dlf23

Menina, We have a few things in common. When I began this process 13 months ago I barely qualified with a BMI of 35. I'm diabetic and had high blood pressure and a couple of other things, so I was covered (Kaiser Permanente/Medicare Advantage). By the time I finally had the surgery in May I had lost 30 pounds and sure enough, the decision makers for KP called the surgeon and asked him to cancel the surgery!! But he argued the point and we did it. I recovered very well and have had no real problems except VERY slow weight loss, a pound or so per week, and I'm getting about 750 calories per day. The thing we have in common, is that we are both fairly close to our goal weights, and it really isn't reasonable to expect to lose as fast as folks 200 pounds overweight. Yes, I always want foods too rich for my diet, but it IS possible to stick to it now, and I'm confident I will reach my goal in time. I'm 180 now and my goal is 160. I'm thinner now than I have been in 40 years and I'm happy with that --for now. Good luck. You'll be fine.

Consider support under garments. There are plenty of choices on line.

Are you referring to Vitamins, Calcium, minerals or Protein? I assume you mean protein. I have found Premier Protein to be tasty and fairly cheap, about $1 per 30gram drink. You buy then by the case at costco or Sams. Even less expensive is dried whey protein which I get at Vitamin Shoppe. A large container (about 100s servings) cost $40. You can add it to almost anything (milk, yogurt) Mine is flavored and artificially sweetened, but it is available "plain". READ the labels carefully. Some are loaded withe sugar and fat. Mr. surgeon, nutritionist and PCP want to see me off supplements as soon as possible, but I'm not there yet. Your team will have recommendations about vitamins and other stuff.

If you don't exercise you will lose "lean mass", the muscle and connective tissues in your body. You will have to keep to a plan or you won't lose weight and you may have serious other problems. The surgery will restrict how much you eat at any one time, but if you are determined, you can eat around it with a dozen meals a day. You would almost certainly lose some weight early on, but those losses can be short lived unless you prepared to make some changes. Don't do this if you aren't ready for it now and the rest of your life. That said, it IS easier to keep to the plan after surgery.

There should be no shame in taking this step. With a BMI over 50, it will be apparent to your friends that you need to take serious action. I didn't tell people ahead of time because I didn't want a lot of friends telling me I was crazy and that it has a 10% fatality rate, or what ever BS they've heard. When you drop your first 100 pounds they'll all be asking. Then why would you lie. As for telling your boss, if you don't want to tell her now, just say it's kind of private and let go.

Rule # 1. You don't really have to explain your diet choices to anyone because it's none of their business. Rule #2: People get rule #1 and won't make a big deal about what you eat, in part because they don't care. These rules apply universally, unless you have been invited to dinner in someone's home and they have prepared the meal. It would not be civilized for you to accept an invitation to a seven course meal in someone's home only to call it quits after a bowl of broth. If someone does ask, just say you're on a restricted diet plan. Then let it go.

Your picture looks like you're 28, but I assume it's the most flattering you could take after dozens of tries, so . . . honestly . . .ummm-- 32.

Sorry, that's not acceptable. Their "insurance girl" is on vacation!! What? The surgeon needs to make a phone call first and follow up in writing. If you have your insurance through work, your HR department should be able to help. However, if the policy specifically says "weight loss surgery is excluded" then you are probably out of luck. I get the point. This is an expensive procedure, which over time make you healthier. The problem is, in the US we change insurance so often, that the company will probably expect you to move on before they realize the benefit of your improved health. By the way, Medicare (and all Medicare Advantage programs) will cover it. Obamacare (except for a few states) will not. From what I hear, the large clinics in Mexico are priced so reasonably, it is probably worth looking into. And they do LOTS of surgeries. And if experience is the teacher, they know what they're doing. Good luck.

Any food source of fiber will help. By the way the fiber isn't damaged by cooking and you probably won't need the peel, so feel free to cook, blend or mash. Also "perdiem" is what they give nursing home patients to keep thing moving. It worked for my dad years ago. I use Metamucil, a great source of soluable fiber.

How disappointed I was to discover that this system didn't do the jumping for you.

I'm back from my nutritionist who has "ordered" me to up my calorie intake to not less than 900/day and to specifically up my carbs, especially before exercise. I'll try it before tomorrow's 5 mile walk around Stone Mountain with my wife.

65% of people who get WLS are women. Drop in on a Weight Watchers meeting some day and take a count. Men are less likely to acknowledge that food has gotten the better of them and men are less likely to seek medical advice for any problem. I didn't decide to do this until I was 65 after sixty years of dieting. I had plenty of concerns and fears concerning the dangers of surgery, but in the end I tolerated that very well. It's the slow weight loss that's troubling me now. dlf

Are you taking the vitamins on an empty stomach. I too hate the taste and smell of vitamins now but didn't before surgery. Try taking them in the middle of a meal.

My "three week stall" has gone on for a month. I've lost 5 pounds in the last four weeks, averaging 650 calories per day, walking 4 to six miles per day. I haven't the energy to run, jog or swim. Meeting with nutritionist today with a lot of questions.

Same here. I actually gained about 6 pounds in the hospital. It's all the electrolytes they give you. Now after six weeks I am losing, but very slowly-- about 2 pounds per week. Dr. says not to worry. I'm okay with 2 pounds as long as it's every week. Gook luck.