Bluegreen

I didn't even realize that the bands come in different sizes. After I read your post, I started doing some online searching. I didn't find much, but I saw some posts from other sites that indicated the band size is basically the surgeons choice. He/She chooses the size they think will fit on your stomach the best. Incidentally, I saw two posts that referred to patients with the larger band size as have the most trouble finding their "sweetspot". Maybe someone else knows more.

I'm right there with you on this topic. I started the lap band process back in April and the liquid diet thing is a significant source of anxiety for me. I seem to have an aversion to the canned drinks and trying new foods in general. I have yet to even try a canned Protein supplement. My surgeon requires a two week pre-op diet to shrink the liver. His diet is liquids only - Carnation Instant Breakfast 4 to 6 times a day. He also said I could substitute Protein shakes for some of the servings. I do find the protein shakes a good way to satisfy hunger and carb/sweet cravings. Initially, I went to GNC and purchased a big container of Abilify Protein powder. It was so awful. I would just drink it as fast as I could, followed by a bunch of Water. A good friend, who has already had the surgery, recommended

My recommendation would be to call your insurance carrier to confirm exactly what their requirements are. They should be able to give you this in writing. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. When I called them to verify benefits, they were able to provide me with a very detailed list of requirements and patient selection criteria. For instance, my carrier requires that I follow a physician and dietician supervised diet and exercise plan. They require that I see both providers at least 6 times in 6 months. Every insurance company is different, so the best thing to do is call Customer Service. Best of luck to you.