LadyLeigh2012

I had a creamed, butternut squash soup for lunch today and I save the other half for dinner ... delicious!! I'm looking up recipes and inventing some of my own so I can start a collection on my blog ... I love to cook so this will help keep me in the kitchen as a 'good girl' ...

Surgery is set for the 18th of December! I started the pre-op diet a week early because procrastination has yet to do anything for me … LOL! Today is day 2 of the pre-op and I'm reading through the diet guidelines my doc has given me. It starts with today and goes all the way to week 20 of post-op! The most exciting thing I saw for early on menu options is soup! I love, love, love Soup and this is the PEFECT time of year for soups! What kind of Soups hit the spot for you!?!? Did you buy canned versions or go homemade? Last night my hubby heated up a can of beef broth and it was terrible … the poor guy took one look at my face and we both laughed … total fail! LOL! An hour later my Mom stopped by to visit and said she was on her way to pick up Chinese food for her and my Dad … yeah, thanks mom … anyway … she returned 15 minutes later w/ a big quart of wonton free wonton soup … just the broth! I enjoyed a cup of it and saved the rest. Yeah! Now, I'm curious what others have done and/or are doing … if you have recipes, please share!!!! I'm thinking of making a cream of avocado soup … smooth, thin, and healthy! Thoughts!?!

My Protein is up … Water intake good … even had some yummy broth! There are some things I will not do when I have no energy and a killer headache (which is very rare for me) … 1) Invite people over 2) Exercise (going out for a walk) 3) Sex 4) Shopping 5) Cleaning Soooooo tonight I will not being doing any of the above … tomorrow can and will be another story.

I started the pre-op diet today and have had noooo energy! I want to walk around town in the evening and/or use the treadmill @ the gym … but today, I felt super sleepy and got a headache around 2pm that won't quit. I keep reminding myself it is a big adjustment for my body and that baby steps are important. Hopefully tomorrow those baby steps will get my butt going around the block a few times!

Wow!!! That is awesome! So that's about 40 pounds lost in 6-7 weeks for you! Congrats!! That must feel amazing!

I'm right there with you! Surgery is on the 18th, taking the rest of the week off after that + our Christmas break … I work w/ high risk youths … breaking up fights is most likely not a good post-op idea! LOL!

I usually avoid anything that involves a bathing suit … I know I may never wear a bikini, but it will be nice to go places with the family and jump in the waves with the kids, play in the Water park, and swim with them at various picnics and BBQs!

For the past three years I have readied myself with holiday cheer and a half-ass attempt at mapping out the 'perfect' plan for losing weight in the new year. By March I would feel defeated and begin to fear the coming of Spring, which would then lead to Summer … my least favorite time of year (even as a teacher!) because of my weight. This year … right now … today … I am smiling! Yes, I am nearly 100 pounds over weight, but 2013 will prove to be THE year … The year I buy a size 10 jeans. The year I embrace Spring with bright colors in my wardrobe! The year I am eager for summer to arrive so I can wear SHORTS! The year I go to the beach with my children and don't feel as if I need to hide under a black 'cover-up'! The year I leave the lights on … if you know what I mean! :wub: My approval letter arrived last week and I am scheduled for banding on the 18th of December … pre-op diet starts on Monday … it's not going to be easy … but neither is lugging 100 pounds around for another year. Bring it on 2013 … !!!!!

I have been absent … imagine my shock to see nearly 400 posts! Wow! I had some setbacks w/ pre-op testing. Just my luck, a very ambitious doctor threw me through every test imaginable and I just NOW got clearance for my Lap! Yeah! I will find out in a few days what my surgery date will be, but I now know that I will not be on the November 'band'wagon … soooo I guess I need to start something for December! LOL! My surgery date will possibly be the 18th … I hope … we shall see! So how are all of you doing!?!? I have a lot of reading to catch up on!

Ugh!! The Pulmonary doc will not clear me yet! She tells me I have sleep apnea and "respiratory disease" (aka Asthma) and then says she suddenly hears a heart murmur! WTH?!?! Very disappointed … all these loops!

Waiting at the doc now for my final clearance before everything gets sent to insurance for final approval! Ugh....all this waiting is making me feel anxious!!!

That is awesome! I figured walking would help, but I hear others talk about the pain … glad yours went well! I hope to share the same good news! Thanks!

I really hate the feeling of heartburn. That awful, deep pain … ugh! So now I am reading more and more about the horrible gas pain post-op and I wanted to see if we could gather some anti-gas advice! Walking is sure to help keep it moving … but … Can we avoid it? How long does it last? Can we take anything for it? Beyond a good toot or healthy burp, can we get rid of it?

So what is everyone doing for their pre-op diet? It sounds like different docs advise different routines, but most boil down to Protein drinks, low/no sugar and carbs, and about 800-1200 cal. per day. I think I will need to write myself out a schedule. I seem to do well in the day, but mess us in the evening at home. Ugh! Better planning needs to be done on my part!

That's awesome! I can't wait until I have my date scheduled … hopefully I'll get in a little Black Friday shopping, too!

On June 14th I met with the doctor and began the journey of testing and evaluations. This coming Wednesday I will (hopefully) have my meeting to review my sleep study results and receive my final green light of clearance! I am praying all goes well and that Amerihealth Insurance doesn't deny me after all these months of testing and anticipation. I think a little puree turkey will do just fine this year for Thanksgiving… here's to crossed fingers for a November banding!! Anyone else in the same boat?

Check out Jorge Cruise … he's all about lowing sugar and carbs. His methods work and their simple to follow. I am going to follow his suggestions as a pre-op routine. In the past, I was able to lose … and the people around me who followed his guidelines were able to lose, too. Still, it comes down to measuring and counting … I am hoping the banding will keep me motivated and focused … plus, help me to not feel so hungry all the time. Even after I'm banded I will be going off of Jorge's list of "belly good" foods. Best of luck!

Yeah! This sounds great! I also heard of crust made from cauliflower … I'll see if I can find the recipe online. A friends of mine tried it and he said it was awesome!

Hi everyone! I'm from NJ and have AmeriHeath PPO … my doc said that according to my BMI of 36 and the fact that I have been on Glucophage w/ a diagnosis of PCOS for nearly 10 years, that I am a good candidate for Lap Band. I have met w/ the nutritionalist and have 2 1/2 months to go before I meet the 3 month requirement by AmeriHealth. In that time, I am also scheduled to see the Dietitian two more times, have an upper GI, see a therapist, attend a support group meeting, and meet w/ a cardiologist … all for clearance and validation of attendance. Whew!! LOL! Soooo my question is this … after I go through all of this, can insurance deny me?? I know my BMI and medical condition just inches me over the 'what qualifies you' mark … my fear is that in the end I won't get approved by the insurance, even though the doc gave me the thumbs up. I'd love your feedback on this!!! Thanks!!!!

I love this … we're in the same boat! I, too, had to gain a little in order to qualify … but gaining a little is easy, whereas losing a lot is painfully difficult. I had my meeting w/ the doc on 6/14 and he gave me the ok … I needed to have a BMI of 35 or more … after weigh-in I successfully claimed a BMI of 36! Whew! I just started my 3 month journey towards surgery … lots to do between now and then! Best of luck to you!