PATCHELTON

You have a tough challege ahead of you, but losing weight, even with the band, is also hard, and exercise is critical to your success. I am not a doctor, but you are likely tired because you avoid moving due to your weight and disability. You said it is hard for you to walk. Unless it is impossible you really need to try. It will only be baby steps at first, maybe a half a block from your house and back, or up and down the stairs to do laundry. If you lay on your bed feeling sorry for yourself about how hard everything is, you will defeat yourself before you start. Start with little goals and add to them later as you improve. If you never try, you never will.

My BMI was around 37 also. I am 5'7" and weighed 252 at the start of my journey. I also had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, reflux, knee arthritis. I had to spend 6 months on a documented diet attempt to satisfy insurance (lost 10 lbs). Increased my exercise from Curves to Curves plus walking. I found a nice park with a 2 mile walking path. Started on weekends this past January, and when daylight savings arrived, I increased to almost every day. Most days I walk around twice, which is 4 miles. Pants were getting loose without much additional weight loss. Pre-op liquid diet (was supposed to be 2 weeks, but ended up being 3 because I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week, so I stayed on the liquid diet an extra week). I think they put you on this if they think you have a fatty liver, mostly to shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. Anyway, I lost another 25 lbs before surgery. Was banded 3/25/08 and have lost another 35 since surgery. I think you should be able to get approval. My insurance said BMI 40 and 100 lbs overweight or BMI 35-39 with one or more co-morbidities (the above listed ailments that are affected by excess weight). Instead of worrying about failing, you need to get your head around the fact that you will have to eat differently from now on. I was a little hungry during the day on the liquids, but I expected that. Up until 4 days before surgery I could have a small amount of lean Protein, so I saved that for the evening when I tended to overeat most. I used unbreaded chicken tenders (Costco) and hard cooked eggs. I would have 2 tenders or 2 eggs with salt and pepper, and that helped get me through until morning. Since surgery I tried pizza once but the dough gave me problems, so I invented a crustless pizza (sauce, turkey pepperoni, peppers and onions, Kraft Fat Free Mozarella--put in microwavable dish and heat) since it was the toppings I craved. I tried bread once but it got doughy and sat, so I haven't had bread since, other than croutons, because they disintegrate instead of becoming doughy. Doughy tends to get stuck. Some foods will agree with you, some not. You have to stop drinking 1/2 hour before eating, and not drink for 45 minutes to an hour after eating. What the band does is help control portions. It is still up to you to put healthy stuff in your mouth. It is not a quick fix; your success will depend on how committed you are to working with it. I have never been able to lose a significant amount of weight before. Now I have lost 70 lbs and my goal is 100. I have hit a plateau and have made an appointment for a fill. My doctor is away until July so guts and determination are in play between now and my appointment. I have gone down 2 sizes in work clothes (scubs) from 2x to large, and the pants are loose almost to my needing a medium, but my waist an stomach aren't there yet. I am tickled pink. I even colored my hair last week. First time in 30 years or so. Good luck on your journey. Come here for some support and if they offer a support group where you will have your band done, please go, even now. I have been going to support group meetings since last July. You will learn a lot and meet people at all stages of pre and post op. Find out about the Vitamins and Protein drinks recommended. Try different ones now and see what you like instead of waiting until surgery. Some bariatric sites sell sampler packs. I got some and tried them. Read everything you can about the band. Obesityhelp.com is another good site with lots of information. Sorry to run on so, but I wanted to give you some information to get started with. You can do it.:smile2:

I love cheese, and I drink a milk based protein shake (ready to drink-Worldwide Pure Protein Shakes-Trader Joe's, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe). In the evening I use skim milk for any protein powder drink that I mix. I even found a way to have cheese during the liquid diet. I heated tomato soup, then broke up several slices of Kraft Fat Free cheese and added to the soup, stirring until it melted. Cheesy tomato soup! I make crustless pizza (the dough tends to get stuck) with Ragu pizza sauce, Hormel Turkey Pepperoni (70% less fat) peppers and onions (Birdseye Pepper Stir Fry) and Kraft Fat Free Shredded cheese. I layer in a microwave safe dish and heat. I figured out it was the toppings I craved. I do the same with turkey meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and Parmesan cheese. I love cheese and it is a good source of protein. I just eat fat free or low fat. I also take Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and D. I eat some yogurt, but I don't have a sweet tooth, and after a while yogurt gets a little too much in the sweetness department for me. :tongue:

