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Hi Morningoasis811. I live in Elk Grove and notice you had Dr. Fuller at UCD Med Group as your surgeon? I, too, have UCD as my med group (Anthem Blue Cross). I have an appointment with my PCP mid-March and was wondering if you have any advice? I've done some research and will ask for a referral to Drs. Ali and/or Fuller at UCD. I called Anthem BC to see what my coverages were but they told me I had to go through the medical group. I have a relatively low BMI of 35 and am concerned I may not be big enough for the surgery? I do have high BP (already on meds) and high cholesterol, so I'm somewhat optimistic I will qualify. Thanks for any advice. Best of luck to you.

Sigh, pregnancy is awfully hard on your body isnt it? I found I didnt gain so much during the actual pregnancies, in fact in my last I gained 4.5kg (10lb) and that was all. But it was during breastfeeding that I piled it on and I piled on more than could be explained due to the changes in eating habits. I fed each of my beautiful three children for 2 years or so, so lots of time to pile on weight, half a kilo or so a month didnt seem noticeable but it sure adds up over the years. Yet I have to be honest and say life at home with kids brought some terrible changes to my eating habits. Like you I'd never had a serious weight problem before, unlike you I was "heavy" and usually had a BMI of 27 or so so I was overweight, just not hugely so. I found the disorganisation, comfort and boredom eating that crept into my lifestyle the killer. It didnt happen after my first baby but after the second I stopped exercising too - it was just impossible when the first was too old to tolerate long hours of walking. So I got fat over the years. The bigget thing I've discovered since being banded is that I've been able to reign in the bad habits very easily. I really feel for people who have such longstanding and serious eating issues and I feel blessed that I really dont. None of the lifestyle factors have changed of course, my life is still utter chaos trying to fit in study and 3 kids but the band has enabled me to quit my dependence on those comfort foods and even when I'm disorganised and havent shopped and dont have healthy foods to hand, I dont say to myself "blow it, I may as well enjoy this" and pig out totally. There's loads of room for improvement but that's true of any mother of young children I suspect. If I eat junk food for lunch I might take half an hour to get through a burger and I'm STUFFED and dont need to eat again taht afternoon, beforehand I would have had the burger, fries and a sundae to boot. I still do bad things for my healht, like I live on coffee, now often at the expense of food. But since I've broken that cycle and since I've had a taste of being fit and healthy again, its easier and easier every week to make good food choices, and I"ve always been aware of what I feed my kids (I can be scathing of fat parents with fat kids, dont you often hate what you most fear becoming?), now I'm even more so. In fact its been terrific for my whole family since they are pretty much at the mercy of what I feed them. People here have had problems and yes, there's risks but overall its been a fabulous experience for me and so worthwhile.

Surgery is tomorrow... And of course I start my period today! Gah! I asked my Dr at my 2 week pre op bc I was afraid this would happen. He said surgery will go on and it's not uncommon for women to start because of the nerves/etc. I'm just nervous because my periods are pretty heavy and I want to be able to get up to clean up/change pads/etc. Anyone else been in this boat?

Hi... just notice we have the same band date. I too have noticed lately that I can eat more, but am afraid to get a fill because I still get stuck on some foods. I am currently at 6.1 cc's in a 14 cc band. My last fill was in Jan 2010 but had some removed in Feb 2010 bc it was too tight. I'm not really complaining about my weight lost, started at 293 currently 213, but it just seems to have slowed down alot these last 4 weeks. I still would like another 50 (preferably 70) more to go. Any advice to jump start this will be greatly appreciated. P.S I am also from the Los Angeles area. (La Puente)

I just received a frozen popsicle maker, so I am about to embark on a popsicle adventure! Summer will, no doubt, present it's fair share of challenges in the food department, so I though if people would submit ideas for chilled/frozen/cool food recipes, that would help us all stay on the right track! I am going to try and come up with a frozen Gazpacho popsicle...now doesn't that sound awesome? I am so tired of the same old - same old, and this is my first summer after WLS, so I want to see what people can come up with that will 1. Keep us fed! 2. Keep us from getting bored! 3. Keep us on track! So please, if you have ideas/recipes, please share!!! Thanks to all who participate, this should be fun!

My surgery was paid by BC/BC of IL also. But, my STD was through Mutual of Omaha and I have a 7 day waiting period after surgery date to start getting paid. As long as you have met their Pre-existing condition clause they would have to cover since it's a surgery that you are having, which is a medical condition. I had my surgeons office and employer fill out their forms and submit and I was approve for STD within a few days. They pretty much told me that since my Dr says that I'm having the surgery they have to pay me for STD since it's not work comp or anything like that. You shouldn't have any issues. Surgery Date: May 2, 2013 - Amount Lost: 23lbs

Sweet4422- the one year mark can be tough! Don't get discouraged though! I am one year out on March 12th and 130 lbs down and if I am really honest I don't get much official exercise, but I stay active, and busy. Make sure you are drinking a lot of liquids- we forget how important irrigation is to the weight loss process, but remember the early days when you were often thirsty and it was a necessity to drink. Up your liquid intake and also, consider lightening your meals- not in portion size but in substance. Like I actively avoid all sugars, I eat foods that I know are supposed to increase metabolism (bc that was a huge problem for me before) and I eat carbs but I'm picky about it, and to be truthful I never really went back to Pasta or rice or noodles or bread. I will eat sesame breadsticks, or goldfish crackers (which are salty but a treat) or whole grain brown rice- and those are eaten once in a while. I allow for some carbs in my diet, but I prefer healthy carbs like red kidney Beans over my salad that count as a complex carb-meaning they have Protein and carbs giving you twice as much energy. Lately, and sorry for the over-share, I noticed that I get a huge chocolate/sugar craving. Well I use sugarless torani syrups and made my own chocolate at home. The other night I wanted to make a crock pot meal and the original recipe called for a packet of onion Soup mix-which is loaded with sodium. Also, beef granules which are again packed with sodium! I decided instead to make a home made salt-free version of the onion soup package, with just as much flavor, and opted instead for sodium free granule packets- the meal came delicious! I still added salt, but this way I controlled totally the amount of salt in the dish! I know it's hard, but little stuff^^ like that really helps! I work full time and go to school full time for my masters, I fell into the dangerous pool of takeout one too many times, so on Weekends I cook and make a healthy meal I can nibble on all week-roast chicken, crock pot steaks/stews (these chewier, more sinewy meats are easier for me to consume when they've been sitting in a crock pot all day), roasted vegetables, etc. Please message me if you have any questions and best of luck on your journey~ !

My nutritionist (who is part of my surgeon's office) outlined the post-op diet as: Clear liquids 2-3 days post Full Liquids 4-7 days post Soft around day 10 Upon discharge from the hospital, my surgeon said to stay on clear liquids as long as possible (like until my 2 week follow up) so I'll lose more weight. I am legitimately hungry, light headed and weak. Yesterday I sipped a Protein shake all day and managed to get some significant protein. I'm not going to go crazy and actually eat anything, but I feel like a Protein Shake is reasonable at post-op day 5. I am not getting hardly any protein on clear liquids bc I absolutely can not do the Isopure without gagging. Anyone have any experience with differing advice from the professionals??

I went to ER (2nd time I've been first time I had aspiration pneumoniafrom reflux) bc I woke up choking again and they did cat scan and he said my esophagus was open. So I made apt with my surgeon and he did scope and found hernia

Yes I'm 5 weeks in and I drink but don't chug bc of the air - but just drink normal - you can use a straw - my doctor said its fine - carry a bottle w you- I'm a huge fan on crystal light peach iced tea of green tea peach mango - take your drink everywhere - you'd be surprised his much more you drink. Treat yourself to s fun tumbler !!

You guys are killing the whole reason for this site!!! We're all here to support each other. Chill out a little. The cheating comment may have been out of line, but who doesn't have that one frind that is open and blunt about their opinions?? I have two! She spoke her mind. Leave her alone already. And the OP already addressed the comment. It was made to him and it didn't bother him bc he knows the truth and is secure in his marriage even with their issues. That's what's important.

Here's a book I ordered on Amazon:“recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery – Revised & Updated” - Delicious Dishes for Nourishing The New You This edition was published in 2012 Margaret M. Furtado, MS, RD, LDN Clinical dietician Specialist, Johns Hopkins Bay View Medical Center Lynette Schultz, LRCP, RT Chef Joseph Ewing, BS Here’s the link to it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Recipes-Weight-Loss-Surgery-Revised-Updated/dp/1592334962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345943118&sr=8-1&keywords=recipes+for+life+after+weight-loss+surgery+by+margaret+m.+furtado+%26+lynette+schultz

I haven't been banded yet, I'm still doing my 6 mos diet for BC/BS & my last weigh in is in July. My surgeon is Dr Baptista. I'm hoping to have my surgery in mid august for my birthday.

