Maggy'sMom

I went to a wl seminar about 3 weeks ago. It is way early in the process as I don't have a consultation scheduled until later this month but I've been researching the sleeve and came across this forum and thought I'd join. I am 5 ft 4 1/2 in. tall and fluctuate between 225 and 235. I have lost up to 80 pounds on weight watchers. My last weight loss attempt was about 2 1/2 years ago. I lost about 60 pounds using Herbalife. It is so discouraging and don't think I can do it again if I can't keep it off. The seminar doctor explained how our bodies are programmed for a "set point" and during this process they will teach how to avoid that pitfall. The sleeve sounded like the best surgery for me although I won't know for sure until later. I have called my health insurer twice and have not received good service. I hope that is not an indication of how this is going to go. The first rep referred me a nurse case manger to find out the criteria for approval. It took the case manager a week to return my call and she couldn't answer specifics because out health plan was being phased out and the new plan wouldn't start until the 1st. My call today was to determine if the required appointments (nut, ekg etc.) were covered benefits and the co pays, deductibles, and co insurance. The rep claimed she didn't know because It would have to be reviewed by company. I tried to explain that I wasn't asking if I would be covered but was asking if these appointments were covered benefits under my plan. She said she could refer me to a nurse care manager. She also said I would have to have one year of medically documented weight loss. The case manager said they require 6 months. It makes me feel like they try to discourage you so they won't have to pay the benefits. I'm anxious to get this show on the road. I won't like the waiting period to get approval but I will do what I have to.

It's been quite some time since my last post so I thought I'd update my first post. I'm 9 months post op. My surgery and recovery went well. Struggled with the pre op and post op diets. I absolutely hated the Protein shakes and meals required by my program. Followed the plan to insure I would qualify for surgery but modified it soon after surgery. I still don't get the recommended protein and Water but I feel good, my labs are very good and my body fat and muscle ratio numbers are right on track (at least they were at my 6 month check up). I need to get serious about tracking my food intake with MyFitnessPal as I've been eating more and more junk lately. I haven't had a gain yet but I can see how easy it would be to gain. My sleeve can tolerate just about anything. There is still a great restriction for most food but for some reason the bad for me junk foods seem to go right down. I had quite a few incidences of foamies when eating chicken. I don't know if it was from not chewing enough, eating to quickly or too much. That hasn't happened lately thank goodness. I'm down to a size 4 or 6 depending upon the brand from a size 20/22. I have a considerable amount of loose skin in areas and my face looks hollow and sagging. I had a small bust to begin with and now I have nothing but hanging skin. Nothing left in the trunk either. I've noticed a lot more hair in the sink and on my brush but don't see a difference in the volume on my head. I only told three people I was having WLS - my mom, husband and a neice. While prepping for surgery, my cousin came into the presurgery room. She said she was scheduled as one of the surgical nurses and asked if I wanted her to be removed from the schedule. I said no but I hadn't told my children I was having surgery. She said she wouldn't say anything to any one - HIPPA laws etc. and she could lose her job if she discussed it. I was so surprised, I didn't know she had changed hospitals! I am fortunate to have had such a good outcome. I'm happy to answer any questions.

My discharge papers said if my pain was not controlled with the script I was given, I should call immediately. Call your doctor. You shouldn't be suffering with pain. Good luck and hope you get some relief soon.

McDonald's sales have been dropping for months now and I'm pretty sure I'm responsible. Lol

I would go back to mush or at the very least call my doctor and ask if I could advance. I thought the stages would take a lot longer but was approved to move to hard foods at 6 weeks. Your tummy is like a new born baby and you want to treat it as such. Try to follow doctor's order. The doc is the expert.

Sounds normal. I'm almost 7 weeks post op and barely get in 40 oz. I didn't drink protein shakes but was told 4 oz would probably be the most I could get in at a time. Glad you're doing well. Just keep sipping! It will take time to increase your intake.

