fatBgone

My doctor said no lifting anything over 20 lbs for 2 weeks. Could you replace lifting him with laying next to him or cuddling on the couch when he gets in his clingy stage? And even though he's only 3 you can work to prepare him and tell him that you won't be able to lift him and maybe you can come up with something special to replace it with, something he chooses. Maybe a special game or the cuddling. Good luck.

I will be 1 week of liquid, then 3 weeks of pureed with no Fiber, then 2 months of soft food. Then at the 3 month mark I move to "normal" food. I've been trying different Proteins and I like unjury chicken soap-doesnt take like protein and the unjury unflavored to add to liquid Jello.

I'm not nesting so much as trying to prepare for my new eating. I bought a new blender, have been trying all kinds of liquid Protein, stocking up on Jello, that sort of thing. Would you come to my house and that cleaning thing????

You have to do what YOU are comfortable with. I talked to a surgeon who told me that before he had his patients do the pre-op diet, it took him about 1 1/2 hrs to do a bypass, with the pre-op diet, its only 45 mins. Because its lapro there isn't a lot of room to move and the liver certainly gets in the way. However, he did indicate that its definitely more impactful for higher BMI patients. I'm at the lower end of the BMI scale and my pre-op diet is only 1 week. But if there's a chance the pre-op diet shrinks my liver and therefore makes my surgery time less, I'm all for it (not to mention the healthier liver). I'm a self pay too, here in the states. And if I had to choose a 4 day hospital stay or 2 years of aftercare with a 1 day stay. I'll choose the 1 day stay and aftercare anytime.

I would look at a pharmacy for the liguid adult tylenol, not at a grocery type store.

I have UHC and I was declined because of BMI BUT I really think its dictated by your company who funds the insurance. UHC told me that its my company who sets the rules--5yr history of BMI over 40. So I am now a self pay. Good luck to you.

Rose, You must be doing something right--you've lost 125 lbs!!!!!!! I'm thinking you are exercising just fine. Keep up the good work!

Yes the Reds are baseball!!!! It's fun to go to a game even if you aren't into baseball. And the Newport Acquarium is really good and they just built a whole new penquin section. Enjoy!

Reds Opening Day is next week that is always a party! Or just come up for a game on a weekend (maybe when its a little warmer). When Reds are in town in the summer, there is usually a nice crowd around downtown, people mingling on Fountain Square, etc. Right across the river in Newport, Ky there is a fun area of shopping, the Acquarium, bars and restuarants called Newport on the Levy. The Aronoff Center for Arts and Playhouse in the Park are both great places to see a play. I think there is lots to do, it all depends on what you like.

I'm not from Kentucky but I'm close by. I'm in Cincinnati.

Hey, great minds think alike! I did the same thing. My surgery is April 11 and a couple days ago I ordered Unjury chicken soup and unflavored because I heard they were both good. I'm definitely going to try it out before surgery. I also heard in the post op thread that GNCs Isopure smoothies in orange peach are good.

I'm not sure this helps you or not but your meltdown and others' is what helps me the most. I'm not there yet (surgery will be Apr 11) and seeing what you are going through helps to prepare me for what is ahead. I thank you for sharing it on here. Oh and when I have my meltdown, according to what you all say that should be around April 20th or so, I know you will all be there for me!

Heather, we are all our own worst enemy, you are not alone!!! I'm mentally preparing for my pre op diet and surgery and I too want to thank you for posting your experience. Maybe you can join me for surgery on April 11!!! Good luck.

What is the 5 day pouch test???? Valleygirl, when were you sleeved? I haven't heard a lot of complaints about being hungry, when did your hunger come back?

I'm under a 40 BMI too and I've had the same question. So I think its a very valid question that you need to answer for you. Yes, many failed diets, yes lots of lost weight to come back again with extra pounds, yes I worry about surgery. But you have to weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for you. I'm doing it. There are many reasons but the one thing that keeps nagging at me is that as I get older (and we all are getting older) when those diets fail I seem to gain more weight back. I don't want to keep adding an additional 10-20 lbs every year and then realize I have a much larger BMI. I just want to take care of it now and get that BMI down where it should be and keep it there. I'm scheduled for April 11. Yes I'm scared but this is the best decision for me.

Margaret, those are wonderful!!!! I'm memorizing them now for when I'm asked!!!!

Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati. www.thebanddoctor.com. People travel from all over the country to see him.

I didn't mean to discourage you! Just relaying my story, which sucks!!! Anyway if you are denied, make sure you look at your options for self pay. Many people on this site went to Mexico for surgery because of cost and I know most doctors offer CareCredit which allows you to finance the cost.

Hi peacequeen, I started out like you, I went in to inquiry about lapband surgery. I was convinced a lap band was the way to go for me, I though it was less invasive and safer. I went through about 11 months of insurance appeals and ultimately was denied in Jan of this year. So I decided I was going to self pay. When I started this process last year, sleeve wasn't an option because my insurance didn't cover it anyway so I didn't pay any attention to sleeve info. When I went back to consult with the Dr about self paying for a lap band. I asked him about the sleeve, I thought since I'm self paying its an option and I owe it to myself to consider all options. My doctor has a lap band, which is one of the main reasons I was comfortable with the band and with the doctor, I thought that he understand the lap band. He said he has been doing many sleeve surgeries and I quote, "our sleeve patients are our happiest patients because the weight comes off faster and they have no hungry feelings." So at that point I decide I needed to do some research and I changed my mind to have the sleeve. My surgery is April 11. I know its a hard decision but you need to decide the best choice for you. I talked to a woman who works in my doctor's office who has a band and asked her why that was her choice. She is in her twenties and newly married and explained that she wants to have children and felt the band was best for that. Because she have the Fluid removed so that she had the least amount of restriction when she would be eating for two. So each person needs to look at what they need for their life. Hope this helps. Good luck!

What is the price difference in Mexico?

Hi StacyS, unfortunately I was denied. I started my process last year around Feb, I went through the medically supervised diet for 3 months, which is what my insurance requires. My BMI is between 35-40 and I do have 2 comorbidities (high blood pressure and cholesturol) Even with that, my insurance denied me. Its actually not the insurance but my employer who sets the limit as to what will be accepted for this type of surgery and they are very strict on the BMI of 40. I was pursueing a lap band at the time and even worked with Obesity Law and they appealed my denial. It took from May, 2010 - Jan 2011 to go through all the appeals and ultimately I was still denied. I decided to move forward and self pay so here I am. Waiting on Apr 11! I had all my medical records for the last 5 years showing BMI of at least 35 and all the medication for HBP and cholesturol, plus a reccommendation letter from my regular doctor saying I would benefit from a lap band but didn't matter. Good luck to you. Hopefully you will have a better outcome.

Well I saw your post and decide I should join this forum. So this is my first post and my surgery date is April 11 too!!!! I can't believe how many people are doing this in April. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. Insurance isn't covering mine so I'm also nervous about the amount of money I'm spending on me. But the decision is made and I'm going for it! Good luck to all of us.