lexiemustang

When I was approved for surgery - my BMI was a 37.x. The day of surgery, my BMI was a 34.1 - which means I dropped below the 35 BMI with two comorbidity cutoff. I was informed by my surgeon that my insurance goes by the BMI I was approved at - not the BMI I had during the day of surgery. (Just as an FYI - I had United Healthcare at the time. I did not have to do a supervised diet as a part of the insurance requirements, but my doctor required a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery).

Mine had to come out when I hit 10 months post op. Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

My keys to success - I haven't totally abandoned Protein shakes (I usually drink at least 2 a day to get my protein in), trying to limit my carbs, and exercise (even if it's a 30 minute walk around the block). My active support systems - message boards (such as this one), a therapist, and I have at least 3 "real life" friends who have also had bariatric surgery. The last one is to NOT GIVE UP...Right now I'm fighting the battle to get below 200 pounds. I see you're also a little over a year post op. How has your experience been so far?

My recovery was great. No nausea, discharged the same day of surgery, off of pain meds by day three. My gallbladder did have to be removed 9 months out, though. Best decision I've ever made in life.

Hello! I'm in Dunwoody. Had VSG in May 2015. Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

These are my top two: http://www.bariatriceating.com/product/inspire-strawberry-white-chocolate-protein-powder/ http://www.bariatriceating.com/product/inspire-blueberry-cheesecake-protein-powder-20-servings/ Syntrax Fuzzy Navel is number 3. For unflavored Protein, I like GENEPRO.

Sooo true....

A few other suggestions (not necessarily excuses, but strategies): There are some restaurants (like the Cheesecake Factory) that have awesome Small Plate/Appetizer menus. Those are great for us bariatric patients. I've found out a few of my friends have also had bariatric surgery - so our strategy when we go out to eat is to order a meal and split it My doctor provided a bariatric patient card which informs the restaurant that I am a bariatric patient and to allow me to either eat off the kids menu or order a half portion of a full entree. I didn't use it at first, but in the last 6 months I've began using it a lot. I've never had a restaurant give me a hard time. I've also used the "I ate before I came here so I'm not that hungry/Stomach bug/etc." when needed, but usually one of the first three bullets works. Are you on the pre-op diet or post op? The reason I ask - if you're on that lovely liquid preop diet, make sure you carry multiple shakes with you everywhere you go. I was out one night with my mother and ran out of shakes while I was on the preop diet - and it was NOT pretty. I had a tantrum like a 3 year old behind a chicken wing. :lol: That's hysterical! I'm actually still pre-op currently ... Date set for 8/30, but have a business trip 9/21 so I'll be 3 weeks out so mostly still liquid/broth/protein/mushy, etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Good luck with your surgery

My period was all kinds of wacky after surgery. It leveled out after a few months. Doctor said it's because of the hormonal changes and the fact that your body has just been through major trauma.

One of my strategies was to go to sleep to not think about being hungry. LOL, it worked

I encountered this meme when I was on liquids. Oh, how appropriate:

A few other suggestions (not necessarily excuses, but strategies): There are some restaurants (like the Cheesecake Factory) that have awesome Small Plate/Appetizer menus. Those are great for us bariatric patients. I've found out a few of my friends have also had bariatric surgery - so our strategy when we go out to eat is to order a meal and split it My doctor provided a bariatric patient card which informs the restaurant that I am a bariatric patient and to allow me to either eat off the kids menu or order a half portion of a full entree. I didn't use it at first, but in the last 6 months I've began using it a lot. I've never had a restaurant give me a hard time. I've also used the "I ate before I came here so I'm not that hungry/Stomach bug/etc." when needed, but usually one of the first three bullets works. Are you on the pre-op diet or post op? The reason I ask - if you're on that lovely liquid preop diet, make sure you carry multiple shakes with you everywhere you go. I was out one night with my mother and ran out of shakes while I was on the preop diet - and it was NOT pretty. I had a tantrum like a 3 year old behind a chicken wing.

I'm a year and two months out. It is still a challenge not to drink after eating. Like many others, I was a major Water drinker pre-op. I am finding that the "waiting" period after eating has gotten easier - but is still something I struggle with. Certain foods make it difficult - chicken breast, pork, etc. - which is often why you'll hear eat these type of foods with some sort of sauce.

You can only buy it through their website, which is bariatriceating.com Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

Do you still have your gallbladder? Sounds like gallbladder trouble.

I am so close I can smell it. Mind you I've had some sort of stomach bug this week but I'll take it any way I can get it... 201.2!

OP - just as long as you're drinking before the Pre-Op diet starts, you'll be fine. Once the diet starts, though - you'll need to remain focused.

I am a big fan of inspire (White Chocolate strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake are my favorites) - followed by Syntrax. For unflavored, GENEPRO is my go-to.

I know you said you have Hashimoto's...have you had your thyroid levels checked recently? My TSH level can be at a 3ish and cause hair/skin issues...it may not take a 5.

I'm fighting the "wanna get below 200" battle too. ???? Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

The day of surgery, my BMI was a 34.x. My insurance only used the weight documented when my "application" was submitted for approval, and not the day of surgery. I had United Healthcare at the time.

I really like the Inspire Protein Powder - White chocolate strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake flavors. Syntrax Fuzzy Navel and Pink Grapefruit are also on the list.

I have a coworker who keeps giving me diet recommendations. I "should be" eating this and I "shouldn't be" eating that. She knows that I have had surgery, and I keep reminding her that I'm on a "special diet" with a reduced stomach, so the "recommended" way of eating (half a plate of veggies and a very small portion of protein) isn't going to work because my focus is Protein first - whether it be via Protein shakes or lean meat (she's also vegetarian). She doesn't agree with protein shakes and meat as protein sources, because she says "I should be getting them naturally via veggies/beans." I am tired of explaining this to her, LOL. My other pet peeve - my family keeps telling me that I'm getting too small and that I don't need to lose any more weight. Even though I'm tall - I'm still a size 12. Far from skinny IMO.