Writerjennifer

My nut progressed me to a diet similar to the liver shrinking diet. She started by telling me to eat within one hour of waking, to eat 5 fruits/vegetables per day. I started doing shakes with fruit (1.5 servings) for Breakfast. then she switched my lunch to a Meal Replacement shake. then when i was used to that she switched my dinner from whatever my husband cooked (we both had been working to get him to make healthier meals prior to this, and he does sometimes) to a prepackaged healthy choice type meal under 300 calories, with added vegetables. the best part is she considered potatoes a vegetable. This progression helped me make adjustments, and to be ready for the liver shrinking diet. I have to say though... i had trouble sticking to this plan with every meal. I think I got lunch out every other Saturday or so. but i was more mindful when I ate out... watches my portions, tried to stick with something healthier, and tried to stick within my daily calorie goal. Talk to your nut. They can't honestly expect you to follow the liver shrinking diet right out of the chute. If you could do that... you probably wouldn't need the wls. Jennifer

@@Bandista : thanks. I'm so happy to finally be on the losers bench. "Just..." yeah... I've heard just this, just that so often. And I keep thinking "just back away from the table tubby" is what they really mean. Makes me want to say "How about just kiss my grits buttinsky." Lol

I don't think they want us to have fake sugar specifically. They do want us to not have real sugar drinks or foods with a lot of real sugar (my nut says food needs to have less than 20 grams per serving). This is both to help with weight loss and to avoid dumping syndrome. For some people fake sugar is an option. I get migraines, triggered by fake sugar. So I will be avoiding that stuff like the plague. Jennifer

I called my insurance and they told me their approval timeframes. Every company is different. Call your influence company.

Some surgeons only require one day of the bowel pep. My surgeon had me take magnesium citrate for the bowel prep at noon on the day before surgery (at 2). Drank it all at once. and then followed with water per the bottle. No other meds. I would not suggest you take anything that your surgeon has not specifically told you to take before surgery. they are very picky about taking meds pre op. Call your doctors office

Just drink more Water. Really? I heard thins one a lot... and I am a water drinker, I drank about 128oz of water daily... before today that is (surgery day).

You can update your tracker by clicking on the settings icon next to your name at the top right of the webpage. A box should pop up with several links. Clink on "My Surgery". That is where you can update your weight.

This is the one thing I try not to think about... I have thin hair already. I was taking biotin, but had to stop everything pre-op. I will start back up as soon as I'm allowed to start post-op vitamins.

I found a study... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1421028/ It basically states that 60% had excellent results after 5 years, while 33% had good results. 7% a BMI of >35. A small amount of weight gain is not the real issue. It's can you lose the weight and keep the majority of it off. However, my nut said that of those that are successful at maintaining 80% of their weight loss 5 years later (the accepted definition of successful barbaric surgery)... over 60% track what they eat daily. You have the power to maintain the good habits the surgery helps you obtain. And lastly... from what i've read on these forums... stick to the guidelines given by your nut and surgeon. Don't try to eat things you shouldn't. The worst thing you can do is discover your pouch doesn't have a problem with ice cream, candy or fried foods. Best to assume it will and never test it. I will be putting my money where my mouth is on Monday. Wish me luck!

Good luck on the job interview and the surgery!

I'm nervous. I can't concentrate at work. All I can think about is mondays surgery. I have fleeting thoughts of 'am I doing the right thing?' I know I am. I have tried dieting, I have tried to stick with healthy choices... and every time I fall off. I'm ready for a change, sorry I didnt /couldn't do it years ago. But nerves are going nuts. I have never in my life wished so hard for Monday to get here! Lol

If you are still losong inches then you are doing great! It means you're losing fat, gaining muscle and toning your body. My surgeon said don't obsess with the scale. Its a great tool, but our bodies are biological not mechanical. We won't lose 1.5 pounds just because we eat 750 calories less than our daily calorie needs. Its not that cut and dried. Our bodies will store and build and retain and object to our effors. But over time it can't win this fight. So check the scale if you must. But when you see the number not moving, just remember your body can only hold out so long.

I know! I'm at work, and I looked at the calendar and nearly choked on my Water... 3 days! I don't know if this weekend is going to fly by or crawl. And I can't decide which I would prefer. Lol I am ready though. Ready to have it done and start loosing!

I have been exploring this very idea. I would suggest writing down what you are feeling, write down what you want to eat, and try to explain why. Then ask yourself the various questions. What is the goal? Will eating what you crave accomplish the goal? If not, what will? Picture in your mind the goal, picture in your mind yourself pushing the bad food away because it won't help with the goal. Imagine feeling better, see yourself smiling, see yourself attaining your goal and let the pride and peace and respect and love and happiness fill you. Repeat as often as necessary. I can't say for sure that it works. You need to tailor it to your own needs and feelings. But it helps me. I have yet to decide to eat the bad food after using this tool. But it's only good if you use it, and there are times I don't. Good luck.

