ELL1021

I have my surgery Monday. The first week of my two week pre-op I was able to drink the 5 Optifast shakes a day but had discomfort. The second week I have only been able to have the shakes a couple of days and then it was only 2 or 3 shakes on those days. They make me so sick, last night I thought I was having a heart attack. I was told I have a hiatal hernia that will be repaired with my band surgery Monday. I've done some serious research on the internet and see hiatal hernias cause the symptoms that I have. The hernia causes the body to not assimilate protein and minerals very well. Trying to force 70g of protein into a body that has a hernia sounds like it is setting the body up for more serious medical issues. Since I'm close to surgery date I stopped the shakes and I'm just loading myself up with fluids. Has anyone else had the problem with the shakes. I was seriously hurting last night. Lump in the throat, indigestion, gas, big time burping and a severe discomfort so bad I that I was dying. I was "this close" to calling 911 for a heart attack but knew it was from the shakes. I stopped the shakes and it subsided. I figure I'll have my surgery Monday and THEN should be able to do the post op shakes ok. Did anyone else have this severe a reaction to the shakes and have a hiatal hernia? It feels like the shakes made the hernia symptoms worse.

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Help! Someone please tell me how you set up your weight loss tracker at the end of each of your posts. My surgery is the 26th and I'd like to have that little tracker on my messages too. Thanks for the input.. and I have to tell you, I joined several months ago when I was researching the lapband and this site has been a wealth of information. Everyone has provided all types of helpful tidbits. Thanks everyone!!

This is my third day of my 2 week pre-op with optifast and I have to say I feel much better today than I did the first day. I'm not hungry any more and I've found some sneaky ways to enjoy the shakes. I added instant coffee to the vanilla and turned it into an iced coffee drink. The chocolate I heated up and made it hot cocoa. I'm finally getting the hang of it. Since I've got to do this 2 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post-op I figured I better figure this out quick. I also found taking Lactaid tablets has also helped tremendously.

I hate to sound stupid but can anyone tell me how to set up more of my profile. I want to put a picture on it and see what else is available to set up. I joined and only read for months, this is only my second post. I need HELP with figuring out how to use the forum profile. Please and thanks!

Hi all. I'm reading everyone's posts.... finding them very informative and helpful. I'm two days into my pre-op. Got my insurance approval for surgery today. Surgeon started me on the two weeks of Optifast while waiting for the approval hoping it came in before the scheduled surgery date. I'm scheduled for Oct. 26. I was hoping for an Oct. 21 surgery date as it's my birthday and wanted to have a new "birthday". The surgeon only does this type of surgery on Mondays so I had to settle on the 26th. I'm nervous, anxious, excited, scared, and can come up with about 20 more descriptive words. I also started walking this morning. Most walking I've done in a while. Usually my walking is to the bathroom, mailbox, taking out the trash, and to the elevator at work. :thumbup: I finally kicked myself into gear and went out walking this morning before work ... did two laps around my street. I enjoyed it. I'm on an 800 calorie Optifast pre-op. 5 shakes a day, nothing else but clear beverages. Same regimen for two week post-op so this is goign to be quite a long shake hall. I know I won't drink the Optifast as post op. It's too artificial tasting. I have looked into Kellogg's new protein shake and heard the Carnation Instant is good. I really appreciate all your posts as they've been so informative as I worked through my 6 month program required by the insurance. I've learned so much from everyone... I don't think I'd have gotten this far if you all hadn't provided so much helpful information. I'd like to thank everyone!!!

Hi Thank you! I've finally been able to get my process in the works and I've seen Dr. Kevin Huguet at St. Anthony's. He has a fabulous program to help someone through the process. It's awesome and so far I'm loving working through it all. I'm hoping for my surgery in October if all goes well and the insurance gives their blessing. How long since you had your surgery, if you had it already?

Hi Malissa. Thank you so much for your reply. I'd love to be in touch. Do you use Yahoo? IM? I'm shesinstpete33710. My doctor is Dr. Huguet and St. Anthony's. When did you have your surgery? How much do you hope to lose? How much have you so far? I'm not sure how to read this website so I'm in training mode. It's easier for me outside the forum but.....

