losingitin2012

What do you take instead?

I track my intake on my phone everyday. Do you all track the calories and carbs in your vitamins? My calcium citrate creamy bites or the chewy bites add quite alot of calories and carbs each day! My stats for protein, calories, and carbs look great without the calcium and vitamins. The carbs and calories go up when I include them. By up I mean I hit over 60+ carbs and over 700 calories. I'm 5 weeks out and have lost around 25 lbs. Thanks for your help! PAT

My citracal calcium creamy bites have 40 calories and some carbs. I have to consume 3 per day. That's a lot of extra calories and carbs. Do these count toward my 600-800 calories per day?

I have the SAME issue - probably 2 months worth. I'm thinking the high protein mashed potatoes will be good to keep at work if I forget to pack a meal. The pudding is high protein, too. I may just sell/give away the rest.

Thank you all. So far, I've only had burping and tightness in my chest. My heart rate, BP, etc are normal and there is no pain. I sure would hate to have Death by Cucumber! All kidding aside, it is pretty scary to think that one automatic action could do some damage. Thanks again.

At 10 days out I'm finally feeling better, so I decided to cook for my family. I made lasagna and a large salad. I cut cucumbers into round slices and then cut the rounds into fourths. Without thinking, I popped two of the small cucumber pieces into my mouth and swallowed! It was just the routine thing I always do while making a salad. I'm only 10 days out, so I'm so scared I've damaged my staple line or caused a leak. There is no pain yet, just tightness in my chest. The surgeon's office isn't open until Tuesday. What symptoms do I look for with a leak? I can't believe I did this and am scared! Pat

My surgery is June 23rd!

My surgery is June 23rd!

My surgery is June 23rd!

My VSG will be June 23rd....so I'm right here with you guys!

After 6 months of the "hoops," I got a call yesterday to say that my surgery has been approved by United HealthCare UHC. The paperwork was submitted on June 3rd, but UHC indicated that they did not get everything in the fax, so it was resubmitted on June 9th. My approval call was on June 14th. My plan is an HRA. I have a $1500 deductible and a $3K maximum out-of-pocket limit. UHC covers 85% of the surgery, so I'm not sure if this means I still owe 15% since I've met the out of pocket limit for the year. Surgery date to be given to me later this week. Yay!

Why is the self-pay quote less than insurance? A surgery is a surgery and it should cost the same, regardless. I'm asking because I have to pay 15% of my surgery and why should it be more just because I have insurance? <BR><BR>Ok...just saw where someone else posted the same question. It doesn't seem fair for those of us who are paying for an insurance plan to pay for it (I picked a higher-rate plan so I could have insurance for surgery). The rate should be the same regardless. So now, my 15% is higher just because I have insurance.

I have UHC, too...and have gone through all of the hoops for 6 months. I hope to be approved the first time around, but if not, I already have an appeal letter written by myself and by my doctor! :-)

Congrats! I have UHC, too, but had to go through the 6 mos diet and support group thing. My paperwork should be submitted around June 3rd. The insurance thing has me on pins and needles!

Mine has NO clears! Really! I have thin liquids, including a chocolate or vanilla Protein shake to start out. I checked twice with the dietician because I read on here that everyone has clear liquids. My plan is as follows: 7 days thin liquids 14 days thin and thick liquids 7 days puree - no pieces 7 days puree with pieces then introduce real foods slowly

Thank you for all of the help. There is a park at the lake but it is in the boondocks where there have been arrests for drugs. I could get a gun license....LOL. <BR><BR>We have 8 acres and my hubby has decided to make a trail for me. This is the safest option. :-)

I don't know if this is an impossible goal, but I should have surgery in June. I'd like to lose from 212 to 131 by then (for a normal BMI). This might be an impossible goal, but I'm just basing this on previous weight losses and regains. Just reaching below 200 and staying there would be an accomplishment for me.

HI, I have one more month of support groups before I can apply for insurance for my surgery. I have wanted VSG from the start. At the support groups, all of the people who have lost tons of weight fast are RNY patients. The ONE lady I met who had VSG went from 270 to 175 but is 5'1", so she is still considered obese. I've been looking at befores and afters on here and while the results are great, does anyone get to a NORMAL BMI? I spoke to my surgeon and he says he will be happy to do either the RNY or the VSG, but seems to be trying to lead me to the RNY, by saying things such as my sweet craving and lack of exercise make me a better candidate for RNY. Then he gave me weights I will be in 1 year (approximate) for each surgery and the RNY was in a NORMAL BMI and the VSG was not. So, I'm just asking if anyone reaches a normal BMI with VSG? Thank you for your help! deerpark (sorry I don't want to put my real name on here, but please help if you have the info).

Does anyone know what is the differences in oz of food/liquids for each bougie size? It doesn't look like it could be that much. I've asked 3 times to my surgeon's office and can't get them to answer as to what size they will be using.

Ha ha- there is a "free" lake I could swim in. <IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://cdn.verticalsleevetalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"> Thanks for the encouragement.

<P>Valentina, Those are some great ideas. The nearest curves is 35 miles away. We had one here, but it closed. There is a Y that is 32 miles away that has a pool, so I will ask my surgeon about it. Just the thing about living in the country - so far away from a city, so there are limited options. Thanks again!</P>

I'm a VSG hopeful and will possibly have surgery in June. My surgeon has encouraged me to join a gym. I have extreme anxiety ....even fear....of the thought of stepping foot back into the gym setting. All of the Barbies and Kens just intimidate me. I can barely lift my leg off of the ground and Barbie is flying through it without breaking a sweat. Ken is lifting weights like he is the Hulk. I feel as though I'm the only obese person in the place. There is only one gym in town and I have been a member there a few times over the past 20 years. I don't feel like I fit in and have no one to go with. The people who work at the gym do not help me learn how to exercise. I have seen the gym workers help the skinny females but ignore me or act annoyed when I ask how to use equipment. I know I need to go there, but hate the extreme anxiety and decreased self-esteem that will come when stepping in the door. I always burn out on home programs within a month or so. The only other gyms are 30+ miles away, but it might be worth the drive/gas money to find somewhere to exercise. I just wonder how to find a gym where there are normal sized people and staff who are willing to help me learn how to exercise. How do I figure this out without joining?

Congratulations! I hope to see that number one day, too.

I don't have a date yet but finished the 6 months diet requirement today. I have another support group meeting or so and then we can send it to insurance. I am hoping for June but will be fine with July if it takes that long.

I'm looking at June or July, too.