HappyMom

Tanya - My thoughts about the banding process are exactly the same as yours. When I went to my pre-op appointment with the surgeon he asked "What do I want to weigh, or invision myself weighing?" At that time I really didn't have an answer to this. I know that I have to lose weight (which I guess is why I am getting the band), but for me getting off my high blood pressure and diabetes medication is the most important thing right now. I never set a hard number as my weight loss goal.....I guess that it would be to have a BMI of 25 so I am not considered "overweight" again! I too want to be healthy for my little boys (1 and 4). Reducing, or even eliminating my medicines, is foremost and losing weight is a fantastic side effect! Good luck on your journey - may we all be successful no matter what our goals are!

I really enjoy the nectar brand Protein powders. When they mix with Water they form like a clear juice. I am hooked on the lemon iced tea and the fruit punch. The Vitamin House here in NM sells them, but I am not sure about GNC. You can buy a sample bag at My Bariatric Pantry (Bariatric Protein Powders from Matrix 5.0, Nectar, and Isopure) so you can try the flavors. Good luck!

I am being banded on March 25th and I have only told my husband. I am not really comfortable with discussing it with family and friends right now. I am confident in my decision to get the band and I really don't know how they will react. Also, I don't really want the added "perceived" pressure of them watching me and judging me on my rate of weight loss. Maybe it is all in my head....my family and friends would probably be very supportive....but I for right now my husband is enough of a support (along with this board) for me! Good luck to you and your journey!

btrieger - I agree with the food Network! I am on day 6 of my pre-op diet and I can't stop watching food shows....even that Man VS. Food program on the Travel Channel where he has a mass eating challenge at the end. The first few days on the pre-op diet I was so hungry that I considered licking my TV! My husband thinks that I am crazy!

I attended my first seminar on January 20th. My insurance pre-approved me and provided the doctors with the required testing in the middle of February. I met with the surgeon, dietitian, and psych in early March. I was final approved just last week. My surgery is scheduled for the 25th of this month. Very quick....just two months! I was fortunate that my insurance didn't require any special 6 month diet, or other monitoring. Good luck to you!

I get about 25g per protein shake. I do two of those a day and am allowed a can of vegetable chicken Soup for dinner. I can usually get about 10-15g in the soup. That puts me around 60g a day right now. The dietitian admitted that it wasn't "ideal", but it is only for two weeks. Afterward they insist upon 70-80g a day.

I am freezing!!! I started my pre-op diet last Thursday and I can't seem to get warm. What is worse is that it has snowed the last two days! My only good thought is that if I stay this cold, I may have a comfortable summer here in NM!

I am diabetic and currently on day 5 of the pre-op diet. My diet consists of two Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes a day, along with a bowl of vegetable Soup at night. That is it. I have monitoring my blood sugar levels about 5 times a day to make sure that I don't fall too low. I was on Metformin and Januvia, but have since stopped the Januvia under the guidance of my diabetes doctor. I am only eating about 500 calories a day, but I haven't fallen too low yet. Make sure that you test your blood sugar often and stay in contact with your diabetes doctor. He/she will be able to help you through this pre-op diet. It is hard....and you will have horrible headaches from being a bit low, but you will survive! Good luck to you!!

I am in day 5 of my pre-op diet. I am allowed two Bariatric Advantage shakes and one bowl of vegetable Soup a day. I can drink all the Water that I want...whoo-hoo! I have to tell you....the first 3 days were so completely horrible. It felt like my stomach wanted to eat my intestines. Day 4 and 5 are much better but I still have an awful headache that won't go away. I am pretty weak, but I don't feel as bad as I did when I first started. Good luck to all of you!

I agree with the others.....your Protein level is way too low. I was advised that after my surgery I need to get 60-80 grams MINIMUM of protein a day. I need to do that through lean meats, Beans, and even low-carb Protein drinks. A daily multi-Vitamin is also a must! Please talk with your dietician and see what he/she says about your weakened state. That can't be good for you! Good luck!

parisluver - you are very lucky that you don't have to do a pre-op diet. I am now on day 4 on my liquid diet and I feel like my insides are eating themselves. I am so hungry that I can't focus on anything at all and I am very crabby! The good thing is that I am down 7 pounds! I just keep telling myself that I only have 10 more days! I know that I can do this...I might be sane at the end of the 10 days, but at least I will have my surgery!

I am on the 4th day of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I have to tell you...I am in horrible shape right now. I have NEVER experienced hunger like this before! I figured with a BMI of 38 I may not have to do one....but no such luck. My doctor requires all of his patients to have "at least" 2 weeks of a liquid diet. I guess that I can count my lucky stars that I only have to do this for 14 days, and not the 4 weeks that another lady in my support group is going through!

I really wish you well! Isn't it exciting to finally be close to your banding day? I am going to follow you in two more weeks. Once I finally made up my mind to get this done, the wait until surgery has been horrible! Good luck and I hope that all goes well.

