KarenSt

4 weeks out and no regrets. It's the tool I needed to lose weight and create new, healthy habits.

Congrats!!

The only reason many if us are on the FB page is because it's secret. If it switched to closed we would all freak out!!

I highly recommend the book "the Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes" by Nikki Massie. Really delicious recipes! http://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Foodie-Perfect-Protein-Shakes/dp/1480101095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403287608&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bariatric+foodie+guide+to+perfect+protein+shakes

I joined the FB Group and immediately went into my activity log and clicked "hide from timeline", which should do the trick.

Ah, that sucks! I have BCBS too & it was pretty straight forward. I'll count myself lucky! Good luck in cancun!

I'm in NC as well. Asheville. How about you?

I don't judge wanting to keep things private as sad at all. I was thin & athletic all the way through university and many of my FB friends are from that first part of my life & don't even know I gained 120lbs in the last 3 years. No need to advertise that!

Two reasons, one mental, one physical: 1. It shows your level of preparation, commitment and understanding of the massive life change you're about to undertake 2. It gets you in the best shape possible for surgery, which minimizes risk of complications, including shrinking your liver Many insurances require a 5% weight loss before you even meet with the surgeon. Mine didn't but the bariatric center I'm with is a center of excellence and both they, and the surgeon required it. The surgery isn't a quick-fix, as you know. It requires a huge mental shift before they ever do the surgery.

I do yoga. Look for classes with the words: - restorative - flow - gentle - slow - stretch (my gym has a "gentle stretch" class) - Pilates reformer classes are pretty awesome too Stay away from classes with the words: - ashtanga - bikram - power It might be worth calling around to different yoga studios & ask if they'd have a class they'd recommend given your circumstance & preference. Then get there early and speak with the instructor to give them your 411 & ask them to please help you with modifications & adjustments. There are some amazingly supportive instructors & students out there. It doesn't need to be a class specifically for heavy people. Good luck!

For me, it was: -Consult with bariatric dr -2 nutrition classes -1 support group -exercise consultation -Psych eval & follow up - Monthly check-ins with bariatric dr to see how I was doing on losing my 5% & getting my Iron up (I was near anemic) - Surgeon consult - 2 weeks of waiting for insurance approval - surgeon scheduled me 1 month after insurance was approved - pre-op visit with surgeons PA - pre-op bloodwork & registration at hospital - I also had to pay my portion up front. (For me it was $1,400) - 2 week pre-op liquid diet, which i start tomorrow - Surgery is July 1 Timeframe for all that was 4 1/2 months. I hope this helps!

Hard to believe tonight was my last solid food for 5+ weeks!!! Good luck to all the July 1st-ers that start their liquid diets tomorrow!!

Thank you for doing this. I'll join after it's secret. I'm keeping my surgery private & don't want to accidentally announce it on FB.

This is such a great response. I love everything about it. There truly is a switch. I start my 2-week pre-op liquid diet on Tuesday. I'm soooo ready.

I would love that! Thank you for taking the initiative. -Karen