marfar7

Band groupie: I've got to be on the Protein shakes and clear liquids for 4 weeks!! broth, popsicles, Jello and Protein Shakes, that;s it! I'm not banded yet - scheduled for Oct 1st, but I've already ordered Monster Milk (20 oz=50 gms protein) anf those fruit Protein drinks from GNC (my local GNC didn't have any protein drinks except the powdered ones). Does 4 weeks on this strict of a diet sound like a long time to anyone? And I'm so scared I'll never be able to eat Pasta ever again!! I think that'll be my last real meal! Thanks! Marci

I haven't had my surgery yet (Oct 1), but already know I have to stay 1 nite - due to Medicare restrictions. I'm fine with that, I'd rather be in pain where they can give me something than to wait till I'm home and can only take oral meds (vs IV meds) Marci

Just ot my date today - Oct 1st. They told me I didn't need to lose any weight beforehand - just not to gain any. I think I can manage that/ Now I'm off to GNC to get some Protein drinks to try and see which I like the best - my doc does 4 weeks of a protein liquid diet (which seems like a long time compared to some people on here, doesn't it?) Best of luck to everyone! Marci

Actually, I'm so used to therapy, it didn;t phase me at all!!LOL. I just did mine this past monday and it took less than an hour. She just wrote in a notebook all about my childhood, what my parents were like, about my siblings. About my education, marriage, time in the Army, about my depresssion, the meds I take.......just "stuff" basically. She told me she was recommending me for surgery, but wanted to see me continue with therapy for depression. Please don;t be so terrrified about the psych eval - it;s really not that bad. They just ask a bunch of generic questions about your family, how you deal with stress, and about who your support system is for the surgery. That was about it for me. Good luck! Marci

I still have 6 weeks to go before banding and I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts. While I'm soooo ready to lsoe the 100 lbs I need to lose and have tried everything else, I can't even imagine going forever without bread, rice or Pasta ever again. At least that's what the nurse said. IS this correct? Or can I have a 1/2 sandwhich, a few btes of pasta/rice occasionally? I've heard anywhere from you can't have these at all to you can have anything in moderation, in small amts, occasionally. Which is true? This in no way represents my readiness to get the band, because I'm very ready to start measuring my portions (2 oz protein/1oz vegs), drinking the liquid diet for 4 weeks, and not drinking while eating. I just can't believe that I have to totally give up bread, pasta, and rice (yes, I understand why, because they expand in the stomache) if I just want a pc of bread or a few bites of pasta. Can I just play with foods to see what works well for me? Or is that a no no? Thanks! Marci

My booklet states that you should avoid: Dry meat, Peanut Butter, shrimp, untoasted or doughy bread, Pasta and rice, corn, celery and asparagus, dried fruit, coconut, popcorn, nuts,seeds and skins and fruits and veggies, greasy or fried food. FOREVER I get some of the things (like the fatty foods), but PB, popcorn, pasta and rice, nuts, and for goodness sake the skins of fruits and veggies? Can someone tell me why better than this booklet does: it says it has difficulty passing thru the opening of the stoma and may cause blockage. How does pasta and rice get stuck in a stoma? Or anything else if it's chewed properly? I don't plan on swallowing anything whole! I was just curious if anyone else got these same instructions? Oh well, if I have to eat mashed potatoes and applesauce forever to get this weight off I will! I will certainly miss my peanut butter, popcorn, shrimp, and pasta. Oh, I have my:Dietitians appt, My education appt with the nurse, my Dr's appt, and my psych eval all on Aug 10th (I live 3.5 hrs away, so they thought they'd get it in all on the same day) Get this- I live in the same town where they have a bariatric center, but Medicare doesn't cover that facility. So I have to travel every 4-6 weeks 3.5 hrs to get my fills. Oh well. I'll do just about anything at this point. Blessings! Marci

I'm attending my seminar soon, hoping to have surgery by end of summer- -I'm just wondering what a drastic change it'll be. What and how much is you typical Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Snacks? Ajnd do you get nauseous if you eat too much? Thanks! Marci

I called Carillion Memorial Hospital today to check out their program. They charge $25,000 for the surgery and $500-$1,000 for each fill. Does this sound correct? I'm not worried about the actual surgery, as Medicare covers all but $1,400 of it - but I understand that fills are not covered? If I have the surgery in Detroit, as planned, can I get it filled locally? I'm also moving to OR in May - is that going to be a problem? Thanks for any info! Marci

Hi! That's where I'm planning on going - with Dr. Webber. I still haven't even gotten the paperwork going yet, so I'm a little far from the procedure. I'd like to hear how it goes. Are you in Detroit or coming from somewhere else? I guess they get alot of out-of-towners. Marci

Hi! I'm Marci, 41, and currently live in VA. I'm having my lapband done in Detroit tho. Does this mean I have to have all my fills done there also? What does the pre-op diet consist of and how long is it? My BMI is 38 - if I lose enuf before the surgery, does that negate my surgery if I fall below 35? I'm so depressed right now at my weight gain. I've always been overweight but got into shape while I was in the Army. Then I gained it back and then I lost 30 lbs in 4 months after my husband passed away 18 mths ago. Since then, I've steadily been gaining - over 70 lbs in the past year! And the thing is: I"M AN RD! I KNOW these things in my head, it's just doing them that's killing me. I've been off/on many diet over the past few months and don't relish the thought of yo-yo'ing again. So I thought I'd check out the lapband.My problem is: Who am I going to get to fill it? I'm not going to MI each time I need it filled. And do doctors who don't perform the surgery actually fill them? Thanks for my listening to me ramble. Just wanted to say hey!