Daisee68

I just had my first real food. I woke up hungry this morning for some reason and today was the day to start mushy foods. I had 4 Tbsp (1/4 cup) of fat free refried Beans with 1 tsp of cheese. I took 20 minutes to eat it and no problems with it going down, but I am certainly not full. And at only 6 g Protein I will definitely have to have a shake next - waiting 30 minutes of course. This is going to be hard... I was hoping to be full. Maybe I will try 6 Tbsp (1/3 cup) at lunch and see how that goes. @@scarletwitch19 - I go back to work on Monday and like you will be glad to be back in a routine but it will be very weird to be around people with food. (I live alone so haven't had to deal with that yet.) We already got an email about a holiday party on July 2 with BBQ and I am already dreading what I will eat and what I will say when I can't eat, etc. One day at a time, right?

Maybe they just haven't told you yet because they didn't want you to have to worry about it yet? Do you have a NUT? I would ask them.

Have you been to this site - http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com ? It has a lot of great recipes. The ones I am looking forward to making are any of the "bites" which are different kinds of little crustless quiches.

I have not had that yet but I will tell you that pre-surgery, I would occasionally smell smoke (I did that for years) and I eventually think I figured out it was related to acid reflux. Are you having heartburn or reflux issues? I also sometimes feel very hungry (or at least I thought I was) when my reflux was bad.

I had bypass on June 4. Finally get to eat mushy foods tomorrow and I cannot wait! Up to now, pain is manageable but I have absolutely used my pain meds. Of course, I passed 2 kidney stones the first week so that was part of the pain. I did actually feel hunger on Day 6 and 7 (I think) but it wasn't terrible and shakes or SF popsicle take it away. Rough day today emotionally, but feeling better now. I think I am just anxious about eating tomorrow and the potential of getting sick. How are you doing?

Incredible! Thank you for sharing!

@@thecakewasalie - I cannot believe this guy! What a jerk! He actually told someone she broke the table?! I would not only report him to ASMBS but also to the hospital and frankly I would make sure to post his name here and leave a review so no one ever uses him. That ticks me off! I was mad enough at him for just telling you he would resleeve you in 2 years instead of helping but the rest of it is even more unacceptable. I am so sorry you had this experience. Unbelievable. Now - having said that, I wonder if you can contact a NUT on your own? The team I use just does the visits over the phone. They don't accept insurance but charge isn't too bad and they have been very helpful. If you would like that contact info, let me know and I will shoot them an email and make sure it is ok to give out their info. (I don't want to post it here until I have their approval.) In the meantime, there are some good handbooks on the internet that I have found - even though I had a good one to start with. My Bariatric Solutions in Texas has very good material which you can download and save to your computer. Several of the hospitals have good info you can download. Google "gastric sleeve handbook". But honestly most important is finding a NUT you can work with - and make sure they are someone that works with bariatric patients. You might even check in to local hospitals that have bariatric programs and see if they have an RD on staff that can refer you.

OOh I cannot wait! My day 15 is tomorrow and I think I am having refried Beans for breakfast!

You poor thing! An entire year! Wow. Take heart. you are almost there!

Gosh sorry you are having that trouble! I start mushy foods tomorrow and having some anxiety about that. My NUT gave me the following suggestions (which I suppose you have already tried?) - no sugar added applesauce, refried Beans with lowfat cheese melted on top, no sugar greek yogurt, Protein pudding (mix Protein powder with milk first then add to powdered no sugar pudding), etc. Have you been to http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com ? She has a lot of great recipes. I'm definitely going to try the ricotta bake ASAP. PS Call your NUT!

Thank you so much @@lmb012182 ! Makes me feel better, truly! Just not sure what got hold of me today!

Yikes! Sorry you had that trouble. So glad you went to your PCP and they did something about it!

I also have Cigna and lost some pre-op but I don't remember their ever being a specific weight loss requirement - just that you had supervised diets and tried. Especially if you have any co-morbidities and you are only talking about a few ounces, you are going to be fine. They approved me FAST. It was submitted on a Friday at noon and I got a call from surgeon's office Monday morning that it was already approved. By the way, the one thing I didn't have at my last NUT apt was a letter from a doctor other than the surgeon recommending me for the surgery which my surgeons office said was required to submit. It does say that in the Cigna requirements but I had overlooked it. If you don't have this yet (or haven't been told about it), you might want to ask your surgeon's office so you can get that from you PCP or other dr (mine was my endocrinologist) to give them the day of your last visit.

Two weeks post-op today. Has really been going well, but for some reason, I am having a very emotional day today - I can't stop crying (and I haven't cried since well before my surgery!). Not sure what is wrong (other than maybe a little work stress as I am working from home and had a stressful day yesterday). I return to work (my actual desk) on Monday. I start mushy foods tomorrow and scared about getting sick. Not sure if that is what is adding to the emotions, but need some reminders that this was a good decision and I shouldn't regret it. I emailed my counselor (who I will see next Tuesday) and she is just reminding me to stay in the present and not think about the long road ahead. (FYI, its not hormones - I had a hysterectomy nearly 2 years ago). Help (and thank you).

