BLERDgirl

The worst thing for me was MRI's. I have a benign tumor that has to be monitored. It means bi-annual MRI's. When I was first diagnosed I just fit into the machine. Now and MRI isn't fun on a good day, so imagine just barely fitting into the machine. I then had to get pre-certs to go out of network to the one hospital with a super sized open MRI machine. I then had to pay the out of network co-pay.

I always mix mine with water as well. I may add a bit of greek yogurt, but that's it. Milk was more carbs than protein and simply not worth it. Especially since I don't drink cow's milk.

There are a few unflavored protein powders. I use the Isopure as well.

Adding to the chorus. Everything @@Dub and @InnerSurferGirl has said good, sound advice. One thing else I would add; don't get too caught up in the debbie downers or complication tales. While they are indeed legit concerns, they do not happen to everyone. I had an uneventful and nearly pain free surgical and recuperative process. I wish you well!

Same as @@Sharon1964 . No pre-op diet at all. I think it's just different surgeons choose different protocols. My doctor also does the leak test using liquids not gas. As a result I had no gas pain post op at all.

Walking/increasing exercise. It will make post-op recovery easier.

I never felt jittery, but the nausea and heartburn can be managed by your doctor. Call him and get some prescriptions.

I'm a little over a year out. I'm also vegetarian. Pre-op I went pretty much 2 hours after each meal. I went 2 -3 times a day regularly. Post-op my doctor started me on colace for the first 30days. I had my first BM on day 5. I had a BM every day til about maybe 6mths in. Now I probably have a BM anywhere from 1 - 3 times a day depending on what I eat. A few weeks ago without thinking I had steel cut oats for breakfast and a kale salad for lunch and diner. The next day was a truly "cleansing" experience.

I honestly don't remember what my last pre-surgery meal was. I didn't do any food funerals or farewell meals. I was already practicing my post-op eating and told I wouldn't have to give up any foods I currently ate.

That information should have been included with your discharge instructions. Call your program to clarify if they didn't give you anything in writing.

I used to be a match the bra to the outfit gal. That got a little tricky as I gained. By the time I was sleeved I still had pretty bras, but not quite the assortment I used to have. I've gone from a 46DD and sometimes DDD to a 40C. I recently bought 3 regular bras and 2 sports bras and I just rotate and wash them out at night. It's a weird but good problem to have.

Sounds like you aren't getting straight answers. I would try this: Clarify with the office manager she sent the request in to your insurance co. Ask her if it was sent by fax or electronically and confirm the date she sent it. Then call the insurance company and inform them that the office manager at _____ hospital says she sent the info via ___ on Nov 3 or whatever dates she give you. Follow that up with asking what the typical turn around time for a pre cert of this sort usually is.

There's a very helpful facebook group called Flying While Fat. Check them out. Go online and look up whatever airline you are interested in and find out what their policy is for Customer's of size. Some require you buy an extra seat and refund you if the plan is not full and others just require you inform them when booking or at check in. You can google for plane sizes and it will tell you seat sizes. You can also pay to preboard or early board. That means you get to go in early and get your self settled in your seat before the regular boarding order. Sometimes that's more comfortable than having to worry about bumping people as you go up the aisle. I fit into and airplane seat without using a extender up to 300lbs. After that I fit if I could put the arm rest up but needed an extender. Last time I flew I was 320.

Here the handouts from my Baiatric Handbook. Also if the sweet taste is too much, you could also try the unflavored powder and just add that to foods on you allowable food list. I am one of the ones that dislikes Premier Protein. I use the unflavored powder and also the NoCarb drinks but only the tea and coconut flavors. Protein Drink 1" />

You can have your doctor check it out, and you should just to make sure things are as they should, but that may just be your body. I attended the support group at my hospital today. They had a plastic surgeon as one of the guest speakers talking about skin removal surgeries. One of the before pictures he showed looked quite similar to that. It was just how the body settled.

I started exercising for 2 reasons: 1 I got seriously ill with facial shingles when I was 44/45. It literally knocked me on my butt. My case was so sever I was on bed rest for 2 mths and very weak afterwards. I was also too young for something more commonly seen in senior citizens. I knew then if I didn't do something I would just get progressively sicker and sicker. Shingles left me with trigeminal neuralgia nerve damage on my face. 2) I developed arthritis in my left knee. It was in the early stages but the ortho told me I needed to increase te range of motion and I needed to lose weight. I started looking for a Water aerobics class almost immediately. I also changed my eating habits, but that's another story. What I did was start at 2 days a week and slowly build up to 5 - 6 days a week. So pre-op I was already exercising. I can't say I love it, but I do love that post work out feeling and I like the changes it has made in my body. Since I started at a higher than typical weight I knew for me regular exercise would be one of the things that would give me a fighting chance against excess skin. I know I will have it. I have over 200lbs to lose. I am just trying to minimize how much need. At this point (114lbs down) the upper body looks pretty good. I will likely need something done to the thighs and maybe a panni.

Where do you get these? I need to look them up to see f I could use them.

I guess this is where milage varies. My Soups consist of veg and Beans pureed with just enough liquid to blend. I'm not gonna count that as liquid. Thankfully I have always had the tummy of steel. I can drink 5 - 20 minutes after eating, no problem . Cereal other than hot cereals aren't really my thing. Bottom line? When in doubt confer with your NUT.

I have a fear of not only regain, but stoping where I am which is halfway. I know I have to stay focused. I have 2 several friends who had Bariatrc procedures. One had bypass 10 years ago. She got down to a size 4, but never ate properly or keep up with blood work & supplements. She is now a 16, but has literally lost all her teeth, and is constantly sick. Another lives in Europe, was banded then converted to bypass. Also had issues with bone breakage and slow healing. I did this to optimize my health, not just get skinny. So I try to stay focused on the things that promote good health, not just weight loss. As for your relatives I would rise above and ignore. If they felt better about their actions they wouldn't need to taunt you.

Thank you... I was informed by so other ladies that I need to increase my calories. I only eat about 550 a day.Have you spoken with your nutritionist? That's the person you should discuss increasing calories with.

Soup is closer to food than liquid esp once you are at the soft food stage.

It starts with shopping. Stock your home with healthier alternatives. If they complain allow 1 not so healthy treat only. For yourself food logging is vital. Use the Internet to look up healthy but great tasting alternatives and don't be afraid to try them. ALWAYS have a Water bottle with you and take a sip any time you get the impulse to eat when you shouldn't.

Unless it's an insurance requirement it shouldn't be a problem. Especially since this is a doctor your surgeon frequently refers patients to.

I love exercising and I'm pleased to see I can do more and more things. Even when the instructor has to correct my form I like. Just happy to see I'm not the only one. Now if only I could curb my shopping addiction....

As @@2goldengirl mentioned plenty of people with varying degrees of anxiety/depression have been approved. I think it you have issues with it the best thing to do is make sure you have good supports in place for post-op life. Sometimes the many changes that come with the effects on your body combined with dealing with the challenges of relearning to eat and reexamining your relationship with food can be difficult to manage in the early stages. Better to be prepared.