*slim*

Thanks, I will do that. I have a "boat motor" too.:biggrin2: I am sure it is not near as good as Emeril's, but it might do the trick.

Hey Heartfire, I just noticed your surgery date is fastly approaching. Way to go!:smile2:

Thanks for the tips. I actually have a large food processor and one of those little ones that hold about 2 cups? Then I also have a blender so I guess I will experiment with them to see which one of my cheap buys works best.:smile2:

What is better to use, a blender or food processor to puree the food? I have used both for other things but never to actually puree anything.

This process is not for the faint of heart. If a person doesn't really want this, they would give up at the beginning.:eek: I guess that is what they want. They make it just hard enough that some people won't finish. I am not giving up.

I haven't done the pre-op diet yet (my diet is liquid only), but I figure by then, pureed chicken will sound good to me too.

I wouldn't give it to a baby, but...

I have to admit the refried beans sound pretty good even now. I will keep that in mind for something with some flavor to it.

Thanks. I wondered about pureed meat. It just doesn't sound appealing.:thumbup: I will definitely try thy cauliflower and the pie. Thanks again.

Thanks. That is definitely a great plan. I just might put them on my speed dial.:biggrin2:

Thanks so much. Me too. I figure I am going to bug them to death until they just tell me yes to get me off of the phone!

Well, Johnna actually called me today. She called to tell me that she finally faxed in my paperwork to insurance. Of course, when I called insurance this evening, they still don't see it. I guess I will give it a day or two and call back. I am not going to let up. This is too important.

It is definitely a personal choice to tell or not. I told my boss (who is very supportive) and one good friend. They have been very supportive of my decision and asking good questions. My husband on the other hand, has not been the best about this. We were separated when I finally decided to do this for me:tongue2:. Now that he is trying to be back in my life, I explained about it. His concern seems to only be excess skin. I told him that I am doing this for my health (being smaller is just a bonus:wink_smile:). I also told him to roll with me or move out of the way.:thumbup: It is no one else's business. I have some people at work that live to spread gossip so THEY shall not be on my list of people to tell, that is for sure.

Ok, I am on pins and needles. My insurance coordinator called and said that she has faxed everything to BCBSIL. I can crossing my fingers, toes, eyes...everything. I am praying for an approval. :thumbup:

Thanks so much for the reply. I was looking over my coverage and if I do stay overnight, it is covered 100%, so it might actually be worth it to get some rest that first night. Who knows. Anyway, thanks again for the answer.

Congrats on your surgery, too. Thanks for the answer about this. I was hoping I could still be outpatient. The thought of spending the night in the hospital did not appeal to me at all.

Thanks for the ideas. I have to admit that pizza and cheeseburgers sound a little gross.:biggrin: Ok, a LOT gross. :thumbup:

I was reading on another forum that if you are going to eat grits, they have to be runny. They also said something about even putting them in the blender before eating. Hope that helps.

Hello Ladies... My name is Val I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN (on the TN/GA border) I've been married 7 years (not all happy):thumbup: I have an 11 year old son:thumbup: I have been struggling with my weight since I added the freshman 15 in college:cursing: I am so happy that I found this forum. I didn't realize that there was so much support out there at all, much less anything with sistas. I have only told my husband and son about the surgery. I am just waiting on insurance.:wink2: Congrats to all of you for deciding to take care of you!:thumbup:

What's up! I am in Chattanooga TN. cheese grits with bacon are off the chain, and sorry but chitterlings with some candied yams and hot sauce has got it going on too!:thumbup: I am not banded yet. Hopefully my paperwork was sent in today. Good luck to us all!:wink2:

Congrats on your approval. :thumbup: Just in case I have to handle my own appeal if I am denied, what exactly did you send to the insurance company? Also, are you required to use the same surgeon that you started with if you send in your own paperwork?:wink2: Thanks for any info that you can share.

First off, congrats on your surgery.:wink2: I have BCBSIL and was wondering, did they make you stay overnight? My paperwork is supposedly being sent in today, but the information that BCBSIL sent to me said something about the surgery taking place in an inpatient setting. When I asked if that meant overnight, they just said again inpatient setting.

I have a family friend that had gastric bypass a couple of years ago. She has basically stretched her smaller stomach to such proportions that she is now considering having the gastric band added. I say go with the band first. It can be adjusted and you won't have to deal with the malnurishment that comes with gastric bypass IMO.

I depends on who you ask. My surgeon said no caffeine(sp?) after surgery, but my nutritionist said it was ok to have 1 cup of tea or coffee a day. My understanding is that caffeine is a stimulant and can make you hungry. Also, caffeine can irritate your stomach which is not good for you. Try decaf, you may like it, and it won't have any adverse affects.

Exactly how much protein are we supposed to get? I have heard 40g then somewhere else I saw 70g per day? Which is it? I don't want to start losing my hair or something like that because I don't get enough.