sue in ne

ukcatsfan, I hear you.. hit a wall, too. Also have a sinus infection ,. The meds make me better but also keep me up and make me hungry. A BAD mixture.. Am so tired, don't want to exercise either ... I am trying to stay out of the kitchen.. Plus they changed insurance companies at work since the surgery and the new one is fussing about covering the fills.....

kjp1012, I did lose post surgery, too; then stopped. Right at the soft food stage, too. :thumbup: Did contact one of the support group staff at the hospital and went over my notes -- 1. the soft mushies are going to make it harder to lose. Weight loss goes slower as your food consistency becomes more normal. 2. until you have a fill, this is all pre-treatment. It is great you are losing but don't worry. 3. Exercise does help (but with the ice, I had to alter my routine) 4. Expect to average only 1-2#/ week - that's an average, not an actual loss- i've been stuck for 3 weeks - but increased exercise and dropped calorie intake for a few days and It's coming off- slowly:smile: Hang in there

ChuckandVicki, Sliming as it was explained to me and as i experienced is mucousy liquid you will regurgitate if you have trouble consuming something. (i.e. too big an amt, too fibrous, too sticky, too advanced for your diet). Had it once, would rather not have it again. You are in discomfort -:thumbup: It doesn't go to your stomach through the smaller opening. The body will create mucous to try to dislodge it. If that fails, it comes up. if the food is still lodged- it comes up also- It isn't the gut wrenching stomach flu vomit experience, but stiill smells and Still no fun. If done often/intensely, can dislodge the band-

Hi, i am down 3 # since the start. It's better than gaining over th holidays . like before :rolleyes:But it goes slowly My 1st fill was to be tomorrow but... the insurance Co has a problem.... :crying:Well, still have to watch what I eat ..

Steve007, most of it (30#) was on the pre op diet. So haven't lost much since. Maybe with the fill ...

NH Amy, I too have had the heartburn sensation,. It means you are very full and have to stop or risk sliming and Vomitting.:tongue2: It may take some close attention but there is a sensation prior to this , when you feel full. you need to pay attention to that and stop. Be careful, you don't want to stretch the pouch by eating too much. I'm into the soft food stage but have kind of alternated with a soft food and a pureed/liquid consistency, like a stew with ground beef and cooked/pureed veggies, or finely chopped pickles, cut up ham.

Steve007, The area is still tender and the opening is smaller than before, even w/o any fills. For me, pasta and anything stringy or sticky seems to get stuck then i get the PB, Sliming, and Vomit Have been cutting up/pureeing items that might be stringy or sticky (even sauerkraut is cut up). :tongue2: This is only a phase; it will get better. Can eat ground beef in sauce, ham, chicken and tuna, even chopped pickles (but gotta watch size and sticky, stringy stuff for now.) Cheese seems to be the exception.

We're at the same stage, then, just soft food for me,too. though have been able to suck on soft fudge (w/o nuts) at Christmas (Guilty) :tongue2: Everyone is different, I cannot handle bread or pasta at the moment.

Steve007, Just for that day. If things go smoothly, you can go back thru the food stages quickly.it is all based on how well you do. It is only after the fill- they want to be sure it isn't too tight. Wasn't thrilled with clear liquids either but I can handle it for part of a day. BTW, here in the US, they discourage any carbonated drinks, including beer.:tongue2: But I think American beer is more fizzy than British lager and ale.

Steve007, OOPS! Mine is on the 7th, Wed. Was told to stick to liquids that day. You are still doing great!!

Steve007, Congrats. You are doing great!!:tongue2: how was the fill? did you have to fast prior?

Barngal2003 and JoannMarie, Barngal, you just need to focus on healing, for now. each food phase has its own challenges. Listen to the doctor. I, too, am stuck, at the moment. :cry_smile: JoannMarie, Thank you for remindinding me this is barely the beginning,

mmnairn, Congrats, !! You've come this far, there si no turning basck at this point. 2009 will be the year for all us Holiday Hotties!! Try walking and Gas-ex strips for the gas. If they gave you pain meds, do take them... and rest..

Hi All Just checking in, Things are staying the same- which is better than my usual Pre-WLS of gaining 5 # this time of the yr. Get 1st fill, on Wednesday..:confused: Get back to strength training exer tomorrow... .:cursing:

Barngal 2003, You are going too fast. I had 2 weeks of liquids (total) then 2 weeks of pureed foods an am only on soft foods at 4 weeks( 12/28/08) . Finding the transition to each phase is different. The more regular the food consistency, the more likely to have problems. Did fine until i hit pureed with some foods. Things went smoother until i tried sauerkraut today- while on soft foods- too stringy at the moment.( Not Fun) You don't want to PB or vomit. :confused: So listen to the doctor!!

All, Called the Ins Company on Monday- They do not pay the surgeons, etc until the hospital bill comes through and is paid. OK, but in the interim they sent me a note showing the cost of the services was mine- bad business process. The hospital billed and haven't heard , yet.

Wallisj, Hang in there.You have had a baby and should have gained some wt. That's OK. If your doctor approves, start on the fills, again. You haven't had a chance, yet. Even before WLS, I too had a baby. one of the few times I wasn't told to lose wt. at the Doctor's office. After the baby, I was exhausted- with the baby, house, DH, and work - all the time. It will gets better as the baby gets older but by the time mine was 2yo, they put me on an antidepressant- I was so exhausted; couldn't remember the doctor's name. it is important to concentrate on you . And what you need. Do get some rest. and chat here

Has anyone run into a denial after approval? I have a letter with an Auth # from the insurance Co. Then today, after surgery, they sent me a note saying it isn't covered ( all the bills from radiology, anesthesiology, and the surgeon ) (9K worth!!):hurray:

Hi All, i think I qualify for this group. Was just over 60 BMI when I went to the surgeon in the summer. :laugh: Lost 30 # prior to surgery, and another 12 since. It's coming off slower, now .:hurray:

How often should we check in on our progress?

All, Well, It was Christmas.. :confused:had 3- 1/2 inch squares of fudge then asked my daughter to put it out of sight, and 1 c of lite egg nog., yesterday for lunch... at dinner had beets, pickled veggies, mashed potatoes, and 2 small bites of ham... too much OOOPS!!!:tongue2: My port site ached a bit. have only lost 2# since i saw the surgeon on the 19th , uhoh! It's head hunger but oh so tempting ...

Onehotmoma, Good Luck!!

Merry Christmas !! I'm in. Just had surgery and my 1st fill is Jan 7. I'll shoot for 15#:tongue2:- Have no idea how much i'll be able to lose. even with a bum knee (fell on it with all this ice!!) should be able to meet it or come close:embaressed_smile:

Merry Christmas!!1 Congrats all!! enjoy some lite Eggnog9 without alcohol) !!

Annjones, Congrats!! hope you can enjoy some cider tomorrow!!