samuelsmom

@@smile121 It seems that the person you are dealing with has forgotten that you are the client and her job is to provide service. I would call her up again and confirm that she has received the information. I would also ask the questions you have and get a plan. It is the middle of March. She should have a good idea of what is happening in April! If it was just a bad day then all should be fine. If she remains unhelpful, report this to the office manager. I had an experience where the scheduler came out into the waiting area and yelled at me about not having my stress test done! I informed her it was scheduled and walked out of the office. A few minutes later, I realized that bad behavior is just not acceptable and I was not helping by doing nothing. I walked right back in and spoke with the program director. I am so glad I did. I got an apology from the scheduler, but more importantly, sent a message that there are standards of behavior that are not optional!

When I got on puree foods, I ate soups where the contents could be mashed into a puree consistency. Bean soups are particularly good for this.

Regular food that you cook yourself is a better option, however, the frozen meals can be convenient. If you are otherwise healthy, then they should not be a problem. Just be sure to eat lower sodium foods are days you have the box meals and get in plenty of fluids. If you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiac or kidney problems, then I would talk to the dietitian for professional advice.

I was never a big soda drinker anyway. Now when my husband is drinking root beer (my favorite) I will have a few sips. I enjoy it and no ill effects. It seems to me that there is a tremendous variability in what everyone can and can't eat and/or drink. It is pretty amazing to me at hour our bodies react differently to the same basic surgery. I have been lucky- so far, I can eat and drink anything I want and my tastebuds have not changed at all.

As a nurse for a long time, I would urge anyone to consider this surgery very carefully. If you have terribly hanging skin, or are getting infections under skin folds, or are just miserable with the extra skin then it might be the right decision. I personally would not consider any surgery without thinking long and hard about. There can be complications, and even if everything goes smoothly, there is post-op pain and recovery. Good Luck with whatever decision you make.

I lost 27 lbs in the 3 1/2 months pre-op.

We used to do an Easter egg hunt with plastic eggs and we filled the eggs with pocket change. The kids loved it and it was a lot of fun. Most eggs had pennies, a few had silver, and the "golden" egg which was well hidden a had few dollars. It was inexpensive and memorable. I also made baskets when my kids were younger. I bought little things like yo-yos, bouncy balls, etc. and put them along with a chocolate bunny and package of peeps. When I tried to stop when they were teens they were very upset so I kept doing it until my son went into the Navy when he was 19. I still do it for my daughter and she will be 20 this year!

I try not to make it complicated. I count nothing. I do eat my Protein first. Doing that pretty much limits carbs as there is just no room for more food! I don't keep anything unhealthy in the house. I do have dark chocolate almost every day and that keeps me happy

Of course! I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback on this thread! I made sure I wore a pad in surgery which worked fine. After surgery you can definitely be up and about to change it.

That is ridiculous and sounds wrong (though I am no insurance expert). I see you are in Georgia. Try contacting the insurance commissioner. The web site for complaints is http://www.oci.ga.gov/consumerservice/complaint.aspx I also wonder if the exclusion is for the Psych services, not the surgery itself? I also agree with appealing.

I would talk today (if possible) to the insurance person about timing. My kids are older now, but I remember all the planning for stuff around the kids school schedule. If you haven't already let them know how important the date is, it might be a good idea to do so. Also, write a letter and email it to the insurance company. Tell them about your journey and why you are seeking surgery. Tell them about the co-morbidities you do have and how it negatively affects your life. Tell them how you feel it is counter-productive to gain 6 pounds just to be approved. Honestly, I completely get that you don't want to gain weight. That being said, I could easily gain 6 lbs in a weekend! Lol.

@@BLERDgirl Thanks for the encouragement!

Good Luck. Your surgeon's office will probably have an insurance specialist. They are usually very helpful. Insurances commonly count from when you start the program, however, not all do- so you are wise to find out all the facts now.

Hang in there! This happens to me frequently. I will lose steadily and then gain a pound or two. With apologies to Star Wars, I've decided to rename my body: "The Fat Cells Strike Back!" Between Fluid shifts, hormones, fat cells, genetics, and everything else, I am just grateful that the scales do go down.

Hit 229. New decade! and the first time I have been this low since I got married in 1988!

@Kindle Your comments reminded me of something a Weight Watchers lecturer said quite a few years ago. This woman had lost 150 pounds. She said that when you hit a stall to change things up for 2 weeks. I have found that I lose weight consistently for a few weeks, then don't lose any for a few weeks and then start losing again. Changing things really helps. I also throw in an all liquids day every once in a while just to keep my body guessing and that helps too!

Good tips. I would add: 1) Remember that this is a Marathon not a Sprint. Keep working and the results will come with time. 2) Eat healthy foods you enjoy. Eating foods you don't like is a set-up for failure. I personally hope to never see cottage cheese again!

When I read the title of this thread I thought of myself and wondered if I was doing it wrong as I don't follow any "program." After reading all the posts I realize that I do! Protein/calories/fat/etc: I don't track any of it and think I would go nuts if I did. I had to do it pre-op and hated it. Made me feel like a "patient." However, I am aware of what I am eating. To me that is a real breakthrough. When I think about what I am eating I make much better choices. Protein first: Always No liquids with meals: Not a problem Exercise: Keep waiting to like it but don't yet... However, I do go to the gym at least twice a week and see a big difference! 64 oz water: I try but most days don't make it. Alcohol: I had my annual wine cooler during the Super Bowl and did fine!

Thanks for sharing. These types of things just drive me nuts. I personally have a problem having a psych evaluation for seeking help for a medical problem. Really? When someone has a heart problem and seeks help do they get referred for a psych eval? No, they get evaluated and treated. There are basic screening tools that the doctor can use and make referrals based on need, not just as a matter of course. That being said, my practice uses a psychologist that has a lot of knowledge in this area. So, my evaluation was pleasant and interesting. Was it worth the $178 I was charged? No, but that's ok.

@Whatabargain Congratulations! are you going through Lancaster General? That's who I went through. If you have any last minute questions, I can try to help.

@ Honestly, I wouldn't advise anyone to go crazy. Why? Because it reinforces helplessness in relation to food intake. In the 3 months before surgery, I had to journal everything I ate and I told the dietitian that I planned to take a day off every week to eat what I wanted. She said that was fine as long as I continued to write it down. I found that although I had pizza or Pasta or other high caloric foods once a week, knowing that I was journaling it helped me to eat a moderate amount. In the 3 months before the pre-op liquids I lost 22 pounds. My doctor just requires a week of liquids pre-op on which I lost another 5 pounds. It was great having that weight off before surgery.

I'm a big fan of Brooks. Not cheap but a great shoe.

We are the same age. At 4 weeks out, I felt pretty much back to normal. However, I have been lucky and had a very uneventful recovery. It sounds like the overseas dates are firm. If they can be moved out another month, that would not be a bad idea. I personally would not want to go overseas so soon after surgery, especially as you are just figuring out what you can and can't eat, how much, etc. This is not just a surgery and recovery period, it is a whole new lifestyle. Good luck in whatever decision you make!

I ate everything at the 5-6 week mark, though in small quantities. Protein needs to be the focus of course. But it was nice to taste other things also.

I love the title of this thread. Obviously, tummy tucks or other procedures are a personal decision. I loved how I looked before surgery, and I'm loving the positive changes in the mirror. I am so hoping that I don't "need" a procedure when all my excess is gone. The hospitals can save that IV and anesthesia for someone else, thank you. Bring on the Spanx!