GavynsMum

I use myfitnesspal.com and it also has a free andriod app. It will even scan barcodes instead of searching or adding stuff to my log (if i ate something packaged). I keep count of calories, protein, and carbs, as well as fluid intake. I have been pretty consistent with this since the start of my 2 week preop diet. It holds me accountable and i have been warned by my surgeon, "no diary = no fill". I keep calories below 1000, protein between 60-80 gms, and carbs under 100. So far it is working and it isnt that hard once you get in the groove.

I am Tricare Standard and my husband is Army National Guard. I was told i have to pay 20% of the allowed surgeon cost since he was out of network (Around $300) and it would have been 15% if he had been in-network. I prepaid the $300 and havent actually seen my bill so that amount may decrease or increase based on if i had an assistant surgeon or not. All my other providers were in-network, as well as the hospital. I was told, by tricare, i would have to payy $25 for the hospital stay. I also had to pay $80 for my portion of the psych eval since we have no in-network providers around. I also have had to pay portions of the pre surgery testing; labs mostly. So i have paid around $500 so far out of pocket. Not sure what i will have to pay for fills. I am hoping only my co-pay.

Different BCs make me go bonkers. Especially when i would be off of them for a long time and restart. I used to never take them because i have PCOS and amenorhea. I was also told i was infertile so why would i want to take BC just to bleed. Then my DH and i got a surprise DS so now i take them! I have tried Yaz, Low Evra, Seasinique, and Ortho Tricyclen, Ortho Tricyclen Lo....but my absolute favorite is the Nuva Ring. After three months if you dont feel better ask them to change you to something different. I had to research, research, research everything i tried. I suggest you research depression and hormones and BC pills and see what comes up. Remember, you may not have a MD degree but you are your best advocate and MDs will listen to you if speak up and come to them with reasons why you want to switch.

Oh my. I miss sushi. I watched my husband eat a couple of rolls last night while I prayed that I would be able to eat these without getting stuck. I am more Nigiri than sashimi though so we will see.

I didn't have to tell anyone because I work at the hospital my surgeon uses. I told everyone anyway. I am not ashamed. It isn't magic...it is hard work. Plus, I feel that with everyone knowing it helps hold me accountable. It is like breaking up with a boyfriend!

Also, we baked the mashed cauliflower and used light cream cheese, parmesan, and garlic instead of milk. Baking it helped get rid of some of the moisture and made the top crunchy.

Oh my! All of this sounds delicious. Must try the cabbage since I absolutely love stuffed cabbage. The spaghetti squash was yummy and easy to make. Also, for those of you who like pizza should make eggplant pizza. Bake slices of panko coated eggplant, top with marinara and mozerella and bake for additional five minutes. The outside of the eggplants is crunch and the inside is warm and goey.

I take the kroger childrens gummy vitamins from kroger. They taste like sour patch kids. I have tried the Calcet creamy lemon bites and they werent bad just a little gritty. I would like to try the cherry wafers from GNC but i wish they had a different flavor.

So i am on day five of my 14 day pre-op diet. Mine consists of 2 shakes for 2 meals and 1 low carb meal (under 400 cals). I can also have a yogurt/fruit and another shake for Snacks. I have collected a small army of whey Protein samples and have been trying them out since i cant go back to normal food until 6 weeks after surgery. **yikes** I would love to start a thread for everyone to share some of the brands of Protein Shakes or low calorie frozen meals in order to help out those on the diet or going on the diet. Please let me know the shake/powder/meal brand and flavor and why you loved it or why it made you gag. I have around 14 other sample packs to go so i will keep updating as long as everyone else does or some interest is shown. Syntrax nectar Cappucino: absolutley loved it. Tasted like bottled starbucks frappucino. Mixed with skim milk easily with a spoon. Didnt sound like a flavor i wanted to mix with Water even though it states you can. Syntrax Nectar Fuzzy Navel: Hated it. Even drank half the glass to see if it would grow on me. No protein after taste i just personally dont like peachy juice. This line of protein powders state they can be mixed with water and with a spoon. They can but finding a flavor you like is key. They do taste like juice which is what they advertise. Will be trying lots more flavors in near future. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein (chocolate): Bought a big tub of this at walmart. Mixed with milk. Ok taste. Has that wangy bitter protein aftertaste but is not as bad as others. Doctored this several times with either sugar and fat free pudding, instant coffee, or with davinci syrup (<-def a product to check into). This powder needs mixed with a shaker. A spoon just makes clumps. Atkins Advantage Mocha Latte Shake: Wouldn't drink this every day but it is very convenient if you are going somewhere you dont want to lug around powder or milk. Not as bad as the Body Fortress but no where as good as the Syntrax Nectar Cappucino. Will be trying unjury unflavored tonight!! And the Luna chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein Bar. (sounds so yummy)

Glad someone brought this up! A lot of people put their own tone, or a tone they perceive, into someone's response. People may do this because they are anticipating being attacked, are just having an off day, or they are just a** hats. Just remember, before you (no one in general) hastily reply with a snarky reponse, tone and sarcasm on the net are not easily heard. Also, I have seen a lot of closed minded comments on here lately. A few people seem to think the surgeon gave them a medical degree instead of a band and that their way is the yellow brick road. Mostly, though, everyone is pleasant, helpful, and sometimes humorous.

