jrmoseley

I am old enough to remember when bone broth was just called broth! Of course you made it with bones and veggies and herbs, based on what leftovers you had in the fridge and what produce was just past its prime. That being said, My son bought me a pressure cooker for Christmas, and it's amazing for making broth! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Two weeks. Two protein shakes, two snacks of SF jello or vegetables, and one Lean Cuisine type meal (with a calorie and protein requirement. ) Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

My son, in his senior year of high school, blew out his knee and had surgery to repair it. The pain was immense, and the doctors and nurses were puzzled when he didn't respond to normal amounts of pain meds. A few years later, he decided to grow a beard and it grew in bright red -- this slicing the mystery (most redheads need extra pain meds because they don't respond like non - gingers.) Moral of the story -- ask for better pain management. I hope you're feeling better soon! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Amazing! I'm glad you're enjoying your new lifestyle. Just think of how many healthy years you're adding to your life! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

I think Colleen is right. You won't feel like having people around you for the most part, and they won't keep you any longer than you need to be in, believe me. Kiss your man bye bye, and let the nurses take over from there! You will be in good hands, and you don't have to worry who sees you at your less - than - stellar self. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my gallbladder out two years ago after 15 years of knowing it would have to go someday. After an automobile accident, I had an xray tech tell me "Just an fyi--your gallbladder is full of stones." No symptoms until 15 years later, and then it was generalized discomfort and indigestion--I never did have a "gallbladder attack." Thank goodness!! It's possible, even a month out, that you're still coping with gas and general abdominal surgery discomfort. Both of my previous surgeries (the other being a hysterectomy) even though laparascopic, still took a long time before I was completely comfortable again. I think because the outside incisions heal so quickly, we expect the insides are completely healed, too. But it's just not so. Keep talking to your medical providers, but try not to worry too much. Anxiety can only make it worse.

I'm having bypass, with a hiatal hernia fix thrown in, and on the 19th, not the 18th as I said earlier. I'm simply horrible at trying to keep dates straight. A couple of you posted book titles. I've downloaded bunches of them during the last 2 years, and some I loved, some I hated. The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve was the first one I read, and I thought it did a good job of answering most of my practical questions, plus gave me a basis for really thinking through my decisions. Never Binge Again was interesting and made some very good points, but was a little simplistic. I definitely will use some of the techniques in that book, though. The Weight Loss Surgery Coping Companion drove me crazy and I couldn't make myself finish reading it. Plenty of really bad writing, with examples left incomplete, and lots of simplistic thinking (if it was as easy as asking yourself if you're really hungry, none of us would be obese.). The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients may be my post-surgery bible for a while. Also, Daily Inspirations for Weight Loss Surgery Patients is a nice little daily meditations book, and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery is a great starter cookbook for those of us who are foodies and afraid we'll never eat fine food again. I don't start my pre-op diet until the 5th, so I'm spending this last week or so eating all the farmer's market produce I can get my hands on. It just occurred to me last night as I was cleaning out one of my kitchen cupboards that I should put family on notice that I'm not going to host Thanksgiving this year. I don't think I'll miss doing so, either. It's time to pass the torch on to my adult children.

I'm so happy to hear so many say their hernia issues were successfully repaired. Honestly, that's the main reason I'm having WLS. I think I'd be too chicken otherwise. But my surgeon said fixing the hernia without WLS just doesn't work. I am having bypass, as that's what my surgeon has recommended. I hope you're able to make the decision that's right for you! Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

BTW, my pre surgical diet is a partial liquid diet. I have 2 protein drinks, 2 snacks of jello and vegetables and 1 lean cuisine type meal for each day. Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

Please add me to the list. I'm scheduled for 9/18. Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

Don't forget you are recovering from major surgery. When I had gall bladder surgery, it was 3 weeks before I could make it through the day without a nap. After my hysterectomy, it took months, and both were laparoscopic surgeries. We may not have stitches from our guggles to our zatches, but our bodies still need time to heal. I agree with the person above that said start out much lower and increase as your body tells you it's OK. Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

Do you live in a place where you could have the EGD done somewhere else? I had mine done at my regular clinic, because my surgery program is a 2 hour drive from me, and they just sent the results to my bariatric surgeon.

I finally got my date just this morning. I have surgery Sept 19. Although it's been over 2 years since I started working on this, it's only been since May that I started working with this program. Before, I was seeing a different doctor, and then had a period where my insurance didn't cover it at all. My biggest worry was that if we couldn't get it done before the end of the year again, what if insurance next year doesn't cover it? Someone else called it limbo, that period where you don't really know what and when. I've decided I really don't like limbo. I'm glad to be escaping limbo.

