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All my paperwork has been submitted to Aetna for approval. Tomorrow will be a week and I haven't heard from them or my Doctor's office.I need to hear soon :thumbup: as I have a pre-surgical appt for Thursday at NYU Medical Center.

All my paperwork has been submitted to Aetna for approval. Tomorrow will be a week and I haven't heard from them or my Doctor's office.I need to hear soon :thumbup: as I have a pre-surgical appt for Thursday at NYU Medical Center.

but your weight loss is good. 20 lbs in 3 weeks? NOt to shabby. Thanks for the reply.

I'm a bit post post-op (about 20 months after a VSG) and things have been pretty unremarkable since the initial loss. But recently I've had two episodes out of the blue, unlike anything I've experienced before. The first time, I thought I was having a heart attack. A vague nauseous feeling turned into a chest tightness. It was like the wind was knocked out of me and I couldn't breathe beyond tiny gasps for about 20 minutes. Long story short, it wasn't a heart attack and all cardiac tests showed my heart to be working perfectly. Needless to say, it was scary as hell, and the anxiety that I might be having a heart attack was enough to give me one! But then it happened again, a few weeks later. This time I really tried to focus on what was causing me distress. I think that it was a muscle spasm, focused in my upper abs and/or mid back. Maybe the diaphragm but it really felt more like a tight band wrapping around my lower ribs, forcing me to exhale; the diaphragm would force an inhale. Stretching and massaging helped a little, but was really hard to do in the moment. I'm really worried now about it happening while I'm at work or out in public. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I'm wondering if my GI tract triggered a spasm for some reason.

HI TB07 Do I guess correctly based on the fact you are more comfy with kg than pounds that you are another Aussie- if thats the case double welcome ( I am in Adelaide south Australia) The amount of pain etc that people get post op and how quickly they recover varies tremendously and ther doesn't often seem to be much rhyme or reason why one person sails through and another struggles a bit- It will get better though, it s major surgery so even a week off work s not that bad really. the gas pain etc is usally the cultprit, for some people t causes irritation that s felt as shoulder/chest pain evn after the gas has been absorbed The post op diet I was given was pretty much like yours but you are right it varies a whole from surgeon to surgeon I was banded quite some time ago but have had a lot of other medical problems to deal with that kinda put a stop on weight loss- so I am a born again bandster and have gone from 175 kg(385pounds) to 150kg ( 330pounds) since November- still a long way to go but gettng there nice to meet you - i'm new to this board too but it does provide great support Karen

I did have problems with Jello and anything cold early on, but I had my follow-up today with the dr. All is fine. My port site is a bit pink, and the nurse was concerned, so they put me on keflex. The dr said it was for the nurse's sake, so she wouldn't worry. Honestly, I'm feeling really 'normal'. Not like I had surgery at all, except for a little pull in my belly when I turn a certain way. I'm supposed to gradually switch from full liquids to mushies over the next 2 weeks then very slowly to real food by first fill time (June 7). I'm a very bad patient... I'm already eating soft foods (refried beans) and even had some fish yesterday. I am eating VERY small portions of that sort of thing, though. Just testing the waters a bit. Hope all my friends on here are doing wonderfully as well!

So, I have a ways to go until I am banded (5 more months), but I wanted to start finding the essentials for the pre-op diet... I've seen posts about the Protein shakes and some great suggestions. What are some other things that I should start stocking up on to make sure I have everything planned and ready to go?? My surgeon requires 1 week of a high protein liquid diet, then Clear liquids for 1 day prior to surgery. Questions: Did you need any special meds, vits, or supplements? Since the Lap Band does not use malabsorption for weightloss, can I get all the nutrients I need from food alone or are supplements a necessity? How soon can you bathe and drive?? (I've seen conflicting times, I know it varies, but I want to see what the consensus is).. Can you see the port if you wear something form fitting or does this depend on a person's skin and muscle tissue? Thanks!!

