TN_Vols_MiMi

Several of you talk about measuring your food. How do you do that exactly? I am having a hard time knowing how much (protein grams, calories, etc.) that I do eat. If i go out to a restaurant, I just order grilled chicken, cut it in half and take half home with me for later. Sometimes the food is on myfitnesspal and I can get the amounts that way, but sometimes I can't find it or know how many ounces it is. I made homemade chili yesterday and have no idea how to figure the calories and Protein in that. Also, is there a tool to go by when trying to estimate how many ounces a chicken breast is or how many bites of a vegetable equals 1/4 cup? BTW...I'm a slow loser...18 lbs in 8 weeks I wonder if I am getting enough protein and calories. I try but fail to get my 64 ounces of Water every day.

Thank you for this thread!! I was sleeved August 27th and have only lost 18 lbs. I lost 18 lbs prior to surgery and weighed 247 on the day of surgery. I am curious to know if any of you kept records each month of your weight loss. Even though 40 - 50 lbs in 5 months is slow...I'll still take that! But right now I am having a hard time believing I will lose that much in 5 months. Would you mind sharing your records for comparison? Also, if you kept up with exercise, calories, protein and water intake that would be helpful. Thanks again!

Checking in...surgery date 8/27, so I am almost 6 weeks out. My doctor cleared me to start soft foods at 2 weeks and I hit a stall that has last almost 4 weeks now! When I started this journey I was at 265. I weighed 247 before my surgery and now at 233. That's only 14 lbs in 6 weeks I am trying my best to not get discouraged. I have lost about 3" in my waist, 4" in my abdomen area and losing in my thighs too. I exercise daily but I have had a hard time getting my liquids in. I am doing better with the protein amounts but I think that is some of my problem. I am really focusing on the protein and water intake and hopefully that will kick in the weight loss.

My doctor said to drink water or low calorie drinks. I have been trying to find low calorie drinks and came across Powerade Zero. What do you think about it? I normally add no sugar drink mixes (propel or crystal light) to my water, but I am interested in the Powerade Zero because it has electrolytes. Also, I am getting tired of the same old grape propel water.

Any recommendations for restaurants that offer something I can eat during my soft food phase? I will be traveling in a couple of weeks and I know we will be stopping at some fast food restaurants on the way. Breakfast will be simple...egg with cheese, but what about the lunch menus? I've thought if I went to mexican restaurants, I could order refried Beans and grilled chicken (if it's soft enough to mash up.) Most other restaurants have Soups, so that wouldn't be a problem. I just need some ideas for the fast food places I guess. Btw...I am currently 6 days post op and my doctor's recommendations are 1-2 weeks full liquids (includes creamy soups, yogurt - no chunks, Jello, sugar free popsicles). 3-4 weeks soft foods/pureed foods (includes applesauce, sf pudding, eggs, any vegetable you can mash up with a fork, pureed chicken, etc.)

Just wanted to follow up and let you know that when I went for my pre op appt, I had lost 17 lbs (required to lose 13 lbs)! I went on a 2 day liquid only diet and exercised 30 minutes every day for almost a week before the appt. I had my surgery on August 27th so I am just 6 days post op and have lost 7 lbs since my surgery! I love this forum...everyone is so helpful!

My doctor has sent the request to insurance for authorization for my surgery! I had to do a 6 months medically supervised diet (and couldn't lose more than 10% of my weight or I wouldn't qualify...so I did not push myself to really lose.) My doctor wanted me to lose 13 lbs before my surgery and I have lost 9 lbs as of today. I had lost 11 lbs, but I gained 2 lbs back. Normally, I can drop 10 lbs fairly easy, and steadily lose 1 lb per week up until 30 lbs and that has always been my plateau that I could never get past. So, I thought 13 lbs pre-surgery would be no big deal...but for some reason I am not dropping it as fast as I once could. If I don't lose the extra 4 lbs, they will put me on a 2 week liquid diet before surgery, which wouldn't be such a big deal except that I apparently have to purchase the diet products from them at about $160.00!! I can't afford that so I really need to lose this on my own. I am not sure how much time I have as we are just waiting on the insurance company to approve and then will schedule the doctor appt. Do you have any good ideas for me to lost 5 - 10 lbs in the next 2 weeks? I have been eating a low calorie diet, not eating after 6:00 p.m. and trying to drink more Water. I do notice if I drink more water I lose more (and keep it off.) I've read where some people go to a Protein drink diet for 1 - 2 weeks. I am looking for advice from those who have done this and what diet helped you to drop those last few lbs before your surgery? Thanks! Oh and please keep your fingers crossed that my insurance approves!!

