situation that I have been. Now that I am a normal weight, I could have a harvest graft tendon surgery to rebuild my tendons in the ankle.(There really was no point in going down this path before.) Have a great surgeon who has been taking care of my foot and ankle for 20+ years that has successful history with the surgery. The downside is, the surgery is not easy. It is three months not putting any weight on the foot. That means crutches or one of those rolling gadgets, no driving, and working remotely after the initial recovery. Then three months in a boot cast, then a long bout of physical therapy. After a year, you are as recovered as you will be. I know at some point, I will likely have to have this surgery. There are insurance reasons that are encouraging me to have it this year or next at the latest. (in 2013, I will have a $10,000 deductible) My questions are, has anyone on this site had their ankle tendons rebuilt? Any good news on functionality afterwards? Also, I want to have a tummy tuck. What about having it while recovering from ankle surgery (or under the same anasthesia - the same day) and doing both recoveries at the same time? I'm looking for opinions here - I welcome comments.

I would check with the nutritionist or surgeon, they may have free samples that can get you through the next two weeks. But I went back on Janumet the night I got home from the hospital, which is a pretty big pill, and I went back on the big fish oil capsules a week out. Neither gave me any issues.

Hey! I was just wondering if any of you Sleevers out there ever juice? I am 3.5 weeks out and have been craving vegetables like crazy, and was wondering if any of you have juiced and added Protein powder to it? I find it more convenient to drink protein during work and thought this would be a good alternative to pre made shakes. Thank you Sheena :-)

I am 3 weeks out and I am only starting to feel human again. I had a really really rough first few days and was in all sorts of pain. Then 2 weeks out I felt great! I went back to work and must have pulled something on my left side because I have been practically bed ridden for the last week! But then today I woke up and felt a million dollars (well maybe a few thousand). I still have to have a nana nap when I come from work and I feel like I am eating all day trying to get all this Protein in 2oz lots, but have had not vomiting etc. I felt REALLY bad until I started getting in my fluids, and it made a WORLD of difference!!! Im feeling really positive though because the scales are saying things I could have only dreamed about! Hang in there, everything worth fighting for is hard!

i am just starting my second week postop. i am experiencing more soreness the second week than i did the first, i do feel more tired. im just trying to rest more, i know it will get better

I am 9 weeks post op today and for a snack at work I brought a 2oz container of mixed nuts, mostly almonds. I ate about 4 almonds and decided to see if this was an issue. I honestly hadn't really thought much about it and I don't remember my doctor saying anything about nuts. Then again, that was over 2 months ago so who knows. Anyway, is it bad to have eaten nuts this early? What about whole wheat Pasta? I'm trying to branch out in my diet a little bit but I don't want to hurt my sleeve. Thanks!

Happy2Lose, Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one losing in spurts. I see many posts that people lose 2 pounds per week, and I wonder if that's an average, or they lose steadily!?! Lately I have the bad habit of weighing often. I think your advice of weighing less frequently is exactly right! I'll have to work on that :thumbup: I also figured that approximately 10 lbs per month is my goal, but it just scares me sometimes when the scale stops moving for 2 weeks. Having been overweight for so long, it's devastating. I guess I have to try and calm down, and just keep going with it! So far I've lost an average of 10 per month, so I'm doing well. I just don't want it to stop until I"m closer to goal! Lisa

I was given what diet I should follow for the week and the day before surgery in a notebook that was given to me at my first visit so you may want to check any materials that you were given just in case. I was also told that the surgery center would call me the day before to tell me what time to arrive. I got a call from the surgery center a few days before surgery to go over the meds that I was taking and asked about my surgery time then,

How interesting to look back over the last 4 weeks! I can't believe how "ready" I was for a fill... not just mentally, but physically. I feel like I truly experienced restriction vs no-restriction, so-to-speak. In the beginning, I really felt what it was like to have "restriction" (induced from post-surgery swelling, but still restriction none-the-less). Small amounts filled me up and kept me full for long periods of time, liquids took longer to go down, hunger wasn't an ever-present issue, etc. But as time passed and the swelling went down, I definitely noticed a huge difference, especially in the last week! I went from being satiated after eating a yogurt (which used to take me all morning to eat), to having a yogurt and a Nutri-Grain bar; then a yogurt, Nutri-Grain bar, and a Soup... and so on. It's pretty much only been my willpower keeping me from eating everything in sight (and that willpower of mine has not proven to be a trustworthy adversary in the past). When I spoke with my doctor this morning, he just laughed at my frantic, ensuing panic. He said it's totally normal, and that it's my body's way of telling me I'm ready for a fill. So, now I'm 1 1/2 cc's fuller, for a total of 5 1/2 cc's (apparently I had a relatively substantial fill to begin with at surgery time). It's back to liquids for the next few days (boo! but worth it, lol). I'm excited to see if there's any difference, though also prepared for needing additional fills before I find my sweet-spot.

Depends on a couple of major things: 1. Your insurance company's policies. 2. Whether or not your doctor will do a revision all at once, or will require you to do it in two, separate surgeries. My insurance covered my band removal in March, and my doctor wanted me to wait 3 months before sleeving so that my stomach would heal - I had massive scarring and a heavily distorted stomach from living with a severe slip for 2+ years (long story as to why!). As soon as the band was removed, we began the process of getting insurance approval for the sleeve - at that point, I was considered a "new patient" in that I had to meet all of the WLS requirements as if I'd never had the LapBand. Luckily, the process was QUICK and didn't require too many hoops - I was sleeved exactly 11 weeks after my band was removed.

