maryrose

Hi Alicat, I heard the Injury vanilla is good. I have not tried that one yet. I may try to see if I can get samples of that one. It gets expsensive! I sent for a lot of samples from Vitalady.com. I have been very happy with the samples so far. They also incuded a sheet with their recommendations, etc. I found it very helpful. They did mention that your body in unable to absorb more than 30 grams of Protein at once. I am in the pre-op stage also. They give a lot of advise about what to add. I tried a little sugar free Cho. pudding mix added to one of the shakes and it was pretty good. I like the idea of the samples because it gives me a variety and I figure when I'm on liquids only it will be nice to just pop something different in my blender. I have everything from strawberry, coconut to choc. Peanut Butter in different varieties. I look foward to trying a different one evey day..kinda breaks up the boredom for me. My fav. so far is the ProScore 100 chocolate. I think that one was a little higher in calories though. Another one I liked was Sci Fit Choc. ice cream. I think that one had fewer caloroies. Good Luck. Vitaladay also has a number you can call 253-848-5118 PS: They also mentioned diet rootbear blended (this gets out the carbonation) with a vanilla shake. That sounds good!

Sewingloss, That is so true what you said. You really do become "driven" once you make the decision to make the plunge. Sewing, I am looking a year ahead too..My daughter is getting married..that is enough to get me into gear! I dread the way in look now in photos! Good Grief!!

Hi Madam, Welcome to the board! This is such a great site isn't it? I have not been banded yet, but am in the process. Madam, if this is what you want, go for it. The process takes a while from your first visit with the Weight Loss Ctr., so you absolutely will not be rushed into anything. From what I have read on the board and from my experience with my Weight Management Clinic they make sure you are really, really informed. They will no push you, that is your decision to make. I initially went to my first meeting last August and it actually seems like yesterday. I let about 5 months go by, holidays, etc. Now I wish I had taken the step sooner. Good luck with your decision! This site actually really, really helped me decide this was the right decision for me and I can't wait to get this "lap dance" going!

Thanks Wendy. I agree, I think it's the office itself. The way it was put to me was try to lose some weight "for insurance". Maybe that is one of the considerations for being approved. I'm not sure, but the nutritionist stated she felt I was properly informed, etc. and on target and would be putting the paperwork through for approval seeing I only have a short time to get this thing approved, deadline 3/7/07 for Tufts. I'm really, really trying hard this week. On my Protein shake in the AM and light lunch and dinner with NO snacks! Thanks again Wendy. I'm going to keep on them to make sure things are moving along properly. So far I have done everything I am supposed to do, except for the weght loss, but I was told initially that they were "on top" of it and would make sure things progressed quickly enough in time for my approval. This is the most trying for for me so far, the waiting...and all those tests!

Hi, I would say I am about 6 weeks through the program and so far have lost maybe 1 lb :cry . My next weigh-in is Friday the 23rd. The process has been a little rushed as my Ins. carrier (Tufts) as of 3/7 will require a 1 full year supervised diet plan. Everything has been going well so far, but was told that one of the criteria for the ins. co. approval was seeing some weight loss. What if I can't do it? Has anyone else had trouble losing the weight pre-surgery? All the paperwork has to be submitted before the cut-off date of 3/7. I started the program mid Jan. If I have to wait the full year I will not be happy! Any advise would be appreciated.

JBT, I love this question. A friend of mine asked how things were progressing with my "lap dance"...and it just stuck.

Hi all, Things are moving along slowly, but surely. I have been told a few times at the clinic that "grazers" are more successful with the bypass rather than the band. They will give me what I want, which is the band of course, but they feel I really, really have to work on the snacking. Ayone else with this problem of constantly eating, and how does problem work out with the band? I am never really hungry or full. Thanks again. This is really such a great site. PS: The snacking is a big problem..that is what got me here in the first place. What is I still can't control myself??? http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb098&pp=ZNxdm824IRUS

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement. I'm really focusing in on my three meals a day with no snacking. I'm trying to think of it as making time for myself. I think that is a real problem..I just don't take the time to think of the good healthy things I would really like to have for my meals. There are plenty of good food choices out there. Thanks again.

