MrsJroChicago

That's great! Yes--my doctor also told me they will track me forever and after I reach my goal, I still have to show up once a year to check in. Hope it all works out according to your timeline!

I used a shake with the same protein and vitamins that we got from The Vitamin Shoppe. It was the same counts for only 1 scoop of the powder. I always added a banana or strawberries to the shake as well--oh and ICE. I couldn't take the smell of the BA shakes and the thickness. I also like Myoplex for the pre-mixed shakes. The Carb lite version is the one I keep on hand just in case. The important thing is to stay on liquids and get as close to the 60 grams of protein as you can and to stay under 900-1000 calories. Go to a good store and tell them what you're doing and ask them for a meal replacement powder that tastes good! They know!! The shakes don't have to taste bad.

Welcome!

Greetings from Chicago! The diet has been he hardest part so far...and I'm about to start on solid food so I can't wait. Banded 8/24 and after the gas finally left, I started to feel great. Good luck!

Just had my surgery on 8/24 and down 15.5 pounds. Best decision I've made. If you can make it through the shakes pre-op, you'll be ready for anything!

Totally looking at the non-weight factors too. Just nice to see a smaller number for a change. Hang in there Rocio! IMHO, the pre-op diet is the worst part so far. If you can do that, you can make it over the other hurdles we all face.

Thanks for the advice! I'm very excited and can't wait to see where I am in 2 weeks when I go back. I've refused to get a new scale, so I'm really excited for the possibility that my old bathroom scale will work once I get under 300.

There's a great book, The Beck Diet Solution, that my psychologist at the surgeon's office recommended. We found it on ebay for $5 or $6 and it is worth it. Helps you to get inside your own head about why you eat the way you do. It doesn't replace therapy--but it helps.

Haven't had a minute since I got back to work to report on my first post-op doctor follow up. My doctor is happy with my progress and the way everything is healing. He checked my port site, asked how I was feeling, told me I can go back to the gym (as long as I wait a couple more weeks to start the core exercises), I should start solid food this weekend and he'll see me in 2 weeks for my first fill. He did tell me my port is a little deeper than they normally place them and that they might need the x-ray machine to fill it, but he said it isn't a big deal. I'm happy that I'm down 15.5 pounds from my first visit to his office (June 22) and 12 pounds from the date of surgery (August 24). Boy, I'm looking forward to something other mushy potatoes, cream of wheat, and grits!!!

You suck in a lot of air when you drink from a straw so a straw and soda is a double whammy! My doctor was really specific about no straws and I gave up soda a long time ago... Good luck.

When you feel a sneeze or cough coming on, grab a thick pillow (if you don't have a Bari-Bear) and hold tight! It helps to put pressure on the port site when you sneeze so you don't feel like you're going to expell it like the Alien! I'll grab anything--last night it was the 85 dog who was closest to me while I was sitting on the floor. I pulled her up on my lap and got quite the look when I sneezed into her while hugging her to my side. My husband laughed and laughed!

I've been craving cheeseburgers!

Wasn't on the site, but had mine August 24.

I couldn't get the BA brand down either. I used another brand with the same calories and Protein and I suppliment with Myolpex Carb Lite when needed (made by EAS). We added a banana and ice or strawberries and ice. Find a combo that works for you and stick with it. You can do it! My husband also decided to come on the shake journey with me and now 11 days post-op he's on the mushy foods (and did the liquids too). He's lost 25 pounds so for. I go for my official first weigh in tomorrow tomorrow morning.

As others have said, it depends upon the insurance company. I would suggest calling them yourself and finding out EVERYTHING your doctor has to provide. They will fax you a list if you ask. Stay on top of the doctor's office to make sure they send everything in a timely manner. Good luck and keep on top of everyone!

Congratulations!

I'm 11 days post-op today. I also added mushy food like mashed potato, cream of wheat, and grits to my menu on day 8 post-op. I feel better. I had no energy at first either and I got my period right away too. They told me I was anemic in the hospital and that could be why you are feeling sluggish. I'm pretty sure that is why I was. I've added a little food some more iron the last few days and I feel better. I've found that chewing some SF gum helps with the need to crunch on food. I know I had the "what did I do to myself" thought a few times in the last 11 days, but today when I put on a pair of shorts that were pretty snug 3 weeks ago and had no problem with the zipper (oh and the butt is baggy too!), I remembered why I did this. I'm looking really foward to the day I can pack these shorts up and give them away (or burn them in effigy!). I've had cravings for real food too--cheeseburgers especially. My super-supportive husband has been on the diet with me even though he doesn't need the surgery--so we can sit and laugh and commiserate on how much we miss chewing food. We were watching TV last night and I paused the movie we were watching, looked over at him and said "I'd kill for a tuna melt right now!" and hit play again and went back to watching the movie. He laughed but at least he could understand what I was feeling. It isn't easy--but we both know it will be so worth it in the end. Hang in. You know you aren't going to go back now and you just need to give your body a little time to heal and your mind a little more time to catch up. Sending a virtual hug and big cheer!!

Stay on top of it. Get the specific list faxed to you and sit down with the doctor and his office to go over it and it done right. You have to be your own advocate.

Call your insurance company. Theybeach have different requirements. Blue Cross did change theirs in the spring to make it easier. No co-morbidity diseases required with a 40+ BMI. Work with your doctor to get it approved. They are your best advocate. They can also submit your case for pre-approval to see if and what the insurance will pay. Working with a Center of Excellence is also recommended--insurance companies like them and work with them to get you approved. Good luck.

Could still be gas in your system too wreaking havoc. Try lying down but propped up a bit so you aren't too flat. Might help a bit. If not, call your dr in the morning.

I was on clears just for 24 hours. Then went to strained soups, protein shakes, and jello. Added grits and cream of wheat this week, week 2. It was important to have something in my system for the pain meds otherwise I was pretty loopy. Looking forward to adding in some more solids chewed well this coming weekend! It goes fast--but stick to the diet so you dont get sick.

I'm starting too. Been having mostly liquids but had a little more solid food yesterday and I felt full after a few bites. It was really cool. Some pain where the port is and once other spot but that is it. Feeling more like myself only not as hungry.

I have Blue Cross and it took 2 1/2 months from consult to surgery. Here is what I did: -info session (early June) -consult with surgeon (June 22) -consult with psychologist (July 6) -consult with nutritionist -insurance approval -consult with pulmonologist (July 24) -nutrition class -ultra-sound (august 6) -started 15 day shake diet -pre-op testing (August 15) -final consult with doctor (August 20) -Band day August 24!! My doctor's group keeps you moving thru the process. Helps that I have Blue Cross who changed the pre-op requirements and didn't insist on months of diets pre-op. thry finally seem to realize that the surgery is what is life saving. I also didn't have any of the other co-morbities YET so that helped with the process. No extra doctors to release me for surgery. It was great because once I made the decision, there were few hurdles and not a lot of idle waiting. Looking forward to sharing this journey. Good luck!

I got mine 8/24 so I'm a week ahead of you. Stick with the liquids--it makes a difference. And use the pain meds when you need them. Just found the site this morning and looking forward to the great advice and extra support.

I was banded on 8/24. I wore yoga pants with a low waste so I could wear them home. That was the best move. Also wore flip flops. Didn't bring much--just an extra t-shirt and undies. My doctors give a "Bari-bear" for coughing, etc to hold so you don't jar the abdomen. It rocks. If your doctor doesn't give one, bring a small thick pillow for the car ride home. Good luck! A little over a week in, past the week of liquids and on to the mushy foods. Feeling great and ready to exercise. Best of luck.