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NPO (nil per os) - Nothing by mouth, no eating/drinking, not even ice chips TPN - Total parenteral nutrients I had a pic line (similar to a central line) that was a flexible catheter (it was over a foot long)that led directly to my heart in my left arm that fed me 1800 calories per day via liquid nutrients/protein/folic acid/insulin/just about everything my body needed.

I will know any day know if I am approved, I first applied last year through BC/BS of Illinois and they denied me and also denied my appeal because I did not have the 12 months. This insurance is free through my hubby's work so I decided to pay for insurance as I work for a major insurance company and they are easier to get approved. Anyway, I have always wondered this and wanted to ask, what makes the band it for you, I mean, I find I eat when I am not hungry, and will eat my meal even if I am full, does the band change those habits, I mean do you feel full and do you not get that feeling of just wanting to eat? I read people exercise now etc.. and I feel why couldn't we do that before, does the band truly make a difference in the feeling we get when we want to eat. I hope this is not a silly question. :scared: Thanks all. Your the best.

So I figured I would give an update My husband moved out 3 weeks ago. I'm so San bc of it. I feel like a failure. I know I cannot fully blame myself but if I didn't talk to him like shit maybe this would never of happened I'm doing what I need to do. I would love to take some time apart so we can both work on ourselves, but he says we are never getting back together. Our relationship was volatile but maybe w some space we can fix this. My son wants daddy home. My daughter can care less. I just wish life was easier than this. I'm going to keep working on me, hopefully he can work on him and maybe one day if he is sober we can make this work I wish I didn't love him so much =(

I'm going to try doing more shakes and less actual food bc I'm struggling so hard

I had a temp of 101.5 and went to the er. They completed a ct scan and it showed I might have one so my Dr went back in and it looked like at one point a I had a microscopic leak and my body repaired it. When my body did that it created a small pocket of bacteria so my Dr cleaned that up and put in two drains and a feeding tube (to my old stomach). Needless to say I've been to hell and back lol. However, despite complications (which anyone has a chance of) I wouldn't change it. God has healed me and is con't to do so :-) I'm off of my feeding tube. I still have it in, for the next four weeks bc my stomach has to heal around it before it can be pulled. I got my last drain out last week. I hope this doesn't scare anyone but seriously I wouldn't change it. I knew the risks going in but of course didn't think they'd happen to me but they did and I had/have an amazing Dr. who has taken wonderful care of me. As for liquids, I'm trying so hard. I literally sip all day and I'm having hard time getting 64oz in. I usually get my Protein in but today I can't stomach the shakes.

I'm in the same situation - banded 08. big slip a couple months ago - up a solid 50lbs. I'm actually only 27lbs from where I started. very sad. I submitted for sleeve conversion and insurance said no. I can eat, eat, and eat more. Its awful. the doc is now submitted for "fixing this band, but what I'm concerned about is - this one slipped what if it happens again... I actually mentioned to my husband I wanted to find out about "Care Credit" and finance the 16k - even though I have bariatric coverage - its BS! And the topper...I paid cash for this band. New insurance from my husband's employer that has paid NOTHING toward my Bariatric coverage.

Is it bc we had surgery or change in diet??

I'm on soft foods and I have had tons of things that fall outside the category of the things you listed so hang in there. I've had a ton of grilled fish (salmon, tilapia, catfish, shrimp) and I have also eaten filet mignon, chili, meatloaf (moist), pork loin, bbq ribs, chicken enchilada, chicken quesidilla, ham and cheese wrap (made at home), broccoli and cheese, and I can't even remember what else I've made. I can only eat 3-5 bites, but it is heaven compared to pureed and it has all been really healthy. When I did the quesidillas and the wrap I cut a small normal sized meal in half and was only able to eat half of that. I also used low fat, wholewheat, and very thin tortillas because I didn't want it to swell and take up too much space in my tiny tummy. Just wanted to say you have a wide range of food you can eat in soft and it is almost like not being on restriction bc most everything I'm eating now is what I would have eaten before. The only difference is that everything I'm adding to anything is low or non-fat and I am not eating any bread or Pasta which was a huge problem for me. I was so addicted to bread and pasta so I am steering clear of those things of course because they helped me get to the point that I needed surgery. Good luck!

I too have BC/BS.... BMI 44 when I started and no comorbidities Gave a 5 year diary... Because it had been more than 2 years since my last "supervised" diet attempt of 6 months duration... I did the 6 month diet ( lost about 5 lbs...but focused on behaviors... protien first,chewing well, fluids not with meals, etc)... Once I finished the "diet" approval went through quickly and without a problem. Good Luck!!!!

I have bc/bs of greater New York. Just to let all of you know that its not the insurance companies fault but the employer. I found this out the hard way. Myself and my wife both have the same insurance but different plans. That's the key. My employer opted to purchase the cheapest plan they could and it does not cover any bariatric procedure,obesity study or even nutritionists. My wifes plan covers all so obviously I dropped mine and went on hers or this would never have been possible. I had a records file thicker than a phone book with all of the problems. Diabetes,hypertension,sleep apnea,heart trouble, swelling of the legs, joint pain high BMI etc... It meant absolutely nothing to them because of the plan the emloyer chose. They would rather pay hundreds of dollars a month for doctors and medicines which makes no sense. My doctor even wrote them a letter explaining how much this would help me liVe longer and relieve most of my problems but twice they turned me down. Some people have had it overturned but you and your doctor need to be persistent. Good luck to everyone and hopefully it works out for you like it did for me.

