Kellster

So I got the pre-op paperwork and my "official liquid diet" info. The doctor likes the two week diet to shrink the liver, and most people lose 10-15 lbs, which doesn't suck. Here's the scoop! Full liquid diet (1000 calories and minimum 70 grams protein) every day starting 2 weeks before surgery Full liquids include: Skim milk, Lactaid milk, or soy milk Low fat cream Soup Any fruit juice without pulp Any vegetable juice sugar free pudding Light yogurt No sugar-added fudgesicle Protein supplement (they recommend World Wide Pure Protein) Liquids that you can consume in any amounts: Water Crystal Light Diet Snapple Tea coffee - preferably decaf Sugar free Jello Sugar free popsicle broth, low-sodium (beef, chicken or veggie) I have some delicious Soups already, and broth, and the Protein shakes. Yay can't wait!

It totally does help, thank you!!

Well it's been a little more than two weeks since I had the seed of Lap-Band planted in my head. I have an appointment with my doctor this Thursday to discuss my options, and I am optimistic! I've talked with my friends and family and they all support me. I want to go to a seminar somewhere but I haven't found one that is actually still going so I thought I'd hop online and see what I can find (this site is amazing!). I'm 5'10'', a week away from 28, around 340 lbs (haven't checked in awhile but I've been maintaining), BMI of 48, and ready to make a change. I'm nervous about the procedure to get insurance coverage, and I hope my doctor goes along with my idea. I'm worried about any complications, but the risk is worth it. I'm also a bit freaked out about the saggy-skin issue, but I've heard that I should be able to recover fine. I've done some research and all I can say is that so far - the pros FAR outweigh (no pun intended) the cons. Can't wait to keep updating this site with my progress toward a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body!

But isn't a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) the removal of excess skin, so therefore a medical necessity in some cases? I don't want to put the cart before the horse, so I haven't looked at my current policy regarding medically necessary plastic surgery - but I'd recommend it if you're curious!

I've decided to tell a random assortment of people. My close circle of parents/sister/best friends have all been told and are all supportive because they know my long struggle with weight. I've told a handful of coworkers or sorority sisters or friends that have known my struggle or even who struggle with weight themselves. They've been understanding and supportive as well. I usually don't feel ashamed and actually feel buoyed by their support. Then there's the people I haven't told... most of my colleagues don't know. Even my "work bff" doesn't know - he's hypercritical of appearance anyway and has a big mouth and honestly, I just want to see his reaction as I drop weight and keep dropping it. I also haven't told my extended family, mostly because I've always been the black sheep in the sense that I'm the ONLY overweight cousin. Of all of my 14 cousins (including me and my sis), I am the ONLY fat one. So I want to see their reactions much like my work bff's. I'm sure eventually I'll tell most people, I'm certainly not ashamed of it and don't care what skinny people think of my choice. This choice wasn't easy, the road ahead won't be easy, but it will all be worth it in the end. So poo on whoever won't be supportive, that just means more room on the party bus for people whom I want to be around! :w00t:

Totally agree, Bek! And in these days of Spanx or other supportive undergarments, it's not like anyone will even be able to tell! But they can sure tell how overweight and unhealthy I am now... Bring on the loose skin! I'm ready to be HEALTHY again! Oh and I'm also taking Biotin, and am going to make sure I get enough Protein, lots of Water, and exercise both cardio and strength-training. I've heard that all helps. AND I will buy a few great push-up bras.

Hey Mr. Rice Guy! You know what works for me when my coworkers ask me to eat cake or a bagel or something junk food or whatever? I just say "Nahhh I'm fat enough already." That usually shuts them up. Sure, I use self-deprecation as a tool to get people to back off, but seriously, do I really need a double-bacon-cheeseburger with fries and a side of ranch and a chocolate shake? NO. I'm fat enough already. And to me, it's not like they don't know or can't see that I'm overweight, it's plainly obvious. So I don't even listen to their "Oh noooo you're thick, or big-boned..." or whatever. They don't even have to know about the band, and they don't have to agree with your lifestyle, but I think everyone can agree that losing weight is a good thing. Stay strong and fight the power! You can do it!

What do they call the removal of excess skin? I have Aetna PPO and am wondering the same thing regarding them paying for it... I'm anticipating a panniculectomy for sure, and possibly an abdominoplasty aka tummy tuck.

I'm expecting them to go down. I'm a 42DD-DDD now and love my voluptuous boobs. So does my bf... he even asked me (in front of his roommate - gee thanks), "wait so does this mean you're going to have smaller boobs?" to which I responded "unfortunately, yes" and then they both made sad faces.... haha. However, when I was in high school with a healthy body I had a full C and I was QUITE happy with them that size, so I'm anticipating that I won't be too sad. Thank goodness for good bras and a bf who can joke about shrinking boobies but love me anyway!

Mine's on there too! I never knew that Calendar was even there... haha! What a great way to keep track of everyone.

This is a great idea! I admit, I've been a lazy bum lately and have been eating ALMOST whatever I want. But the good news is that I walked up the escalators (big ole stairs) on my way to work today. All five flights of them. I was breathing hard at the top but I felt good! My goal is to do that as often as I can until I don't get out of breath. Oh and hit up the gym too!

