SleevePerry

When someone asks a specific question, you can either give a specific answer, answer "around" the question, or skip the question and move on to the next post. The first response to this very thread chose option #2, and from the short 6 months I've spent on this message board, choosing option #2 is an all too common occurrence. How much weight did you lose is a pretty basic, cut and dry question that only required a number in response. Personal philosophies on weight loss and weight tracking was unnecessary.

Ask a question, get a lecture. I lost 25 pounds. Good luck.

You may want start a new posting with this question. I personally cannot answer that.

The two year weight history is no longer required.

I know that we are supposed to stop drinking 30 mins before/after eating. Did you apply this rule to the puréed stage, or did you begin it when on soft foods? Also, do you continue to drink before/after having a protein shake, or do you apply the 30:30 rule to liquid meals as well?

Thanks @samuelsmom. I plan to ask the doc before doing anything. I would ideally like to have a glass of wine next Friday, which would be ten days before my surgery. I'm hoping that, if I stick to the pre-op diet to the letter, one 100 calorie glass won't destroy three solid weeks of dieting.

I am one week into a three week pre-op. My diet guidelines are 3-4 Protein shakes a day and 1 Lean Cuisine-type meal. Goal is to keep my calories under 1000-1200/day. I've been very good at keeping on plan, and I plan to stick with it. No cheating whatsoever. I'm having 3 shakes and the frozen dinner. I haven't been drinking that 4th shake, as I thought I'd reduce my calories as much as possible. One thing I was wondering, though, and I do plan to ask my doc on this, is if I can have one small glass of red wine several days before surgery. I realize I won't be drinking for 6 months or so after surgery, and I'm cool with that, but I would love to have one last glass sometime between now and my surgery, if it's not going to do any damage. I'd welcome your thoughts on this...

I got my approval in five days.

Congrats @@marybowlus

I purchased a big bag of the Bariatric Advantage Chewable Calcium Citrate. It now occurs to me that I may not be able to have chewable Vitamins in the first couple of weeks after surgery, as they don't fall under the category of liquids. Does anyone have experience with chewable vitamins post-surgery? Were they okay to use, or did you need to find an alternative until soft foods were introduced?

Mary - here's hoping you hear something on Monday. Fingers crossed!

@@LipstickLady Yes, but I didn't say that it would be easy. My choice is to follow my diet while weight loss is the most optimal and work on the "everything in moderation" once I've lost as much as I care to lose. That said, although I choose to be strict with myself, I don't think there is anything wrong with the rare treat. I was speaking more to the people who are in the early stages of their post-op, and they are already indulging themselves on a regular basis. That, I don't understand. It's a choice and a cheat. They are choosing to cheat themselves out of their own physical transformation.

I haven't even had the surgery yet and posts like the ones you mention drive me batsh*t insane. I can't imagine going through all of this prep work: the pre-op testing, the classes, the surgery, the recovery, only to throw it all to hell because it was my time of the month and those french fries were screaming my name. Nope. I'm going to follow my diet to the letter. After I hit my goal weight, I'll allow myself the occasional treat, but not before then.

@@kjsweigart I had a letter ready to go, but the insurance gal said it wasn't needed. I also had a letter of necessity from my PCP, and not sure if she used that or not. She said it was also not needed. Just the surgeon's and nutritionist's notes, from what I understand.

@@kjsweigart No, she did not, but I'm sure the surgeon noted a history of obesity in my chart when I had my initial visit with her.

@@kjsweigart I saw my insurance coordinator yesterday and asked her how she got my surgery approved, with no comorbidities and a BMI of under 40 in previous years. She specifically said that Aetna no longer needs two years of a 40 BMI. If you have a BMI of 40 now, you should be good to go.

@@ShellMilliner I haven't had it in awhile, but I remember it being good. Covered with pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni masks the eggy flavor. If you were going to use it as bread, I think it would be better cold, as the eggy flavor isn't as noticeable as it is when it's warm.

@@Thenewnic Thanks! I'd read that the first 12 months after surgery is the period where the most weight is lost, and that it becomes more difficult to lose weight after that window closes. Reading that led me to believe that I would need to be extremely strict with myself for a defined period of time, but that I could have the occasional treat after hitting my weight loss goal. But I'll need to speak to my NUT and Doc about that. I want to make sure I'm doing every thing I can to lose the weight AND maintain that loss.

@@ShellMilliner I did Atkins for about 4 years straight. Haven't tried the cauliflower crust, but did make one with eggs and cream cheese. It was good in a pinch.

@ShellMilliner I've seen people making mini-pizzas with wonton wrappers and getting good results. Lower carb and very small in terms of portion size.

I follow a bunch of VSG and RNY patients on Instagram and, on that site, I see a huge disparity in what people are eating post-op and wanted to get your feedback. Some WLS folks appear to follow a regimented high protein/low carb diet such as Atkins or Paleo. Others snap frequent pictures of meals with rice, potatoes, breads, etc. - one gal gets a 6 inch sub from Subway a couple times a week. I also see lots of Frappucinos (with straws!), booze and soda. Granted, all of the foods consumed are in smaller amounts, but it's confusing to someone who is trying to figure out what to eat and what to avoid going forward. Is the post-op way of eating really "all things in moderation," or is it "avoid starches and sugars?" I'm in this for the rest of my life, and I don't want to get started down a track that leads to regaining whatever weight is lost after surgery. What are your opinions on this? I'd appreciate your feedback.

@@Miss Mac Thanks! So, what is your vitamin schedule? What do you take in the morning, afternoon and evening...and how much of each? Also, do you take anything for gallstones, reflux, etc?

I'm putting together a list of things to buy before surgery. I have already purchased bunch of different Vitamins (Flinstones, Biotin, Calcium, B-12), as well as a Vitamin dispenser, but wondering if I'm missing anything - vitamins or other. For those of you who are post-op VSG, what pills do you take on a daily basis? The name, the dosage, and at what time of day do you take them? Thanks!

And I believe they did submit a weight history but I think that Aetna was looking for a history of persistent obesity, not necessarily a consistent BMI number of 40 or above.

I had the same concern. My BMI in previous years was 38 or 39. I'm not sure what it was that got me the approval, to be honest. I don't have any of the co-morbidities, but I was pre-hypertensive and pre-diabetic, with a familial history of such conditions, so perhaps Aetna thought it wise to approve surgery as a preventative measure? In any case, good luck! I hope it works out for you, too!