LisaMergs

Don't get me wrong- I use- and count- and was given the "ok" by her- Quest Bars. In fact, they're the only ones I will touch. My OP was simply about the comment she made- not that it was, in fact, valid. But she's my NUT and in being so, I follow her guidelines. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I hear you! It's been a long process for you. Your insurance approved it if I remember? At this point they need to give you a DATE! Lol. When I received my approval, I immediately scheduled my EGD and my surgery at the same time- two weeks apart. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What ever happened with this? Did he give you the "go ahead" for a sleeve? Just saying, bypass ain't that bad Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I can't speak to your surgery as I'm bypass BUT the "only" carbs I really get are from fruit- blueberries, strawberries, peaches and cantaloupe. Pretty much the only ones I can tolerate. On the other hand- and this is just ME- I can tolerate some pretzels and a particular brand of popcorn. I say just me because I don't have a problem eating just a handful and stopping. This occurs once or twice a week. I find that if my scale isn't moving, eating those two items kicks it into gear. Again- this is just me. As a bypass patient I'm constantly on the lookout for anything that can trigger a dumping episode. At just over 5 months out, I have yet to experience it. And I would prefer to keep it that way! Lol. All this may not be what you were looking for, but it boils down to this- you need protein (obviously) first, vitamins, water, and then after that, if there is room, add the carbs. Just be sure that your body can process them, they enhance your nutrition, and don't cause a stall. Also, fruits, especially berries, provide nutritional elements you simply can't supplement. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What she said^^ except I only have 20 years married under my belt. You made the decision to have this surgery for many reasons- reexamine them and see how he fits into the equation. The ONLY person you should be having this surgery is for yourself, and that CAN tie others into it- don't get me wrong. For some, it is to be healthy and active to be around to see grandchildren. Others, to play a more active role in relationships, but ultimately, it is for yourself. Having the support of the person you are closest to is so important in even the most basic ways- holding your hand as they wheel you down the hall to the operating room, spending the night in the hospital sleeping in the chair next to you, helping you move around and getting you things when you first get home. After, like Sparly said, the hormones after- whoa!!! Lol. Like a tidal wave! I found myself bouncing between joy, being easily angered, and (this was nice!) a surge of libido! It evens out, but knowing it can happen ahead of time and being supportive and recognizing it is paramount to getting through those days/weeks. On both your parts. If your surgery is soon, I implore you not to make any more life-altering decisions right now. If they NEED to be made, put the surgery off a few weeks. You need a clear, peaceful mind sweetie. Good luck Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh sweetie! That's not being nosy, it's a very valid pre op question. You will have tons of responses but for me this- - I can walk. And walk a lot! - I can touch my toes and cross my legs and reach around my back to fasten my bra - I am no longer tied to the "living to eat" modality, rather I eat to live. This is key, because more often than not, I don't experience hunger and I need to remind myself to eat - I can tour college campuses with my children and this one is huge because last year with my son I could not and it really became a focus for me during this process. There is nothing worse than taking your child to see colleges and sitting around waiting while they are touring. - my chronic conditions have literally disappeared, including my rheumatoid arthritis - the disease which got me to obese to begin with -I FEEL GREAT! And have more self confidence than I've experienced in years - I'm much more social than I've been in years -I can "keep up" with anyone!! - I can shop off the rack anywhere now There are so many more, we call them NSV's- non surgical victories- things that you don't realize -or that you were missing it- until after it happens and the light bulb goes off. Good luck! Lisa HW 283 SW 272 CW 180 Surgery RNY 3/23/2016 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Kielbasa or that other one he is fond of cooking up? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So last night was "Meet the Teacher" night at my youngest two kids High school. Hubby was out of town, so I was splitting up their schedules and doing double duty. First of all- I'm wiped out this am lol. Their school is huge and spread out- and I was running between classes to get to each teacher like a bat out of hell. The NSV's- 1)I did it! Easily!!! From one end of campus to the other, up and down flights of stairs, happily moving through the throngs of people and not ever needing a "rest break" due to pain or inability to walk that much; 2)I ran across tons of people I haven't seen since I began my journey and as I'm waving hello to them, I get a blank look- and then I realized they didn't recognize me!!! Love it!!! Even sick, I was very involved in my community so believe me, there were TONS of people I know that this occurred with last night. Most, upon realizing it was me, were shocked and pleased for me, and it was, plain and simply, exciting and motivating. The downside, I have a cousin I grew up with and live close to- two of our kids are the same age and go to school together. To this day she has not said one word to me about my transformation- nor do I now expect her to. We sat next to each other in a class last night and as one mom friend was congratulating me and gushing over my loss, my cousin just sat there and said zilch. Jealously? Perhaps. But at this moment in time I have decided ***k it- leopards,spots you know? Finally- all that extra running and chasing for 3 hours last night on top my regular workout? scale dropped 2 lbs this am! Love love love my new life!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Maybe your cousin is upset that you don't need her in that way anymore and is unsure of the relationship between you two? If we were talking about my grandmother I KNOW that would be the case. I've 35 first cousins, and I had parents who loved and cared for me and put me first. Unless you needed her, my grandmother had no use for you. Unfortunately, most of my fathers 8 siblings were alcoholics or emotionally stifled by my grandmother and their children needed the help said woman could -and did- give them. This cousin was actually taken in and raised by her. We spent our lives living either up and down or next door to each other. Only a year apart in age, we didn't even LIKE one another until we entered high school and were able to spend time together away from her. I laugh now, but recall when my cousin graduated college and my grandmother made a HUGE ordeal out of her being the "first" grandchild to graduate. Stunned sitting there, I remember standing up and saying loudly across the room "Geez, I didn't realize the Bachelors I just received last year from Northwestern F****** University didn't count-I wouldn't have spent all that time and money there" and walked out of the party. Oh the baggage we carry lol. May as well finish- Said grandmother as she aged became very nice to me in my late 20's and my joke was that Grandma was going senile- she forgot to be a witch to me. Oddly- maybe not so much- at her funeral I stood there and cried so hard. Maybe because I was newly pregnant with my second child, but more likely because I was grieving for the relationship she robbed me of. Ok. All done. That felt good. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all for discussing the puffy pubic area. Good to know it can be stretched back tight! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App And as an aside- why is it men don't worry about these things?. Lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, I'm no where near ready for plastics- I'm at 180 and have 40 to go BUT I went ahead and made an appointment for a consultation on Oct. 5 today. The point is to get an idea of cost so I can begin to plan for it now. By the time I'm ready for plastics I'll have 2 in college and the 3rd heading in- so planning is crucial!!! I love this plastics guy, and hopefully will be able to use him. He worked on my mom after her mastectomy and also did my good friend who did elective mastectomy and hysterectomy. While working on my froend he did her tummy tuck as well. Seriously no sign of a scar at all! And the breast implants are amazing on her- so fingers crossed! His office is 100% self pay now - ugh. No insurance accepted even if it were a covered service. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Dub Meet @@LipstickLady The Cottage cheese Haters Club inaugural members. And I'm not mentioning tuna.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As long as you have some kind of support system in place, who you choose to tell and when is of no consequence. For me- I live in an area where everyone is in every bodies business and the (mostly) women have nothing to do but gossip. Seriously, it is that bad. For a medium suburb of Chicago, you'd think we lived in a one-stop sign town. I personally did not want to be the subject of conversation at the coffee shop or Trader Joe's, and while I KNOW I'm not that important in others lives, I certainly would have been. This has been a very personal experience for me, and answering questions constantly would have been a PIA. I even waited until approval to tell my husband and mom. The only one who knew that I was going through the pre op stuff was my sister. My family has been very supportive, worried about the actual procedure like any would be, but even with them, I have to say "knock off all the 'how much you've lost' " conversations and just let me be me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