Well, I read once that artificial sweeteners "ferment" in your colon....whatever the heck that means, I don't want it!!....lol...to me this would = GAS... No thank you. I pulled out the bag of sugar today. 1 tsp. 14 calories. I would rather take 1/2 tsp. = 7 colories and try to deal with that rather than the other. Also, real Tupelo honey is supposed to by better for diabetics than the other honeys, a little lower in sugar content and actually recommended for some diabetics. I love it! Artificial sweeteners are nasty.

Hi Sue, Don't worry about it. They want to make sure you have a healthy upper GI tract. That is one of the first things they check. They want to make sure they/you won't encounter any problems with the procedure and the band itself. Good luck with the test. I have had two done recently and they are really quick now. I think I was only on the table for less than 10/15 min. tops. Not like years ago at all.

Hi Magnolia, Congrats on your surgery date! I I dont' have a surgery date yet. Yes, I'm worried about the liquid diet stage also. I am more worried about after. I don't know how I will have the willpower! I'm going to order a ton of Protein mix samples, I figure the variety will maybe give me something to look forwad to when my willpower gets the most of me. This site is really great for ideas...I't just wonderful. One of the requirements with the clinic I'm going to is to start journaling everything I eat, I even have to do a 2 day "mushy" stage to show them I understand what this entails and they also want us to go out and find a Protein Drink we like. In the preapproval state they want to start seeing a weight loss. One thing that helps with the cravings is my hot chocolate made with splenda I take 2 tsp. cocoa (unsweetened), 1 packet of splenda. Mix with hot Water and add a little skim milk. It's really good and helps with my cholocate craving. I don't know the actual calorie content, but think it's under 30 calories.

Hi, I had my first consult with the Psychologist at the Bariatric Clinic and have started all my pre-op requirements. She mentioned she thinks I am a better candidate for gastric bypass whereas I "pick" all day (and night) and she feels I could get around the band too easily. She told me not to worry and that she would be discussing my case with the group and their aim is to get me on the road to weight loss, but I am very concerned about this new development as I have NO desire for the bypass and I told her absolutely not. She told me to go on with all my tests as usual and I will be starting with the nutritionist next week and they will get a "plan" together for me!!! Just wondering what your ideas are on this situation? I do take Celexa for depression and she seems to think I need to get to the bottom of my eating problem first or all.

I have a fatty liver too. I didn't realize they considered it a risk! Dame, when is your surgery? Good luck. I hope the diet works.

Jules...I agree with you 100%. ...I flat out told the psyghologist I want no part of the bypass. We'll see what happens next week.

Thank you Jack and Kay for your kind words! As of March 6, my insurance is changing their policy regarding approving bariatric surgery w/o 1 yr. of supervised diet program, so one minute they are rushing me to get my testing done so that they can get this approved before the deadline, next minute I am left in limbo..very confusing. :phanvan Well, I start my nutrition counseling next week and will get more answers. Thanks again. Jack, I do agree with you regarding differences in opinion, so I am taking this with a grain of salt.

Thanks so much for your replies. I think it went well! Thanks again.

Hi! Hope everything had a nice weekend. Thinks are starting to move along little by little. I am a little worried about the psych. evaluation. I am worried about being completely "honest" as far as all the questions. Wondering how others dealt with this issue.

The sad thing about the whole deal with these insurance company games is that "yes" we can lose weight and I've done it 10 times over, but keeping it off..that is the big problem and "that" is why we need this band. Why can't they understand that. My insurance will start requiring a 1 year supervised weight loss approach. OK..Say I take that year and lose 50/60 lbs....then what? Research shows only a very small number of people can keep this weight off. So eventually, I'm back to square one. Are they hoping I'll drop dead in the meantime???... It's really a shame that we have to deal with this, especially with the cost of insurance. I am paying big bucks for this insurance.

