aNYCdb

Honestly I have never heard of an insurer not paying for group nutrition classes (this seems like the cheapest thing an insurance company could ever pay for). What was the reason for the denial? Is it just not covered by the policy or was there a secondary reason (for example it needing to be refered by your PCP?). That said I believe that most insurance companies also will accept letters from a doctor (one for each visit), so perhaps you could swing a way for you to visit your primary monthly, for something (or presumably if you are close to them they will sign the form with just a weigh in and bp check).

I haven't had to travel much since surgery, but I like ready made tuna/chicken salad packages that don't need to be refrigerated (that said that sweet potato apple thing you posted looks good). As for how to get away without eating, I would order something small and then say that you are doing Paleo (or some other type of diet) and that you already ate your specialized meal. That little lie will kill two birds as it will explain why you aren't eating so much and also explain the weight loss.

I had the same fear till I moved to eating solidish food and got filled up by a couple tablespoons of tuna. I’m at two and a half weeks out and I while I’m not chuggng I don’t feel like my capacity for liquids is restricted.

I would add that if the friendship is important to you be proactive about preserving it. I think sometimes people look at weight loss surgery as if it were a cosmetic thing (even those that are heavy), perhaps if you talk about the surgery in the terms of using it to tackle health issues it may be more accepted (although from what you've said you don't seem to have any specific reason why you think this will cause you two to drift apart).

I'm curious how much protein sets off the dip strip? With the weight loss I would expect some protein in the urine, but I guess the question is how much? Glad you reached out to the doctor though, kidney function isn't something you want to mess with.

I'm not even asking for people to necessarily share more, I would settle for just having pre or post op be correct. People ask questions about things don't specify in their post and wind up getting advice based on the assumption that they are pre-op when they aren't. I guess that makes sense. I'm not a fan of the mobile app so I didn't realize that.

Every one is different, but as XYZXYZXYZ1955 mentioned just wait until you get to the pureed phase and you feel stuffed after a few tablespoons. Until then whether it's head hungry or actual hunger doesn't really matter for the long term so long as you aren't reaching for something you don't need at this point.

Just curious what you are basing your "I burn about 700 cal a day" on?

Congrats!!! Watered down Gatorade sounds disgusting.

I'm not an expert but my understanding is that high levels of protein in your urine are a sign of dehydration. Being that you were testing to check your hydration I would take it as confirmation that you probably aren't getting enough fluids. Are you getting the 64oz+ a day you should be at this point?

I have a tea company (among other businesses) so I always have tea on hand and using skim plus, black tea, and some of the sugar free coffee syrups you can get pretty close to the traditional iced milk tea they use for the base. I haven't tried it, but pinterest seems to have a lot of people who swap their tapioca pearls out for Chia seeds (whatever those are).

Breakfasts are generally a banana protein shake cut with unsweetened peanut powder (to cut the sweetness overall). Lunch of have half a package of tuna (those that come preflavored in the pouch) and maybe a sargento reduced fat cheese stick. Mid afternoon snack the rest of the tuna. Dinner some sort of meat and a little bit of soup. When in doubt egg whites are my fill in. For extra protein I have a couple of extra concentrated shakes that I freeze in an ice pop mold for dessert (for some reason the sweetness bothers me less when i have to lick it). Depending on the day I also have an extra shake ready (or pick up a bottle of isopure zero carb to sip throughout the day). Plus I much on spicy picke chips and or some other semi soft veg, when feeling so inclined.

They fax or email whatever you need to your surgeons office. Sent from my VS987 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep. Sent from my VS987 using BariatricPal mobile app

I went to bariatricpsychevaluations.com and did it through them and didn't have to leave the house. It was basically a 20 minute conversation where half the time is them asking the same medical questions you have probably answered a million times so far and the other half is asking basic psychological questions what's your family like, do you get depressed etc.

Congrats!!! So happy for you.

I was allowed to go to puree after my first post-op visit (12 days out), but every doctor is different (some folks left the hospital without a liquid phase). From my doctor's explanation these rules seem to be made up based on the least common denominator. Heck I told my doctor I wanted a pickle and he was basically gave me the go ahead to try anything so long as I chewed it well. The trick is that once you first start on food it is going to fill you up quick so in some ways its going to be even harder to get your protein in.

I'm not from the DFW Metroplex, but I had the gastric sleeve a couple of weeks ago if you have any general questions about the procedure in general.

Congrats!!! It's all down hill from here on the recovery train.

Is it the incision itself or the area surrounding the incision? I ask because I think some people feel pain after surgery as the blood flow comes back to heal things (is there a newish bruise as well), but I don't know what the expected timeline is for that.

Same here. Smooth recovery couldn't be happier.

No problem, just out of curiosity do you know what type of surgery you are considering?

I think the primary doctor concern post surgery is incision site damage and potenial hernia. Doctor gave me clearance to go back to non-weight lifting exercise at my first post op appointment (12 days out) and I've been back to hitting the cardio pretty hard since then (with no ill effects). I would say if you feel up to running, try it and stop if you have any discomfort. Of course also check with your health care professional.

Congrats on starting your journey!!!

I wouldn't worry to much about a temporary plateau. You are doing the right things so don't worry too much about them. I know how hard it can be but try to resist the urge to weigh yourself so often. The body fluctuates and its the trend-line that matters. That said I think most programs want you to eliminate sugared drinks because they have a ton of calories, don't fill you up, and provide no real nutritional value. Continuing to drink sugared drinks is like trying to lose weigh with one arm tied behind your back.