Heather~ Sweetdreams

I used myfitnesspal.com to keep up with my diet and exercise. Every month when I went to the doctor, I turned in that months printout of my food journal and exercise journal from that site. It was easy since they have an easy print out version. You can even backtrack if you want to start using it now. Just go back to when you started and complete each days info with the things you have journaled already. When I had completed everything, (nut. visit, pscyh eval, surgical consult) they turned ALL of that in with my journals. I got approved first try. Oh, and I only lost 14 pounds in my 6 month preop stuff. So I wouldn't worry to much about that. Just make sure you have EVERY single thing they require before they even consider sending it to insurance for approval.

I have BCBS of Texas, I don't know how different they are from yours, but they made it clear to me that my beginning BMI would be the only one they looked at. The 3 months you are doing, I had to do 6, all of which were supervised by my PCP, and only lost 18 pounds the entire time. I was approved first try, and had my surgery on July 14th! I did call my insurance and ask as many questions as I could think of. I had an entire list. That poor womans computer had probably never had so much typed into it at one time! LOL. Best of luck and hope this helps!!

It's been so awesome!! Yesterday was my 3 month Surgeversary, and I celebrated with a Zumba class and a healthy brunch with my sweetheart. I've lost 70 pounds so far, and am down from a 26/28 to a 16/18! I haven't been a size 18 since 1994!!!!! This has been one of the most exciting things I've ever had happen to me. To watch my body shrink and change practically daily has been amazing! Everyone comments and it feels so good to be noticed for something other than being a fat girl with a pretty face! I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!! I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

Hey Tracy! I think a lot of people have stalls, and then there are a few of us that just keep on trucking. I am super glad I am in the latter group, except, I'm having skin issues already, and I still have 80 pounds to goal. I started out at 310, and hit 250 on Saturday! I'm thrilled with my weight loss, but not so much about the loose skin. Keep your chin up, you're doing great!!!

I agree with kemo46, education is KEY! Perhaps he isn't as aware of the benefits, and the need you have on an emotional, and physical level to have this surgery. I feel bad, because my boyfriend of almost 3 years was so supportive, he stayed in the hospital with me day and night both days. Although, I have to say, that every single thing I learned I shared with him. He went to the visits with my PCP and my surgeon, as well as my initial nutritional visit. Try gathering information and leaving it places (like the bathroom) where he may actually pick it up and read it, if listening to you is not something he is too keen on. Please don't back out on this... It truly is the best thing I've ever done for myself and I just know you will feel the same way!

Pain meds and the lack of food will make you not go, and, or constipated. It took me a week to go after surgery and it was NOT comfortable. I ended up taking Milk of Magnesium for 3 days before I went as well. No worries, you're normal

I went through something very similar.. And I agree with Indymom, once I added some fruit to my diet, the " what is wrong with this food" taste bud problem pretty much went away! I started with low sugar applesauce, and then moved on to watermelon and peeled grapes. I'm now 2 months out, and can eat several grapes at a time, skin and all! Food tastes so much better now, and I eat whatever I want just really tiny portions! I would try some fruit, and give it a week.. I'm sure it will get better! Good luck!

Just before surgery I started posting notes on FB about my WLS... here is the most recent: I haven't updated in a while... I went back to see my surgeon on the 12th of September. Everything is right on track. As of that day I had lost 58.9 pounds, and to date I've lost 60 pounds!!! This past Thursday, the 15th, was my 2 month surgiversary.. so 60 pounds is a lot. I was released to start working out. But, was told to take babysteps. I have been on log walks, climbing outrageous hills everyday this week. I'm still counting my protien, and probably will for a long time. I can eat pretty much whatever I want, no restrictions. However, having WLS involves changing a LOT of things about your eating habits. It is automatic for me to read labels now. Carbs are bad.. especially from bread and potatos and anything starchy. I do enjoy fruit, especially grapes and watermelon...mmmmmmm.. I eat a ton of cheese, and chicken. Thank goodness I love it. I don't require Protein shakes anymore unless I don't get my 60 grams in a day. Which I'm very thankful for because I've gotten to the point where I can't stand them, and the thought of them make me sick to my stomach. I've still not ever thrown up, or had any nausea. Things are truly going great and I am looking forward to watching this life long weight continue to fall off of me. I am continually thankful from the support I have received from my family, friends, and co-workers. This has been one of the most fullfilling experiences in my life!!!! I just hope that more people that feel the need to do this make sure they get all the information they need. There was, and still is, so much to learn about WLS and what you have to do to live healthy and happy.

