paisleypea

this is COOL! thanks! bummer about the pictures (for me ----- have to think thru the process ---- just being lazy)

Julie M ---- I JUST did that very thing this morning! well, actually I had a small (half) cup of coffee first and then I made the Protein shake with 1/2 milk, 1 cup coffee, Protein powder (chocolate) and ice ----- a mocha latte frozen! man, it's da bomb! Mandie - glad to hear you're doing okay and better. you too Darlene. sorry you have to wait for the shower phenry!

carchaser --- I didn't have 5 years documented from a dr. office history of BMI either. I also have BCBS (TX). That said, what I did was make up a chart with dates, weights, BMI, what diet I tried, what the result was. I had it going back to 1993 ----- way more than it needed to be, but I thought perhaps it would show a history of gradually increasing weights over time. Because I tended to lose 40 to 50 lbs per diet (and gaining it plus another 10 back.....) I was worried cuz my BMI wasn't high enough for the entire 5 year history. I did "fudge" it just a bit too ----- but I felt it was worth it. Then I gave that chart (I made it on my computer) to my dr. to add to my medical record. it then got sent on to the insurance company as part of my medical records. Your dr. might do the same for you. Good luck!

Jason - you are doing FANTASTIC! way to go --- you have grabbed that bull by the horns and are telling it what! I too am impressed by your commitment ---- the future is bright for you!

Congrats! it's REAL! isn't it an awesome feeling? Not sure you will do this, but I did ------ had some really wild thoughts during the approved but before the actual surgery time. I am still absolutely glad I made the decision!

Yay you! take your pills, sleep and walk! welcome to the rest of your life!

I think Pam is on top of it - but I'm unsure what she does exactly?? I called her initially from the website and she made my first consultation appointment. I've not ever seen her in the office though, just Susie and Kelly (sometimes). Do you know what she does? Going to a support meeting before the surgery was a huge energy and encouragement push for me! They are always the 2nd Thurs of the month

thanks for the great word picture Restless - the fire with wood is a perfect analogy. I am just 8 days post-op but have been wondering myself just how much I am supposed to eat calorie wise. I think it is different in this healing phase right now??? but I wanted the info for when I am a "normal bander". LOL I will use the fire/wood image to help me balance.

another point is that there are MANY different post-op diets - depending on the surgeon. My surgeon has done over 2,000 and therefore has zero pre-op diet - he can work with any liver. His post-op seems far more aggressive than many I have read about too. It was clear liquid for op day, full liquids Post-Op days 1 - 3, pureed food Post-Op days 4-7, Soft foods Post-Op days 8 - one month out from surgery date. I have stayed true to the diet - but I do have my husband cook the dinner and clean it up cuz it's stuff I can't eat and I'm not enjoying cooking/cleaning it up. He is a saint. I didn't puree stuff - it sucked! I stayed with puree food like cottage cheese, yogurt, custard etc. I did end up making tapioca pudding one night - but it was on the list. helpful hint --- Soups that are strained are the BOMB! My sweet husband went to Panera and bought me both chicken noodle and french onion soups - and asked for the broth only. They totally obliged and gave all liquid, no big chunks. it did have some in it still, so I just strained it. yeah - canned/boxed broth - yuck! and the Pacific boxes of Soup are awesome and liquid (full) --- roasted red pepper and tomatoe, butternut, etc. all good!

for me - I couldn't have gone to work by then. I slept and slept and slept - for 3 days post-op and then was just tired out easily after that. I think most recommend not going back to work until a week out from surgery - and some stay longer. I am exactly a week out and glad I don't have to go to work. I am taking it easy to heal. The body takes a toll undergoing major surgery.

