legnarevocrednu

Hello! Unfortunately, I am one of those people that just despises cooking! I live on my own, so never saw the need of going through the process of cooking a meal. I know that should change (and hopefully it will), but after 4 years of going to school full time as well as working full time, I am just not in the habit. The microwave is a good friend of mine. In the mean time, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for quick, protein heavy, healthy meals? I thought lean cuisines might be a good idea, any others? I have not yet had surgery (only 24 days away!) so am just trying to think ahead. Thanks!!

Hello! Because I am young and reasonably healthy, I only took a week. I am having my surgery on a Monday and I go back to work the following Monday. I have a mostly desk job as well. I have warned everyone that I may be extremely tired and not up to par when I come back and they are okay with that. Worse comes to worse, I'll leave early, but I don't anticipate that. You may want to do something similar. Start with a week, but warn them that if complications arise, you may need to stay out longer. Also let them know that if you are at work, you will not be at 100 percent. Just an idea! Good luck!!

I never told my boss, I just requested the time off. If you have the time available to you, do not feel pressure to tell her. Unless, of course, you want to. I think we instinctively know who we can talk to about this decision...and the ones who we know would just be negative about it. I have told everyone I work with (except my boss because he's new and I don't know him that well), my immediate family, and most of my friends. There are two friends that I haven't told. I'm not sure why, but something inside of me just knows they would not be supportive. If they ask after surgery, I will tell them. Oh and by the way, everyone I HAVE told, is super excited and supportive. Just listen to your gut. If you feel like you shouldn't tell you boss, then don't. Good luck!

What exactly does an endoscopy do? Is this something that gets done right before surgery? I'm guessing it's not something everyone has to do? Just curious!

Wow! I have to say these are the scariest posts I have read yet! lol. My doctors have only mentioned hair loss once but said that as long as we take our vitamins and make sure we get enough protein, it wouldn't be a big deal. Now I'm starting to think other wise. My hair has always been on the thin side, and it is quite long. I guess I wouldn't freak out if I lose some hair, I just dont want it to be obvious to other people or to cause bald spots! Scary!!

Wow! Yeah this psychiatrist didn't even except my insurance. When I first started 6 months ago, I called one that DID except my insurance and she said that I would need to front the money (which was about 350) and they would give it back to me once the insurance gave them the money. I didn't want to do that. It stinks you had to pay so much!

So my psych eval went like this-I sat down, he asked where I worked and what I did, signed a paper, and out I went. 80 bucks for that??? Actually, I don't mind because I know a lot of people pay more and often have to go to more than one session. I'm thankful that it was painless. I guess I looked and spoke like a normal, logical person. Now I only need to get my primary doctors approval and I'm finished with all the insurance requirements. Yay!! Only 26 days left until surgery!! Tonight I have my second to last Nutritional class. Getting so excited now that I'm nearing the end.

It was a rough weekend and has been a rough morning. Thankfully, I finish up work in about an hour, then I head off to my psych eval! I have no idea what to expect, but I'll make sure to blog about my experience tomorrow. Only 27 days until surgery!!

I have mine on the 21st...so we will both be sipping protein for Thanksgiving...yum!!! Yay us! Good luck!

In exactly one month from today, I will be having the surgery that will change my life forever! I CAN'T wait!!! So excited! And in other good news, I am down 2.2 pounds from yesterday. Not sure how it happened (did have a lighter breakfast this morning) but I hope I can keep it going! Only 7.8 pounds to go to meet my November 11th goal of 10 pounds.

My doctor said a couple of weeks ago that medicare was going to start approving the sleeve procedure REALLY soon. Good luck!!

I was just asked by a coworker if there is any type of food I absolutely won't be able to have. I'm told by the doctors that there isn't but I've also heard everyone is different. I'm just wondering what the consensus is on this? What are you unable to tolerate after the surgery? I've been told some people can't eat spaghetti, milk based products and non toasted bread...oh and alcohol is usually a no no for a while. Anything else? Thanks!

When I go on my pre diet, I'm only allowed to choose from 3 or 4 different Protein Shakes. I know one of them was Undry which you can only get online, but I believe EAS is the other one. I'm not sure how it tastes, but it's doctor recommended! Do you have a GNC local? I know they are more expensive, but there is more to choose from plus, the people there know what they are talking about. I actually really like going in there! Good luck!

Not sure if anyone else said this (and I'm too lazy to read all the responses), but my nutritionist said that the reason people MAY experience hair loss, is because of a lack of protein. She said if you stick to the vitamins you are given, and get the recommended amount of protein, you shouldn't see too much damage. This is something I've been worrying also. I plan on being a stickler when it comes to protein and vitamins!! Oh and fyi, they have vitamins that help with hair growth as well, so you may want to pick some of that up.

So the scale went up the .2 pounds to 257. SO DEPRESSING! I just set a goal for myself. Lose 10 pounds BEFORE Pre Op (November 11th). I have my next Nutrition class on Tuesday...maybe I can lose a couple of pounds by then. We'll see! I hope to be 30 pounds lighter by time of surgery (November 21st...A MONTH FROM TOMORROW!!). My mom brought up leakage this morning. Now I'm starting to get concerned. I really hope things go smoothly for me with little to no complications.

