PlBren

I had an "argument" with my surgeon at my 4-week post-op visit. I told her I was hungry all the time. And when I ate something, the hunger would go away and I would get full, but the hunger would return anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours later (depending on what I ate).
I am a very analytical person so at first, I suspected this was "head hunger" but when the hunger was waking me up at night - I knew it was real. My surgeon claims it is not real, but only head hunger. After going back and forth with her, I finally said "You know what - I don't care if it is real hunger, head hunger or toe hunger. I feel it, and the only way it goes away is to eat something". That ended the argument.
They say you can be distracted from head hunger - but I think you can be distracted from real hunger too. If something exciting, overwhelming or different happens - for a few minutes or longer, even real hunger goes away.
So, I don't see the point of differentiating between the two types of hunger. Our bodies are still taking in many fewer calories than it is used to, so of course something is going to say "I'm hungry!".
Having said all this - how we respond to hunger is what is now different.
I am now 8 weeks post op, and the hunger feeling is a normal part of my life. I don't always act on it. I simply accept it. And it isn't painful - just annoying. So, like any other annoyance that might be in your life (like my whiny cat), I've learned to "tune it out" when it isn't meal time.
I don't think I could have done this with a "normal" diet. I would have caved and eaten a huge meal, to get rid of the hunger. But now, eating is much less satisfying (because of how little I am actually eating at any given meal) and I know my hunger will be back in a short period of time. So, this keeps me from snacking every time the hunger starts back up.
I guess this is all good - I am staying pretty much on track. But, I really wish I had been one of those lucky ones who had no hunger at all...

I had an "argument" with my surgeon at my 4-week post-op visit. I told her I was hungry all the time. And when I ate something, the hunger would go away and I would get full, but the hunger would return anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours later (depending on what I ate).
I am a very analytical person so at first, I suspected this was "head hunger" but when the hunger was waking me up at night - I knew it was real. My surgeon claims it is not real, but only head hunger. After going back and forth with her, I finally said "You know what - I don't care if it is real hunger, head hunger or toe hunger. I feel it, and the only way it goes away is to eat something". That ended the argument.
They say you can be distracted from head hunger - but I think you can be distracted from real hunger too. If something exciting, overwhelming or different happens - for a few minutes or longer, even real hunger goes away.
So, I don't see the point of differentiating between the two types of hunger. Our bodies are still taking in many fewer calories than it is used to, so of course something is going to say "I'm hungry!".
Having said all this - how we respond to hunger is what is now different.
I am now 8 weeks post op, and the hunger feeling is a normal part of my life. I don't always act on it. I simply accept it. And it isn't painful - just annoying. So, like any other annoyance that might be in your life (like my whiny cat), I've learned to "tune it out" when it isn't meal time.
I don't think I could have done this with a "normal" diet. I would have caved and eaten a huge meal, to get rid of the hunger. But now, eating is much less satisfying (because of how little I am actually eating at any given meal) and I know my hunger will be back in a short period of time. So, this keeps me from snacking every time the hunger starts back up.
I guess this is all good - I am staying pretty much on track. But, I really wish I had been one of those lucky ones who had no hunger at all...

Hey, there! I had my VSG a day before yours, so I am at about the same place. I am also totally feeling you! I am almost the poster child for good presurgical habits -- from June-August, I basically did 2 PP shakes a day, with one small Protein meal. I've done all the things they've asked me to do. I walk, I get my Vitamins, I am getting in all my Protein and my liquids each day. My recovery since surgery has been pretty easy -- at a week out, I feel almost recovered, though I know I need to be gentle with my body.
I have also flirted with cheating. :-) Yesterday, I got so pesky I soft scrambled two eggs with a tiny bit of cheddar cheese and ate them. Well, I tried -- after two bites, I was like OMG WTF TINY SLEEVE! But over the course of about 2 hours, I ate those eggs. Oh, and a day or two before that, I took a chicken meatball from the leftovers, and pureed it with some chicken broth and ATE IT. *grin* But it wasn't very satisfying.
As best I can tell, it's okay and normal to be feeling like this. I know that *at some point* I will be able to just eat the damned meat ball, but right now, I am a little tired of being the WLS good girl and drinking my nectar and flavored Water. :-) But in my heart, even as I'm doing those things, I'm thinking about a bite of an In&Out burger, or a taste of a burrito. :-) Last night, I imagined taking a bite of something on a TV commercial and just spitting it out after chewing it for the flavor! :-) So, I think that these urges to "cheat" are probably just the natural desire for more variety, and to move past this stage. I don't think having a bite of something means that you're going to fail, any more than cooking two eggs means I am. This liquid stage sort of sucks. :-) The only thing I can suggest to you is that when I have felt *really* like cheating, I have tried to figure out what would be best thing for me -- like those two eggs -- and least likely to cause me problems.

