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My pre-op is 2 weeks. 2 Protein shakes and I small meal. I have done pretty well. First day I was starving. 2nd day I had headaches, third day I felt really good and the fourth day I was light headed. Now I'm ok except today for whatever reason I was super hungry. Water has helped me. I find if I drink at least one flavored water either crystal light or propel it helps with the hunger. Fools my tummy into thinking it got some food bc of the flavor. Other than that it gets better. It's tough but hang in there. Oh and the higher the protein count on the shake the longer I felt not necessarily full but at least not hungry. Premier Protein with 30 grams filled me up better than EAS with 17 grams. Good luck.

I had surgery in March of 2013 in MX. I used Alighterme. My dr was Dr. Alejandro Ortiz. He was very good. my recovery at Mi Dr. Is comparable if not better than what I received at Hackensack Hospital in ?NJ. Do your research and trust yourself. Anyone can make claims of anything good or bad. My Dr. In NJ was negligent in taking time to remove my lap band even though I was in obvious pain in the ER where he saw me but bc if was his sabbath had refuse go do my operation until Monday. Trust yourself to make your decision. BTW....if Abraham the driver for Alighterme us still with them you are in excellent hands. He was great and his service was impeccable?

Ur body is using all ur cal to heal an in turn it'll turn to wats stored. I didn't push myself a whole lot if it's just half block or around the block. Listen to ur body. We hen I had a burst of energy I took advantage of it an cleaned or swept around the house. I didn't go out bc I was afraid of starting to feel bad a bc afraid I wouldn't b able to get home but I did wrk around the house then I could rest when I had to. I'm 7 wks out n still have a energy issue...by tee it's nothing new for me. Get it Protein in first an Vitamins an Water..I'm noticing a lil more then usual energy increasing an torts been almost 2 months..still eating less then 700 cal daily but that's fine with me. food isn't my friend anymore. ..I eat enough to live now. Luvn it!! You will do great!!

It's BS to think you won't have loose skin. I'm in my 20's, never had children, workout like crazy, stay hydrated, exfoliate and moisturize my skin.. Blah blah blah... I'm am very much looking forward to my plastics to fix my saggy skin and floppy boobs. I have a few more lbs to lose before then. This isn't something you can always avoid. I wish ppl (especially those who haven't had sx) wouldn't say, "oh you won't have loose skin bc you're young... Or workout... Or take care of yourself... Or don't have kids..." If only they'd see this body without clothes! LOL

Where ya at? It's hard finding nice guys who like big girls. But its even harder when you throw the band in it, I've run into many a few where they dont enjoy going out to eat bc I dot eat much or I take a while to eat.... Anybody else?

Can you refrain from sodium? It may be postponed bc they want to make she your heart can handle surgery. Good luck! Try vinegar and water.

Kelkie, First of all congratulations on getting approved! :001_unsure: Can you share with us other BC/BSer's what was in your appeal letter? I have a feeling we'll be appealing once the packet is sent into the ins co. If you want to email me with the info that would be fine! Thanks!

I fed the stray dog in the neighborhood, a German Shepherd. She then brought me 7!!!! puppies. I am still trying to give them away. Amazing how many people don't want pure German Shepherd puppies. I have already spent $185 on them and that was with the vet's discount. I hope to get rid of them soon. Maybe I should charge for them because no one seems to want free puppies.

I was banded 1/20 and I am on a strict 2 wk liq diet. I have cheated a tiny bit bc doing the preop liq diet then 2 weeks post op is very try. I am curious about what type of diet your doctor has you on? Are you supposed to be eating chix salad?

After a whole year (2012) of no fills due to lack of insurance, and me not being able to afford $350 p/fill, I went and got my 1st of 2 INSURED fill last month, I maintained my weight for the 11months i did not have a fill, which my Dr. said was pretty darn good, as he said he expected a weight gain, as did I. So we were both pretty surprised. 1st fill was 1/10/13 - weight was 259, 2nd January fill 1/31/13 - weight was 254. Im going for my 3rd tomorrow and i cant WAIT!!!! The hardest thing I think i had to "get used to again" was the restriction. After almost a year of being able to eat more than I should, its pretty difficult to only eat 1cup of food. Mentally this is hard. Sort of like starting over again but, Im excited and ready for 2013!!! Have any of you out there had the same experience, how did you overcome the mental hunger - bc its getting more difficult each day.

Well iam not worried about the calories per say bc when i juice i dont really use any. Fruits unless its a tiny leamon or nit even a half of apple i uice only for the Vitamins strickley so i probably will end up still juicing for diease prevention i feel i will need more bc of the nutrition definenxy

Dr. Illan in BC. I'm super excited!!

Just a dash. And stir and add more. Lol. Not even as much as you'd squeeze chocolate into milk to mix to make chocolate milk. They are delish. Also, if you like chocolate covered strawberries you can toss frozen strawberries into a chocolate shake, I used the RTD premier and blended them when I was on my supervised diet. No ice needed. The frozen strawberries did the job. At first we can't have them Bc of the seeds, but I can't wait. Lol

Were you cleared to eat beef? I am not UNLESS its grass fed. Cuts of beef are very restricted from my program. Which is fine I am doing great with NO animal protein and feel amazing!!!!!!!!!

Hi there.... I can't speak for all the "more experienced" banders... I have been banded for almost 6 weeks. But I will try and help you with any answers that I can Can you feel the device once it's in? Not at all, I mean the first few days or so after surgery you do bc it is new to you - now forget it is there at times. Any complications at all? (I know it's different for everyone, but still...) I haven't had any complications from the surgery.... would gladly do it again... the closest thing I have had is my periods are off now- I guess to to the quick weight loss... dunno? Ladies: Can you take birth control afterwards? I'm using Yaz right now...will they put me on something different? as far as I know--- yes... but my gyno won't let me take it for other reasons... Sex: When can you start up again, and is it safe...? ( Not quite sure how to ask that without sounding like a complete idiot! lol. I have heard to wait 4 - 6 weeks, but I would say whenever you feel up to it... just dont get pregnant! Did you experience a lot of vomiting? no not so much- when I have had an issue, it has been bc I didnt chew well or tried bread...(wouldnt advise that) and I just had my first fill - so I have had a few episodes but now I am fine... and by the way its not like stomach flu vomiting... its more like spiting up kinda thing.. hard to explain Will you ever be able to eat food? yes you will be able to eat food, I have found that I am actually wanting helthier options of things.... but yes I eat and am satified with the amount I get down... even though I thought for sure that I wouldnt be. How much weight did you lose within the first month? I know it's slow and healthy weight loss, but do you feel like it goes quickly? around 22 lbs-- I am 5 weeks and 3 days out of surgery and this morning I was down 28 lbs. Any change in emotions? (Not hormonal, just all around feeling great - confidence?) umm- think that is a personal experience. I find I vary... I will say that for some reason I was more critical of myself than I was before the surgery.... and then sometimes- I am like wow, I feel so much better about myself... to follow by -- wow my stomach is huge... It is an emotional journey I think- for me.... but well worth it so far. I have learned things about myself and get frustrated at times... but overall I am more comfortable in my clothes, feel better, workout everyday (and at times...even enjoy the gym!lol!) I hope that this has answered some questions- and I am sure there are people alot further along in this journey that can help you more, but I am here if you have any other questions. Good Luck to you in whatever your plans are... Wish you the best! and if you want my vote-- I would jump on that operating table again in a second.... the recover is not bad at all... in fact, probably the best rest I have taken for myself in 3 years! LOL! and I am gonna say the "classic" thing I saw said so many times-- the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner!

They offered to discharge me the next day(and my surgery was at 230pm) but I was self pay so I opted to get the most for my money and stayed another night! Was discharged around 11 the next day and only bc I requested they help me shower bc I had a pain pump in and wanted to know how to handle it after!

Hey guys and gals. So I'm back in the hospital. I hadn't eaten anything for aout 9 days bc I always feel so nauseated. I was really feeling downright terrible so I went to the emergency room on Thursday Morning. I've been here since. My arms are all swollen and bruised bc they had to poke me 7 times before they could get the iv started. They said my veins were deflated due to dehydration. I still feel very nauseated. They did a really aggressive endoscopy yesterday. I hope the stricture heals and my stomach remains open. There's a lot of scar tissue. This really isn't what I signed up for and yea they do mention the risks before hand but no one told me it would be this bad. I really wish I never had this surgery. So in the meantime I'm just laying here miserable....trying to get better. I'm including a pic of my arm so you can see how its all bruised from the numerous iv pokees [ATTACH]48[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]49[/ATTACH]

Well I have had some ice cream. The first thing I did after a clear liquid diet for 10 days I went and got a milkshake which I didn't even drink half of it. Being as how I'm kind of a veteran (had a band since July 09) I can listen to my band really well...my band was not restricted bc it slipped for the past 6 mos so I have been doin what I want (I maintained my weight) then I got gastritis and dropped 15-20 lbs got really sick and had to have Surgery so this is new to me all over again! Anyway I have been eating puréed avacados, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, SF pudding, and protein shakes...I feel as though I could eat other thing but I don't want to push it! Anyway, this has been the most challenging thing for me! I have lost a total over about 70 lbs. I'm 248 and strive to be under 200, I'm also 6' tall...I have plateaued now at this weight for a while. I only lost about 7 lbs on the liquid diet!! Anyway sorry for my rant just so much to share and no one else understands! Including my fiancé!

