AK37

Protein Pudding 1 packet instant sugar-free pudding mix 2 scoops unflavored protein powder 2 cups Fairlife Fat-Free Milk Blend ingredients together then chill. Enjoy! Total: 76 grams of protein 520 calories I couldn't taste the Isopure protein powder, it tastes like regular pudding and is easier for me to consume than protein shakes. I wouldn't use flavored protein powder because it would make it too sweet. You can use regular milk (not Fairlife) but it will have a bit less protein, the pudding will not set with soy milk. You can freeze this in molds to make pudding pops.

Preparing for surgery, I went on many diets. I did >50% raw fruits and vegetables, my doctor said my potassium levels were high and not to eat ANY fruits or vegetables. Then I was told the bloodwork had a mistake and not to worry about my potassium, but no fruit but vegetables were okay. Then it was a zero carb diet. After surgery, it was the high protein, low crab, sugar free diet we are all familiar with. Deciding to get surgery was a hard decision for me, I have phobias about needles and being cut. Surgery was also very painful because I couldn't take any painkillers after surgery. It's a big deal and I don't want to mess things up. I don't want to do the things that got me to this weight. I don't want to eat the wrong foods. Texture stages aside, my new stomach can't tolerate some foods, like artificial sweeteners. So, protein drinks are out. I have a lot of food on my “off limit” list with few foods I feel safe eating. Fruit I can handle great but I see it as "empty calories" because it doesn't help me reach my protien goal and feel guilty when I eat it. Anyway, long story short, I was eating one can of tuna a day and drinking tea with a little raw sugar. I was taking in under 300 calories and 40 grams of protein a day, and at week 5 I regained 4 pounds. I went to my doctor (who is a bariatric surgeon) and she told that I'm literally starving and that's why I'm gaining weight. After talking with her she said my eating disorder from when I was a teenager is reemerging and I have orthorexic behavior. She told me I need to have 100 grams of protein and 1,000 calories a day. She said she doesn't usually advise her patients to eat sugar, but she wants me to eat more sugar... and add bacon, cheese, crackers, and as much fruit as I want in my diet. She also told me to count my protein but to NOT count the calories in my fruit. I have so much anxiety about taking in too many calories and not reaching my goal weight. I worry I'm going to mess everything up.

For now, I'm just trying to look at food as weight loss medicine. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

The nutritionist told me to find something to replace my cooking hobby lol Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have tried cooking some things since surgery, most things are too rich and end up in the bin. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm an excellent cook, I make most of my food from scratch. I even make my own vanilla extract and condiments like mustards. I actually threw away all of my baking ingredients and took up playing video games as a hobby to replace my cooking hobby before surgery. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

100-400, lately around 300

I requested liquid meds if available in the hospital. My surgeon wrote me a Rx for a liquid antacid but my insurance didn't cover it and it was over $3000 a month, so my boyfriend picked up some OTC Prilosec instead. I went to my one-week follow-up appointment today and my doctor prescribed me a stronger antiacid, that combined with eating 1/3 cup cottage cheese (my first phase 2 food) has helped my hunger problem.

I had surgery 6 days ago and feel the same, hungry (not just "head hunger", real tummy growling empty stomach hunger) and worried the surgery won't work for me. I hope the introduction of solid foods will change that though because I feel hardly any restriction when taking in fluids. Tomorrow I have my one-week follow-up where they will bring let me start phase 2 of my diet. There's a noodle-less lasagna recipe I've been dreaming about. I can't wait!

Getting ready to be gutted like a fish lol I hope all goes well!

I have been an avid baker and cook my whole life. This morning I went through my kitchen a gathered all of my baking ingredients and sweets; tons of chocolate chips, sugars, lard, shortening, condensed milk, etc and put it all in a storage bin. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it so I put it out of sight in the basement. Just now, I threw it all out. It was liberating. I remember years ago I burned my ex's love letters that I had held on to for years, after that I was able to finally move on. It felt good getting rid of that food myself, like an alcoholic clearing out their liquor cabinet on the path to a new start.

For those who have had bariatric surgery: If you could give just one piece of advice to help someone to lose the most weight after bariatric surgery, what would it be?

Best of luck to you, newmebithebypass. For myself, I'm trying to commit to a lifestyle change. All my baking helped put me where I am today. Getting surgery is a one-shot deal and I want to give myself the best chance at success.