Short version: Don't worry now about a bite of lasagna before! Today is a different day Breathe! Have some more liquids! It's going to be okay! :-)

I am doing good. I'm on day 14 of 15 total liquid diet. A week ago I would have been jealous of you POSE2VSG because of your non-diet requirements but not now. I think being on this diet is really going to help me post-surgery. Not to mention that it is a great jumpstart on losing weight.
It has been hard, but I've learned so much about myself; for instance, it is proof I can learn to not let food control my life. I know I would not be able to continue like this indefinitely - so it makes the surgery all that more welcome, in my mind.

I am doing good. I'm on day 14 of 15 total liquid diet. A week ago I would have been jealous of you POSE2VSG because of your non-diet requirements but not now. I think being on this diet is really going to help me post-surgery. Not to mention that it is a great jumpstart on losing weight.
It has been hard, but I've learned so much about myself; for instance, it is proof I can learn to not let food control my life. I know I would not be able to continue like this indefinitely - so it makes the surgery all that more welcome, in my mind.

I am doing good. I'm on day 14 of 15 total liquid diet. A week ago I would have been jealous of you POSE2VSG because of your non-diet requirements but not now. I think being on this diet is really going to help me post-surgery. Not to mention that it is a great jumpstart on losing weight.
It has been hard, but I've learned so much about myself; for instance, it is proof I can learn to not let food control my life. I know I would not be able to continue like this indefinitely - so it makes the surgery all that more welcome, in my mind.

I'm 9/1 too. My surgery is at 7:30 am. Yes, I get to wake up - head to the hospital and get it done. Already looking towards getting home on Thursday.

@PIBren thanks so much.. You are so right and I appreciate your help. It definitely made me realize what I need to do. ????

Yes - the headache goes away after a few days. Drink lots of Water. I hate having to pee every hour but it does help with the hunger. Figure out what Protein drinks fill you up the most and make them a regular part of your diet. Go to bed early. I hold off on my Breakfast shake till 9:00 am or later (I am less hungry in the am.) Get through one day, then the next. Pretty soon (maybe day 6 or 7) you'll realize your hunger is no longer severe, just normal hunger that is easy to ignore.
And here is my own personal motivation - I believe that how you do on the liquid diet is a reflection of how you will do after surgery. Thus if you are cheating regularly during this 2 weeks - you will likely cheat after surgery when you are allowed to eat solid foods again and have a better chance of gaining weight back.
So yes it is hard, but find your distraction, challenge yourself to be good and before you know it, you won't feel as hungry and your surgery date will be near (I'm on day 13 of 15). surgery is 9/1.

I was just thinking about all the clothes from all of us that will get donated to Goodwill or some other place, and how others on this forum might get some use out of them - for when we are in the middle of our weight loss journey. Because who wants to go out and buy clothes 2 or 3 sizes smaller than what you own, only to wear them for a few months and have to buy new clothes again, several sizes smaller?
Maybe this is too complicated to set up, but it seems that if we have clothes of a certain size that we are going to get rid of because they are now too big, that we first get on this forum, describe what you have, and offer them here.
Yes, I guess it would cost us the price of postage to mail them to someone, but you might just get someone else lending you clothes too. And we could keep passing them around (assuming they are still usable) to others.
Dumb idea? What does everyone think?

I was just thinking about all the clothes from all of us that will get donated to Goodwill or some other place, and how others on this forum might get some use out of them - for when we are in the middle of our weight loss journey. Because who wants to go out and buy clothes 2 or 3 sizes smaller than what you own, only to wear them for a few months and have to buy new clothes again, several sizes smaller?
Maybe this is too complicated to set up, but it seems that if we have clothes of a certain size that we are going to get rid of because they are now too big, that we first get on this forum, describe what you have, and offer them here.
Yes, I guess it would cost us the price of postage to mail them to someone, but you might just get someone else lending you clothes too. And we could keep passing them around (assuming they are still usable) to others.
Dumb idea? What does everyone think?

