Sojourner

What you have written in this post about the individual looking at ways to "bend" the system (in this case, the recommended diet) can also be said about other addictions as well. I spent years working as an addictions counselor for a county drug court program, and it was amazing to witness the lengths some people will go to try to manipulate the "system" (in this case the treatment center and the court) to bend the rules to accommodate them. I could also predict, virtually from week 1 who would successfully complete the treatment program. I once had a client come to my office late on a Friday afternoon to request a treatment compliance letter for court on the following Monday morning. If he did not have the letter, he was going to go to jail. I asked my client how long had he been aware that he would need this letter, and he said for several weeks. My reply was that I could have the letter for him on Monday afternoon...and that his lack of planning did not constitute my emergency. It was a common treatment issue for a "population" dealing with addictions...manipulate the system instead of changing choices and behaviors. Many of us had/have an addiction to food...emotional eating to cope with problems, stress, or boredom. And I agree, I have been amazed by the threads I have read that discuss which alcoholic drinks you can have shortly after surgery...how many calories, and so on. Also posts discussing ways to continue to have the carbs many have gained weight on, instead of recognizing that their relationship and understanding about food and the emotions which are associated with it need to change, if they want to have a successful and lasting weight loss journey. Alright, I do see a valid reason for sugar free throat drops for sore throats or coughing...but sugar free chocolate candies? I had to give up chocolate if I wanted to even hope to loose weight...and agree that if I continued to believe that it was alright to have chocolate as before, I would only be setting myself up to fail with weight loss. An occasional piece of chocolate is believed to be healthy...but if you have an "addictive" personality, one piece is too many and a hundred is not enough. There will be a number of others here on the forum who will disagree with my beliefs about the process of change as necessary for success, and manipulative behaviors as a predictor of failure, but success or failure is directly related to changing our choices and our behavior. What we were doing before with failed diets did not work...and to expect a different outcome if our approach to solving the problem does not change is not realistic. This quote "Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results" appears in the Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous. I'm not implying that we are drug addicts, only that some of the same behaviors packed on the pounds...and change in beliefs and behaviors is the only way to success with loosing weight. IMHO...your mileage may vary. Best wishes to all of us for success...

The insights you share are so accurate...having the band surgery has destroyed a friendship of over 40 years for me. My former friend tried to talk me out of the surgery (she had the original gastric bypass over 10 years ago)...and apparently decided that if she was going to be obese, and I was not, then the relationship was not worth enough to maintain. Initially, this hurt me; but after developing a better understanding of the situation, I understand that she is the one with the problems. There's nothing I can do about that...still a sad situation. But still no regrets for having my surgery and feeling better!

I was feeling a bit "chilled to the bone" reading about how your bariatric surgeon lightly attributed your symptoms to other things besides those that could be directly related to the band...my surgeon did the same thing, and my PCP was quite annoyed that the lipase reading was essentially ignored by him. I had to "jump through the insurance hoops"...with first an abdominal ultrasound, then the abdominal MRI...before they finally would approve the HIDA scan, which was the only test which could determine that my gall bladder had stopped working, and therefore explain my symptoms. My surgeon has told me that I needed to "get with the program" because my first fill was delayed to 14 weeks post op, due to the other medical issues I have had going on (2 hospitalizations since band surgery)...though he did admit that my rate of weight loss to date was well above average for his patients. I also have felt that he was insensitive to the core issues of WHY I was having these problems. I hope we can both feel better fast...this is getting very old...

I was diagnosed with pancreatitis about 6 weeks after my surgery...the really scary part was that the bariatric surgeon attributed my pain to a simple pulled muscle. When I was discharged from the hospital, I was advised to follow up with my PCP (board certified in internal medicine). A good thing that I did...because he took one look at the lab results run during the time I was in the hospital and noticed my lipase level was significantly elevated...which indicates inflammation in the pancreas. As per my PCP, there are generally only 3 reasons for this enzyme to become elevated - 2% is medication induced (quite rare), ~48% is from excessive drinking of alcohol, and the other ~48% is from gall bladder issues...not only related to gallstones. There is a significant relationship between rapid and significant weight loss and gallbladder disease. In my case, my gallbladder essentially has ceased to function entirely..as diagnosed by my HIDA scan. My PCP does not attribute this entirely to my weight loss, but was exacerbated by my weight loss to the degree where I can now feel the nausea and pain. He felt eventually that the symptoms would have appeared, the weight loss just sped up the process. I have a surgical consult scheduled for next week to determine when or if I need to have my gallbladder removed...this drill is getting old. If I need to have this surgery it will be my 3rd abdominal surgery in less than a year. But, I still have no regrets about having my band surgery. Best wishes to you...feel better!

Hi Kells, Too many of the participants on this forum to count have expressed their self doubts about the band surgery...after the fact. Myself included; the morning after my surgery I remember asking myself "What the h%#& have you done to yourself?" If anything this weight loss journey is self empowering. You are the one who decides how successful you will be...and I speak from experience when I write that we don't know the depths of what strengths we possess until we are tested to tap into them. This journey will be a catalyst to discover and learn more about yourself. For me, I have learned the value of patience...and to take a day at a time. Some days will be more challenging than others...and that's ok...tomorrow will come. To be successful does require change...and specifically that you must change your relationship with food and how you think about it. Incorporating exercise into your life can be a real challenge. I believe we can all be successful if we are motivated to be. If you believed in your abilities to be successful prior to your surgery...those strengths are still there. And as others have written, the journey does become easier with time and getting to the green zone. Best wishes as your journey continues...