Hi, I'm just beginning the journey! I've attended the required seminar, had my consultation with the surgeon, received confirmation my insurance DOES include bariatric coverage, and due to no recent structured program I have to spend 6 months having a battery of tests and meeting with nutrition trainers for the lap band. It took me this long to get this size so six more months till I receive my surgery date is fine with me. Is anyone else in the St. Pete area and fairly new? I'd love to have a "support and info partner" if anyone is interested?

I can't thank everyone enough. It never dawned on me... mutilate what I already had in the house. I just figured baby food was the easiest, but using my regular groceries would be the least expensive and best tasting. I'll just need the guidance as to what I can and can't.. and I adore grits, oatmeal, stuff like that. Any idea what reasons someone is NOT approved for the surgery? That's my biggest fear. If I can get the final approval and have it done... I can suffer through whatever they toss at me... just to get to be someone I've never been. A slimmer and healthier me. I've always been a large person and it's time to enjoy my life. I go to the seminar the 20th. From that point on I have no idea what happens or how long it will take. I did contact my insurance HMO and they will cover it if I meet the qualifiers.. which I know I will. Size, high BP, cholesterol, arthritis, back pain, now possibly sleep apnea... and I'm watching my blood sugar since all my family are diabetics. Doc has me watching with a meter just to be on the safe side. Any other suggestions or ideas or thoughts that would help me?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your replies! This website is hard to find your way around on. I know it will be tough but some of it won't be that bad for me. I'm a tea drinkers only and I don't drink alcohol or carbonated beverages. I'm definitely someone who drinks with a meal so this will be a big change but once I know what I can and can't, I will be fine. I think once I make some friends who instant message me or email me all the time I'll be fine... I have no other support structure from this end so I'm all on my own.. but I'm so interested in doing this. I fully intend to adhere to the rules and regs. I've been trying to find threads saying if baby food is good to keep in the kitchen once I have the surgery... from that point on. I'd think that would be great food to eat once off the liquids. How long did it take till you had the surgery once your insurance approved you?

Hi. I'm new to this site and the idea of lap band surgery. I'm registered for a seminar May 20th. I've read a LOT on the internet about the process and was hoping to gain input from others locally. I'm 56 years old, 300#, 5'2", take meds for BP, cholesterol, have arthritis and they are currently scheduling me for testing for sleep apnea. Otherwise I'm in great shape. hahaha. My insurance pays for the procedure which I have read is out patient but I'd love to have a lot more input. I am reading a lot of great things in the threads but some horror stories too. I'm so anxious to be approved for this yet haven't seen anything stated that tells me what would keep me from being approved. Can anyone give me some great input? How long does the entire process take? What to expect, not to expect? Things like that.... Thanks so much!!

Hi. I'm new to this site and the idea of lap band surgery. I'm registered for a seminar May 20th. I've read a LOT on the internet about the process and was hoping to gain input from others locally. I'm 56 years old, 300#, 5'2", take meds for BP, cholesterol, have arthritis and they are currently scheduling me for testing for sleep apnea. Otherwise I'm in great shape. hahaha. My insurance pays for the procedure which I have read is out patient but I'd love to have a lot more input. I am reading a lot of great things in the threads but some horror stories too. I'm so anxious to be approved for this yet haven't seen anything stated that tells me what would keep me from being approved. Anyone in the TampaBay area able to give me some great feedback. I'd love to be a supporter with others who will be there for me too. Thanks so much!!

Hi. I'm new to this site and joined because I'm attending a seminar May 20th for information about lap band surgery. I think I've read so much about it so far on the internet that I could be a surgeon purforming the surgery. BUT the experts are those who have had the surgery or are seeking to have it so I thought they are who I'd contact. I'd adore any input from anyone pertaining to thoughts, ideas, suggestions, why I should or shouldn't have it. I'm 56 years of age, 300#, 5'2", have high BP, cholesterol, arthritis, and now they think sleep apnea ... otherwise I'm in great shape. haha. My insurance will pay for it and I have read laproscopic is day surgery and they will also repair hernias which I have a hiatal and a ventral. I'm a working girl in Florida. Anyone willing to help me with all the suggestions you can give?! Please!!?! Thanks!