I actually drink mostly Premier Protein shakes. And my fav is Vanilla with lemon extract. My problem is that a single shake doesn't fill me up at night (but is fine for Breakfast or lunch), and if I drink 2 of the PP's at night for dinner, then I'll have too much protein eat day (because I have one for Breakfast every morning). So, having three PP shakes a day would take me to 90 grams of protein and that doesn't include what ever I have for lunch.
Thus - that is why the Atkins works for me. The two Atkins shakes together are the same amount of protein as one Premier Protein Shake, so I get two full shakes at night, but don't go over on how much protein I have. And I think the higher fat in the Atkins is what is helping me stay full. Fortunately, nothing else I am eating has much fat in it (3 grams per PP shake) so even with one PP and two Atkins shakes, I think I can stay under 30 grams of fat a day. I just have to keep my lunch and Snacks limited to 10-20 grams of protein, 10-30 grams of carbs, and 7 grams or less of fat.

@@PlBren you are a genius!!!! I spoke with the surgeon and he put in contact with a coordinator that is going to submit my pre-certify stuff to the insurance TODAY! Thanks!
If you are running into this problem too - take that advice, contact the surgeon. After all, that's how they make their $$$ money.

I too am having my sleeve done on 9/1! We should keep in touch and support each other throughout the recovery process.
I find it amazing the vast differences in pre-op diets. I know that mine (2weeks Clear Liquids and Protein shakes) is the most severe and is for all my Drs patients (meaning it was not customized for me). And to the best of my knowledge - that's what other doctors do - they have a single protocol and is not customized for the patient. Since the surgeries are all the same, thus just doesn't make sense to me. I wonder if doctors like mine (who have dictated the strictest protocol) know that a lot of patients will cheat so that is why they make the diet harder than it really needs to be?

As a reminder there is still a standing open invitation for anyone who wants to join our "secret" Facebook group, please ether post your email here or message it to me and I will add you!

I just got approved!!! But I have to wait until tomorrow to get my surgery date. Here are my stat's - History of over 35 BMI for 2+ years
Moderate sleep Apnea
Hiatal Hernia
Arthritis in both knees (though my Dr. said they don't consider this)
Current BMI of 38 (started at 39 before I did my three month weight loss consulting).
So happy, it is in site. Starting my liquid diet today just in case I can get the surgery date of Sept 1st.

Are any of you BC/BS Federal employee folks in the DC area like me?

I also have basic. Here are my charges to date -
Four visits to the surgeon (my "weight loss consultations for 3 months) - $35 copay each so $140 total
Nutritionist visits (2) and Exercise Consults (2) - $300
Psychologist evaluation - $25 copay (but I am choosing to go to her for consults through the surgery so I'm paying an extra $200 not required.
EDG copay $100
Abdominal sonogram and chest Xray (done on the same visit) $35 copay
So - total to date - without any approval as of yet - $700. But, I had my sleep study and blood work already done previously.
Expected additional cost -
EKG - $25 copay
More blood work - $25 copay
Hospital/Surgical copay - $350
So $400 more....Assuming I get approved!
Patty - 2 days post insurance submittal...waiting for approval or denial...

