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Hello! I'm 4 weeks post op and thought I would come back here to share what I have learned over the last 4 weeks. [emoji3590] My experience since surgery has been nothing short of incredible. I'm not speaking in terms of massive weight loss, but my energy, focus, well-being, mental clarity, and state of mind. The weight loss is a bonus. Looking back on my 8 month journey to the OR, I realized that the most crucial piece of advice I received came from the most unlikely of individuals on my path, the psychologist who did my psyche evaluation. She told me that the single best thing I could do for my recovery in the time before my surgery was to practice hitting my program Protein and fluid goals before surgery and to practice liquid Meal Replacement. I had more time than expected between this appointment and surgery (5 months versus 8 weeks due to multiple delays and reschedules), but I kept on doing this. I started by replacing Breakfast with my Protein Shake and monitoring my Water intake. I eventually worked up to hitting 70-90 grams of protein daily and my minimum 90 ounces of water. I still ate, but only after I was at my minimum protein goal. It wasn't an doctors order, it wasn't required, but I took her advice to heart and it has paid off in droves. Within days of my VSG, I was well on my way to hitting my goals again, with little head hunger or emotional discomfort with a liquid diet. I wasn't stressed or had any 'buyers remorse'. This is one small thing you can do for yourself on the way to make the lifestyle change a smooth transition. Best of luck! Sent from my Pixel 3a using BariatricPal mobile app

I think you are correct re the diabetes information. I would guess your numbers may increase some as you have some carbs once you are months out but I would guess not to the point of going back on meds. I was at 300-400 calories the first month and worked up to 500-600 and stayed at that level until month 6. Then I was only 10 pounds form my goal and worried about losing too quickly (I know that sounds insane right!!) so I purposely increased calories about 100/week to hit around 1000. I worked up towards 1200-1400 around the 10 month mark and now at almost 2 years am around 1500/1600 to maintain. Honestly that seems a little high compared to what others on here say but it keeps me at my comfortable weight. According to the BMi chart I could lose another 10 pounds but I feel like it would make me look too thin and bony ( also crazy to think that would ever be a thought re. my body). If I see my weight trending up 2-3 then I set a goal of 1200 (but usually log around 1300-1400) and that will get me down those 2 pounds within 1-2 weeks. I do think that wont be as easy in another 6-12 months as I am out of the honeymoon phase so I keep logging food/calories religiously. If I see I am low on protein its just a matter of fact thinking ok go get a piece of cheese or drink a glass of milk vs old me would get crackers or chips at the end of the day.

there are some people who just have a protein shake for breakfast since they can't stomach eating solid food in the morning....so that might be an option.

I have the same problem I wear 2 socks, 2 sweatshirts, sweat pants and have the heater at 70, and still cold. Sent from my SM-N986U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I mean, the purpose of the preop diet is to shrink your liver for surgery, so I would say definitely no alcohol. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 60 days post RNY. My surgery and recovery have been physically quite easy. Mentally, some days are better than others. I like to eat. I enjoyed food. I still do. I'd like to eat more, but now have the physical reminders that I can't. I'm working to replace behaviors that were linked to eating out of habit. That's hard. Every. Day. The part of your post that sets off alarm bells for me is where you say that you have to make a decision by next week. There is no reason you should feel pressured to make a decision. Take your time. Research, research, research. Your program should have competent professionals on staff to help guide you. Make an appointment on your own with your own PCP or a counselor. In the end, the decision has to be yours and you have to be ready to live differently. No one can answer for you if you are ready for that. I know that I was not ready for it for a long time. I made excuses that living the post WLS lifestyle was just as "abnormal" as was being morbidly obese. It took realizing the long-term consequences of my weight on my health that finally was the decision-maker.

I am so happy today! 50 pounds gone! It has taken 3.5 months, which is longer than I thought it would take, but it's 50 pounds gone which is more than I've ever lost before regaining! I lost 25 pounds the first month and have been averaging 10 pounds for the last 2.5. I had to resign myself to NOT getting to goal by the holidays, but I have felt amazing, never deprived and my skin and hair look great! Slow and steady wins the race! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

if you have GERD, go with bypass. If you don't, it comes down to personal preference. Statistically people lose more weight with bypass, but it's not by a significant amount. IIRC, the average weight loss is 70% of excess weight (RNY) vs. 65% of excess weight (VSG). I don't know that cutting out 80% of your stomach and throwing it in the garbage is any less invasive than putting a staple line across your stomach and moving your small intestine up, but that's just me. They both seem pretty drastic to me... anyway, you'll find people who are wildly successful with both surgeries - and others who have failed both surgeries - and others who are kind of in the middle. Success is really more a matter of your level of commitment rather than which surgery you go with. They're both good surgeries and if you're committed, you'll succeed with either one.

My gastroenterologist (who diagnosed my GERD/Gastritis/Esophagitis) wants me to get to normal BMI. For me that's 145, so that's my goal. My surgeon never really discussed a weight loss goal since my surgery was for GI issues, not weight loss. But I know when I has the gastric sleeve done, my surgeon told me his goal is always for better health for his patients. So he never discussed weight goals, rather things like getting off blood pressure meds, lowering my glucose levels, getting off a by pap machine etc. I did all of that, and he was happy.

there can be a lot of variation even with the same insurance company. If it's through your employer, they can contract with the insurance company to include some services and exclude others - or do partial payment for some procedures and full payment for others. The best way to find out what exactly your policy covers is to give them a call..