Missylaneous

For those having to do the 2 weeks of optifast as their pre-op diet...what were your favorite/least favorite options? I see there is a choice between the premade shakes and the powders. If I buy the premade shakes it will cost me 336.00! The powder is cheaper. Are the packets worse? Do they taste different? Do they mix well? Any optifast input is appreciated! Thanks

Thank you for the over but we have to buy our supply from the surgeon's office. It all has to come from them or they wont accept it as the "licensed optifast program" dumb I know. What did you think of the stuff? ready to drink vs powder etc?

Approved this morning. My date is October 28th at Christiana Hospital in Delaware. :-) Hi fellow October sleevers!

I had my pre-surgical clearance appointment today. This is the final appointment with the surgeon where I asked questions and signed surgical consent forms. My patience is wearing thin with all these medical appointments. I know, I know, it is a journey and takes time, yadda, yadda, yadda. I just feel overly anxious and antsy. Especially all the sitting I've done in waiting rooms. My appointment time today was 3:25. I arrived at 3:15 in order to sign in and take care of my co-pay and all that. When did I see the surgeon? 4:30. I still do not have a surgery date as I have yet to receive an insurance approval. I was cleared on 8/27 medically but the office did not submit to Cigna until 9/12. If you were wondering, yes, I called Cigna today to see if they approved yet but my claim is still processing. The recurring theme here is my impatience I brought my ‘sleeve bible’ to the appointment. The 3 nutrition classes, 3 life-skills classes (courses specifically about the sleeve and how to eat), and 2 visits with the nutritionist were informative and produced a ton of paperwork and instruction packets. I appreciate all of the literature I have received and it helped to build my ‘bible.’ I had a few questions for the surgeon about the size of sleeve, blood thinners, medications, leak rate, opti-fast diet, etc. and they were all answered within 10 minutes. So 75 minutes of waiting for 10 minutes with the surgeon and a $50.00 copay. But at least I got my questions answered, right? The best part of my trip happened around 4:00. Just as I felt my blood pressure rising, 2 nuns walked in. You heard me. Nuns. Not just any nuns. Nuns who are getting bariatric surgery. I was really thankful for the laugh and the blatant message from above: Patience is a damned virtue.

I am 5'9 and would love to be 190. I haven't been 190 since before high school. I have 150 pounds to lose to reach that goal. That number seems so huge--that's another freaking person! Mostly, I want to lose 100 pounds and get closer to a healthy me. I will keep evaluating my progress as I go and keep on trying. Good luck to you!

I have never been more hungry in all my life.

I don't think it is allowed where I am from. Like others have said it is classified as medical waste. It is worth asking your surgeon though he may give you strange looks lol. I would like to see pictures of it it at least. Has anyone seen/gotten photos from their surgery?

Hey Janelle, I'm 27 in Wilmington, DE. So hi neighbor!

Congrats! You look fantastic! I hope when I am sleeved I will be as successful as you!

No he only has the egg tests when he has severe spasms and attacks from his gastroparesis/diabetes and ends up in the hospital. His system is shutting down and he can't keep food in/digest it. But many doctors find RNY to be the "cure" for gastroparesis because of the rerouting of your intestines.

Don't give up. First of all, you have to talk to your doctor. You won't get anywhere if you don't. Being ashamed, nervous, and defeated is what caused most of us on this website to remain obese. Tough love is the only way you will get through. I am pre-op and waiting on insurance and I would switch with you in an instant rather than struggle on my own with no surgical intervention. Chicken, tuna, shrimp, ground turkey, soft cheese like ricotta or cottage, greek yogurt, unflavored protein powder like unjury added to any kind of soup, drink, or puree. There are so many different options to go to protein first before you cop out and grab food you shouldn't eat. This is what the sleeve is about. It isn't a solution it is a tool. You have to get your brain to sync with your new stomach. And you have to work with that therapist on your head hunger. I am not sitting on my jolly high horse because I am just as guilty. My head, my demons, my emotions are what throw me into a binge and emotional eating marathon. We all need support whether it is from family, friends, or this forum. I hope you don't give up--and I hope you work with your therapist and your doctor to get on track with protein and off high carbs. You will get there--just keep trying! :-)

My Dad has gastroparesis and he has had to do that test many times. He calls them radioactive eggs lol. Good luck to you!

I am striking out left and right with free samples. I think we overwhelmed the sample givers. Hi Melissa! Thanks for reaching out to us at Spartos! Unfortunately, we can't send out samples but we have created a 50% discount code that will make it easier to try Spartos. Head toThirstmonger.com and type in the code 'weightcontrol' at checkout to receive 50% off your first order! They even have sample packs of just the sugar free (yellow cap) flavors. Here is a little bit about Spartos: - 10 grams of whey Protein isolate - 4 major electrolytes - No artificial flavors or colors - Gluten, soy and caffeine free- Cane sugar or stevia sweetened (most weight loss surgery patients stick to stevia sweetened since it's sugar free) I hope Spartos helps you in your journey! Please keep in touch as we love to hear from people who find Spartos helpful. Best, Melaina

Chike Nutrition sent me an email that they aren't offering any free samples at this time but they have a variety pack for purchase. Boooo. I guess we all bombarded them at once, lol.

That's good to know, thanks! :-)

I am right there with you! I am nervously awaiting insurance approval. This surgery is all-consuming and it is all I think about all day. I feel like my future is hanging in the balance and if I don't get approved I'll plummet to a depression. I have been checking out this site daily for information as well as researching Protein and drinks and recipes. There is a great thread that was started to include places to get free samples:http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/90613-list-of-bariatric-nutritional-companies-offering-free-samples/page__st__60#entry973054 Basically I am trying to occupy my time with learning and training myself for better eating habits. Good luck to you and I hope you do well!

Good luck to you on your journey!