Grace55

The foods are so aesthetically perfect, they could be commercials. No doubt they are as delicious as they look! I applaud the Chefs, you guys are incredibly talented!

If you met all the criteria & your Surgeon’s office completed all requested paperwork, they should be able to answer this so you are not in “ limbo.” You can also contact your insurance carrier and inquire about your status. I doubt you would not be accepted, most insurance, not all, is paying for bariatric surgery. If you have not already done this to prepare for your new life, an excellent resource for now & in the future: “Obesity Action Coalition.” You May already know about this organization, the website: www.obesityaction.com When you access this site there is a lot of information preparing for Bariatric surgery, the resources offered are excellent for everyday, but also an excellent support system. They list 10 ways to prepare, I won’t list them all as it’s probably easier for you to read it on the website: 1. Start to Think about why you eat, 2. Keep a list of non- food ways to cope w/stress, 3. Don’t compare yourself with others, 4. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up, 5. Prepare to feel a little left out at dining & social gatherings. I referenced 5 items from the 10 Ways to Prepare for Bariatric Surgery. With each item is an explanation how to manage each one. You are not alone, there are many resources and groups on line & in your community. The OAC Community is an excellent, one of the best resources. You are in NC? I am from NC, excellent health care, exemplary hospitals in NC, whether it is Duke in Raleigh or Winston Salem - Wake Forest/Bowman Gray Center, UNC, Vidant Medical Center... You are in good hands with exceptional hospitals. Good luck, you will do great!

Hi Susie, you are balancing so much in your life, it is humbling. I will address your chronic pain issue, as a chronic pain patient it is important you receive the attention which is warranted. No one should ever be allowed to live in pain, it is inhumane & unreasonable. Some people cannot understand the diminished lifestyle, planning and multiple limitations chronic pain, not acute pain, inflicts on a person. You were given an appointment, 2 weeks away? Is there another Pain Management group or Pain Management Dr you can contact? I can appreciate and validate your pain and the frustrating process, however, if you are in intractable pain, call your primary, tell him or her what is going on. Your primary can treat you for a few months, long enough until you are able to see this Pain Management Group. Your primary will understand if you are an established patient. To wait 2 weeks is unacceptable. Please feel free to contact me if I can help with resources. Moist heat is more penetrating than dry heat, if you have not tried it, you may find that it offers more relief. To compound matters, your Dr thinks you have an auto- immune disease. I am so sorry all this is happening to you. For stress relief, would you consider massage therapy? A 60-90 minute massage from a certified massage therapist. The massage will relax your muscles, no doubt you probably have many muscle spasms which is a response to the body part that has been injured & in pain. Meditation? This may help but trying to relax while in pain can be a challenge. I agree, do not exercise or engage in physical activity until you see a Pain Management physician. A warm bath is also helpful, relaxing muscles and reducing spasms which can be very painful. Soft, calming music...sounds of the ocean, can be very tranquil, it will relax you. You mentioned a therapist. Is this a therapist trained in pain management? It is not a big deal but often this type of therapist understands your daily struggles that many never think about, only because planning any type of activity, even a trip to the grocery store must be planned. There are Pain Management support groups in most locations. This will help emotionally and mentally. Please feel free to write. I will be thinking of you - Grace

I use an App that is great for the keto diet or any meal plan which you want to calculate macros, like...carbs, fats, proteins, sugar. The app is “ Carb Manager” it tracks all foods including restaurant items. You can record water consumption and exercise. I hope this helps?

