StLouisGal

I think this is a great thread. I looked for one like it when I was just starting out and couldn't find it. I was at Sam's Club yesterday and found the little portion cups they use at restaurants for salad dressing to go, etc. The only problem is you have to buy huge quantities. I wonder if they are available in smaller quantities someplace else. hmmmm. As far as the spoon issue goes. I dug out the baby feeding spoons I used for my kids and bought a couple of shrimp fork from Oneida (on clearance because I really didn't care if it matched.) and I keep them in a toothbrush holder I bought at Target so I have them when I need them. They have longer handles than the sample spoons do so it looks less conspicuous when in public. I think the 3 ounce plastic dixie cups are a great idea.

Have you tried cottage cheese, it is high in Protein and calcium. I practically lived on it while on the mushy stage and now still eat at least half a cup a day. Egg beaters are also fairly high in protein and have much less fat than eggs. I like the southwestern flavor with a little taco sauce on top I have trouble staying under 100 grams per day. I eat deli shaved meats (very slowly and chew well) with a little mustard for flavor also. Peanut Butter is also a lifesaver for me, eat it with a little applesauce so it's not so sticky. Since I have never been an early morning eater, I drink a Protein shake for breakfast (I like Unjury) Use a staw so you can't smell it. Mix with skim milk. Muscle Milk Light works in a pinch. That gets me 20-28 grams to start the day. If you pour a canned shake like Atkins into a glass it loses some of it's tinny taste. Sorry if I have gone on too long, these are just some tips I've picked up in my many years of dieting and my few weeks of band rules. Have a great day and good luck to all.

I called the insurance company this morning. They said that Obesity is an exclusion for my policy and the computer automatically kicks it out. Since I was pre-approved for the surgery they will manually process it and pay the bill. Whew!!! I was worried there for a minute. They also denied the first followup appointment for the same reason so when that statement comes I'll have to call the doctors office and have them send more information, although I was sure the doctors office said they didn't charge for the first three months of aftercare so I am not sure why they billed my insurance company for that anyway, very curious. They did pay all by my $500 copay on the hospitals bill so that is wonderful. Thanks Wheetsin for the support.

The nurse at my doctor's office told us that it isn't the product you put on your scars that makes them lighter, but rubbing them breaks down the scar tissue.:biggrin: She said the plastic surgeons who work with their office told them that. I've been rubbing mine when I think about it and they are getting lighter. It makes sense that baby oil or olive oil would make your skin more soft and supple so it can't hurt but she said it was the rubbing that actually broke down the scars and made them disappear.:cursing: I thought it was an interesting theory. :confused2:

It says it is a network provider, just that it isn't a covered charge. I hope it is only because the bill for the anesthesia hit before the bill for the surgery. I'm totally confused. I plan to call the surgeons office tomorrow to see if they have any ideas and call Anthem if I have to. It is so frustrating. I had to fight to get it approved and now they seem to have forgotten they approved it.

I just got a letter from my insurance company (Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield) saying they don't cover anesthesia. What the ???? How can they do that. The explanation is that this isn't a covered charge. Anyone experience anything similar?

Jessica Hang in there! It is terrific that you have lost 100 pounds. You are doing terrific. Hopefully you are no longer super morbidly. In two more pounds I won't be morbidly obese any more. Hang in and keep doing what you are doing. You are doing the right thing!

The key to not getting bloated with liquids is to sip slowly. They told me to try to drink 1 ounce every 15 minutes. That isn't much but it adds up pretty fast to the two liters needed. Hang in there. The first few days are tough but I can drink easily now. Put socks on for your cold feet. I sat around with fuzzy socks on for two weeks after my surgery.

I guess you just can't fix stupid. People who try to talk you out of it don't know anything about what they are talking about. I didn't have anyone tell me I shouldn't do it. I had several people tell me I didn't need it (those are the people that really love me) but so far it's been very supportive. Yesterday was the first time I have eaten with my extended family. They had lots of questions about "isn't that too much (2 ounces of ham, 1/4 cup of potatos and three greenbeans) while they were piling their huge dinner plates high but I just continued eating with my shrimp fork and enjoyed their questions. Hang in there and don't let anyone talk you out of what you and your surgeon know is right for you. It is well worth it. No it isn't the easy way out by any means, surgery hurts, turning down dessert hurts, liquid diet for two or three weeks hurts, eating only half a cup of food while everyone else is pigging out hurts, but in the long run it is sooooo worth it. It takes work and discipline but it is worth all of the hard work when the ten year old jeans fit again. Hang in there.

The aspertame in Crystal light is probably causing the heartburn and the fluid retention. It effects some people that way. I love the peach Iced tea flavor but I usually only drink one or two per day because I try to limit my aspertame consumption. I wish more were made with splenda.

We waited until my staples came out, about 10 days.

Just jump right in. You are sooooo welcome to join us. We have a fun group.

Congratulations. Can you believe that only a couple of months ago we were worried if we would be approved. My first fill is next Thursday. I'm excited about it. Good luck!

