2goldengirl

The whole hair loss issue puzzles me. I've cared for postop patients for more than 30 years, including folks on long-term tube feeding for various reasons. And they didn't experience hair loss (save for the folks getting chemo) So hair loss can't be because of the stress of surgery - lots of surgeries are much more stressful for the body, but don't lead to hair loss. It can't be the Protein - even for folks who have trouble getting it in for the first week or two. I'm baffled.

Fantastic achievements! Keep on keepin' on!

I haven't thought about postop, but I do know I'm going to have a mani, pedi, and massage preop. Maybe a facial. No polish, just pampering. I never wear polish in the winter.

@@Kathy Coop, as a clinician, the term "addiction" is very specific and means (among other things) that the addict's functioning in life is impaired by their dependence. Addiction is a harmful dependence. It gets in the way of work, relationships, and life in general. While it's true that some people take healthy eating and exercise to extremes (e.g., that gets in the way of living other areas of their life), swapping an unhealthy relationship with food for healthier habits is not addiction. That's the basis for my comment.

I think lots of people find that things that formerly appealed to them, or that they didn't have trouble with, can cause issues after surgery. From what I've gathered, it's very, very individual. You'll just have to wait and see. My RD said to try only one "new" food at a time once I'm solids, just like a baby. Something doesn't work today, fine, put it aside for a few weeks, then try again.

I would not agree to the "every single person...ends up getting another addiction". Just because "never" and "always" are words to be wary of.

I have a Tanita body fat monitor It saves profiles (height, age, gender) for up to four people. I get my weight and a body fat percentage based on electrical impedance. I weigh first thing in the morning, and the body fat percentage isn't the most accurate at that time of day, but it's very good at telling me Water gains and losses, which is great. If I get on and my weight is up, but body fat is down, that's water. I've had it for about ten years. it consistently weighs 2-3 lbs. heavier than my doctor's offices (any of them) I'm totally fine with that. I think I spent about $80 on it and it's certainly more than paid for itself. They're less expensive now, and with more features.

That certainly could be it. Up the fluids, add some salt to some broth and get that in. Dehydration will also make you nauseous.

Homemade all the way. We make big pots of stock whenever the bag of stock makings in the freezer gets full, and we pressure can it. There are about 10 quarts in the pantry right now.

I've used Isopure Vanilla in coffee - I mix it in the cup with a bit of milk or Water first. Premier Protein ready to drink also works. If you throw a shot of chocolate PP and one of vanilla, you get a mocha. So "real" protein feels heavy. What have you tried? you might try fish, or shrimp, for something lighter. And don't forget to chew, chew, chew! I just had a snack of yogurt with unflavored protein powder mixed in. I didn't use a whole scoop, and you don't have to, either. You'd be amazed how many grams of protein you can sneak in this way. Milk. Fairlife milk has twice the protein and half the carbs of other milks, and no lactose. If the texture of protein shakes puts you off, thin them with this. If you add a half-scoop of protein powder to a glass of Fairlife, you get nearly 30 gm of protein in your glass of milk. Protein really helps curb hunger. What it won't do is keep you from reaching for your slider foods. That's a head game - why do you feel the need to sabotage yourself after you went through the work of getting the surgery? That isn't a question we need to know the answer to - but YOU do.

OK, that explains the "no medical group" bit, you aren't tied to one with PPO, only H M O. Do you have records from the 6 months you did with the phentermine clinic? Because that should satisfy the 6 month requirement right there. I wonder if your FSA won't also cover Mexico? A lot of us got into obssityland from not dealing well with frustration, and/or from wanting instant gratification. Keep aware of this part of your thinking as you proceed. And please don't hate your body, no matter what size it is. It carried and birthed your daughter and has carried through your entire life. It, and you, deserve more respect than that.

Firt, I am presuming you have an H M O plan. Look on your insurance card; your PCP's name and medical group's name should be on there. I can understand why you'd be tempted to go to Mexico and do this on your own timeframe, it's a purely personal decision. I'd rather same any $ I might have spent doing that because I will more than likely want plastic surgery in a couple years. Approval isn't a mystery. If you meet the criteria, you get approved. It really IS as simple as that. So. Have you participated, really done the job, for six months in the past two years? Do you have a BMI 40 or above? If your BMI is < 40, do you have any comorbidities?

I'm so sorry for your loss. Of course you can start over at 62. There are folks here who had their surgeries later than that. I'm over 60, and I'm preop. You've had your surgery and have healed from it, so you're ahead of the game. Starting out by revisiting the rules is a terrific idea and a great place to start. Congratulations on getting to this point in recovery from your loss. Now it's time to take care of yourself and the investment in your health you made when you had your surgery. There are lots of friendly cheerleaders here!

It isn't Anthem so much as your medical group or IPA. They're the ones who actually review and approve your surgery. I would say (I do this as part of my job) that no, receipts from WW aren't sufficient, but copies of your weekly book show you consistently showed up for meetings. Additionally, if during that time you met with your PCP and discussed your weight loss efforts, that also helps. The goal here is to show that you've made an honest effort and show consistency in adhering to a weight loss program for more than a month or so at a time - because that 's what you need to be successful with the surgery. I would call your IPA or Medical Group and ask to speak with the person who reviews bariatric surgery requests. Talk with them directly and you'll get the best answer. People who answer 800 numbers have to answer every question under the sun and they aren't part of the review process.

Fasting phase? The only fasting I've had to do is for labs, for my upper GI X-ray, and for my endoscopy = and of course nothing after midnight day of surgery.

Awesome work! Do you feel as good as you look?

You've lost 25 lbs in a bit more than a month. That's fantastic progress! Getting in motion is always a good idea. Keep on keeping on, you'll be fine!

Honestly, don't waste your money. Skin "firmness" is a factor of what is under the skin, not on top of it. Collagen, elastin, hydration, genetics - all are internal, not external. The molecules of anything you put on top can only be absorbed into the surface, not by the layers underneath. Keeping skin hydrated and exfoliated makes the surface look better, but whether or not it sags is due to factors far beyond the influence of cosmetics.

Target carries online and in stores a second-label line from Spanx called Assets by Sara Blakeley. More reasonably prices and just as workable. I loathe shapewear. I think I will have to get used to some going forward. Preop I ony use it when I have to, usually under a special-occasion dress.

This is especially true in December and January, also around things like school breaks. December is when people want to squeeze things in before they get new deductibles Jan. 1, and people who have changed carriers effective Jan. 1 are trying to squeeze things in as well. I had to wait nearly a month to see the GI to get my EGD, fortunately she was fantastic and I left her office with a date for my EGD less than 10 days later. As a bonus, I know who will do my colonoscopy next year.

Actually, in CA, it's the law that criteria on which medical decisions are based must be available on request to providers, health plan members, AND the general public. Most CA H M O plans have their medical policies online available without a password. It's the easiest and most cost-effective way for them to comply with the law. Anybody at an 800# who doesn't know that is pitifully misinformed. Try it. Google "Blue Shield of CA Medical Policy bariatric surgery" And for heaven's sake, STOP talking to people who answer 800 numbers. They are not allowed to think. Ask, politely, to speak with a supervisor. Then when you get one, ask why the answers you are getting on the phone from their member services folks are not consistent with their policy. And while I'm foaming at the mouth over this, the three-month timeframe is in no way a requirement, that's why the policy says "suggested". I once wrote health plan policies and I can tell you that if it was a requirement, it would jolly well say "required". Many people start and stop the process once or twice before they really are ready. Some, like me, don't need extra time for education in the changes my surgery will mean, thankyouverymuch. Blue Shield wrote this to give control to the surgeons. Unfortunately, they did rather too handy a job of it and everyone is flummoxed over it.

I would keep one garment, a lot of folks choose a pair of pants or jeans, that fit you at your heaviest. Keep those as a yardstick for the days when you feel you haven't made progress (we all have them). Then when you're at goal you can take photos of you fitting into one leg.

@@swizzle, the new policy is for Blue Shield of CA H M O - I don't know what the policy is for Illinios. I've been very specific about California and H M O product ONLY. This is the link for BCBS Illinois: http://www.medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/activePolicyPage?lid=ia2d1toe&corpEntCd=IL1 There isn't even a "suggestion" for three months. Always, always, always, read the policy. Know what it says. Hold your providers accountable for following it.

FWIW, I'm lactose intolerant and I can use Isopure powders and Premier Protein shakes without any problem.

Your surgeon deserves a trip out to the woodshed for talking to you that way. You can help us help you if you can tell us what guidelines you were given for your intake at this stage - how much Protein, Fluid, calories, etc. Were you given a calorie guideline? Any information helps. I agree totally with the weighing and measuring, and including in your journal how foods are prepared.