Alexandra

Hi Kara!! Congratulations on your banding and your great head start out of the gate! Your next step is mushies--yum--and your weight loss will slow or stop. Be prepared!! It's not stopping forever, but it will stop for a little while. Don't panic. I'll be your band buddy--we have almost exactly the same stats! I've never been 175 but yeah, that's a little secret goal of mine, too. I'm thrilled to be at 226, though! I'll take it!!

Oh wow. How cool was that? I may have to go back now and read all my early-days posts.

Yep, Kelly, I agree. Remember we're going to be banded for a LONG time, and making sure it's safe is more important than dropping a few more pounds at this time. I went through this exact thing last month, and do not regret my unfill one tiny bit. You'll be happy you did it, really!

Magster, if Aetna is denying based on "experimental" status, it stands to reason that SOMEDAY that "experimental" status will no longer be viable. After a while, new procedures that work STOP being experimental. But it's not true, in any event, that Aetna denies based on that reason alone. Aetna clearly shows a preference for RNY (though I really believe that will change after another year or so), but if you can provide medical reasons why RNY is not right for you they WILL approve the band. Look at their website (under Coverage Policy Determinations--Obesity Surgery) for specific reasons why banding would be approved over bypass.

Hi Laura, My opinion is that the post-op period is not a time to be worrying about calories. Once you're healed, you are going to be hungry and IMO it's way more important to keep those pangs at bay than try to stick to some arbitrary number. In the first few days you'll porbably not be able to get more than 600 or so calories in even if you try, but once you're on Protein shakes and other full liquids you'll be able to take in as many as you need to feel satisfied. While you're healing, your worst enemy is going to be hunger. When you're still on liquids it's a real hardship to be hungry enough to eat a horse--or a horseburger. Eating solid food before your doctor says it's OK can increase the risk of damage or slippage later on. So I think it's wise to do what you need to do to keep the hungries at bay. That does not include counting calories. I drove the next day, btw, briefly. I wouldn't recommend it. :rolleyes As long as you're taking prescription pain meds post-op you shouldn't drive at all. But if you're not and feel up to it, a couple of days after surgery you should be OK. Good luck, and we'll be looking for you on this side of banding!! :D

Yep, once again I agree with Pat. I've been too tight but even with nightly reflux I was never so tight that I couldn't drink. That would scare me. As you know, even a very small unfill can make all the difference. If I were you I'd have it adjusted. You don't want it to get any worse.

Good luck, Dlogan!! And remember, the liquid phase is only temporary. And you may be one of the lucky ones who feels no hunger for weeks after banding. (Hey, it's possible!) Come back and let us know how it goes. You're on your way!! :D

I'm inclined to agree with Pat. Being too tight is not something you want to go on for too long. And if you're having real trouble eating solid food, you're too tight. Even a little taken out now can help, whereas if you let it go too long you may end up having to have ALL your fill taken out for a time. Or worse. See how it is in the morning and midday. And good luck!!

As you're hearing you are not the first one to experience this discouraging stage. I remember distinctly waking up in the morning and just groaning at the thought of another Protein shake for Breakfast. So don't do it! If you're on full liquids (which I imagine you are, by now), now is the time to explore the world of soup! There are LOADS of delicious soups out there just waiting for you; as long as they're thin enough to go through a straw they're fair game for you at this stage. Seafood bisques were my favorites, and they're full of protein. I had clam chowder for breakfast several times. It takes some imagination but go to the grocery store and go to the aisles you've never been down before and look around! When you get to the mushy stage you can explore all the fancy spreads and dips available at the deli counter. Really it's not too bad and you don't have to limit yourself to the Protein shakes. And remember it's only temporary!! This will definitely NOT be the way it is for the rest of your life. (Did anyone ever say it would be?)

Moving this thread to the appropriate forum, Doctors and Hospitals. I think you'll get more feedback there.

Congratulations, Jamie!! Welcome to Bandlandia!!

That's a great idea, Zoe. It's done.

Congratulations on the terrific milestone!!! That's my holy grail, and I doubt I'll ever get there. How's the view?

Sounds yummy! I may have to get some for the office, for lunch. Hmmm...

Congratulations, Carla, and welcome to LBT!! Please come back and let us know how you're doing with recovery and eating. Nice to meet you!

Others have expressed their feelings so well, but I'm at a total loss for words. My deepest wish for peace goes to Blossom's family in this tragic time. I'm so, so, so sorry to hear of your loss.

Don't get the idea that we eat like that all the time here. No such luck. Somehow I rated being taken out by a colleague I helped out while he was on a recent vacation. Hey, I'm not proud! If it means chocolate-pudding cake I'll fill in for anyone!!

Slimfast isn't really all that great, nutrition-wise. Maybe you can ask your doctor about letting you have some more substantial protein drink? Maybe you can make smoothies with milk and fruit along with a protein powder? What's the goal--are they trying to make you lose 20 lbs in the two weeks prior to surgery? :rolleyes

Kellyv, yes, this is totally normal. I think you're in very good shape, actually, since I know BCBS of CT has paid for banding in the past. If you're medically qualified for the surgery you shouldn't have a problem getting approved. Be aware that approvals are typically only good for 30 days, so it's VERY common that they are only delivered within a week or so of the prearraged surgery date. Relax, and all our fingers are crossed for good news to come your way soon.

Tropicana, all we here can do is share our own experiences. What has changed about my relationship with food since I've been banded is that it no longer occupies my mind at all times the way it used to. Why is that? Simply because I am not hungry. It's taken time for me to reach this place--being banded does not change your behaviors overnight. But I also had the fear of being hungry that you describe; I would eat big meals in part to "hold me" until the next meal. The band has made that both impossible and totally unnecessary. Impossible because eating a big meal takes an inordinate amount of time to prevent serious discomfort, and totally unnecessary because the hunger is truly gone for hours. I may not even notice that it's mealtime, sometimes. Of course I still get the silly urges to pop something in my mouth when walking past a table of holiday treats, or to stop for ice cream every time I see an ice cream parlor. And sometimes I indulge, without regret. But MOST of the time I'm able to keep my mind off the food and focused on something else with very little effort, because those little hunger pangs that used to be constant are, simply, absent. It's brought me freedom and joy, while still presenting the ability to enjoy the hell out of meals like the amazing lunch I had today. (A cup of salmon chowder, a crab cake appetizer, and one-third of an absolutely incredible dessert: warm chocolate-pudding cake with Heath Bar ice cream. WOW.) And I am totally satisfied and will be for HOURS.

Best of luck to you, Sharon.

What was the pre-op diet they put you on? If you're feeling weak talk to your doctor and see if they'll let you have more high-protein foods. If you're on an all-liquid diet you should be taking care to have protein drinks a couple of times a day. You want to lose weight, not pass out!

Hey Sharon, did you meet with Dr. Abkin yesterday? I hope he was able to help you with your decision, whatever it was. Good luck!!

Hi Roxanna, I also have hypothyroidism treated with Synthroid. This was diagnosed about 8 months before my surgery, and treatment helped with my flagging energy but had no effect on my weight. I remember how excited I was with the diagnosis--thinking that FINALLY there might be an answer to my weight problem. But no go--it took the band to help me get a handle on my out-of-control weight. There's no reason to delay your surgery just because of this diagnosis. And I agree with Marie--you will get better response if you delete some of your duplicate threads. People won't know where to reply!

I agree, Kelly. This is a bogus thread. I vote to lock. If another moderator agrees please go ahead and lock it.