JapGirl

@@LifeWhichIsMine any recipes or ideas on casseroles? I feel like I should to the same for my husband LOL. Or perhaps just need a ton of slow cooker recipes.

I have pre made some meals in my freezer. Everyone mentions how tiring it is for the first few weeks. So I'm meal planning. I'll still have to he the one to cook it (i.e. pick it out and put it in the oven) but that's alot less work comparatively. There's a bunch of websites that have 'freezer ready casseroles'. I got some recipes off there. Most of them are Pasta based though.

I'm also making ready to cook burger patties and meatloaf, baked chicken etc and freezing them as well.

And im also making some Soups to use for the first few weeks and portion it in muffin tins for the freezer, akd freezing the muffin sized blocks. That way I can just grab a Soup block for work or during recovery. And I can have what I like. I prefer homemade Soups

Since I've already gone through the sleeve, and now am getting ready to have the bypass in a week, I took what I learned from the last time this time since I will be three days liquid before and then not wanting to cook afterwards, I made 2 weeks of casserole and full dinners and just frozen them. There is a list of what's available with how to cook it on the fridge. That way my husband can just choose and pop in the oven

Isopure also makes an unflavored no carb version I mix it with coffee. It doesnt like hot liquids, so I mix it with a touch of cold Water to disolve it before adding it to Soups or drinks

Where are you getting yours done at?

Yes we can! I think as a group it might be easier to just revisit this thread though

Thank you I am very excited!

The most common regret I've seen is not doing it sooner.

I should get to schedule mine this week or week after. Hoping for end of feb.

Yes! I am 27. Hoping to get my surgery date next week or week after. Planning for end of feb.

5'7"

HW 250

CW 215

It's very common to have one. Most docs will fix it while they are in there for free or for a small fee.

I actually am flying in that morning. Having the surgery done, then flying home later that same evening. Since my flight is short they said they are okay with me going home. I am just having the sleeve done though

I don't belong in this thread but I have to say something. I have a friend whobwent this HH route with Dr Nick. She has failed miserably because she didn't really put in the work (NUT, therapy, ongoing also, etc). I went to lunch with her maybe 8 weeks post-op and she ate pizza (albeit just toppings) and drank sweet tea. She lost about 30 pounds the first few months and that's it. She is still drinking sweet tea. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do the work. This is a very serious surgery and an amazing opportunity but remember the sleeve is just a tool. YOU have to do the work. I worry that this "easy" route that Dr Nick offers (as do others) somehow makes this seem not as serious. Especially those that are out of town. Find a NUT you can continue to meet with, a therapist locally and a Dr to monitor your post-op labs. This is VERY important.

OK climbing down off my soap box. Please don't take my advice as accusatory or against Dr Nick. (He is an excellent surgeon.). But the surgeon's part in this is actually very small. The real work is up to you. My advice is only because I want the best for anyone who is committing to such serious surgery. Best of luck to you all!

I understand your concern!! Speaking for myself, I was much bigger 5 years ago. 250lbs with a BMI of 40. I lost 80lbs and kept it off for 4 years. I quit smoking to be a better example for my kids 1.5 years ago and now I can't seem to lose the weight I gained when I quit which has put me back into the "obese" category.

Having been through pretty substantial weightloss before, I'm fairly prepared for the changes I have to make. I have ZERO plans to drink sweet tea (which I don't like) or pizza. In prep for the changes I have given up sodas, most all sweets, and am transitioning back to healthier life style. This isn't a magic wand It's forced Portion Control and help with hunger hormones.

I also am not doing this just to lose weight I have a degenerative disc in my back that has hurts regularly now that I have gained some weight back. I'm not sleeping well, and I actually deal with the hernia symptoms on a regular basis.

When I lost the weight I had in the past I worked with a therapist to sort though the issues that had caused my weight gain originally. Thank you for your concern!! Sometimes tough love is needed I get that. But this is more than being thin for me.

I go to do my EGD on monday, hopefully by Friday or the following Monday I will have the results and be able to set my appointment!

