BLERDgirl

Welcome! Many people approach WLS from different angles. Talk to your PCP and review the requirements for you insurance. Chances are with your BMI and comorbs. you will qualify even if you don't lose on a supervised diet. They likely have the info online, download it an take a look at it. I would then what facilities accept your insurance. Look for a Center of Excellence. Then attend an informational seminar. I strong encourage people to look into more than one doctor/facility before choosing. There have been a few discussions on choosing a center lately. I'll link the 2 I think will be most helpful, but I also encourage you to use the search feature on the site and check out a few more post. How did you find your Surgeon... Consider Follow Up Support when choosing a Surgeon

Why can't you take a PPI?

Yes

Agreed. My puree and soft foods stage were pretty limited. I didn't mind since I viewed them as temporary. I just stuck t eating things I liked.

In your settings upload the pictures to your gallery then in the post click the my media icon and it will be added

Congratulations on surviving what sounds like a very challenging situation

I use the Isopure no carbs. I like them but I only use the teas & coconut flavors.

I split it up. I have 24 ounce water bottles. Goal is to refill at least 3 times a day. I aim for 1 before noon, 1 before 6pm and the 3 before bed.

There is a waterproof Fitbit. Check there website. I use polar loop which I specifically purchased cause it's waterproof

Nuts. I love them so I only buy the single serving packs 1 at a time. I could literally eat a pound of pistachios, cashew or macadamia nuts. Macadamias are high in fat so even the single serving packs of those are few and far between. I've had them once since I was sleeved. The other are fine as a post workout snack. chocolate anything. I prefer fancy dark chocolate, but really even a reese's will do in a pinch. Something else I don't keep in the house. I will take a walk to the local bodega and buy a mini for $.05. In short my practice is anything I know I will binge on I cannot keep in the house.

I look at the major hospitals in my area. I knew my insurance would be accepted at most if not all of them. I wanted a Center for Excellence. I then wanted to know if the doctors could accommodate my needs. I am vegetarian with multiple food & medication allergies. Having had a few negative experiences with nutritionist over my vegetarianism, I needed to know if the program would respect that. I looked at one program and honestly wasn't crazy about the doctor. His pre-op diet was 2 weeks on slim fast and he wasn't very open to using other alternative Protein shakes. He was also pushing me towards the bypass and I was more interested in the sleeve. I had a friend who had bypass at UPenn. She raved about her doctor and experience. I attended the seminar. After hearing them speak and asking questions, they seemed a better fit. I actually forgot to tell my PCP who I adore btw, until a copy of my approval letter was sent. She called to follow up (one of the reasons why I like her). I explained I was in the process of pre-op testing. She was thrilled for me and said to let her know if there was anything she needed to do. I am beyond happy with my choice. My surgical experience was event free. I like the team approach that the center utilizes. I like that I have a nutritionist that I can ask questions and have a back and forth conversation with. I like that they provide a handbook with the entire process from pre to post op life with samples and recommendations. That handbook became my bible of sorts during those early months. I am completely satisfied and don't think I would have changed a single thing.

oops sorry about the double post.

Nut butter does the trick for me. Justin's has these small snack packs that aren't too bad. They come with pretzels sticks for dipping but I don't really like pretzels so I don't always eat them. I just like that it's small so there isn't much damage done by eating the whole thing and I get 5 gms of Protein in it.

The popular choice appears to be premier Protein. They are fairly popular in terms of taste and price. They are offering coupons on their website.

Here's your chance to change that habit. You can see that you slipped up & identify that it was due to stress. So make that "what if" a " what could I do instead?" Try to come up with 2 - 3 options. Put them in your phone, write them on your mirror, stick them on the fridge. The next stressful event, look at them and choose one. That's how you change behaviors

Dukan IIRC is similar to Atkins. My sole purpose in this is to not engage in a fad diet ever again. I want the practice of 3 healthy meals and a snack a day if necessary to be my at of life. I can acknowledge that a slip up on occasion may happen, but I want that to be the exception not the norm. I have promised myself to eat right and exercise. I feel like I was given a gift. When I have trouble I plan to use support groups and any tool I can find to stay on track. ETA: Dukan diet. - Similar to Atkins in that it is in low carb, high Protein, limited fruits and veg.

I purged as things became too big. I was very happy to see those 5x & 4x clothes go!

It's a support group so hopefully the people attending understand it's not bragging but encouragement. Since the staff specifically asked you to attend they most feel that way as well. I think it would be a great idea for you to attend. Hopefully you can provide real life practical examples of how to survive post op life.

There are no magic pills or potions that will make you lose weight. Especially not any sold OTC or on a late nigh infomercial. I tried my share of diet, but never even bothered with these so called herbal supplements. As to having doubts about surgery. NOPE not a single one. I think by the time I admitted to myself I needed this I knew it was what I needed to do. Through all my testing I never once wavered in that conviction right up to surgery day.

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YOU GO GIRL!!!!! GET IT!!!

It's may be genetics. You can spot lose and there's no magical creme. Especially not for fat on the last. Or it may just end up being the last place you lose.

Have you tried changing the brand of protein shake you use? Maybe try a protein drink like Isopure no carb or Syntrax Nectars? Post-op the liquids phase whether you do clears then all liquids or go straight to all liquids is the most challenging part, then it's just slowly re-introducing foods. I was fortunate enough to not have any nausea at any point. It's a good idea to check in with your NUT and see what she recommends. Good communication with a competent NUT is invaluable during this process. If you have one you trust, definitely lean on her.

I was a vegetarian (not vegan) for like 6 years back in the 90's and you'd be surprised how many people often proclaimed "I'm a vegetarian, too. But I do eat fish." I quit trying to argue. Being from Wisconsin, I think I might get arrested it I didn't eat dairy. . Mmmm.....cheese That one drives me nuts. Especially since I'm deathly allergic to seafood. Like the time I was literally in the hospital due to an allergic reaction, ordered the vegetarian meal and was brought a giant piece of fish!

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch - if it returned it would likely have to go yo a second hand outlet. There are plenty of them selling gently used or refurbished.