Enchanted

Sounds like you're on your way. I'm sure a note from your cardiologist will help with your approval -- especially if you are able to document that the palpitations have been an ongoing concern and may be related to your weight. Good luck!

I'm really surprised at the people commenting negatively about the meds and dosages this person is on. As someone else mentioned, she's under the care of professionals that she trusts...and the results have been good for her. Depression, anxiety, etc. -- these are very tricky to treat and it sometimes takes several tries before the right combination of meds is found. What works for one person simply won't work for another. To suggest that Teri find another doctor because you happen to disagree with her treatment plan (even though you don't know her and know nothing of her medical history) is irresponsible at best. Asking questions to come to a better understanding of why a certain med is being taken is one thing . . . but to make a broad statement? Not so much.

It doesn't sound like it's related to the band. Has she seen a cardiologist? I hope she's ok.

It's ok to have cravings. They always pass. Even the sugar-free sweet foods and drinks cause me to have cravings (they also impact my blood glucose levels) and I try to avoid them as much as I can. Carbs are yummy...but you want to be healthy more than you want those chips and queso, yes?

I don't mean to be negative, non-supportive or any of that other stuff....but I have a question. Why did you not research this before surgery? But, more importantly, what is your plan if you can't find someone? My suggestion would be to call the local hospitals and medical associations to ask for referrals and start making those phone calls. Best of luck to you both.

I think my doc is one of the most strict out there..... Days 1-5: Water only Two Weeks: 115 calorie Protein shakes x 3 each day I'm now at mushy foods and they say I should be having between 500-800 calories / day. When I graduate to real food, the calorie count will be the same. I have really been feeling like I'm just not getting in enough calories. I'm also three weeks post-op and this is the first week that I've felt like I've had enough energy so that I don't have to take a nap every day. My weight loss has also been stalled this week -- I lost 20 pounds in the first two weeks and now just 1 pound this week. I'm trying like crazy to stay with my doc's recommendations and will probably continue to do so for the next couple of months. His practice is a Center of Excellence. The care is amazing. It's just this one thing that I'm taking issue with. But...on the other hand...it makes sense that food would be the one thing I take issue with since I'm such a foodie.

You should ask your doc about your meds. I took all of my meds with me to my last pre-op appointment and went over everything with the nurses. Lucky me -- I'm now taking no meds. Both my BP and diabetes are under control (so fast!). Though, they think I may need to go back on BP meds eventually.

I'm three weeks post-op today and have noticed that in the last 3-4 days, things are getting tougher. The swelling from surgery is subsiding and the band is not at an optimal fill...both of these things add up to increased hunger. It sounds like most docs do fills at six weeks post-op. Just a few more weeks to go. I'm going to try to look at this as a one day at a time thing. Two more weeks of mushies and at least three weeks until a fill sounds like a long time. But can I do mushies today. Hang in there :wink2:

Xenical Flashbacks!!!!! Help...Help! :thumbup:

You might try filing an appeal -- but if it is an excluded procedure, you may not find success. I know there are some people here with Kaiser who have been approved. I'm sorry you've reached this bump in the road. Best of luck to you.

Seems like a call to your doc is in order here. I was only allowed to drink 1 ounce of Water every 20 minutes during my first days post-op. I couldn't get all of that down. I'm just about three weeks post-op now and can drink much more (still having trouble getting in my 64 ounces even though I used to drink about a gallon a day). Check in with your doc...even if only for peace of mind.

It makes sense that weekends would be a problem time. My son and I used to go out to eat every weekend -- we would start planning earlier in the week and look forward to it for at least a few days. The weekend is also when most people hit the grocery store -- stock up on all of the wonderful/horrible food. You might try completely changing your weekend habits. Plan what you'll do instead of eat and have that to look forward to instead of food and eating. I know that when I don't have a plan, it's easier for me to drift back into thoughts of foods and feasts.

Pretty nifty about those blood glucose levels. Mine dropped off right away, too -- I never went back on meds to control it. I hope your recovery is speedy!

I was told that the decision concerning which band to use would be made once they were in and could visualize the anatomy. I have an 8cc band and was filled to four during surgery. I'm just about three weeks post-op and just beginning to feel like I'm hungry.

Becky...it sounds like this could be stomach spasms to me. The fact that drinking something warm helped with the discomfort bolsters my opinion. However, since this is not the first time you've had this pain and I'm not doctor (don't even play one on TV!), you should probably check in with your surgeon. Feel better.

Hello. My name is Christine and I'm an addict. I weigh myself every morning. Get up, go pee, step on the scale. I really think it's only a detriment if you let the number determine what kind of day you're going to have.

45-60 is what my doc recommends. I'm sure as with other things, this will vary by doctor. It also sounds like it's primarily the US docs that focus so much on Protein.

I gained 3 pounds right after surgery and didn't lose them for a few days. And then...BAM....I started losing like mad. Just hang in there. Follow your doc's instructions to the letter and you'll be fine.

I had six days off. I work from home, so it was not difficult. However, if I worked in an office setting, I think I would have liked to have a few more days off. My surgery was on 4/30 and I'm just now feeling like I'm nearing 100% in terms of energy.

I was banded on 4/30 and had a difficult time getting down more than an ounce at a time. Small sips was the name of the game for me. If you're not able to get down any Water, you should call your doctor, though.

Mine goes like this: 5 days ... sips of Water only Next two weeks ... Protein Shakes and water (chewable vitamins) Next two weeks ... mushy foods Finally ... real people food :thumbdown:

It really depends on how intense the pains are and if it's constant or not. No one here is going to be able to evaluate your pain and you should probably call your surgeon's office if you are concerned. I can tell you that four days post-op, I had some pain, but I would probably rank it around 2 on a scale of 1-10 (ten being worst). You should have a list of foods/liquids that you can have from your doctor. The list varies so much from surgeon to surgeon. At four days post-op, I was still sipping Water.

Everyone has slip-ups while following a specific food plan. However, the liquid and "mushy" phases of our diets are not for losing weight -- they're to help promote proper healing. I would encourage you to stop testing the waters and get back to eating what you're supposed to for where you are in your healing. My post-op food (or lack thereof) has been a challenge for me, too. I can't count the number of times I wanted to have something more than just Protein shakes and Water, but there is no way I'm going to put proper healing at risk over a chicken nugget or onion ring. It's all about choices.

I hate to say this, but I think age has a bit to do with recovery time. I'm 41, was banded on 4/30 and I'm still having some days where I am very worn out. The 15 minute walk after a full day of work would kick my butt. I'm also on one of the most restrictive post-op diets I've seen and I honestly don't think I'm getting in enough calories to sustain a full day's worth of activities. For the first 5 days post-op, I was on nothing but sips of Water. The next two weeks are three Protein shakes (100 calories each) per day and water. (Thankfully, this comes to an end on Monday when I will graduate to mushy foods.) So....your mileage will probably vary depending on a variety of factors. I say give it a try and see how you do.

My suggestion is that you call your insurance carrier and get a listing of all of their requirements for qualification and then document, document, document. I documented all of my attempts at weight loss -- low carb, weight watchers, blah blah blah -- how much I weighed when I started a particular plan, how much I lost on that plan -- and then was able to show that I also regained. I also documented my struggles with diabetes -- when I was under good control and when things were more difficult to control -- which meds I was taking, etc. Be well-organized, know your policy, meet their requirements and then be hopeful. If you are not approved, you have the right to appeal the decision by supplying additional information. Best of luck to you.