You're welcome

Some surgeons are willing to bill insurance for the hernia fix and then have you cash pay the difference for the sleeve which can lower the cost considerably.

All total my cost for my surgery will be $5100. This includes the surgery, pre op testing, the sleeve portion, etc.

The hernia is probably the hiatal hernia. This is where part of the stomach comes up through the hole in the diaphragm and gets stuck. A portion of your stomach is bulging and is a "herniated". It's commonly fixed with bariatric surgeries. This type of hernia causes a range of symptoms. Pain in the chest when eating, reflux/heat burn etc.

Had surgery Jan 9th. Down 16 lbs already (only lost 4 during pre op diet).

I go back to work tomorrow. Still weak and incision site is still sore, but feeling pretty good.

Been on Clear Liquids up until now. Tomorrow I can start thicker Protein Shakes and cream Soups, etc. I know the weight loss will slow right down once I start adding in some of those things, but I'm okay with that. My goal is to lose another 7 pounds between now and end of February. Although I would love for it to be closer to 12, I know I need to be realistic. Sounds like most people stall once they get to the purée stage, and that stall can last for a number of weeks.

That's fantastic! Keep us updated!

I had my HH and VSG done there and the whole process took a month and a half. That is from the day I called and made the appt to the day of surgery. Very fast! I'm paying for the VSG and my insurance paid for HH. My cost was 3900. I pay 113.00 a month since I didn't have it up front. Hope this helps.

That's awesome! Thank you for the info!

It's going to cost me about $2600 over max out of pocket. But it varies by insurance and I plan to use my HSA to pay for part of it

Since you were an out of towner, what was your surgery stay like? 3 days? 4 days?

I am from out of town also. I did my consult with Dr. Long one day and the EGD the next. Took about a week or so for them to call back. Could have done my surgery within a month but was going on vaca. Goes by quickly.

If everything goes as planned I'll get my sleeve before vaca

Congratulations on your journey. I went the HH route with Dr. Nick. Start by getting done with the portion that the insurance will pay that is the EGD + Lab testing then once that is done you will go for result discussions with your surgeon. Right after that discussion you can schedule the surgery date. You will be required to pay the VSG part and the amount will depend on the facility your insurance will allow for your HH. You can get it scheduled within 3 weeks of your results discussion if you take care of your payment portion. Dr.Nick is the best and I highly recommend their support system pre and post op. Their back office staff for scheduling, payment and lab are amazing too.

Good luck!

I've already talked to them about the insurance options and what my cost will be. It was actually right about what I was expecting. I am supposed to call tomorrow to schedule the EGD and since I'm out of state I think we will be doing the results follow up over the phone.

This is great news! 3 weeks is definitely doable! I've been hearing some good things about this doctor and his staff! Thank you for the reply!

What about a higher calorie Protein shake? You could have one weight gainer shake, which would help your calorie/protein and carbs..

That was what I was thinking since body builders drink higher carb shakes, but since she can't drink Boost then I would think she may have a similar reaction to higher carb shakes.< /div>

True, but you can find some that have higher calories, and not so many carbs. Boost has a lot of sugar too i think.

Or maybe if its sipped all day.

I would say that there are lots of bodybuilders who are in prep mode that keep their calories higher but carbs are usually watched.

Isopure has an unflavored no carb protien powder. It has 25g of protien per scoop. And you can mix it with literally anything. I've mixed it into coffee, Soup, etc.

I am considered a "low bmi" patient of a BMI just barely under 34. I am going the hiatal hernia route with the Nicholson clinic.

I'm pretty stoked! I have to do the pre op testing, then I get to set a date for surgery..... so that being said....

If you went through the Nicholson clinic (Dallas-Fort area) and either did self pay, or the hiatal hernia route. How quickly were you able to get the testing/surgery date set for.

The reason I ask is because I'm hoping for feburary. My son's birthday is in March and he is also on school break in march as well. If I have to push it back into March I'm worried about energy levels interfering.

Tell me your story!

Me! Hermitage area!

I am going the hiatal hernia route.... I have to go to do my pre op testing. Then I'll set a date for surgery!