Alisomniac

Hi Rose! I'm getting banded 10/8 by Dr. Francis, but I'm in the opposite boat I think... I keep trying to feel something about this at all... I am just relaxed and "chill" about the whole thing, I think because I researched to long and completely and because I'm ready. The only thing I'm not feeling is the IV. Im always freaked out by the IV.

I have Federal Employee Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO of California and so far I THINK I will be in for $250 total... I called insurance last week, and this is what they quoted ($100 hospital, $100 surgeon and $50 for something else???) I meant to call again to double-check, you never know if someone is looking at the wrong line. Will do tomorrow with both the surgeon's office and insurance and report back... . I do recall the insurance agent saying if i was checked in as inpatient or overnight it would be only the hospital co-pay for each day ($200 - a savings of $50) but I don't want to do that..didn't even ask my surgeon comfort of one night at home(my mom's home) while on Clear liquids and milk of magnesia and a comfortable bed was worth more than that extra $50. Even with having to wake up between 4:30 and 5 am to get to the hospital on time was still cool.

Getting closer. Had my last official doctor's appointment today (Primary care clearance). Now I only have to re-do my urinalysis later this week (i may have a very minor UTI, but could have been a false read based on a roll rash i was getting over)... am on antibiotics until Thursday... if all looks good, i'm a "go" after that my op date is Fri 10/8 at 8am :smile:. People keep asking if I'm excited, or scared, or worried etc... I don't know if it hasn't hit me yet, or If it is because I am always so relaxed, but I'm not excited OR nervous. It's just time... 3 years coming and I'm really ready to un-fat-ify myself... the only thing I'm excited for is getting to buy clothes at the normal-size-girl shops again (i'm currently around a size 22 at 270 lbs). Seriously, I really love the idea of shopping with normal size friends and not bringing them into my fat shops. the only thing I'm scared about is the IV... I'm terrified of needles, I even asked if I could be numbed before the IV. The only thing I'm scared of are the fills... again with the needles - and I'm a fainter (I have a shock reflex...happens with any sharp pain or system overload - extreme overheat, needles, ear pierced, some injuries). My doctor asked me as much today, and all I could say is I'm ready, and the only "emotion" I'm feeling is a bit of stress about having to get everything together by next thursday, get caught up with work, pack (I'm moving in with my mom for the first several days) for me and my cat, renew my lease agreement, and set up a maid and some service calls to prettify my appartment while I'm away. Whew! That's a lot - and I work 11 hour days and pretty stressful ones at that - I get home and i'm often too tired to cook. And i ahve to since I live alone! As for diet, I'm not on any regulated diet - I'm doing 'Slim Fast' for two shakes a day, plus cream of wheat for breakfast, a small protein for dinner and lunch, and sugar free jello as needed. I've been pretty consistent at 800-1000 calories and not at all hungry. Weight Loss - Diet Ticker

The easiest thing to do will be to make an appointment with your primary care doctor and have him refer you to somebody... assuming your insurance will cover the proceedure - check your brochure :smile: best of luck

have you tried distracting yourself? Instead of focusing on the meal, do things "between bites"... at work, I keep working, at home I find something as my primary activity (ironing, cleaning, playing a game) and take bites when my hands stop being busy... I can keep to about 10 minutes between bites like this :crying: As for chewing slow, just practice

Your upper GI was fast and easy? Mine was terrible, and I had the barium swallow version... then again I have a strong gag reflex and the barium was so thick it almost wouldn't move at all in the cup. Choking the entire time :thumbdown: I swear I almost asked for the camera without anesthesia.

It took about a week... i think 9 days from submit to letter in the mail.

Hmmm... I had my Upper GI scheduled (by the office) at 8am, and blood at 1030 am... hopefully the scheduler realized this and it is fine... Barium isn't absorbed into blood, so hopefully don't need another blood draw. It was a freakish ton of vials... By the way... i don't know if this is common, or a result of my really high gag reflex... but that was the worst thing i've ever experienced.... the doctor almost called it off it was going so poorly. Why did they have to make the barium so thick? it was barely liquid... maybe they mixed it too early?

