Ready4theday

I'm Aug. 24th, too!! You're the only other GB I've seen with the same date! Best of luck to us!! This liquid diet has been a b****!!

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You look great!! I hope my stomach looks that good (again) someday! I'm also curious what you used on your scars, if you're willing to share.

Oh I hope you can start to get more of your shakes down today! My surgeon reccomends using the protein powder (vs. pre-made shakes) so you can contol the amount of liquid added. That way, you can get the protein you need even if it's really concentrated (due to less liquid). My surgery is Aug. 24th and I'm having R-n-Y GB. The protein is so important because it's what helps you heal - it provides the nutrients you need for tissues, skin, nails and hair. Biotin is also a huge help!

Congrats! So glad to hear your surgery went well. And if you decide to use marijuana - or any other substance - that's entirely your choice. I was sad to see that a few of the responses were, um... less than supportive. To offer one educated opinion - it's no big deal at all and seriously doubt it would have affected your surgery in any way. Your body, your life. Hope all continues to go well for you. How are you doing, btw?

I'm with you. It's a relatively trivial (and vain) thing to worry about, but loose skin was the #1 reason I wouldn't even consider WLS for the past few years. I finally realized that my health was just more important and I'll deal with it the best I can if/when it happens. I work in healthcare and know quite a few people who have gone through this surgery. Some look great! Others look like they're melting with all the saggy skin. But the ones who haven't had issues all say they made sure to get their protein in. I keep hearing that the #1 cause of saggy skin is lack of protein. Even the nurses at the bariatric center for excellence (where I'm a patient) who have had WLS told us the same thing in our pre-op class: protein, protein, PROTEIN! They say the #2 priority is hydration, #3 exercise. While I realize everyone will be different, I'm planning on taking their advice. I just hope I'll be able to get in the protein I need to post-op! How's that going for you so far?

Wooow! What a difference! Thank you for sharing - that's so brave of you. It's really cool to see how that process works. It sounds like the recovery will be tough - even more so than the WLS! Hang in there!

I haven't had any trouble sleeping. If anything, I'm more tired than ever. I can take ibuprofen for one more day, then it's Tylenol only (since I'll be 7 days pre-op). It's just that I rarely get headaches and am not used to taking pain meds so regularly.

Ok, I'm getting down to the wire for my final nutrition appt (July 31st) when I'll be weighed. This is my last requirement before my surgeon's office can send everything to insurance for approval. I still need to lose 8 lbs! Does anyone have any advice? I've been doing well, but just in the last day if my vacation, where I have not been as diligent about diet and exercise as I'd hoped. I've put on a few pounds instead if losing the last 5 I needed to! I have until Monday to drop the weight. I'm willing to do ANYTHING at all - including not eating for the next 4 days, if that's what I need to do (although I doubt that would be the most effective method). Any advice? I'd appreciate any help! Thanks!

Thanks! Actually, I did 4 days of a 5-day cleanse. I used Enzymatic Therapy Triple-Action Cleansing Formula, which I bought at EarthFare. I also used Oxy-powder, but only took half the recommended amount (2 capsules vs 4).

So sorry to hear you're having so much trouble! I was fortunate to get my approval from CIGNA quickly. Everything was submitted by my surgeon's office on a Thurs. and I had approval by the following Wed. After hearing about all the people who have had trouble with insurance approval, I went ahead and stayed on them- both my surgeon's office and insurance! I called my insurance company to make sure that they had everything they needed from my surgeon's office. Then I called back a couple days later to clarify how long it would be for approval. They said it was with the nurse to approve and that they "technically had up to 30 days" but that it didn't usually take so long. By the next afternoon, I had my approval! All I can advise is to stay on them both. You're paying them to do this, after all!

Hi there! I was able to get down 7 lbs and I was fine! Basically drank water and ate very little for 3 days - like only coffee, a protein shake and a tiny cucumber/tomato/vinegar salad. I also did a 4-day cleanse. I didn't eat a thing the day I had to weigh and my appt wasn't until 230pm! I told the NUT what I had done and she said she really wished they didn't stress people with the "not a pound over initial consult weight" thing. She said it's more so people don't gain 15-25 lbs more during the pathway and that a few lbs doesn't make so much of a difference. Still, I'm not sure if it was a significant factor for insurance authorization or not. On paper, I was the same weight as my initial consult so didn't have any issues. (I was only 1 lb over so she just recorded the same weight I was at my initial consult.)

August 24th for me. I see a lot of 23rds and 28ths!

I'm on day 3 of my pre-op diet and the headaches are killing me! Does it go away?? Best of luck with your surgery!

Yay! I'm excited for you! Wishing you all the best!

I have Cigna Open Access as well. My last NUT appt is this Mon., 7/31. My surgeon's office says Cigna approves pretty quickly for Gastric Bypass patients - about 5 days, but they have up to 2 weeks. They said Cigna has approved in as little as 2-3 days before. Apparently approval for the sleeve takes longer (up to a month).

I've been wondering the same thing! I need to exercise during my pre-op diet, but will I have any energy to do it? I'm worried that I'll be so fatigued that I won't be able to exercise.

Yes - I can definitely see that you've lost weight! It's especially noticeable in your face and midsection. Keep up the great work girl!

I agree - it really is interesting (and a bit mind-boggling) to see all the different pre-op diets for the same surgery! Especially when some can eat food up until the day before surgery (the diet where they have 2 protein shakes as meal replacements and 1 low-fat, low-carb, high-protein meal per day). Glad the hear you like the Nectar shakes - I'll try those. I've been looking for recommendations, as I haven't tried any of them. Wish there was a post on here about them (I haven't found it if there is one).

*pre-mixed shakes - brand should be Chike (not Chime). Damn spellcheck! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Sorry - I figured out what it is. If I use a greater than" or "less than" symbol, it cuts off the message. So here goes, one more time! Protein powder requirements: Whey protein isolate as 1st ingredient No more than 220 cal per serving No more than 5g sugar per serving 20-30g of protein per serving Powders should be mixed with 8 oz.: water, skim milk (Fairlife brand preferred), or unsweetened soy, almond or coconut milk.

Oops! Not sure what happened there, but here are the requirements if I buy my own protein powder: Whey protein isolate as 1st ingredient, 20-30g proteintserving,

My surgeon requires 2 weeks of protein shakes as meal replacements and getting in 64 oz. of water each day (can supplement with calorie-free, sugar-free, non-carbonated drinks). Yes, the protein shakes can be pre-mixed. They gave me a list of approved shakes. They are: Unjury, Oh Yeah!, Premiere Protein, Pure Protein, Chime, EAS 100% Whey Isolate, Isopure and Nectar. They also say I can get my own shakes or protein powder, as long as they meet these requirements: whey protein as 1st ingredient, They told me everything has to be the consistency of milk or thinner. No chunks or pieces of anything. Soups are ok but must be pureed or strained. Also these guidelines: Hope this helps!!

I hear you!! I'm more worried about the 2 week liquid diet than I am about surgery and recovery. I don't have my surgery date yet, but will be some time in August. I've already been doing smoothies to replace at least 1 meal per day since May, just to get used to it a bit. How was day 2 for you? From what everyone says, the first 2-3 days are the toughest. I'd love to hear how you're doing!

I don't blame you for having your surgery closer to home! Even if you're only in the hospital 1 night, who wants that long car ride the day after surgery? I have my final NUT appt on the 31st and that's all. I met all other requirements by June 26th, so the waiting is frustrating - especially since it's just red tape. There's no reason they wouldn't clear me. But at least I get to go on vacation before I have to start my pre-op diet. The hardest part will be not gaining any weight! [emoji51] Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app