I really am curious now. I may have missed another related post and if that's the case, I'm sorry for proving dense. But why do you think "they're on the FDA's radar for the ingredients used."? I just went to the FDA website and searched DATEM, and the FDA says its a safe ingredient used as an emulsifier. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

It's been 3 weeks since I got insurance approval, and I'm still waiting for a date from my surgeons office. The program manager tells me it will probably be the last week of September or the first week of October. It’s just frustrating. I can't think of a single other medical procedure that is scheduled this way. My husband keeps muttering "best health care system in the world" under his breath. Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't get it. The problem with DATEM is that sometimes it's made with PHOs, but Premier doesn't use PHOs. So if they don't use PHOs, why the angst? Sent from my QTAIR7 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had soooooo hoped that I'd make it through this pre-surgical hoop-jumping without any major problems. But I called my insurance company today to make sure they'd gotten the pre-authorization and to see if they could give me an idea when they'd make a decision. Nope--they don't have any pre-auths on file for me. So I called the surgical team, and after being passed to 4 different people and leaving a message at the last desk, I got a call from someone who told me they couldn't send in my pre-authorization because I still had to be cleared by "the team." Who hasn't cleared me that needs to? I asked. Well, it looks like I still need more NUT sessions and another psych appt. So I very patiently explained that my insurance company had specifically said they wouldn't pay for any more NUT sessions, and the nutritionist had told me 2 weeks ago that she was going to send in the pre-auth. Oh, no, young clerk explains, the psych also has to sign off. But 2 1/2 weeks ago, she specifically told me she was not going to require that I come back in because I was done with the NUT and it seemed unnecessary to her for me to travel 2 hours just to "check in" with her one more time--I explained to the clerk. I had to go through it twice more before she seemed to understand that perhaps this was different from their usual process, because the insurance company standards were different. I assured her that I have no problem with making more appointments, but I need to know that A) they are necessary, and B.) my insurance company will pay for them. She said she'll check with the psychiatrist and get back to me. So I know it's not the end of the world. But I had really hoped that if there was going to be some incompetence to be overcome along the way, it would come from the insurance company and not my surgeon's office. OK, venting done. I feel better now.

reallyrosy--we all need a kick in the behind now and then! I hope you have a productive talk with your therapist. It is hard when we feel like we're "stuck." It's kinda like weight loss stalls, because it's so painful when you're going through it and it feels like it will never end, but as long as you don't give up trying you will someday be able to look back on it as a tough time that you got through. Hang in there.

reallyrosy--please don't hate yourself. It only reinforces the downward spiral. One of the things I try to do whenever I find myself spiralling is to try to think of how I'd react if I were a good friend. If I were in a support group with a woman who feels the way I do right now, how would I feel about her-what advice would I give her?? We are so often very harsh with ourselves when we would never be that harsh with someone else. I think you're right--fear is a very powerful motivator, and body image issues are very, very difficult to overcome. And we work so hard at it. Sometimes we get tired and give up, or we rely on poor advice and get sidetracked, or we fall into old habits and become complacent. But when we realize that we're not on track, it doesn't help to hate ourselves for losing our way. Be kind to yourself, forgive yourself, and nurture yourself into the strength to fight again. It's what you would do for a friend.

I'm in the same spot as Keenikwe. I've been approved by insurance, but am waiting for the surgeon's assistant to review my file and set a surgery date. I do have to say that this is one area where it sounds like most of the programs could do a better job--that is communicating expectations and timelines. The number of people who get halfway through what they believe to be their requirements, only to have those requirements shift and change is just unacceptable (I realize that this one is usually a problem with insurance companies, not usually the programs). And waiting for someone in an office to shift a file from one desk to another without giving a patient any estimate for how long that usually takes is just impolite. My business requires that I plan out 3 months in advance, but right now I'm leaving my team hanging for the next 8 (or maybe 10, or maybe 12-who knows??) weeks because no one is even willing to give me an estimate on whether I should expect surgery in late August, early September, or maybe not until October. Can you tell I'm frustrated?

sending prayers for a speedy recovery, Carol. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

I hope you're already bouncing back! Speedy recovery, and best wishes! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

Any updates, anyone? I'm pre-surgical, and wonder about this topic myself. I'm post-menopausal, having had a complete hysterectomy at 42, but I've had long bouts of depression in the past. The last 4-5 years I have had seasonal depression in the winter, but living in Wisconsin makes that almost normal. I tried anti-depressants the first couple of years, then went with increasing vitamin D and using therapy lights with some success the last few years. But I worry that having WLS in September will make this winter truly miserable.

It's so good that they were able to do that for you! At least with the whirlwind of activity, you won't have time to get too nervous! Good luck, and a speedy recovery.

I'm still pre - op, but I feel for you. I hope your surgeon has been able to give you some good medical advice. My husband had a major spinal infection a few years ago, and he still goes through bouts of "sluggish" intestinal functioning. It may take a while after an infection for your system to return to normal. Keep to your priorities -- getting enough water will be particularly important -- and I think you'll see improvement. I hope so! Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app