<P> </P><P>Thanks for sharing your awesome experience! I admire you for losing that much weight before surgery! I plan to kick start my pre op diet starting November 1st (but that's what they all say!) haha. I'm glad to hear that your pre op experience is going so well. 3 weeks seems like a long time! I'm a bit concerned about headaches, but I'm sure I'll make it through! </P>

<BR>I did! As long as I'm there, everyone will be happy. lol

My sister had a gastric bypass a couple of years ago, and unfortunately, has gained about 75% of her weight back. I've told her a lot about the sleeve and she asked me if it's possible to get a revision from Bypass to Sleeve. I had no idea. Anyone know? Thanks!

My doctors have not seemed concerned about insurance approval. I've completed all my tests and I'm set for surgery a month from tomorrow. I'm confused though because I see on here that a lot of people have to prepare packets and they have to wait for insurance approval. I didn't have to go through all that. It seems like the doctor has taken care of it all. I just hope I don't get everything done that the insurance requires, only to find out I'm rejected. However, again, they don't seem concerned about it at all and are acting like it's already been aproved and taken care of. Maybe this just depends on the insurance carrier. I use Highmark Blue Shield. I'm just curious if there is anyone else who had a painless insurance experience. I want to make sure that my experience is not completely abnormal. I wonder if this is something I should be worrying about? I have my last appointment before surgery on November 3rd so I will ask then, but figured I'd ask your input first. Thanks!

Not sure if anyone is going to read this, but I figure blogging about my journey will give me something to look back on. It will help me note my progress. Surgery date is still 32 days away. It's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I just weighed myself and am currently at 256 (and that's rounding down). I usually stay around 255. My story is similar to everyone elses so I won't waste time with the details. Let's just say, a lot of time and money spent with very few (if any) results. I'm 27, and I realize I'm not getting any younger. I have been reasonably health, but had a scare that pushed me to start researching weight loss surgery. I'm very glad that I did and I'm extremely excited. Although I'M healthy, my family has a history of diabetes and heart problems and I wanted to nip that in the bud ASAP. I know a common question among the board is who do you tell about this journey? For the most part, I've told everyone. Everyone I work with, my whole family, and a few close friends. Amazingly, every single person I've told has been extremely supportive. I even told one of my friends (who I thought would react negatively) and she surprised me by being supportive! I feel super blessed to have such great people in my life. However, I have this one close guy friend that for some reason, I can't make myself tell. I do have feelings for him, so maybe that's why? It's been stressing me out a bit, and I'm really hoping that after surgery, he doesn't ask how I lost the weight so quickly. I guess I'll just have to jump that hurdle when I get to it. Originally, this journey was only supposed to be a 3 month one. However, the doctors confused my insurance, and it ended up being 6 months. Which isn't horrible...I'm just glad I'm getting it done. All of my pre tests are finished (since I orginally thought 3 months, I got right on it) and everything came back wonderfully. I have my psychiatrist appointment on Monday (the 24th). For those of you that are curious, I only have to pay 80 bucks. He doesn't accept my insurance, but I found him to be cheaper than the ones that do! My sister went to him when she had her bypass surgery a few years ago, and she said it only took a few minutes! I'll make sure to blog about my experience afterwards. I have my last appointment with Dr. K on November 3rd and I still have to get my primary doctors approval. Still two more nutrition classes left! I expect to start my pre op diet on or around November 11th. Not too excited about that, but I am determined to make it through! Well, that's a lengthy first blog! The others will be shorter.

Thanks everyone for your response! I guess everyone really is different! I'm not too concerned as I was blessed to be well endowed at a young age. I've grown to love them, so was afraid I'd have to let them go. Guess I'll just have to wait and see! It's still totally worth it!

Has anyone been in the position when the people of opposite sex in their life started to pay more attention to them because they were thinner? How did this make you feel? I've always kinda hoped that someone would like me for who I am on the inside, not what I look like on the outside...although I know that is unrealistic. I'm also worried about people asking me how I lost the weight so quickly. I've only told a handfull of people, and I really don't want to lie, but there are reasons I haven't told everyone. I feel this is right for me, and I don't want to hear other people's negative opininions. I know this may seem a little silly, but it's just been on my mind lately. Thanks!

One of the seminars I attended said you should start walking around your house the very next day. Nothing too strenuous, but you definitely want to get moving. Also, I am only taking a week off as well. My doctor was not happy about that, he thought I should take two. However, I am pretty confident I will recover quickly as I am young (27) and am reasonbly healthy. I would give yourself AT LEAST a week. Maybe you can talk to your work and see if you can have off a few more days? Good luck! Let us know how you do!

If he is at the mushy food stage, then he could probably handle a spoon or two of mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. Anything else could be blended into the consistency he can handle. I'm getting my surgery done the Monday beforehand so I won't even really be at the mushy food stage yet. I'll just be enjoying time with my family while sipping on Protein haha. Happy Thanksgiving!!

No offense, but I think you took her message wrong. I don't think she intends for him to "feast" or disobey the doctor. I think she was asking for creative ideas on mushy foods. That's how I took it anyway.