stacey131

I am having the surgery done at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. It is on Wednesday 4/18.

That is so weird. Not sure why an employer would set medical policy...but who knows. It was really quick and my stats are EXACTLY the same as yours. I am 5 foot 2 and started at 226. I am at 204 now and surgery is Wednesday. BCBS was great, I got a letter from them...but the surgeon's office knew before the letter. It was really quick and no quibbling. I was also assigned a nurse case manager...haven't seen the value of that yet, but we will see. GOOD LUCK!

BCBS IL no longer has the 6 month diet supervision required! As of 2/28, they amended their policy. I submitted on a Tues and got approval on a Friday.

Can also try a teaspoon of yogurt. You get some of that creaminess in.

Yeah I was looking for sleeve sisters. I am in NYC, where r u guys?

OMG, I feel the same way. I started my journey about the same time and have surgery 4/18!!!! I am so nervous that I cannot stand it. I did get an Rx for xanax and it does help. I keep saying...surgery now vs a quadruple bypass in 20 years or worse...

First, I am so sorry that this made you feel bad. My BMI was 40 and I have 0 risk factors and it was done in a hospital. I think that higher our BMI, the higher our anesthesia risk. It is a precaution and I hope that you look at it that way.

So my surgeon requires a 2 week all liquid diet prior to surgery to shrink the liver. Given that it is for my safety as much as his convenience, I am following it to a "T." I think that I have been more stressed about the 2 weeks than anything else. Well, here I am day 4 and have lost 6 lbs so far (and actually feel pretty good). I thought I'd share some things that have helped me... I didn't eat like a pig (my normal style) and then go cold turkey. I tried 1 shake a day, 2 a day, 3 a day leading up to the full fast. I felt weaning myself off food and especially sugar helped me. I bought a 1 liter water bottle and set mini goals for intake through out the day I bought a range of shake flavors (pretested them all)- sweet, savory (chicken flavored) and plain protein. I find that I get sick quickly of having the same thing for every "meal" so I switch it up My surgeon allows you to mix with water, milk or yogurt...so I switch that up to so I feel like I have some variety of texture This may not be for all as it is expensive...but I bought myself a VitaMixer. This thing is AMAZING! I make coffee ice cubes then mix a chocolate powder with milk or water for a yummy frozen treat as well. I am actually saving a lot of money on food...so I splurged. I figure it will be good too for after surgery during the mushy stage

Try vita muffins. So good!

Am looking for a "partner"

I have had luck woth orlistat/Alli to help keep the fat in my diet down. I have lost tons of weight, but it helps keep the weight down and my triglycerides came all the way down. With a High protein/then fat/then carb diet, I was wondering whether I could keep taking it. For instance, eating an avocado or a piece of salmon-- it would block 1/3 the fat from being absorbed.