alwaysvegas

My insurance (Aetna) did not require a specific weight loss, but I was not allowed to gain any weight during my 3-month nutritional/exercise plan. I was already losing weight before I started the plan, so I just continued with what I was doing: cutting down calories and adding strength + cardio. I'm now starting my two-week protein-shake pre-op diet and I've lost 55 lbs since mid-January. I lowered my total net calorie to about 1300 a day (plus exercise) a few months back and I'm feeling really good and not too worried about the shakes. If I do get really hungry I'll have some non-starchy veggies or Egg Beaters. The point of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver, so limiting fat is the key.

Thanks so much!

Hi all-- My first posting! I just got my insurance approval and medical clearance this week to get sleeved on July 28! I started my journey in mid-January (I hate New Year's resolutions ) at about 305 lbs at 5'8". I'd packed on over 135lbs over the last 10 years...yeesh! I was pre-diabetic, high cholesterol, severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, on three medications, and just physically miserable. Walking around the block was a chore. So in mid-January I started back at the gym and eating better. I started the 3-month bariatric nutrition program and counseling in March, both of which were wonderful. It's now two weeks until my surgery and I'm down to 245lbs on my own and it feels great! I feel like I'm half way there. The sleeve will be the perfect long-term guard rail for my eating. I'm so excited! Since January I've changed my overall habits incredibly: Quit caffeine Quit smoking! Yay! 20-year addiction...I'm now 3 months quit. Cut carbs (~30/day or less now) Quit almost all processed foods Quit diet sodas Switched to lower-fat Proteins Started exercising 4-5 days per week (strength + cardio) Dropped net calories to 1700 per day then down to 1300 per day, tracking on MyFitnessPal I really didn't want to attempt all the lifestyle changes post-surgery because I thought it would be too much change, too fast. So I basically changed habits over the last six months and it's really helped my resolve tremendously. So just wanted to say hello and I've enjoyed reading the forums here for months now. And I can't wait to get sleeved!