Well, just the idea that they're so flip about the RNY being "reversible"...while takedowns can be done, they are significantly riskier than the original surgery (especially since in most cases, the condition of the patient is so poor at that point) and it's extraordinarily difficult to find surgeons who will do it. AND the digestive tract will never be "back to normal". Total BS. And the studies they're pulling the EWL numbers from are studies done by surgeons/institutions strongly in favor of the RNY, so again, quite flawed. LOL And they didn't even have the courtesy to put a contact email addy on their site...guess they don't want angry bandsters beating them up Nancy

In every aspect of every mans life, the more women around the merrier. Support groups...ah support groups. I understand people have complications and issues, but I've never been one to sit down and listen to them and not be able to speak my mind. I was a peer mediator and later on a school counselor and I figured I'd get booted from that position real quick, but instead everyone wanted to come to me because they always got it straight, no BS instead of someone just saying "I see, how does that make you feel?" (sadface) I do want to at least give one a shot, and I'm positive I will soon, just trying to prepare myself mentally, and prepare my tongue for the teeth marks I may leave.

I just had the horrible gas pains. But when I first woke up I was on a pain pump but my heart rate would go down to 40 on the pain meds so the oxygen sensor would beep and it would scare me bc I was at the other end of the hall from the desk and the nurses didn't always come when it alarmed. So post op and paranoid and not wanting to die I refused to use it. The next day they put me on oral meds and that was fine with me. I do have a low hr when I take meds like that. A few years ago was in the hospital with a PE my grandma died in wks prior my grandpa died the day before and I had to be admitted and miss his funeral the next day and I was a hot mess of anxiety they gave me ativan and my hr was like 32 asleep they had a cardiologist see me. I'm just now sensitive that some people to narcotics. But you'll do great, sip- walk - rest. HW: 280 SW: 231 CW: 203 GW: 140 Sleeved 5/31/17

I would switch programs. It sounds like some BS. They know people have issues with food and losing weight. They put you in this program, probably hoping you fail, then they string you along buying their food with surgery as a carrot on the stick at the end. I would never choose one of these programs that are selling you food and tell you that you have to lose X to qualify for surgery. They just milk people for money.

Congrats, I know you are so proud. I have one granddaughter who is 2 and the light of our life then my daugher found out she is 5 months pregnant again and had no clue. No period because she was told she couldn't have any more and no need for bc pills. Anyway, it is due first of October and then my son found out they were pregnant 2 weeks ago and I went and bought boy and girl come home from the hospital outfits because it's due Christmas week. I thought 2 newborns at Christmas and my 2yr.old where will I put 3 carseats in the back of my grand prix and then my daugher inlaw starting bleeding wednesday and they admitted her and my son and I never left the hospital until yesterday when they told us she lost it. We've been devastated. Cheerish your little one. I know they'll probably have more but it sure it heartbreaking.

i have also just had my first fill and i am feeling exactly the same, even though its comforting to know that some one is in the same shoes it makes you think is this thing ever going to work huh!!.i have a good doctor that will fill me again soon. i was very nervous getting the fill but was really surprized how simple it was and have no problem getting another. i am getting fed and go on this web site regular and hear of all the great stories and wish it was me saying how much weight i have lost but none so far . i still eat and drink as usual really . except soda and soft white bread are a big no no for me. i still have hunger and eat , not really as much as before but not enough to lose weight i am just maintaining. i am sure we just haven't had enough fill yet and am praying this is going to work for both of us !!. because no diet known to man has ever worked for me i am thinking this is just another failed attempt. but it has too think about it , its just not working for us as we are still eating to much to lose but when we put less in we will lose we just need more fill to be able to stop.my trouble has always been knowing when to stop and eat to a real full feeling always,so i know i will probably need to be filled probably a couple more times to see results. i have some feed back and read before that this is common but like you i feel like i am the one it won't work for but i am sure we just need more fill !!!!! let me know on your progress and i will let you know after fill two if it feels any different for me o.k chin up we will do this o.k

Hello My name is Claire, and I live in London, England. I was sleeved on 22 January this year, so I'm just over a week out. I have no idea how much I've lost so far, but i'm not too worried about that at the moment, i'm just trying to get through the recovery period in one piece! it was a LOT less painful than I expect, and I was keen to get out of bed even before i'd left ITU - mind you, that was because I really needed a pee! although in the uk we use a mix of metric and imperial measurements, the hospital weighed me in kg, so i'm not too sure how much I weighed in pounds - let alone stones and lbs (which most people prefer). I think I was about 270lb either the day of surgery, or two days afterwards, when I was discharged. I haven't weighed myself yet - i'll either do that tomorrow or Wednesday. I had expected a bypass, and I don't know at this present time why they didn't do it, but I did give them permission to do that if it was necessary - rather than coming out of surgery with nothing! I didn't do very well on the LRD and think I messed up, because in 3 weeks I think I lost about 3lb. so far I've actually found the LRD the hardest part of the process! having platlets checked tomorrow, and I have a dressing that needs changing (the main one the pull the stomach out of was oozing a bit, apparently... it's just a bit puss-y now, but nothing major). I don't tolerate milk too well, so I am really fed up with that already but I will just have to deal with it. everything is starting to taste incredibly sweet, and i'm struggling wih that, too! I get most of my 'meals' in, and i'm improving i'm being a little bit renegade with my medications, but that's just me - I don't recommend it to anyone, but I would rather not have meds at all than have them in my drinks, and i'd rather get those fluids in than leave half of it because it tastes bitter. i'm on children's ibuprofen 3-4 times a day (that's fine, it tastes nice, albeit very sweet), chalky Calcium & vit d3 twice a day (quite nice, and a bit of a treat!), and lansoprazole once a day (don't mind it), and I've just finished my dalteparin injections. apart from that.... nothing. don't need more painkillers, I think the Iron tablet will taste disgusting, and i'm leaving my usual meds for the mushy stage next week (metformin, gliclazide, sertraline, losartan, amlodipine, statin, thyroxine). i'm keeping an eye on my blood sugar and blood pressure.... not as well as I probably should, mind. i'll ask them at the clinic tomorrow. apart from that, I've come down with a rotten cold, but at least it's forcing me to pace myself! so, that's me! (scuse typos, the laptop seems to be even more sluggish than I am right now!)

Thank you!! I love coming on here and getting fed back from those who know exactly what I am going through....I had a .5cc fill and it has made a huge difference in my portions. I also changed gyms where there is more variety so wish me and the scale luck

well i'm 2 weeks out and I feel great! I'm on soft foods now! Yay for real food and not just protein drinks! I go in today to get my staples removed! Can't wait bc these darn things are itchy!!! i went back to work 9 days after surgery. I handled it well untl someone hugged me a little too hard. *they didnt know i had surgery* so that put be in pain for a while but nothing a few pain pills couldn't fix! I'm already down 27 lbs from pre-op to current. So far no major complications! I just wish I did this sooner!!

I am in San Diego. My last visit on april 22nd my Doctor asked me to lose 12 pounds and put me on 2 meal replacement shakes a day for breakfast and lunch. I have been sticking to it and have lost about 13 lbs already. I have lost the weight so fast I contacted my doctors office and office lady told me to just try and maintain the weight loss and not lose much more. I called BS and they told me that if during the 6 month weight loss period if I showed success with the program, that they could deny me due to diet and exercise working... I have never had an issue losing the weight, it's keeping it off. I have lost maybe 2 times my highest weight throughout my life only to gain it back and more. The BSCALIFORNIA lady was great though, just gonna try to stay where I am and not lose too much. I still have another month to go after this next consult so I could lose way too much at this rate. I Need to satisfy the surgeon and the insurance... Sigh.

When I first started I was just doing the time. When I had the surgery I became totally obsessed. I would drive my hinny craZy. Now at 8omonths out it's not so bad. I am about to transition to maintenance. This scarese bc I am worried about dropping my guard and all my old bad behaviors coming back. I will do it and be very successful.

I'll be there the week before! From BC..

Well I went to my first surgeon's appt. today and BC/BS requires the 6 mo. to be in the last 12 mo. ( which sucks!) So I'm having to start my diet this mo. and it will probably be Dec. before I have my surgery. I thought I would be more disapointed than I am, but I just look at it as one day at a time and the weight I will lose during my 6 mo. diet will be less I have to lose after my surgery. Hang in there and know you're not alone in the struggle. There are plenty of us just like you.

I wish this forum would reactivate, and all of us "late baby boomers" could socialize. I had my surgery done on Aug 22, 2013. At my highest weight that I know of (Jan of '12), I was 327. When I had surgery last August, I was 271. I'm now at about 219. I don't really know my actual weight bc I only get on the scale at the doctor's office (I have scale issues.... LOL). I'm 53 (going to be 54 at the end of next week). My husband is 54. We joined a gym in June of 2013, and we are there SIX DAYS A WEEK. He's lost 50+pounds by working out and making better food choices, we are both in better shape NOW than when we were in our 30's and 40's.... Seriously! Keep posting, LET'S TRY TO GET THIS "FIFTIES" THREAD GOING AGAIN!!!!

How about some seafood? I wonder if you might tolerate fish better than chicken as it tends to be a bit flakier. Or a crustless quiche? There's a recipe on allrecipes.com for a crustless spinach quiche made with cottage cheese. You can substitute low fat cheese. Maybe try some roasted veggies? The possibilities are endless there and they usually come out soft enough not to cause irritation. I also recommend the cookbook Well Fed. It's chock full of recipes featuring Protein and veggies. It teaches how to make "hot plates," meals using the same protein and veggies but with varying delicious spice combos so they taste like very different meals. Just a few ideas! Good luck!