rubinsml

I have a couple of thoughts...You say your vomiting at dinner time, have you eaten oatmeal at dinner? Did you vomit then? The question being are you vomiting due to the food choice or the time of day? As far as Protein types- have you tried tofu? I have found that tofu is easily tolerated by my sleeve, while chicken is definately not.

Michelle

One of the reasons my surgeon reccomended the sleeve for me was my need for NSAIDS. I could not use them for about a month postop but then was given the go ahead but told to double my PPI and to be alert for any issues with reflux. This has worked out wellfor me. As a previous poster mentioned, many of the "rules" forsleevers are the same as those for bypass patients and this does not always make medical sense. Hopefully in time the rules will start to more accurately reflect the real needs of us sleevers.

Michelle

I had surgery on a wednesday , was discharged on a friday and never needed anything for pain once I left the hospital. I too used toradol in the hospital. Toradol ROCKS!!

Michelle

TOFU!!! The extra firm has 80 calories /8 gms protein/ 2gms carbs/2.8 oz It is fast and easy to cook

If I were you I ould go to the McDonalds website and look at the nutritional guides for your possible choices. And then I suspect I would brown bag it. YMMV

We would be better off saying we have an elevated BMI due to obesity vs classifing ourselves as obese due to an elevated BMI. In other words a person can have a elevated BMI due to obesity or high muscle mass/low fat ratios or as you pointed out heavy bones along with high muscle mass.

HI NikkiC,

I had my first appt 9/19/12 and had my surgery on 12/5/12. I did have to lose 15lbs before my surgeon would book the surgery (% of excess wgt), which I did. This was a requirement of my surgeon and not HP.

Michelle

Hi Nikki,

I have HP too. I just had my surgey 12/5/12. HP said all I needed was a BMI of 40 or above and go to a center of excellence. My surgeons office said HP was one of the easiest insurances to deal with and gave fast approvals. There were no problems for me getting approved. Good luck!

Michelle

You rock!!! Keep doing what your doing, It is really working for you!

Spicy strawberry Ricotta

1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese

2 packages truvia (or other sweetener)

1/2 tsp.strawberry(extract) flavoring

heavy dash nutmeg

Mix ricotta cheese, strawberry extract and sweetener. Chill for 1 hour. Add a heavy dash nutmeg

Unfortunately, when it comes to Protein powders, unflavored does not mean flavorless. However I have found Isopure unflavored zero carb powder to be pretty close. I found it on Amazon and being a prime member the shipping was free.

Michelle

You look amazing!

Today is my day too. Good luck and prayers to everyone!!!

Seems like there is a few of us today. Today is my day too. I am just sitting in the waiting room. My weight is 2 lbs less than the doctors doctor's pre-op goal for me! I am anxious but ok. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. See you on the other side

Michelle

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know how Protein Powder mixes with Jello when making it yourself. I would add it after disolving the Gelatin in boiling Water and then adding the cold water thenthe Protein powder. Have you tried it? How did it work out? Any suggestions? I think I am going to try it, but thought maybe someone else already had and could provide some pointers.

Michelle

I have been lurking and reading everyones posts. I want to thank you all for unknowinglu encouraging and supporting me ! Today I got my date. Dec 5th! I really did not think it would be until late January. It has come as quite shock and I am scared all over again! So I am out of the shadows asking for support. My biggest fear... What if I do this and I fail again?

Michelle

Wow Wow Wow! Great job!!!

Hi Lindsay,

Have you heard anything about the HPHC process? Do you have any idea when you will have a surgical date?

Michelle

You must feel amazing!!

Michelle

Anybody have Havard Pilgrim health care for insurance? How difficult were they to work with? What were their requirments?

Michelle

I agree, switching doctors is the best choice if your current one is not supportive. I feel that since I am paying for a service, that in addition to getting a quality product, I should get good customer service too. I would not shop at a store where I was treated with a condescending attitude. A PCP is an especially inport part of you healthcare, you really need to have someone who is one your side. They need to be honest, intelligent, kind, open to your opinions and available to hear your concerns and have an excellent medical skills. Remember your PCP works for you. IMHO I would switch doctors when ;

1. she refuses to write the letter you need (unless she has a really compelling medical reason you should not have this surgery).