In regards to good tasting Protein - I got it OK'd by the nutritionist and the doctor to stick with my Slim Fast (Low Carb)... it has 20 grams protein, and tastes pretty good. I also didnt mind the Gatorade G Series "3" Recover Protein Drink... 20oz bottle had 16g protein. Also, I had my 1x1 today, and the Surgeon told me that the protein supplements are not mandatory in the least - she said that if you can get enough protein (i need 61g/day) through diet, then go for it... On a couple of my test days I've gotten up to slightly above my protein requirement... she also said that it's not completely necessary to hit the protein in the first two weeks after surgery (week one is liquid, week two is puree/mushy), since this is just about healing - it is good if you can get up to the right level, but more important to heal... I think that once i get onto soft and normal foods I will be able to do this easy, without the added supplements... However, i am still testing flavors. I have found some so far that are truly horrible - and this is based on finger test alone (licking some powder off finger - haven't tried full drink yet) but so far MRM chocolate whey Protein (@ Mother's) isn't terrible, neither is Platnum Hydro Whey strawberry. The grossest so far have been the Jay Robb Egg White Protein (all flavors). Middle of the road is Met-Rx vanilla, but it seems like it will be the thickest drink - most powder by volume so far. Good luck finding a protein, if that's your road.

I have my pre op appointments (Upper GI, Esophogram, X-Ray, EKG, and bloodwork) on Monday (9/20). Anything I should prepare myself for? I've heard horror stories about the Upper GI - I'm hoping that since all my appointmens are scheduled in one day it's the "easy" version... Also, I've been doing SO much research on this for the past 3 years, I feel like I have a PhD in Lap-Band... I honestly don't know what questions I should be asking the surgeon... totally clueless. Also, i'm due to start my diet 9/20 (through 10/8) and I get to "choose my own diet", one that has been successful in the past... 3 years ago I lost 30 on South Beach, but recently I've done it a few times and lost 0-barely any pounds... any suggestions for more successful pre-op diet... I was thinking maybe blending SBD with hardcore Slim Fast diet (3 slim fasts plus one small, meaty meal - ZERO carbs & Sugars (as possible)... and i do want all liquid at least 2-3 days before surgery since I don't want the Milk of Magnesia "cleanse" the day before to keep me out of work...this sound do-able?

Sort of yes, sort of no for me. I live alone and on a tight budget, so I hate to waste food, so I am literally eating though my pantry and not buying anything... I didn't do so well on this so I'll have some stuff I won't be able to eat up before my pre-op diet begins... I consult on 9/20 and surgery on 10/8... I'm pretty sure my doc requires 2 weeks diet, but i'm just going to round up the few extra days.... and all I have left in my kitchen now is rice, a very few canned veggies, tuna, and a little bit of bread... I also have diet-friendly foods like a whole bunch of sugar free Jello, slim fast drinks and applesauce. Should be an interesting weekend to say the least.

and, as I recall one pound equals approx -3600 calories. Us bigger people do burn calories faster that thin people because our bodies are working harder... but to LOSE one pound you have to burn 3600 calories MORE than you consume... so even cutting smaller portions won't work, if you're not burning off all the calories you eat and then some. Also - as you lose weight, your body starts to burn slower in general AND may start thinking you are starving yourself and will hold onto the bad calories...sugars. I use fitday to journal like mad (home version), and even when i technically hit my daily calories below non-active burn level, i rarely can hold that up for an entire week since things change.... and throw in little to no exercise, it'd be hard to keep cutting nearly 4000 calories per week. And remember, sugars metabolize differently, and are easier to hold onto. you could probably eat 500 calories per day in sugars and not lose weight, despite burning 3600 calories a few times over...

Get the Slim Fast Low Carb diet shakes - they are higher in Protein (and lower in carbs) than their High Protein variety. I order mine on Amazon.Com and get a case delivered about once a month. It may take a can or two to get used to the taste (I like them, but remember my first one tasted like runny Jello pudding) and they are best very cold... Throw one or two in your bag, and just get a large cup of ice from the cafeteria or starbucks and you're good to go... 20g protein. I also just tried the new Gatorade G-Series Protein Drink ("Recover") and they aren't bad... not as good as regular gatorade or Vitamin Water, but palatable. (15g protein) A lot of other things are good -but require refridgeration (yogurt, low fat cheese etc). You could back celery and Peanut Butter as a quick snack too... For dinners focus on meat first - or fish. I really like fajitas and they're pretty healthy if you forego the guacamole, cheese and tortillas - mostly chicken and veggies and super fast to cook. Tuna cans (eat one whole can with MINIMAL mayo or mustard) and that's a LOT of protein. Eat sides last... will save calories and help you cram in all that protein. But I'd seriously invest in the slim fast.

Puppybandit -- your meal plan sounds just scary, but at least you get to eat normal foods on Turkey Day! My date is 10/8 but post-op is a whole 'nother animal... I have 1-2 days thin liquids (as I can tolerate), 1 week full liquids, 1 week puree, then slowly onto solids...adding in foods slowly and gently.

