pato_3472

As of right now, in the liquid stage, I am not allowed to add anything to the shakes. Once I start stage 2 (pureed foods) I can add fruit which I am definitely planning on doing so. Hopefully once I can start with pureed food I will try to get as much Protein from food rather than those nasty shakes

@@pato_3472 I agree those Protein Shakes taste terrible! I was drinking chocolate Bariatric Advantage for a while, and it was only tolerable when prepared in a blender with half a banana and some caffeine free instant coffee. Or with a spoonful of Peanut Butter. I'm having a much easier time adding the unflavored whey protein to my Soups and smoothies. It's not changing the flavor and if I add Water, it doesn't change the texture either. Are you allowed to add anything to your shakes to improve the flavor?

They gave me the okay to start Protein with milk yesterday, 4 days post-op. So far what I did is I use 8oz Simply Smart fat free milk (10 grms. protein) plus vanilla unjury (21 grms. of protein) plus I put a scoop of GENEPRO (unflavoured protein) which has 30 grms. of Protein so in those 8 oz. I can get the required 60 grms. of protein for the day. I do not love the flavor but I am not really carzy about Protein shakes. Once I can start with yogurts and the other stuff I am planning on just using the GENEPRO unflavoured protein in yogurt, cream Soups, etc., I have tried it before and it really does not change the texture or taste.

I'm glad you had a better day, Pato!!! It's only uphill from here. It feels like it will be forever until I can actually chew again (and even longer until I can satisfy my popcorn craving), but I'm hanging in there and trying to find the bright spots where ever possible. How are you taking your protein in during the clear phase? Today is the first day I could have any because it creates a viscous liquid rather than a clear one.

I totally understand what you say about the taste buds, they are killing me. I cannot wait to go into the full liquids diet, just for the more options when it comes to taste and texture. But I am hanging in there, today I already had the 60 grms. of Protein in and just 7oz of liquid away from the required 60!!!! Thank you for the support and that is all I think about, it will only get better

Patricia, my nutritionist outlined a meal plan for the first five weeks post op, including suggestions on what to eat and at what times. It has helped a lot. The clear liquids was very rough for me to get enough fluids. Aside from the nausea, I was dealing with taste bud issues. Everything savory lingered on my tongue no matter how many times I brushed my teeth. Everything unsavory was far too sweet. The constant sipping on ice Water got me through it. As well as sugar free Popsicles and the broth from Lipton noodle Soup. Taking a sip every 5-10 minutes would often result in me getting in 20oz within a two hour period.

I started full fluids today and it's such a relief. Every two hours I have a 4oz fruit and yogurt smoothie mixed with unflavored whey Protein isolate. At the end of the evening I can have a liquid soup. I bought the dole garden Soups (tomato garden basil and carrot ginger) and the progresso artisan soup (curried butternut squash) and I'm just looking forward to having something different. Chin up, it gets better!

Hi February sleevers

I had my surgery on Monday morning. Waking up from surgery was difficult, quite a bit of pain and nausea. Thankfully, things are much better now. I was wondering how much liquids are you being able to get every day? Yesterday (4 days post op) I did 45 liquids and 60 grms. protien. I am really trying to get to 60 today. I have my follow up appointment Tuesday and the Dr. will not move me to pureed foods until I get 60ml of liquid a day. Just the thought of being in Clear Liquids for a another week makes me sick. Honestly, the clear liquids parts has truly been the hardest part of all the process so far. Thank you for all your responses and best of luck!

Patricia

I teach high school. I am scheduled for Feb. 9th (I am taking that week off) and I am planning on going back to work after February vacation, so I only took one week off from work. Hope everything works out as planned! Best of luck!

Hi everyone

I am scheduled for Feb 9th in Lowell, MA. I really cannot believe it is almost here. As the days go by I really try not to think about it too much because I start to feel quite nervous and anxious It would be great to stay in touch with everyone and support each other. Best of luck!

Patricia

Hi Heather

I do not like most of the Protein powders out there. From all the ones I have tried the best ones for me are: vanilla from Unjury, chicken Soup from Unjury and the best of all is unflavored protein from GENEPRO (you can find it in Amazon). Genepro is really good because 1 scoop (which is small compared to the rest, only 2 TBPS) has 30 grms. of protein, it mixes really well in cold and hot and it really is unflavored. I mix it with strawberry yogurt (100 cal. chobani) and you cannot even tell is there. I showed it to my NUT and she approved it. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Pictures are tough. I have some picures in my gallery from when I started this journey last Feb. I will be taking more during my pro op appointment. I've thought about blogging my experience. It would help keep me on track. Excited and nervous! There are many of you in earlier Feb, so I look forward to hearing about your experiences.

I started looking at my protein powders and Vitamins last night. I think I'm going to go with Celebrate at first, only getting 30 days worth to be sure that they sit well with me. I need to find a Fiber I like as my doctor has me on that also. I hate the fiber drinks, and can't imagine drinking that thick stuff after surgery. I take fiber capsules now due to my Crohn's, so maybe I'll just mix them with pudding or something.

Syntrax is on sale on vitacost right now, but I found Amazon to be cheaper than even the '45% sale' prices. I think I'm going to do Syntrax Nectar in lemonade and fuzzy navel, and then Premier Protein RTD for my Protein Shakes. I need to find an unflavored that I like to mix with broth now.

That's my plan. What is everyone doing for protein?

Heather

Hi everyone

A couple of days I got my date, Feb 9th!! So excited and nervous as well. Just hoping there are no issues with my insurance approval.

Best luck to everyone!

I am in the same boat. I had to do the 6 month of doc visits (BCBS Federal) to discuss weight loss. I am at month 5 of this fun and hovering between 40 and 41 BMI. I have lost 20 lbs and I am so frustrated that this stupid number could prevent me from qualifying for this surgery. I've been told by my primary not to lose more. I did get recently diagnosed with sleep apnea so I don't know if that will be a factor or not.

I've struggled with weight loss and always end back up at the same 240-250lbs range over the past 14 years. I am so ready for a change!

That's my rant! Hoping BCBS will approve me in late January.

I totally understand your frustration. Best of luck!

^Thank

^Hi,

^{I live about 45 minutes away from Nashua in North - Central, MA. area. I was sleeved on 11/12 at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. Everything is going fine for me after surgery but waiting for the big day was a long process due to a 6 month waiting requirement from my provider Tufts.}

^{My advice is to keep on track with the program at LGH and their staff, attend any support meetings they offer and feel free to message me with any questions.}

^{Thank you! My insurance does not have a waiting requirement so I am hoping for February. It is good to hear every thing is going good! Best of luck!}

Hi

I live in Nashua, NH but just started the process at Lowell General Hospital. My surgeon is going to be Dr. Shore, I will meet with her mid January. My PCP is in Harvard Vanguard so I need to do all the testing over there. So far everything has been great with LGH. Anyone out there from the area? It would be great to be have a buddy during this journey

I have this. I've had no issues at all. Just make sure you have a copy of the policy regarding WLS to make sure there are no surprises.

Amazon it is great to find someone in these blogs with the same insurance. I do have a copy of their policy and I qualify with a BMI of 40 with no health problems. Do you know what happens if I loose weight before the surgery and go below the 40 BMI? Will I be in danger of not being approved for surgery?

Also, I am not yet totally clear on how much will I need to pay out of pocket. Does BCBS cover 100% of the surgery? My policy has a deductible of $250 and an out of pocket max. of $2500 plus $300 hospital admission fee. I know for sure I am responsible for the $250 and $300 but about the $2500? Definitely calling BCBS tomorrow to see if someone can answer me. When ever I call they do not seem to know too much about WLS and what is covered and what is not.

I am going to the Bariatric Center at Lowell General Hospital, where are you going?

Thank you

I have a different insurance carrier but I had the same concern. I'm currently at 41.5 bmi and I brought up my concern of falling below 40 at my 2nd weigh in with my nutritionist and she said it didn't matter how much i lost they go by the very first weigh in at the start of the supervised diet.

Hi EvieLamp

If that is the case that would be great! I am glad your insurance is like that, however mine might not be. The insurance expert of the WLC was a bit concerned and even said BCBS MA could be tricky while other insurance companies were a lot more straight forward. This WLC is in a very important hospital in the area, Lowell General Hospital and I am sure they have done hundreds of these procedures and probably dealt with my insurance many times.

I am just going to follow what they say and keep my fingers crossed

Good luck!

Hi

Anyone have this insurance? If so how was your experience? Thanks!

I'm in the same boat, other than I do have comorbidities in addition to a BMI of 40. I have to do a 6 month physician-supervised weight loss attempt...and part of me is afraid to lose too much. I guess if that was a realistic fear for me to have I wouldn't be to the point of needing surgery. I meet with my surgeon for the first time in 3 weeks and I'm sure I'll learn more then, but in the mean time I'm about to drive myself crazy with all the reading and research to learn more lol.

I wish you all the best! Hopefully someone here can give us some guidance to ease our minds.

I completely understand you! I do not want to go through all the process, spend money and get my hopes high if most probably I will be denied. When you read the different blogs so many people have been denied with a higher BMI than mine that is quite scary. I have to say the whole insurance thing is scary. I am also trying to figure out how much will I finish paying out of pocket and even that is confusing....

Best of luck to you too!

In it's requirements it does not say so. It says the following:

Patient Selection Criteria

Adults over the age of 18 or who have documented complete bone growth are eligible for obesity surgery

if ALL of the following criteria are met:

 The physician has indicated that the patient:

o Is a well informed and motivated patient with acceptable operative risks, AND

o Has a strong desire for substantial weight loss, AND

o Has failed other non-surgical approaches to long-term weight loss, AND

o Is enrolled in a program which provides pre-op and post-op multidisciplinary evaluation and care

including: behavioral health, nutrition, and medical management AND

 The patient is morbidly obese with a BMI > 40kg/m².

But it seems that my WLC, Lowell General Hospital in Ma, wants patients to loose 5% of their weight before surgery.

In it's requirements it does not say so. It says the following:

Patient Selection Criteria

Adults over the age of 18 or who have documented complete bone growth are eligible for obesity surgery

if ALL of the following criteria are met:

 The physician has indicated that the patient:

o Is a well informed and motivated patient with acceptable operative risks, AND

o Has a strong desire for substantial weight loss, AND

o Has failed other non-surgical approaches to long-term weight loss, AND

o Is enrolled in a program which provides pre-op and post-op multidisciplinary evaluation and care

including: behavioral health, nutrition, and medical management AND

 The patient is morbidly obese with a BMI > 40kg/m².

But it seems that my WLC, Lowell General Hospital in Ma, wants patients to loose 5% of their weight before surgery.

@pato_3472. Just to be clear, does your insurance require you to lose before you are approved?

Hi

I am just starting this WL journey and I am already stressed about my insurance. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts and my BMI is 40 with no medical problems, which is the minimum necessary for them to approve my gastric sleeve surgery. The insurance person from my WL center does not want me to loose more than 5lbs as she is afraid if I loose too much the insurance will then say I am doing great on my own and do not need the surgery. She thinks I am in a tricky situation because if I do not loose it will count against me but if I loose too much it will also go against me.

I was wondering if anyone out there has been or is in a similar situation and was the outcome? I really do not want to get my hopes high on being able to get surgery and then get denied by my insurance. Thank you so much for any help and or advice!

Patricia