I used to suffer with plantar facitis...and the remedy which worked the best for me , as prescribed by my podiatrist was to get a glass Coke bottle(the one with the curves in it), and on a carpeted surface roll the bottle with the bottom of my foot on the floor. You're supposed to put some pressure on your foot, not your full weight. The pressure on the bottom is designed to stretch out the tendons on the bottom of the foot...and any mild pain you encounter while doing this actually feels good. Go figure... Doing this simple exercise has not only relieved my initial symptoms, but also resolved the pain from periodic flare up inflammation through the years.

All surgery has some risk factors...and being obese and not loosing weight also has risk factors. I don't have any hard statistics, but we all know someone who has high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, and the list goes on... The odds are well in your favor to have a fast and uncomplicated recovery. It is totally normal to have pre op anxiety...especially if you have not had any previous surgery. Have faith in the expertise of your surgeon and his surgical team. The band was my second abdominal surgery...and it was a (pardon the choice of words...) cake walk compared to my first surgery. Keep us posted on your progress...Best wishes.

I had this discussion with my doctor this afternoon...I'm still recovering from fractures sustained in a bad car accident. And, on top of that I also have arthritis. Tylenol does nothing to reduce inflammation...and in the words of my son the pharmacist, "pain generally has 2 causes; inflammation or infection. For infection you prescribe antibiotics, for inflammation you prescribe NASIDS." The concern my doctor (internal medicine) shared was for GI tract risks for irritation leading to the possible development of stomach ulcers and bleeding. It does help to reduce the risks if you are on a stomach protector medication such as Prevacid or Prilosec. The pain and swollen joints have significantly restricted the type and duration of my exercise. Pre op while on meloxicam I was able to walk several miles a day without any discomfort...now, I could not walk a mile without significant pain and increased swelling in my knee. So, I was given permission to take meloxicam on a very limited basis...a reduced dose, and not every day. You have to listen to the medical instructions given by your doctor; I know that my bariatric surgeon would be less understanding of my situation, and just tell me no NASIDS...but he never saw me during the weeks I was confined to a wheelchair last year. Discuss your concerns with your doctor...I really hope you feel better soon!

I stayed mostly with my shakes...and mixed them with 1% milk and ice in the blender to make them thick and take longer to drink. I also made an effort to continue to drink healthy amounts of water. I ended up having a craving for salt several times, and plain clear chicken broth was a great choice. I was not allowed to have any pudding or soups (only the clear broth), and I have an intense dislike for jello... Take a day at a time...and it helps alot for you to stay busy with projects! Best wishes...

I had resolved that I would not give up my coffee entirely post op...though I did take a 6 week hiatus from it while on the liquid diet and the 2 weeks until I began to eat solid food again. I still enjoy my coffee every morning...but I have limited myself to the once a day maximum. My surgeon's concern post op for drinking caffeinated coffee was that it was a stomach/pouch irritant, and needed to be avoided. Though it may very well also act as an appetite stimulant. Different doctors have different opinions...

The people who deal with the insurance companies know first hand if the paperwork looks adequate for approval before they submit it...and also if the documentation is borderline. You have to trust in them... Aetna has changed their guidelines since I was approved...and perhaps their BMI/comorbidities requirement has also been changed. I know that I had to prove with 3 years of medical records the existence of a minimum of 2 weight related comorbidities for approval, as my BMI was 38 when my paperwork was submitted. Try to focus on what the people who deal with insurance companies have told you... Good luck and best wishes...

Every surgery will have some risk factors associated with it...and one does need to weigh the very low rate of complications and mortality from band surgery against the very real risks to one's health and well being if the obese individual does nothing to loose weight and improve their health. That being said, one will continue to lower their odds of having significant complications if they follow their surgeon's post op instructions, and the dietary rules which come with living with the band. I've been banded for just over 4 months...and have no regrets for my decision to have this surgery. I have had band related complications since then, but that was more from the systemic effects of weight loss and not the band. Relax, follow your diet, drink plenty of Water, and get your exercise in. You will not regret this journey... Best wishes...

So surprising to read how many spouses are not supportive of a life improving surgery for someone they "love". The core issue is usually their own insecurities about the relationship...and then they project these feelings onto their significant other, and expect you to understand and cave. Ultimately, you have to make a commitment to do this for you...try to involve him in as much of the pre op planning as possible. If you have been motivated to the level of going this far in your anticipated weight loss journey, let no one stand in your way. There will be another emotional support system to turn to... Any relationship which dissolves as a result of band surgery was not healthy enough to put in the effort to maintain it...IMHO. Your mileage may vary...

