kgranite79

I just want to thank everyone for their responses! I am so glad I found this website! I have learned so much! It's SO nice to know that I am not the only one going through this. Thank you for sharing your stories with me, it is so nice to know that I can come on here and get some encouragement just when I need it the most. MUCH LOVE and SUCCESS to EVERYONE!

So I have been on my pre-op diet for 10 days now which included 4 Optifast drinks 2 optifast bars, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I have lost 10lbs so far. As of tomorrow I am to go onto a complete clear liquids diet for the next 2 days until surgery which is Wednesday the 20th.....BUT I cheated tonight! Up until tonight I have done exactly what I was supposed to and while it was incredibly difficult I still made it somehow...until tonight. I had some plain grilled chicken breast with some lettuce that had vinegar on it...I was starving tonight and for some reason I said screw it. I figured I had done so well to this point that something like that would be OK to eat.....just to fill me one last time before the surgery. So I know some people have NO pre-op diet, and some have a low fat diet pre-surgery. My question is, do you think this will affect my liver size by Wednesday? I mean it wasn't fattening, and I still have 2 days until surgery. I am sure it will be ok but now I am freaking out a bit!!! Any feedback would be AWESOME! I guess I am just worried that they won't be able to do the surgery because my liver will be too big now? How long does it take to shrink again? :confused2:

hey disney, GOOD LUCK tomorrow! Keep us all posted, I am getting banded on Wednesday and can't wait! I am starting to get nervous now, but I know it will be ok.

Jessica, There are several things that are considered for insurance approval. It all depends on your insurance company. My BMI is 40.8 and I am 100 lbs overweight with NO co-morbidities. I needed documented weight loss programs but all it was was me filling out the year which program I tried and how much I lost (I got the form from my doctor) I filled it out, had to have a letter written from my primary doctor stating that I am a good candidate for the surgery with several weight loss attempts with no success. I included that along with the sheet with all of my weight loss attempts, completed the required testing and was approved within a week. When I went to the seminar, there was a patient advocate there. I gave her all of my insurance information and before I could even make an appointment to see the surgeon, she called my insurance company to find out if they cover the surgery, if so how much and what the requirements were. Once all of that was taken care of I pretty much knew that I would qualify for it. Luckily my insurance covers the surgery 100% becauae I met all of the requirements. My suggestion to you is, start with the seminar and take one step at a time. You have nothing to lose (but weight lol) do what they ask you to (such as psych evaluation, nutritionist etc) and submit it and cross your fingers. Again this all has to do with which company you have. Certain companies require 6 months on a monitored diet, others don't. But according to you, your 100lbs overweight, and a BMI of 41 sounds like you have all you need (you may not need to have ANY co-morbidities). Co-morbidities are things such as sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Things like that. I am scheduled for my surgery on the 20th, I am on an all liquid diet right now for the 12 days prior to surgery, and let me tell you it sucks. I know it will be worth it in the end! GOOD LUCK and POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!! I HOPE THIS HELPED A LITTLE :cool2:

wow Mike thats all, 3 shakes? How are you managing? I thought my pre-op diet was strict! I guess I shouldn't complain I can have 4 drinks 2 bars and sugar free Jello (which I am now sick of after 3 days) Keep up the good work, and good luck to you!

I just googled it and you can get them on ebay, good prices too. I paid 220 bucks for 24 bars and 48 drinks. Hope this helps!

what are you looking for, the optifast drinks themselves? I got them at my doctors office.

I just went to my pre-op and I had to actually take a test. I was shocked, they really checked the answers. It asked me all kinds of questions like how many grams of protein should you eat after surgery, how much fluid should be consumed a day, types of food that might be an issue or cause blockages etc etc. Thank God I come on here often, I have really really learned a ton of information. I feel like I could teach one of those seminars by now. As far as your friend, she will be the one that gets food stuck constantly and will gain most of the weight back in the long run. She thinks this is a quick fix, and that it isn't hard work- she is in for a rude awakening!!! Focus on you, and how successful you will be. Keep your head up and positive thoughts! Good luck and much success!!

