brat7169

So I am just about finished with my first week of the two week pre-op liquid diet. I am finding myself so depressed. I don't know if it has to do with the lack of food, the fact that I wasn't with my family over the holidays, or a combination of both. As I am getting closer to my surgery on 1/4; I am becoming increasingly nervous that I am not making the right decision. My husband is not easy to talk to about this. He wants me to lose weight but I don't believe he thinks this is the right decision. So to tell him I am having second thoughts I know what help because he will say your the one who wanted this surgery. Am I the only one who is feeling depressed on this diet? I am generally a very upbeat and happy person. So I don't know what to do about this mood.

Myoplex isn't bad at all. It has a pretty good chocolate taste. It took me a day to really get used to it but now I can drink it with no problem. Sam's Club carries them and they contain 20 grams of Protein which is higher than most. Good luck!

I am on day four of my pre-op liquid diet and I do not feel bad at all. I think it is important to choose a Protein shake with as much protein as you can to help your energy level. I am drinking the myoplox lite which has 20 grams of protein as compared to slimfast which has only 15. I also snack on carrots all day long to help with the hunger feeling. Good luck. I can only imagine the struggles you will be dealing with as you prepare to be banded and raising a set of twins.

We really need to stay in touch. I am a CPA also and am having the surgery in January for all the same reasons you mentioned. My surgery is scheduled for 1/4. However, my busy season picks up on 1/2 because we do a lot of W-2's and 1099's in our office. So basically from the first Saturday in January to April I am working overtime. I am really nervous about how I am going to handle eating well during this time of year. My office provides meals on Wednesday evenings, Saturdays & Sundays. It will be strange to have to turn it down in the early stages because I will be on liquids/mushies. I haven't told anyone in my office that I am having the band done because I didn't additional judgement. So I think this will be difficult. How are you planning on handling this?

I felt the same way. I have learned to drink them warm as that helps a bit. Also eating carrots while drinking the shake minimizes that feeling also. I don't think I can do the carnation/milk pre-op but can post-op. I have a very specific list for pre-op to follow and that isn't listed. However, I will try post-op. What time is your surgery scheduled on the 4th? Mine is 10:30 so first thing. Have you had your upper gi yet? I am nervous, I have it tomorrow morning. Keep in touch.

You know you may be right. I am drinking the RTD Myoplex Lite and I do believe it has milk. I don't normally drink milk so maybe I am lactose intolerant. I have been trying gas-x and beano, pepto but so far no good results. I can't really avoid the Protein shakes unless I powder and mix with Water. Something to think about for the future. I already bought a bunch of the RTD for my 2 week pre-op diet so after that maybe I will do the powder. Thanks for the tip.

Does any one have suggestions on how to minimize the gassy feeling from the protein shakes? I have tried pepto & gas relief and it doesn't seem to help.

I had my consulation on October 9 and will be banded January 4th. No 6 month diet required for me, I am on Tricare.

I am on my first day of the pre-op liquid diet. I don't think it was too bad except for the following: 1) The Protein shakes served cold makes me feel nauseas. So I have learned to drink them warm. 2) I have terrible gas (from the Protein shake I believe). I have only consumed 1 1/2 shakes (4 is actually is a lot to consume in a day) and ate a 1 lb of carrots. I have also drank 32 oz of Water. So I have half there on my first day. 2 shakes to go and 32 oz of water. Maybe I can make it through this after all. Any suggestions on how to help with the gas and upset stomach?

I went to the support group meeting on Thursday night and they cautioned us to be very careful about the pre-op shakes we select because it is calorie restricted. They recommened high Protein under 200 calories. They mentioned that we should aim for 60-80 grams of protein per day and some shakes wouldn't come close to that. Our recommended shakes were EAS Myoplex Lite & SlimFast High Protein. My doctor also doesn't allow add ins, although we can eat as much raw veggies as we want. Post-Op Protein Shakes are different then those on the pre-op. Be sure to run it by the nutrionist first if it isn't on their list. I know I don't want to get on the operating table only to find out my liver didn't shrink enough because I didn't do the right shakes.

You guys are scaring me. I have to do my testing on the 23rd, while I am on my pre-op diet. The things we are willing to go through I guess.

It's based on your BMI. There is a scale but I don't remember off hand. But the pre-op liquid diet can be anywhere from 1-7 weeks depending on your bmi.

Does anyone go to any support groups in Chicagoland?

Are you still planning on moving to the area?

My deductible is only $50 which I have met and I think my max out of pocket is only $1000. Why did you have to pay so much out of pocket? Did you have Tricare Standard?

Does anyone have an estimate of the out of pocket costs for the band on Tricare Standard?

How many of you are starting out the New Years by getting banded? I am on 1/4. Can't wait. Start pre-op diet on the 12/21 so no New Years' fun for me but it will be worth it.

I have from Round Lake, IL. NW Suburb. We should stay in touch. I moved to Il from WA state 2 years ago and it would be nice to have some "local" friends and who are have the same struggles.

I finally received my approval today even though they say it was approved on the 14th. Wahooo!!!

I was just wondering for those of you who have been banded already, how long did you take off of work and how long did you need assistance at home? My husband is wondering how long he also needs to take off of work to help me. Any guidance would be helpful.

I am 1/4 also, we should all stay in touch.

My date is January 4th!!! I am still waiting for a final approval from my insurance (Tricare North). They made me do some lab work to determine if I have a stomach virus of some sort, has anyone else had to do this? I am so excited I start my pre-op diet on 12/21 (so over Christmas) but that's ok. It is worth it!!!!:thumbup:

I spoke with multiple people in the medical management division and I get different answers. Usually it is, you should be approved within 5 business days. So now I am going on 10 business days and the response is, well it's an elective procedure so it is not an urgent request and it doesn't have to be approved within 5 days. Yesterday it was they were waiting on additional information from the physician's office or depending on who I spoke to, it's waiting for a supervisors approval. Basically because I don't have a scheduled surgery date, they can take as long as they want. And why is that after 10 days they discover missing information. I never get any straight answers.

My doctor submitted the authorization request on 12/1/09 and it is 10 days later and I am still "pending". Tricare says it is due to it being an elective procedure and not having a surgery date scheduled so they do not have to approve within 5 days like other procedures. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am looking for Protein shakes for my 2 week pre-op diet. I am thinking about the EAS Myoplex Lite. Does anyone else have any suggestions about what they like?