My first thoughts as I became aware I was being wheeled out of recovery and to my room was "what the hell did I just do?" and "please let me go back to the OR and put it back." For me I had been so sure surgery was what I wanted. I think it's natural to second guess a major decision like that. I'm almost 7 weeks post op and things are going well.

sugar free popcycles

My doc told me to cut back on exercise until I get closer to my protein and calorie goal I was walking 60-70 minutes a day and getting only 30-40 grams of protein. He said my body will start holding onto the weight. He also said I would start losing muscle instead of fat.. I was feeling great getting that much exercise but I've cut back because The doc knows what he's talking about. .

Call the office and ask. I also had McLaren insurance and I'm still waiting for all the numbers to come in. It took over a month to get an appointment after the seminar so get your seminar out of the way. I know a few people who went to Grand Rapids for their surgeries. I ruled that out because I didn't want to drive that far for appointments. I had a great hospital experience. The staff was very attentive to my needs and I felt I received excellent care. Many people go to Mexico for the surgery. I'm too chicken for that.

I have learned a lot from your posts and appreciate every one of them. Many people would miss your wisdom and insight if you left this forum. You have lost your excess weight so you are successful. Some medical professionals just don't have the right stuff. Instead of letting his know-it-all ego do the talking he should have done what was right for the patient. You yourself knows how Bariatric Pal helps. You don't need your friend to tell you it doesn't. Next time just thank her for her opinion and log right in and get some needed support. Love you an hugs!

Don't worry about gaining. You won't be getting enough calories to gain.

My favorite is Spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese and shredded Parmesan warmed in the microwave. There is a food forum you can check out too. Congrats on the awesome weight loss!

It took mine quite awhile too call off. the last one came off at 4 weeks. I washed with soap and water and after the edges came loose I trimmed the loose edges. The worst part was the sticky glue under the strip. it was all black and and really hard to scrub off. I didn't want to scrub to hard and hurt the incision so I started using Bio Oil. When itchy, I would lightly smooth the strip with my finger.

I'm five weeks out. I am feeling really good and looking pretty good (according to family). I was cleared to advance my diet to hard foods. I can't eat much at a time but I've had some tasty meals. Today I had hot pork from my favorite buffet restaurant. I ordered off the menu. I was totally satisfied with the 1/4 cup I was able to eat. I had it for my supper too. At times I feel a little sad that I can't pig out like I did before but I remember how miserable I was after I would eat like that. From what I understand after some time, I'll be able to enjoy just about any thing just in much smaller quantities. I questioned whether I should have the surgery after losing about 50 lbs on my pre op diet. I have always lost in the past but couldn't reach goal and would gain it back plus more. I really thought maybe this time I could do it on my own. I remember feeling the same way the last two times I was on a weight loss plan. That feeling reminded me that I probably wouldn't reach goal and keep it off without some help. It is hard. I hated the products i had to eat in the pro op diet and the post op diet. I hated the Protein shakes, I hated the broth. I hate sugar free anything. I'm not getting in the required protein, calories or fluids yet (by a long shot) but I feel so much better. I was walking 70 minutes a day but my doc wants me to cut back till I get closer to 70 grams of protein and closer to 600-800 calories. It feels like it is a full time job trying to get everything in. I used to drink Coke or Water. Now water has a bad taste. But that too is getting better. I cried when I fit into a size 10 jean. I started at a size 20w. I never knew it had a name until I heard it on Jimmy Fallon, but my "front butt" is slowly going away. I have excess skin but it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is a major decision. Not every one has a successful surgery. not everyone will keep the weight off. My husband's Aunt is one year out and has gained a considerable amount of her weight back. If we don't follow our plan we all can be like his Aunt. Right now I have a great restriction and I'm not very hungry. I could not eat all day and I wouldn't feel hungry. I'm sure that will go away someday. That's when I will have to be diligent in following the plan. I won't deprive myself but I will try to eat mainly healthy. I just don't want to go back to eating the whole bag of candy after eating three plates at the buffet and 3 or 4 cokes. It is actually a relief not having to worry about having enough junk food in the pantry to get me through a night. So long story short, although I'm sometimes sad, the benefit of the surgery far outweighs the sadness for me. Good luck with your decision.

How scary! So glad to hear you were not injured. Wonderful that you now have the speed, agility and stamina to save yourself from a trampling.