I use the Wheybolic Extreme Protein powder from GNC; I have never felt a sense of bloating with it. I only use 1.5 scoops per 8 oz of 1% milk, and tolerate it well. Everyone is an individual, so we won't have the same experiences. But it is important to find a good quality Protein shake that you are able to tolerate. Perhaps this is a topic to discuss with your surgeon or their staff... Best wishes...

Portion control, and getting enough Protein are necessary to maintain weight loss. I know that if I am not getting enough protein, my weight loss stalls. Try not to get angry at yourself; the scale will fluctuate. You're doing the right thing to look for the reasons and the solution for the weight gain. Follow the rules, measure everything, exercise, and the weight will come off... Best wishes...

Congratulations on your post op status! Yes, this is the time for healing, and taking care of yourself. There will be some pain and discomfort, but the way you feel will improve rapidly. It's important to stay "in front" of the pain...and pain management will help you to feel better. I only used the prescription pain med 2 times, and the rest of the time for the first several days used liquid Tylenol. Best wishes...

For many of us, eating carbs, especially white ones, leads to craving more carbs. Craving more carbs leads to possibly eating unhealthy sized portions, which then may lead to less weight loss... For post op, I was given detailed instructions about which foods I could have, and which I needed to avoid. Mashed potatoes, even yams, were on the "avoid list". Post op is a time for healing, and we still need to focus on having adequate Protein as a priority. For carbs during the mushies stage, I was advised to have choices like (all vegetables were well cooked and everything was pureed) cauliflower, spinach, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, and my all time favorite pureed cantaloupe. Best wishes...

That's good to read, and we all need to have the best nutrition possible, especially post op. But be careful with reading the ingredients. I keep some Atkins shakes in my refrigerator, but they are only for when I am traveling or on the boat, and don't have a way to mix my regular shakes. They don't contain 100% whey isolate Protein. Nutrition is quite important, and 100% whey isolate Protein Shakes are the best choice for bariatric patients. My surgeon stressed this to all of his patients. You have many options to choose from, but your search criteria should only include the whey protein. Proper nutrition is key, and with my shakes mixed with 1% milk, I am able to get 37g of protein per shake. As you return to solid foods, shakes will become less important in your diet, but periodically you will need to go back on them (ie immediately following a fill) so you will be needing a good one for a long time! Best wishes as your journey continues...

Yes, I have been able to eat all of the healthy foods which I enjoyed prior to my surgery...there are some which I have no desire to try...like a blueberry muffin or a pecan waffle. The only exception is that I have not yet attempted to eat steak or prime rib. Since being banded, I have become much more aware of the limited amount of food I can eat before getting full...and I know that we really have to focus on making all of our meals count high in nutrition. I still prefer lean Protein. I have enjoyed an ounce of rice, but it was brown...and taken a bite of rye bread. I also tend to be conservative when it comes to experimenting with food; I have no desire to have stuck episodes...and many of the foods which were not healthy from prior to surgery I just don't want anymore. Best wishes on your journey...

Definitely choose Protein shakes which contain only 100% whey isolate protein...they are the best choice nutritionally for bariatric patients. Especially when first on the liquid diet and just post op, it's important to get the most protein possible per shake to meet your daily protein goals. I purchased mine at GNC, not inexpensive, but close and convenient. Keep searching, I had to go through several brands before I found one which I could tolerate. Best wishes...

Serious comorbidities are the only way that my insurance company will even consider a patient for WLS if their BMI is under 40. You have to stress the medical rationale that having the WLS will in the long term end up saving them money with fewer medications, fewer hospitalizations, longer life expectancy. In his letter of medical necessity, my physician included all of the language the insurance company required, such as the long term savings to the company and the causal relationship with the condition to the weight. Also, you had to prove, though 3 years of medical records that you had repeated attempts to loose the weight without surgical intervention. Only the more serious of the comorbidities will rate consideration, such as weight related osteoarthritis (requiring joint replacement), GERD, hypertension, and insulin resistance/borderline Type II Diabetes. I believe it also helped that my physician had done the required medically supervised diet for several other of his patients, and is knowledgeable about the insurance requirements and what to include in his letter.

Pills can also be cut, instead of crushed. Right after my surgery, I did have to crush my pills, as several were not available in other forms such as chewable and liquid. The taste was unbelievably bitter, enough to make me gag a number of times. You have to use your best judgment with knowing the size of the pills you can tolerate. Cutting them is better than crushing them, if that's an option for you.

When going through the appeal process, it's important to stress the causal relationship between your weight and any co-morbidities which you may have. Also, emphasize the now well documented types of chronic illnesses which drastic weight loss helps to avoid. Good luck...I hope you will be successful!

Do your best to try to avoid vomiting...check dates on everything, and only eat at places where you know they have high standards for cleanliness. This might not be the best time to experiment with new foods either... Also, it is best to give your stomach/pouch a rest of several hours before trying to eat again. You need to be careful not to allow yourself to become dehydrated...I ended up in the hospital due to severe dehydration when I did not recognize the symptoms for it.

As others have mentioned...drink plenty of Water. If you don't like water, there are many SF and FF options for the free fluids we need every day. Another strategy is to distract yourself with getting involved with a project or exercise. Every closet, drawer and cabinet in my house is in perfect order now with lined shelves...