MSan914

dgrimes -- those classes will be what you rely on once you have the surgery. And could you share this website with the class? I think this website has been very informative and helpful. Good luck with things - keep us informed.

Wow - SUPER - congrats!! What was your exercise program??

Come on others that have or are patients of Drs Richardson and Lane in Lansing. Let's start sharing our stories!!!

I can not WAIT for my first fill!!! Congrats -- I am sooo jealous!

Hey Michigan people - I KNOW there are LOTS and LOTS of Michigan people that have recently been banded -- let's get this thread going again. I am feeling a little lonely without other people from Michigan on here!!! Thanks - hope to hear from someone soon!!

mine are covered with insurance . have you tried the Fill USA centers? I think there is one in Troy.

I had surgery on Tuesday and returned to work on the following Monday - have primarily a desk job with 1-3 hours driving a day. Had no problems.

I keep a case of bottled water in my car, one at my office and one at home ........... and I bought a case of the Special K protein water packs from DrugStore.com I don't like plain water much - so the Special K packs gives me flavor and protein.

the requirements are different -- and depends on the surgeon and also depends on the insurance.

Do you do any Protein shakes or anything? it doesn't seem like enough protein - I am required to get 60-70grams of protein a day. And if you are only eating a few fork fulls - you probably not getting even close to 1000 cals a day. I am 2-weeks post op and had my surgeon appt today - I am onto stage III and she said basically if I can blend it and chew it thoroughly there isn't much that I can not eat. I have eaten lot's of different things - but no breads, pastas or rice.

no upper GI for me --- the surgeons said it was not needed. I THINK it is needed for those people with GERD, hernia, heartburn, etc.

I still have swelling at the larger incision - actually felt like a rock last week. I called my Dr office and the nurse said it sounded normal (from how I explained it to her). I too was not having "bm's" - and they said that I needed to drink at least 64 oz of water/fluids daily - and that I should add some benefiber to my mushies. That has helped. I can drink the 64+ ounces of fluids with no problem - I have always been a HUGE Water drinker. So no problem there for me.

my strips are ALL off - I had 5.

HELP - OK - so for the last week I have been on the mushy stage and I haven't felt any restriction at all. But I have been keeping to very small portions. Well, last night - I ate TOO MUCH of a good thing and I had the WORST pain in my abdomen area. WOW - I think it was heartburn/gas..........took some TUMS and after about an hour or so, I had some massive burps and the pain subsided. I guess I DO have some restriction.......or something. I have an appointment already with my Surgeon tomorrow ------- so I will tell her the story -

My surgeon recommended putting something on the incision sites, AFTER the strips came off. She said it helps the site heal and possibly minimize the scar.

Lose2regainme -- CONGRATS!!!! Let us know when your surgery date is -- you must be SOOO excited!!!

Sorry to hear of the problems - but glad they are starting to get better. Did you get your band in the USA? Just wondering -

My insurance covered everything 100%, My surgeon's office requires an up front $750 payment for their 6-week nutrition classes, post-op monthly support meetings and the 2 weeks of liquid diet items.

I was banded on April 28th also --- Let's keep this thread going to help one another. I feel like I am able to eat ANYTHING in ANY AMOUNT..... my will power is getting thin (but not me!!)

Hey Joan - Glad to hear you are going to stick to the letter your Pre-Op diet!!! It takes will power and being able to do the pre-op will help you with the post-op and the future. I now several people that are post-op lapband and they did NOT have the will power to stick to the pre-op as much as it sounds like you will and they are doing great post-op. The band is a TOOL that many people need to be successful. Will power and sticking to a diet has failed for so many - which makes the band a perfect option! Good Luck with your jouney, sounds like you will do very well!!!

The differences in BCBS is actually the employer or policy holder. One company can create their own coverage plan which can differ greatly from another company's coverage plan. So my BCBS coverage as a state of michigan employee is different from my neighbor's BCBS coverage as a employee of a hospital system.

I have BCBS of MI PPO and did NOT have any problems. I called the service center the morning after my seminar and they clarified everything for me very well and then also followed up with mailing a letter detailing that thre is NO pre-authorization needed, etc. I think some of the testing and stuff is NOT only insurance policy but some of it is SURGEON policy ---- It was 4mos from Seminar to surgery - could have been 3mos, but I had a cruise and a work conference that I had to do. GOOD LUCK!

Then it sounds like the best thing is to see if your dr office would record your height as 5'6" or the 5' 61/2"

You are doing great -- I don't know if I could make it on just clear liquids - no Protein??? wow That seems odd -- 3 weeks with little to no nutrients?

I found the Isopure clear protein drink at GNC. For me, the Apple/Melon was best tasting. Each glass bottle contains 40g of protein. This has helped me to get in the 70g of protein that the nutritionist indicated I should be consuming.