Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[Elayne 0]

In impatient anticipation of my own travel down Lap Band Lane -

Do any of you experts have suggestions for favorite internet sites for smoothies?

:thumbup:

I'm a cook-from-scratch-and-fresh-only type and am curious about recipes for both pre and post op diets.

I'd love to get some recommendations beforehand and do some experimenting and tweaking.

:teeth_smile:

(And with the price of food and "poisonous" produce these days - - - -)

[MaryD 0]

I am a newby and happy to find this site. I will have my surgery in August, but don't know the exact date yet. I will be 62 on August 13, so this will be quite the birthday present!

[orea15 0]

Welcome! Congrats on your upcoming bands. I'm coming down to the wire on mine. :-)

Orea

[MaryD 0]

I am so impressed with the weight that you have lost already! How did you do it?

[orea15 0]

Here is the short version:

Last April, I was diagnosed as diabetic. Just one point over, but that was enough. I gave up most sugars and white carbs within days. I had nasty cravings for about a month, but I let myself eat things like cheese as needed instead of caving. I try to eat lean Protein, lots of veggies, fruits with protein so I don't get a blood sugar spike and plummet.

In 2007 I lost 28 pounds and gained back 17 of them. I redoubled my efforts with the new year and started losing again. In March, I got helpful advice from the dietician I saw as part of my Aetna qualification, and joined CalorieKing.com. That was a great move. I keep a meticulous diet journal there. Everything I eat gets logged, and the program tells me how I am doing in terms of calories plus ratios of protein, fats and carbs, and Fiber, etc., and how they compare with what is recommended.

I Like the Kashi high fiber high protein cereals. I enjoy popcorn, and if Calorieking says I am low on fat for the day, I put some butter on it! I occasionally have a potato now, but it isn't often. I have noticed it does slow my weight loss if I overdo the potatoes. Steamfresh veggies are a great convenience food. We eat a lot of them every week as easy side dishes. We usually use Molly McButter now instead of real butter. (sigh) Oh yes, and I an trying to find more ways to add Beans and lentils and the like to my diet. Fiber is my friend! And I don't drink liquids with calories except for my low fat milk.

I have to say that eating this way, I am feeling better than I have in many years. I don't lose steadily every week, but if I hang on through the stalls, there is a good loss week coming my way eventually.

I still eat out sometimes, but I am learning to order more wisely and to do things like ask for vegetables in place of the french fries.

It really is a mind game. Here are some of the mottos I learned at Smartbandsters that serve me well:

• Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
  
• It's not how much you can eat, it's how little you can get by on.
  
• Am I trading what I really want, for what I want right now?
  
• Do I like that food enough to wear it?
  
• If hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the answer.
  

The last six pounds have come off since I started my two weeks of Optifast diet to shrink my liver for surgery.

Oh, and my latest blood work shows that my non-fasting blood sugar is well into the normal range! :biggrin2:

Orea

[MaryD 0]

I am very impressed! I am going to look up Calorieking.com today!

[Beader 1]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been on this site for a while because I was rejected before I even got started. I'm so devastated. I received my 5 year weight loss history from my doctor and I was obese for two years and severely obese for three years. I didn't realize you had to be "morbidly" obese in order to get approved. I think this is totally unfair since I have all the same health issues all the morbidly obese people do. I have severe sleep apnea, awful pain in my knees, ankles and feet, I'm on meds for acid reflux, I have 0 self esteem which causes stress, anxiety, and depression, I can only do about 10 minutes of housework at a time due to severe lower back pain, and a fatty liver. I've been on every diet known to man which is why my history isn't accurate. One minute I'm 225, a few months later I'm 190 but then I'm right back up there in another few months from that. Being shot down right from the get go has left me so depressed and hopeless. Well, I sat down and wrote my insurance co (United Health Care) a two page letter and poured my heart out. I think I gave them some pretty good arguments and I'm praying whoever reads it has a heart. Have any of you had a similar case? I started out so excited and hopeful, I even started sampling Protein Drinks and practiced chewing the right way to prepare for post op. I'm broken hearted and hopeless. thanks for listening.

