tripletmomma2000

Hi everyone! Today marks day 14 of my pre-op diet. I am actually going to be on the diet for 23 days total (day 24 is surgery day!!) Here's the diet in a nutshell: Day 1 and 2: liquid only. Protein drinks, diet soda, diet drinks, Water, etc., not to exceed 1500 calories/day. Day 3-7: liquid diet, and 1 frozen meal (not to exceed 300 calories) daily caloric intake: 1500 Day 8-21: Liquid diet, and 1 frozen meal (not to exceed 300 calories) daily caloric intake: 900 Day 22-23: Liquid only, not to exceed 900 calories. Day 24: SURGERY!! To say I am crabby as hell is to put it mildly. ALSO... if you guys can believe it, I've been STALLED for the last 7 days. I am bouncing between 332-335, and it's starting to piss me off. I thought I broke the stall on Sunday, when I weighed in at 331.9... then yesterday I was 333.3. I nearly threw the scale out of the window. All I can guess is that I had a Lean Cuisine chicken & Penne frozen dinner, and it had 50 carbs. Pasta and I don't generally see eye to eye.... I tend to have big gains after eating it. I don't know what it is about pasta that does it. I don't seem to have the same issue with rice or potatoes.... weird. I'd say it was the wheat... but I don't really have a problem with breads either. WHATEVER. So, I called my doctor, and asked for a scrip for Xanax, so no one in the house gets hurt :biggrin: Generally, though... Xanax just makes me fall asleep. I guess I can't scream at anyone if I'm sleeping, can I?? I am about to go and weigh...... wish me luck. If you hear glass breaking, don't worry... it's just my window where the scale went through :thumbup: ok.... I feel better now that I ranted a bit :thumbup: Karen

I'm good for any weigh in days!! And I'm stealing that sparkly signature too!! Karen

Hi gang! I'm not sure if you guys remember, but I have BC/BS PPO Michigan, individual coverage. They just removed all bariatric procedures from their coverage this past January 2009. They said it is just not covered. My doctor CALLED them this past Friday, and I'm not sure who he talked to, but my status moved from "denied" to "pending".... my agent who is my liaison with BC/BS told me they don't cover, no exceptions... however, it looks like they might actually consider this? I'm not going to hold my breath.... I'm probably going to have to pay somewhere about $6-8K for the procedure (I'm getting hiatal hernia surgery along with it) out of pocket, which I was prepared for... but can I actually HOPE that my insurance company is going to do what's right, and cover this for me?? I am not getting my hopes up... but it sure would be nice not to have to pay that much $$ for my surgery! I'm taking prayers where I can get them! Karen

My insurance company had said that it removed Lap Band surgery (and all WLS surgery) from it's policy this past January. However, my doctor apparently CALLED them, and sent them all kinds of background information on me, including this cardiac catheter business, and appealed for me on the phone that it needs to be done. Now the status is currently PENDING. I have to wonder if they'll actually cover? I'm not holding my breath, but that would sure be FANTASTIC if they actually decided to do it. A prayer my way wouldn't hurt!

My insurance company had said that it removed Lap Band surgery (and all WLS surgery) from it's policy this past January. However, my doctor apparently CALLED them, and sent them all kinds of background information on me, including this cardiac catheter business, and appealed for me on the phone that it needs to be done. Now the status is currently PENDING. I have to wonder if they'll actually cover? I'm not holding my breath, but that would sure be FANTASTIC if they actually decided to do it. A prayer my way wouldn't hurt!

GOD.. I haven't even had the band surgery yet, and am on 1 week and 2 days of my 3 week pre-op diet, and I've been plateaued for 4 days!!! Excuse me, but WTF??? All I can think is that I had a Cardiac Catheterization this past Tuesday (day 2 of plateau) and because of the sheer nature of that business, and the fact that my body had to deal with it (plus a 16 hour fast before the procedure) I think that my body was dealing with other things besides my weight.... like making sure my heart kept beating when there was a catheter in there shooting dye and taking pictures :cursing: Anyway..... I'm hoping to see the scales move within the next 2 days!!

GOD.. I haven't even had the band surgery yet, and am on 1 week and 2 days of my 3 week pre-op diet, and I've been plateaued for 4 days!!! Excuse me, but WTF??? All I can think is that I had a Cardiac Catheterization this past Tuesday (day 2 of plateau) and because of the sheer nature of that business, and the fact that my body had to deal with it (plus a 16 hour fast before the procedure) I think that my body was dealing with other things besides my weight.... like making sure my heart kept beating when there was a catheter in there shooting dye and taking pictures :smile: Anyway..... I'm hoping to see the scales move within the next 2 days!!

