Donna4545

I cook with olive oil, but I don't mix it in drinks or anything. I haven't found any Omega3 capsules that are small enough for me to swallow.

My faves are listed on my blog (link below). I tend to stick with sleeve blogs, with the exception of Bariatric Foodie (a bypass blog), because we eat differently than they do.

Perhaps you could use the forum to organize a posting/email campaign to the BBC and NHS about why covering the surgery IS reasonable.

My mom was really against it at first and I told her I made up my mind and she knew that was it. But now she has accepted it, and has hinted she'd like to get it done herself. She has been nagging me about my weight my ENTIRE life, so she really didn't have a leg to stand on for objecting to the surgery. She has also been overweight since she was about 25. If you have a mom who won't let the issue go, or makes cutting comments, tell her the subject is closed from now on--no discussion. Find other things to talk about.

To the initial post: your concerns are valid. Having tests done the day before surgery is fine if there's nothing wrong with you--but if there is you need to know in time enough to solve the problem before surgery. It's important if you have co-morbidities. You need to locate a bariatric surgeon local to where you live and see if he will do followup with you. Research complication symptoms on the web so you will know if a trip to the ER is needed once you're home. Have your regular doc do bloodwork before you go so you can correct any deficiencies beforehand, and after you get home, same thing. If your doc can find an excuse for you to have a ECG before you go, do it, just to make sure it's normal. If you have stomach problems, get your doc to do an upper GI test to rule out ulcers or hiatial hernia. There are reasons for the tests done in the US a month in advance--it's so the surgeon knows what he's dealing with, and has time to correct anything that's a problem. For nutrition, you can Google for well known programs' guidelines. These include Cornell University and the Mayo Clinic, among others. If you can do this, you'll have the best of both worlds--US caution and Mexican prices.

BCBS ND approved in 3 days.

I mix my chocolate Isopure Zero powder with cold water and DaVinci chocolate sugar free syrup. Then I add ice cubes. I just use a blender bottle, the kind with the metal ball inside. Check out the archives of my blog for some helpful hints on shakes--link is below.

Check out the archives on my blog (link below) for some pre-op diet ideas.

We all think that---I STILL have that thoght in the back of my head, 6 weeks out. But I just ignore it and keep doing what the doc says. I've screwed up a few times, but I always lose or stay the same if I screwed up, but I never gain. That's proof enough for me. This WILL work. For you and for me. I mean, look, my screwup was to have 1,200 calories one day. That's a Weight Watcher's diet calorie count! Our stomachs are so small that even when we blow it, it's not epic like before surgery, and you just start fresh the next day. It HAS to work. Even our screwups are foolproof (as long as they aren't habits)! So, VSG WILL work for you.

Great idea! Here's a post-op haiku Chew thirty-one times to liquefy the protein; In desperate need.

I try to slow down , but I eat at pretty much normal speed--but I get full real fast. I'm working at trying to stretch out my eating to a half hour per meal like I was told, but for me it's more like 10-15 minutes depending on how dense/heavy the food is. They said to put your fork down after every bite. I've been trying to do that. The reason they tell you to eat slow is so you don't overfill your pouch before you realize what you've done. I had 2 bad incidents where I learned to slow down the hard way. Now I've learned how much time I need to give myself for portion size/density. No one ever told me to wait 15 minutes between bites--they did say try to pace the meal so it took a half hour to eat.

When I was doing puree, my favorite things were very simple: refried beans with melted cheese on top; pureed chicken salad (no celery); Hormel chili, no beans with melted cheese on top. See my blog archive (link below) for my favorite mushies and soft solids recipes.

I take mine 1st thing in the morning when I wake up.

Thanks. I made it through today--just under 700 calories, 2 roasted small skinless chicken drumsticks, once thin slice deli roast beef, 1 slice lowfat swiss cheese, corn tortilla and 2 slice swiss cheese quesadilla, 2 Protein shakes and I just realized I've had no veggies. I guess that's what the Vitamins are for. I was so into it for the 1st 5 weeks, now the nutrition balance part is really challenging me. And the exercise. It's hard to "practice" a total lifestyle change pre-op. I did everything I could think of to prepare myself. I thought I would have the energy to cook, but work has kicked my butt. I've recovered a bit of motivation today, but I feel like I'm having a sort of WLS crisis. I also got kind of discouraged reading on another board where gastric bypass people 2 years out were gaining weight back. There were a lot of them. I don't want to end up like that. What motivates you once the novelty has worn off and the reality of daily life sets in?

Great job--you're inspiring!

You're still healing. Don't worry about it. You're not taking in enough calories for that stuff to matter right now. Follow your doc's eating instructions.

People at work--do not tell.

I don't feel like it's fast enough lol! I usually have a Protein shake for brekkie, some kind of protein for lunch/dinner, less than 30 carbs a day. 700-900 calories/day. I'm not perfect. I eat better on the weekends than work days. I have the occasional glass of wine. I've even had 50 calories worth of dark chocolate on occasion. I snack on cheese or have a Protein Drink when I feel my energy lagging during the day. I drink tons of Crystal Lite when I get hungry. I don't exercise every day. I do drink 64 oz Fluid and eat 60-80 grams of protein a day. For more details, see my blog (link below). Now my nut says 100 gr carbs and 1,000 calories a day are ok but I don't believe her lol. I've got to become more strict, but it's hard while working full time.

I'm averaging 3 lbs a week post surgery. I'm happy so far.

Congrats on your date!

I love Isopure Zero protein powder. See my blog for my shake strategy (link below, look in the archives).

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Who is your ins co and what are their requirements? Your BMI alone should get you approved at most places.

Great news!

Some asthma inhalers cause thrush--like Symbicort.

Buy some GoTein for your carryon bag and just ask for water to mix it with. Google it.