I had the same questions... I plan on getting the Allergan AP band but don't know if I'll get the Realize. Here's a great site that compares the two. Really, they do the same thing and the differences are minimal. Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band It's a good question to ask your surgeon, BEFORE you go under! My friend thought she was getting the Allergan one, but came out with Realize.

I bet it would help you feel better mentally and maybe even physically if you put yourself on a pre-op diet. Something similar to what you see others doing. That way you get a jump-start too, and you start getting used to the bandster routine. Good luck, whatever you choose to do! :thumbup:

Hey guys and gals... If you're looking for good Protein drinks, the one I recommend is Worldwide Protein Plus. They sell it online, in Vitamin stores, but best of all - at Trader Joe's!!! It comes in a soda-type can and man, it is delicious! I pretty much assume protein drinks/shakes/powders/supplements will taste like protein, but these taste soooooo good. 1 can has 35 grams of protein, 160-170 calories, 2 carbs, and 1 g fat. And you don't have to mix it, just grab and go. I don't know about you all, but I'm going crazy prepping for this two week diet and then the post-op diet. My super-organized/OCD side is coming out, I even have a spreadsheet with all the info. I can't wait!

I probably should know how much I pay for insurance... but it comes out of my paycheck pre-tax so I haven't a clue, lol! I wish I still had Blue Shield HMO, it was cheaper and easier overall. But when my work changes, so do I.

Yayyyy congrats to those who are getting even closer! The Protein bullets that my roomie (who was banded 3/8/09) uses are called New-whey 42 and can be found on www.idssports.com. You get 42 grams of protein that comes mostly from whey and caseine and only 176 calories. unjury also has some fruit-flavored protein supplements, www.unjury.com, but I think theirs are a bit higher in calories, and they come in powder form. There are whole forums on LB talk about supplements and protein and all the goodies we'll use to help us have the best healthy bodies possible post-surgery.

To be honest I didn't really follow a diet. I just met with a dietician once a month for 6 months, and we talked about different ways of thinking about food, mindful eating, portion sizes, quality of food, etc. I did learn a lot but I didn't follow a caloric limit or specific food plan. Overall I lost 4 lbs, which is good for a morbidly obese person who wasn't really trying... usually we gain weight. My best recommendation is to go to the appointments, learn how to modify your behavior, and prep your MIND for the surgery. You might lose some weight, but once you have the tool you'll be ready to lose a bunch of weight and keep it off!

It's a protein supplement that usually is fruit-flavored, gives you 42 grams of protein, and comes in a test-tube looking thing. I've heard the best way to take them is to mix half with crystal light or Propel or some flavored water. It's a great way to get protein (essential to body functions) but not get calories.

Wow... my first post. It's amazing to see how far I've come since August 08. I'm now in the final countdown - 20 days til surgery!!!!

Skinnybyrd, I totally relate! It's finally real after the whole 6 month diet, and the waiting for ins approval, and now it's like a 3 week crash course in surgery prep. I've been holding back excitement waiting to get approval and now it's running wild! I think they only thing I haven't really thought about is how I'm going to pay the out of pocket... yikes. Insurance covers 80% I think. Just another question to add to my list!

John, good luck! My Aetna people told me they had up to 15 business days to review it... but I called every single day, finally got the name of the nurse that was reviewing my file, and even faxed her a letter pleading my case. Keep us updated!!

I've come up with a few so far... but I too want to ask any possible questions and am not sure what to ask. Although I feel like I've done so much research that I pretty much have all my questions asked. This is what I've come up with: Do you use glue or stitches? When can I return to cardio exercise (more than walking)? When can I start doing sit-ups and core exercises? When can I start weight training? Am I getting the Realize or Allergan (AP) band? Will I be taking blood thinners before/during/after surgery? What size band will you put in? How much do you usually put in at the first fill? What side are you putting the port on? When can I have sex? Should I be aware of any limitations in this regard? Do I have to do any sort of bowel prep or is that for bypass? How soon can I start applying Mederma? If steri-strips are used, when should they come off? Should I take them off? I am 99% sure I'm staying overnight, but it has to be 23 hour stay (less than a day), does that mean I have to leave at 5am since I arrive on surgery day at 6am at the hospital? Should I bring Protein bullets, etc. to the hospital to supplement their crappy food? If you can't tell... I'm an inquisitive gal so I'm sure I'll come up with more.

Yeah the "last supper" syndrome is hard to kick. Even though I've somewhat overcome that... my friends/family are now wanting me to have a last hurrah with them before the pre-op diet. It's kinda funny, actually. I'm already ready to let go of eating foods that are not great for my body but they're like "ONE MORE TIME!!!"

Hi Jackie! My insurance is Aetna PPO Choice II. I had to do the six month physician supervised diet and prove that I was obese for 2 years (easy as pie for that part). That, along with the surgeon's recommendation and they psych clearance were all my insurance needed for approval. The upper GI, bloodwork, pre-op physical by my PCP, and EKG are all tests required by Dr. Quilici before he'll do surgery. I didn't have to do a cardio stress test or endoscopy or other tests because they weren't necessary for my situation. It took two and a half weeks for the insurance people to approve it all, and once I got the approval my surgery was scheduled for three weeks out. Now comes the mad rush of pre-op tests and stuff. Let me know if you have any questions or anything for Dr. Quilici's process or insurance, I feel like I'm more of an expert than the staff is at this point. The journey ahead may seem long, but boy will it be worth it!!