Writerjennifer

when we are at the wight you like... my nut explained that i would need to add 100 calories to my daily intake for a week, or two and if still losing, add another 100. Continuing 100 per week or two until the weight loss stops or I gain. If I gain, she said to drop by 100 calories and maintain there for a few weeks to see if that is the right number. It's a balancing act. If you start working out more, (in maintenance level) you will might need to add a few calories, or if you stop, you might need to reduce by a few. Good luck, and congratulations on your loss!

It's a lovely essay. Please understand, I am sure it helped you to write it, and it's heartfelt. However, the insurance company, i.e. the pencil pusher who has to read it, won't even read most of it. They will skim through, looking for specific information on how being obese negatively affects you. First, I would not mention that you are mostly healthy. That is a red flag to the insurance to deny the surgery. Why would they approve when you're admitting you are healthy. Second, list and explain the health reasons you are seeking surgery. For example; borderline high sugar or blood pressure, digestive issues, breathing problems, apnea, heart issues. Anything that your doctor is saying might be a precursor to a real medical problem. Third, list and explain all the physical reasons you are seeking surgery, such as; inability to dance, run, walk up a flight of stairs, take your daughter to the park to play, ride a bike, do your job as easily, etc. Forth, list and explain all the mental reasons you are seeking surgery, for example; you don't like your appearance, hate shopping for clothes, don't like going out in public due to fear of ridicule, have low self esteem due to weight and inability to lose and maintain a healthy weight thus far. I work for the state. I read long letters all the time from people who want something from our office, and honestly, we are only looking for certain information. We don't need or want the life story and unfortunately we don't have time for it. It's nothing personal. The insurance company employee who reads your letter is an employee. They have guidelines to follow. Make sure you fit their guidelines and you will be approved. Good luck.

When you plateau some suggest that you change things up. If you can't change your diet, since you're on the pre-op diet, then maybe change up your exercise routine (or add some exercise if you aren't already exercising).

Six days... wow. On one hand its flying by... and on the other it's dragging. lol. I have been doing the liquid diet since last monday... and am so tired of the chocolate shakes. I ordered a variety pack from unjury. I am looking forward to trying the Soup. How is everyone else? Everyone excited?

Im on day 7 of my preop surgery is 1/13/14...the 1st day I cheated and sent my bariatric coordinator a email telling her I had cheated. My fear was they would cancel my surgery. She had my surgeon respond to my email because I was so freaked out. He assured me a cheat or two would not stop my surgery. He advised me it is advisable to lose some weight preop to remove some of the adipose fat around the liver and in abdominal cavity as it has to be held out of place by a surgical assistant during my procedure. He encouraged me to get out of the house during times I felt like I was not in control of my eating to go for a walk or take a drive. He told me that behavior modifications will be necessary for the rest of my life so I need this opportunity preop to start making the transition. They understand that if we could all follow the strict guidelines of a diet we would not be eligible candidates for WLS. Take a deep breath and take it one day at a time. Btw... Best of luck. The response from your doctor just might be the most heartening thing I have read on the forum. I cheated today, been on the pre-op since Monday, and have surgery in 9 days (6-16). I planned ahead and brought a couple of premixed shakes, when I got to the meeting I put the shakes in the freezer to get cold. When we were done meeting, I grabbed the shakes and my mom wanted to go to Olive Garden. I sat there, thinking of the nasty shake (I realy can't stand the pre-made shakes) and made a choice to go eat lunch with mom. I had bread and cheese. I'm back on rack now, and I'm realy glad that i haven't ruined my chances of surgery. I am committed to do better from now on.

People are going to complain no matter what you do. If the magazine published it, people would complain, because they didn't then people complain.

Thank you. How are you feeling?

10 days for me too. gastric bypass. ... so tired of the liquid diet, already.

I am still pre-op, but... from what I have read and put together... the problem with pureeing a meal, like chicken, is that we have tastes associated to textures. Try making soft things softer, and grinding foods separately. You can make mashed potatoes (add tasteless protein powder maybe) and put a 'gravy' on it. Grind up the chicken, and then sprinkle seasoning on it, or a fat free sauce, etc. Keep the flavors separate, just like in a regular meal.

