Donna4545

This is the beginning. Age 45, BMI 51; Starting weight 331; Goal weight 150 I live in rural North Dakota, and I have just had my paperwork submitted for vertical sleeve gastrectomy to BCBS this week. The bariatric program coordinator said I should have no problem getting approved, as they are part of a BCBS pilot program. My hospital/program are 100 miles away, so the online community will be my main support system. I have been overweight since age 10. I really ballooned to morbidly obese after age 40. I am absolutely done with diets. I am borderline diabetic, have arthritis in the knees, hyperlipidemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. I am also taking medication for depression, but it is treated, so I don't feel depressed. I am hopling that my surgery will change all of these health problems. I tried to get insurance approval from United Health Care for a RNY in 2007--it was explicitly excluded from coverage. In 2009 I got a new job with new insurance and here I am. I have accepted the lifestyle changes that will have to be made, so at this point my main concerns are cost, insurance approval, and finding out all I can about life after surgery. I'm a foodie so this is going to be quite a challenge, but I've already found a gourmet bariatric cookbook, so I am going to make this work. I'll post again when I hear something from the insurance. Wish me luck!

My July 14th surgery date is getting closer, and I'm starting to ease myself into the pre-op diet (2 shakes and an Atkins-type dinner). The sugar free DaVinci syrups that I found online make the protein shakes less monotonous. I got these flavors out of the aboput 50 they have: Kahlua, coconut, pineapple, Amaretto, Creme de Menthe, Egg Nog. I'm using IsoPure zero carb protein powder in vanilla (as a base for my flavored syrups) and in Banana Creme (same). They mix excellently with water--no lumps. I've also gotten Inspire brand Cinnamon Cappucino protein powder, but the taste is mild so I have to add syrup, and it doesn't mix up quite as well, but it's ok. I recommend the Supplement Warehouse website for everything--best prices I've found, including the syrups, protein/soup mixes, and chewable/sublingual vitamins. The Atkins Advantage ready to drink shakes are ok, but I can see they are going to get boring fast so I'm glad I got the powder/syrups. I also bought 2 oz. cups, 2 oz. ice cube trays for freezing purees, 4 oz. ramekins, and toddler silverware and bowls. I tried out the toddler silverware and I definitely recommend doing this BEFORE surgery because you will have an emotional reaction to eating in different amounts. It took me about 10 minutes to process the anger I first felt using a tiny fork--it's like my id was saying "why is this necessary", and rebelling but I got over it. I also got 4oz containers of Gerber Apple Juice for post-op. I feel like I'm all set. I'm not scared, and I'm not excited--I'm more in the middle--a little disbelieving that it's actually going to happen. I got the final medical clearance from my primary care doc, paid my $500 co-pay, and I'm ready for rock and roll. I don't have any relatives or friends here since I moved here for a job not yet a year ago so I'm doing this on my own. I feel confident I can do it. If anybody wants to correspond/chat/email I'd be glad of the contact, as I'd like to hear how other people are handling their July surgeries. Donna

Hi Ally- The 2 oz cubes are for my puree phase--i'll put whatever I puree, or strained cream Soups since there's no way I can eat a whole can. I plan to freeze, and defrost 2 cubes in the microwave when I want "real food" quickly. I got 2 containers of Isopure zero carb/sugar 32 gram Protein powder. It mixes with Water really well-no lumps. I got vanilla (I figured I could buy sugar free syrups like they use at Starbucks to change the flavor) and banana Creme. I've heard some people say they don't like Isopure, but I thought it was fine. I guess it's a matter of taste. I also bought Centrum chewable multi-Vitamin and chewable Calcium, and sublingual B12. I don't want to have to crush pills. I have other protein stuff that I haven't tried yet, so I won't post about that. I'm most excited about a high protein powdered chicken Soup for my clear liquid phase. The little bowls are great--they're for toddlers and come with plastic lids--I found them on Amazon along with my 4 oz cups. Once you start googling you find all kinds of stuff--I just ordered some carb-free Fiber pasta! It's from Japan originally. I was so happy about that. I think the site is miraclenoodle.com. I'm a foodie, so I'm really planning to enjoy my meals and get my protein in, even if it is mush lol. Donna

My surgery is July 14th with Dr. Helbling in Bismarck, North Dakota. BCBS is paying for all but $500 of it. My blood work and physical for the medical clearance is June 15th, and I see a pulmonlogist June 18th. Hopefully this all goes to schedule and nothing gets delayed. I've already bought my baby silverware, tiny bowls, protein drinks, tiny cups, and 2 oz ice cube trays for freezing purees. I am so ready for this. I start my pre-op diet July 1st.