Sewtcase, I apologize...I misread most of your commentary. I will do better. As a layperson, your comments impress me as someone who maybe overwhelmed. You refer to anxiety & I agree, you seem to have your share, like many of us. You had a CBC, along with other diagnostics...correct? Granted, laboratories can & do make mistakes with analyticals, but this is more uncommon than common. Do you know what is creating your high level of foreboding & dread? Apparently you are young, there is much going on in our world, there is circumstance which is foreign and unfamiliar to each of us. Our Country is going thru alien & strange times, just as the people of our great Country. People are separated, divided, and angry. We just completed an election. Current times, are at best bizarre. Could this be contributing to your growing apprehension? There is no shame being human & all the emotions which accompany us. Your tests all came back within normal parameters, you stated there is nothing “ technically” wrong? yet you inflict significant consternation onto yourself. Have you tried deep techniques? Kabuki breathing is very effective to bring down stress levels, anxiety ...it is calming. I enjoy meditating, there is a type of meditation for each personality. Give it a shot...you may enjoy it. You do impress me as a person in emotional knots, this can release cortisol into your bloodstream. Anxiety, stress, worry, uncertainty, nervousness & unease can create organic issues. Do you exercise? Chat with friends? Distract yourself, meditate. Each of us has been forced to deal with a global crisis; no one has been trained to respond to such a monumental threat or event. Maybe this is contributing? You have no control over this towering development, none of us do. All you can do is take care of yourself, be gracious, many have no family, no friends. They are alone & truly frightened. You have family, support, friends. I do not pretend to know your circumstance. Be grateful & release those unworthy tensions which will have a negative impact. Just let it go. Visualize it, place it an iron clad box, massively chained securing & forever rendering it to remain confined & entombed. Toss it into the depths of a deep dark repository, it’s location unknown to all...especially you. Google “kabuki” breathing. Google types of “meditation.” All your worry & anxiety is creating more of the same. Please let me know how you are doing. Whatever worry has you on a freefall into desperation...now is the time to open that parachute! Life is difficult enough at this impasse, unburden yourself. I simply want to help -

Sewtcase, I realize it’s easier said than done...do not create anxiety over something you have no control, it least not until you see your physician & gather all the science. You cannot rescind your decision from 8 years in the past...move on as an informed consumer & patient. Your concerns are valid and you are wise to be alert, do not be alarmed. You stated this procedure was 7-8 years ago? Is this a self diagnosis, it certainly is something which you are capable of diagnosing or is it a clinical determination? If you have maintained a diet of nutrient rich foods, lean protein & avoiding empty calorie foods, this typically prevents or mitigates the concern for malnutrition. However, each person responds differently. Protein is key & it’s imperative you provide your body with ample protein. I understand you were very young when this procedure was performed. Maybe your diet at such a young age could have been deficient in some areas? Regardless, if you are suffering from malnutrition, it is urgent you see your Provider. There are different types of malnutrition, some can be very extreme and place you at significant risk. Please contact your M.D. today. I am not a physician, but very concerned about the health & safety of others, especially the noble members on this site. Each person has persevered what could be impossible for others. Please let me know how you are doing. “Hellie1028” gave you great advice...contact your Dr. I wish you well -

You are doing great. You just had surgery. The member that responded is precise in what she stated. Your fluid retention is hard at work, swelling will take weeks to return to baseline. Your body has been traumatized, surgically, but trauma all the same. Your physiology needs time to calm down. Your weight will not be accurate, do not be concerned about the scale. Your body needs to heal and recover, this takes time. Success will follow you...no worries. Be patient with yourself & your body. Each person’s anatomy/ physiology is different. How quickly you heal is also different. Try not to make comparisons, something we all do. You will heal, recover and be amazed just how proficient the human body can be. Soon you will see the results of the surgery and see the rewards of your hard efforts. Congratulations! I wish you well - Grace

