MissMae

Hey all- An update for ya! I am about 9 months post-op and I could not be ANY happier with my sleeve! I am down about 81 pounds and only 19 pounds away from my goal weight. My biggest struggles have been nutrition, as it always has been. I don't like to eat meat so it's taking some creative thinking to get in my Protein. I am so grateful that I was able to have this surgery!

What is everyone using for their macronutrient goals? I know everybody is different but I would just like to hear what other people are using. Thanks!

I started drinking "Smooth Move" tea when I felt like I needed some help in that department.

I was sleeved on the 12th and just started my full liquids. I had a few sips of my protein drink this morning and i instantly felt horrible. It passed within an hour but i was nauseous and my heart was racing... i think i sipped to fast even though i was trying to go slow. Still learning I guess! Incisions are healing great and i have minimal pain

I was sleeved on 2/12 and am actually writing this from my hospital bed. I've been burping a lot and have had a lot of gurgling. Most of the pain I am experiencing is from the gas they used to "blow up" my tummy. My diaphragm is still recovering so it still hurts..

The pre-op appointment was good. Paid a whole lot of money, got a body wash to use 3 times before surgery, and then went over specifics for before and after surgery- no bowel cleanse or catheter, woo hoo! My aunt had a sleeve done a little over a year ago and the day before surgery she had to do a bowel cleanse and during surgery she had a catheter. Yikes. The pre-op diet is a challenge but not because I want to eat other things. I'm more concerned with making sure I eat the right things and enough protein. I am a vegetarian so it has been a little trickier. I almost feel like it would be easier to just do 2 drinks as meal replacements and then one high protein meal for dinner. Every surgeon is different.

It does seem off but my surgeon has very strict guidelines as to what the meals can consist of and basically its protein and raw veggies and the amount of calories per item of protein is limited as well. The meals are much smaller so there is a decrease in caloric intake to make room for the shakes which are only about 100 calroies each (or about 180 if I mix them with milk). In combination with the shakes its a normal amount of calories. The day before surgery its nothing but clear liquids and nothing with red dye.

It depends on what your pre-op diet is. For me I have to have 3 Unjury protein drinks (after each meal) as well as 3 high protein, low carb, sugar, and fat meals. I have been pretty nauseous just because my liver is flushing fat out and my body is going through a detox but I have been able to work with no issues.

GTS has been AMAZING; Mary Kay especially! I started the 6 month weight loss program in March 2014 with no intentions of having surgery. 3/4 of the way through that I realized that in order to achieve long-term weight loss success I needed to have surgery. In September 2014 I attended their seminar and started the process. Once I completed my 6 months I talked with Mary Kay and we sent all of my records to GTS and I made an appointment in November for a consult and nutrition appointment. I had X-Rays, labs, and in January 2015 I had an EGD. My EGD was on Thursday and Angie submitted everything to my Insurance the next day. I emailed my insurance a week later to see if I had been approved and they said I had. I then called GTS thinking I could schedule my surgery, haha. Angie then explained that she had to send my file to Dr. Slikkers for final approval and to Munson. About a week and a half later (1-28-15) she called me and gave me a date of 2-12-15. That gave me 2 weeks and 1 day until Surgery. I had to run into the GTS office the day I got my surgery date to get my Protein Powder. I don't have my pre-op appt. until Monday 2-2-15. Yes I had to have an EGD and I don't remember a thing and I never had a sore throat. Slikkers was slick I have Priority Health. I am still not too sure about my total out of pocket expenses because I have an HRA that is set up kinda silly. At the moment I have been told that I will owe approx. $2,400 at my pre-op appointment. That's $229 left from my scope that hadn't been billed to me yet, $45 co-pay for the appointment, $10 for a surgical book, $1100 left for my deductible, $1000 for my surgical co-payment, and $50 for my last 2 Protein powders for pre-op diet. My max. out of pocket for my insurance is $3000 so I will end up paying that between Munson and GTS. I hope that answered everything!!! Good luck! GTS is very efficient lol it does sound a little dirty, but that's what makes it fun!. lol... WoW Feb 12nd! that's awesome... Have you enjoyed your experience with GTS? Do you mind sharing how long it took to get through the process. Did you have to do a EGD? Insurance carrier? out of pocket expense? How long it took you to get approved? How you found out you were approved If you can't tell, the anticipation is killing me... hahah Myself. My paperwork was hopefully submitted Monday or Tuesday.. So I'm still waiting. I was hoping I'd be sleeved in February... but, only time will tell. They haven't talked to me about cost. I'm just wondering if that's normal.

Woo-hoo! Locals! I am in Traverse City and and being sleeved by Slikkers (sounds dirty doesn't it? haha) on 2-12-15.

Today is day 1 of my 2 week pre-op diet. I have to complete 2 weeks of 3 unjury Protein shakes daily and 3 high protein, low calorie, low sugar, low carb meals. They gave me a list of item that I can eat. It's not as bad as I was expecting and it's all for a good reason.

You guys are great! Thanks so much for all of your replies!

I will be having surgery spring 2015 and I am trying to increase my Protein intake prior to surgery so that by the time I have my surgery it won't be such a challenge. I am a vegetarian so protein intake is already a struggle. What are some of the best sources (vegetarian) of protein that you have found and what are your favorite protein powders? Thanks!

I am 5'4" and 225 and a BMI OF 38.8 No serious Comorbidities; just heartburn and some joint pain. I'm in a supervised weight management program through my local hospital. My insurance outline states that if I have a BMI less than or equal to 40 and greater than 35 then I qualify as long as I complete 6 months in a weight management program... I meet with my program doctor tomorrow....