However you weigh, be consistent- meaning time of day, what you're wearing ( or not wearing!) and on the same scale. My three cents worth. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mmmm- it would be unfair of me to not mention said cousin has always been ubër helpful when it came to my illness over the last nine years, not only as a friend/family member, but she also is a big Whig at the local hospital system ( she's actually in charge of all the docs!) and any time I needed to get in to see a specialist or needed a referral, she made it happen. I forgive her transgressions Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Kinda busted huh? Lol. More over weight than obese, I would say. But she could easily be within normal range and still act the same. Omg she SO takes after our grandmother!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes this! For me- the same over the last 9 years. Now, 90 lbs down (40 to go!) I take every opportunity to get in pictures and to take pics with my kids- ad naseum. Too bad! I want them to have pics to remember me by, not wonder where I was in them after I'm gone!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm literally sitting here drinking the coconut mixed with SF pineapple nice right now lol. Awesome! Talk about finding it easier to get my Protein in!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, the GOOD NEWS is that BCBS typically approves the day after they receive the file. As long as your team submitted- and all requirements were met-you should be cleared right away! Find out when they sent over the info, wait two days and call the ins company. You mast be pleasantly surprised! Then, if they approved you, call your team and tell them. Usually the wait comes on their end anticipating a physical confirmation in the mail. One call from the ins coordinator to BCBS and you should be good to go!! (Note- this was my experience as well as a few others on here I know of and I can't promise the same results. Just want to give you the info I have. Call and follow up!!!) Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just got a push notification from Starbucks that PSL is here. Lol. Great timing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm sitting here, reading back through this thread, and worrying about my youngest child, a son. He is only 15 and quite frankly I don't think he has even begun true puberty yet. ( No voice change, no armpit hair, you guys know what I mean). He is built completely differently from his brother and sister, both tall, lithe, in great shape. This child has always been the most active, but over the last two years, without getting much taller yet (5'4" compared to his brother who was 6' at this point), he has certainly become stockier. Definitely "chubby". I have a younger brother who has been obese since he was 9. At 40 he weighs well over 400 lbs. and is only 5'6". I FEAR DAILY that Patrick is taking after his uncle- the difference being I don't allow for the constant junk my brother was allowed to consume while he remained sedentary his whole life. But the genetics are there- and my biggest fear is that he will have to deal with this during his lifetime. I was never overweight until I became sick, immobile from pain and on huge doses of steroids for 9 years, but I had to work at keeping myself trim and fit before that- I recall the summer before my first year of high school while working at an ice cream parlor my mom saying to me "you better not eat too much of that ice cream or they will be singing roll Out the barrel to you when you start school." I weighed all of 108 lbs at that time. Parents comments on their children's weight have huge consequences. They must choose their words carefully. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We have tried Medicaid and she was approved starting this month, but they will not pay any past medical bills. So sorry for your difficulties. Praying for you. As for the bills- file bankruptcy. See an attorney and get a fresh start. Too many others do it " just because". To me, it seems like it would make a world of difference in your lives and you are who it was designed for- a tool to help you make a new go at it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Any way you can start carrying the Protein2O ready to drink? Tons of people can't find in their local stores. Their toll free number is 855-290-7820 I was just at their offices - turns out they are near me- and what a wonderful company!!! Very committed to producing a good- tasting, pure, low cal drink. May be worth a phone call? I think the people here would benefit from the addition of a Protein drink that is lighter than a shake and who have a hard time locating it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Strange, I can't stand that stuff, but I'm the odd man out who likes Isopure. Well there is a butt for every seat I guess. I just found out today that they reformulated and rebranded it. Taste profile completely different - may want to give it another go. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Any spice store has wonderful spice "blends". There is a Thai coconut one I adore- as well as pesto blends, etc. All can be added to cottage cheese to give it a little zip- tiny amounts (scant) work, and as you transition to other foods, like chicken, you can continue using them to create different recipes. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App