someuser

Lost 104lbs!

I have BCBS PPO although it may be different depending on the state and benefits.

Qualifications:

• 40+BMI
  
• 6 month Dr supervised diet or records from a diet plan (example: Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc.) within the last 2 years OR Two - 3 month Dr supervised diet or records
  
• Pass Psych evaluation
  
• Overweight for more than 5 years
  

Hi Emmie,

I'm sorry your mom is not being supportive. Did she explain why?

My mother was the same at first. She just didn't understand why I would want to do this because she felt as though I was taking the easy way out. When I explained it to her that it's a tool and not an easy fix, that I was still going to have to work hard, she started to understand better.

I think if you were to educate her as much as you educated yourself to make this decision she may start to understand and be a little more supportive.

I hope this helps..

I am scheduled for my first fill in a few days, but these last few weeks it feels like I can eat anything and everything. Definitely not as much as I could eat before the band but a lot more than what I was advised to eat, 4-6 oz per meal. I was told to stop eating when I feel 'full' but there are days where I just don't know if I'm actually full yet.

I know once I get my first fill this will change, but since I'm currently unfilled, will eating a little more than what was recommended damage anything? Band slipping, pouch stretching?

Also, I noticed there are times I forget that I have to chew chew chew and I accidentally swallow a large bite, but I don't feel any effects. I get afraid I'm at least going to feel pain, but nothing..

Did you guys start to go #2?? Sorry if it's TMI but I was banded on Friday and I haven't #2 yet is this normal. I'm guessing it would be since your not getting any food in but I was curious how long it took everyone else and did you have to take laxatives or Fiber etc...

Took me about 15 days, but I wasn't too worried because I pretty much didn't eat anything for the first 5 days, then I was on Clear liquids for the next 2 weeks.

Typically when you see the dietitian they will put you on a diet to start your progress of losing weight and changing your eating habits and life style.

My doctor required me to lose about 40lbs before they would operate, mainly because you're healthier and it'll help with the surgery and recovery. I was weighed every visit.

I asked the same question of my doctor about losing weight before the surgery, if I'll get denied because I can apparently lose weight by diet and exercise, but he said that they don't care as long as your BMI meets the requirement and you have health issues due to the weight. Although this may be different depending on your Insurance.

Thanks for all your replies!

I was allowed egg drop Soup as long as I strained the egg pieces out... My throat hurt post op from the anesthesia tube as well but you are pretty far out for that pain- maybe it is a cold?

I no longer feel the irritation in my throat, it started friday and it went away by monday. It was not so much like sore throat as it was like I swallowed a small pill with no Water and it felt like it got stuck way down. Annoying, but not painful.

I'm currently 2 weeks out and I have sharp pains around my port when bending over, or even turning my torso. My dr said that I'm still healing and take it easy. He doesn't seem too worried.

Last friday was my 2 week post op check up and I told my doctor I had some weird feeling in my throat like I swallowed a pill that won't go down and he said he thought I may have moved too fast to the next food stage. I was still on liquids, however, I had egg drop Soup, and I found out that was not good. Anyways, he put me back on liquids for another week. So I've been on Clear Liquids since June 18th, almost a MONTH!! I have 2 more days until I can progress to the next stage but I just can't stand it anymore. The thought of broth makes me want to vomit. :puke:

I'm seriously considering just not eating at all except sf popsicles, and water! I can't even stand my Protein Drinks anymore. I'm just so angry and frustrated.

Thanks for all your responses.

Sounds like esophagitis to me. Do any of you take or been prescribed GERD medication?

I have not taken or been prescribed any medications for GERD. My doctor didn't seem too concerned and it definitely seems as though it's going away. I barely notice it now.

I've already been through the 2 week pre op liquid diet, then when I had my surgery my Dr suggested another 2 weeks of Clear liquids.

I made a mistake thinking he meant just any liquids, so I had some different types of Soup, with a bit of 'cheating', (if it had peas or carrots in it I would chew them up and eat it).

Anyways, when I saw the Dr again, that day I had a bit of sharp pain and a feeling of a lump in my throat even when I haven't eaten. He said that I need to go back on clear liquids again for another week!! I feel like I'm going to puke at the thought of chicken broth.:confused:

Does anyone have any recipes or ideas to change up the CLEAR liquid diet? Please help.

I was in the same situation, my doctor originally insisted that I should do the bypass. Main reason being that because I weigh so much the excess weight will fall off me much faster with doing very little.

I personally preferred the band, not only because of less complications but because I wanted to change my life style (eating better and exercising) and not just let the weight fall off, then I wouldn't learn anything.