I might have to give those a try bc I can't stand mine.

I have BC/BS Anthem. I had to complete the six months of doctor supervised weight loss, but once I finished the six months (in August), they filed and it was approved in 2 weeks. I didn't have to submit any pictures or any other documentation beyond my narrative about my various weight loss attempts over the years. I started out at a 54 BMI, but I lost 99 pounds during my six month diet program, so I was right at a 40 BMI on the day of surgery; therefore, I can't speak to going below the 40 BMI level. I don't have any co-morbidities, so I can't speak to that, either. Good luck!

Thank you so much bobbiejoned27 for telling me that. I feel much more at ease. Unfortunately for me, I am from BC, Canada so it would be expensive to go back to Dr Kuri for fills.

I have tried to get the sleeve approved. Went all the way to the "top" so to speak, but after the 5th denial letter we put in for the RNY. TWO DAYS later it was approved. Then, I found about this new AP band. Called the Insurance company and it will be approved. "Device failure" does fall under my coverage. As for the sleeve, I have checked into self pay and the MX doctor that my friends have used now does a two step procedure. He will take out the band $5000.00, four months later, he will do the sleeve $11,000.00... plus travel for both procedures. Self pay in TX is around the same... Even if BC/BS will pay for the lapband removal part of it... they want the other in cash up front. So my choices are RNY, Band Removal Only, or convert to new AP band. The doctors office says that many people that were having problems with the old band are doing better with this new one. But I would like confirmation from someone that has had this done. **Good grief** I just wish this thing would have worked.

I thought maybe I was the only one! I'm 6 days post op and I get hiccups daily... And they hurt!(prob because I'm still a bit sore plus still have some gas pains) I googled it literally 2 minutes ago and the person said that's how they know their pouch is full OR it happens whenever they drink too soon after eating... I know I'm guilty of the drinking too soon part bc I'm so nervous I'm not getting enough liquids. So maybe that's it?

Anyone have insurance with bc/bs alabama? If so I would like to know what they required for lap band surgery.

It will fly by, I promise! It seems like such a long wait when you first hear 6 months, but my experience was that I was able to use that 6 months to get myself in the right mental state, start a gentle exercise program, etc. Treat it like an opportunity :rolleyes2: A tip about the psych consult: My surgeon said "here, go to this guy". But "this guy" wasn't covered by BC/BS. So I found a psych who did the eval who was in my plan and instead of paying $350 for the test, I paid a $40 copay. I don't know where you are in AL, but private message me if you are in the Birmingham area and I'll tell you the psychologist's name. Good luck and you'll be banded before you know it!

I ate egg drop from the Chinese food restaurant bc I figured it was broth like when I was on PO liquid diet. The doc gave me a hard time about it but ended up being ok. I think we all make mistakes. It’s hard.

I'm sick of the liquids...my husband and I are watching a movie...and they just fed someone who hadn't eaten in a while, so they were just pounding it down...and I glanced over at my husband and said..."I want to eat like that!" haha Sent from my VS987 using the BariatricPal App

Waiting to be pregnant can drive you crazy for sure. I unexpectedly got pregnant after thinking I was completely infertile for the previous 8 yrs ans the adoption of my 3 kids. I noticed the vein thing starting near the end of the first trimester. Everyone seems to notice something different as symptoms it seems so its so hard to depend on what others noticed. The positive stick is your best clue! :laugh:. I bought a preg test the day after I would have conceived. My hubby and I were both thinking I'd lost my mind since we WERE infertile and didn't think we even wanted another kid. My weird impulse buy paid off two weeks later even though I completely forgot about it bc I had NO symptoms!!! Try to relax, put it out of your mind until you can test and take good care of yourself physically and mentally in the mean time. It will work out when the time is right. Good luck!!!

@@Reckless Moxie I have several rants under my breath while shopping at Target--especially bc they weave together the maternity with plus size! I feel like what I'm really looking forward to in regards to clothes shopping isn't just an increase in selection, but also lowering the cost of my clothes. I feel that often times I'll look at someone wearing really basic, non-plus sized work clothing and I resent the fact that--no matter their taste--they can go and find basic, inexpensive clothing without trouble. I pay A LOT for clothes I don't especially like, that don't hold up!

Update! I had to stay an extra night at the hospital bc of my white blood cell count. I took another set of labs around 5:30 so I should going home soon. Pain was very very very minimal. Only thing I can really say that bothered me was the getting up out the bed and laying back down. Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers!!!