This is a question you should really ask your bariatric nurse or surgeon. What I was told was no resistance training (weights) for 6 weeks, but to walk. I walked in my neighborhood for a few days until I could drive, then started back at the park where I like to walk. They have a path that is 2 miles. I went every day going around once until I felt comfortable to do a second time which is 4 miles. They have cleared me for weights, but I enjoy the park so much I have be doing that. The closest thing to weight lifting I am doing is the bag of peanuts I carry to feed the squirrels. You may be pushing yourself a little. Let your body tell you when you are ready for more. The treadmill should be fine at a walking pace. Distance and consistency are more important than how many machines you use. I don't walk particulary fast, and if a lot of squirrels show up for peanuts I stop a lot. I was banded 3/25/08 (Tues) and was at the park by the following Sunday (as soon as I could drive). I try to walk every day, unless there are thunder storms.

Finally! Another person who thinks BA vitamins are chalky. I thought it was just me! I got a sampler pack from them to try different stuff and I wasn't overwhelmed. I actually found Centrum chewables (even the silver) at Target for about $12 for 60, if you just want a basic multiple and I liked it better than Bariatric Advantage, though another person at group support said she didn't like the taste. If you want to spend a little more, GNC has Women's Ultramega in flavored powders, van/choc/straw and they mix up like a Protein drink. It is pricey, about $34 for a big container like the Protein drinks come in. I believe it has 30 servings, so that is a chunk for a month. I got some vanilla to try. It has antioxidents, and vegetable supplements, minerals, the works. It has some protein, and I turned it into a Protein Drink by putting in more skim milk, 1 scoop of EAS Advantage vanilla, 2 scoops of Ultramega, and blended that, then added frozen mixed berries and pulsed to break them up. Without the Ultramega I would need a packet of Splenda, but with I didn't. I believe it has some in it. It says mix with water or preferred beverage, so I used skim milk. You could probably mix the Ultramega with skim milk and add unflavored Protein powder to bump up the protein count. I used 12 oz of milk, so I had a nice berry shake when I was done. For calcium citrate, Twin Labs makes a chewable that I like better than BA. Also pricey, about $17.99 for 60 and you take 2 in the morning and 2 at night to get 1000mg. It has magnesium and D. I found it at a Healthy Options store in Bel Air, Maryland. You can check health food stores like Vitamin Shoppe, or go online and look. I found a link here a while back to Brigham Womens Hospital bariatric program and Twin Labs was a brand listed on their suggested supplements.

I have tried

I was banded 3/25/08, and put on liquid diet for 2 weeks prior (ended up being 3 weeks as I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week, not enough time to stop and start again, so I stayed on it another week). Up until 4 days before surgery I could have a small amount of lean protein, which I saved for the evening when I tended to overeat the most. I had either 2 hard cooked eggs with salt/pepper, or 2 unbreaded chicen tenders grilled with salt/pepper. For liquids I could have broth, clear or cream soups, protein drinks, fat/sugar free popsicles, fat/sugar free jello, yogurt, water, tea, coffee. I knew I would be hungry during the day, but my job is busy so I was able to ignore it. I found I do boring really well. Don't have to think too much about what is for dinner, just keep the freezer full of popsicles and the cabinet full of soups and broths. I even found a way to have cheese. If you heat tomato soup, and break up a couple slices of Kraft Fat Free cheese, it melts and you have cheesy tomato soup, a liquid. It really jump started my diet. I increased my exercise with walking and by surgery had lost 35 pounds. The rest has come of since then. Good luck with your surgery.:behindsofa:

My doctor said the same: no weight lifting for 6 weeks, walk as soon as you can. They had me walking a bit in the hospital. I spent a day at my sisters and walked around her yard some, then when I got home I walked around the condo parking lot a little untle I could drive. I had started walking in Jan on weekends (too dark after work during the week). I found a nice park near my house (10 min drive) that has a 2 mile asphalt path that runs along a river and has trees and picnic areas. I take peanuts for the squirrels which makes the walk fun. I try to do the path twice which is 4 miles, occasionally 3 times, but mostly 2. Once in a while if I am in a time crunch or the weather threatens I may do one (like yesterday when it was around 95 degrees--I walked at 730). I started noticing my pants getting baggier before I had lost a significant amount of weight. I belong to Curves, too, but couldn't use that until 6 weeks post-op. Once daylight saving time arrived, I could go almost evey day, as I pass the turn for the park on my way home. So I average 4 miles 5-7 times a week, closer to 7 most of the time. I have dropped 2 sizes in work clothes between the weight loss and exercise, from 2x to large, and the large pants look baggy, but my waist is not quite ready for a smaller size. I have made plans for when I lose the daylight and can only do weekends. Besides Curves there is a county rec center near home that has treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes,and weights. I would suggest start walking now and when they clear you for weights you can add that. I don't walk extremly fast; the number of squirrels I run into determines how fast or slow I walk. Lots of squirrels, lots of stops to throw peanuts. They are my personal trainers at the moment. They are kind of cute too. And I meet lots of other people walking, jogging, biking and walking their dogs. Find something you enjoy.:behindsofa:

I was banded 3/25/08. It is my understanding that those suspected of having a fatty liver are put on the liquid pre-op diet, 1) to shrink the liver making the surgery easier 2) to prepare you for the post-op liquid diet. I was allowed: Protein Shakes, milk, Water, tea, fruit juice (diluted 50% with water), fat/sugar free popsicles, fat/sugar free pudding, fat free yogurt,broths, cream Soups. I was also allowed by the dietician up to 4 days before surgery to have a small amount of lean Protein to ease me into the liquid diet. 4 days before surgery, just liquids. I mentally prepared myself to be a little hungry during the day, but I am busy at work, so it wasn't too bad. I saved my lean protein for the evening when I tended to overeat most. I had unbreaded chicken tenders (Costco), 2 of them, grilled on a small George Foreman grill with salt and pepper, or 2 hardboiled eggs with salt and pepper. So your "cheating" wasn't too far off base. I lost 10 lbs during the 6 month diet required by my insurance and 25 lbs on the liquid diet. I spent an extra week on it because I caught a cold and they postponed my surgery a week. Then 2 weeks post-op liquids, 2 weeks mushies (instant mashed potatoes, refried beans/salsa (I pulverized the chunky salsa to make it smaller, heated Beans in microwave, and melted fat free cheese on top). I used fat free gravy with the potatoes. Basically I could have anything the consistency of apple sauce. So fatty liver doesn't prevent surgery. Shrinking the liver helps make the surgery easier and your recovery too. Good luck with your surgery. You can use my mantra when you feel you don't have enough support. It is "keep your eye on the prize" which for me is getting off some or all the meds I am on, easing the pressure on my arthritic knees (they feel a lot better now) and getting into a smaller size clothing (I have dropped from 2x to large, and that is a little baggy already, but I am not quite a medium). If people suggest you are taking the easy way out, remind them of all the hoops you had to jump through (psych eval, etc.) and the fact that the band is only a tool. It does not control what you put into your mouth, only the quantity. You have to be responsible for making healthy food choices. Different doctors have differenct approaches to the pre-op diet. It is best just to follow what your surgeon and dietician tell you to do.

Thank you for your post. I hope it did as much good for you as for those of us reading it. I don't have the many bad experiences that you did, but I was always afraid both that no one would take me seriously, or that everyone would, and the pressure I put on myself was unbelievable. I studied exercise physiology when I was younger, and then my insecurity caused me to hide behind my weight, to insure I would never have to back up my "expert" opinion. My surgical journey began last summer when I decided to look into WLS. I lost 10 lbs on the 6 month diet required by insurance, and another 25 on the pre-op liquid diet. Since banding I have lost another 35 or so. I am like you;I like my band not so tight. I have reflux, and after my first fill by evening I had trouble getting water down. It was only 3ccs, but the discomfort started with one or two bites of food. I actually went the very next day for an unfill. The doctor took out 1.5ccs. I worked with that for a couple weeks, and when I saw the surgeon again, I said I thought I was still a little tight, as I could eat mushies and liquids but regular food gave me chest pressure, so he took out another .5cc. I am doing better now. Occasionally a particular food will give me pressure, or if I eat too fast and don't chew thoroughly (I am still working on that), but mostly it is good. I am still losing, slowly. The weight loss was fast at first, and that realy kick-started my new life. I read labels like a maniac, and enjoy salads like never before. They seem to taste better. I want to get rid of some meds that I am on, and hopefully soon, that will happen. Thanks for your story.

You didn't mention if you were required to drink Isopure. If you want some alternatives, there is

I don't know if everyone does it this way, but I can share what I did. I used the dietician on the bariatric team to supervise my 6 month diet. I am assuming, since the surgeon's office submits for your preauthorization from insurance, that they would need the documentation from your PCP, and the letter, and they submit everything as a package to the insurance. If you haven't seen the surgeon for your consultation yet, I would get copies of everything from your PCP (you usually have to get records from the PCP for the surgeon anyway), make a copy for yourself, and take the records with you to the surgeon appointment. If the surgeon requires any testing (I had an echo and stress test) they will tell you and you would request that those reports go to both your PCP and the surgeon. When the surgeon has everything, his office will submit you for approval. They will tell you what all you need. And if your insurance requires referrals you will need one for the surgeon, the psych evaluator, and the dietician, plus any tests they order. Good luck!

I had a hysteretomy in my 30's. I was in a car accident in 1998, broken leg. My weight gain was gradual since the hysterctomy. I love to eat, and I work for cardiologists, so I am aware of good food choices, and made them some of the time. I had periods of regular exercise, and was going to Curves fairly regularly. My PCP had been after me to lose weight, and in my head I understood it. But put a pizza or sub or chips and dip in front of me and I was a goner. I have high blood pressure,high cholesterol, GERD, knee arthritis, sleep apnea (or as my surgeon put it, metabolic syndrome all but the diabetes). When my liver enzymes were elevated on my cholesterol test, my PCP started again about weight loss. My sister had gastric bypass about 2 years ago, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go that route. I checked my insurance (they cover bypass and lapband) and went to a seminar about weight loss surgery. Then I started going to the support group to learn more. I found this site and obesityhelp.com and did a lot of reading, ultimately deciding the band was what I wanted. I had to do a 6 month documented diet for insurance(lost 10 lbs), consult with surgeon, psych eval, and was finally approved in February of this year. Prior to surgery I had to do a pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks (ended up 3 weeks because I caught a cold and surgery was postponed for a week). I lost 25 lbs on the pre-op diet, so by 3/25/08 I had lost 35 pounds. 2 weeks post op liquids, 2 weeks mushies, then regular food, just a lot less than before. Some foods have a tendency to get stuck, like bread/rice/pasta, so you will be altering your eating habits. I read labels like a maniac, looking for the lowest fat/carb/sugar content. My eyes are still bigger than my pouch, and if I eat too much I feel uncomfortable, but that is getting better. I am also learning to chew more. I used to inhale my food. Sorry to be lengthy, but I think you can benefit from the band. It doesn't affect what you put in your mouth, just how much. And when you start losing, you will tend to make better choices in what you eat. I also bumped up my exercise with walking. I found a lovely park with a 2 mile path. I started walking weekends in January and when daylight savings arrived, I now go almost every day and do 2-4miles. When I lose daylight in the fall, there is a county rec center gym with treadmills near my home, and I still belong to Curves. There is also an aquatic center 5 minutes away with Water aerobics. So it is a package deal. The band is a tool to help with portion control. Since surgery I lost another 35 pounds, so I would say go for it!

I have only had one sliming experience. It happened the day after a fill, and I decided I was in too much of a hurry to cut my larger meds in half, and one of them got stuck. I was out the door on my way to work and I had to spit up twice before I got into my car. Everything I ate was giving me chest pressure, and I ended up meeting my surgeon at the hospital for a partial unfill. I was too tight. If you have had a fill recently, the sliming could be from the band being too tight (perhaps the coughing too). I would suggest calling the surgeon's office and ask to speak to someone. My surgeon has a nurse who conducts classes prior to surgery, and she runs the support group. If yours has one, I would speak to her, and she can tell you if you need to see the surgeon. Don't let it go. Sliming is no fun, and I only did it once.

I would suggest you continue trying the groups, as well as reading here. I was banded 3/25/08 but I have been going to support groups since last June or July. I found them educational. Yes I heard negatives, too, but then one woman said she had lost 90 pounds in 9 months. I was talking to some recently banded women and one who was a year or so out. The one a year or so out was not terribly friendly, didn't offer to exchange emails (I have become friends with one of the other two) and even told me I didn't look heavy enough to need a band. Well, at 5'7" maybe not, but 252 lbs and size 2x clothes told me otherwise. What, I should gain another 100 pounds and go into 4 or 5x first? My PCP had been after me to lose weight, and my liver enzymes were elevated on my cholesterol tests(surgeon said that could indicate fatty liver rather than problems with the medicine). My sister had RNY a couple years ago, so I did my homework, read a lot here and on obesityhelp.com, and went to support groups. I decided I liked the adjustability of the band and the lack of malabsorption issues, so I decided the band was for me. Hopefully some people with good experiences will come to the support group, but I would keep trying. Everyone's experience is unique, as yours will be.:cursing: BTW, I have lost 70 pounds (working on 100) and have dropped from 2x to large (even the large pants are loose except in the waist). My coworkers are all cheering me on, and I have quotes hanging over my desk for inspiration ("Just because I can eat it, doesn't mean I should." "Just because I don't eat it doesn't mean I don't want to." "The band is not around your lips. It is around your stomach. It cannot keep food out of your mouth. Only you can do that." "One step at a time is enough for me. Impatience is simply a way of beating yourself up."). They are from books and newsletters, such as Lapband Solution, and Lapband Companion, that I bought and read. That is not to say some days aren't harder than others, but the band holds the lid on quantity, and that is most certainly what I needed. Don't be discouraged.

Call your surgeon's office. You are at higher risk for respiratory complications, and anesthesia may not want to put you under. I caught a cold the Friday before my Tuesday banding (3/25/08) and was sure it was nothing major, and that it would be over by Monday (it was). I called the surgeon's office and they postponed my surgery a week. I had been on a liquid pre-op diet for two weeks, and it wasn't enough time to go off it and back on, so I ended up on that an extra week, so by surgery day I had already lost 35 pounds. Don't put yourself at risk. Call.:cursing:

I don't think I had second thoughts. Nervous, yes, second thoughts about whether I was doing the right thing, no. I am 63 and was banded 3/25/08. I had to do the six month diet (met with dietician to talk about food choices, then had to email her my weight every two weeks). I didn't work too hard at losing, but still managed to drop 10 pounds by January. Then I decided to bump up my exercise. I was doing Curves but I needed more. Started walking, found a lovely park with a 2 mile path, and lots of peanut loving squirrels. I began walking on weekends (even though the park wasn't "open" the gates were never locked and walkers, bikers and dog walkers come all year round) as weekdays it was dark when I finished work. I started noticing my pants getting loose. Then I was approved and began the liquid diet (it included a small amount of lean protein which I ate in the evening, like unbreaded chicken tenders and hard boiled eggs). It was supposed to be 2 weeks, ended up being 3 because I caught a cold and they postponed my surgery a week. By surgery I had lost 35 pounds. Two more weeks on liquids, 2 weeks mushies and now regular food. I have lost around 70 pounds altogether so far. Had 1 fill but 3ccs was too tight and had 1.5 removed the next day and two weeks later another .5 cc unfill. I am doing well, and trying to focus on when I feel full (satisfied) so I can stop eating. I am please with the results so far. I have dropped two sizes from 2x to lge. I have never done this well on any diet I have tried. I did a lot of research during the six month diet, went to support groups since last June, so when I decided, I knew it was right for me. Good luck on your journey.

I was banded 3/25 and had my first fill 5/14. I met the doctor at the hospital the next day for an unfill. He had put in 3cc originally, and took out 1.5cc. I felt the same as you, and it was hard getting water down. I tried that for a week or two, and then went to his office for another unfill. I had been better but after the first unfill I could drink ok and eat mushies ok, but real food was still giving me discomfort (like I swallowed my fist). I am doing better since the second unfill. I only get unconfortable if I eat too much, and with certain foods, but mostly it is good. If you haven't already I would call your surgeon and let him know. I was miserable. The nurse said I shouldn't have to adapt what I eat around the band. I am still losing, though slowly. I even go to restaurants and order mostly from the appetizer menu, and plan on bringing at least half of that home. I got three meals out of a steamed shrimp appetizer. I am still learning, though. My eyes are bigger than my pouch, so sometimes I overestimate what I can eat.

I mixed the strawberry with skim milk and liked it. Also, if you are past the mushies, you can put the Unjury and milk in the blender and blend it, then add some frozen strawberries and pulse the blender a few times to break up the strawberries. I did the same with the vanilla Unjury, blending strawberrries or mixed berries or peaches. Put them in frozen and pulse. I think you will like it.

Hi there. I live in Edgewood, MD (Harford County) and I was banded 3/25/08 by Dr. Singh at St. Agnes. Congrats on your weight loss. Hope to see you at the lapband group meetings at St. Agnes.:cool2:

Since you used to use sour cream and cheese, why not try the fat free variety? Kraft Free shredded Cheddar or Mozarella is very good, and Breakstone I believe is one brand of fat free sour cream. You would still elminate the extra fat.

When I got my date, the call was from the surgeon's office. They gave the date, and the time I had to be at the hospital. The hospital called and I had to call them to talk to billing to see if there were any outstanding charges that my Blue Choice did not cover, as I had to pay them up front before surgery. Fortunately there were none. The surgeon's office changed my time, then I caught a cold and they postponed me a week giving me a new date and time. All this info came from the surgeon's office. I would call them and see if they can tell you.

I was about 100 lbs overweight and my doctor also put me on the pre-op liquid diet. I asked at his office why they don't do everyone, and they said it is determined during the examination by the surgeon. I think if he/she thinks the liver is fatty and they want to shrink it to make surgery easier they do it. I had Atkins Advantage (ready to drink) and EAS Advantage (powder to mix with skim milk), purchased at Target. I found Worldwide Protein shakes (ready to drink) at Trader Joe's in vanilla and chocolate. It comes in 21g and 35g of protein, and to me tastes better than Atkins. I discovered recently that GNC and the Vitamin Shoppe carry Worldwide, and it also comes in banana cream, Cookies and cream, and strawberry. I found them online so I don't know what the stores carry. They only had 35g online. At Trader Joes the 21s cost $1.69 and the 35s cost about $2.29. There is also a website called

If you like Mexican, refried beans are something you can have in the mushy stage. I pulverized some chunky salsa to make it smaller and mixed it with the refried beans. I would heat a small portion in the microwave and then put Kraft Free FF cheese on top to melt. Yum!

You sound like a replay of my story. I was just banded 3/25/08, but like you have been overweight forever. I started at 252 when I began the 6 month diet required by insurance last July. Lost 10 pounds on that, then did really well on the pre-op liquid diet. I had dropped about 35 pounds by surgery. Since then almost another 30 has come off and I was 187 this morning. My goal is about 150. I finally had to buy some interim clothes because my work clothes were looking like they belonged to someone else. I can't remember the last time I was under 200. Congratulations on your achievement. Hope to join you soon at my goal weight.