WalkOnWaking

I would fill the narcotic med prescription and discuss non NSAID options with surgeon. Better to have stronger stuff on hand and not need it, than need it and not have it.

And you are still swollen from surgery. Slow and steady. Get your fluids and Protein.

Very inspirational start on your journey!

Keep in mind, its not the insurance carrier, but the plan that they are administering.

I had a BCBS policy last year when I had my surgery, and a good friend did also. My BCBS plan had a 6 months supervised weight loss visit requirement as part of their medical policy. Mental health evaluation, and starting BMI of 35 due to my comorbidities (would have been 40 if no comorbidities).

My friend had surgery last summer, but was self-pay in Mexico. Her plan, even tho the same BCBS policy in the same state, EXCLUDED bariatric procedures. My employer and her employer did not purchase similar plans with BCBS. It's all in what the employer wants to pay for (for those that have employer health benefits).

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned it yet.

I was told on my first visit with the surgeon. That way, you are not blindsided as prettyCali916 mentioned.

I had been in touch with my insurance carrier and knew my max out-of-pocket (did not have a separate bariatric deductible). By the time I got to the surgery, I had no payments to make. I had met my max out-of-pocket 2 months prior.

I am free to eat anything else as of 5 weeks out, except the above veggies and raw nuts. Every surgeon has their own way and to me it's not very restrictive. I was on liquids 2 weeks post-op. Soft foods as tolorate thru week 4. Then week 5 no restrictions other than above. I am ok with following his requirements.

I was told broccoli, asparagus, lettuces, and Brussels sprouts were off my list for a year. Something about the texture being too rough even when cooked. But every surgeon has their own rules it seems.

Me too, Steph Anne. I plan to be far above the "average" for a sleeve. I didn't come this far to turn back now!

I have lost 2 inches in size overall but also a cup size. Now a C. Lol

Guess I am the only one. Bummer.

@@OKCPirate

pureed Big Macs. Priceless!

For the ladies out there, have you noticed any significant changes in um...how shall I say it? Cup size? I swear, I have deflated balloons now!

@ @meganliz0824 Thanks!

Trying to walk more too (my dog has yet to object going for another walk!). I have a treadmill to walk on indoors when the weather is cold to be out long, and my dog has learned to run on it. And he love love loves the treadmill. He can do 5mph, at an incline of 5, for 5 miles twice a day. He's getting more buff than me!

I am working from home, so the best I can do is a slow walk (2mph) so that I'm not out of breath talking on a conference call. If its just something I have to listen to, then I can up the speed and/or incline and use my headphones to listen. I just have to remember to jiggle my mouse every 15 minutes or my screen locks up and they think I'm not listening. If I could only figure out how to train the cat to play with the computer mouse, I'd have it made! HAHA!

Check with a SUPERVISOR at your new insurance company.

I had the same thing happen to me (a different surgery). They allowed me to see the surgeon as an In-network doc even tho he was out of network for the follow-up period. Same thing for the physical therapy. I had 3 more surgeon visits and 12 or 14 (2x a week) physical therapy visits covered at the in-network benefit but saw folks out-of-network. It can be done on a case-by-case basis. The reps in customer service can't do it but a supervisor can.

It is hard not to give 'stock' answers with so little information provided.

Honestly, it would be helpful to know how much you started at, and where you are now, what your goals are, what you are eating and Water volume intake.

I just realized, if I had started my WLS journey NOW, I would not have qualified! BMI is now at 34.7.

I used to think my way was the only way. I'm a lot smarter now.

I'm almost 18 months post-op. And I've learned a lot in that time. I've been very successful and have learned what really does work for me.

One thing that probably is common to most successful WLS patients is that they observe and collect enough information about their own eating and understand how those foods affect their bodies and they have the discipline to stick to what works for them.

I totally agree. I keep a careful watch on my blood sugar levels (which carbs directly affect) having struggled with diabetes for over a decade.

I have found that artificial sweetners affect my blood sugar level just as much as real sugar. My blood sugar levels spike the same if its Crystal Light, iced tea with Splenda or Stevia, or raw sugar. So I stick to Water and unsweetened tea.

Amazing how the same consumption affects different people.

Protein intake has not changed. I still get between 90 and 120 per day, per my NUT and surgeon's recommendations.

I'm glad the scale is moving again. I know I've lost 'size' if not weight in the last 3 weeks. Clothes fit better. Even my bra size (much to my husband's demise!).

Yes! Onward and DOWNWARD for me! Lol

@@sweettiff - Keep us posted on your (hopefully) swift and easy recovery! You are in our thoughts and prayers!

I have yet to try lettuces at all. Its on my 'no-no' list from the surgeon and NUT. I was told that maybe a year out, it may be ok, but not to try until then.

I HAVE had some spinach but not raw like in a salad. Its been an ingredient in a Soup I've had from the mushy-foods stage (Italian Wedding Soup). No issues I am guessing cuz its pretty much boiled to death!

I do miss my salads. Even threw out the salad dressings I had in the fridge with a recent kitchen cleaning. No sense storing what will likely be outdated by the time I'm eating a salad again.

Finally, almost 2 months since surgery and 3 weeks of a 'stall' that was normal so I'm told, I'm finally starting to see the scales move downward again. Not a big loss, but I'll take every tenth of a pound I can get! Down 1.1 pounds!

Side note: My hubby said my rear end is wrinkled. I embrace those wrinkles!

Of course as soon as I gave birth I went and bought a box of doughnuts

My neighbor, years ago, was coming home from the hospital with her twins. Her hubby was deployed and did not make it back in time for their birth. She also had gestational diabetes and had been following a low-carb diet to help her and the babies.

I drove her and the babies home from the hospital, and she had me drive thru a Krispy Kreme for a box of doughnuts.

She had bypass surgery years later and has kept it off for over 5 years now.

My parents turned out to be very supportive once I told them (not until 1 week post-op). They have not always been supportive in other decisions I have made in the past, so decided to wait until afterwards to mention why I had surgery (they knew of hernia but turned out it didn't need repaired surgically afterall). I just didn't have the energy to defend my decision to anyone at that point.

Thankful every day for the love and support of my husband. He is my rock!

@@Sharon1964, you made me laugh so hard when I read your post. That is exactly the way I felt about carbs (but you left out the mini York Peppermint Patties!)

The only carbs I take in are with veggies.

I have a bag of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) in the freezer - its been there since 2 weeks pre-op. I'm just afraid to have even one piece still. Although, for fruit, they are lower in sugar than most.

I can do a very small amount of cheese if its 'real' cheese, not anything processed like American cheese. And so far, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. makes me nauseous. I used to love yogurt and cottage cheese.

And I used to love tuna. A bit of mayo to kill the tuna taste, and a small amount of relish to kill the mayo taste. I've tried it twice since surgery (once I was cleared for soft foods) and got sick each time. The only times that nausea turned to actual upchucking since the surgery.