Janice S

I'm like you. I attended the nutrition seminar on 8/8 and experimented with smaller sizes and flavors of protein shakes. I'm only on clear liquids for the 2 days prior to surgery (means I start tomorrow). I was also to give up caffeine but I don't drink coffee or sodas so that was easy.

Wow! That's great! My son is a firefighter. We're all family right? Keep us posted on your success.

I would be interested. My daughter is supportive but the rest of my family would not be. I haven't even told them I'm having the surgery. I have 3 close friends who are very supportive and my trainer at the gym. I have enjoyed reading everyone's post and plan on keeping in touch afterwards.

I'm reading so many of you are going on a liquid diet before the surgery. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing I will only have to have those liquids for two weeks after surgery. I have the shakes and Soups lined up on my counter and I am going to take them disappearing as my motivation that better days are ahead. Maybe you could post a chart on the refrigerator with how many shakes you have to drink before the next phase and mark them off to see your progress and keep you going. How much weight have you lost? That must be so exciting to step on the scale and see a lower number consistently. I'm so happy for you and proud of you. I distracted myself today from a case of the pre-surgery jitters by going through my closet and putting away some of my summer clothes. As I folded each one, I thought to myself...by next summer this is going to be too big. And then I would smile to myself. Stick with it. You CAN do this. All of us are rooting for you.

I've heard some mention "head hunger?' What is it? How long does it last? What helps? I'm being banded Wednesday the 21st and want to be as well informed as possble.

I was told the same thing. I had my nutrition seminar on 8/8 and was told to get off of all caffeine and carbonated drinks. He doesn't want us to have any after surgery due to caffeine's potential to cause ulcers and carbonation fills up the limited space with gas. It is interesting to see so many of you are on liquid diets so far in advance of the surgery. I did a trial after 8/8 just to see which things I wanted to use for the post-op period...but I'm only to be on Clear liquids 2 days before the surgery. I can eat normally until then. My surgery is 9/21.

Your transformation is amazing! Congratulations!

All of my paperwork was faxed to BC/BS on 8/16. BC/BS said they never rec'd it. I had it faxed again. I followed-up every week to verify they rec'd it. I was approvved in less than 2 weeks and my surgery is scheduled for 9/21.

The surgeon's office surprised me with a call last week to schedule my surgery for 9/21...so I'm officially a September bander!!! Off of my arthritis med for a week which is causing some pain and mobility issues but it is a temporary situation. Stocked up on all of my clear liquids for the first two weeks post op. Getting all of the preparations for my first grandchild's birth done before the surgery as I probably won't want to be assembling cribs, etc. afterwards. Visited the hospital and the bariatric wing, I highly recommend this as it reduced my stress about what is going to happen immediately after the surgery. The staff met me so I'll have a friendly face waiting for me the day of surgery.

You're right. I called my surgeon's office and they said they had faxed it. I called Fed BC/BS and they said they hadn't received it but was very helpful. I contacted the surgeon's office again and asked them to fax it again. This time the insurance company rec'd it. I'm following up next week to keep on them until the approval is obtained.

That is fantastic! I have federal BC/BS and have all of my pre-approval requirements into the surgeon's office. The insurance coordinator seems to be on the ball and I'm hoping for a surgery date soon. My BMI qualifies me and I seem fortunate that they only require 3 months of diet and exercise documentation from my family physician.

Thanks for posting your question. I had a similar one. I plan on returning to work after one week...at least part-time. I don't have enough vacation leave to be off longer. I was back to work in less than a week after my hysterectomy which was done laproscopically. Good luck with your procedure!