macman

Hello Everyone Just got home a short while ago after surgery yesterday morning. All in all everything went very well. The pain has been very manageable and the incisions look good. I feel lucky that I have not had to deal with many of the issues noted in this forum. I have been very surprised about the lack of gas pain so far. I have a noticeable pain in my shoulder but nothing I need pain meds for. Completed stage 1 & 2 diet while in the hospital today. Starting stage 3, protein drinks, broth and clear liquids, for the next three weeks. Hopeful that this good start continues. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!!

My NUT has me counting the nutritional info as a meal, but counting the liquid towards water intake for the day

Unjury says to keep the temperature below 140 degrees

6 miles today for a monthly total of 64 miles. This will be my last post for the month as I have sleeve surgery scheduled for 730am tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great Holiday! Merry Christmas! see you in Jnauary

I am currently pre op, but will be sleeved on Monday/ I think the choice of surgeries is one that you make in consultation with your surgeon. I have been in a six month program. I came into this thinking I would get the band. Probably because in my mind it was less invasive, could be reversed and did not require rerouting of my digestive system. But along the way my opinion changed. As I talked with the surgeons and began to learn more about each type of surgery, the sleeve seemed the right choice for me. It appears to have the same results as the RNY Bypass, which is still the gold standard. But the rerouting was an issue for me, as were the absorption concerns. The surgeon agreed with my choice. In his opinion, RNY was reserved for high BMI patients. Mine was 45 entering the program and is now under 40. At the Center of Excellence where my surgery will be done they are not recommending the band due to the high rate of complication and the amount of revisions that are done. For me, removing most of my stomach, but allowing the natural digestive process to occur was appealing. There are plenty of people that are very satisfied with their type of surgery and can give you their rationale. It really is a personal choice, along with the advice of an expert in the field gastric surgery Good Luck!!!

6 miles today, 18 for the week and a monthly total of 58 miles

You look terrific! Congrats on the weight loss and finding the fountain of youth!

My list of approved shakes for the liquid phase includes Carnation Essentials pre made shakes. They have 13 grams of protein, with 16 carbs. I think that is far better than the packets of instant breakfast

My docs were submitted to BCBS of IL on Nov 22. They approved me December 2 but did not tell me or the surgeon until I called on December 9. I just received my approval letter from them. It had my personal information but a Provider and Hospital in the Mid West. They asked me to shred the letter and will reissue with the correct information

Need to add 13 more miles to my month for a total of 53. Surgery scheduled for Monday, 23rd. I would like to do cardio each day for the remainder of the week to help myself be ready.

Sounds like you are in the right place. Take care!

I started down this path six months ago at 362. Insurance required a six month plan, where I lost 40 lbs. I will be sleeved on Monday 12/23 and looking forward to the best part of the journey!

My information was submitted to insurance on November 25. I just called and they told me I was approved and a letter would be sent to me. Turns out, it has been approved since December 2nd. I guess they were waiting for me to follow up before sending a letter. Looks like we are good to go for the 23rd!!!!! No pre-op diet.

I have not posted the last few days, need to add 16 miles to my monthly count, now 40 miles.

6 more miles on the bike. 24 for the month

I am waiting for approval from BCBS of Illinois. I was submitted on Nov 22. I called the other day and all they would tell me is that they have the information and it is under review. They also mentioned they have up to 30 days to make a determination, but usually can get it done in 15 days. You would think there would be a better process given that insureds are anxiously waiting for them to make a decision. I have a surgery date of December 23. I started this process in June of this year. Working through the six month plan and meeting the program requirements. I am ready!!!! Let's GO!!

i have a cpap machine that is provided by insurance. Although cumbersome I use a full face mask because I tend to sleep with my mouth open and the mask helps me keep it closed!! The cpap has helped me immensely get decent sleep, not to mention the benefits to my wife. I get an email every month asking if I need replacement supplies. I do take advantage of this because monthly cleaning is not something I do well. Changing some of the parts: Water chamber, tubing, mask should help with any smell that accumulates. Surgeon told me I would be required to continue with the machine in the hospital and until my 3 month followup.

6 more miles today, 18 total for the month

I am 6'3", 58 years old and currently working towards surgery on 12/23. I started at 362 in July, currently 325. This whole topic of goals is an interesting one to me. I know I need to set goals (very goal oriented), but not sure what is realistic for me. My doc seems to think that 200 lbs is achievable because of how I have performed with diet and exercise over the last few months. That seems pretty low to me! I was 220 when I got married 34 years ago and seems like a reasonable target since I have been there before. But I don't want to set an unrealistic goal, high or low. I think I am in the camp of seeing where I end up while making a strong commitment to the plan. My goal is to get healthier, improve my fitness level and get rid of the future issues that are caused by obesity. If that ends up being 220 or 200 or even 180, I think I will know when I get there.

6 miles today. Makes 12 for the month

I have been in a six month managed plan where I have lost 40 pounds. The Surgeon is not requiring a pre op diet because he believes the weight loss during the last six months has easily shrunk my liver. He is not worried at all about it at all

I was told the following: Stage 1 is no food by mouth. This would happen immediately after the surgery until everything was stabilized Stage 2 is clear liquid only. This would start and be complete in the hospital. Stage 3 is full liquids, which includes protein drinks, jello, Popsicles etc. My program requires 3 weeks on full liquids Stage 4 is puréed/ soft foods. I am required to see the NUT before I can proceed to this stage. It is intended to last 5 weeks Stage 5 is eat anything with a gradual increase in dense proteins over time

Hello, I am having surgery on December 23 in Worcester at UMass

I am having surgery on December 23 at UMass in Worcester, Dr Czerniach

My goal is to lose 130 lbs