alwaysvegas

I have light and lively greek yogurt, it's only 80 calories and they are so good. I have snack
bags of thin pretzel sticks, 100 calories per bag and if I want something a little sweet I get
animal crackers, 16 crackers are 120 calories. I know they have carbs, but I am still losing
weight so I am good with them. Every now and then I will have 2 oz of ice cream but that is not
much. I can't eat much at a time so when I want something I eat it but only a small amount. If
you don't have something that you want every now and then you will get board and do things you
should not. This is a lifetime change and it is not easy for any of us. It is depressing some
times when I am out with family and friends and I can't eat. My family understands and they are
an inspiration to me. I eat anything that I want to eat after I get my Protein in and it is
working for me. Try different things, I found that my taste buds have changed. I can't eat the
bad things that I use to because it tastes bad now. I think that is normal to. I keep my calories
at 800 - 1200.

My Snacks are usually reduced fat string cheese, Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt with some granola or Kashi Cereal mixed in, 1 oz. of dry roasted lightly salted peanuts, some sort of meat stick (like a beef stick, but usually turkey instead), and Protein Bars.< /p>

A selection of quotes I've actually said that are indeed strange:
"No, they did not remove my entire stomach. Just most of it."
"No, I didn't have the bypass. I had the less complicated weight loss surgery." As if I could perform it myself or something.
"No, I'm not starving. I feel great!"
"I disagree. I eat more than a squirrel."
"Yes, I used to be quite large." Takes out driver's license to prove it. Why would someone lie about being fat?
food arrives at the table. "Can I get a to-go box, please?"
"Yes, I really am full. I know I'm taking most of it to go."
"No, I didn't just eat before coming to the restaurant."
"Yes, bowel movements still work the same way."
"Yes, I miss my manboobs."
OK, the last one I never said.

Yep. All the time. Lol
I act as though I can eat a horse.

I apologize for my "English" - or lack of... I'm using my phone, and apparently I don't type very well. lol

I often say yeah I eat really slow and then can I have this wrapped?

Or "OH MY GAWD!! I am so hungry!! I'd like a cup of Soup please. No, just a cup is fine. No bread."

"I'm starving." Two bites. "I'm stuffed."
People who don't know about my surgery probably think I'm insane.

Ok, here's some funny things I've found myself saying....
"When I was fat..." LOL. I use that mostly to distinguish time. For instance, if someone I talking about a particular food or restaurant that I no longer eat, I'll be like, "yeah, I used to like that when I was fat." ... To an outsider this probably sounds totally ridiculous & a little rude. LOL
"No thanks, I don't drink".... So at nearly 2 years out, I still follow the rule of not drinking while eating. The other day I was at a restaurant where the waitress tried pouring me a glass of Water, and I said "No thanks, I don't drink" -- meaning while I eat, but I didn't exactly finish the thought. So she stood there with a strange look on her face. LOL
"I paid a lot not to eat this" ... This is a bit of an inside joke with my husband. When someone asks "that's all you're going to eat?" I reply, "I paid a lot not to eat this" -) meaning the cost of surgery. )
What are some funny things you've found yourself saying???
Hope everyone is well!

Go with the insurance. It will definitely help incase of complications. My insurance took into consideration my prior nutritionist and weight watchers visits also. So I applied for insurance for surgery. They told me that they need six months of nutritionist visits. I asked them if consultations with my physician ( every timeyou talk to him abt diet) and weight watchers will do. They said "yes" YAY! ... So my physician compiled a medical necessity letter ... I am completely healthy other then the weight... So basically he wrote that if she does not have the surgery she will be at a risk of blah blah blah ! And he also included a chart of my past two years visits and mentioned that everytime I met with him we spoke abt nutrition diet n weight... He also mentioned all the diets that I have tried.
Then my coordinatir in the surgeons office filed it ( with all the other tests) and I heard from them witin a week that I was approved. I have been approved since March... But I too scared of having the surgery so I am taking my time. I have United Healthcare as my insurance.
Hope it helps ????

I would go ahead with Ariel Ortiz and OCC, because that's exactly what I did! It was a great experience and you are looking at being sleeved in a matter of a couple of weeks, versus who know how long and how many hoops IF your insurance does end up offering it? You have the means now (I borrowed against my retirement instead of actually withdrawing), you have the date, you've already spent a chunk of the money, you've already taken the penalties from withdrawing the money... I wouldn't back out now!

If the new insurance will cover the surgery I would get it covered by insurance even if it means jumping throough the hoops again. I know that many people have down well in Mexico but having local follow-up visits and local support groups is a bonus. If you have complications it is priceless. Then I would eat the deposit and go on vacation in Mexico so you don't lose your airline tickets. If you can return the pre-op diet meals I would as each surgeon has their own preferences.
Save some of your 401K money to pay for deductibles and coinsurance. Unless the new insurance has a pretty high deductible/out of pocket you may as well have the insurance pay for it. Also while we all would like to hope we don't have complications many insurances do not cover treatment of complications of non-covered procedures.
While I understand not wanting to wait I would look at it from a financial point of view too. If you do have to wait another 6 months going to a good bariatric NUT prior to surgery can be very helpful. I went to a regular nutritionist prior to surgery for my 6 months. One of the support groups I went to had a NUT that does a lot of pre and post bariatric patients and her eating and drinking advise was different and more tailored to a bariatric patient.
I did not go to my surgeon's NUT since they are over and hour from my house and 2+ hours from my work. However my follow doctor's appointments I see their NUT at the same time. Being an hour from my surgeon is no big deal if I have complications but a plane ride away is more concerning. Some bariatric doctors don't like to work on other surgeon's patients even if they are not local.

The other thing to consider is what might happen financially if you have any complications (especially if serious).

My current employer's insurance carrier doesn't cover any bariatric surgeries. For two years, I've been after them to get on board, but it's just too expensive, they said.

I asked again a month ago if they thought there was any chance that Aetna would offer coverage for bariatrics this year. They said they really didn't think so.

A month ago, sick and tired of being on the fence for so many years about it, I decided to just withdraw $10,000 my from retirement (ouch!!) (of which I only realized $7500 due to taxes and penalties), and I paid down my outstanding bills in anticipation of being a self-pay in MX (which I would also finance).

I researched surgeons, prowled boards, viewed YouTub vlogs of other sleevers.

And finally, last Thursday, I pulled the trigger: I chose Dr. Ariel Ortiz, OCC (who had a high American profile, the lowest complication rate, operated at a Center for Excellence, and who could see me soonest). I scheduled the surgery for April 30. I submitted the down payment ($500). I bought the pre-op diet Meal Replacements and Vitamins ($240). I booked my flight from NYC ($400). And I told my employer that I would be out 2-3 weeks for surgery.

Then yesterday I get a call from HR - "We wanted to let you know asap.... we MAY be switching to an insurer that would cover bariatric surgeries. We'll know next week."

Wah-Waaahhh....

So the dilemma, if there is one: IF the company DOES switch insurers, should I cancel with OCC (and probably lose the down payment?). If I change the flight (for vacation, etc.), I will lose $200.

Also, I don't know if the new carrier would make me jump through all the old hoops that I had jumped through 3 years ago (waiting six months, etc.). I don't want to wait....

But I also don't want to finance my surgery ($6000), either, if I don't have to.

Absolutely! I was directing my comments to you as you were giving your opinion as fact.

Again, you are only speaking for yourself, I assume, not the community at large.
Nope. It's your OPINION. Sweeping generalizations do not equate to facts.

"Lose" and "loose" are different words.

lose

lo͞oz/

verb






be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something).
"I've lost my appetite"
synonyms: be deprived of, suffer the loss of;


no longer have
"he's lost a lot of blood"











become unable to find (something or someone).
"I've lost the car keys"
synonyms: mislay, misplace, be unable to find, lose track of, leave (behind), fail to keep/retain, fail to keep sight of


"I've lost my watch"










loose

lo͞os/

adjective






not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached.
"a loose tooth"
synonyms: not fixed in place, not secure, unsecured, unattached; More





















(of a garment) not fitting tightly or closely.
"she slipped into a loose T-shirt and shorts"
synonyms: baggy, generously cut, slack, roomy;

I hate when too many people respond to a topic and I'm too lazy to read them all.

I also hate when people hijack other peoples' threads.
Which reminds me...I hated the Sopranos finale. Did anyone else?
And Kim Kardashian with blonde hair...I mean REALLY? And why does Kanye always look upset? It all bothers me.

Congratulations and I wholeheartedly agree with you! Best choice ever!

When I'm showering I can look down and smile because I can once again see my...
...feet.

I am delighted that I sweat MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH less than I used to. The immortal Al Bundy once said, "Do you know what fat does? Fast sweats."
He was right too.

Being satisfied on 4-5 oz of food post-op has been much more rewarding than being stuffed on 4 cups of food pre-op. I can't explain why it is, but it is.
Best of luck!

When I'm showering I can look down and smile because I can once again see my...
...feet.

I am delighted that I sweat MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH less than I used to. The immortal Al Bundy once said, "Do you know what fat does? Fast sweats."
He was right too.

....Not being fat. I have been fat as long as I can remember. I was actually a skinny child, but once puberty hit the pounds just piled on. So I was only skinny before I knew what skinny and fat were. I look at all these before/after photos and I can't even begin to imagine what it will feel like to no longer be the fat one. The fat friend, the fat wife, the fat daughter, the fat mom, the fat cousin, sister, in-law, co-worker, etc. I am and always have been pretty much the biggest person I know. I can't imagine my life after WLS. I am so freaking excited!!!

I can't believe I'm even writing this. I had heard great things about Dr. Arif Ahmad and Long Island Laparoscopic but after my various interactions with the office, medical staff and the group meeting, I'm seriously considering looking elsewhere. My initial consultation went wonderfully, I felt comfortable and excited for the next step. Then...the other shoe dropped. I scheduled my first battery of tests (blood work, pulmonary, ultrasound, nutrition and psych evaluation) and off the bat something was wrong. I'd speak to one receptionist/scheduler who would tell me my insurance won't allow me to do everything on the same day so she schedules the tests on various days - then I got a call from someone else who asked why I did it this way and when I said someone in the office had told me to do it that way she said "oh, don't listen to her...she doesn't know anything". I scheduled everything for 10:45am (I had planned other things later in the day), I got a call 3 days prior and was asked to come in at 12:15pm as they had a scheduling issue (I rescheduled the rest of my day). I then show up at 12:15pm and was told everyone had been waiting on me! They rush me into the room for blood work, then into another room for the ultrasound then a 3rd room for a pulmonary test. I'm then told due to a scheduling error (again) I have an hour and a half until my next appointment. The nutritionist, bless her, was a fresh faced college grad who clearly had never struggled with food or weight and spent 20 minutes telling me about sugar free Jell-O. I was then rushed into a meeting with the psychologist (who is not a psychologist but a licensed master social worker - not the same). She spent, at max, 30 minutes with me (10 of which were telling me it's her birthday and then she was fielding calls from her mother) asking if I've ever been suicidal, what diets have I tried and have I decided who is going to drive me home from surgery. I was disheartened and confused -- I have friends who had the surgery with other doctors and who had wonderful pre surgical experiences, that's what I was hoping for. But, I thought "hey, you've already spent the $250 program fee and you have the group meeting tomorrow...it could turn around!".
I just left the "support group" and I'm completely disappointed. The "meeting" started with a 30 minute sales pitch from a Bariatric Advantage salesman. We were then "discussed" surgery...by discussed I mean we sat around in a circle, introduced ourselves and talked about how we can't drink after surgery. WHAT? I didn't come here for AA, I came to ask questions and be informed. The "group meeting" was again run by stick thin dietitians, not people who have gone through surgery and could give first hand experiences.
Bottom line...I don't feel comfortable. I don't think this is a competent group of people and I don't want to put my life and future into the hands of a bunch of halfwits. I run a business and had been conducting my meetings/schedules (I perform wedding ceremonies) based on the idea that I'd be having surgery in the middle of July, now I have no idea if that's possible and I could have potentially lost hundreds of dollars from clients.
Has anyone switched surgeons? Is anyone familiar with Dr. Arif Ahmad? I'm thinking of using Dr. Brathwaite at Winthrop - any tips?

I buy lowfat and sometimes full fat. All fat free foods are abominations...like fat free cheese that does not melt. It's wrong and blasphemous!!!! I cast you OUT...evil fat free cheese that stays in worm-like rubber strands despite impossibly hot temperatures. BEGONE!
It's all about moderation and balance.
Overall, I ate more lowfat as I was losing and now that I'm moving into maintenance, I'm adding back in more fats like chicken thighs vs. chicken breasts.
Studies that either exist (or I thought exist but do not because I'm too lazy to look them up) show that people on a moderate fat diet do better in the long-run than non-fat diets.