jj7481

Forgot. Optimum Nutrition is 110-120 calories per scoop with 24g Protein and only 1g sugar.

Each insurance provider is different, and they have many different policies. Call and ask what requirements they have in order to pay for surgery. If you can't get a hold of them your surgery center has someone who deals with insurance and approval processes who should be able to guide you.

I'm using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey. So far the double chocolate has served me well. One thing I've found is adding a little softened PB mixes and creates a Reeses PB cup-like taste. Another thing you can try is adding Protein powder to various foods. I sprinkle some powder on my vanilla Greek yogurt and it mixes to make a pudding consistency. Tastes pretty darn good too.

How much Protein do you intake a day? How much are you exercising? Protein is vital post bariatric surgery. When protein intake is not adequate the body compensates by breaking down lean body mass. As lean body mass diminishes your metabolism slows down. Everyone loses at a different rate. The more overweight you are typically the greater your loses will be for the first several months post op. Make sure to follow up with your nutritionist and/or surgeon to see what they recommend to upstart your weight loss again.

Most surgeon's won't allow you to take regular pills for the first month post op. Chewable Vitamins are the norm. Many will get the multi-vitamins with Iron, take Calcium chews, and B-12 injections/patches. I prefer an "all-in-one" approach. I'm currently taking OptiSource Chewable. They are a complete multi Vitamin including all the calcium, iron, b-12, and folate you need post op. Several pharmacies carry them, but don't advertise them. Also, you can get them through Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Optisource-Chewable-Vitamin-Mineral-Supplement/dp/B00CJB9K4K/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1452300980&sr=1-1&keywords=optisource+post+bariatric+vitamins

Absolutely. My surgeon advises to drink non-caffeinated coffee but....I couldn't do it. I began drinking coffee to my tolerance. The problem with caffeine is its dehydrating effects and messing with hunger signals. Recent studies show that caffeine may increase hunger due to stimulating insulin secretion, reducing blood sugar levels, and triggering increased hunger. Moral of the story: take it slow. However, make sure you compensate for Water loses by upping your daily water/fluid intake. My recommended Fluid intake is 48 oz, but I'm getting around 72 oz/day.

My BP was actually normal after surgery. The night I stayed in the hospital the nurses had orders to give my BP meds but had to hold off since my BP remained in the 100-106/68-72 range. After discharge I continued to monitor it but didn't take it and officially advised by my PCP to stop them a week post op.

OMG! I am realizing how lucky I am that my out of pocket limit is so low. There is no way I could afford that! Yeah, it's a shock to the system for sure. However, if you continue to make all your appointments then complete a post surgery 13-wk fitness program you are refunded part of that. Hospital HR treats it as an investment and wants to make sure you're committed to it.

I was required to do an orientation session. After that I setup a meeting with my surgeon to discuss options followed by a meeting with my dietician then a physical therapist. That afternoon I also met with a psychologist for an evaluation. I then setup a 13-wk workout schedule making sure to work out for 30 mins 3x wkly. After this I could schedule my surgery date. However, pre-op labs had to be obtained as well as an upper GI performed. Only once this was completed could I pay my $5,500 co-insurance THEN have my surgery.

Other than asking "Have you lost weight?," or "How much weight have you lost?" Aside from this I can't say anyone is acting differently. Granted, I'm still big so I still feel people look at me like "the fat guy." As far as treating me differently, no....can't say I've noticed anything in that regard.

I had RNY- just had 7-week post-op and they mentioned nothing about additional iron. Are you taking any supplements, Protein, etc? Iron absorption in a normal GI tract is only 5-15%. Post RNY your risk of malabsorption is greatly increased and could lead to many adverse health effects. Personally, I'd follow up with my nutritionist (at the least) and confirm they don't want you to take any iron supplements.

Rest, hydration, and vitamin C. Outside of that make sure to keep your surgeon updated on your temperature.

Best thing you can do is start the process early. Most bariatric centers are quite familiar with dealing in pre-auths and getting the specifics of your insurance policy (they want to know they're getting paid also).