I wasn't sure where to post this but I wanted to share! I just put together my picture from right before my surgery and my picture today! I will be 7 weeks post op on Tuesday and I feel amazing. I've lost 45 lbs total but about 25 in between these pictures! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my psych evaluation 3 weeks ago which was the last thing I needed to get my paperwork sent to insurance. I thought the psychologist I saw was going to send my eval to my bariatric team ASAP but 3 weeks later and they just notified me that they received it!!! Hopefully Blue Cross Blue Shield doesn't decide to be as slow as her! I think the pony express could have delivered it faster ???? Of the 4 women in my office (including me), 2 of them are going on maternity leave this fall/winter and I really wanted to get my sleeve before the first lady went on leave... And during this deductible year since I'm down to only owing $1700 out of pocket instead of $2,500. The annoying part is I will get crap for having to be gone during her leave but I will be doing something to make myself healthier....I am not planning to tell them about the surgery though so they will all think I'm just going to be vacationing at a really inconvenient time... I'm pretty frustrated this morning just knowing I will have to deal with this in my small office. Once insurance does come through (and I'm pretty confident it will because my starting BMI was 49 and I have high BP and I lost 40# during my 6 month Dr supervised weight loss program) I will still have 4 weeks of pre-op classes to attend, which also means taking half days off from work to attend... Hopefully there is a light at the end of this tunnel soon! I feel like I began this process so long ago.... I've been considering WLS since 2012 but my job didn't cover it until this year. I went to my bariatric seminar in February and have tried to do everything as quickly as I could to get through this process, I feel like the psychologist has created such a mess by delaying me 3 weeks Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

for the surgery and it dawned on me that I am truly a 100% pure old fashioned smart ass. As I am looking at the class titles all I can think is a more fitting title for how these people treat those of us in the class. Now, for the most part they are definetly supportive, but they are also condescending. I don't do condescending well at all, I tend to get pissy with people that treat me with that particular attitude. Here are some of my smart ass titles (along with the original) Original is bolded, mine is italicized. Weight Management 1 Weight control for dummies part 1 Weight Management 2 just in case you didn't get it the first time PreOp GBP Nutrition Clinic We still don't think you got it Support Group (now this is the mandatory one I made comment of before) Listen to me talk down to you cause you are still fat (serious, that is how it went, pissed me off with this waste of time) Occupational Therapy Clinic This is a leg lift, this is a bicep curl... do these Ok, so maybe they are funny to me and no one else, but I got a chuckle out of my frustrated translations... and trust me, I am very VERY frustrated with the process at this hospital. *sigh* Oh well, I am jumping the hoops, doing what needs to get done, and hopefully in 3 weeks (might be a month) I will have my date. Cross your fingers I don't kick someone where it counts. :)

I'm just over 1 week, but I have noticed that pains like this--either under ribs or up in my shoulder--are my key not to eat anymore. You've been banded longer, so I'm not sure if that's any help, but it seems to be my 'stop' signal.

I didn't like the feeling Jello gave me either.. even after letting it pretty much liquidfy before swallowing. By day 3 I tried sugar free pudding which was oh so good. Later that night I figured out that was supposed to be a week 2 food. Ooops! Oh well, it didn't hurt. This weekend I had mashed potatoes and they were heaven

I bowl on Thursday nights and usually have a salad from McDonalds (about 6 weeks post-op no fill yet) and that does just fine. Last night McDonalds was busy so I went to Jack In The Box and imagine my surprise when they said they dont do salads so I decided to have the chicken fita pita, it took me 45 min to eat because I took tiny bites and chewed real well. Needless to say that didnt work, about 1.5 hrs after I ate I started having upper tummy pain, I thought I was just over doing bowling so I continued on. Came home went to bed was fine this morning until I had my egg and 1 piece of bacon about 30 minutes later the pain was back and not going away. I called my Dr and found out that Fast food chicken is BAD cause it is dry and "Rubberie" all these years I thought I was doing good when I was on one of my many diets. Today Im on Clear liquids, tomorrow I can advance to soft foods again. Imagine my surprise when my Dr said if I have to do fast food do a hamburger just throw out the bun! Ok first lesson I get my first fill on Wednesday and I cant wait! I am needing my tool to help me with portion control, Ive been eating healthy stuff just to big a portions. Thanks for listening

