Inner Surfer Girl

Sounds like they need to do an appeal and talk directly with BCBS.

Mr. Cheese O's

I am 11 months post-op and am swimming three-four plus times a week. I usually swim an hour of laps. Some days in addition to laps, I take a Water aerobics class, or do my own thing with water weights and ab work. I also usually do some leg exercises in the water given to me by my PT (for about 10 minutes or so) and then do a stretching cool down. Can you tell it is hard for me to want to get out of the pool once I get in?

Are you taking a PPI? Stomach acid can feel like hunger.

50-60 grams of Protein seems low. What is your protein target? (Mine is 100 grams.) It is important that you do everything you can to get in both your protein and fluids. It isn't easy but it is doable. I have to make it my number one priority. Exercise also helps. Once my incisions healed and I was cleared to swim I have been in the pool. I started with Water aerobics, etc. and now I swim laps and take an occasional water aerobics class regularly. It feels great!

I have never been big on cooking but am trying to do more now. Does she like tuna? Stock up on tuna packets. Does she like cottage cheese? I eat cottage cheese all the time. Usually plain but I also dress it up sometimes. (Fresh tomato, tzatziki sauce, piacante sauce are some good and easy add ins.) Does she like Greek yogurt? I keep a bunch of Danon Light & Fit Greek as well as a big tub of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt. Both are great with fresh fruit or even some sugar-free jam or preserves.

Egg Mcmuffin with extra egg. Usually eat 1/2 of the bread, but sometimes all of it. Arby's sandwiches without bread. Usually turkey club but sometimes a reuben. Subway: tuna salad and cheese in a cup with toppings (tomato, pickles, etc) Wendy's chilli Sonic bacon egg and cheese toaster (no bread) Lee's grilled chicken breast and green Beans. Taco Bell - chicken or steak power burrito, refried beans and taco, or similar Panda Express - small beef broccoli, no rice Panera - I got black bean soup and a half Greek salad the other day. Ate the soup and some of the salad (mostly the toppings).

Another good way to get into a routine is to take a class. For me, I am more likely to do something, especially if it is something new, if I take a class where I have to be at a specific place at a specific time.

I taught a Freshman seminar class for many years. The best advice I can give you is to use a day planner. The key is: time management, time management, time management.

Just follow your surgeon's directions. Don't overthink it and try to undereat. In addition to shrinking your liver you also need to be nourished and go into the surgery as healthy as possible.

Lululemon is one of those stores I will NEVER shop at because of their corporate attitude toward people they think are less than worthy to wear their overpriced clothes. I have read nothing good about them.

This is awesome. It is NEVER too late to go back to school and this sounds like an opportunity too good to pass up -- convenient location, time, and tuition reimbursement. What do you want to study? I will definitely be cheering you on.

My Easter Bunny likes fresh asparagus and fresh raspberries. I did make the mistake of eating sugar-free peeps: not the smartest idea.

I hear that a lot but think it is a little bit of a fallacy. Especially the "how many fat old people do you see in nursing homes". The problem with this is that some (many?) fat people do lose weight at the end of life due to illness, malnutrition, etc. I would qualify this as how many fat old people do you see who have a good quality of life.?

I just want to be able to buy nice clothes in a regular store. I would LOVE to own at least one designer dress (Dior, Balmain, or similar) in my lifetime.

You can do it!

I agree that 500 calories is very low. What is your Protein target? At 500 calories, that would be three premier Protein shakes (which would still leave me short 10 grams of protein).

I forgot to add: sugar free Jello Sugar free Popsicles

If you are like me, right after surgery it will be difficult to get in all of your Protein and fluids so you will be sipping all day. As you heal and progress through the food phases, it gets easier. Definitely are if you can get sample packs of unjury, Syntrax nectar, Quest, Isopure, etc. to see what you like. Keep in mind your tastes may change post-op. You can also sample different shakes at GNC. Here is what got me through the clear and full liquid phases: Premier Protein (chocolate is my favorite but I also like the vanilla and strawberry) ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates (various flavors) ProtiDiet creamy chicken and tomato basil Soups Unjury plain and chicken Soup ProtiDiet hot chocolate WonderSlim dark chocolate pudding PB2 Syntrax Nectar (fuzzy navel is my favorite) GNC Lean shake 25 (orange cream is my favorite) Crystal light Mio drops Mint and other herb "tea" Decaf hot tea

This is great information. File under: I learn something new every day. I had heard that people undergoing chemo should avoid green tea.

Green tea, although good for you, still has caffeine. Although it isn't as much as black tea, if she is drinking a lot of it she would have to increase her Water to compensate for the caffeine. Has she tried: Herbal infusions (like mint tea) Infused water (putting fruit, vegetables, and/or herbs in water) -- some good examples: cucumber, ginger/lime, cantaloupe and/or berries, lemon, etc. Using water enhancers like Mio drops, crystal light, etc. Decaf tea (hot or over ice) -- one of my favorites is Harney & Sons hot cinnamon spice decaf

As to a Protein target my surgeon's guidelines are: 100 grams a day for all men, and women with a starting BMI of over 50. 80 grams a day for everyone else.

I found this: http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniquesdry_brushing_technique/

Did the brushes have directions?

As a hair stylist, I just want to say that while horse mane shampoo does make your hair feel fuller and have more volume, it is terrible for your hair. It works by swelling the strands due to very high ph. It's short term gain.The Nioxin treatment kit is the best thing out there to use preventatively and to encourage healthy regrowth. It's a little spendy though. As far as drugstore products, Infusium has a protein treatment along with a shampoo and conditioner that really helps keep hair healthy whole going through this process. Don't forget to use a good conditioner and apply from the bottom up not top down. By the time conditioner gets to scalp it should be well diluted from water in your hair. Also, just a general reminder-pat hair dry with towel, don't rub or twist. Always use a comb when hair is wet, never a brush and don't sleep with hair elastics or tight scrunchies. For long, thick or heavy hair in a ponytail, use Bobby pins if you can to keep sone of the pressure off the hair tie. These things cause breakage especially when your hair is stressed and fragile. Great advise! I was going to suggest being gentle with your hair but she said it much better. Weaves, blow drying, etc., are tough on your hair.