I have Carefirst BCBS and it was covered 100% after 3 month diet requirement was completed. I received the authorization within a week of my doctor submitting the request.

I've been banded almost 2 weeks. About 2 days ago I started to have this weird feeling in my throat when I swallow. I feel it all day even though I have not eaten anything. It's lower down my throat, in my chest but it feels like I have something in there that won't go down no matter how many times I swallow. It doesn't hurt, just feels like something's there and won't pass. I have not vomited.

I saw my Doctor and he said that he thinks I may have pushed myself to the next post op diet phase too soon. But what does that even mean? Is my stomach swollen and pushing the band up and making it feel this way? Did I pop some stitches? Did the band slip? Is this Reflux? Has anyone else felt this way?

I also started to feel sharp pains around my port area at the same time this swallowing weirdness started.

My doctor put me back on Clear liquids for 1 week then I can try to move on to mushies but I'm still worried something went wrong. Can the band even slip when it's not filled yet?

I hope someone can tell me they've experienced the same and I'm just over paranoid. :confused:

I actually use both nectar and Matrix. Although I've never tried the flavors you mentioned. I do not use milk because I can only drink Soy or Almond milk and it just makes the drinks taste weird! I have the chocolate Matrix Protein Drink and when I mix it with Water it kind of tastes like Ovaltine, but I was looking up some ways to make the Protein drinks taste better and some of them mention blending it with ice and like a tablespoon of instant pudding. It'll make it thicker and taste a lot better!

Thanks for all your responses.

I've noticed that I really haven't eaten anything the last few days since my surgery. I was really nauseated the first and second day and since then I try and force myself to drink a Protein shake but then I just don't realize that I haven't eaten all day and it's already time to go to bed.

I don't know if I'm just hating the fact that I'm sick of Protein shakes and chicken broth, or if I'm actually not really all that hungry. I am going to try and force myself to eat some more Protein at least. Has anyone else just didn't feel like eating after the surgery?

Thanks again.

I was just banded June 28th and I have a few questions. The first few days were super painful around my port area, but as the days go by it is definitely getting better. I would say the gas is the most painful part of this, sometimes it feels like I can't breath or that I have some broken ribs on my left side.

My questions are:

I feel a lump right next to my port incision but since I have a large belly, I figured if it was under the muscle I wouldn't feel anything. Is the port typically under the skin, or muscle?

Since I have a large belly, when I get up and walk I need to hold my port area in because it feels like my guts are going to fall out and it hurts to walk without holding it. Has anyone else had to do this?

I hate sleeping on my back although it is less painful, but sleeping on my side is actually getting better. When I move to roll myself over from side to side, sometimes I feel something around my port area pop, anyone else ever feel a popping sensation? Also, it is not painful, just feels weird.

Occasionally I'll have a feeling like I need to burp but nothing happens, is that normal?

Last question, I'm taking Omega-3 and Fiber gummy's. Does anyone have a problem with taking these or at least in Gummy form?

Thanks!

Oh yea and nectar also has an unflavored version which is good to mix in Soups and other things. It dissolves quite nicely with no chunks in room temp, or cold Water, but if you put it straight hot liquids it will clump and taste like cheese. If I had it to hot liquids, I will typically dissolve it in room temp or warmish liquids first.

Any suggestions for things to drink for Protein besides Protein shakes?

I personally love Protein Shakes, but I found another type of protein supplement which is almost like juice, called nectar. I found a sample pack at Fitness Connection. I like the Lemon Tea and Crystal Sky flavors, but nectar has multiple flavors to choose from.

But since the brain is not used to receiving "Pain" messages from the diaphram, the brain thinks the pain is in the left shoulder, and hence we feel pain in the left shoulder."

Stupid brain! Thanks for that great information.:bored:

one day we will all laugh about this in our bikini's! :bored:

Lol, love this quote.

I'm also getting banded on the 28th. Good luck to you!

I have not been banded yet, but I hope to lose at least 100lbs by this time next year. I will be working my butt off, literally!

Hello all! My surgery is scheduled for June 28th.. 3 more days :thumbup:

I'm pretty excited but nervous.

I'm currently on Day 6 of the pre op liquid diet. I have not cheated nor felt like it, but I did take a bite of chicken, chew it up and spit it out.. felt so good to chew!

I was only actually drinking one a day in addition to all the other things you mentioned minus the Optifast. I thought I might be doing something wrong, because I'm only getting about less than 500 calories. Thanks for letting me know.