Fern

Roseband50 You should look up btrieger on this thread. I think you and he may have same date. There are others. He set up a really cool calendar/poll of all dates. May be in the Spring Into March Bandsters social group or here. I don't remember which thread it's in. Good Luck!

I can't believe March is here! So exciting to see some folks post op already! I used to read the February Bandsters pre and post op- now I bet the April Gang will start reading ours! I'm a little anxious. March 15th... I start Liquids/Protein Saturday.

Thanks! Just ordered some.

Re: Good Reads: I read the Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies and Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gaastric Band (Robert Sewell) Both were worth the money- or either.

For me, this has been a long journey. Not sure what I would be doing without the info on this website! I find it profound how this type of surgery can have so many variables depending on your surgeon or insurance. You would think there would be more standard protocol, but really- we are all over the map- as far as how much information we get, what our requirements are-like for insurance- and what the diet structure is pre op and it vaires crazily post op! I can totally understand pre-op diets varying depending on the person and trying to get ready- medical conditions-and healthy livers and all, but Post op? I am amazed how different our processes are. Seems to me that if there were some more structure- folks would have some better outcomes than I'm reading on this site. But, we all need to read and hear the good the bad and the ugly. Thats how we are going to make better choices and decsions for ourselves. To qualify; My insurance had me go 6 months supervised diet with a nutritionist. I've lost a litlle more than 20lbs slow and steady. Since I've had to see the nurses and nutritionist every month- and they run a STRICT program-- there was no way I was going to gain in between and pay the consequences. I'm still amazed I did qualify- but I'm in a good program and we put enough pieces together to make it get approved. It was total teamwork. I don't regret the process because I feel informed; but I am so impatient. March 15th can not come quick enough. :laugh: I could have had March 1, but I have a huge fundraiser for the non profit organization I run on the 13th and just couldn't do it before. I will be very tired- but at least extremely preoccupied in the days before. I'm going to talk to my Doc about the fundraiser, because usually afterward my immune system crashes. I'll need to focus on extremely making sure I'm protein-ed up, maybe it will help. However, I, too want to eat every thing that might be "not tolerated" after surgery. My weakness is really good crusty bread. I am from a family of foodies. Picky, all good healthy food eaters. I'm a vegetarian, so it complicates things. I've been one forever. Greek Yogurt has become by new Best Friend. Also, I have been replacing some meals with GNC's lean shakes with xtra added Protein. My pre op diet is 10 days full liquid. I have my final consultation this Thursday am- and then I will probably treat myself to a nice lunch. There is pretty much one week inbetween my final consult and when my liquid pre op begins. I'll need a little willpower then! They warn us up and down about the "Last Supper Syndrome". Well Duh! We don't know how we are going to feel after- and certainly for the guidelines I'm given- I don't get soft food for a month! Thats a lot of hard work! I'm not telling many people- a few- but no family for now. I'm trying to figure out how to include my 5 year old daughter in the process, but the little parrot will tell everyone far and wide. :cool2: My hubby has been great. I haven't always been overweight. I was actually a professional athlete- which ashames me to menition at this weight. But lifestyle changes and health crisises change everything. I'm taking back what I can. So far, so good. I'm ready. I can't wait. I know that the surgery is just "one part" of the process- and I'm just looking forward to getting that behind me. Ya know, It's not the surgery I want to get behind me it's the 10 day pre op liquid diet, the 4 days Clear liquids and 14 days liquids and the next 10 blenderized. It's sometimes overwhelming, but usually I can bring myself back to center by keeping my daughter and my family and my health in focus. I'm lucky to have them. I'm glad to be in a conservative program- better to err on the side of caution and heal. Fellow March Bandsters- I'm psyched for all of us! Thank you for sharing your info with me, because it is a huge help. March 1 is just a few short days away and some of us will be finally banded! Keep us in the loop and Good Luck! :tongue_smilie:

You are in the right place! Your surgery is 2 days after mine. Good Luck~! I just keep checking this thread every few days or so, it's helpful to see I'm not in this alone. We're all nervous, excited, anxious and scared. Some days one emotion more than others!!!

I haven't had surgery yet but I've been told: clear liquids 4 days post op (popsicles are good), protein or "full" liquids (only things to drink) 10 days after that, then blenderized foods (things you eat with a spoon) like soup for another 10 before starting mushies. Maybe don't rush on the food if you are still swolen post op. I've seen a variey of recommendations but I'd give yourself time to heal. Good luck!

Well, I can't wait either. I'm glad I've had to undergo many, many months of supervised diet and i've lost about 20lbs. It has been very informative. It's been worthwhile- but self pay is very empowering! Do you feel like you have all the info and skills you need? Good for you! I had been reading a bunch on this site, but didn't post a single thing until I had been approved by insurance. I got denied, but quickly my doctors appealed and within days got a surprise approval. Really, my insurance made it a challenge, and if I was denied, I would have kept on the slower path of loosing I was on. I think of the band as a tool to help me along the way. It's just part of the process. I too, want to eat everything in sight becaue I keep thinking "what if I can't eat that agian"... But, since I have to go in front of a nutritionist so often, it's a tough choice! I'll see her in 2 weeks so I have to be good! It's motivating in the most annoying kind of way Is there a support group near you?

Thank you for the info. You confirmed for me that I was in fact in an ultra conservitive program. Looking forward to hear what others say too. What was the first solid foods you ate?

Hi, I'm hoping to hear what other docs issue as the post op diet. I think I have some pretty conservitive rules which i am fine with following. I'm wondering what other folks have to do? I have to do some traveling one month out- and want to be prepared for that since I will be away from home (just on a relaxing vaca)- but all the same... It's also a challenge for me b/c I'm a vegetarian. Here's thier diet plan goal: 60 grams of protein a day 10 day pre op full liquid diet 4 day clear liquid post surgery 10 days full liquid 14 days blenderized I had to do a practice 3 day liquid diet already, it wasn't so bad. Lots of protein shakes and some blended soups. 38 days... start to finish...I wonder how much I will loose in that time alone? How much did you loose in the few recover weeks post op? If you could recommend one solid food to introduce first, what would it be? thank you! scheduled for March 15th!

Just found "Spring into March 2010 Bandsters" yay, we belong somewhere!

How do I join this thread? I'm a March 15th Bandster. Are there others? thanks!

Any March bandsters out there? I just got a March 15th date, after 10 months of waiting and participating in program to meet insurance reqs.

Just looking to see if there are any other March 2010 folks out there. I just got my date. March 15th. I've been poking around today and haven't found anyone yet!

I just got approved yesterday from Cigna. I started the process in May. What everyone says is about the same for me. I went to mycigna.com and printed the requirements for bari surgery/lap band and brought it with me EVERYWHERE so all the docs knew what my requirements were. I had trouble b/c of a lower bmi and needed comorbidities which I was close to some, but nothing official to diagnose. BUT, I think because I always had my "stuff" with me, we built a strong enough case. March banding! Hang in there. It does take a while.

thats annoying. I haven't really told anyone for the same reasons.