Congratulations and welcome to bandland. It is a little tough now but in a month you will hardly remember you had surgery. Take it easy and give your body time to heal. Walking helps with the gas pain. Take care!

You go girl! I found a treasure trove in my store room yesterday. I'm going to have a big dry cleaning bill because I found a bunch of stuff that either fits now or will in a week or two. I had forgotten that I had packed them away so it was like shopping. Unfortunately I didn't save any tops, just bottoms but now I get to shop for sweaters and shirts to go with the skirts and slacks. I had better taste when I was thinner. It's coming back though.

When I drink a shake I usually drink it over an hour or two, sipping small amounts every few minutes. I am only 4 weeks post-op so don't have much restriction but it pretty much goes right though the pouch. I count it as breakfast because I rarely eat anything before noon. The protein shake gets me a good protein boost for the day and I fill in the rest of my protein requirements with solid food at lunch and dinner. I don't snack because it is too much trouble not to eat for 15 minutes before and an hour after.

I like the Muscle milk too and drink it on occasion, if I am going to be away all day and not able to eat my regular diet, or if I am in a hurry and need a change of pace but I stay away from it because it is relatively high in fat. I get the Carb Consious variety so it is pretty low in carbs and that is what gets me messed up. It does taste better than most ready to drink shakes. I'm going to have to look for the light because it is very convenient

I get my first fill on day shy of 7 weeks after surgery. I could have had 6 weeks but they didn't have a morning appointment. My doc doesn't let you eat or drink after midnight the day of a fill. I'm measuring my food and not eating over a cup per meal but I don't really feel full. I think I am ready for a fill.

Banded February 15, 4 weeks ago yesterday! 20.5 pounds gone! Total loss since January 1 is 33.5:thumbup:

That's my plan for this weekend. To clean out my closet and make room for new clothes.

Jaimie, The important thing at this point (two weeks or so out) is to eat the foods your doctor has suggested, whether they are carb or Protein, or whatever. My doctor gave us a specific list of things that were allowable, Days 1-10 clear low calorie, non fat liquids plus two Protein shakes a day. Mixed with milk the two protein shakes a day gave the required protein for the day. This also included Jello, broth, Isopure clear, Crystal light, juice diluted half and half with Water, etc. Day 11 - end of week 4, soft solids, mashed potatos, soft cooked Pasta, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, low fat cheese, soft cooked vegetables, canned fruit, no sugar added applesauce, creamy Soups like tomato, mushroom, cream of chicken,etc. Week four I can add deli sliced meat or crumbled hamburger like in meatloaf, or meat casseroles, Week 6 I can add bread and other foods. Yes I am eating many more carbs than I usually eat to lose weight but I am trying to choose lower carb options like cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, ricotta, string cheese, etc. but sometimes it is nice to have a little mashed potatos or some higher carb Soup. So far it hasn't hurt me. When I get to week 6 I will start eating more high protein and less carb but during this healing phase you need to relax, eat what will go down and digest easily and let your body heal. Most importantly follow your surgeon's guidlines, he knows what will work in his experience. My experience has been that the diets vary widely and you just have to trust the surgeon you have chosen and go with what he says. (I've forgotten who did yours but he probably knows what he is talking about) Hang in there, get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, take a walk when you are hungry and it isn't time to eat, drink a cup of decalf tea and enjoy this healing time. The weight loss will come when you finish healing and start getting fills. :smile2:

I was quite addicted to Coke, (not diet) but I stopped in September in preparation for my surgery because that was the thing I was afraid of. I drank a couple in the two or three days prior to my surgery and they didn't even taste that good. I can honestly say I don't really miss them. Right now plain water tastes just about the best to me.

You might want to call you doctor's office to see if this is normal. I had little burbs that kind of hurt but not a lot of stomach gas. Lots of people say GasX strips help with gas. I don't know from experience but it is probably pretty safe to try. Good luck and I hope you feel better, the second day was my worst so tomorrow should be better. I am three weeks out and don't feel like I had surgery at all except that my clothes are all too big:lol: Hang in there!

I can't speak to the port pain issue because I haven't had any but as far as the spinning goes, I would call the doctors office and ask again, explaining exactly what you are doing. My doc had no restrictions after two weeks but what you are describing seems pretty extreme, You might want to stick to sitting and pedaling for a while. A good rule of thumb is if it hurts don't do it. (at least until you are fully healed.) I lost 14 pounds the first week and lost 2 in the next two weeks, it is frustrating. I am eating between 700 and 900 calories and burning nearly that many on my workouts (Curves workout and walking 45 minutes a day) It seems like I should be losing more but I can tell my body is changing, My pre-op pants are a joke now. they pretty much fall down so I've had to move to two sizes smaller so I look at least presentable for work. Everyone tells me that I am melting away. Try not to dwell on the scales (I know how hard that is, too) I am going to try to get in a few more calories when I can start meats tomorrow. I hope that pumping it up to 1000-1200 calories will kickstart the losing again. Hang in there. Once your are healed and get some fills you will be losing plenty.