pammieanne

Wow, Congratulations, Girl!!! You are doing a marvelous job!! I can't wait to get my surgery date! You are an inspiration to me!

I haven't had my surgery yet. That said, I've seen and heard a lot about 'head' hunger... are you really hungry, or is your mind hungry? Also, I've seen people talk about remembering not to drink anything 30 min before, or after, you eat. You don't want to wash down the food you do put in your stomach, especially right now while it's all soft/liquid to begin with. Protein first. Veggies second. Fruit/bread/rice/sugar/etc last, or not at all at the beginning. Are you getting all the protein your doctor is recommending, and still squeezing in all the Water he wants as well? Ugh. I fear the 'head' hunger after my surgery... I have decided that taking up a new hobby might help get my mind off the food... just haven't figured out what that hobby will be ROFLMAO.

You can do this!! Drinking all that Water will help so much! I bet in the next 7-10 days you will hit your goal 15yos... sigh. I have a 14 and 16yo... I understand completely all the stress they can add... but don't let any of what's going on derail you from your Quest. It'll put you in better shape to kick your teens butt if they don't shape up

Your doctor should also have a list of shakes he suggests. The interesting thing with my Doctor is that he does not approve of so many of them yet his daughter in law that is also a bariatric surgeon in our town does! Mine is super picky... Bariatric Advantage, Chike, and New Direction (soups) are the only brands he wants me to use for the first 6 months... I drink Premier Protein now for Breakfast and I love it. My friend, who had the surgery with his daughter in law is allowed to drink Premier... I don't really understand his way of thinking on this topic. I have decided to follow his rules since I chose him as my doctor, but I look forward to the day of drinking Premier again after a few months of following his rules

Thank u luv, yes its funny because no one believes my age. Lol but it's ok I don't mind it at all... and those are one of my fav boots and also u would hv to wear 3 1/2 or 4. But I would deff let u rock them. Sent from my SGH-M919N using the BariatricPal App My big toe might be able to rock them! hahaha! I wear a 9! Thank u luv, yes its funny because no one believes my age. Lol but it's ok I don't mind it at all... and those are one of my fav boots and also u would hv to wear 3 1/2 or 4. But I would deff let u rock them. Sent from my SGH-M919N using the BariatricPal App My big toe might be able to rock them! hahaha! I wear a 9!

I'm sorry about your ex, Dibaby44. But I have to reiterate that marijuana is not physically addictive. He may have used it like he was an addict, and perhaps been mentally addicted. But it is not physically addictive like cigarettes, alcohol, or illegal drugs like meth, cocaine, or the such. There has also never been a reported incident of an overdose related death from marijuana use. It may affect someone's life in a negative way, and it does affect short term memory while you are smoking, however, those are supposedly reversible affects from the studies I've read. Anything used in excess can be harmful to ones life and their loved ones... and that part stinks for everyone involved. I'm not trying to be a huge proponent of smoking marijuana, but I've done a lot of research on marijuana use, and I know a lot of facts about it. I hate that people believe it's some kind of dangerous horrible drug. Personally, I believe the use of marijuana is much better an alcohol or cigarettes... and nowadays, particularly for medicinal use, there are far better ways to get the benefits rather than smoking it too. Autistic children are reaping benefits from the marijuana oils ingested in cookies/breads/etc. Now should a bariatric patient smoke after surgery? I have no idea. I do know my doctor is very adamant that smoking cigarettes can affect your stomach after surgery, so perhaps using the oils would be a better choice? And for the record, I don't partake in marijuana use. Why? Because it's illegal in the state I live in.

Gorgeous transformation, you look so much younger! (and I love your boots, can I have your boots?! LOL)

Wow, you look awesome! What a great accomplishment for you! I'm curious, would you mind sharing the cost for the surgeries you had last December? I am 50, so I know I'll need some help in this arena when I finally get to goal weight... figure I should start a piggy bank now for that! LOL

Oh no, that stinks! I have a friend with BCBS OK, and they were told, last year I believe, that WLS was not covered... but I would imagine there are several different plans, and if you have an approval from late December, I don't see how they can back out now! By the way, I live in OK too, just north of OKC proper... I'm having surgery soon, I hope, down in Norman (my friend is a bariatric nurse down there, so I chose that hospital). I think you're the first person I've seen on here from OK, so I just wanted to say hello!