Hey guys, If you remember me from introductions, you'll know that I failed one part of my cardiac stress test, that I needed for cardiac clearance for the LB surgery. Apparently, one way that the test can be fooled is if you are a WOMAN, with big "girls" (which I do) Well, I went this past Tuesday for my catheterization, and I'm pleased as punch to tell you that I have naughty, naughty, girls that messed with their results!! My heart is in good shape, no blocks, no plaque, no problems whatsoever.... totally normal heart!:thumbup: Now that I can breathe in and out without all that stress and panic in my life, I can turn towards my surgery, which is in TWO WEEKS from today, and think about that instead!! :laugh:

I would love to have a weekly weigh in!! I think it's a fantastic idea!!

Ohhhhh.... I like that one Kim!

Toosywoots..... congratulations on losing over 100 pounds!! Dr. G is so sweet... and so funny! We were laughing about my sleep apnea/snoring, and I said perhaps he could do surgery on my husband's ears so he wouldn't HEAR me snoring.... and he said "but, dear, how could he hear you yelling at him??"...... what a fabulous disposition he has!

I'm blogging as well.... however, I'm finding it hard to do ANYTHING right now that I'm on the pre-op diet. I generally go through NASTY carb withdrawals.... and today is no exception! I'm going to try to update my blog once I can get over this carb-hangover!

My doctor put me on a 3 week liquid diet. (actually... 24 days is what it is ending up being) Days 1 and 2, and 22 and 23: Only liquid. Protein shakes, milk, diet soda, coffee, etc. Days 3-21: Liquid only, except 1 frozen meal under 300 calories/day. Week one: 1500 calories/day Week two and three: 800-1000 calories/day I have a hard time clocking in the right calories... I'm coming in under. I have to drink a lot of milk to get up to the right calories I'm trying to stay as low-carb as I can, since I drop weight very quickly on LC. I'm on three weeks, because my BMI is over 50. Works for me! Perhaps my BMI will be under 50 once we do the surgery.... doubt it, but any weight loss is positive!

You know.... I didn't get a choice either. My doctor will select the one he needs to use, considering he's doing hiatal heria surgery at the same time as the band!

August Tush?? (a variant of August Rush) August Push?? August BANDits? August BANDeros? August BANDeroos? The Bandanaramas?

Hi all! I am proud to say, that I am joining this Awesome August Bander group!! I got the call today that my surgery is scheduled for Thursday, August 6th! My name is Karen, I am almost 42 years old, married to a wonderful husband, and mother of 9 year old triplet boys!! :wub: :crying: I have been yo-yo dieting all my life, and suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) I started this journey last month at 350 pounds, and I am 5'6" (BMI=56.4) Because I have a BMI over 50, my doctor wants me to do 3 weeks on the liquid diet.... consisting of 1500 calories/day this week, and 1000 calories/day until the surgery. Yesterday and today are LIQUID ONLY days. The two days before surgery are liquid only as well. All the days in between are Protein shakes, and ONE frozen meal that clocks in at under 300 calories. I really like the Lean Cuisine chicken Mushroom Spinach Panini, which is about 320 calories, which works for me! I have a few co-morbidities: High Blood Pressure, Hiatal-Hernia (GERD) with esophagus damage. The doctor will be doing the hiatal hernia surgery at the same time he does the band. I just went for a sleep study, to see what my sleep issues are (not sure about apnea..... but I ALWAYS sleep like crap.... wake up many, many times during the night) and..... this is the big one.... I just FAILED my cardiac stress test. I am going in on this Tuesday for a catheterization, to see if I have a blockage. Apparently, sometimes the test can get a false positive if the test is done on a female with big boobs. That is certainly an understatement for me..... as a matter of fact, my cardiologist made me go to the testing center first, to make sure these "girls of mine" would even fit in the machine (barely....btw) Since starting the liquid diet yesterday, I've lost 10 pounds (typical for me.... I can dump between 20-30 pounds in a week... but only the first week.... I expect to hit a plateau next week) ANYWAY.... on Tuesday, if the doctor finds no blockage (term is called inferior ischemia) then he signs my cardiac clearance for surgery form. If there is a blockage, he takes care of it right then and there, and signs my cardiac clearance for surgery form! So... it will be good to know either way, and I will certainly report here once I know for sure! Oh.... and my insurance company just DROPPED lap-band surgery for individual payers (that's me) in January. Since I have other stuff that needs to get done, as it stands, I'll pay for the band ($5200) but nothing else. Oh... and to add insult to injury, I also need my spleen to be looked at. I had a CT scan last month for an unrelated issue, and there's a bump on my spleen... and I have an "accessory" spleen (second spleen) My doctor feels that this bump is actually a THIRD spleen. Crazy, right? Anyway, I'm looking forward to "meeting" all of you, and celebrating our victories together! Karen T.

