New Here :) So Many Q's!

[kittylove32 90]

Hello everyone. My name is Jen and i just joined this site. I love it already! My Dr. just sent in the paper work to the insurance. I am so nervous that something will go wrong. Hopefully i will here back something by friday. I am a stay at home mom to a 2.5 yr old. I am 35 and married. A little bit about myself.. I was of normal weight most of my life. When i met my husband 10 yrs ago i was at my thinnest. A yr after we met i started getting panic attacks. Long story short i quit my job, became depressed, and started gaining weight. 4 mths ago i quit smoking and gained 30 lbs! I am beyond disgusted with myself. It's to the point where my knee's and feet hurt every day. Hard to bend and pick stuff up, walk up and down stairs.... I would love to make some friends on here to share this journey with. Now for the Q's i have. I am confused about how many different Vitamins to take. Is chewable flintstones enough or do i need other ones also? Are you able to swallow pills? I take medicine daily for anxiety/depression. Is anyone else overwhelmed by all the rules? Like stop drinking before meals, then wait 30 min after, vitamins taken at seperate times....Well, that's about it i guess. Thanks for listening and hope to hear back from you guys!

[Bree Price 14]

Hey my name is Breeanne and I an also a stay at home mommy but mine is 14 months and I also have a six year old. My Dr submitted my paper work last Wednesday so I am just waiting too. I don't really know about the Vitamins I take two adult gummy vitamins. I'm sure I will find out more when I go back for pre op appointment. I have had a hard time with the no drinking when eating.I think the reason they say not to eat and drink at the same time is that the liquid pushes the food through the pouch instead of it staying there for a while giving you the full feeling. Good luck keep in touch if you'd like

[RhondaMarie 67]

That is exactly why the no drinking... food slies through and doesn't keep you full.

I will warn ya to ask, but my doc has a no gummies rule. In part b/c of their sugar content & because they coukd sit on top of the band and be very uncomfortable. My team also suggests Calcium CITRATE supplements... and ferrous sulfate form of Iron depending on individual needs.

Welcome to LBT!! There is so much knowledge and support here!! It is truly a blessing on this journey!

[2muchfun 8,927]

I take a chewable Vitamin every day.

Regarding the question about drinking with the band: First, you should follow your doctors's guidelines. But, there's some new information that you might run by your doctor. I've posted the videos from youtube below. The jury seems to still be out on this subject but again, your doctor may have different ideas on the subject and reasons why you should not drink and eat simultaneously.

Go to 6:30 minutes into the first video and I highly recommend watching all 4 of his videos:

[eti37 1]

Hi my name is eti I'm 37 I'm 10 days post surgery if u fallow the rule u fell great

Almost every med come in liquid so u don't have to worry ,

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Welcome to the LBT forum. One thing you will also notice on here is every doctor and every patient is different. So, as my doctor stressed to me, you need to trust the team you are working with.

My doctor and dietician recommend the Gummy or the chewable Vitamins. My gummy vitamins are sugar free and minimal calories. I chew them up really well and have had no issues with them. Other people do the chewable (flinstone type) Vitamins. I get a huge bottle of my adult gummies from costco for very inexpensive.

The no drinking with meals is hard for me at times but the payoff of learning new habits is worth it.

As for meds, you have a couple options. Many meds come in a liquid form or if yours is a tablet you can use a pill cutter. My blood pressure medication is a large pill so I cut it in half. Right after surgery, I was cutting it in fourths.

Also, understand this is only a tool so you still have to do the work to make good food choices. I had horrible food habits before the band but with all I have invested in this band, I haven't wanted to go back to my habits since the surgery. It has really kickstarted me into a healthier lifestyle and I am so pleased with the results thus far.

No need to be disgusted with yourself ~ as that will make you feel worse about yourself. Try to accept your current circumstances and try to use that negative energy into positive energy to move forward in this process. Also know that many times insurance may not approve during the first pass (as they may want additional paperwork from your dr. or have questions, etc). Don't let that discourage you. It happens sometimes and doesn't mean denial, it just means they need clarification.

Good luck to you and you CAN do this!

[kittylove32 90]

Thank you everyone for your reply's. I have been looking at photo's on here and am so impressed! I really can't wait to start. I am going to start writing down all my Q's to ask at my next visit. Also, someone mentioned the book " Bandwagon " has anyone read it?

[JhonnieB 73]

Welcome!! This forum has a great deal of information! I'm also a newbie but wanted to say hello. I'm still at the very very very beginning! But I read this forum ALL day lol and watch youtube videos

You'll learn a lot of information here.