Just thought I'd throw out there the questions I asked my surgeon today. Surgery is Saturday!
Q: What size bougie do you usually use?
A: (laughing) why does that matter?
Me: It doesn't; on the forum I hang out on, I've seen people talk about the size of the bougie the surgeon uses, and I figured I would ask!
Doc: 34
Q: Do you suture over the staples on the sleeve?
A: Yes and sometimes over the sutures I also use (dang, I can't read my notes. Can't remember if he said a surgical mesh or a surgical glue or what).
Q: Do you close with staples? sutures? glue?
A: Usually I used sutures and/or steristrips, but since you have trouble with tape (it gives me welts), I'm going to use surgical glue and sutures where necessary.
Q: Do you do a leak test before discharge?
A: I do the leak test while you're under anesthesia, by endoscopy. I do everything I can while you're out and I don't see any reason to wait to do a leak test until you're awake (shaking his head).
Q: Do you routinely use catheters on your patients?
A: Sometimes, and I think we will for you.
Me: Good!
Doc: (laughing) Why "good"?? Not having one is an incentive to get up and walk!
Me: Because when I have to pee, especially in the middle of the night, I have to go RIGHT NOW. So I'm picturing me struggling to get out of the bed, not making it, and leaving a pee trail to the bathroom.
Doc: (still laughing) that's why we have linoleum floors.
Me: And then I slip and fall in the pee and break a leg or my hip or something and then you have to operate on THAT!
Doc: Yep, a catheter it is!
Q: Do you usually leave in a drain?
A: No, not routinely. Not usually.
Q: Is anyone else going to be working on me or is it just you?
A: I have assistants and residents, and if a resident is near the end of their training, they'll do much more than if they are at the beginning. I'll be there the whole time.
Me: So I'll always be in your talented hands?
Doc: Yes, until I go to Starbucks for a coffee halfway through! (this is in reference to a local cardiac surgeon who got into serious trouble for leaving patients in the middle of surgery and telling his PA to finish up the surgery - clearly out of the scope of practice for the PA).

Yes - I called back today and was told the paperwork was submitted. Now they waiting game begins. I was told give it a full week before I start bugging them.

Like many of the folks on this forum, I am dreading my pre-op diet and wondering how to get through two weeks of liquids only. I've read countless accounts of people who have done it and most say that the first 1, 2 or 3 days is the worst, then your body sort of adjusted. I had no idea what that really felt like and so I found it of little comfort.
I am a month away from surgery (hopefully - waiting for approval) and so I am not yet on the pre-diet but I wanted to give it a try anyway, just to see what it was going to be like. And so I did a 48 hour liquid only diet last week. And it has helped me feel as if I can do the full two weeks.
This is what I did - it was a 48 hours, but over 3 day, trial. I started one evening - dinner time (after having a normal Breakfast and lunch that day). I had a shake and a sugar free popsicle for dinner. And the next day - it was all liquid. And then the next day - I did liquids for breakfast and lunch and then had a normal dinner.
I will say that the 2nd day was hard. But I made it a challenge - told myself I could do it and then I just dealt with the hunger. I had a lot that day - anything to help with the hunger - three Protein Shakes, two servings of chicken broth Soup, lots and lots of Water, 3 popsicles and 1 serving of Jello. But I did it. And when I woke up on the 3rd day, I wasn't hungry until 9:00am. And that day, I didn't struggle at all. Sure, I was still hungry, but not the deep, I can't think of anything but food hunger that I had felt the day before. It was more like - oh yeah, maybe I should eat something hunger. And before I knew it, it was dinner time and my trial was over. And I didn't even pig out that night for dinner. I didn't need to - I was satisfied with a small meal.
I know everyone is different and thus it might take longer to get over that initial feeling of "starving", but now I know not to look at this as a two week diet, but instead - taking it day by day, challenging myself to do it and now I know it will get easier to deal with the hunger.

I also had concerns about my weight and me not getting approved if I dropped a lot. I have a 3 month period for weight management. I lost about a pound every month so my BMI didn't go down hardly at all. I am waiting to hear from the insurance co.

Just called BCBS Federal and I was APPROVED!!!! Wow that was a long wait but so worth it. The approval was done on July 21st so there must be a lag time from the time the decision is made to the time it is entered into the system. Yesterday this was not there and they had not mailed out an approval letter.

I find it interesting that the pre-op diet is so different doctor to doctor. Not patient to patient. Which tells me that it isn't a do or die situation. How can they operate on some folks who haven't done an all liquid phase before the surgery if it is that critical? My doc says 2 weeks. And one week before that - she says two Protein shake meals and one regular meal a day - so I have a 3 week pre-op diet. Like what Muzical1 did - I can't imagine it is much of an issue if you eat solids at the start of the pre-op diet. I also think that last week is when you want to be very strict about everything.

I also have BC/BS and a BMI of 38. My Dr. is submitting my paperwork sometime next week. I've had a history of having a BMI over 35 for about 6 years now. And I have moderate sleep apnea. I can't imagine that you will not be approved. I think I am much more borderline than you. Wishing you good thoughts and hope we both get approved!