I completely understand....I was on a 4 week stall that i just came out of today. It's horrible and you hate it but your body really needs time to heal and as long as your doc and nut say your doing the right amounts of food, protein and carbs, then keep going and try to know it will eventually come off.

i too can relate my grandma only grandparent left just hard a heart attack and they dont know if she is strong enough to go through surgery to help her get better. my 2 year old is driving me nuts! temporary separation from my husband. just started 2 online classes. work full time and financial issues are always a burden. BUT we have the surgery to look forward to. we dont want to sabotage this amazing gift that weve all been working soo hard for!! i got chantix a week ago and stopped taking it. i want to start again tomorrow because all in all smoking is so bad. i can barely walk up the stairs without being out of breath (and i work out 4 times a week). its ok if you slip up its very hard to quit. almost depressing. but i have faith in you! and reading your post gives me more determination to not buy a pack on the way to work in the morning!!!!!!

Support YOURSELF! I read several WLS boards daily and I'm truly amazed at the helplessness and lack of power some of us have. I've been there myself, having dealt with seasonal depression, early childhood abuse and growing up with a mom who had Borderline Personality Disorder. In my 20s depression reared it's ugly head in a big way and the weight gain started. I'd weighed around 150 and at 5'5" that was close to ideal. I finished my 3rd decade weighing about 225, despite getting psychological support. In my 40s after getting up to 260, I sought counseling to deal with unresolved issues with my mom, who had passed away 10 years before. This helped me deal with relationship issues I had on many levels with pretty much everyone in my life, and I dieted my way down to 190. I felt in control and powerful. That was a great feeling. Today I read a post laying out strategies for success in losing weight. It listed a few good ideas and some that were a bit impractical, but the point I got out of it was in order to succeed, we must support ourselves; get the trigger foods out of sight, etc, but I think it missed a key point. It's not about hiding bad foods...it's about keeping healthy foods available in the moment we are being tempted and taking back our power over temptation. This is where I've been missing the boat recently, a technique I know works, but in my blue mood, had forgotten. The strategy I've used is positive affirmation. You visualize how you'll feel, look, walk 20, 30, 40 lb lighter and create an inner dialog of positive statements: I'm enjoying shopping for clothing one size smaller. It feels great to take a walk without my knees hurting so much. This chicken Greek salad tastes so fresh and it's providing my body with nutrients and Protein to support my healthy lifestyle. You create a positive environment within your mind to support your goal of being healthier. You replace the negative inner dialog, you KNOW what I'm talking about, with positive self talk. It's a habit you develop over time, usually about 6 weeks. It's a known fact that thinking positive thoughts while developing a new habit helps in establishing the desired behavior. You focus on the new behaviors, not on overcoming the old behavior. If you find yourself berating, chastising or otherwise having a negative inner dialog, you stop, breathe and replace that dialog with a positive affirmation: I am worthy, I am powerful, I am in control and move on. I did this throughout my band journey, including the 3 month supervised term and especially during the year I was struggling with the complications. In the last few months, I'd let the negative self talk sneak in...the fear of regain, feeling vulnerable, powerless and depressed. I forgot the mantra "If you believe it, you'll see it" and I did...30 lb of regain since September. So go ahead and hide the Cookies, better yet, leave them at the store, but don't forget to visualize yourself 1, 2 or 3 sizes smaller, congratulate yourself for every accomplishment and forgive a misstep. You are worthy, you are powerful, you are in control. Bandarella????

I had a my first fill at the end of last month. I did fine with it, stayed on liquids and mushies for a few days, and I definitely could feel a difference. Since about last week I'm noticing that I can eat more and don't feel full as fast (it's also that special time of the month). I'm going back to the doc on Wednesday but I was just curious if this happened to anyone else. I hope my band isn't leaking or something!

Sounds like the virus that has been going around. I felt that way for a week before it hit me full on.

I agree with them call your DR. Plus sometimes it can take up to a week to feel a fill and also we swell when fills so could be just that, can wait a few days and see if it gets better, can try some liguid ibuprofen too.

