DLCoggin

LOL! Ain't no way to win that one Tank!!

Wow, good question. I think the biggest advantage was that I had the opportunity to observe first hand the progression of the recovery during the first several weeks following the surgery. There's no doubt that the first few weeks immediately following the surgery are the toughest. The whole getting reintroduced to food and getting familiar with the idiosyncracies of the pouch are challenging. I had the opportunity to see the challenges, both physical and mental, and to see how they progressed and what worked best for overcoming them. That and I got a lot of experience with new ways to appease a very grumpy wife!

P.S. I also occasionally have a Pure Protein bar to supplement my protein if I'm running low on any particular day. The Chocolate Deluxe is absolutely delicious. Pure Protein makes them up to a whopping 78g of protein but the one that I buy is 20g of protein and 200 calories.

Hi Ms. Jewels! I do a combination of both. I have a 35g, 160-170 calorie protein shake (Pure Protein) every day for breakfast. With few exceptions, it's all real food after that. My surgeon requires all of her patients get 100g of protein a day. Challenging at first but as time went on I discovered tons of foods, fresh and packaged, that make it relatively easy at this point. I've compiled a list of high protein foods and I continuously add to it as I discover new gems. If you're interested, I'd be glad to send it to you (Excel file with three sheets) if you'll send me your email address. I'm familiar with My Fitness Pal but not "on" it. I started using "Tap and Track Pro" on Dec. 7th of last year. It just happened to be the app with the best reviews on the day I was looking for a way to log my intake on my iPhone and I've used it every day for every single thing I eat right up to today. I've heard nothing but great things about My Fitness Pal and Spark People is supposed to be excellent as well. Food diaries are admittedly a little tedious but they are an incredibly powerful tool and I have every intention of using one for life!! Research studies have repeatedly shown that folks that log their food intake lose more weight and are more successful at maintaining their weight than folks who don't maintain a log.

You're certainly welcome and so glad to hear she's doing better!!

OK, so what we're looking is a stall, plain and simple. All part of the process. The hardest part is getting your head around that. You've already lost more than a hundred pounds in eight months. Wow! You know that you're following the protocol and you know that it's working. You're exceptionally active and you know that it's working. You're getting a LOT of protein and doing it on an incredibly low number of calories and you know that it's working. Jewels, I gotta say that you're already a huge success story!! What you're doing is sustainable, it's compatible with your goals and your abilities, and you have realistic expectations. I would not change a thing with one exception - stay away from the scales. Just keep doing what you're doing and let the weight take care of itself. I'd stay away from the scales for at least two weeks and after that, I'd wouldn't weigh more often than every two weeks. You're body has been working hard to adjust to all the changes. I'm thinking it's just taking a little break. And it will know when it's time to continue the journey. Take advantage of the break and give your mind a little rest as well!!

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a ban on the sale of sugary soft drinks over 16oz. The policy would "limit sugary drinks to 16 ounces or less at restaurants, mobile food carts, delis and concessions at movie theaters, stadiums and arenas. However, grocery or convenience stores are excluded from the proposed policy. Violation of the regulation would result in a fine of $200 each time it is transgressed." The proposal has created something of a broo-hah-hah with opponents saying that it would be a violation of civil and constitutional rights. What do you guys think? Good idea or infringement on personal freedom and choice? http://www.rttnews.com/1930305/the-big-apple-s-big-soda-ban-story-in-short.aspx?type=fdr

Jewels, I'm 5' 9" and starting weight was 285. Five weeks ago I was 171 lbs and the my surgeon told me to increase my calorie intake to 1800 and if I lost more than an additional 10 lbs to call her. So...I didn't ask your height or gender but if your're male and 5' 9" tall, you are very close to a normal BMI of 25. Shorter and/or female you may have a little more to lose. Taller and you may already be there. I also believe that your body has its own ideas about where it wants to be weight wise and it pays to listen. Congratulations on a great job!! What is your height and gender? And what is your goal weight? I can't imagine that you're too far away!

Pain itself can cause vomiting but there are alternatives to morphine. A more likely cause of the vomiting would be the anasthesia. If they haven't done it already, they almost certainly will be doing what is commonly called a "leak test" which should alleviate her fears regarding a leak. The test is normally done the day following surgery. Give her our best and assure her that the pain passes relatively quickly and she's gonna love the new her!!

No straws. Not worth the risk of stretching the pouch. Gulping not a good idea either for the same reason. Like BBdoodle said, the name of the game is sip, sip, sip.

Plateaus are a natural part of weight loss and they can last up to six weeks. You might want to try increasing your protein to 100g a day for two to three days. Or even longer for that matter - I've averaged 96g a day since Dec of last year. That will give your metabolism a boost and sometimes causes the body to start burning stored fat. What was your starting weight and where are you at now? I had my surgery on 10/20/11 so I'm only a month ahead of you. Stay focused on following the protocol, stay active, and stay away from the scales for a couple of weeks. I'd also be very interested in what your doctor says!