Edited July 20, 2008 by gottaluvme

[JoannMarie 0]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been on this site for a while because I was rejected before I even got started. I'm so devastated. I received my 5 year weight loss history from my doctor and I was obese for two years and severely obese for three years. I didn't realize you had to be "morbidly" obese in order to get approved. I think this is totally unfair since I have all the same health issues all the morbidly obese people do. I have severe sleep apnea, awful pain in my knees, ankles and feet, I'm on meds for acid reflux, I have 0 self esteem which causes stress, anxiety, and depression, I can only do about 10 minutes of housework at a time due to severe lower back pain, and a fatty liver. I've been on every diet known to man which is why my history isn't accurate. One minute I'm 225, a few months later I'm 190 but then I'm right back up there in another few months from that. Being shot down right from the get go has left me so depressed and hopeless. Well, I sat down and wrote my insurance co (United Health Care) a two page letter and poured my heart out. I think I gave them some pretty good arguments and I'm praying whoever reads it has a heart. Have any of you had a similar case? I started out so excited and hopeful, I even started sampling Protein drinks and practiced chewing the right way to prepare for post op. I'm broken hearted and hopeless. thanks for listening.

I am so sorry you are going through this setback. It makes me wonder where the common sense is - I've spent years and energy on diets losing and regaining the same 20 pounds over and over again, meanwhile adding extra each time. All of us have experienced that frustration. All you do is play havoc with your metabolism and your emotional health. I wish I could have some helpful advice for you.

Is self-pay a possibility for you? Most of the WLS facilities have financing available. I would exhaust all possibilities with United Health Care - letters from your doctor, letters from the WLS group you are working with. They may have some tricks up their sleeves that could help you, especially with your current co-morbidities. If your WLS group of choice won't help you, is there another group in your area that would be interested in working with you? In our area there seems to be a lot of competition between WLS groups. This is a relatively new option for people and they all want their share of us. It's hard to do, but sit down and compile your diet history. I was shocked when I did that, starting at age 13 and moving on forward. I knew I had tried hard all my life, but it was surprising to me to see just what the extent had been. Provide a copy of that to anyone that can help you - and to the insurance co.

I know that ins companies will often say no - expecting that most people will accept that answer and they are off the hook. I'm not saying that they are being dishonest - just a fact of business. Be the person who persists. Be the person who enlists the help of everyone you can think of. It can't hurt and it might just get you what you need to be a healthy person.

Good luck!

[IndioGirl55 32]

hi guys...Janet you look amazing in your recent pictures. If that's not a testimony to what we can do for ourselves then I don't know what is. Thanks to you for being an inspiration to us all.

Alice....I was banded Oct 2008, to date I have lost 47 pounds, my dr's goal for me is a 50 pound loss, my goal is 65 pounds. I have not had 1 fill yet. Even though my loss has slowed down to about 1 pound a week, my dr's beliefs are that we have to work with the "tool" and he feels I am right on target with losing. I am just happy to have lost these 47 pounds and I trust in him so I'll work with the band and continue to lose slowly. The amazing thing is that because the weight is slow in coming off, it looks natural and people comment to me that I look like I am getting smaller, they have no idea I'm dieting, it's a great feeling.

Phyllis....I am so tired of running around trying to get my wii fit (it's sold out everywhere here in NY)...that I just got one on ebay, I can't wait to get it and use it. have a great day and keep cool.

Thanks - The Look is just icing on the cake - what I love is feeling so much better having so much more energy...

Good Afternoon Nifty Fifties, I am at 9 days and counting. Monday I start my all liquid pre-op diet. This week I was allowed one regular meal and two meals of Protein Shakes. My DS and family are coming home tonight from Atlanta where they live. We are all going to Branson for 4 days tomorrow. Of course, I will be the only one not eating :teeth_smile:. But it is all GOOD! My dr. and I are shooting for a 100 lb loss by next yr. I am dreaming big.

Everyone seems to be doing so well. I am especially envious of the ones walking on beautiful beaches and enjoying wonderous mountains! Enjoy the weekend and keep taking it one day at a time.

July 28 at 9:30 am. Thank you for inquiring and I solicit all prayers for that day.

BeverlyDiane - It's not a dream it's possible... But I gotta tell you my original goal was 80 lbs (100 lbs seemed impossible in the beginning) - but once I got to 70 loss I realized I could push for 90 - then I just let the rest happened. Our weight loss is going to be diff for each of us - due to physical limitation - metabolism etc - So I just don't want any of you to get discouraged if it's not coming off as fast as you think it should - if you do your part and have proper restriction it will come off - maybe not as fast as others but remember the turtle won the race !!!!

Prayers will be said for a safe surgery & speedy recovery on the 28th..

