Ara

I didn't pick up juice, even the lower sugar ones tend to send my sugar spiking (diabetic on a insulin pump) I might try some of the new splenda juices see how they do. I've pretty much taken fruit juices out of my diet the past few years. Thanks for the info on the unjury I'll try them out, we live in a small town with very few choices for shopping so I'm so glad we have the internet and that I'm so use to shopping online. I have surgery prep for this afternoon, have to drink 2 oz of Milk of Mag *shudder* lol I have a terrible gag reflex so this is going to be worse than a shot of Jager.

Thanks so much guys, I slept in today when I woke I had a melon flavored popsicle for Breakfast and sat down to look over my diet for the next few weeks again. I've made a list of what to get, some I've never had such as Cream of Wheat or Malt-O-Meal, lol we southerners eat grits so it will be fun to try the new things. I've got some Protein powder, but I've also got a friend who buys his from a place online that he really likes so I'll order some of those just to try. So far my grocery list is as follows, please let me know of anything you found that you liked and did well on the tummy. 1% Milk Light Yogurts (smooth type) sugar free low fat pudding fruit juice (Apple and Cranberry) Reduced fat Cream Soups Instant mashed potatoes Grits Cream of Wheat Jello popsicles Broth/Stock It's going to be a stuggle to get in the protein the first few weeks but I'll do my best.

Thanks Beverly, I hope so. How often to people get fills? I was told it would be every few months or so, is this not correct?

Thanks, I had wondered what they thought would be in broth, couldn't for the life of me think what in the world could case trouble in a can of stock or broth. I already take flintstones as well as calcium chews, they took me off both of these for the last seven days as well as my glucosamine. Since I'm limited in movement right now, because of the weight on my joints and the arthritis I've purchased a yoga program for seniors. I figure if an 80 year old can do it than I should at least be able to make a good effort. Does anyone know of a good website to find out what your caloric intake should be daily? I've learned in the past that if I go below a level of calories my weight loss slows down but if I keep it inbetween the low and high for my BMI I lose much more. I just remember that it had to do with your BMI and how much you needed daily just to substain yourself (such as breathing etc) just can't remember the website or book I found the info in.

Thanks, the surgical facility that my doctor uses just called to say I've been bumped up so I'm second, have to be there at 6:30 Friday morning. I went shopping this morning to buy things for tomorrow, melon pops since I can only have green, orange or yellow (no red or purple) beef & chicken stock as well as more crystal light mine was red so can't drink that before surgery. I have a question, probably rather dumb but how do you strain broth? Also any hints for the first few weeks? I know those will be the worst since I'll only be able to eat liquids.

Great thread, if all goes well I will be banded Friday, Oct 3. It's been a long road (started last year) but I know it will all be worth it. My BMI is 67 and I've been so worried that only people with a hundred pounds or so to lose did well with the lap band. Glad to know that isn't the case. I'm on pins and needles right now as this will be the third surgery date for me, during my first pre-testing my chest x-ray's showed masses in my chest and all the doctors freaked and started to scream cancer. I was lucky and it turned out not to be but to be told the night before surgery that it was called off was an emotional let down. Second was canceled due to Hurricane Ike. My doctor didn't require a diet prior to surgery so I haven't lost weight yet and am at my highest weight ever of 380 lbs. I'be dieted most of my life at at 42 my body is just worn out. I have diabeties, sarcoidosis and arthritis. I'm not expecting to be 105lbs, just to be healthier and have mobility back again would be wonderful.

Glad to meet SE TX bandsters, I'm to be banded at Beaumont Surgical by Dr. Hahn Oct. 3. I've done all my testing yesterday so hope everything will go smoothly.

Aug 8th is my band date, no pre-diet required by my doctor. I had my pre-op testing Friday. Have to go sign consent forms on the 6th as well as have a final exam. Match blood types on Thursday and then Friday morning I'm on the table!

Meg, I have used Dr. Hahn in the past for a cyst removal surgery and I liked him also, I had spoken with him in the past about gastric bypass (my husband just didn't like the procedure) and I'm seriously thinking of changing. I hate to since we have already spent the 1000.00 with the Bariatric Center but I'm withholding judgement until I see how well they receive my sign off from the other doctor. I see my PCP this monday to schedule my EKG and any test she feels are needed. After that I only have one more appointment for my 6 months and I'm good to go.

Ok now that I feel like a total nut case...I went in today for my Counseling, Psych eval and nutritional counseling today and both the counseling for surgery and nutritional went great...The therapist for the clinic referred me for more counseling because I'm bi-polar (stable and on meds) and because I told her I grazed. Well Duh..I didn't get fat eating 3 small meals a day! I've thought this surgery through and realize what a huge change it will make in my life and that I will have to break ingrained habits but I'm willing to do this. I came home and got on the phone and after calling EVERY physciatrist in the book finally got an apointment. Problem is what if he signs off and the centers counselor still doesn't want to? I won't let this stop me but I'm only a month and a 1/2 away from finishing my 6 months and my quality of life is just terrible since I'm losing more mobility every day. Any ideas?:smile2:

Thanks everyone for the replies. Saw another doctor today and "the letter is in the mail" Fairy thanks and no offense taken but I can promise that both my long time doctors wouldn't let me do anything that the didn't think I could handle.

I hope so, I haven't needed a physciatrist in years as I understand the reasons I started eating...but after the fact it was a habit, granted a bad one. I realized that the LB would be a tool to help me reduce the weight and that I would still have to work at it for a lifetime. My GP has been very good about having routine check ups to make sure I'm stable etc and I am. Very frustrating to be told after a 30 minute talk and a 165 question test (which she didn't even look at the results) that because of my childhood trauma and my mental illness (even though I'm stable) that she doesn't think I'm prepaired for surgery.

I understand that the Bariatric Center (Dr. Dean) hasn't done as many Lap Bands as Dr. Spiegel, but all the negative hype and the legal actions put me off. I've heard both good and bad, as any doctor is going to have since it's everyone has different things that are important to them about a doctor. What I really like about using the SETX Bariatric Center is the fact they have all the people I need to see on staff. From what my PCP has said I have high hopes of being able to be approved when I complete my 6 mth program. Seems BCBS TX has become a bit more flexible with the Lap Band and WLS in general.

Spread out clan but if you know a Saint, Vines, Nesmith or Coffey I'm related.

Any info about the process with BCBS TX would be helpful if you could pass it on. I'm in SE TX (right on the LA/TX state line on I10)and hope to use Dr. Dean in Beaumont. I more than qualify on BMI, type 2 diabetic, arthritis, high cholesterol, GERD,slleep aptnea..jeez when I write it down really sounds like I'm falling apart doesn't it? LOL Ara

Hey everyone, live in Texas now but from Alabama (family from Hartselle, Courtland, Decatur) Hope you don't mind if I lurk and see some of the feedback for the Doctor's in Alabama.

Are any of you in the SE TX area? I've just started the approval process (going to use Dr. Dean in Beaumont) and hoped to find someone close that might have information about Dr's, clinics and BCBS TX.

I've used Dr. Hahn for other surgical procedures and was more than pleased. I've had a consultation with him about RYN (which is all he did at that time) while he was still in practice in Orange, TX and found he and his staff to be helpful and knowledgeable. I've also been looking into the Bariatric Center at Christus Hospital in Beaumont. Please let me know if you've used someone else and how it went as I'm just now starting the process to be approved for Lap Band (i.e. 6 mth doctors visits, diet and medication counseling and weight loss program). LOL Can you tell I have BCBS?