Brownrek

I only had to do 1nutrition consult and 1 psych consult. Also about a gallon of blood, blood gas, chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, consult with primary physician and surgeon. I do not have sleep apnea or snore so didn't need sleep study. They said sometimes pulmonary and cardio consults needed but that depends on other symptoms. I went to abington so don't know how much of this is their requirements vs insurance. Personal choice says bmi of at least 40 if no other conditions and 35 if any other comorbiblity. My bmi was 34 so had to gain 8 pounds to get to 35. After I saw the surgeon I had my approval letter within 2 weeks. Good luck!

I have personal choice PPO in pa and was covered. My bmi was 35 but have high blood pressure and had slightly high blood sugar. Call the number on your card and ask if it is an excluded service. Where are you and which surgeon are you seeing?

Same for me and I always have a horrible taste in my mouth. I was assuming it would get better once I start eating some regular foods. I am constantly brushing and flossing and now keep tic tacs with me. Glad to hear it will get better.

I don't actually have any advice for you but I am going on a cruise next month and will be only 7 weeks out. Not sure what my options are going to be since we've never cruised before. I am hoping for a lot of chicken. I figure there must be something on the buffet that I can eat.

My mom was one of the last people I told and she was great. Even came from 6 hours after after surgery to help out.

I tried to work with mealtimes..broth at lunch and dinner, shakes mid morning and mid afternoon and sipping water all day long. I found it better to take the vitamins in the middle of the day when my stomach wasn't empty. I was told the broth and shakes count as part of the 64 oz of liquid.

When I first started and got the list of all the things I had to do to prepare I sat down and cried and almost gave up. Then I took a step back and just did things one step at a time and it was much easier than I thought. I am 3 1/2 weeks out now and feel like this is the best decision I ever made. I have lost 30 pounds and feel amazing. I have so much more energy and for the first time actually WANT to exercise, although I can't do anything except walking at this point. I do have cravings for little things like toast with peanut butter but can't eat solids yet. At this point eating more than a couple of tablespoons is uncomfortable so I have no desire to binge or eat things I shouldn't. Take some deep breaths and try to relax and just go one step at a time. Good luck!

I am 3 weeks and on puree. So far my favorite is to throw a couple meatballs in the food processor with a little sauce and ricotta chees. I'm also making chicken salad in the food processor with some low fat mayo, some mustard and seasoning but getting tired of that. Can't wait to start soft food!

I am only 3 weeks out and still on purée. I can't eat more than a couple tablespoons at a time. Just wondering how long it took everyone until they could eat a little more. I am trying to get the protein in but it's hard when I can eat such tiny amounts.

I started the purée stage of my diet today....everything I tried was disgusting. Anyone have some good meal ideas? Unfortunately I don't like yogurt so that's out.

My surgery was 2 1/2 weeks ago and I already had to shop for new clothes. Ended up 2 sizes smaller and didn't have to go to the "Women's" department! Woohoo!!

That's awesome! I will be there soon and can't wait

I am having the same problem. Got pain for the first week or so but water still doesn't sit well. I drink a lot of diet decaf iced tea. I drink that cold so it's not the temp so not sure what is going on.

I didn't until 5 days after. I had to do clear liquids for 2 days, then could have shakes and cream soups if they were strained.

I had to do protein shakes a week before surgery but never clear liquid until after. I was told 60-80 protein but I am also tall (5'10") and have read in the past that the taller you are the more you need. I am struggling to get the protein in. Good luck

I didn't think eggs would be considered purée. Figured that would be the soft stage. Tomorrow I will try the chicken salad.

Also, I found snack pack sugar free caramel pudding. I would thin a couple spoonfuls with some chocolote protein shake and that gave a nice flavor. Plus I could eat it with a spoon instead of drinking! Funny how such a little thing made a big difference.

I'm just starting puree today. I had a very hard time with the protein shakes and found the ones I could tolerate before surgery I didn't like at all and the one I liked the least was better after surgery. I found the premeir shakes from either costco or BJ's easiest to get down, plus you get the most protein from the least amount of ounces! Every 2 hours I would try to get in 4 ounces. Breaking it down like that was easier for me. I kept telling myself this was only a short time in my life and it would be worth it but still did a lot of crying at the end of the day. Everyone said each day gets a little better and it really did. I am 23 pounds lighter since starting the preop phase and already have so much more energy! I had surgery on July 3rd and by the 10th day I felt like a new person so hang in for just a few more days.

I am on the 6th day of my post-op liquid diet...6 more to go. Not sure i can make it. At this point the shakes are making me nauseous. My stomach is constantly churning and I'm in the bathroom every 15 minutes (tmi I know) . Any tips to get through this would be appreciated.

It takes me forever...I'm only 10 days post op and can do about 4 oz at a time so takes me at least half a day to get one shake down. Part of that is the fact that I don't like them. I try for 4 oz every 2 hours with water in between.

I just want to shop in the regular size department instead of "women's"

I had the sedative and was completely asleep and was fine the rest of the day. Even went out to breakfast after.

I'm having the same problem. I am 8 days and miserable. 6 more days then on to purée. Never thought that would sound good.

Congrats!

I am 7 days post op. the pain I had initially was gas pain from the surgery. It was in the diaphragm area so hurt to breathe. Pain meds helped but made me dizzy and nauseous so they would give me meds for that. The roxicet they gave me for at home was much better and after 3 days was not in much pain at all. I have no pain from the surgery or the incisions but still have a little pain for a few seconds when I drink. I also had my gall bladder removed and had shoulder pain from that for a few days which they say is common.