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So exited about finally having a food I can chew for the first time in 5 weeks!!!! Best scrambled egg of my life lol

Almost all surgeons require you to be tobacco free, sometimes up to 6 months pre op. Nicotine hinders healing and causes stomach ulcers after WLS. I quit in September 2016 and my surgery was 6/21/17. I quit cold turkey and have not touched one since, but I understand where you are coming from. It's hard to break. My surgeon had me do a nicotine urine test 2 days prior to surgery and if it was positive my surgery would have been cancelled. Some surgeons do a test at the beginning of your journey and prior to surgery to be safe. Good luck quitting! It's for the best! You can do this!

Ask the dietician attached to the surgical team for a meal plan. and stick to the level she suggests. so free fluids first, then the next level. then soft food - I had low calorie jellies ready and pureed fruit (baby puree level). For me she suggested that I get in plain yoghurt as she knew I liked it. and eat protein first. my protein was mainly chicken, fish, eggs, and cottage cheese. But my greatest help was fresh unsweetened pineapple juice, to sip. It helped rid me of all the foamy mucous phlegm that was making life a misery for the first three weeks at home. Fresh pineapple juice really saved the day. My Doctor suggested it and it worked a treat after three hours of sipping it , a little at a time, I finally gained relief from all the vomiting of foamy phlegm. Here is why - fresh pineapples contain digestive a digestive enzyme in them called, "Bromelain". Bromelain helps break down hard to digest proteins in our digestive tract naturally so we do not end up with gas, bloating, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, burping or constipation. - enzyme bromelain is known to reduce phlegm and mucus in throat

I was able to take huge pills like normal. Never had any issues, never cut them, never crushed them. Took them all normally. Within 36 hour post-op.

I received approval from Aetna! (Aetna POS II). I did the 90 day Multi-disciplinary approach. Technically I started in December, but I had a little hiccup and missed one of my appointments with my Primary Care Doctor in January. All I did was tack on an extra appointment with him in April, and all was good. When I first started I was so confused about Aetna's requirements, so I wanted to share for those that are taking the same route. Here is what I did to get approved. December: I met with the Surgeon and bariatric coordinator. I was intimidated about the process because of the insurance requirements. I started a journal to help keep track of my appointments and for a place to relay my thoughts as I went through everything. I met with my Primary Care doc for appointment 1 of 3. I met with a physical Therapist office, the week before Christmas, inside of our local YMCA to meet the exercise requirement. I wasn't sure how often I was supposed to meet with them. I scheduled an appointment twice a week. I later found out that once a month would have sufficed. January: I met with nutritionist for appointment 1 of 3 I met with psychologist for appointment 1 of 3 I met with Primary Care doc for a reason not related to weight loss, so it did not count as appointment #2, and I had to start over in February with my PCP visits. I met with physical therapist twice per week. February: I met with nutritionist for appointment 2 of 3 (I lost10 pounds at this weigh in) I met with psychologist for appointment 2 of 3 . I met with Primary Care doc for appointment 1 of 3 (again...sigh) I learned that I only needed to meet with the exercise therapist once per month, so I only had one visit this month. March: I met with nutritionist for appointment 3 of 3 (I lost 9 more pounds at this weigh in) I met with psychologist for appointment 3 of 3, and took the evaluation test. I met with Primary Care doc for appointment 2 of 3. Since I had already had 3 months straight with the exercise therapist, I did not go anymore after my February appointment. But I did keep an exercise log and gave it to my bariatric coordinator to submit as well, just to help my case. April: 1 visit with Primary Care doc For some reason it took my PCP a while to get everything sent over to the bariatric coordinator so that she could submit it for approval, but it was finally submitted on 4/25, and approval was granted on 5/5. I am 5'9 and started out in December at 290 pounds. As of today I am 259 pounds and I'm proud that I did that on my own. I feel confident and have proven to myself that I can make the lifestyle and habit changes that are required in order to make this tool successful. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in December, which lit the fire under me to get serious about my health. I am waiting for a call back from the Bariatric coordinator so that I can get my pre-op appointment and surgery scheduled. This has been quite a journey so far. I'm excited to watch it all unfold.

Black Coffee Water Americano Espresso Iced Coffee with Sugar Free Syrups Close to goal Tall Flat White Anything you want options for just google Low Carb or Sugar Free [whatever you are looking for] http://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/how-to-order-low-carb-keto-at-starbucks-and-10-low-carb-starbucks-copycat-recipes/

Day 5 of high protein liquid diet. 9 days to go, then surgery. I miss solid food. Even a salad. A bit of fish. Anything! Very much trying to focus on the fact that this is temporary. I will chew again some day. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I was the same. But I met with my doctor and she encouraged me to really listen to my body. I was trying to eat at certain common meal times...and wasn't losing weight and having major hiccups. She basically said I was overeating even though I was eating less than 800 calories. I did what she asked because I wasn't hungry it was just my habit to have lunch at 12. And, I always stopped immediately when the hiccups came and didn't try to finish it in an hour like I was doing before. Plus, I stopped trying to eat breakfast. I am always nauseous in the morning. So, I stick to coffee and have a shake mid-morning. I didn't see how a body could survive on so little calories. But that is the glory of the surgery...for a short time we can and we can capitalize on those "non-hungry" months. Happy to say since making those changes I have dropped 10 pounds. Keep the faith and listen to your body. Best of luck friend.

Agreed, meal planning/prep can get old. I do Paleo recipes and low carb on YouTube along with Keto. These keep it fun and interesting. And theworldaccordingtoeggface.com is a great website. Keep on keeping on. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Very inspiring Congrats on your success!