EileenFrances

I'm in the high 200s with a BMI at 50. Ins denied me. Dr's office is appealing. They said to hang tight. It will be okay. Do you have to have a heart attack first???

Pre-op diets are very different. I'm not there yet, but I've been instructed to have 2 meal-replacement shakes a day and a modest meal of meat and veggies for dinner. I asked if I could add a high Fiber Breakfast Cereal and was told yes. So, that's going to be my 2-week pre-op diet. I'll be on Clear liquids only for the 2 days before the surgery. I'm already worried about eating this way and told the nurse - "If I could eat this way, I wouldn't need surgery!" Good luck. Hang in there. It's only until your sleeve. After that, you won't want to eat for quite a while, I hear.

Mount Sinai - June 29th. You?

It's terrific that you felt comfortable enough to tell everyone (except one) in your school, including the students. I'm having a tough time with this decision. I have told a few people, and lo and behold, they each knew of people who had had the surgery and were able to offer me meaningful help and suggestions. I'm not sure I want to tell everyone on staff and I don't feel comfortable telling the students, who, for me, are small children. But I'm wondering if the need for small frequent intakes of food will necessitate that I tell someone. And I'm concerned about more frequent bathroom breaks. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck on your journey!

I'm playing the waiting game too. The hospital has submitted my paperwork to the ins co for approval. Now, just waiting. My surgery has been scheduled for June 29th, but that could change based on what the ins co does. Although, the doctor's office told me that I am so overweight that they most likely will approve it. Finally an upside to being "so overweight."

Definitely call the doctor and have it checked out. Rule out a blood clot first because it's the most serious thing. But, truthfully, when I read your post, the first thing I though was - Calcium deficiency. Especially if there's cramping too. In any case, we can all guess and post our guesses, but the doctor has to see you and check it out for real. Good luck! Eileen

I haven't. I know two people personally who have had this done (one 6 months ago; the other almost 2 years ago). They both LOVE it! I'm doing it because I see how happy they are.

KK, I pray that that is true! I don't doubt that it will be for the first year. Tiny tummy. Stretch receptors gone. Cues that say, "Feed Me!" - gone. I want to believe that this will last beyond the first year. When the tummy no longer rebels. I bought some books on overcoming emotional eating. I'd really like to work through them with a therapist, but I haven't found one truly competent in understanding emotional eating. I am sure that the surgeon is right when he says that this surgery is just a tool. The rest is the work you do on what drives you to eat. Those things will still be there. I have an interesting book sitting on my shelf, for when I get a little time. It's called, It Ain't Over Till the Thin Lady Sings. The author is a woman who had gastric bypass and it's about the inner work she did to keep the weight off after she lost it. I want to read it before my surgery date.

Hi KK, I wish you very good luck. I know how difficult it is. I haven't started to control my eating yet. I'm under too much stress right now. Here is one of my concerns: Even after I have the surgery, how will I handle my emotional need for comfort? I have always used food for that. When I can't fit more than 2 oz. into my stomach, and I'm under orders to stay away from fat and sugar, how will I soothe myself? KK, it sounds like you are doing great in controling what you are taking in. Stick with it. And best of luck!

Anyone in New York City?

June 29th - two days after the end of the school year. Count up another teacher! My insurance hasn't approved it yet, so the date could possibly change. The doctor's office said not to worry about the ins because my BMI is so high, they're not likely to refuse. Isn't that great? I am very grateful for this forum because I really am glad to be able to go through this with others and not be all alone in this process. I am finding it a bit scary. I'm nervous about the changes I'll face in my ability to do something that is otherwise so normal - eat. I also really hope that it works. I don't need to be skinny. To lose 50% of my excess weight would make me exceedingly happy. So, if all of us teachers get to have the surgery at the end of June, we will have two full months to recover before going back. That is a real blessing!

I just set the date for June 29th. I'm very nervous. Not about the surgery itself, but about what it will be like to eat for the rest of my life. They told me to try to lose some weight now if I could. Then, of course, the two week pre-op diet to help reduce the fattiness of the liver. They say it helps with the surgery. I will be following everyone who has the surgery scheduled around the same time. We'll all go through the pre-op together, and the recovery together. Anyone in NYC?

I also did the 21-day challenge. I liked it a lot. I also followed Dr. Esselstyn's way of eating scrupulously for a month and did very well - felt great and lost a lot of weight for one month. But the emotional bugaboos stepped in and undid it. I am hoping that I will be able to eat this way after surgery and for a lifetime.

I am grateful for the responses and wish you all well on your journey!

I'm in the process of setting the date and I feel exactly as you do!

Am pre-surgery and very afraid of the changes I will experience in digestion. I would like to move towards a plant-based diet (a la Esselstyn), but I've heard that post-surgery, people don't tolerate whole grains well. Please share your digestive changes with me and inform me on what to expect - Please!

How are you all reacting to grains? Brown rice? Quinoa? Barley? Etc?