Had surgery last Monday 01.10.11 and will be going back to work tomorrow, the following Monday. I needed my whole week.

I looked at Zumba too but it didnt get great reviews. If you get it definetely put a review up. My DH and I have a friend that has Dance Central and it is so much fun! I have been eye balling Your Shape Fitness Evolved. Apparently the onscreen trainer tells you when you arent doing the exercise right and doesnt count your reps if they arent in correct form. It looks brutal.

Call your doctor, either surgeon or family physician, and ask for a rx of phenergan or zofran and keep it in your medicine cabinet. Both work well to control vomiting and nausea. Only side effects Phenergan can make you sleepy (which is a good tihng for me) and zofran can make you constipated. I have a 16 month old in daycare (the germ factory) and i always make sure i have half a bottle in the closet.

Thanks for the replies every one! Each day it gets less noticeable and easier to burp. And when I do burp....it feels deliciously wonderful!

Have you tried Truvia or the Davinci Syrups? These are the only ones i can stand.

I have this on my incisions and had my surgery Monday the 10th and have taken a long hot shower every day. They are still holding fast! Although, they are leaking that clear lymphatic fluid on my tshirts but it gets better every day.

On my preop diet i ate the smart ones. They are somewhat big in portion size though but they tended to be the best tasting and filling frozen meals i have tried.

Those nectars were brutal when mixed with water. The only one i liked was the cappucino and i mixed it with milk. I still have some samples if anyone wants them. (maybe 7 or 8). I just gave up on them and bought the atkins mocha latte from walmart since i am post op and can only drink about half of one at a time. Also, I premixed a serving of the powder in the morning one day for work and put it in the company fridge for work. I wanted to bypass having to bring my milk and powder in seperate containers. By the time i had it for lunch it had this funky Protein wang. I never made the same mistake. I now eat the ready made or eat as soon as i mix.

Oh my that sounds friggin delicious. I am 5 days post op and this has me drooling.

Rumor: I haven't had trouble drinking either and feel like i am doing something wrong because i am not only sipping 1 oz per 15 minutes but instead drinking a few ounces at a time when i read on here about people not being able to sip an oz at a time. I am going to chop this up to Water not filling the pouch and just slidding through due to less swelling than some. I get to start Full liquids tomorrow which includes ONLY the following : yogurt, milk, Protein shakes, pudding, soupy grits, and strained cream soup (and clear liquids). I have been on Clear Liquids since Sunday (1 day before surgery). My atkins shake never tasted so good and i am looking forward to some grits tomorrow morning. My only complaints are the tightness, hunger pains, gas, and the diarrhea (TMI). No one told me about the last one. I guess it is a given; liquid in...liquid out. I can wait to start mushies on day 15. It was worth it though. Hope everyone is doing well!

I am super jealous! I had mine Monday, the 10th, and i have to do CLEAR liquids until Friday. Then i get to add skim milk, protein shakes, and strained cream soups. I am on this diet until day 15 post op and then i get to add pureed (mushy) foods. I am starving. I would hop on one leg and cluck like a chicken for a glass of milk.

Thanks I might have to stock up!

Oh my goodness. I read this and will remember your situation while going through my journey. I have a twin sister that is about 30 lbs lighter than me but my insurance covers the surgery and hers doesnt. We are also very close. I plan on talking band talk here and not with her since i think she is a bit let down that she cant have the surgery too.

I have Tricare Standard (Army National Guard). It took 48 hours to get approved. As far as Tricare goes you dont really have to do anything to be approved (i.e. Tests and diet). My surgeon on the other hand has been a completely different story but this is why i picked him. The only out of pocket i have had to pay is to the surgeon (and possibly an assistant surgeon). It was the estimated 20% (out of network charge) and i am not sure if they based this on total charges or the allowed amount. Either way it was a very small fee than most have to pay. My hospital, bariatric center, and anesthesiologists are in network so i will only owe them 15% of the allowed charge and Tricare doesnt allow much! Good luck, and like me, be thankful you have TRICARE because i used to have commercial while trying to do this and it was a nightmare!