NWgirl

I know my surgeon submitted my original weight the first day I come in, but you need to be 100% sure on if your Dr submits the original or the most recent. I was not required to have a 3 or 6 month supervised diet either... Hopefully you will get your answer soon. If I were you, I would also call the Insurance number and ask to speak to a bariatrics person. If you have a bariatrics case manager, they should be able to answer your question.

I was banded on the 20th and felt pretty good in a couple days. The only lingering problem was the dreaded gas pains, which worked up to my left shoulder/neck. They were gone about 10 days after surgery. I will post a list from my blog of the things I would recommend. I have my original list too. My main problem was I overestimated how much I would be eating... Now I have a kitchen full of broths and other things I won't be using anytime soon If I were to do it again, this is what I would buy: General Meds: - Sublingual B-12 - Biotin - O-purity Band multivitamin or Centrum Chewables - Calcium + Vit D & K chews - Chewable or dissolveable Iron supplement - Liquid adult Tylenol - Probiotic Pearls - Milk of Magnesia - Scarzone to put on incision sites after they have fully closed and the steri strips have come off. Stage One: - Peewee Pillowpet to hold against stomach. - Lipton cup-a-soup Cream of Chicken - Soups that can be pureed and put through a sieve. - Peppermint tea - Protein powder- JAY ROBB tastes amazing. Buy a couple sample packs at your local Vitamin or Supplement store. I am a cheapskate and was unwilling to buy the Jay Robb at first, but I just happened to be in a supplement store getting a chewable iron last week and decided to go for it. I would definitely spend the extra money quality! - 3 Protein mix shakers - Yogurt without seeds or chunks. Only two or three cases = 8 to 12 yogurts. - SF syrups - Pillow "chair"

I have only been banded a short while, but will relay my Aunt's story to you. She was banded three years ago at the same time some of her friends got the sleeve. She is still maintaining within a +/- 10lb range of her goal weight while some of her sleeve friends have started to gain again due to the aforementioned stretching. She did warn me about PB's, and did have some problems with her band due to being severely ill twice, but she still loves it. I like the fact that I have all my anatomy still, and that if something happens, it can come out. I also like that I can lose weight normally and so it is less obvious to people who don't know I've had it done. Also, I think it's important to note that the recovery time for the band vs the sleeve is much less. This was really important to me, as I manage a restaurant and could not be gone for too long. Since starting a low fat diet about three weeks before surgery and then transitioning to a pseudo liquid the week before surgery, I have almost lost 30 pounds. I am happy. I have been a slower loser post-band, "only" losing about 9lbs since my weigh-in on surgery day, but I am over the moon.

I have heard of people sticking to strict low calorie diets (800) until they hit goal. Specifically, there is a lady on youtube who had approx 100 to lose and lost it in 7 or 8 months. She did exercise as well. I personally am not going to starve myself and will just go with the flow. I'm not racing to the end here, but am hoping to be near goal in a years time. I have about 80 more to lose til then, so it's about 6.5lb a month.

I had to be at the hospital at 5:30 the day of surgery too. It was nice, because I woke up tired (I stayed up late playing on lapbandtalk), went to the hospital, got the blood drawn, waited in my bed dozey, and then was wheeled into surgery at 7:30. I then left the hospital around 11:30am and came home to bed. I made sure to get up and walk every time I woke up, but I slept a lot the first day.

Marla, I'm not commenting on your food intake, but must say I used to know someone who could be your doppelganger!

I haven't been banded long, but I definitely have found foods I am loving. -Tyson Grilled chicken breast strips. Easy to heat up and mix with a little sauce. - Cottage cheese with pineapple. - Fage 2% plain with applesauce and 1 packet sweet n' low. I will have to try the turkey crumbles when I get to the store next. I have found myself buying more of the portioned items (portioned egg cups, rice cups, etc) which is nice. I used to hate buying these things because the per oz price is so much more than the box of eggs or the box of rice... Oh well, I am definitely worth a little bit more $$.

follow the directions your Dr. Gave to you, don't compare your diet to someone else's as there are many differences. On that note, if you feel you're advancing too quickly based on how you feel, then slow down.

Hope all has gone well

I find that if I don't eat too late at night and drink plenty of good liquids throughout the day, I am usually ok. My weight might jump by .2 or .5, but nothing more.

I would also suggest shredding chicken and putting it in a light sauce.

clothes on. I was weighed originally at my first scheduled group meeting that went through the different types of WLS. I do not believe you get weighed if it is just an information seminar open to the public.

Welcome! Congrats on your upcoming surgery

I just bought the Ninja Kitchen System Pulse and am excited to get to using it! I love the fact that I won't have to blend, stir, blend, stir like my old blender!

I am in the same boat as you. I am 9lb down since surgery. I keep chalking it up to the fact I lost a lot in the few weeks prior to surgery. I know the time will come, so I am diligent in recording what I eat and trying to get my protein/water in. I am looking forward to getting back to exercise too.

I did not test positive, but my surgeon required it before they would put you under. I thought that I might have it, due to some concurrent symptoms with apnea. The sleep Dr did say I woke up many times throughout the night that I don't remember, but that was about it.

I did not have the women issues, but have read many times on these boards about women who are pushed into periods right after surgery, even if they are taking BC.

I have heard of it, but I think few Dr's do it.

I use fitbit.com for food. I also have a Fitbit device that monitors calories burned, steps, and activity level.

had surgery Tuesday morning, went back for a partial day Thursday and a full day Friday. I took advantage of an out of town conference on that Sunday and Monday, then did another partial Tuesday due to my red eye flight. Have now been back full time since.

it really depends on the nutritional makeup. I would recommend quest bars- they are high in protein and fiber and approx 160-200 calories.

I was required to have someone drive me home from my outpatient surgery. I could drive the next day. I guess it really depends on how much pain meds you take.

I believe there is a group for PCOS, just go to the groups tab and do a search

did your Dr give you a pre-op diet? If so, follow that and be assured it is enough. If you are not required to be on a pre- op, you can do one anyways. The most common seems to be low fat/low carbs/high Protein or a liquid diet with a quality protein.

for something sweet, Jello has many sugar free pudding flavors- dulce de leche, fudge banana supreme, chocolate swirl, creme brulee, etc. during the summer I plan on experimenting with making my own ice cream using Jay Robb protein powders, milk, and ice in a blender. I have heard of people using the sandwich thins or flatout breads for crusts when they have the craving for pizza crust.