I didn't have something like that happen, but I have had several instances where I've had to assert my self as a patient. I think it is our number one job as a patient, is to make sure the people caring for our health are up to speed and have all the info. They are human and have many patients, and we have first hand knowledge of ourselves and our situation. Good save.

Your medicaid provider list should have the hospitals and surgeons. Also, you might want to call Medicaid because they will probably have requirements for you to get the surgery. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to move forward.

`I never realized how many people were having gastric bypass every day... it's a whole new life for soo many people. I can't wait to get started!

I gave up soda last year... it started as giving up diet soda, but i didnt want to gain, so i limited the sugar soda to a glass once or twice a month. So when they said no more after surgery, luckily i was in the right place that it didn't cause a problem. I have to say though... before I started the liquid pre-op diet I had been eating toast every night, with butter. It's my go to craving when I diet. Not sure why. But the most amazing thing was... when I started liquids on Monday, I actually didn't have a problem with toast. I didn't even think of it until last night (Wednesday). NSV? I think so. But back to the topic i guess... what do I miss? At this phase of my journey... I miss salty, savory and crunchy. A taste other than chocolate in my mouth.

I hope you're feeling well, and resting. Thanks for the info and the update. I go 6-16... so starting to get a little freaked.

So far everyone I told has either been supportive, or silent. Which to my mind says I don't agree with your choice but I trust you to make it thoughtfully. But I've only just started telling people.... Once I was approved and scheduled. my husband asked me if I'm sure I want to do this? he worries about me. So many possible complications. But the alternative is living life from behind the tv and computer screen

There is a website with a lot of dresses, and they are very reasonably priced and can custom size them. They should have some long sleeved dresses. http://www.jjshouse.com/ My daughter found a lovely lace wedding dress for $300.

Thank you to everyone who posted suggestions. Thank you. It is difficult to change, and I know eating out will still happen, but want to start designing events and outings where food can be an element but not the goal. These ideas are all wonderful. I think they are going in "The Book" (an idea I got from another BP poster, to make a book of all the things we want to do after we are healthy enough to live life, clothes we want to wear, things we want to do, etc.) Keep the good ideas coming!

The liquid diet bites. I wish I had thought to find some flavor other than chocolate. lol. I am even considering eating some broccoli just to be able to chew and have salt.

I have been overweight since I was 12. I want to be healthy, yes. But I want to not be big, overweight, plus-sized... fat. I want to walk into a room and have people see the smile, the pretty clothes and not the fat. When I go for an interview I want people to see the suit, the poise, the knowledge and skill, not the weight. When I look in the mirror, when I look at pictures of myself (and yes, I let people take pictures, I learned a while ago, if I never let pictures be taken, then who am I hurting, because when I'm dead it won't be me crying because they can't remember my face, but mu kids) I want to see me, not the fat. When I go shopping, I want to find cute clothes and try them on and look amazing in them. I won't miss getting toilet paper stuck in my hanging flappy stomach. I won't miss not feeling amorous be cause I feel like a whale. I won't miss spending all my time in the lazy pig chair because moving is getting more difficult. I won't miss seeing my kids eating junk food and knowing we haven't taught them any better even though we knew better. I won't miss the television. In fact, I won't miss my computer either. I miss fun. I miss going outside (though I am not a shut in, I don't leave except to work or shop). I miss living my life. I miss having things fun to do besides 'going out to eat'.

I was on the edge of not being eligible, until my doctor wrote the recommendation letter and included that I have GERD (me, I just thought it was persistent heartburn). That reduced the BMI minimum from 40 to 35.

Have you tried sipping warm or cold liquids/water? I have seen some on this forum who can't tolerate cold fluids at this early stage, while others can't tolerate warm... Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

I am pre-op, but have been picky for years, and dieting for six months. And it's amazing how pot lucks and conferences are filled with junk. It's easy for me to find something I can and should eat. What's hard is resisting all that bad stuff. lol. But I have been honest with my people about what I am looking for, usually simply "something healthy" and most of the time they remember. And of course, I always keep a backup shake, just in case.