binab

Definitely check with your Doctor. The only thing I was told I could not add was oatmeal, however since I have seen that many Dr's do restrict the 'naners, I have limited it to once every other day.

So I went to Costco and ended up buying the EcoDrink multivitamins. It's a sugar free crystal lite type thing - I looked at the gummys but was worried about getting them down (esp in the beginning). These were also the closest match to the minimum nutritional guidelines that my Dr's office gave me (at two drinks per day). I liked that it would be added to my water which I will already be drinking. I haven't tried it yet - they only had two flavors (berry and orange), so I only bought enough to get me through pre-op just in case I don't like them. Anyone else tried or is using these?

I love this thread and all the advice given on it. I have gone back and forth with the decision myself (for 4 yrs) but ultimately I think I need the tool to help me keep the weight off. If you haven't had the opportunity to attend a support group, I would encourage you to do so. Even though I am not banded yet, I think it's been helpful to be in a room full of real people that are living the banded lifestyle. It's not a magic fix, there will be struggles, but there will also be triumph if you follow the banded lifestyle. The one thing I keep hearing at group is that in spite of the occassional struggle, people love their bands... I hope to say the same thing soon.

Thanks for the tip - was hoping for a chewable vitamin and I happen to be going to Costco today anyway. I may need to pick up some more Premier Protein while I'm there. I hate plain vanilla, but I've been using it as a base for smoothies. This morning I mixed it with a non-fat Chobani blueberry yogurt, some fresh blueberries and ice. It is my favorite one so far. So flavorful - yum! I wouldn't be surviving preop if I couldn't add to these shakes. Hope everyone is doing well!

Glad you were able to post and update us... and I hope the pain subsides soon and that darn gas goes away! I can't believe the month is half over. I've just finished day 3 of preop and my headache is finally gone. I hope the next 11 days go by quickly! It seems like half the conversations at work somehow end up food related. I never really noticed that before. I am going this weekend to finally pick a vitamin and get things ready for post op. Any suggestions for vitamins? I have my nutritionists suggestions, but most are only available if ordered online. I'm not a frequent poster, but I am on on my phone lurking most of the day. I hope all those in post op are recovering well and good luck to those going tomorrow!

I've just finished day 2 also; two shakes and any kind of soup for my third meal. I am hungry, but since I'm allowed to have my soup for any meal, I've been having it for lunch. Thats the time of day that I seem to most need to actually eat something, so it's been working out well. I'm already bored with the shakes though and trying to find ways to make them more interesting. Mentally it helps me to add fruit to the shakes and when you blend them up it's like they double in size. ...and is it just me, because I'm hungry, or does it seem like everyone talks about food all day long?!

I'm also 8/27! My Dr. only has one pre-op option - 2 shakes and a soup (any kind). At the support group last night, it was mentioned that those of us in preop could add fruit and such to our shakes as long as we mixed it up smoothy-like. I am going to email the nutritionist tomorrow and verify before I do it, but I can see how adding a banana or something might be a bit more filling and add some flavor.

I know many people have the more common, sliding type hiatal hernia repaired during their surgery, but I am looking for people with experience with the less common paraesophageal type of hiatal hernia being repaired during their LB surgery. Did you have to stay overnight? What was your recovery and post-op diet like? I'm not a bit nervous about the LB part of the surgery, but pulling my stomach down from it's place next to my esophagus scares the begeezus out me. I am very nervous but anxious to get it repaired - it is very uncomfortable. Anything I should know? Thanks!

Yes, lots of pressure in the chest after eating and sometimes feeling like when you swallow something, the food / pill / whatever feels like it's still in your throat. I have minimal acid reflux. Will you have your egd when you get to Mx?

Love the list, DeAna! I've also fallen off, could you add me back? Aug 27. Hope everyone did well today and good luck everyone going tomorrow! You're in our thoughts!

So glad to see your post and that you're doing well. Rest up and take good care of yourself!

Aug 27th for me. Had my EGD this morning; it confirmed a "huge" hiatal hernia according to the Dr. I'm tired of the miserable symptoms caused by that, so I am as excited to get that fixed as I am to get the band! Look out, August, here we come!

After four years of research, saving, and another failed diet, I am scheduled for August 27. Very ready!

I only participated in the Saturday part of the conference, and as an unbanded person I found it extremely informative! I enjoyed each of the speakers (some on different levels - you all know which ones I mean!) and found each to be sincere in their efforts to help the banded community succeed. As a soon-to-be self-pay patient, I must admit that I was disappointed that there was not a raffle for a free band as advertised. I know it was no ones fault, but I cannot deny that it played into my decision to attend. Overall though, I am glad I went and feel empowered to proceed and embrace the process ahead...

My insurance will not cover my surgery and I'm going to be a cash pay patient. My original plan was to use a combination of 401k loan (I pray it's still worth something!) and a healthcare FSA. My husbands employer is now offering a choice of either having a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA). They are putting some money into the HSA account if that is the selection we make. Can I use an HSA to pay for my surgery? I'm very familiar with how FSA's work, but not at all with the HSA stuff. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks!

Here's the hotel info from an earlier post - Wyndham DFW Airport North 4441 W. John Carpenter Freeway Irving, Texas 75063 Can't wait! Wish I were already banded so I'd have something to contribute to the clothing exchange. :thumbdown:

I just registered - I am coming alone. I won't be banded until January, so I'm really hoping to learn a lot!

Well it turns out that I'm going to be using TLCEdge and doing self pay. I won't be financially ready to lay out the money until mid January however, so I'm wondering how long beforehand to start the overall process? Also, at what point did you actually have to pay? Two weeks out, that day, etc? :girl_hug: Thank you!!

So after I verified that my insurance was not an option at all, I tried to do financing. I only tried emedical though and I was denied. The denial wasn't entirely unexpected - it's the first thing I have applied for since our BK and except for the car and house (that I haven't been even a day late on), we haven't got anything actively reporting to the bureaus. Luckily, all hope is not lost - I am just going to wait until January when my new year of FSA kicks in and combine that with a 401k loan... It'll wind up costing me a lot less in saved interest and since FSA funds are taken pre-tax, I figure it will save me about 15% on the total surgery cost! Except for the waiting (which is relatively short in the grand scheme), its a win-win!

Did you try yet and were you successful? Inquiring minds want to know... :redface:

I'm not banded yet, but that sounds just like when I am having acid reflux issues. I thought I was having heart issues when I first started having these symptoms (and it is a bit disarming!) but found out thats all it was. Have you contacted your PCP or surgeon to get it checked out?

I am just starting this journey, and while I have UHC, I don't have high hopes for approval. I have a BMI of 35.6 with arthritis, asthma (is that a co-morbity?), borderline hypertension, and possible sleep apnea. I'm trying to consider what my possibilities may be if insurance is denied, however DH and I have a bankruptcy that was discharged in 2005. I saw that someone else had success with medicredit, but they do not appear to be taking new applications at this time. Anyone else with a bankruptcy had success with financing their band? (My last resort option will be to wait until next year and use a combination of flexible spending account and 401k loan, but I am hoping to do this sooner rather than later...) Thanks all!