I have not gotten banded yet but I have read a few posts regarding this problem. If you go to search bar and type in Wen Shampoo a few posts pull up about this shampoo. They seem to love it, I think it might help you. But go check out the posts first. I am new here so unfortunately I do not know how to link you directly to the post. Hope this helps, and good luck!

thanks LB4Life for sharing your story. It's nice to know that I am not the only one out there going through this! I am cranky today and a little short of patience but I guess thats to be expected. I wish I could have a salad!!!!! I wonder why each Dr's diet before surgery is so different. I have read posts that some people have to be on a low fat diet and thats it. UGH I am friggen starving, I hate this feeling!!!! Keep me updated on your progress and good luck!!!

I am on my 2nd day of the Optifast diet. I can have 4 Optifast drinks, 2 bars and sugar free Jello and thats it! I am already sick of Jello, help! I wish I could have something as simple as a salad, or lean cuisine or something low fat- anything but Jello LOL! I know its going to be worth it in the end. I get banded on August 20th and I am so excited to start this new beginning. I am really missing my food, and just thinking of not going out to dinner this weekend has killed me. I actually think I am slightly depressed by this. Yesterday was hard, today was a bit easier. I am hoping it will only get better over the next 1o days!!!! Please tell me this gets easier and food becomes so much less of a priority! Trying to stay positive

at least you can have salad, all I can have is 4 Optifast drinks 2 optifast bars and sugar free Jello and thats it! Man at this point a small salad would be a treat!! LOL Never knew I liked food this much, guess thats why I am in this position now Keep your head up it will be worth it in the end, and you will be so proud of yourself! Kim

trust me I know how you feel, this is only my 2nd day on the Optifast liquid diet. Yesterday was by far the worst, I was starving all day. I did notice that I needed to keep busy and keep my mind off of food. Today is going much better, just keeping busy and trying to avoid food. I made my husband do the grocery shopping, cooking and feeding the kids. That has helped alot. God what I would do for a burger right now. I really hope I can make the next 10 days!!!! I keep in mind is that its going to feel SO good to be thin! I think of clothes shopping, and looking good in a pair of jeans and honestly thats enough to keep me motivated. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. When is your surgery date? Mine is the 20th!

to Moe and gilta CONGRATULATIONS and GOOD LUCK!!! Keep us posted on your progress! My surgery is scheduled for August 20th!

Hey Trish, I am getting banded on Aug 20th. I am 29 years old and I am a receptionist in an emergency vet hospital here in Connecticut. I would love to become band buddies. It would be nice to have someone to talk to since our surgeries are close together! Good luck and congrats!!! :thumbs_up:

congrats!!! So when is your surgery scheduled for? Mine is for August 20th. Keep me updated!

good luck, keep positive thoughts! Please keep me updated. My surgery is scheduled for August 20th I CAN'T WAIT. Maybe we will be banded around the same time! Keep your head up!

I GOT APPROVED!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!! :couch2::hurray::party::couch2::couch2::blushing:

Thanks red, that makes me feel a little better! Good luck and keep me posted!!

well good luck, hopefully we will both be on our way to skinnier healthier lives!! Update me when you find out!!

I am just wondering how long it took from the time you submitted all of your paperwork, until you heard back from insurance? I have BCBS Connecticut. The lady told me that I should know within a week or so. I think she submitted it last Friday. I am so nervous, and just praying that they will approve me. My BMI is 41 and no health problems! WISH ME LUCK, I COULD USE IT!!! Staying positive! :thumbup: Kim Seminar :confused_smile: Consult :crying: Ultrasound :eek: Psych Evaluation Nutritionist Referral letter from my primary doctor :thumbs_up: Approval :confused:

Hi Heather, My name is Kim. I am not banded yet but will hopefully find out from insurance sometime next week. I would love to be your band buddy. Keep me posted on your progress and good luck!

welcome to LBT I am a newbie as well. I have been reading posts on here for weeks now. This website has been so informative. You would be amazed at what you can find out. Keep reading posts and you will learn alot about what "real" banders go through. Good luck with everything!

Hello everyone, My name is Kim and I am a new member to lapbandtalk. My question is, my BMI is 41 I guess which is on the lower side of the acceptable range (insurance purposes). What are my chances of insurance approving me?? I have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which I hear is one of the better insurance companies to have. I can't help but wonder if there is anyone else out there that had this low of a BMI without any medical conditions and was approved on the first try. I am 100lbs over weight, and according to my surgeon I am a candidate for the band. I have submitted all of my paper work and am now just awaiting a response. Please keep your fingers crossed for me! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all of your success! Kim