Just curious on how it went for you?? I will be traveling during my soft food stage as well. I know we will plan to go to a few fast food restaurants while we travel and I'm trying to plan ahead. Breakfast - eggs, lunch - ?? Thanks!

Any homemade soup recipes?? I made homemade potato soup yesterday. I cooked my potatoes and then added a little milk and cheddar cheese, blended it up real well (it looks like vanilla pudding) and it tasted so good! I'm 6 days post op. I had about half a cup yesterday and half today and no problems. I'd like to try something else though. I don't like the broths and I'm not a big soup eater either, but potato soup is my favorite! Also, are there any restaurants that have cream soups? I think O'Charley's potato soup would be easy to eat and avoid the chunks of potatoes, but are there any others?

I'm 6 days post op and I've not felt like I was going to throw up, but I'm also still on the liquid diet. I have eaten jello, yogurt and creamy soup but the only problem I have is it kind of hurts like a spasm for just a few seconds when it hits my stomach. It then feels fine. Is this normal?

I am finally starting to feel a little better. I had my surgery on Tuesday 8/27 and everything went well. My doctor even repaired a hiatal hernia during the surgery. I only had to stay in the hospital one night. I was determined to go home asap because I knew I would feel better once I got home. I will say I wasn't really prepared for what to expect and the gas pains were worse than I imagined. I am doing okay with drinking liquids, eating sugar free Jello and sf popsicles. I even tried a Protein shake today and drank about half of it. My pain meds help with the pain from surgery, but there is nothing for the gas pains and they are the worst. I only got sick one time in the hospital. I walked a lot while I was there, like every hour and made 2 - 4 laps around the floor. The nurses were all amazed but it didn't seem to help my gas much at the time. I am now trying something I read about, getting on the floor on my knees and laying my head and shoulders down on the floor (keeping my butt up in the air) and this is helping with the gas pains temporarily. It's hard on the incisions, but worth it to alleviate some of the gas. I am still very excited and I know this will all go away in time, but there were those few moments when I thought...omg is this really worth it?? Yes, I know it will be worth it! My kids and grandkids came over yesterday and today and kept me company. I still had to go and take a few naps though. They even brought food and it didn't bother me to see or smell it. I am not hungry, but occasionally I feel a little hunger in my stomach. I am starting to want some food though. The jello is just not filling. I haven't really found a broth that I like either. I think the next few days will be a challenge as far as the food goes. I have to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks.

I had my surgery on 8/27 and I am having pain in those areas as well. I am sure it is gas from where they put air inside during the surgery. The best thing I've done to help it is to lay on the floor, put my head and shoulders on the floor and get on my knees with my butt sticking up in the air. This helps the gas to rise and leave my chest and shoulder area. It's a temporary fix until you can really get rid of it, but it beats having those bad pains.

My doctor required me to lose 13 lbs before scheduling my surgery. I lost 17 lbs. and my surgery is Tuesday August 27th. I do not have to do a pre op diet, but if I hadn't lost the 13 lbs I would have been on a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery. I have been eating at my favorite restaurants this week, but still trying to keep the calories as low as possible. Good luck with your surgery!

I had my Pre Op appt. today! I had to lose 13 lbs prior to surgery and I lost 17 Also, had to do lab, xray and ekg at hospital. Talked to the anesthesiologist and she is going to give me lots of meds and patches behind ears to make sure I don't get sick after surgery. I have been trying out different protein shake recipes and finding some I like and some I hate. I bought the Unflavored Unjury mix but it tasted horrible with my grape flavored water. I'm going to try it with orange juice or crystal light. Any other ideas?

Louisville/Maryville here.....I just had my pre-op appt. today! My surgery is August 27th with Dr. Ray! I am sooo excited! BTW, love this topic "Tennessee Sleevers!" Counting down surgery days as well as game-day...Go Big Orange!

I found out yesterday that I was approved and my doctor's office went ahead and scheduled my pre-op appt. for August 20th and surgery for August 27th! I am so excited!!! My doctor required me to lose 13 lbs prior to my surgery and I had lost that, but then gained a few lbs over the past month. I have been trying to lose it the past 2 weeks, but haven't been able to. I decided to go on the liquid diet and see it that helped...which it did! Today is my 3rd day and I have lost 3 lbs. I still have to lose 1 more pound before the 20th, but my goal is to lose 2-3 more lbs just in case my doctor's scales are slightly different than mine. I have also been trying out some new protein shakes and found several recipes that I like. I ordered the unflavored Unjury and got it in the mail today. I will try it tomorrow.