Ouch, sounds exctaly like my girlfriend....if it can happen to her it will, but mostly for the negative. She has a huge support system everyone she works with, myself, my family, her entire family and all her friends as well. I just have my reservations because of the negative I keep hearing and sadly Im a cynic at heart and generally look at the bad more than good, but in this case I'm looking at everything. I cant relate to how it must feel to be very overweight because I have never experienced it, I have been an athlete my entire life, but being with my girlfriend (now fiancee I should say) for 15 years and meeting her overweight and seeing all the bs she went through with people pisses me off and I can only imagine how hard it is and thats why I will support her with this decision and do everything I can to help her, even if I dont fully understand. Well Im pretty sure she is sleeping again because I have not heard from her for alomst an hour. I'm curious if they are going to keep her overnight again, its starting to look that way

Totally bummed bc I have to have surgery 2 yrs after being banded to fix my slipped band. I've gain 50 lbs since October & am feeling like a total failure. I just pray they can either fix or replace my band & that I get back on track.

Personally, I don't believe all the bs they tell us. Every Dr. has different standards so that tells me there are none. I don't drink much or often but I drink. I also eat junk once in a while. I've lost a lot of weight. That being said... had I not drank those beers or ate that icecream I might be 20 pounds lighter... who's to say. I think some of us get seriouly schooled before surgery and others... not much. That's why we are here... to help each other and share our experiences.

I have BC of TN-They stated that evidence did not support and they did not feel like it was medically necessay. However my BMI is 39.6 and I have co mor. problems and have been able to supply medical documentation that I have been obese for the past five years.

I just found it. It states that Based on the information recieved and the terms of your health benifit plan, we determined that the requested service is not Medically Necessary. However my doctor states that it is necessary for my health.- He stated before and is putting in writing to send to BC of TN. Any suggestions, I am so tired of being over weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I've been done with my pre-evaluation appointments and testing since 2/23/17. I have been calling the office about 2 times a week to see what is going on. It took most of March to just get my surgeon to look at everything and medically clear me. Once that was done, I was told that now all this is to go to my insurance company for approval (that was 4/4/17). I was not contacted about this, and after a week I called the office, spoke to the manager, and was told that everything is at my insurance and I just have to wait. Ok, after another week I called and was told my case is pending. Again, I wait. I do this 2-3 more times and keep getting told its pending. Today, 4/27/17, I call again with no response. Now, I call my insurance to see what I should do. I talk to insurance company. She says that there is nothing about prior approval in my case and we start investigating! According to my insurance, I do NOT need approval for WLS with my policy. OMG! SMH. Now, I ask them what is my Doctor waiting for? She asks for my surgeons number and who I've been in contact with there. I give her the info, she puts me on hold, and she contacts them. About 25 minutes later, she comes back to me and says that the manager has given my info to the surgeon for him to get me a surgical date. WHAT???? My insurance lady than asks why have they been lying to me saying I'm not approved for surgery yet, when I did not require approval in the first place! The manager tells her that someone else messed this up, not her and she would make sure it is taken care of. So, now I know this office has been just placating me with a bunch of BS! I put a call into the manager myself and as of now, no call back yet! I'm beyond pissed off here. I've done everything I have had to do since 11/16 and I've been ignored for what reason? Tomorrow, bright and early I will call the manager again and if no response, I drive for an hour to the surgeon and don't leave until she talks to me. OMG! Has anyone else had anything like this happen??? Ugh! Any info would be appreciated!

mine def went (down). we ate out alot (easy/cheap foods/drive thru's) alot of beer and the junk food per day....added up to alot.. if you shop wisely (at walmart/trader joes/sams club) as we do i buy bulk items (chicken breast, 96% lean beef) and divide it up and its a money saver.....my freezer is filled with singles of chicken/beef ready to grab and go...i buy from the farmers market(everyweekend)fresh/veggies/fruits..... *oh, let me add this: just because (something is listed, healthy, organic, all natural, grain fed etc) doesnt mean its better for you just because it costs more....processed is processed....just my opinion.