I am pre-surgery, but I totally understand the 'head hunger' stuff... especially since I've been trying to be more aware of my eating style and habits... it's hard. I like the idea of a little therapy to help us through this, I also think that we have to get our heads around something other than food... exercise is not my biggest appeal for sure, so I'm thinking perhaps a new hobby... gardening, painting, drawing, writing... bicycling, photography.... I don't know, but Something that keeps my mind busy that's enjoyable. Maybe finding a new focus might help?

This is also what my NUT said was best for protein/sugar, etc for after surgery. I haven't tried it yet because I'm not a huge fan of yogurt, but I plan on getting some for my pureed phase. Adding a little Protein shake to thin it out sounds like a good idea!

Congratulations!!! I found out my paperwork was sent off to insurance last week... now it's a waiting game for them to do the final approval, and then I should hear from the Doc office to schedule my pre-op/ 10day diet plan... I can't stand this wait! LOL

So much depends on what your insurance covers to begin with. Do they cover WLS at all? What are their requirements, and what are you NOT meeting at this point? So sorry, I know that has to be so frustrating!

So I'm in the last stages of getting ready for this surgery, all requirements have been fulfilled, and I'm waiting for my doc to send everything to the insurance company (I hate to bug my support girl, so I'm waiting until Wednesday to call to see if it's been sent to insurance LOL) I work in an office. I have a sit/stand desk, so I can adjust my position throughout the day if I want/need to. I also have a pretty flexible position, so if I need to go lie down, or leave early I know that I can. I do administrative work, so there's no lifting, and we have an elevator to use. Bathroom isn't too far from my office, and my office isn't too far from the elevator. I'm really not wanting to take too much time off work. I work in the Energy industry, and it's been hard hit with reductions. I'd like to only take what I absolutely need to take... even if it means coming back on a PT basis. So, how long were you off from work? Do you think 10-14 days would be enough for a position like mine?

You are looking awesome! Great job!

I love it when people get creative with their meals! meatballs/eggs/cottage cheese! Yum! Now that I'm working again, Protein shakes are all I can manage... but on the weekends, I will cook something egg based. I haven't had surgery yet though, so I don't know what I'll like/tolerate afterwards

Thanks everyone I'm hoping to have my surgery midweek, then I could take off the rest of that week, and have the full next week, and perhaps go back part time the following week until I know I'm good with the change. I have about a 30 minute drive, and didn't even think about the pain meds. But honestly, I've had a hysterectomy recently lapryscopically, and was only on pain meds for a few days. I anticipate the same for this surgery. Of course, getting accustomed to the new diet will be a challenge as well. I just don't want to take 6 weeks off like a friend of mine had to. Of course, she's a bariatric nurse, so she's having to deal with us as patients and help to lift us, etc... that makes a huge difference.

I hope you're OK... what did the ER say? I'm pre-op, but leaks are something that scare me just a bit. Check in when you can

Well considering marijuana is not addictive, and pain medications are, if you're comfortable with it and don't fear the 'munchie' stage *grin*, then I think it might be a good natural alternative. I hadn't thought much about that, but it's probably not a good consideration for me since I have teenagers and it's still illegal here in OK This whole being 'good' because of the kids leaves me with a guilty conscience when I go astray If you do try it out, let us know how it helps!

Good luck tomorrow, how exciting!!!! I can't wait to read all about your journey

My insurance also required a BMI of 40 or over without any comorbidities. However, a sleep study is usually a pretty quick way to cover that, as most folks overweight have some form of sleep apnea. I already knew about the BMI requirements before I went to see my doctor, so I just made sure those last few pounds were 'in place' before I went. Of course, my doctor is a stickler for testing for sleep apnea, and I now have a CPAP, lovingly named Horton (Horton Hears a Who)... I'm hoping Horton and I are short term buddies until I lose some weight after the surgery

How Exciting! Keep up the great work!

I enjoyed reading what you've had to say. Hope you're doing well, and you come back and let us know how things are going! I'm still waiting on insurance approval, so I find myself reading all I can here!

That sounds perfect! I'm very excited about this journey, and am already loving this board Looking forward to having friends on the same timeline!

I'm finding myself doing something similar... keep thinking eat it now because soon you will not be eating this... I've just finished all of the insurance requirements, and they have up to 30 days to approve... then I meet with the surgeon and have my 10 day pre-op diet handed to me... I hope the insurance company doesn't take the whole 30 days because I don't need to keep this mindset where it is! Ugh. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one Thanks for posting this!