I decided not to go the whole Protein shake way... I actually REALLY like the Slim Fast Low Carb shakes, which have 20g protein per can..I've been having a case delivered each month from Amazon.Com for a long time now. I can easily and willingly do a can a day, or even two... And no nastiness. I also tried the Gatorade G-Series 3: Recovery drinks, each 20oz bottle has 16g protein. Not as high as the Isopure, but it tastes like liquid cherry Jello, and only has a very, very slight aftertaste... not nearly as nasty as the Isopure. Between the Slim Fast, Gatorade and milk, yogurt, meat, cheese etc... I will easily be able to hit protein goals... for me is 63 grams. So no yucky expensive, iffy Protein Shakes or isopure! Jinky - just curious -- have you tried Slim Fast Low Carb chocolate? Is it similar to the EAS? right now I pay $35 per case of 24 (huge savings off of per-can or per 4 pack in store)... and I think the cans are 12 oz. And how big are the EAS servings?

I tried Isopure today and it was not good... had to pinch my nose and chug... anyone know of a GOOD protein water? This one would have only worked if I cut it with juice- a lot of juice.

I thought up Op-tober, but i don't think it's catching on.

Thanks for the concern... I have had my blood panels, and I'm not diabetic... I guess it's just a craving or dehydration or something. And I will ask again about the sipping thing, but I cleary recall them saying you have to drink very slowly always, because like a funnel, if you pour too fast it will "overflow" which could mean stretching or upchuck.

Try South Beach (if you haven't before)... you're technically not limited on quantity, but you are eating MUCH healthier, and It will be easier for you to find out what you like, and you can think of ways to adapt it to how you can eat after the surgery. I'd also begin keeping a diet journal (even if you don't diet) so you can get used to keeping track of calories etc... I use FitDay, which allows you to even create "custom foods" by entering in the food label (or looking it up online)/ If you're pretty good at entering the info, and maybe weighing or estimating really well, it will automatically keep track of nutrients for you - protein/fat/carbs even micronutrients and Vitamins too... It also tracks weight, BMI and has mathematical formulas to tell you how many calories per day you can eat to lose weight at any given pace (you choose). It helps you see what your nutritional deficiencies are... Before using I swore I was getting a lot of Protein, but turns out I get only a fraction of protein recommendations, so I know that's something I really have to work on. I swear I'm not a bot... i really love the program, and i have sorta OCD about it... (I purchased the download version -much better than the free version) and i weigh everything and enter "custom" foods all the time instead of relying on pre-programmed guesses. Sorry so long-winded.

Try adding Benefiber to everything... Jello, yogurt, milk, Water, OJ, Protein shakes, broth etc... you honestly can't taste it at all, and it doesn't become thick if you leave it standing for a while. Fiber helps you feel fuller, and will help you in other ways too... otherwise, I'd just drink a lot of water and fill up on that between meals. Best in luck!

I have Fed BCBS CA (HMO)... Wow! I got my notification via phone call from the surgeon's group 9 days after they submitted and I was stoked... the mailed letter was actually dated 2 days earlier, so I am totally surprised it took only a week. I was fully prepared for it to take 4-5 weeks, and was NOT thinking I'd get banded so soon... I was optimistically hoping for Halloween (but honestly didn't think the bureaucracy would move so fast)... when the scheduler called they actually offered Sep 20th.... which was actually too soon, so I pushed it to 10/8. Best of luck! And don't you kinda love BCBS right now?

Hi! I'm going through Orange Coast Memorial's Center for Obesity (aka Peter Leport's Smart Dimensions group). My surgeon is Dr. Francis.

Thanks for the reply. My op is 10.8

I live in Aliso Viejo (South OC) and was wondering if there are any other newly banded, or soon to be banded (I'm 10-8-10) in the area... Would be nice to talk to other locals.

My doctor said pills about the size of an Advil or a Children's Tylenol (i.e. small) are fine, but to request chewable, liquid or safe to break open when getting prescriptions... you will have to remember to tell your Dr every time you get a prescription... you don't want to get the horse-sized pills and be SOL... As for vitamins, I'm going to start with the Flintstones Chewabales at first because they tend to be a bit cheaper, I liked them as a kid, and it's just plain fun. I saw Vitamin Shoppe or GNS has gummy vitamins (Multi, D, B, C) that weren't too expensive and could be fine... but I don't like chewing gummy things... and i'd be hesitant to swallow whole because they just seem so indestructible. For B-Complex a lot of places have the "dots" which dissolve partially under your tongue without taste... would be great to know if the other vitamins have similar options.