HappyCamper

It all depends on what kind of insurance you have. I have United Healthcare Choice Plus. I didn't even tell my PCP that I was having lap-band surgery. I just went to the bariatric surgeon on my own. You need to check with your insurance company and first ask if lap-band surgery is covered, and second ask if you need a referral from your primary care physician.

It is totally normal to gain weight while in the hospital. I came home and was 6 pounds heavier than before surgery. My doc say it's from the IV's they put in you. Don't worry, it will come off within a week or so.

I think it's worth it if you're a peanut butter fan. You can mix it with a little Water and use it just like regular peanut butter. It has 54 calories and 2.8 grams of fat for 2 TBSP verses 190 calories and 16 grams of fat for regular peanut butter. Their website has recipes to give you some ideas how it use it. Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter - Home

Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter - Home

When I have vanilla Unjury, I put a little orange Crystal Light and blend with crushed ice. Tastes like an orange Dreamsicle. When I have chocolate Unjury, I blend it with a tablespoon of Peanut Butter or PB2 (powdered peanut butter I buy at Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter - Home). That tastes like a peanut butter cup. Yum.

I never tried it with Crystal Light, but I mixed it in with my Soup and you can't taste it at all. My favorite thing to do is make fat free/sugar free instant pudding with unflavored unjury. It doesn't change the taste of the pudding at all and you get lots of Protein.

It's normal to be nervous and scared before surgery. The pain is really not that bad. Just take your pain meds and take it easy for a while. Good luck on your surgery.

Wow Wasa, you're really on the ball. I would never have thought that someone would do something like that. It is very curious that this was her only post. That goes to show you that everyone need to do their own research before deciding on a surgeon in Mexico or the USA.

I just kept thinking the reason for the pre op diet was to shrink my liver before surgery and that made me stick to my Optifast and didn't cheat once. After the third day it gets easier. Hang in there.

I was told to take 80 grams of protein. My favorite proteins are Unjury and Whey Gourmet Peanut Butter Chocolate.

Congrats on getting your date. You should have all your shopping done before surgery. Have plenty of protein powder soups, or whatever your doc allows you to have. It would be good if you could get your pain meds before surgery. I got home late at night and my DH had to run around at midnight trying to fill my prescriptions.

I had to pay the hospital $100 and I had to pay the surgeon $6800 because he was out of network.

I was just thinking maybe it's time to try eating salads. I think I changed my mind. LOL

I had no restriction with my first fill. I just got my second fill and I do have some restriction now.

I was banded by Dr.Paya in July at West Hills Hospital. It's the best choice I've ever made. Dr. Paya and his staff are great. I was very impressed with the hospital too.

Double-check to see which version armband you have by flipping your armband over. You'll see "V2" at the top if you have a Version 2. Don't see any version number? You have a Version 1.

Yes, my doc said Crystal Light was fine. Makes drinking all that water a little easier.

Wow, 102 pounds in ten months. You're truly an inspiration! Congratulations!!!!

I've had a Health O Meter balance beam scale for about 35 years. It's always been very accurate and very durable. Well worth the money.

I got tested for sleep apnea when I was considering the LapBand surgery only because I figured if I had it that would help me get approved from my insurance company (co-morbidity). I'm glad I did because I found out that I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. Just before my surgery when the anesthesiologist was asking me questions, he happened to ask if I had sleep apnea. When I said yes, he rather sternly said that is the first thing you should always tell the anesthesiologist, it is very important! It is hard to get use to using the cpap machine, but you shouldn't give up. Keep trying different masks until you find the one best suited to you.

Hi Jane, I am 58 and was banded two months ago. I was very nervous before surgery and was wondering if I was doing the right thing. I'm so glad I went through with it. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm in control of my weight. I recovered very fast from surgery. Good luck to you.

I lost between 80-97 pounds four different times only to gain it all back plus more. I got the band in hopes that when I lose it this time, I will be able to maintain my weightloss. I knew if I tried dieting on my own "just one more time" that it would be "just one more failure."

My nutritionist gave me samples of

I stayed overnight in the hospital. They weighed me in my hospital gown just before surgery. I weighed myself the second I got home and I gained 6 pounds. I asked my surgeon about it and he said it was from the IV fluids. It took me about 2 weeks to lose those 6 pounds. Hang in there, it will come off.

I also have had two hernia operations. My hernias came right back after the first operation. On my second operation, I also had mesh put in and the surgeon found 5 different hernias. I had l LapBand surgery on July 20th. The surgery took 4 hours because the surgeon said that the mesh kind of makes all the organs stick together. Everything came out fine though, and this was the easiest surgery to recover from that I've had. So far I've lost 30 pounds and feel great. My blood pressure is now normal and I have no more knee pain. Just let your surgeon know before hand about the mesh. Good luck to you.