2. After she writes the letter and provided you with whatever else you need from her in relation to this surgery, but before the surgery. You need a PCP that you can trust and that will listen to you and be there for you, not someone who is dismissive or demeaning towards you.

Just stick to the diet as close as you can. I remember drinking coffee and pop right up until I had the surgery. I ate a good protien diet everynight for dinner. Lot's of fish. What they are trying to do, is make sure that your liver is moved away from your stomach. For goodness sakes don't start smoking, I'm not a doctor, but I can't see how the nicarteen gum, would hurt you, if you quit it before the surgery. Good luck to you, your doing the right thing. I had my surgery 10 months ago, and I'm at goal. Best thing I ever did for myself. PS. I can eat anything, I don't drink coffee or soda's, just don't want to ruin a good thing. Best of Luck.Kathy

Hi everyone,

I'm new to VSG talk and I'm grateful for forums such as these to help people along in the process...

I just started my pre-op diet 2 days ago and I'm scheduled for a VSG in Tijuana, Mexico on Nov 9th. I currently weigh about 440 lbs and the surgeon and my care coordinator told me I can have 2 or 3 Atkins Protein shakes a day and a salad with Protein (chicken, fish, egg, etc.) with lowfat dressing, olive oil and vinegar or fat free dressing. They want me to do this for 3 weeks prior to surgery and it hasn't been easy at all.

I'm not allowed to have caffeine either, which is driving me effing crazy! I've had a headache and lots of fatigue for a couple days, I have a hard time concentrating and I keep worrying that I'll never get to enjoy food again. Last night I cheated a little bit and had a spoonful of Peanut Butter, I hope it doesn't negatively affect my results.

I use to be a smoker "years ago" and for the first time in a very long time I'm craving cigarettes, but I know better. I wonder if the occasional piece of nicorette gum would negatively affect my pre-op diet? I was also prescribed some pain meds "vicodin" for a knee injury and pain, but now I'm afraid to take them because I'm not sure if they'll affect my liver prior to the surgery.

Are there any post op VSG patients out there who can comment on their progress, what it's like to eat after the procedure, if they eventually get to eat things like pizza or chinese food again, whether or not they had fears about not being able to eat normal foods again, etc?

Thanks,

Bryan

Hi Bryan,

I would strongly recommend that you NOT chew nicotine gum. The concern is not that it might impact your surgery in a bad way. The concern is, that right now you are kicking a number of addictions, caffiene, fatty foods- so of course your mind is going to mess with you and make you think about smoking again. Right now it is only your head craving a cigarette, but if you take in nicotine- now your BODY will want the nicotine too. Your mind is desparately seeking a way to relieve the stress of your upcoming surgery, find something else that will help you deal with this. Some thing to help relieve your stress. Perhaps a massage, or some type of hobby.

Michelle

The qualifications for vsg is dependant primarily on your BMI. This is calculated with height and weight.

Hi All,

I hope somebody of this forum has been sleeved using Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. If so, could you tell me what their requirements were for approving this surgery? I know the hospital must meet particular criteria- be a center for excellence, the BMI reqirements will not be an issue for me (my BMI is 54). Any other requirements?

Michelle

I am 6 days post op and I feel awful and lots of regret. I felt awesome when I left the hospital and after taking pain meds felt horrible. I've been to er twice for iv to rehydrate and today I'm trying to stay on top of my fluids. I have a gnawing feeling in my stomach which I assume is hunger. almost thinking this was not worth it at all. somebody tell me this all goes away and. I will have my life back.

Redsoxgirl,

I have not been sleeved yet, but everything I have read says you will feel better soon! As a nurse I can tell you that you must stay hydrated!!! When you are dehydrated you will feel aweful and your thinking/emotions are off kilter. Sip Sip Sip! If you still feel so poorly on Monday call your surgeons office and get an appt with him/her.

I too am from MA

Michelle

I have gone to the seminar online. Met with the surgeon On 9/18/12. He told me I needed to lose 15 lbs along with multiple tests. As of today I have lost 5lbs, had stress test and barium swallow this morning. I scheduled for the sleep study next Wednesday and psych eval and nut the last week of Oct. I am hoping for surgery in January.