BLERDgirl

I have a pretty high BMI so I was also advised to keep calories low. At about 5 weeks I was probably around 400 - 600 calories, but I was hitting my protein and fluid goals. I was allowed a AM protein drink because I have always had a protein drink for breakfast. Even now at a bit over 6 mths I don't go much over 800 calories. The only thing I would worry about is the fact that your are eating lunch meat. They tend to be high in sodium. They are low in calories because they are mostly water.You could probably increase your protein by eating well cooked/moistened real meat instead. This would also help bump up your calories a bit.

I think just clean up the diet a bit. Focus just on protein and veg. Make sure to get in your water.

Sounds like they used surgical glue instead of stitches. They should dissolve at the same rate the the dissolvable stitches would have. I believe the goal to to lesson scarring. You can call your doctor to make sure. Do you have the name of these?

It can be as short as 3 mths. Mine was 4mths from the time I had my first appointment with the surgeon and I took a month off for family events. I attended a seminar at the end of April, Surgeon's appointment in May. Surgery in September. Over 40 BMI, no comorbities unless you count pre-diabetes. No pre-op diet.

It really depends on insurance & BMI. Typically over 40 BMI will qualify. Depending on your medical history you may or may not be required to undergo a medically supervised diet anywhere from 3 mths to a year before being approved. Having comorbs helps with the approval process.

I had a viviosmart but didn't like it. I gave it to my sister, I prefer my polar loop.

I'm 6 mths and can gulp Water no problem.

I eat oats but I make oatmeal from scratch. They have a bit of Protein and because I make them myself they aren't as bad nutritionally as the prepackaged stuff. I eat between 600-900 each day that is including my drinks also as I can have no added sugar and drink milkshake or plain milk food intake is between 400-600 daily My total food, drink, everything is never over 800. If you are moving onto food, you should decrease the amount of Protein Drinks you are using. Also we were advised to use lowfat or skim milk (I drink unsweetened almond milk) because of the high fat content. I'll try and upload the pages for the 3 - 4 food plan from my program in a few.

You should ask your surgeon to be sure. However I'm pretty sure that's really for the early post-op stages, maybe first 3 mths. It would depend on how soon post op you ill be flying. If it's still of concern, your doctor may recommend blood thinners for your trip.

@@Amy Batchelor - You could speak with your primary for follow up. Basically he would need to see you at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 mths, 6mths then 1 year to monitor your healing. You should have bloodwork checked at at 3 mths, 6 mths and then annually to make sure your levels are okay. This way you'll know if you need to add/subtract Vitamins and/or supplements. Just call or email your primary and make them aware that you will be having bariatric surgery. Your bariatric program in Mexico will likely provide you with a guideline to eating post-op to follow.

My doctor didn't have a program fee but the nutrition class was not covered by insurance. That was an additional $200. I also had a $400 copay per my insurance company. So my total out of pocket expense, not including copays was $600

Sounds like a head game to me. Part of relearning how to eat is learning how to eat the occasional indulgence without going overboard. I've had cake and chocolate plenty of times since being sleeved. The difference is I no longer eat ALL the cake and chocolate. Just a little, sometimes even just a bite is all I need. I plan for it in my food diary so I don't need to feel guilty about it.

I would ask about how many calories a day are recommended. I'm 6 mths and average 800 calories a day. At 3 -4 weeks I was getting in 400 - 600 calories a day. I don't expect to eat anywhere near 1,000 calories a day until at least a year out.

@@2bullymom - It happens. Instead of beating yourself up, use this as a learning experience. Next time make a plan for how you will eat through the holidays. It should be more than "I will not eat bad stuff". Plan what you will and will not allow yourself to eat. That includes allowing a treat or 2. I never use the term "cheating" because I dislike the negative connotation it has. I plan for the occasional treat and incorporate that into my eating. This way I don't feel deprived and don't have to worry about slipping back into old habits because I've allowed myself just enough leeway to still feel sated.

@@Sunny22 - I think it depends on your body type and how much you have to lose. I started with a really high BMI. I eat on average about 800 calories a day and workout 5 -6 days a week. I have been losing steadily. On looking around the forums I find that those starting in the 200's tend to lose a little slower and occasionally have stalls along the way. The less you have to lose, the more the body holds on to every calorie. FYI - I'm 51. I probably get in about 60 - 64 ounces of fluids a day, but I get about 80gms of Protein in regularly.

Do you monitor your sodium and/or use a food diary of any sort? One of the reasons why I switched to a whole food diet was because of swelling of my hands/feet but also getting sick from every medication used to treat it. It would trigger my vertigo condition.

I've never has it, but I would guess until whatever you ate is out of your system.

If you click on nutrition it will show you a pie chart that list your goals by percentages. For example my protein goal is set for 45%, but today I am hitting 35%. I mostly fill out my diary on the full site on my lap top and only use the app in case of emergencies when I am on the go.

Eggs & yogurt. I had just started purées.

It's not true that higher BMIs require preop diets. I had a really high BMI and didn't have one. Personally I think it's a matter of doctors preference. As for fluids/protein drinks, just do the best you can. It's perfectly normal to take a few days building up to your doctors requirements. I think it took at least a week before I was meeting my doctors requirements.

I stayed 2 nights (not sure whether that was the doctor's or insurance co's requirements) but I would have been fine going home after one night. If you have an uncomplicated surgery there is no reason not to go home. As for reimbursement with the insurance company, I'm not so sure on that. Especially since this is a surgery that requires a prior authorization. I could see them arguing that there was no prior authorization in place and then deny reimbursement.

Skin on your body or skin on your face? Honestly my skin looks better. I was always a makeup gal so I take good care of face, but the increased Water drinking and exercise has my skin positively glowing. On my body my skin looks better as well, but the best part is I just noticed that the stretch marks on my stomach are fading. I'm not sure if it because the skin is not as stretched or the use of the scarfade gel on my incisions.

A dermatologist might be a better choice for this, but since it's a side effect of surgery and the bariatric diet I wonder if it would work. I'd be happy to hear how it works for you.

This would be a question to ask your nutritionist. It may very well be okay, or they may want you to wait a few weeks post op.

I hit the 6 mth mark on 3/18. I intentionally avoid breads, pastas, white rice, etc... but otherwise I pretty much eat everything I ate before surgery only in smaller portions.