Lighterload

Hello Canadianurse, from an Arizonanurse. Who is the surgeon doing your banding in Mexico? When are you scheduled for banding? I hear it is not only very expensive to have this done in Canada but I hear you wait for ever to be approved.

You will do fine through your surgery, there is nothing to be afraid of, you will be asleep, and when you wake you will be sore for awhile but will be given pain medication to make that discomfort tolerable. I am having my surgery on March 25th, but this is not the first surgery for me, I have had my share. You will be fine and welcome to the site.

Go to the web site that is posted right above the tickler tracker and it will lead you through the steps. Good Luck and thanks for the lift in spirits as I am approching my surgery date on March 25th. Its been a 6 month work-up and I am doing the liquid protein clear liquid diet right now...............ugh

Every physician is different in the pre Op diet they put you on. I am on the 21 day Liquid protein bullets, and just clear liquids, to shrink my liver prior to surgery on March 25th. I know people who did not lose the weigth on the pre Op diet and they were denied surgery that day and booked weeks later as they had to diet again to shrink the liver.:thumbup: I would suggest doing the liquid protein with clear liquids, to be sure you lose the weight they have required you to lose, or your surgery could be delayed and no one wants that after waiting so long initially.

I did not have to do a 6 month diet but after researching, it is purely a insurance requirement, to see how committed one is to dieting. It depends on your insurance company. My insurance company wanted to see records that I was on a physician monitored diet and lost at least 10% of my body weight, and this had to be within the last 24 months. Then I had to show doctor visit records, showing that I have been over weight for al least 5 years, etc. :laugh: Each insurance company has their our set of requirements. hang in there, the 6 months will go by quickly.:thumbup:

Be patient, the insurance company took the longest for me, and I have Blue Cross too. I had everything done that they required and I was still denied twice, for silly things like the doctor signed the progress note but there was no name of his practice on the paper...good grief! I kept on pushing, feeling that Blue Cross was hoping I would throw the towel in. That made me even more persistent. You are absolutely right when you say that waiting is the hardest part, its so frustrating. Know that once every requirement gets to your insurance company, they have a month to decide. I worked on my approval for alomst 6 months before they approved and it was right after my deductible had to be met again for the next year. Rather than let it bother me, I decided it was better to have to pay the deductible than to have to pay for the whole surgery.

You hit the nail on the head, it was three long miserable days but it is gone now and I can focus on the liquid diet for another 17 days. I am confident the results will be rewarding.:cursing:

Well thank you for responding.:cursing: Very supportive to know there is someone else going through the same as I am right now. The first two days were tough with the headache from carb withdrawal, OUCH! It was like the worst sinus headache I have ever experienced. After the third day it was tolerable. I am on day 4 now and can feel the difference for sure. I have my pre Op appointment this Tuesday, which is when my surgeon will put me on the 2 weeks liquid diet, but he doesn't know I will have a week under my belt already. It will be encouraging to step on the scale and see what reward this first week brings. Please do keep in touch so we can chat as we walk this path together.:cursing:

I have a surgery date of March 25th. :cursing: At last weeks support group I was absolutely shocked when everyone announced their weight losses since beginning their pre Op diet. Of course I will not be left out and thought I would do 3 weeks of the pre Op diet rather than the 2 weeks that my surgeon requires, so I could get a jump start. I have been on it three full days now and I must admit, its not easy but I am bound and determined to continue. Any one else do the 3 weeks of protein bullets and clear sugar free liquids? Get a headache from withdrawal?

I have a surgery date of March 25th. :w00t: At last weeks support group I was absolutely shocked when everyone announced their weight losses since beginning their pre Op diet. Of course I will not be left out and thought I would do 3 weeks of the pre Op diet rather than the 2 weeks that my surgeon requires, so I could get a jump start. I have been on it three full days now and I must admit, its not easy but I am bound and determined to continue. Any one else do the 3 weeks of protein bullets and clear sugar free liquids? Get a headache from withdrawal?

I admire your committment to being banded and all that goes with it. May I suggest that when your friends make neagtive comments, don't get annoyed and want to smack them, educate them, about the change in lifestyle you chose. You will be surprised at the change in attitude. Good Luck

I don't know if you have found the unflavored protein you were looking for but I bought one called Jarrows Formulas Whey Protein and its unflavored. I bought it at our local Sprouts store. The trick is you CANNOT mix it with anything hot until you have made a paste out of it with room temp. water, then add it to a hot food or drink and its fine. If you add it directly to a hot liquid it will curdle instantly.:wink:

I am inspired by your journey. Sounds like you are well on your way to a better life. I cannot wait until I am 7 months out and can look back and feel the same way. Thanks so much for sharing!

I actually don't mind the New Whey 42 gm. protein bullets. I order a case of each and they have several flavors. I put the 3.1 oz bullet in 32 oz of cold water and its refreshing. I guess if I am fine with these the others must be even better. I will look into them. Thanks

I have not had it done personally since I have never had clot problems, but as a nurse, I have seen it done many times and my son even a filter placed after a near fatal car accident. It is a minimally invasive procedure and only take a short time to place the filter. It is for your protection and worthwhile having placed.:wink:

I believe the fluid diet depends on your doctor. I surely wish I was doing the one you are doing, having one meal a day. I have 21 days of just liquids, prior to surgery, that I will begin in three days. Its going to be tough but I am ready. I honestly feel my doctor does this plan for the 21 days of liquids because he is all about committment. I wish you the best and hope you tough it out, it will be worth it in the end.:wink:

Ben, you survived! It was a pleasure to read your blog and your view of the procedure. I will be experiencing the surgery in 24 days, here in Arizona, and I am looking forward to my new beginning. I have a really high pain tolerance so I have no reservations about it. I wish you the very best in your journey.

Congratulations, I too will be banded on March 25th. You have every right to be excited, I know I am.

You are doing the right thing! And you have come to the right place for all the support you will need. Be patient with the insurance company, they make you jump through hoops and it takes awhile, It took me 6 months to be approved even having most of the requirements done but I was persistent even after I was denied twice. I was just approved last week and my surgery date is March 25th. Good Luck.............

Hi Craig, I recently came across this site and find it emensely helpful. Who knows better than those that have been there? I have been in the work-up phase for 6 months now, jumping through hoops for the insurance comapny. Finally was approved last week and my surgery date is March 25th, which will be my new birthday. I too, am on the heavier side and hope to lose 175 lbs. Best wishes to you too.

Welcome, I just recently came to this site and I find it emensely helpful. I have been in the work-up process for 6 months now and finally got my surgery dat, which is March 25. If you are going through insurance, be patient, its take awhile. Good Luck

I totally understand what you are going through. I have BCBS of Tennessee and they put me through the hoops and hurdles but you have to be persistent. It took 6 months for me to get approved and I had all the dieting and requirements done. I started pursuing this last Sept. and I just got approved last week. My surgery date is March 25th. Just keep on doing what you are doing, it will happen, be patient.

Congratulations, you will be having your banding done about the same time I have mine done. Best Wishes

Good Luck with your journey. I found it frustrating with the insurance company pre-determination phase but just be persistant. I am a native of Wilkes Barre, but moved to southern Arizona 15 years ago and decided to make this home.