songsmith

I had my core approval a week before Thanksgiving. I've been on an emotional high ever since. It's a terrific feeling! Congratulations! Crossing fingers and toes for your green light.

Oh, man. I did that my last low-carb phase (I'm still pre-op). It drove me nuts because our bodies naturally fluctuate weight just a little bit. Still did it, though! It's saner to weigh in once per week, but I definitely get the compulsion to weigh in every day.

Besides the obvious (jammies, robe, slippers even if they insist on nonslip socks, and toiletries) I plan to take my phone and my kindle.

My pre-op counselor referred me to an eating disorder therapist. I've been seeing her for about a month now, and I think she's helped a lot. I know I have food issues. I always--always--fail at exactly the same weight so I think something's going on there. This is major surgery and a lot of monetary outlay, so I want to do everything possible to ensure my success. Now, I said all that just to say heck yeah, I think you're smart for seeking counseling. Besides whatever personal food-related issues you may have, you will likely have other emotional issues to face because of the rapid changes in you're experiencing.

I know the feeling! I have 4 other flavors from them and am dreading the taste test. My daughter had no sympathy. She not only laughed every time I made a face, she pointed, too! Pointing while laughing just adds insult to injury. (Okay, she didn't point, but she did snicker at the faces I made.)

I hope to find someone with similar surgery date...if the doctor ever gives me my surgery date! (early February) I think it would be fun. I have overweight/obese friends, but no one who's had the surgery and weight issues are not something we ever discuss.

Congrats on your surgery date! You've already taken a huge step in improving your diet by cutting out the fast food. Does that include sodas? I have a huge sweet tooth, so I hear ya. I have found I lose far better on a low carb diet that cuts out all the simple sugars and starches (you know, the good stuff like processed sugar, white flour and rice--that stuff). I resort to Splenda (my sweetener of choice, but I'm sure you have one that works for you). It's not quite the same thing, but it helps. You'll also find once you've given up on the sugar for awhile that sweet things begin to taste too sweet. It helped me to track my food in one of the online food diaries because it allowed me to see just how many carbs/sugars/fats/proteins/calories I was eating. Read your labels. You'd be surprised by how many nonsweet food stuffs add hidden sugars. I had 6 mos. pre-diet. The first couple I concentrated on making healthier choices. I lost weight because I mostly got rid of the simple carbs. Last month I really knuckled under and began to track what I put into my mouth and did much, much better (9 pounds in one month). Don't tell the dietitian, but that was actually only 2 1/2 weeks of serious "dieting."

I sent you some links in a PM. There's also a forum for December sleevers (or is it WLS folk in general). You can find it if you scroll way down on the list of forums where it lists years. You'll find December there.

Jerky is on the approved list with my surgeon once patients hit solid food. I'm pre-op, so afraid I can't offer any advice on incorporating it into a post-op diet. More importantly, they make bacon jerky?!!!

Hi there! I'm also new and also finished up 6 months of dietitian visits. We only have one class to attend (mine is in December). The therapist told me I could attend any of their support group meetings prior to surgery, but there were no classes. I kind of wish there had been! I've found folk at BP to be extremely friendly and helpful. You must be super excited to get the show on the road after working up to it for six months! Keep us posted, and welcome. ETA: I missed the bit about monthly groups. There is a December/January group (and also a Facebook group for them). I don't have a link handy, but if you search you should find it.

The hoops weren't too bad. I just didn't want to wait that long! I needed to meet with the dietitian for six months before they would approve surgery. Last week was my final meeting. In hind sight, I wish I had used those months to really begin adjusting my eating and exercise routine, but I was at 43 BMI and worried I might lose too much and drop the BMI to an "acceptable" amount. It wasn't until the past few weeks that I really knuckled down. I have friends who had the surgery, and their insurance company only required 2 months of dietitian visits and a psych eval, so I call BCBS of TX's procedure "hoops." (It really wasn't that bad.)

Did your surgeon or dietitian provide you with a list of acceptable foods? Mine says 1-2 days post are Clear liquids (diet crystal light, diet popsicles. They also include sugar free Jello and broth). After that it's smooth yogurt (no fruit or granola), Greek yogurt, skim or 1% milk, nonfat milk powder, low-fat cream Soup (strained) unsweetened applesauce, thinned out cooked Cereal (I'm guessing they mean Cream o'Wheat--not sure how you could thin out oats enough). After the 1st week, they let you see if you can tolerate a soft cooked egg, non-fat refried Beans, low-fat cottage cheese. Anyway, I'd check with your dietitian.

I'm in Kansas but have BCBS of Texas. They cover after you jump through the hoops. Policies vary and (from what your rep said) from state-to-state. Would it cover if you went to a neighboring state (assuming that's possible for you)?

On the bright side, when I saw the topic title I was afraid someone's sleeve was leaking! I'm glad that's not the case. That to me would be the only "failure."

Am I understanding you want high protein and low carb? If that's the case Isopure whey protein isolate (unflavored) has 110 cal, 26g protein and 0 carbs per serving. You would need to add flavorings in it if you wanted a shake. This is what I used back in my weight lifting days and definitely will be using it now. I'm not sure if the company gives samples.

Awesome! That's great news. I hope I'm able to retain my cast iron stomach, too. I'd be sad if I had to give up my spicy food.

Thanks! As soon as you mentioned it I pictured what would happen if I blended half a cup of salsa or so! Pretty hard to use as a dip. Do you find spicy things upset you? Hmm, probably different from person to person.

The only one I've ever tried was Syntrax Nectar chocolate (truffle I think). It was pretty good. I don't think it has a strong chocolate flavor, though. If you use sugar free syrups, you might want to add a touch.

I'm pre-op, so have no idea, but would a salsa pureed to mask the bits work instead of the tomatoes? Or is the acid in tomatoes and the other salsa ingredients not likely to sit well?

You know, I meant to buy some while there last week and completely spaced it. I'll make my way back and get a small sample. Oh, wait. I'll wait till the class. Thanks for the head's up. (Better to sample for free and not spend money on something I may not like. Still need to try the remaining Unjury flavors. Just because I didn't like one doesn't mean I won't like the others.)

Yep. I'm a grup. I wish I'd had WLS years ago. I never thought my insurance would cover it, so didn't look too hard into things.

Yes, yes. I definitely would be the bitchy one. After 35 years, hubby knows when to keep quiet. (Also a joke--truth, but joke.) I love forums, but always worry something I say will be misconstrued because there's no way to gather visual cues or because (worse) my mind thinks faster than I type and I left out a crucial word or two. I'll be fine once I figure out the bus schedule.

Hmmm, I don't think you get my sense of humor. My husband has been super supportive; I was joking. As for the other, thanks for granting me the youth I lack. I have yet to grow up and I hope I never do!

We have 2 weeks liquid diet pre-op and then a certain period of liquid after, then pureed and finally solids with the sleeve. Supposedly I won't feel so hungry post-op, but my husband has considered renting a motel room for the two weeks' prior witchiness!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch, I meant that the taste is so nasty while I'm drinking it (during) that my taste buds are too stunned to notice if there's an after taste! I put my finger on it by the time I finished it. Have you ever been prescribed a strong penicillin type antibiotic that had a certain smell to it? That's what this stuff reminded me of! I'll still try the other sample flavors. You never know from one type to the next. Had to laugh, though. I had high hopes for unjury. (Seriously, do they realize how close their brand sounds to "injury"? Not the best association! ) Many moons ago when I was power lifting, I went through the Protein drink search, so I know to check them all out before I need to rely on them. YMMV definitely holds for taste preferences.