August 27th!

Same surgery date as me!!!

Congratulations! Do you know your surgery date yet?

I just found out yesterday that I am approved and got my surgery date (August 27th!) I had told most of my family and several co-workers but didn't really want to tell a lot of people until I knew for sure I was approved. Today at work, I probably told 15 people about the surgery. I did get a few "looks" but most were very supportive and encouraging. I am still hesitant to tell everyone but I'm sure they will all find out sooner or later! Good luck on your surgery!

My surgery date is August 27th and I see my doctor on August 20th. I don't know if he will put me on the liquid diet the week prior to surgery, but I put myself on it for the past 3 days to try and lose 3 lbs before I see my doctor. He is requiring me to lose 13 lbs prior to surgery and I had lost that, but gained 3 lbs in the past month. I have gotten terrible headaches yesterday and today. No nausea, but the headaches are really bad.

It is crazy how the same insurance company requires different criteria for different plans. Seems like it should be pretty much the same across the board. I will say this about BCBS-TN, I have not been very pleased with them this year. I have the option of choosing BCBS or Cigna at the beginning of the year. I went with BCBS last year because their rates were cheaper but coverage appeared to be the same. I am deaf and have cochlear implants. I tried to upgrade my processors this year and BCBS denied me. In 2009, Cigna upgraded them no problem. I did appeal this and BCBS told me to have my Dr. call for a peer-to-peer review with their doctor. She did this and now they agreed to upgrade my processors. Looks like they are quick to deny...but if that happens...appeal!

I have BCBS TN but I work for the State of TN so my insurance is a little bit different. They require the 5 year documented weight along with a 6 month medically supervised diet. If BMI is less than 40, there has to be other co-morbities and you basically can't lose more than 10% of your weight in that 6 months supervised diet or you will be denied. I was able to count a doctor visit I had with my Gyn in February, and I just completed my 5th month appt. with my primary care Dr. today. My Psych appt is next week. I have completed all the nutritional counseling and support groups that are required; however, I will continue with those as well. I have had all my pre-op tests completed that my Bariatric Dr. requires. I did have to have an upper G.I. today because one of my tests showed a small hiatal hernia and stricture in my esophagus. One more Dr. visit on July 1st and my paperwork should be almost ready to be sent in to BCBS. I can't wait!

My insurance company requires the 6 months medically supervised diet for approval. One of the criteria for approval is that I must not be able to lose more than 10% of my body weight and maintain for that period. So, I don't want to lose more than 26 lbs or I will not qualify. I really need to keep my loss under 20 lbs so I will also be at 40 BMI or more. If I fall under 40 BMI, I have to have two other medical conditions to qualify (which I don't.) I don't want to just stay at this weight and really want to start working out and losing. My plan is to start eating healthier, drinking Protein shakes (hopefully find one I like for post-surgery), and begin working out primarily building muscle. I'm curious to know if anyone else has gone through this and/or what you think about this plan. I am thinking if I start with some small weights and bands and do more resistance training, this will build my muscles and prepare my body for post surgery when I really start a more intense workout plan. Any suggestions? Remember, I want to keep my loss under 20 lbs for the next 5 months. In the past, I have tried diets and exercise programs for up to 3 months and lost 25 lbs at the most. Thanks!

Hello, I am new here. I have decided to have the sleeve surgery and it seems my insurance (BCBS) is requiring me to do the 6 month conservative therapy documented by my doctor and be at 40 bmi or greater. They also state "Failure of conservative therapy is defined as an inability to lose more than ten percent of body weight over a six-month period and maintain weight loss." So at 268 lbs, during the next 6 months I cannot lose more than 26.8 lbs, but actually I can't go below 248 to keep my bmi at 40. Every diet I have ever attempted always results in a 10 lbs weight loss in the first 2 weeks because I know most of it is Water weight. Does anyone here have the BCBS of Tennessee insurance? I am a state employee, so it is actually BCBS "State" which is a little different than the regular insurance. I'm looking to hear your story. Did you have any problems getting approved? How long did it take to get approved? I am hoping to have my last PCP 6th month visit in July. I need to try to have the surgery by August because I am going on a cruise in October and my doctor doesn't want me traveling out of state, much less out of the country, for at least one month after my surgery. Thanks!