I hope you don't mind joining this group. I'm just beginning to explore the possibility and finding so much wonderful info here. I have found out that my insurance will cover the surgery. And today i requested a list of requirements be sent to me. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better.Pat

Pat Welcome !!! We are happy to have you - the 50 thread is one of the 1st threads I started with in the beginning of my journey - I found that I could relate and they were the most helpful - they are the ones who told me "the band is only a tool and not the magic cure all to our issues with food" They are the ones who prepared me for surgery answered my questions -

Janet, thanks for the concern on my knee, I am bone on bone in it. I have gotten some cartlidge type injections that have helped a lot and they say every pound is like 4 lbs on your knees so I have taken off 160 lbs of pressure! BUt I am very careful with it.

Long - Of course GF I don't want you to hurt yourself more and then can't do anything - this is why I say we all should start out slowly and work our way up each week - for us who NEVER exercised prior to being banded - we gotta be careful not to injure ourselves . Again the turtle won the race and the little train did get up the hill :thumbup:.

Thanks for your concern.....I woke up this morning headache free and a stuffy nose. I think it is partly due to all those drugs they give you during surgery. The other part is this crazy Texas weather.....hot and humid. Anyway, I am feeling good this morning other than being a little hungry. I am trying to follow the drs directions on the diet. I think I will be more satisfied staying on the Protein shakes. This pureed food leaves you kinda hungry. :tongue:

Charlene - Your doc says no caffeine?? I am sorry !!! I am lucky I can still have my coffee (1 or 2 cups max in the morning) & ice tea.

You maybe like me - once I start eating it just fuels the desire to eat more.. Don't ask me why - but it's my addiction I guess - just like an alcoholic one drink is too much and 10 not enough - I am that way with food - I eat I am full but I still want to continue to eat and if I am busy doing stuff I don't even think about food ..

In impatient anticipation of my own travel down Lap Band Lane -

Do any of you experts have suggestions for favorite Internet sites for smoothies?

I'm a cook-from-scratch-and-fresh-only type and am curious about recipes for both pre and post op diets.

I'd love to get some recommendations beforehand and do some experimenting and tweaking.

(And with the price of food and "poisonous" produce these days - - - -)

Elaine - we have a food thread - go above to forums and look for the food thread - I too am a cook (I got fat from eating my own cooking I prefer home cooked foods to fast foods or restaurants ) It will give you ideas for diff protein drinks

Pre-op will be determined by your doc - could be 2 shakes 1 meal (high protein low fat no carbs) or could be all protein shakes Soups. Post op diet the same - some have Clear Liquids for a whole week or more some start out on full liquids which includes cream type soups.

Pre op - I make my own chicken broth (it tasted better than canned) and the same went for the creamed soups most of the time - I just used my imagination - but changed my cooking from high fat to low fat - counted calories and protein grms - weighed & measured everything. I would make a pot of Beans (pinto or navy) and puree the beans and add back to broth and I had cream of bean Soup - which was more satisfying that the canned stuff

I am a newby and happy to find this site. I will have my surgery in August, but don't know the exact date yet. I will be 62 on August 13, so this will be quite the birthday present!

MaryD - Welcome!!! Yes you are giving yourself the best present you can.

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been on this site for a while because I was rejected before I even got started. I'm so devastated. I received my 5 year weight loss history from my doctor and I was obese for two years and severely obese for three years. I didn't realize you had to be "morbidly" obese in order to get approved. I think this is totally unfair since I have all the same health issues all the morbidly obese people do. I have severe sleep apnea, awful pain in my knees, ankles and feet, I'm on meds for acid reflux, I have 0 self esteem which causes stress, anxiety, and depression, I can only do about 10 minutes of housework at a time due to severe lower back pain, and a fatty liver. I've been on every diet known to man which is why my history isn't accurate. One minute I'm 225, a few months later I'm 190 but then I'm right back up there in another few months from that. Being shot down right from the get go has left me so depressed and hopeless. Well, I sat down and wrote my insurance co (United Health Care) a two page letter and poured my heart out. I think I gave them some pretty good arguments and I'm praying whoever reads it has a heart. Have any of you had a similar case? I started out so excited and hopeful, I even started sampling protein drinks and practiced chewing the right way to prepare for post op. I'm broken hearted and hopeless. thanks for listening.

Gotta whats your bmi - I thought that 40 bmi with out co-mobities was usually approved.. I really can't help on the appealing to the insurance issue cuz my bmi was 42 with high blood pressure and sleep apena - so I was approved right away (but again 42 was morbidity obese)

Have you ck'd out the insurance thread - I think you will find help there on appealing to your insurance

Good luck..