You guys have listed so many great things. I have to say for me the greatest of the great is just enjoying feeling good about being me. There really are no words to describe how delicious that feels. Every day, every hour, every minute, every place - I'm loving being me. That's the reward at the end of the journey and it is priceless.

Colase - works like a charm. Takes a day or two to kick in. It's over-the-counter so no Rx required. Recommended by my doctor and a real blessing when you need it. And yes, the constipation will go away pretty quickly. Miserable but short lived!

I must confess my equipment list is quite short - a pair of tennies. Which I bought at Costco for $15. LOL. And my exercise is decidedly low tech - I walk. 2.5 to 3 miles, 45 mins to an hour, always with my black lab, at least four times a week and more often whenever possible. Hasn't done much for my abs. Or my biceps. But it sure has done wonders for my weight loss! Good luck in your search and looking forward to hearing what great deals you found!

Wow. I've read about a lot of folks facing a lot of different challenges but yours has to rank right up near the top - two chefs and a family that owns restaurants. But I've gotta tell you - probably the single biggest surprise that I've had with this whole journey is discovering that there is a lot, a LOT, of food out there that is rich in protein, low in calories, and absolutely delicious! To this day I am amazed and constantly adding to my spreadsheet of great foods that meet all of those criteria. Does your family's restaurants offer healthy menu alternatives?

Welcome to the family Tank! I'm a fellow 5' 9" and a fellow Californian. First two or three weeks after the surgery can be uncomfortable but it will indeed pass quickly. In no time it will be nothing but a distant memory and you'll be celebrating your decision every day! Kind of like child birth (from what I've been told)! LOL! Stop by often and share your journey with us! This is the most amazing group of folks you could ever hope for and every single one us is on the same journey!

Hi smith and welcome to the family! There are a lot of insurance companies that cover wls. Insurance companies are driven by economic statistics and the bottom line is that it's cheaper for them to pay for wls than it is to pay for the medical expenses associated with obesity and the co-morbidities that go along with it, sooner or later. Please keep us updated on your search!!

Actually my wife and I had the surgery 7 weeks apart. She lost the toss so she went first - lol. We had the same surgeon and she did not want to do the surgeries so close together that we'd both be "recovering" at the same time. So my wife's surgery was on Sept. 1 and I was Oct. 20. I don't know exactly when the insurance approval came in but it was roughly six weeks from the approval to my wife's surgery.

I actually like Pure Protein flavored powders and their shakes so I haven't used unflavored powders. I have read success stories of people who don't like the flavored shakes or powders using the unflavored to help them get their daily protein. But taste (and texture) are very subjective so the best way would probably be for you to test it and see if you like or at least can tolerate it. A number of manufacturers offer free samples or smaller quantities for testing purposes before you have to lay out more money. Protein is very important so I would encourage you to keep looking and trying to find you something that will work for you!

You can put unflavored protein powder in almost anything. Try putting a scoop in a small bowl first thing in the morning. Then put a pinch in/on anything you drink or eat during the day. By the end of the day, you'll have an extra 25g of protein. Great habit to get into while you're sitll pre-op. You might also try putting it in unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I love Blue Diamond). 40 calories in an 8 oz serving and 50% more calcium than milk. I sweeten it with Splenda but you can use whatever sweetener you prefer. I reckon some folks drink it straight but it's a little bitter for me. I drink a glass every day - thick, rich and very filling!

Stalls are a natural part of the weight loss process. Undeniably frustrating but nothing to worry about - it will pass. You could try increasing your protein to 100g a day for two or three days. "Pure" protein is the most effective - fish, chicken, turkey, eggs - shakes or powders may work too but they're processed and not as good as pure protein. The increased protein increases your metabolism and sometimes causes the body to burn more stored fat. Other than that, stay focused on following the protocol right to the letter, stay active, and stay away from the scales for a couple of weeks. You're doing an absolutely fabulous job! Congratulations!!

First meeting with my surgeon on May 10, 2011 and surgery on October 20, 2011. Never talked with my insurance company - I just let the PCP and the surgeon's office handle it and it was approved on the first try. Don't recall the exact approval date and I don't know when it was submitted but I was advised of the approval by the surgeon's office in mid July range.

Good for you and good for your PCP! The journey begins! You're gonna love the new you!!

Mine is the same - great reputation and from my experience, a truly gifted surgeon. But she don't give an inch on no rice, pasta, caffeine, carbonated anything, and 100g of protein a day minimum. And she scares the crap out of me so I don't take any chances with pissing her off! LOL

Great feeling when you finally have the approval and the surgery date. Good for you!!