I love the Blender Bottle too. I purchased mine at Vitamin Shoppe for around $8. It is a fantastic bottle and the whisk ball that stays inside the bottle is great for mixing and remixing the powdered shakes. I would definitely recommend this bottle!

I agree with Suzanne about just going to the bariatric surgeon. I really don't technically have a primary care doctor. I have a ob-gyn and a diabetes specialist nurse. I told the diabetes nurse that I was going to pursue this, but didn't ask for a referral....just made an appointment with the bariatric program and got started. She wasn't resistant to me meeting with the bariatric team, but it was just that she didn't know too much about the band surgery and if I really needed it. I did eventually have to get a referral letter (which was just a "refer for LapBand surgery consultation" written on a prescription pad) for my insurance needs and a copy of my medical records from the diabetes nurse, but that was it. She is now on board with me getting the surgery and is very supportive. If I were you, I would just meet with the bariatric team and get things going. The only reason that you would need your primary care physicians approval is if your insurance company required a referral prior to seeing a bariatric doctor. I wish you the best of luck with this!

Hi Amey - I don't have any experience with the two doctors that you mentioned, but I just wanted to say hello. I lived in Pocatello for 8 years before relocating to New Mexico. I commuted to Idaho Falls working for the INL. I was just thinking this morning that I really miss Idaho. I used to think that SW Idaho was really barren and brown....until I moved to New Mexico! I am very impressed that both Idaho Falls and Blackfoot have surgeons that perform weight loss surgery. It is encouraging that the hospitals there are providing that kind of surgery now and you don't have to go to Salt Lake or Boise. I really wish you luck with your surgery with whichever doctor you choose! Melissa

Erika - I love your idea of a special night out final meal. I think that I am going to do that also! I think that mine will be our favorite family pizza restaurant. I have read that for most people traditional pizza is impossible to pass through their pouch without getting stuck. Most everything else I really enjoy seems to be a non-bread or non-Pasta type of food. I don't feel desperate to pack in all of those other items since hopefully they will be something that I can enjoy again (of course in moderation!) once I heal and am allowed solids again. Pizza it is. Whew...I feel better now just reading your posts. Now that I have a plan I am not as desperate as I was this morning. Thanks for all your comments and support. Crisis over!

Thank you so much for your responses! I know that I am just feeling a little nervous about the two week shake diet....and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed that it is actually going to happen. The band is totally the right decision for me, but is still a little daunting no matter how much I have prepared for this.

Hello - My two week pre-op diet starts on Thursday, and all that I can think about is what I am going to eat until then. I have mentally made a list of all my favorite pig-out places and want so desperately to hit them all before I start on my shakes. I know that I am prepared for the band life. I have done all my research, attended support meetings, and lurked here on this site for the last couple of months. I know that I will be fine when I start on the shakes, get banded, and afterward.....it is just these next two days that the little demon in my brain is telling me that I will miss out on volume eating and that I have to get it in now. Anyone experience this? Am I the only one that is experiencing the sad thought that I won't have the wonderful mental comfort of gorging on something totally delicious? Just last second cold feet I guess. I am ready for this experience.....just going through a little mental breakdown today!

I have Anthem BCBS of California. I only had to visit the surgeon, nutritionist, and psych lady once before my final paperwork was submitted for approval. That is all that was required for my case. I do think that I have a PPO instead of HMO through BCBS. I do have to say, that no matter if it is a PPO or HMO, BCBS has some of the least stringent requirements and fastest processing times for this type of surgery. You will see many posts on this forum about BCBS...and most people don't seem to have any problems with authorization. Good luck to you and hopefully it will be a fast process.

That is fantastic! Your post gives me encouragement for when I start my pre-op diet on Wednesday 3-10. Great job and I hope that your surgery goes well!

I also had this question. I start my pre-op diet on the 10th. Has anyone come across a non-sweet shake that they like? I really am not fond of sweet food....like chocolate and vanilla shakes. Is there some unflavored or savory powders that someone has tried and liked? Thanks!

I have found out there is nothing worse than having to wait when you have made your final decision about surgery. I too had to wait for the seminar. There is only one doctor in all of New Mexico that performs the surgery. The seminars fill up MONTHS in advance. Good luck to you....it is worth the wait. My wait is finally over and will be having surgery later this month.

Ooops...I also clicked the "No-Don't Tell Anyone" button. I have only discussed the surgery with my husband (kids are too little to understand). I am not sure if I will tell anyone else. I guess that I don't want the perceived pressure of people watching my weight loss, what I eat, and how I act afterward. I don't want to have to feel accountable to everyone that I told about the surgery. Maybe with time this will change, but right now I am keeping this decision between myself and husband.

I have Anthem BCBS and mine took about 3 working days for pre-approval (before the dr. visits were started)....and 6 working days for final approval (after all the required visits and paperwork was completed/submitted). I agree with the other posters....BCBS has some of the least stringent requirements for surgery. I just needed a dietitian and psych visit......no 6 months of monitored diet and exercise like most require. Good luck to you!