[Beader 1]

Joann, thanks for the advice. I'm sorry I forgot to mention that paying for it myself is not an option, wish it were. My lap band group, Dr. Ehrlick, is wonderful and they would go above and beyond to get me covered but they said the insurance company won't approve. They said to submit the letter myself because they are not allowed to do it without all the other required letters. The thing is that I don't want to pay $150 for the nutritionist and $115 for the mental health analysis if I'm not going to get approved because my weight loss history didn't show I was "morbidly" obese. I also don't show I've been on a supervised dietitions diet for six months. I do have documentation from weight watchers that I've been to them for 6 months ending in February 08,however, I'm not sure if that's good enough either. I'll see what happens when I send the letter. I'll send my doctors recommendation too.

I wonder if anyone knows of anyone that has been approved without this kind of documentation. Thanks

[Beader 1]

Gotta whats your bmi - I thought that 40 bmi with out co-mobities was usually approved.. I really can't help on the appealing to the insurance issue cuz my bmi was 42 with high blood pressure and sleep apena - so I was approved right away (but again 42 was morbidity obese)

Have you ck'd out the insurance thread - I think you will find help there on appealing to your insurance

Good luck..

Indigo girl, My 5 year history BMI that's documented is 32,34,36,37 and 39.5. I know under 35 is not acceptable no matter what but my history shows I have consistantly gained weight every year, even if I lost, I have ALWAYS gained back that and more. At the seminar they showed me at 40 BMI but I got sick right before my appointment (3 straight days of relentless diarrhea) and I was down 10 lbs. but gained back most but not all of it within a week 1/2. Yes I did check out the insurance thread but haven't seen any circumstances similar to mine.:thumbup: thanks for the suggestions.

[Great2BThin 5]

Gotta, I have UHC and had to go self pay but it was more to an exclusion that my husbands employer put in the policy than it did with UHC. From what I understand UHC is one of the easier ones to work with, so I hope your letters help.

Elayne, sorry no help on smoothies, I'm not much of a cook and definitely not much of a smoothie person, have you checked the food thread? or does your nutritionist have some suggestions?

Well, gals, today I am wearing clothes I've not worn in 5 yrs. Yep I keep moving them around in all our moves, getting depressed when I'd see them in the closet, which makes it all the more rewarding that they fit now! Just wanted to check in and say howdy, am off to the movies. DH and DS are seeing Batman and I am going to see Mamma Mia.

[pj_txlady 0]

I went to my pre op appt Friday. Tomorrow I start my 2 week pre-op diet. I was told to eat 3 meals a day. Portein, vegetables. No peas, corn, or starchy veggies. Protein supplements/ shakes. I have 2 questions.

1. I have been told to eat 5o grams of protein a day. Does that mean NOT to go over 50 grams?

2. Can someone give me some ideas on what to eat for Breakfast, the only thing i can come up with is eggs, or Protein Shake. ( I do not like cheese )

[phyllser 3]

My 5 year history BMI that's documented is 32,34,36,37 and 39.5. I know under 35 is not acceptable no matter what but my history shows I have consistantly gained weight every year, even if I lost, I have ALWAYS gained back that and more. At the seminar they showed me at 40 BMI but I got sick right before my appointment (3 straight days of relentless diarrhea) and I was down 10 lbs. but gained back most but not all of it within a week 1/2. Yes I did check out the insurance thread but haven't seen any circumstances similar to mine.:thumbup: thanks for the suggestions.

I'm a retired RN & worked in health insurance doing pre-cert for 5 years. Don't know about the specifics of your policy, or your state laws, but do know you are entitled to appeal their decision, usually at two levels. So, just wondering if in your letter you stated that you wished to appeal their decision. You must use those words, that you want to appeal. Usually there is first an "in house" review, and then, the way ours worked, an independent review by an unbiased physician or physician team.

[Charlene K 1]

Charlene - Your doc says no caffeine?? I am sorry !!! I am lucky I can still have my coffee (1 or 2 cups max in the morning) & ice tea.

You maybe like me - once I start eating it just fuels the desire to eat more.. Don't ask me why - but it's my addiction I guess - just like an alcoholic one drink is too much and 10 not enough - I am that way with food - I eat I am full but I still want to continue to eat and if I am busy doing stuff I don't even think about food ..

Janet.........yep, my dr says no caffeine....causes hunger. I do think I have an addiction to food. I have head hunger after I eat. So far today it has been good. I started on Protein Shakes and pureed food. I was hungry till i pureed some tuna and it was really satisfying. I eat two ounces of pureed food one hour and the next hour I drink 8oz of Water. I am definitely not hungry. I will just follow the dieticians directions and I should do okay. One thing though, I have got to give up watching the food channel. I just love watching the "food network challenge".:thumbup: