Lori Voss Green

Yeah, that's one thing I have a hard time understanding. So many companies EXCLUDE weight loss surgery. WHY!? Weight related health issues surely cost more in the long run than the surgery.

Tomorrow is my 1 week post op doctor's appointment. Surgery went smoothly and I haven't had problems so far. I have soreness at the incision site of the port, but other than that I feel good. That is, physically. Emotionally, I feel like it's another story. I feel sad. I have no idea why. I am already bored and tired of the full liquid diet. Soup/broth, sf pudding, sf Jello, Protein shakes. I am frustrated to the point of crying. I'm also questioning if I can actually DO this. I just feel like such a wreck.

Did not mean corn!! Sorry, when talking food---sweet is usually followed by corn around here (my town is considered the "sweet corn capital" & we have a "sweet corn festival" coming up). Didn't even think as I typed! I was thinking pureed sweet PEAS. Anyone have opinions on the taste?

Has anyone tried pureed sweet corn? Thoughts?

I have never tried the Greek yogurt. I'll have to pick some up!

I am 10 days post op. I have had a lot of pain/swelling/tenderness around the large incision for the port. Normal, expected, not a big deal. However, just now I was sorta holding my side and one spot was VERY sore and sensitive to touch/pressure. I know it's where the port is (I can feel it plus the nurse showed me). Is it normal for it to be sore to the touch? I am not sure if I just never really put pressure on it before now to not have noticed.

I actually had to call my dr's office to speak to them about my FMLA paperwork, so I talked to the nurse about the pain. She said it's probably just because I am doing more now and even just turning the wrong way can pull on the muscle that the port is attached to and cause the pain. I think I'm just going to worry over everything until I get more used to it all.

I suffer from depression and anxiety. For me, I had a few very hard days post op. The depression came back and attacked me like a rabid dog. I was feeling frustrated and just blue and miserable. I wanted to eat real food. I was sick of soup. At my 1 week follow up. I was sure to talk to the doctor. I was assured it is normal, but I would definitely talk to them ahead of time for ideas and suggestions to be prepared.

Maybe the pain from my incision has kept me from realizing the port area itself hurts. I have the large incision, then a smaller one to the left and then the actual port to the left of it. The pain today is definitely the port.

I hope you weren't on hold for 10 straight minutes without the customer service/advocate checking in with you! If we did that, oh would we be in some trouble! That's not good customer service at all. Sadly, I do know (at least where I work) that the department doing preauthorization has 30 days to review everything since they have so many things they work on. I rarely see it take that long. Hopefully they get it together and get your approval to you ASAP!

LOL Yeah, I tried her baby food. She is 16 now and I still remember how nasty that baby food was and how bad I felt for making her eat it!!

Hahhaha I chickened out. I just can't do it!

You look awesome!

I am going to attempt pureed chicken breast. Does anyone add anything to it or just the breast and some broth?

LOL!!! I guess I am not alone then?

She didn't actually tell me an amount, just said I can start trying soft/pureed and that I shouldn't be surprised to not feel like eating more than a few bites. Thank you for the ideas. I am not sure what it is about the idea of pureeing food that grosses me out a bit. LOL I actually, when I was doing low carb, used to make faux-tatoes with cauliflower all the time and loved it. I haven't tried that in forever, it's an awesome idea!

Ok, this is going to be a VERY stupid question but here goes............does pureed food TASTE the same as before it's pureed? I haven't tried pureeing anything. The idea is sorta gross to me. Does it still taste like the original food?

What are some good, soft, high in protein foods?

I am 9 days pre-op and was allowed to move to soft/pureed foods on my 7 day follow up. So far it hasn't been bad, today is just different. I think I'll try a shake and see if that helps. I am just so worried about eating MORE than a cup or eating too much.

One other thing to keep in mind........it is not necessarily the insurance company that does or does not cover it. I work for BCBS of IL. Bariatric surgery being covered is a decision your group (meaning who the insurance is through, like an employer) makes. We have many different groups and some cover the surgery and some don't. So, never assume because someone else has the same insurance company that your coverage will be the same. Always call to verify benefits, what is or isn't covered, what criteria needs to be met, if you have specific doctors and facilities you have to go to, etc.

The day I went for my 1 week follow up (which was Tuesday of this week) the dietitian told me I could start soft/pureed foods like potatoes. Happiest moment I've had so far!

I got lucky because BCBS of IL changed their requirements this year....so the 6 month weight loss program part was dropped. As a BCBS member (and employee!) I was SO happy when they did that. It made approval much quicker and easier.

That is amazing, congrats!

I had some serious depression after surgery. I am only 9 days post-op and it has already gotten better. I suffer depression/anxiety anyway, and I found it came on full force after surgery. My husband is an AMAZING cook & I was sitting here smelling the yummy food he was cooking for him and our daughter....and I was having broth and Soup. I wanted to give up. I am not a back sleeper either. I sleep on my side all the time. The first few days I couldn't do that, which meant not being comfortable. By day 5 or so, I was able to sleep on my side. One thing that really helped life my mood was my 1 week follow up with the dr. Incisions were all looking good, the dietitian said I could move to soft/pureed foods (that alone made tears come to my eyes!) and I had lost 16 lbs. It just really helped to remind me WHY I am doing this.

Every person will be different. You insurance and their requirements have a lot to do with it. Mine did not require 6 months of diet/nutrition, etc. I believe my first consult with the surgeon was in April, I was approved in May, and had surgery in August. I could have had surgery sooner but had to put it off in order to get the time off of work.