2goldengirl

It also depends on your surgeon's requirements. I has my initial surgeon appt. on 12/22. I need an EGD, for which I need to see a GI specialist first. It was more than a three-week wait just for that appointment. I also need a sleep study, and I have to see a specialist before that can be scheduled. These are requirements by my surgeon, not my insurance.

Put away the scale. Especially in the first month, your body has one objective: healing from the trauma of surgery. Just because you have a few steri-strips on the outside doesn't mean there isn't a lot of healing to be done on the inside. I don't know how many steps you are getting in, but your body has an increased need for protein and calories just to heal from surgery in the first few weeks. It's possible you've started doing too much too soon.

This is why you don't weight yourself every day. First you were feeling great over what it told you, and now you're feeling bummed because it stopped telling you what you want. Give it to your next-door neightbor for a couple weeks, OK?

@@Texas Gal, your profile says you were banded, and it appears that many of your replies were from those who were sleeved or bypassed. Your recovery will be different, and your dietary instructions different. First, something that you don't tolerate on Day 11 isn't necessarily a "never again" for you. You will have to wait and see to find out which foods your body just doesn't like over time. You haven't done anything wrong - you tried something, and your banded tummy told you to back off, so you did. That's how it works, trial and error. Tiny bites, and waiting between bites, can help avoid discomfort, especially this early. Good luck!

This would also be true of the drinks she is allowed that have cocoa powder in them.

Honestly, I think it's because not everyone follows directions and/or reads labels, and they just banned the powder so that nobody tried adding Nestles Quik to their Protein shake. And this would be a rule that I wouldn't follow. Cause I'm a rebel that way. I'm also a healthcare professional, and know enough about how the postop body works to know that there's no more "clumpiness" with cocoa powder than powdered Protein drinks. Humbug.

Abso-flippin'tastic! What will you do to celebrate?

Such a great post! One of the things I ponder as I'm in preop phase is how I'm going to train my brain to see myself differently. I've seen myself as overweight for so long that even when I was much thinner than I am now, I always thought I needed to lose 20 lbs or so. I love that you got validation from unsolicited strangers.

Congratulations and thanks for taking the time to be here and share so well and so often with those of us at the beginning of our journey.

What's your budget? I may get myself a piece of jewelry with a diamond for each 10 lbs I've kissed goodbye. A more affordable option is one of the customizeable lockets with charms inside. You can get crystals in them, plates with "congratulations" or "believe", or even have your surgery dates engraved on the back.

I don't know what you think happens at support groups, but mine, at least, is anything but a complaint-fest. There is always a topic, and the facilitator is either one of the RD's or the LCSW who works with the program. They bring in speakers, including a local plastic surgeon who does post-WLS surgeries. It's worthwhile enough that people drive a considerable distance to attend.

Insurance usually doesn't require tests. Depending on your health plan, you may have to complete a visit with a Registered Dietician and a psychologist, show a history of your previous weight-loss attempts, and may or may not have to participate in a specified number of months in a structured weight-loss program. Your surgeon will probably require some preop testing: usually at least an EGD, depending on your medical condition(s), maybe also an EKG, always some bloodwork. I hope this helps.

I do. The group is sponsored by the hospital where I will have my surgery. It's a thriving group, open to anyone. 30+ people, everything from preops like me to folks who are 10+ years out. Today was about stress, facilitated by the LCSW who has worked with the hospital bariatric program for 15 years. Really worth the time.

You want protein drinks with at least 20 gm of protein and less than 5 gm of sugar. I don't recall anyone mentioning any Herbalife products here. It seems the faves around here are Premier Protein, Unjury, and Isopure.

Blue Shield of CA has NO weight loss requirement. Here is a link to their medical policies: https://www.blueshieldca.com/provider/authorizations/clinical-policies/medical-procedures/policy.sp Look under "B" for bariatric surgery. Patient selection criteria is on page two. Blue Shield also requires that its contracted medical groups (who do the authorizations for most of their members) follow Blue Shield's criteria - they can't superimpose their own criteria. I hope this helps, you appear to have been misinformed.

No. No. No. "Detox" is what your liver does. Your gut doesn't. And a colonic only reaches a very small portion of your bowel anyhow. Food doesn't stay in your colon, your colon empties itself as it was designed to do. Anything else is pure hype. Don't fall for it.

Can't help you, I'm covered $100%, except $10 office visit copays.

I'm so afraid that even after this pre op diet they won't be able to get to my stomach. I had a fatty liver to begin with. Don't be. What you're trying to reduce with the preop diet is your stored liver glycogen (a form of stored sugar).

You really need to see your NUT/RD; between the sleeve and pregnancy you have a delicate balance to work with. Congratulations!

Not only are you cute, you've shown your daughters not to put up with abuse, not to allow themselves to be devalued, and to take care of their own destinies and their own health. Well done, Mom. Rock that dress and be proud!

LOOK at that smile. That says it all. Golly, I love that scarf you have on.

Why on earth would you listen to anyone else about what is a decision about YOUR life, health, and quality of life? You want it, you need it, go get it! Don't let the naysayers bring you down!

So glad you're feeling more in-control now. That "I can't stop" feeling is downright frightening. Sounds like you need to shop for your own groceries, and have Beloved Retired Cop buy junk for himself and the kids and keep your good stuff away from his not good stuff so you don't have to go past his to get yours. Good luck!

I hate to say this, but I agree, what were you doing letting an unlicensed driver drive your car? And why are you allowing son basically take over your life? You drive him everywhere and now you are putting up his GF and her daughter, if only on a part-time basis. Boundaries. You need them. I understand that you're trying to help, but between not-quite-the ex and addict son and his GF, they are taking up your time, your energy, and your gas money. Enough! There is a fine line between compassion and co-dependence. Who owns the car? You? It's your life, your car, your limited income - and your time to start saying "No".