I've noticed I don't have the "full" feeling many have described. I eat slow, chew many times, and the closest I get is a slight feeling in my LUQ. I'm definitely having to stick to measuring out my meals and making sure I stick to my recommended allowances. My other issue is making sure I'm keeping up on my Water intake so I have less "down time" between meals.

Is this in addition to your weight loss surgeon/team?

Different insurance company, lots of changes since implementation of health care law, and several plans with each insurance provider. Unfortunately, there are too many unknowns since different employers can have the same insurance company but different policies/coverage. Contact UHC with your current policy number and get a definitive answer.

Precisely.

I wasn't sure which surgery I wanted when I first started this journey. After attending the informational session I was 100% sure I wasn't going to get the Lap Band (high rate of returned weight gain, poor long term loss). After talking with my surgeon I decided on gastric bypass. Primarily because everything is still there and can be reconnected to God's original configuration if need be. Once you lose 85% of your stomach...it's gone. Additionally, I had done research on my own and found some great benefits of GB over Sleeve gastrectomy. 1. GB has been shown to restore normal ghrelin hormone regulation. 2. GB patients lost more belly fat and had improved insulin secretion rates compared to SG.

This is great advice as it's what my nutritionist advised me to do. Make drinking habitual and don't wait until your thirsty, or "it's time" to drink. Have some form of liquid with you at all times.

This isn't surprising in the least. Medicine and the human body are complex, hence why doctors have specialties. Like you said, they are brilliant at their specialty but can be seemingly oblivious to other areas of medicine. Medicine is an art and requires continual practice. After many years you narrow you focus away from medical school to concentrate on your specialty. Doctors are smart but medicine is too multifarious for one person to know the intricacies of each system.

Insurance is a major driving force for many people. Unfortunately, modern health care in the USA leaves medical providers making decisions based on what insurance will approve as opposed to what they feel is best for the patient. (sorry, just my little soap box). Several insurance plans will require you to jump through many hoops before you actual surgery. This is the norm for many bariatric surgery patients. Informational sessions are usually required to start the process (mine was). From there you go to the next step which your weight loss team will guide you through. I first decided on bariatric surgery almost a year ago. I was referred by my PCP to a local bariatric surgeon and accredited weight loss team. After going through their informational session and filling out their paperwork they called and advised my insurnace didn't cover them as a primary bariatric surgery center (calling it only Tier 2 coverage). So....onto the primary recommendation of my insurance. I waited another 2 mos for an informational session then 2 mos later I had my first appointment with my surgeon, nutritionist, etc. Only then could I start the mandatory 13wk wellness program required by my insurance company. Once that was completed I could then schedule my surgery and pre-op stuff. After 10 mos I finally got my surgery. It is a process. My recommendation would be to follow your insurance directions to get started and the weight loss team should guide you from there. Try not to start a diet or program on your own until you have started and confirmed you will be with a specific surgery center (as all surgeons have their own program they want you to follow).

I plan to have lost at least the first 100 lbs of my goal during 2016. Other than that I plan to move on to the next phase of my professional career and finalize a professional certification I've been putting off for....a multitude of reasons. My weight has held me back from so many things; no more. Time to actually move forward and get things done I've been putting off for too long.

Each surgeon is different. My liquid diet was at least 64 (8x 8oz) of Fluid daily x 2 wks. Of that I had to take in my nutrients via drinks like Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar Added mixed with milk. I could then make up the rest with Water, broth, Crystal Light, or 8oz/day of natural/no sugar added fruit juice. If you haven't heard from your surgeon/nutritionist....call them. Confirm the surgery date, and see what you are to do in order to best set you up for success.

My pre-op diet was all liquid getting in at least 64 oz of Fluid per day for two weeks. Part of that was my Carnation Instant Breakfast No Sugar added I did 4x daily. I could drink up to 8 oz of natural, no sugar added fruit juice. Other than that it was either broth, artificially sweetened & non-caffeinated drinks, or Water.

I'm a fan of BBQ and smoking. Smoked salmon is outstanding. Applewood, mesquite, or cherry wood chips in a smoker....mmmm, divine. Even if you don't have a commercial smoker you can add some liquid smoke and throw it on the grill. Looking forward to the next phases of the diet when I can enjoy fish again!