Margo, I have Tufts HMO and I just made it under the wire (hopefully). As of March 6th they are requiring GET THIS 1 FULL YEAR of a supervised monitored weight loss center, Online Weight Watchers would quality. That is nuts! I've only had my first consult this Thurs. and a couple of group meetings, now they are rushing everything to get me approved under the wire! They just found out about this last week. If I can't make the deadline I am going to be soooo disappointed as I have been researching this for months and months. I'm 52 years old..I would have lost it by now if I could!!

Hi Wendy and Kerry, Wendy, I visit Seabrook every summer. You are so lucky to live so close. Good luck with your surgery in March. Kerry, what a pretty pic?! I am about 15 min. from Nashua and frequent Pheasant Lane all the time. I heard it does take about 3 months to get things rolling. I am aiming for probably April I would guess. I can't wait. I am going to the Weight Management Clinic at Lowell General Hospital. MY insurance just changed their guideles as of March 6th you have to wait a year (during that 1 year period you have to belong to a weight loss support group like WW, etc.). Hopefully I will get approved just under the wire. If not, I am going to be very disappointed :cry . They are rushing everything. I had my first consult at the clinic on Thurs. and have my Psych. appt. Mon. and my medical tests on Tues. Jeesh! It's overwhelming, but exciting at the same time.

Hi Cheryl Try not to worry. I agree with the others. Sounds like you spoke to someone not really informed. You probably just caught them off guard. Do you have a contact person at the clinic assigned to dealing with the insurance/approval aspects? I would get in touch with them to make sure everything is running accordingly. I'm sure everything will be fine! When push comes to shove, I'm sure the clinic will step in and get the info. they need...otherwise...they would be out of business fast. I am just starting the process, so easy for me to say! Good luck Cherly..sure things will work out fine.

Hi Katieo I agree with you on the hair issue. I have been worried about it also. I decided to start taking hair, skin and nails from GNC. I ordered it from drugstore.com. A great site. Not expensive either. I figure it would not hurt to get started on this ahead of time. My first consult is next week and I will let you know what they say about this supplement. I think the Protein is the key though. Good luck with your decision! It does take time. I have been researching this for proably a year now, but this site has really made me feel 100 times more comfortable with my decision. The way I look at it is that the technology is there, it's safe and I'm going to take the help that is offered to me at this point!

Hi Sherilyn, Congrats on your approval! It is standard protocol to stay overnight in the ICU with my group, but I think it is a hospital regulation. With your diabetes I can't imagine they would send you home. I would want to stay. BTW, my surgeon recommends you stay out of works for 4 to 6 weeks following surgery! I was shocked. I work at home, so I plan on only taking a week or two, but they explained that they really, really want you to solely concentrate on yourself and your new band, the adjustments, etc. Sounds good to me.

Hi Tracy, I have to congratulate you on your spunk! You are really armed and ready to deal with the insurance company...congratulations. We really have to stick up for ourselves when it comes to them. I have enjoyed reading your posts! I have my first consult coming next week. Your preserverence is an inspiration! I do the same thing when I am on a roll....so I can relate. Sounds like a cliche but knowledge really is power...especially when it comes to dealing with insurance companies..I know..I worked for them for 5 years..if they can find a loophole they certainly will. YOu have to be one step ahead of them is possible. Good luck Tracy!

Hi Sophie I can absolutely relate to your questions. I have been going through the same issues. My first consult is Jan. 17th. I have been in and out with it, but this board has really helped me. My doctor really discouraged me. I'm still not sure if she is going to go along with it (mostly out of concern for me, at least I think) as I don't think she has had much experience with it, but I am plugging along and will seek another primary dr. if need be. The support meetings really help. My weight management group requires 1 pre-op support informational meeting and 2 post-op support visits. The post-op support meeting helped the most. There was not one person, and this was a large meeting, who regretted it. One women told me her only regret was not doing it sooner. I still plan to attend either Weight watchers or OA, I have not decided which yet, to deal with the issues that got me here to begin with. Best of luck Sophie! There are a ton of great people here. :mad: