Ignatius

I'm noticing more and more nutritionists are also pursuing counseling education and licensures for the simple fact that most people know basically what they'd need to eat. They simply don't. I've seen a psychologist for a couple years due to a diagnosed binge eating compulsion. He helped me tremendously. I'm post-op now, but I still plan to see him every month or six weeks to help keep things in perspective. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats! I'm looking forward to my first thrift store run in hopefully two or three months. I'm two weeks post-op today. I'll still be in B&T sizes for a while, but hopefully I can find something. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@PorkChopExpress Best of luck with your move. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@sgc Congrats on entering the 200s. I'm interested to see the replies to your questions since I'll likely experience the same issues. When I got to my lowest weight of 240 (in 2008 at 24 yrs old) my veins did recede. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@PorkChopExpress I'm now a week in, and down 7.2 lb since the operation. I've had a surprisingly easy time getting in about 70-90 oz. of fluids daily, and I'm averaging about 85 grams of Protein a day (sometimes a little more). Although I do experience quite a bit of belching during and around mealtimes, even though I think I'm eating slowly and taking small sips. Perhaps not as slowly as I need to. I'm amazed I'm never, ever hungry. I'm sure I'll have mental cravings come up at some point, but, at present, eating seems like taking a shower or brushing your teeth--purely perfunctory. Being experienced in the kitchen has helped make the pureed phase more tolerable than some of my peers seem to find it. That said, I am looking forward to soft foods. Will keep everyone posted from time to time.

Hi, I had my operation Monday morning and have been back home since Thursday. Doing pretty well. No bad pain, haven't vomited or felt nauseated, walking a bit more every day. Still want a nap most days. It's quite an adjustment. I'm never hungry. During my scheduled meals I'm averaging 2 oz. of food down in about 25 minutes. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sleeved this morning @462.2 lb. I lost 25.4 lb. during my two-week pre-op diet. Operation went very well with no complications. Doctor found and fixed a small hernia, which I consider a win since I won't need a separate surgery...or experience the pain. I've been in my room since 2:30 this afternoon and am pleasantly surprised with how well the pain is being controlled. Off for my second walk. Thank you all for your incredible support and insight in this thread. It's been a Godsend. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

On day 10 of 14, and I've felt weak the last couple days. Part of this is probably due to overexerting myself this weekend as I helped my father with logsplitting. Lots of bending up and down and heavy lifting Saturday. (I do notice feeling a bit lightheaded on the diet while getting up quickly.) Anyone else experience similar syndromes? My stools have often been loose the last few days too. My pre-op diet allows lean Proteins and veggies, with limited fruit and nonfat Greek yogurt. Targeting 800-1000 calories daily. On most days I hit at least 100 grams of Protein.

@@BigViffer That's no good. My cat already thinks I'm a pushover.

@@defibvt Over the last few days I've gotten at least 80 oz. of Water, but maybe I should push for at least 100. That might be it. Thanks.

Does anyone know of any good thrift stores in or near the city? Particularly that have a decent number of men's clothes (casual and professional)? Trying to mitigate the clothes expenses as much as possible...

@@PorkChopExpress How are you adjusting to the new food and meal requirements (eating slowly over 20-30 minutes at fairly regemented times) now that you're back to work? (Maybe I missed that--are you back at work?) I'm nervous about that transition. You're probably consuming more Protein from meat than you realize. One ounce of meat averages 7 grams of protein. If you're eating 1.5 ounces a meal, that's 10 or 11 grams.

Glad to see you both are doing so well right out of the gate. I start my pre-op diet Monday. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

About 6 months, but maybe 4 or 5 if your insurance doesn't require 6 months of supervised weigh-ins. Just follow everything to a T and be proactive with things like psych eval, and tests the nurse practitioner orders, etc. Ask early if you'll need an upper endoscopy. That delayed me scheduling for about 3 weeks to a month. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@cyndi990 Think this will cover your questions. If you'd like to know more, send me a PM. The main reasons I chose Nagle and Northwestern: Insurance. My insurance provider requires the procedure to take place at an ASMBS Bariatric Center of Excellence. That narrows down the number of options in Chicago significantly (literally 12 surgeons in the city). Reputation. My PCP is affiliated with Northwestern and spoke of Nagle and Northwestern's program very highly. The same goes for my other doctor. After seeing the data of his success rate and attending the info session (at which Dr. Nagle was a presenter), I was very impressed. University affiliation. I wanted a program associated with a teaching hospital. Yes, it's a large system with less personal care, but it's also a well-oiled machine with great staff. NW is also a short bus ride from my office, so attending all the pre-op activities (of which there are many) was very convenient. Dr. Hungness is the only other doctor at NW who performs bariatric surgery. From the looks of it, his reputation is also sterling. There are a few on the board here who've used NW. I don't want to reveal their names as I'm not sure if they consider that private information. They're doing well post-op. For more on people who have used NW, check out this thread at thinnertimesforum.com: http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/topic/95018-northwestern-dr-alex-nagle-or-dr-eric-hungness-chicago-il/ The first step at NW is attending a free seminar, which will provide a lot of insight into the program. You can find times here: http://classes.nmh.org/listing/detail/E.Hungness+Weight+Loss+Surgery+Seminar

Welcome. I'm having my vertical sleeve gastrectomy through Northwestern by Dr. Nagle on Oct. 31. Let me know if you have any questions about the program.

@@goblue9280 Thanks for your input, and congrats on your progress! Your photos remind me of something I'm looking forward to: Pants that actually fit at my waist. I'm sick of wearing pants with crotches near my knees and the cuffs being destroyed in weeks P.S. - My wife is a Michigan alum.

I returned to work the next day with no issues, and I felt completely normal, minus being a bit tied, within a few hours. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Did any of you experience a strong Last Supper syndrome in between scheduling surgery and starting your pre-op diet? I'm trying to take this time to eat well, get plenty of exercise, etc. The mental cravings for junk food are particularly acute. How did you cope? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Dap73 I hope your daughter is OK. I'll keep you and her in my thoughts. Best of luck with your operation. We're all rooting for you.

Just a quick update. My upper endoscopy went fine, and I'm now scheduled for my sleeve on October 31. Can't wait. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Weight is pretty steady right now, which is fine. I'm scheduled for an upper endoscopy Sept. 20, which should *fingers crossed* be the last hurdle before scheduling. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just a quick update: My surgeon's office submitted for insurance approval today. The insurance specialist mentioned my provider takes up to three weeks to process. Hopefully mine will move through the bureaucracy quickly; either way, looking forward to starting the next chapter.

In a few weeks to a month my surgeon's office will begin submitting insurance paperwork. Curious if anyone has experience with Anthem in IL and anything I should be aware of? My PCP and therapist think it will be fairly painless due to my high BMI (currently around 70) and co-morbidities (hypertension, sleep apnea, and pre-diabetes). But after scouring through the forum, it rarely seems all that simple.