I don't know what it is out Sundays but I am having another fabulous day. I am moving around BETTER than I was pre op. I topped out at 339 in January and am at 319 and holding. I don't expect to lose anymore until after my 1st fill. It's another GORGEOUS day out, got the sage burning, all the windows open and I am.. get this.. CLEANING! I'm also going to do a batch of tie dye this afternoon... feeling creative. It'll will take me about 3-4 days to finish this batch but it's nice to be in the biz again. Doing some shirts and undies for my in-laws that are going to Disney for their spring break. I made a big ole pitcher of Green Tea and I've got my ABBA gold album blasting. It's so nice to feel good and optimistic about my future. YAY! I still have the weird numb/pain on the surface of my tummy but it's tolerable. Todd(DH) is having outpatient surgery for his deviated septum one month to the day of my surgery and I know that by then I'll really be feeling great. I think I may even dye some eggs on Tuesday (Ostara holiday for me) I did this last year using all natural dye stuff. I boiled all kinds of stuff experimenting like spinich, coffee, tea, blackberries, strawberries and then I used cheese cloth and wrapped different plant leaves like carrot tops, rosemary and lavendar and they came out REALLY neat. I think my favs were the blackberry and tea ones. I have found that post op my meat preference to be fish. Well, I'm just rambling now. Later Tracy

The head banding is sooo the hard part. it's natural to go to thinking about food alot since your diet has changed so much and you are learning a new way. it will settle down alot as the weeks go by and you start eating real foods. You will be amazed at how much less you worry about food when you can actually eat it and you don't really care about it! The hard part for me has been not eating, losing weight, and my body making me hungry for the calories it needs to maintain my weight. What has helped me (months down the road as I figure this out) is to be sure to EAT!! so the hunger doesn't sneak up on me and I find myself ravenous...even though just a bit will do me. It's weird, but you'll get it figured out. Your body and your brain do a little dance together. You just have to learn to monitor well to be sure the right one "leads".

I agree with Kimberb, my highest weight was 209 prior to pre op liquid diet and before surgery I was 199 and after my bypass which I did it 18 months ago I became 159 but totally stopped losing more! Last week I started another liquid diet and boom, I lost 4 pounds, presently at 155 and Still have to lose another 20 pounds in order to lose all my excess weight! Presently lost 75% of my excess weight! When I read other people's success story see that I lost what they've lost in just 2 months and get discouraged! I guess they had better results than me! But I read a lot of feedbacks and I realized I never took enough liquid on daily basis and now I Increased it to 48-64 oz, I start to lose little bit and that's good news for me! Thank you everyone for your efforts and input! It really helps and appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Two months ago today, my life changed forever....and today, I am 30 lbs closer to being thin and healthy!! This was the BEST decision I could have ever made for myself!! I am eating just about anything I desire, with the exception of salads. I cant have those until I am 4-6 mos. post-op. I choose not to eat breads and rice most of the time, but that is not to say that I dont have just a bite occassionally. My portions are tiny...but I am completely satisfied! I do find that I am somewhat of a grazer if I dont get the opportunity during the day at work to actually sit and eat the way I should. I still have some of the same old habits I did before surgery, and I am trying to be "aware" when I see myself begin to fall back into that so that I can do something different to break those habits. That is something I expect I will suffer with for a long time! I dont consume near the amount of liquids that I used to. Sometimes that worries me, so I try to stay conscious about how much intake I am getting. I dont want to get dehydrated. I am still wearing the same clothes that I was wearing pre-op, but they are all starting to get baggy on me. I have one pair of jeans that are a size smaller and I am wearing them. Some of the tops that were tight on me before are fitting nicely now. And my dress pants that I couldnt button 4 weeks ago are going on fine... I am beginning to feel really good in my skin, even though I have a LONG way to go!! I cant even imagine what I will feel like this time next year!! It is exciting to know that I am on my way, really! Its not just a dream anymore.... Thanks to all of you for all the help and support. Without this forum it would not be the same!! Karen

They should not make you wait 3 weeks. Do what another poster did and call back and say 3 wks is unacceptable and you needed a fill at your July 1st appt and want to be worked in immediately. Be proactive and stop taking it out on yourself because it is NOT your fault!!!! Mimi

I am 2 1/2 weeks down 21 looking forward to soft foods on Thursday!!!! enjoy your new diet.......Whats the first thing you are gonna eat?