I wouldn't say its the surgery specifically. There was a time, when I had been working out two to three times a week religiously. I hadn't lost alot of weight, but I was losing, eating better. I physically felt better. I could climb stairs without getting winded. I could do the daily tasks just that much easier. But honestly... it wasn't until I fell of the wagon (diet wagon) and stopped exercising. My diet didn't change all at once, just gradually returned to my bad normal. But the exercise stopped and within a couple weeks I felt like crap. I didn't know how good I felt working out and eating better, until I didn't. It was a return to feeling bad that made me realize how good just those small changes made me feel. I am scheduled for surgery Monday (6-16-14). I can't wait to feel like that all the time, and even more so.

The sucess rate with bypass is highest of the three. A lot of people on here have revision surgeries, to go from band or sleeve to full bypass. You will need to speak with your insurance or the patient advocate at the surgeons office to find out which your insurance covers for you. One thing to check... do they cover a revision surgery. My insurance is specific, it will only pay for one wls surgery. If I fail at one I would have to pay out of pocket for additionals. That amung other things made up my mind for me. So keep researching then decide.

I read some of her testicles double standard ranting... And I only have one word for it. Disgusting. How dare she act like you are hateful for taking care of yourself, cutting of, so to speak, a lot of pounds of useless weight... Oh wait she did that for you when she cut herself from your life. I would send her one and only one more correspondence... Use your name and you will sue her for defamation. Let her go, as they say, goodbye to bad rubbish. she's on her high horse, so either she has drunk the fat acceptance koolaid, or she its so jealous she can't see straight. remember... Living well is the best revenge. Good luck

I totally understand. Loose skin well be a big problem for me when I get to my goal because I have ben overweight so long, and I'm 42 tests old. I have sign people with sagging extra skin and if you didnt know, one might think they just have more to lose. Have you considered a tummy tuck or some such treatment for the excess skin and stubborn fast stores? I know one I hit goal I wont look like a 20 year old hot body hottie... But I hope I can accept the changes and the reality. and one thing... Do you strength train? They day it herod with loose skin, plus it can add pounds on (to make your doc happy) while tuning (to make you happy).

I know you asked for answers from people who've already lost the weight... I have not had surgery yet. I have, however, been weight almost my whole life. I first noticed I was overweight at 12. There are often support groups WLS in larger areas, but I get the impression that you are leading toward anorexia. At 134 you are not fat. You know it, in your head, but now you need to learn it in your heart. Please seek help, either through group or individual therapy. Losing weight comes with a lot of issues, I am encountering some of them myself. It's good you can recognize that you are having issues, and I hope you can get what you need. Be healthy, live happy.

When I started my journey, at 287, my nut set a goal of 180. I didn't care at the time, just wanted to get to a place that felt good, and looked good. Now, I have lost 29 pounds, having surgery on 6-16-14 and I'm thinking 180 is too big for my frame. I'm starting to wonder what number would be right for my size. I am 5'6", and small boned, so based on the charts, I was thinking 135, but I don't want to get attached to that number and fail to attain it.

when we are at the wight you like... my nut explained that i would need to add 100 calories to my daily intake for a week, or two and if still losing, add another 100. Continuing 100 per week or two until the weight loss stops or I gain. If I gain, she said to drop by 100 calories and maintain there for a few weeks to see if that is the right number. It's a balancing act. If you start working out more, (in maintenance level) you will might need to add a few calories, or if you stop, you might need to reduce by a few. Good luck, and congratulations on your loss!

It's a lovely essay. Please understand, I am sure it helped you to write it, and it's heartfelt. However, the insurance company, i.e. the pencil pusher who has to read it, won't even read most of it. They will skim through, looking for specific information on how being obese negatively affects you. First, I would not mention that you are mostly healthy. That is a red flag to the insurance to deny the surgery. Why would they approve when you're admitting you are healthy. Second, list and explain the health reasons you are seeking surgery. For example; borderline high sugar or blood pressure, digestive issues, breathing problems, apnea, heart issues. Anything that your doctor is saying might be a precursor to a real medical problem. Third, list and explain all the physical reasons you are seeking surgery, such as; inability to dance, run, walk up a flight of stairs, take your daughter to the park to play, ride a bike, do your job as easily, etc. Forth, list and explain all the mental reasons you are seeking surgery, for example; you don't like your appearance, hate shopping for clothes, don't like going out in public due to fear of ridicule, have low self esteem due to weight and inability to lose and maintain a healthy weight thus far. I work for the state. I read long letters all the time from people who want something from our office, and honestly, we are only looking for certain information. We don't need or want the life story and unfortunately we don't have time for it. It's nothing personal. The insurance company employee who reads your letter is an employee. They have guidelines to follow. Make sure you fit their guidelines and you will be approved. Good luck.

When you plateau some suggest that you change things up. If you can't change your diet, since you're on the pre-op diet, then maybe change up your exercise routine (or add some exercise if you aren't already exercising).

Six days... wow. On one hand its flying by... and on the other it's dragging. lol. I have been doing the liquid diet since last monday... and am so tired of the chocolate shakes. I ordered a variety pack from