Daisee68

Ok, I know there was a topic very recently about this, but I cannot find it. I talked to my NUT today and we talked a little about Goal weight. I told her that in order to be in the "normal" BMI range, I had to be at 174 for my height which seemed a bit of a stretch right now but I would worry about it later. She said to me (and I thought this was so interesting that I wanted to share it) that they recommend a goal BMI of 27 instead of the 24.9 that is normal for women - BEFORE any plastics because of the loose skin. After plastics (with weight of loose skin removed), the BMI can be adjusted downwards but not to be so concerned about hitting the "normal" range if I had excessive loose skin. Makes a TON of sense to me and gives me a little hope since I am only about 50 pounds away from getting to that 27 BMI. Not saying that those of you who are striving to get lower are doing anything wrong, but just thought I would share in case it gave anyone else hope as they re-evaluated their "goal". Oh and she also said (and I feel like I have heard this before) that the weight can continue to come off up to 18 to 24 months post-op. Realizing that most of it came off in the first year but not to panic if it all wasn't off in the first 12 months.

@@Indieflickers - the dried fruit is high in carbs so you can't eat much of it, but my endocrinologist recommended dried apricots for the Fiber. I only have 2 pieces at a time when I do have it and then I try to have it with a little Protein at the same time.

Thanks @OKCPirate. To be honest, I am TERRIBLE with goals. (I have just been through 2016 budgeting at work and just do not understand that process either.) My thought is as long as I am following plan, then I will get where I get. I am trying not to get too hung up on a number, be it pounds or BMI. But I did think it was a bit encouraging to me as I often think the BMI chart is a bit off (which was the topic that was discussed in the last couple of weeks which I could not locate). Knowing that even my NUT agreed that being slightly higher than the BMI chart made me feel like I could get to a reasonable number and even though I would still be considered "overweight", I would have a good reason for being so - if that makes sense....

My NUT recommended KRAVE jerkey. They have beef, turkey, pork. I really like it. It is more tender than most so easy to eat. I like the Chili Lime beef jerkey and the Chili Garlic Beef Jerkey. Also, how about some dried fruit like dried apricots? Tuna pouch? Individual pouches of peanut or almond butter? (I recently found Barney's Butter Almond butter in individual packs that is only 1 Tbsp so a smaller serving than normal thus lower calories / carbs, etc.) Babybel cheeses? (I feel like these don't have to be refrigerated but not 100% positive on that.)

PS - I just checked out the new BariatricPal Store - http://Store.Bariatricpal.com - They have some great Protein bar options. Take a look. (I haven't bought any yet but looks like some great choices.)

@@Alex Brecher - I just checked out the store. There are some great options there! Really looking forward to giving some of these things a try!

My NUT recommends Quest bars (though that was before ingredient change I suppose). Lots of folks recommend these in that you get the best blend of nutrients. I like the chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and the Double Chocolate Chunk. My NUT also recommends OH Yeah Victory bars though I haven't tried those yet. I bought the Premier Protein ones and they are quite good but very high calorie, so I don't eat them very often or at least only eat them in 1/2 bar at a time when I do.

Umm I use that in my pool filter. I realize you said food grade, but that doesn't seem safe at all - especially if it kills bugs. Just sayin'....

This has happened to a lot of people. I don't find that it happened to me other than I have burned out on certain things. My favorite Protein drink is ready made Premier Protein - both the chocolate and the vanilla are very good! They are only 11 oz and contain 30 g of protein. HIGHLY recommend those. For powders, I use Precision Engineered Whey Protein Isolate (order it online). I think they are very good (both chocolate and vanilla). The vanilla smells wonderful (even per someone not a WLS patient at work that smelled it as I poured it in to my yogurt). I mix 1/2 scoop of vanilla with 1/2 container of greek yogurt. Or I also mix 1/2 scoop of the chocolate with chocolate sugar free fat free pudding snack. You will get lots of suggestions here. I was lucky that I landed on the above (recommended on this board) and loved them and never had to try different ones. Good luck with your search! Vitamin Shoppe sells some samples and BariatricPantry.com also sells samples. You might start with those.

I wore them before I lost (I am 5'10" and was not much different than you in weight). But I hade to go no higher than 3 1/2" and yet couldn't be too low (kitten heels were worse and made me feel very unstable!) I cannot wait for the opportunity to wear these soon. (I had a stress fracture in my right heel for the past 6 months so I haven't been allowed to wear heels for that reason.) I did wear some 4" wedges the other day and did feel much more comfortable than I have before. In fact, I wore them all day at work without ever having to slip them off under my desk. Of course, I don't walk much for my job so maybe that makes a difference. I am looking forward to buying high heel boots without wide calf for this winter!

I am 4 1/2 months out and I still haven't tried bread. My NUT told me today that I could try toasted wheat bread or wheat English muffin but to make sure it is well toasted otherwise it WILL get stuck. Not sure I would try it as early out as your dr allows but if you do, just be VERY careful. Tiny tiny bites and eat VERY slowly (like wait 1 1/2 to 2 minutes in between each bite).

I also make my own salsa and it is very easy! I eat a lot of it. Just had some for dinner with cheese and cucumbers. Can of whole tomatos 1/2 jalapeno (with seeds scraped out) 2 cloves garlic 1/2 onion 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp garlic salt 1 bunch cilantro (or I use dried cilantro and just dump some in - 1 to 2 tbsp. maybe) Salt & pepper to taste 1 tbsp. (or so) of lime juice Dump it all in a blender and liquefy. I don't like chunky salsa. I taste and add what I think it needs - usually a tad more salt and/or more lime juice and/or cilantro. The recipe actually also calls for 1 tsp of sugar but I haven't been using that since surgery. honestly it probably wouldn't be a problem since it is such a small amount; I just chose not to.

Following.... I have never been to Trader Joes. They are fairly new to our area, but I saw one today at lunch that was very near my office and definitely want to check it out. Anything chili lime sounds great to me, so I am definitely going to look for the cashews and chicken strips mentioned above.

Wow! That is THE best news you can get - your health! Let's face it we all like the smaller clothes but doctor's giving us compliments on our health and just knowing how we have changed our lives for the better go much much further! Congrat!

. I have been having horrible pain in my stomach, went to the er twice in a month and so far no answers. I am sorry you are in pain and they cannot find an answer. I can tell you that I never had that pain again; however, I did end up having a stricture which I often wonder if that pain was related to somehow. Have you talked to your surgeon? What other symptoms? What tests have they done?

@@Blueeyes66 - then you are definitely going to have to file an appeal and get copies of all the stuff they say they don't have from your doctor. The surgeon has to release those records to you. You will have to send that info with a letter filing the appeal. Annoying for sure. Your surgeon's office should be doing this but if they won't, you will have to. Sorry. Very frustrating.

Don't try 1/2 cup at only 11 days out. That Ricotta Bake is wonderful but it is very filling. Start with 1/3 cup max.

Mine didn't start until closer to 4 months out. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones but no you aren't too far out to worry about it. Sorry.

Sorry but there are WAY too many variables to answer that question. Are you going through insurance or self-pay? If insurance, which company (they all have different requirements). What part of the country do you live in? Which surgery? Do you have a surgeon selected? etc..... If this helps, I first saw my surgeon on Jan 26. I was covered under insurance (Cigna) which required a 3 month pre-op nutrition visits in addition to other things. On my first visit to the surgeon they said probably about 5 months but that was because it was earlier in the year. As you get closer to the end of the year, the surgeon's schedules are much busier as everyone is trying to get surgery in before the end of the year due to deductibles on their insurance. My surgery was June 4. I am in TX where we have A LOT of surgeons. There are some folks on here who have waited a year and some who have had surgery in as little as a month (obviously no insurance requirements or self-pay and in my opinion you cannot get mentally ready for this in only a month). hope that helps!

That should be enough. Have you actually received a denial letter? If so, then your doctor submitted incorrect or incomplete info. You may have to file an appeal documenting everything that is outlined in that letter IF they don't approve. Have you reviewed the details to the Cigna requirements? Do you know that your specific plan covers weight loss surgery? (I was told by them about half of their plans do and half don't.)

@@Dub - well said. And I completely agree on all points. Sad for those that are always looking for loopholes and truly believe therapy should be a much bigger part of this whole thing for everyone for true success.

Hmmm.... good question. I don't know about others, but my contact with my actual surgeon is fairly limited. It isn't that she isn't accessible if needed. It just that I have only spoken to her at follow-ups or when I had a complication (stricture). I use the rest of the team much more. In the beginning, most certainly I followed what my surgeon said I was allowed to have but by week 6, she released me to eat what I could tolerate (of course still on plan). So it has certainly changed as time has gone on. My NUT is my most powerful influence on my actual food choices. (My therapist is #1 for HOW to eat and handling the emotional part of eating.) I would say that this board follows closely as a second as I see ideas from others (both what they had success with and what they did not). But I suppose above all, the actual putting of the food in my mouth is all me! not sure if that actually answered the question or not but the best I could figure out how to respond....

@@2goldengirl - Wow! Gymnast and windsurfer! How cool! I a not that brave. I have had the A/C reduction also on my right shoulder (and bone spurs removed and capsule shift as shoulder was dislocating). Took 3 surgeries. Wrong dr the first 2 times obviously. I was 32 at the time and had pain in that shoulder since I was 19. Appeared to just be some sort of genetic thing because I was never a sports participator. Then about 5 years ago I had a rotator cuff tear on my left shoulder which had to be repaired. Again, no specific injury so they don't know what caused it other than the bone spurs which they removed / reduced. Good news is I mostly have no issues now. I have noticed with weights and certain machines I have to shift the way I do the movement to reduce the stress though. Glad you have sought help for it. That arthritis is tough! My rheumatologist gave me Voltaren Gel for random joint aches. It really helps. Best of luck on your search for the right resistance exercises!

Congrats! That is a HUGE hurdle and will come in very handy post-op when you have to do same. Best of luck on your surgery. You've got this!!

It gets better but it is part of the process to chew everything very well. And back to your other post, you shouldn't be chewing right now. Sorry but you have to let your stomach heal. You have to find someway of getting Protein. Have you tried adding Protein powder to your pudding that NUT allows? I use Precision Engineered whey Protein Isolate and even my non-WLS friends at work comment on how good it smells - especially the vanilla. I add the vanilla powder to yogurt (not sure if you can have that yet) and chocolate powder to my sugar free Chocolate pudding. You have to try some other brands and add stuff to them - PB2 cover a lot of flavor if you like Peanut Butter. Any of the Sugar Free Torani flavored syrups help a lot. Premier Protein ready shakes is like drinking chocolate milk. Try those if you haven't. And drink all of them from a cup with a lid so you are not smelling it. Keep trying.