jsurles

My surgery is 3/18 also. I don't have a real pre-op diet, just 24 hrs before. What I wanted to say is regarding the protein shakes. try mixing different flavors in with your vanilla protein powder, orange crystal light powder to vanilla protein powder makes a pretty good orange Julius flavor. and pumpkin makes a good shake also. try different amounts of different flavoring. my sister had her sleeve surgery 5 weeks ago, and says she really has to remember to eat. I guess you get a hollow feeling when your hungry which isn't often. She has also started buying vitamin waters at Wal-Mart ($1) she adds crystal light, clear protein powder and miralax to the bottle. gets her protein, liquids, some vitamins and her stool softener all in one. Just play around with what you can have. create your own recipes. for clear liquids, go get you some chicken taco soup, strain it, or wonton soup, strain it. add a little clear protein powder to everything you can. Unjury has a really good clear protein powder, hope this helps. now I just have to take my own advice!!! good luck and stay in touch, maybe we can help walk each other thru this!!

I can totally understand your frustration. I too have had to maintain a bmi of 40 for six months. My highest bmi is 40.7. I am 5'6 1/2 tall and weigh 253.4. I have spent the last 7 months maintain my weight by doing portion control, very little exercise and praying. I am borderline on all co-morbidities. I am now waiting for insurances approval or denial. I have done everything the doctors have asked, I just wait and try and fight the depression that goes with this insurance thing. I have found no for sure answer, I will keep trying whatever it takes. and you should also. I see people on different forums, who fly thru the insurance thing, its really worrisome. Just keep trying.

I am in California and have medical/Medicare. My first bmi was 39.7. with NO co morbidities. I was told then not to loose weight. I had to be 40bmi or higher. that's where I have been for the last six months. Now waiting insurance approval, but the pa I see said I may not be approved because of that first bmi. This insurance thing is so frustrating. with medical there is no person you can talk to in order to get details. Just someone setting in front of a computer screen, say your approved or not. No details. also our doc's office doesn't pre-set a surgery date, just floating along waiting, waiting...... I am rambling, I would not loose any weight. Also my sister just had her surgery the first of Feb. She starting trying to loose weight in Jan. the nurse told her NO, NO. that if her bmi was under 40 at her pre-op appointment, that insurance would turn her down. One good thing is at our dr.s office, we will not have any pre-op diet.

is medication like Carafate Suspension normally given by the doctor after surgery? I have a real acidity stomach, no one says how I am to care for it after surgery.

I am pre-surgery for the gastric sleeve, here is what I have been told by my doctor and various books and web sites. while in the hospital you will be given ice chips, water and possibly broth. when you go home, wk 1 you are on clear liquids only, (water, crystal light, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, broths of various kinds. wk 2and 3 a what I call mushy diet, liquids with some body, and start adding your protein shakes, plain yogurts pureed veggies etc. 4th week you start on soft eggs, fruits finely chopped meats etc. and measure everything constantly. Oh and tea and coffee needs to be caffeine free. (I am a coffee junky) this is what I have been told, hope it helps some. suppose to add different vitamins also, good luck

hi I am also a newbie, I'm in California. I started all this in September, hopefully surgery the end of February, beginning of March, I have met all the insurance requirements, met with all the doctors, approved on everything. My insurance requires 6 months, portion / diet. that's the reason for the wait. I'm not nervous, kinda jazzed. I'm 54, 110lbs overweight, and permanently disabled due to weight related issues, I want my life back, yo-yoing just doesn't do it for me. looks as if there is quite a few of us for the same time frame, I hope the best for all involved, this site has been great for me, I read all the different post, recognize myself in a lot of them, and learn quite a lot, and it's really helps to keep me motivated these 6 months. gook luck everyone

from what I understand they do cover all medical expenses, there is a six month wait, while you meet all your requirements.

Does anyone know of any lotions, potions, pills, drinks, etc that will help bring the elastic (?) back in the skin. I have a couple of months before surgery and I figure if any thing helps even slightly I should start now. please respond.

I started the process in Sept 2013, hopefully I will have surgery by March 2014, I have completed all the requirements except of course for the last minute things, but my insurance requires 6 months before surgery. My sister started the same day as I and her date is 2/6. her insurance doesn't require the full 6 months. I am taking this time to learn how to eat different and since I am an emotional eater, I am learning trigger points. I would like to have done the surgery long ago, but I am learning lots about myself that will help me loose the weight and KEEP IT OFF. think positive!!