I saw myself keeping the chocolate chips to bake cookies to give away, I know I wouldn't be able to resist eating some. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I found out this morning my insurance approved my vsg surgery. I just got a call from the surgeon's office, I see the surgeon on July 10th then my surgery will be 2-3 weeks after that. I'm so excited!

I just got off the phone with my insurance and they told me I'm approved!!! I'm so happy

I'm anxiously waiting for insurance approval. My primary insurance is Medicare, BCBS is my secondary (I think that's how it works). I did the 6 months of diet consults, my BMI is 42, and I have severe sleep apnea. I completed the checklist from my surgeon's office; did my psych eval, nutritionist visit, breathing test, and all. I have read about people getting denied by insurance and it has me very worried. I've started stress eating because of it. I don't know the exact insurance requirements because I think it gets approved by BCBS, but BCBS has different requirements for people with Medicare and I cannot find that information online. I have called my insurances many times about the requirements without any clear answers. I worry that I'm missing something, like 5 years of weight history or something that would keep me from getting the surgery. Right now, I feel like I did right before I left home to go to college, it seemed like it would be so great there and I had worried that the day would somehow never come. *breathes deep*

I am curious, how painful is the vertical sleeve surgery? I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 years ago. That's the only major surgery I've had. I've read that the VSG surgery complication rate is similar to gallbladder removal surgery, but I don't know how the pain compares. I am pain med resistant and had a lot of pain the 2 weeks following my gallbladder removal. I assume the VSG surgery is more painful because they are removing a larger portion of your body, and the recovery is probably harder and longer with your stomach healing while being in use. This won't deter me. I was miserable with pain after my gallbladder removal, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat knowing how much better I feel. I just want to be prepared. If anyone has had their gallbladder removed, and the VSG please tell me how the surgeries compare.

There was a problem with paperwork that took 2 weeks to sort out. The surgeon's office submitted to my insurance this week. I talked to the insurance coordinator and she said not to worry, with the insurance I have I'll get approved. Having her tell me that has really put my mind at ease. She said they should get back to her in a week or two and once they do she'll call me to schedule an appointment with the surgeon.

My surgeon's office said I need at least one comorbidity for Medicare to cover my bariatric surgery. My PCP has put in a referral for me to have a sleep study done to see if I have sleep apnea. I do snore loudly every night (my boyfriend has to leave and sleep in another room), feel tired during the day, have trouble falling asleep, and am a light sleeper. It can take me up to 12 hours of being in bed to feel rested. I'm definitely not a morning person LOL. According to my Fitbit, when I sleep I spend 17% awake, 20% REM, 50% Light, and 13% Deep during my average of 7 hours of sleep. My PCP said it would be an at-home sleep study, and depending on the results I would go to a sleep lab for further testing. I've never done a sleep study. I hope my results will come back positive for sleep apnea so I can get bariatric surgery, and also find a solution to my poor sleep, snoring, and tiredness. Has anyone here thought they had sleep apnea but your sleep study results came back negative for sleep apnea? Please cross your fingers for me, this is my only shot at getting my insurance to cover my surgery.

I am going through the process of getting vsg surgery. I've read varying numbers about the average excess weight loss after the surgery, from as high as 90% to as low as 60%. I understand much has to do with diet and exercise after the surgery, and committing to a lifestyle change. I just want to know what is realistic. I'm 5 foot 4 inches tall, and weigh 245lbs. Would losing 100 pounds after the surgery be a realistic expectation, or is that higher than average for my height and weight? Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you RickM for the thorough explanation. I'm the "I'm not going through all of this for a measly 60%, I can, and will, do better than that and show them!" type. I wouldn't think surgery is worth it if I can't get below 160. I hope to get down to 135, but would be happy in the 140's. I haven't been below 140 since I was 21 y/o and don't know how I would look at that weight now that I'm in my late 30's. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm having my first appointment at the bariatric hospital at the end of this month. It's going to be 4 hours; I'm going to talk to an insurance person, a psychologist, and a nutritionist. I don't know where it's going from there. I started my diet consultations with my primary care this January, they said I might need 6 months of them, but am not sure. I'll find out more at the appointment. I'm so excited! Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have a CPAP machine now. Been using it for a couple of days. Getting better sleep than I've had in years. I'm supposed to hear back from the surgeon's office tomorrow to get an appointment.

I'm looking for a Duodenal Switch surgeon near Lexington KY. I found Dr. Weiss in Lexington but he only does SIPS as a revision to a past VSG surgery. I saw a center in Cincinnati Ohio that might do it but wonder if my health insurance (Medicare w/Anthem Blue) will cover out of state surgery. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app