After surgery, I'll be in for a long North Dakota winter. I know I'm not going to drive to Curves in a blizzard, and I don't have a TV for wii. What kind of low-impact exercise can I do in the house without buying equipment? Thanks

You need 800 calories a day, otherwise your body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to every fat cell. Although it sounds odd, eat more (of the right stuff) and you should start to lose.

You need the nutrients from 800 gross calories for your body to lose weight. How you use them up doesn't matter, except that you will lose more weight if you exercise them off. You don't want to go over 1,200 gross calories, which you would do if you used "net" calorie counting. It's what you put in there, not what you end up with net that is the thing you want to count.

Thanks everybody. I ended up buying the Walk at Home DVD. I'll see how that goes, and then branch out once I've mastered that one.

I got insurance approval from BCBS North Dakota in 3 days! One day at the bariatric clinic for clearances, and then I got scheduled. I'm still in shock!

TSA-friendly 3.4 oz vial of liquid protein in 4 fruit flavors, 42 grams protein, zero sugar, carbs. I ordered several of these. Great for flying. Here's the link: IDS Sports New-Whey Liquid Protein, 42 g Protein (3.1 oz. vial)

I got insurance approval from BCBS North Dakota in 3 days! One day at the bariatric clinic for clearances, and then I got scheduled. I'm still in shock!

I wonder if this is why my doc doesn't do an all-liquid pre-op diet and advances through the post-op food stages pretty quickly-about a week between each.

Kitty- My bariatric clinic is in a pilot program with BCBS BUT even without that, I called BCBS and they said they would approve a sleeve if you had a BMI of 51 or higher with 3 co-morbidities. That said, the pilot program definitely changes things because there were some pretty low (compared to me at 51) BMIs and they were also told they would probably be approved. I was told I would definitely be approved--and I was! I'm glad someone knows where Minot is, lol! Good luck to you!

My doc said clears for 2 days, full liquids day 3-13, pureed day 14-20; and light solids/some real food day 21-27. Day 28--real food

My pre-op diet is shakes for breakfast and lunch, and an Atkins-type meal for dinner. I don't know what the advantage of shakes-only would be.

Here's my surgeon's suggested sample menu for 3 weeks out: Breakfast: 1/2 cup Cheerios w/ 2-3 oz skim milk 1 oz. mozzarella cheese stick Lunch: 2-3 oz baked cod 1/2 small baked potato 1/2 cup green Beans 1/4 cup canned pears Snack: 8 oz skim milk Dinner: 2-3 oz turkey 1/4 cup wild rice 1/2 cup cooked carrots 1/4 cup canned peaches Snack- 8 oz skim milk It could be that you're not getting enough of the right calories--and lose those oyster crackers--carb city! Good luck!

My pre-op diet allows one small meal at dinner. I feel lucky! I only have to do clear liquids the day before/of surgery.

Update: Since I have to fly when I'm 6 weeks post-op, I found a TSA friendly liquid protein 3.4 oz and 42 grams of protein. Here's the link: IDS Sports New-Whey Liquid Protein, 42 g Protein (3.1 oz. vial)

I spent the afternoon shopping for my pre and post-op needs. I found baby flatware, 2 oz tupperware cups, the smallest bowls with lids I could find were 8 oz. I found the pre-op Atkins Advantage RTD Shakes for about $4.50 per 4 pack, 4 oz. baby apple juice for dirt cheap, gerbers baby green beans, stage 2, Isopure 3 lb 50g protein powder for $32 (1.50 a serving). I found the best deals by using Google. I already have a food scale, chicken broth, and shaker bottle. I'm trying to think if I need anything else. For four days after the surgery I will be in a hotel room near the hospital, until the doc says I can drive myself the 100 miles home. They have a special rate for this-$69/night and my Flex acct will reimburse $60/night for that. The room doesn't have a fridge, but for day 3 and 4 I'm hoping I can get some soup in the hotel restaurant, and yogurt for breakfast. Otherwise, everything is check! Surgery scheduled for 7/14/10.

My doc said do nothing for 4 days, and then you can drive after you don't need pain medication.

Have you seen this blog? Bariatric Foodie

I'm a foodie, so I was really happy to find this. All the recipes can be pureed if you are in that stage of your program. Here's the link: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244537/ref=oss_product]Amazon.com: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery (9781569244531): Patt Levine, Michele Bontmpo-Saray, William B. Inabnet, Meredith Urban-Skuros: B[/ame]

Here's another one I just ordered: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592332269/ref=ox_ya_os_product]Amazon.com: Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You (Healthy Living[/ame]

Here's another one I just ordered. I was impressed with the fact that they had a Jamaican Jerk recipe. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592332269/ref=ox_ya_os_product]Amazon.com: Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You (Healthy Living[/ame]