As we all know, Bariatric surgery is a tool. We are still responsible for nutrition, diet & exercise. I had a friend who went thru a gastric bypass. She thought she could eat the same amount of calories at her former weight & continue at her reduced weight. I can understand that; your brain has not caught up to the change. What helps me is a strong support system, I need accountability. Post-Op support is critical for long term success. It is as vital as the surgery being performed. Bariatric surgery is very emotional, support is key. Ensure you have an exemplary health team, to guide you. This includes a therapist to understand your specific behavior & relationship with food, and a nutritionist. There is so much going on, biologically, emotionally & mentally. In time, fitness\exercise will become part of your regime. You do not need to join a gym or lift weights, or walk on a treadmill. Exercise can be walking, it can be gardening. So long as activity is a daily occurrence. The Health Team will guide you thru something which is new for you. Ultimately, developing new eating habits to last a lifetime. This is important to ensure your success. Change in regards to behavior does not happen in weeks or months, it takes time. Be patient with yourself. Usually, in 6-8 weeks you can resume a normal diet, it depends on the directives of your Surgeon. Each person is different. For me, I plan my meals, consume nutrient dense foods, protein in every meal, I exercise. Speak w/your Surgeon, nutritionist to understand the plan for you. You will get to where you need to be -

My apology.... I read you are in the purée stage, but don’t think my comments were helpful for puréed foods. I helped my friend, pureeing her foods. I do not know what type of foods you enjoy but there r many recipes: pumpkin soup, creamy broccoli & cheese soup, puréed cauliflower, similar to mashed potatoes but better processed. I realize it can be a challenge...puréed foods that have flavor & are aesthetically pleasing. I have heard “ we eat with our eyes.” Foods also need to look good. I hope it helps?

Have you tried Swerve, which is a natural sweetener derived from erythritol? You can also purchase Erythritol. It does not have the artificial or chemical taste that phenylamine or aspartame has. I discovered the erythritol is palatable, it can be added to cereals, beverages, anything that you want sweetened. I hope this helps? There is also protein water, I have not tried it but heard it is good. Other sources of high protein foods: turkey breast, following turkey is chicken. Lamb is the highest in protein due to its density. Good luck -

If anyone has MEDICARE...federal government insurance at age 65 or because of a disability, Medicare pays 100% for Bariatric surgery. However, check with your providers and with Medicare. UHC, also pays 100%, again you need to confirm with your provider as well as the insurance carrier; it is managed differently depending on region and type of insurance. I am a novice in the insurance arena. The only reason I know this, I checked with my insurance carrier and MEDICARE. This may not be accurate information for others. I suspect there are many on this forum who can answer this much better than me. Good luck -

Hello, As someone who has endured multiple surgeries & realizing each person responds differently to surgery & post -op, you will do great! You will be euphorically happy. It is normal to have apprehension, the surgery will be over & you will resume the beautiful life you are entitled. I look forward to hearing all about it. All my best - Grace

I am so sorry to hear about your ongoing discomfort and discontent. You have been referred to another Surgeon? That is a priority so you can now address & reconcile the acid reflux and move on with your revision. Typically, a revision is not as complicated as the original surgery. It should alleviate your acid reflux and improve weightloss. Sometimes the stomach can expand...I realize you know all this. Your trepidation is reasonable & understandable, especially when the Dr. you developed a trusting relationship has moved. Have you met the new Surgeon? Do not allow fear to create anxiety. Evidentially, you are incredibly strong, in every way....emotionally & mentally your are formidable. Has your Dr recommended any medication for the reflux? I do not know anything about your history, I joined today. But I am here, happy to help & always listen...

Hello, I am responding to “ 3 months, angry.” I am new to this site so forgive me if I stumble, I welcome your feedback. I do not know the history of our “ angry friend” I just wanted to comment, that nothing is wrong with you. We all get angry, impatient, frustrated, disappointed, & on top of that...sleep becomes a precious commodity. There is nothing wrong expressing your rage & communicating your disappointments. Please tell me how can I help? You are not alone. I do not know where your anger originates, no doubt it is legitimate and valid. It can be a challenge learning how to use this emotion so it benefits you rather than beat you up, robbing you of energy. My name is Grace. I am grateful to be part of this forum. Thank you.

Hello, As someone who has endured multiple surgeries & realizing each person responds differently to surgery & post -op, you will do great! You will be euphorically happy. It is normal to have apprehension, the surgery will be over & you will resume the beautiful life you are entitled. I look forward to hearing all about it. All my best - Grace