I'm still trying to find the comments made by TexasTeacher and Tiffykins that were supposedly rude.... I've been on this board for a few months and have never seen them give anything but sound advice to anyone that has asked. Now, others may not like what they have to say, but realistically, no one likes to be told (especially adults) that they have made bad choices. The simple fact of the matter is, this is a PUBLIC forum. So, if a question is asked, ANYONE can answer it. You don't have to like the answers you get, but you also don't have to start pointing fingers and throwing tantrums because you don't like to be told "no, you made a bad choice". Both of these sleevers are correct in letting you know that you made a poor choice in food. One even offered an alternative to the bad food choice. Call me crazy, but I do believe that is what ADVICE is.... 2 weeks out of surgery, a new sleever should be focusing on changing the habits that put them in the position to have to alter their physical being in order to get healthy. We've all done it. And, we've all made a fair share of our mistakes.... however, when I did eat that half a chocolate chip cookie that my daughter couldn't finish the other day, I KNEW it was wrong and didn't have to ask anyone if I'd made a mistake. Just saying!

Everyone in my NUT class was told at least 60 grams a day. I varied up my protein shakes, used different brands in hopes I wouldn't burn out. I'm 8 weeks out and have only been drinking one a day, and basically eating protein the rest of the day.

It WAS the Guadalupe! We stayed at a beautiful German bead and breakfast off the river, and had an awesome 5 hour float/ rapid ride! It was a wonderful weekend!

Everyone's pre op diet is different based on what the doctor requires. Mine was a 7 day liquid diet.. I became a Jello junkie. broth has a lot of sodium, and while I drank a ton of it the first 2 days I gained 5 pounds in Water weight! The shakes are a good source of supplementing a meal. It sucked bad! Had my boyfriend not been around to stop me, I don't know that I could have done it.

Hi Kids!! I want to start this out by saying CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME!! With that out of the way, I would like to offer some advice that I found to be extremely helpful when I was going through all of this back in July! First, as hard as I know it is, try not to get too worked up the days before surgery. Your anxiety gets the best of you, and your hormones go all crazy because of it. This can cause some emotional distress, and make you grumpy, when you don't really have to be. Second, when packing for the hospital, don't go crazy. Chapstick is a MUST, a small firm pillow, clean undies, and a change of clothes. You will be in a hospital gown the entire time and it really is the way to go since they will be coming in and checking you regularly. Third, remember, you WILL feel like crap for up to 3 weeks after surgery. You may have pain, you may have gas, you may not be able to keep anything down. You will have a hard time getting your fluids in, and you FOR CERTAIN will not meet your protein requirement. IT'S OKAY! Just try to get your fluids, and walk as often as you can. Even when you REALLY don't want to, walk a bit. It really does help! I'm 7 weeks post op and down 56 pounds!!! While this seems to be an extraordinary amount of weight loss, I never thought I would be one of the ones that was so lucky. I was miserable the first 3 weeks and wondered if I had screwed up, but at the end of the 3rd week, I was in an innertube floating down the river rapids in South Texas!! I wish you all the best of luck and am happy to answer questions you may want to send to me in a personal convo, that you may not want to post on the board! Keep on smiling!!!!

That's funny, I wondered if I was the only one who had become addicted to lunchables! They have had them on sale at WalMart for $1 each, so I grab 5-6 everytime I go in, and snack on it throughout the day at work. It's worked out great so far... or at least until I burn out on them. I have found that I burn out on foods quickly. I can't stand protein shakes anymore. I'm hoping that staying off of them for a little while will help me get back to being able to tolerate them a little later on.