@@Stevehud - I saw that episode and had the exact same thoughts! And that was only 4 days before my surgery. It was heartbreaking when I saw the message at the end. I will say though that watching this show (in marathon form several times) helped me know what NOT to do

Thanks guys. Your answers really helped!

I only met my surgeon once but I really liked her. The next time I saw her was 2 minutes before they rolled me in to the operating room and then the next day when she released me from the hospital. I really liked her though and was very comfortable with her and her staff. She operates out of the 3 different hospitals and I did change hospitals / offices mid-way through. (In the end not sure the other hospital was better, but it's done now.) BUT I will say this - you must be comfortable with your surgeon and most importantly their staff. It is the staff you will continue to work with. I have a history of shoulder problems (4 surgeries) and I wasn't comfortable with the first surgeon, but I let him do surgery on me TWICE only to have to have it finally repaired correctly by a 3rd surgeon (didn't like the 2nd one I met). The last guy was a wonderful guy and I returned to him 10 years later for repair on the other surgery and recommend him to anyone I meet with shoulder or knee issues. All to say it is very important to trust the surgeon and their staff. There is enough anxiety wrapped up in this whole thing to not question that part. All of your records will transfer - if you have to go get them yourself and carry them to a new dr. PS - I chose bypass over sleeve because of the acid reflux. The first day I met the surgeon my reflux was BAD and I commented on it and she said she really wouldn't recommend sleeve for me because of it.

@@Padraigm613, so they did finally decide it was gallbladder issues?

I am Type 2 Diabetic and went in asking for sleeve but decided on bypass - main reason was acid reflux potentially worsened with Sleeve (which I already battle acid reflux and could not take it being worse) and because it would improve my diabetes more quickly and lastly it was a longer proven procedure. As a Type 1 Diabetic though, I don't know what affect WLS surgery has on your blood sugars.

I have Cigna Open Access plan? (Not sure it is same as your plan but hope this helps.) Look at this link that someone else on this site gave me - I found it very helpful - https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf The only thing they gave me grief about was the sleep study because the dr hadn't actually proved medically necessary (hadn't shown signs). They did eventually agree a home sleep study. Once everything was done and submitted, they agreed in less than 1 day. There is a 3 month supervised diet requirement occurring within the last 12 months and allow Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc. as long as it was supervised / documented by a doctor. They do require a letter by someone other than the WLS surgeon recommending you for the surgery. I had my first surgeon appt on Jan. 20. Approved on May 1 and surgery on June 4. (I could have probably done surgery a little earlier once approved but I just had some work conflicts.) Hope that helps!

So I finally start mushy foods on Friday. CAN. NOT. WAIT! I think I am going to try fat free refried Beans with cheese first! I have been craving it for 3 weeks. I am terrified of dumping. Have obviously not had the issue on liquids. My question is - will I know pretty immediately after trying a food if that is not going to be right for me? (Does that question make sense? i.e. should I stay close to home the first few days and/or anytime I try something new?) Secondly, I know we should add foods slowly so we know which food it is that causes issues but is that like only trying 1 new item per day or just 1 item per each time I eat?

Just a reminder - every doctor seems to have different rules so be sure you follow your own doctors rules. They have their own specific rules for a reason.

Surely they will allow you other liquids? I had to do the same but only for 1 week. I lived on broth. My favorite was Swansons Mexican Tortilla Soup broth. It was SO good! Only problem is that it was a little spicy so I needed to cut back on it. Also loved Swansons Beef Broth (still drinking that one post-op). Lots and lots of Water. Powerade zero. Propel Fitness water (I love the berry but there is also Orange, Grape and Fruit Punch I think). Tea. I even had some diet soda though I probably wasn't supposed to. It is definitely the hardest part of my journey so far. Try to just occupy your mind otherwise and keep your eye on the prize. I was terrified of it and was proud of myself that I got through it. After surgery, there is 2 weeks of liquids but you aren't hungry, so it is not quite as hard. @@roseluv3 - you make me realize how lucky I am not to have to feed anyone else right now. That has to be doubly hard to feed a family! Hugs!

Maybe for the hernia? Not necessarily for gastric bypass. I was told I could go back in as little as 1 week (though I haven't). I will be out total of 2 1/2 weeks.

Great loss. I had my first post op visit today (11 days post on). I had lost only 10 pounds since surgery but 26 pounds prior to surgery. I sure hope I can say almost 50 pounds when I get 2 months out! My mushy food starts Friday. Here are suggestions I was given - fat free refried beans with low fat melted cheese on top, mashed potatoes with protein powder mixed in, baked fish, tuna salad with very little low fat mayo, chicken salad with low fat mayo, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. (These are all mushy food phase but some of them will still work at your stage). I was told chicken thigh is better tolerated than chicken breast because it is more moist. Cook up some in your crockpot. Try Pinterest and search for gastric bypass or weight loss recipes. If you have been to this website yet - check it out - www.the world according to egg face.com. she has some great recipes. Look under the section about Bites which is a lot of mini muffin size crustless quiches. Definitely call your NUT and try to find a support group. People there can help with some foods. If you come up with anything awesome, be sure to let us know! Take heart. You are doing great.