CHEERS! thanks for the calories and carb counts too! My surgeon's dietician said we cannot drink for a whole year. I thought it had something to do with the band. Now of course I know it is just to keep weight loss going and not drinking too many calories. whew! i have yet to feel like a drink though! I was banded 7 days ago.

yep - ditto! I made up a chart of my weights, dates and diets and outcomes --- showing how I'd lose 50 and then gain 60. I think that helped my 5-year history thing cuz duh, when I lost 50 pounds my BMI wasn't over 35 anymore. list anything and everything you can. My PCP wrote a letter based on my insurance requirements, showing how I met each and every one of them. Then it was sent to my surgeon with my chart included with my medical file (I gave it to PCP) and my surgeon wrote a letter. I'm not exactly sure what he wrote (I would love to see it myself actually) but they faxed it to BCBS on a Friday and BCBS sent out a letter the next Wed of approval.

wow. I'm so sorry to hear of the endless waiting on your end. I had a similar experience - and I found that when I kept calling my stuff finally got done and faxed. ugh! frustrating isn't it? however, once I got my approval -- I too called my insurance and the date they sent me a letter. It took 10 days to actually receive the letter though! - anyway, when I called the surgeon's office with an approval, I was called back immediately. I had rarely been called back, let alone that fast. Had my surgery last Monday and when I called for my first post-op appt she got to me right away when she got in. so ----- maybe they have so many of us wanting to go thru the hoops and they can't handle it all? maybe those of us approved already are priority? not sure. Is your surgeon very experienced with lap band? I know you wrote that he did your gall bladder and is pioneer in laparoscopic surgeries and all, but how much with lap band? This is completely different in the after care aspect of the surgery ---- it isn't just surgery and done like most surgeries are. I'd want to know how many he has done before I trusted him with it. just some thoughts

Congrats! that's awesome! I did have a hard time getting thru sometimes, but found that Susie was not usually in the office except on thurs and fri. I know he does surgeries all day on Monday and some on Tuesday too. Just keep calling and emailing. (she can check from home I think)

Stacey - it sounds like all those extra tests are required by your surgeon. BCBS had on their qualifying list the 6-month diet, psych eval., BMI>40 or BMI>35 with 2 co-morbids. I didn't have to do those extra tests besides that -----thankfully! Also - BCBS in general tends to approve/not approve pretty quickly - so stay in touch with them. I called and they'd approved it within 3 days.

Good luck everyone! you will do great!

ohhhhh, I sure hope it resolves quickly for you! what a bummer. you are right in getting it all checked out and IF it has to be postponed, you'll get it at the time right for you. Thinking good things for you! keep us posted

Hey everyone - I went to my first Support Group with Dr. Chae's office last Thursday and met quite a few of you. Several had not heard of this website, so I hope you have joined in. This is a place we can connect with each other! ---paisleypea aka Tobi-Lynn

Hi Dena! you are doing AWESOME! I met you last Thurs at support group. I have surgery tomorrow morning (Monday) Yay! it is really finally here! you are an inspiration to me! ---- there is a surgeon's group for Dr. Chae listed under the Surgeons---Colorado---Lone Tree----Chae.

My surgeon does not require a pre-op diet at all, just nothing after midnight the day before surgery. I did the "Last Supper Syndrome" for a couple of weeks, then I went on the health-kick. I have slipped on that though ----- hubby wanted to go to some of our favs before it was 'too late', so I did that Fri and Sat. My surgery is tomorrow (Mon) so ----- I'm back to the 2 Protein shakes today and a sensible meal for dinner. just to 'clean myself up' a bit. :-)

Yay! I went to my first support group meeting on thursday and felt like you did ----- it was incredible. So many nice people, helpful and encouraging. The energy in the room was wonderful! I get banded on Monday. can't wait to join the club.

I have BCBS and they ARE paying. it all depends on your policy. Some employers cover bariatric surgery and some do not. I am lucky in that ours does.

I have found they are all different. My surgeon requires an initial consult with the nutritionist at $50 and then a 5-hour class with her that cost $150. I thought it was overkill when others didn't charge that, but.........then I found out it could have been a LOT worse and I really liked my surgeon. I figured if I was getting it covered by insurance, that was kind of like my "co-pay"

She needs to find out what Kaiser says. most have their medical policies on line. Blue Cross has it all spelled out so I knew what I needed to qualify. typically it takes a BMI of 40 or greater, OR a BMI of 35 with 2 co-morbidities