Good to hear! I have 5 tats, and was concerned about them. I have a feeling though, that if I ever get down enough to get a tummy tuck, I'll have to say goodbye to the one on my hip... I'll have fun thinking about what to replace it with!

Sincerely.... you look fantastic! Congratulations to you!

Best of luck to you!! Only 2 days to go

You might want to tell your friend that because you're getting the band, you'll lose weight slower than someone with GBP, and since you're only 26, you might not have anywhere near the loose skin that she thinks you will! I also have a "friend" who's not being supportive. When I told her that I wanted to get the band, she got huge saucer eyes and asked if I talked to my husband about it... that he loves me and my curves, and what will happen if I lose weight... will he still love me?? I walked away knowing that although she probably didn't realize it, the sabotage effort was futile!

Best of luck to you! I will check on your progress... since I'm hoping to band on July 28th!

It's taken me 7 years to make this decision, and now that it's been made, I'm more excited than scared about my new life that's coming. I'll spare the long, melodramatic introduction.... I've decided that anything I need to say, I can say in less than 1 minute! I'm super morbidly obese. I've yo-yo dieted for over 25 years. I've decided to get the band, and my insurance company just removed it from the policy effective 1/2009. I am in appeals, but am prepared to self-pay if necessary. I need an unrelated surgery to biopsy a lesion on my spleen, and Dr. Gazayerli has agreed to do them together. I am hopeful because there's a dual purpose to the surgery, that my insurance will pay for at least a portion, and leave me with only $5200 to pay for the band. Fingers crossed.... and savings ready to be raided for the surgery that's going to save my life. I have 9 year old triplet boys at home, and dammit, I'm going to see them get married and have kids..... if it kills me :confused3: Karen T.

It's taken me 7 years to make this decision, and now that it's been made, I'm more excited than scared about my new life that's coming. I'll spare the long, melodramatic introduction.... I've decided that anything I need to say, I can say in less than 1 minute! I'm super morbidly obese. I've yo-yo dieted for over 25 years. I've decided to get the band, and my insurance company just removed it from the policy effective 1/2009. I am in appeals, but am prepared to self-pay if necessary. I need an unrelated surgery to biopsy a lesion on my spleen, and Dr. Gazayerli has agreed to do them together. I am hopeful because there's a dual purpose to the surgery, that my insurance will pay for at least a portion, and leave me with only $5200 to pay for the band. Fingers crossed.... and savings ready to be raided for the surgery that's going to save my life. I have 9 year old triplet boys at home, and dammit, I'm going to see them get married and have kids..... if it kills me Karen T.

I am very excited to hear this! I am going tomorrow to have the endoscope done, and hoping to be banded at the end of the month! Dr. G certainly seems very knowledgeable, and has a nice disposition!

Hi all, I am brand new to this forum... though obviously, not new to weight management (and failure thereof!) I *finally* made the 7-year in the making decision to get a Lap-Band. All things considered, this is the correct WLS for me. Here's my stats: F/41 Ht: 5'6" Wt: 350 BMI: 56.5 I have struggled, on the "books" with my weight, since about 1980. So... past medical history is with me. I've been over 300# for about 13 years. I decided to go and see a Surgeon in my area that came highly recommended. He does 2-3 Lap-Bands/week, and actually has a band himself. When I went in for a consultation, I presented my Insurance Card, which is BC/BS Mi PPO, and the office staff assured me that everything would be covered, because I meet all the requirements. Apparently, however, this applies to the same plan with GROUP coverage. I have INDIVIDUAL coverage. The individual policy does not cover. My surgeon's office is filing an appeal for medical necessity, and I sent in a 3-page personal medical history, including all of my ailments, meds., etc. Unrelated: I am currently having serious pain in my pelvis. I have had an ultrasound and a CT scan. The ultrasound came up with nothing. The CT scan didn't show any problems in my pelvis; however, it does show a lesion on my spleen... too large to be a cyst, and I've been referred to a general surgeon for further evaluation.. read: surgery + biopsy. My Lap-Band surgeon of choice is a General Surgeon. He agreed to do the biopsy of my spleen while he does the lap-band. I asked the doctor's assistant if we could do the spleen (possibly spleenectomy?) as a covered procedure, and I'd pay the lap-band OOP... she said "perhaps" and that it would be about $5200.00. So... this is where I sit. Because I was under the impression that I covered, I had the pysch eval, and am in the midst of having sleep study (totally have sleep apnea!) and a cardiac clearance. The bills haven't started rolling in.... yet. I'm looking for any advice I can get at this point. I've waited myself out for 7 years making this decision..... I honestly don't want to wait 5 more minutes to get this rolling. Thanks for listening, Karen