Had my first slime incident today. I'm 5 weeks post op. I had some rotisserie chicken and shredded Parmesan. I had a wing including the skin. I don't know if I ate too fast, didnt chew enough or if it was too much fat. Not pleasant. I have to be more careful. I don't want that to happen again!

Don't beat yourself up. just get back on your plan. It's really important to follow your plan so your liver will shrink. Be honest with your surgeon. Better to be upfront about your slip up and face a possible postponement than to wake up in recovery and find the surgery couldn't be performed. I doubt it will be postponed so stay on track from now on. Sorry about the breakup. You can get through this.

My surgeon recommends taking it for 6 months and reevaluating after. I have a hard time remembering to take it. I've always taken meds etc before bed and I have to take it before breakfeast.

Thanks for the recipe. I will be sleeved on the 4th and I'm worried about what I'll eat during the two week full liquid stage. My plan calls for pudding but I didn't think about adding protein powder to it.

Glad to hear you're doing well. Best wishes for your successful recovery. I'm scheduled for Tuesday also midwestgirl32. Good luck to you also!

I am on day 9 of 14. I'm supposed to have 4 New Direction products a day. Around day 5 I was feeling so weak I ate a piece of Babybel cheese. I'm a picky eater and don't care for the products but I'm trying my hardest to comply. My WL team explained many times that the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver. They said the liver of an overweight person can be crumbly and hard to move out of the way while trying to perform the surgery. I lost 35 pounds during my 6 month medically supervised diet but still have to do the 2 week pre op diet. They said losing the 35 pounds helps but a low/no carb high Protein diet is the best thing to do to get the liver in the best shape possible for surgery. I'm so freaked out about the danger of the surgery, I'm trying my hardest to follow their plan. I take it meal by meal, day by day. Today I had hot cocoa for breakfeast, lemon pudding with/fiber for lunch, cream of chicken Soup for supper and a chocolate pudding for snack. They all have a nasty texture and weird taste because they have 27 grams of protein each. I dread each meal but it does get a little more tolerable each time. My advice would be to follow your doctor's plan. WLS surgery doesn't mean you won't be able to eat tasty enjoyable food. It just means taking a break from them awhile and eating much smaller quantities once your tummy heals. Good luck!

I started my 6 month diet at just a smidge over 40. I was down to 34 just before starting my 2 week pre-op diet yesterday. I was so sure I wanted to have the sleeve but my pre-op diet is so nasty I'm considering giving up. I can only have 4 New Directions products a day and zero calorie non-caffeinated beverages. I don't mind the bars but I can barely choke down the shakes, Soup and pudding. Week two I can't have bars and just thinking about having to eat 4 of those other items makes me want to puke. My nut said "It's only for two weeks". Ive never been able to obtain a reasonable goal weight and have always gained back everything I loose plus more. Do I keep choking down that crap for 12 more days (costs about $100 a week) or just keep on the diet I've been on for the past 6 months?

I'm scheduled for November 4 pending insurance approval. I have to have a clinic visit for each of the next four weeks. I'm scheduled for an EGD on Oct. 17 and start my "New Directions" two week preop diet on October 21. It's been a long 6 months and I'm sick with worry that my insurance company will find a reason to deny me. A young woman at the clinic today said she was denied the day before her surgery. She suffered through the endoscopy and two weeks of the preop diet only to be denied! I don't think my paperwork can be submitted until October 24 so I'm really nervous. Here's to everyone with a November date. I hope you all have a wonderful outcome.

Back in April it seemed like a 6 month weight loss regimen was forever. I have one month to go. I'm down about 30 lbs, have breezed through all the clearances. I've completed my pre and post classes and had my second set of labs. I am waiting (not so patiently) for a surgeon visit and a final weigh in. I am crossing my finger for insurance approval as two more pounds down and I will be below a 35 BMI. Everyone at the weight loss center says insurance goes by starting weight and I sure hope they are right. I should get a tentative surgery date when I go to the surgery appt. I'll have a two to four week liquid protein diet that I'm not looking forward to but will try my hardest to follow because I want my liver to be as small as possible. Every day waiting now is agonizing but instead of fretting and worrying I should be getting my house in order. Sounds like a plan.