Hi, to start congrats on your journey! I have the AP large 14cc band which was put in place 11-28-07 I too was getting a fill every visit for my first few visits (only up to 1cc, the PA was very conservative about fills). I have a total of a little over 8cc's now and have been at that amount since around June of 08. Once you find your sweet spot you will stay in that range. I didn't even get my first fill for 4-5 weeks after my surgery, hang in there you will find your spot.

check into things, perhaps you will find a highly recommended surgeon who has openings in his schedule. My surgeon was very highly recommended, and I was still able to pick my surgery date. he was booked for a week after my consult, but i had no problem scheduling at my convenience beyond that week. LET THE INSURANCE PAY!! Save the money and buy yourself a skinny vacation for your first goal celebration!!! Good luck to you.

Last week was my 8 month bandiversary. Why did I wait so long to have the lap-band? It has really been the best thing I have ever done for myself. My lap-band is my built in will power. Always with me. Always reminding me to make good food choices. I wanted to share some of my positive outcomes so far... Justin Bieber weighs 110lbs. I have lost Justin Bieber!!! I am working out regularly. I can make it through an hour kick ass spin class with out taking a break and I love it! I have more energy to play with my son. (I went down the slide at the park and went on the swings!) My whole family is eating healthier. I have learned what a real portion looks like. I can fit in any restaurant booth. If I eat slowly, pay attention to what I’m doing and chew my food really well, then I can still eat my favorite foods. (The funny thing is those foods aren’t as important to me anymore.) I went from a tight size 26/28/3X/4X to a loose 18/20/1x. I do not wear elastic waist pants anymore. My shoe size went from an 11W to a 10. I am putting myself first for the first time ever and I am able to take BETTER care of the people and things I care about. I'm saving money - eating less, eating out less, and less money on fad diets etc. I'm not missing out on anything. I try new things all the time. I am so happy! I truly wish that everyone can experience all the wonderful things that I have in the last 8 months. Who knew that in less than a year my life could be so different? I can't wait to see what happens next! Have a great day!

After I typed this I saw top 3. Idiot me! I'm not going to erase what I wrote so I'll add: 1. Greek yogurt 2. meat 3. cheese I always pack these three things in my lunch and snack bento box for the day. Here's the rest of the stuff I eat regularly: Milk, my chocolate and vanilla Protein powder, SF Torani syrups, Lowfat Cottage cheese, Low or nonfat Greek yogurt, light string cheese, light Baby Bell cheese, Laughing Cow wedges, any cheese at all, almonds, pistachios, nut butters, Alpino or Buon Gusto salami, chicken, beef, pork loin, shrimp, scallops, Beans, quinoa, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, zuchinni, pineapple, grapes, watermelon, berries and at least 82% dark chocolate. These are things always in my cupboard, fridge or freezer and always on the shopping list. Oh, and eggs. We have hens so I always have eggs.

I am about 4 weeks post op fro Gastric Bypsss. I still can not hold down chicken, turkey, eggs, cauliflower rice, and some cheeses like a mozerrella in extra virgin olive oil. I am throwing up like every single day within 3-4 bites of my small meal. Thank God I am able to hold down the portein shakes and most cheeses otherwise I would be sunk. Anyone else experience this? Was there Anything that made it easier to hold food down? Any tips or tricks? All advice would be greatly appreciated!

Congratulations!! Keep up the good work!!! I'm at a stall myself and have been for two weeks now. After reading your post I'm going to up my calories and see if that helps. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am down 2.2 this week. I have started week 4 of the couch to 5K podcast. Running for 3 and 5 mintue intervals kicked my butt this morning. I also splurged on good running shoes yesterday - no excuses about running. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Great job, you two! I can't believe we're coming up on our 1yr bandiversaries! Just seems SO amazing to me! Okay - Last week: 179.5 This week: 178.2 Total loss: - 1.3lbs Yea me! This is also with needing a fill. Got that yesterday, late afternoon. Shooting for 170 by my bandiversary date of 08/25. Here's hoping for great restriction this month! LOL! Have a great week everyone!

When I was on the 2 week pre-op liquid diet, I got scatterbrained too. I don't think the diet had alot to do with it. I think the problem was that I was so single-mindedly focused on what I needed to do to keep my head in the game that all other things went to the back burner. Not to worry.....it will get better after surgery

I always check the clearenc rack first. And I purchased a size 12-14 pants last week I can get them on but just barely. they will hang in the closet for a few weeks. But they were a good price. I've got 30 more pounds to go but I'm getting there.

I suggest a digital scale. Since we measure in ounces, it much easier to not have to guess between the marks. I got one at Walmart, but had to try three different ones before I found the one I liked best. K

Tomorrow is my surgery date too! I'm very excited but very nervous now and can't sleep! I'm also so afraid because I've been eating really poorly for the past week. I know a lot of people talk about what they were having for their "last meal" before surgery. But no.. I really blew it for the whole week. Bad. I ate everything I love and lots of it. Dang it!! I pray I won't be heavier than I started out as. I really do want this.. I don't know why I went crazy last week. I had done so well right up till this last week or so. Then BAM. Blew it. I feel so stupid to have done that now.