KristenLe

You're probably experiencing a normal "stall". Search for Embracing the Stall" for info.

This just made me cry...Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery! Prayers to your SO as well!

I haven't had surgery yet but this is one of the things I'm dreading. My Mom has alopecia and has worn a wig my entire life. I freak out at any sign of significant hair loss thinking that like my Mom's - it won't grow back. I lose enough hair with my thyroid issues. Oh well - like you all said - it's worth it to be a healthy weight!

There are sample letters to write to your insurance company on Obesity Action Coalition website. You could adjust it to make it more personal. I am not telling my Mom until close to the surgery but I am telling her. It's a major surgery and I don't feel right keeping it from her. Plus she lives 2 miles from me and there's no way I could avoid telling her. I think your Mom may surprise you - give her a chance! Good luck!

I tend to have a shopping issue (as in addiction lol) wearing 3x 26/28. I better start saving my pennies for when I actually look good in clothes. I'll need to cut up my credit cards.

Try seeing a psychologist or counselor with WLS experience. Check with your PCP and get a physical and lab work done (if you haven't already). Hope you are doing better soon!

I don't have a pre-op diet. Trust what they tell you.

I would assume that he's interpreting the 6 month weight loss program has to be "appraised and documented by physician requesting referral" as medically supervised. I would specifically question what appraised means to them.

My pre-op testing won't happen until after insurance authorization is received. I just found that out today too. I just hope it's not more than 4 weeks though.

Try and walk as much as possible to help with the gas pains! Glad you feel better - hope things keep improving!

I've read many people can't tolerate salad after surgery. I was told not to eat rice so I would avoid that anyway. Beef can be iffy for some. Eat slowly and chew alot!

Inspirational! :-)

It's disappointing to me that some surgeons don't have a Nutritionist available for patients. I can't imagine going through any of this without a good Nutritionist. If I were you I'd find a nutritionist familiar with Bariatric Surgery. Premiere Protein is a good shake to try (if your allowed shakes). They are high protein, low fat and low sugar.

A few possibilities... Hummus, cottage cheese, eggs, soft cheese, tuna, salmon, Greek yogurt, beans, creamy soup... Did you have a Nutritionist with your program? They should be a good resource. Concentrate on protein, watch for sugar/added sugar, and low carbs.

Best of luck!

Love roasted cauliflower with a little olive oil, salt & pepper and garlic.

Umm...no I don't imagine you would. My mask is not that elaborate.

You don't get physical hunger - but you still get head hunger (emotional hunger).

I know you only asked for males but ... I had to get a CPAP in January. It took about a month for me to get used to it. The first few weeks I lasted about 3-4 hours a night. The sleep technician said that was more than most people. I am more comfortable now and sleep on my side or sometimes on my stomach without a problem. I usually wear the mask until about 4:30am and for 5-6 or so hours now. They tell me that falls into the "compliance" area. They monitor mine electronically which can be a little Big Brother creepy at times. I went away for the weekend without the machine and got a text asking if I was having problems because I hadn't used the CPAP in 2 days. I only have mild sleep apnea and although it hasnt been the miracle cure of all my ailments as I think my PCP thought - I do sleep better. I'm not as tired all the time. It's important you use it consistently - sleep apnea is no joke. Good luck!

Thank you. I'm lucky that the program I go to has Surgeons, Nutritionists, Psychiatrist, Psychologist and Physiologist all part of the Team. I get everything all under the same roof - all with the same goal.

Just came from my first "therapy session" to help with emotional eating! As long as I have to wait 6 months for insurance to approve - I might as well get as many tools and resources I can to be successful! :-)

This is a good article about emotional hunger. Get your protein and water in! http://www.helpguide.org/articles/diet-weight-loss/emotional-eating.htm

Not all carbonated drinks are unhealthy and make you fat. There's sparkling Water for example. I believe the assumption (no research has been done to prove it) is that carbonation could stretch the sleeve. It also often causes significant pain and discomfort. I would not drink carbonated drinks just in case of the possibility of stretching your pouch. My point was that VSG is not a solution, it is a tool and without significant life style changes it will become ineffective over time. The vast majority of us did not get to this point in our lives drinking carbonated waters. I am pretty sure that a lot of us here were addicited to the main stream carbonated drinks such as Coke and their diet or zero offerings. Those products were created to be addicitive are a big part of our obesity cycle. Since I am not a soda drinker (diet or regular) - I looked at this from a different perspective. I managed to get morbidly obese without having a soda addiction - or a sugar addiction for that matter. So - they're not a big part of my obesity cycle. I think most of us realize that we can't go back to our old eating habits after surgery - and be successful - but not all of us have the same reasons we are obese. The OP asked why we can't drink fizzy drinks - they weren't suggesting they had a soda addiction and didn't want to make a lifestyle change after surgery. We read things differently depending on our own experiences and history.

@@cutefacechubbywaist I don't know why you would need to tell them unless you already had the surgery. Before you go that route though - I would be sure that your insurance plan accepts that and what exactly will they need to prove you've gone through 6 months of a supervised diet.