portia1972

I was told the same as Lilium. It has been hard to break the drinking habit, but I can see the reason for the rule, and I am working on it. I used to have probably most of my water or liquid with meals but I am trying to shift to drinking Crystal Lite instead of snacking.

I did not tell too many people, just a friend who had a gastric sleeve, and a sister-in-law, and my son. My husband passed away last year and he would not have been supportive. He was of the "just eat less and get more exercise" school, but if I tried not sitting down with him to dinner, or giving him smaller portions to help me eat less, I heard about it and plans like Jenny Craig were out of the question. I would tell only people who would be supportive, or who have a right to know about your surgery. Everyone else can wait. Then, if they say "Why didn't you. . . .? you can ignore them as it is too late.

I am in California. A very well regarded surgeon I consulted does not take Medicare. He was "running a special" when I talked to his office, for $16,000 for the surgery, all adjustments and providing facilities for a live support group. I can't recall his name but his business is under LapBandVIP.com

I am a California with Medicare as primary and Anthem Blue Cross as secondary (and "Tricare brings up the rear.") I had no issues at all with this arrangement. I just provided the insurance information and the staff took care of it all. I have not received statements of what the various insurers paid, and it is 7 weeks later, so I can't be sure there are no leftover co-pays, but no one has mentioned them to me..

I had my surgery on May 17, and am doing well. 1. I was not told about Protein shakes, either way, by the Dr. A friend who had a gastric sleeve suggested them. They were convenient, but I wish I'd had fewer as I think they contributed to a really painful attack of constipation. I'd suggest low sodium V8, pudding, Jello, as soon as you are off clear liquids. I was a bit faint at times, when I was on liquids, but don't expect to hop up from any surgery and go play tennis! 2. broth, etc. sounds a good idea to me. Don't confine yourself to low calorie versions, all the time, as you are not getting a lot of energy from the clear liquids in any event. 3 They dissolve. I only had stitches at the port location. The other incisions were closed with super glue. Let it dissolve off your skin naturally. 4. I was instructed to take two chewable Vitamins a day (double dose) I found chewable adult vitamins that taste good. 5. First 2 weeks: liquids; not all "clear," V8, especially. Also pudding, jello. Next two weeks: "Pureed" food. Since I seemed to be tolerating it well, I pushed the limits a bit and had Imitation Krab--well chewed. I had about anything that was soft to begin with and that I could shew a lot. At four weeks I went on a cruise with my family that had been planned for about 6 months. I ate appetizers, Soups, and one or two salads, and carefully chewed. I did not try to eat even as much as I thought I could tolerate. 6. I haven't tried, but I should. My doctor was not around that I consciously recall, but he has a good Physician's Assistant, and I asked her everything. I also suggest writing the questions down, and if the Dr. is a no-show, leave the list with the staff and ask them to get back to you.

Yes! I can and do eat anything. But I have lost 20 pounds in 6 1/2 weeks. I am down almost two sizes. I do not expect to wave a magic wand and the weight will be gone. I am beginning to exercise again and struggling to control snacking (drinking Crystal Light peach ice tea helps). According to my Dr. your weight loss may be above average. Have you checked with your doctor on the eating feelings you are having? They sound healthy to me and may indicate a good result from the surgery. Keep working on the snacking, as I am.

I did, and a little bit of faintness at the end of my 2d week. But that went away as soon as I started on pureed foods. I had too many milk-protein shakes and had a bout of constipation, which was very painful, so keep that possibility in mind. I enjoyed low sodium V8, yogurt, V8 fusion, milk.

I am 6 1/2 weeks out. I couldn't wait to get to the pureed stage of food, which I interpreted very liberally. I eat almost anything, so long as I chew the (censored) out of it. The only trouble I have had was when I ordered a quesadilla at a restaurant, and the tortilla was very crisp. I was hungry, so I tried to eat it too fast. It came back, and the remainder was painful. So, I learned a lesson. I suggest you eat what you want and remember to chew. If you do eat the wrong thing it is not a crisis, and it will pass, leaving a lesson behind. As to getting stuck, my worry is the large pills I take, but now I have a pil crusher. Enjoy!!