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@ChaosUnlimited - My packet FINALLY went out last Tuesday. Now the waiting game begins. AHHH!

My place also required us to maintain, if not lose. Not everyone is able to lose pre-op. In my situation, my body is broken. All of the things they taught in nutrition class, I was already doing. I haven't drank soda in years, I keep very low carb, I have a 1200 day streak on myfitnesspal proving that I measure my portions and log my food, I work out regularly, I am mindful of the ingredients in my food, etc. Hell, I've now been substituting one meal a day with a protein shake just to ease into a liquid diet. None of that has made a difference for me. I'm having surgery done because my body won't lose weight on its own. Honestly, while I wish it would work pre-op, not seeing ANY change on the scale despite being in the best health I've been in ever helps me know I'm making the right choice.

I had to go into the office last week. My packet should have gone out 2 weeks ago and I found out it hadn't. The psychologist's office never submitted my paperwork to Rex and when I called them TWO WEEKS AGO, the receptionist giggled and said "oops! It has been sitting here for two months. Teehee!" Shame on me for thinking that after bringing it to their attention, they'd actually send it out. So yes, I needed to go into the office in person to find it out. While there, Krista sent me the invite as I was standing there. I'm in too, hurray! MAJOR confetti for your packet getting submitted. Here's to being approved the first time around!

I don't have daily meal plans, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my practice has a full menu up and available for patients! http://www.rexbariatrics.com/ - On the top bar, scroll over "Patient info" and you can find hundreds of great recipes!

Yeah, Chaos and I go to the same place, so I've tried the same sample pack. A few of them are passable, but it mostly is the equivalent of bubble gum flavored medicine. It tastes passable to swallow it. There's no mistaking it for candy. I'm DREADING those Berry flavored Celebrate ADEK vitamins they gave us. I could barely choke down one. To do that multiple times a day for months? PASS.

I still don't have a date. My insurance packet is out there as of early last week, I'm not sure how long it takes to hear back. I'm hoping to know something by the end of the week! I'm super excited that you made a decision. Did you get the same sense of relief? When I finally finished all of my research and realized that the DS was the best choice for me, I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. I could go stress out about other things, this was finally decided. I think getting a date will be the same way. I have been warning my job that I'll be out for medical leave. Originally I said end of March/early April. At this rate, it's looking like it'll be closer to May. As much as I want a date, I just want to give them a straight answer!!

I'm close enough to the surgery that I'm scared to ask...but what was there to be scared of for the DS more than a traditional bypass?

I have to wonder, are there any other surgeons or offices close enough that you would go to instead? I began my process anxious and freaking out, wondering if I was doing the right thing. The longer I travel down this road, the more at ease my surgeon and their staff have made me. If it took your place years to finally listen and help you properly, maybe you should find somewhere that puts you more at ease?

I've learned from personal experience that some people are denser than others! For example, I'm 265. I have more or less the same body type as my BFF, who is about 210. When I lost 40lbs, nothing changed on me. My double chin was a little less prominent but otherwise, my body looked the same. My logic was that I was fluffier. It all was still there but weighed a bit less.

That's fantastic! Good luck and congratulations. I'll admit I was a little disappointed though. I was expecting you to say this was a 30 second snippet podcast that you listened to and knew you chewed long enough when the episode ended.

Chiming in too! Could I see that sheet please @Postop?

Guys, I'm hoping you know something I don't. My doctor's office was wonderful and gave a full sample pack of different Vitamin flavors to help make purchasing easier. I'm doing the DS and need to be on a Multi-ADEK. The one sampled was the berry sorbet Vitamins I'll have to take are a walk in the park, but at least I can remind myself that they are medicine as I take them. Are there ANY other options out there? Ideally I'd rather do a different texture, but if I can just find a different flavor I'd be happy too! If I'm going to have to take a chewable ADEK for a few months, I'd really rather not be filled with dread multiple times a day.

I'm not a doctor, but I remember my nutritionist talking about this. How are you doing on your proteins? She has said multiple times that people who aren't losing as fast as they think they should, or are stalling are generally not having enough protein in their diet.

Way to go! Also, Rex Bariatrics represent! <raises roof like a dork>

I love this quote! Great find. For those of you struggling to view the picture, it is a medallion that says "It's not going to be easy, it's going to be worth it."

It's time to buy my proteins! Huzzah! This was discussed in my class, but I clearly didn't retain this information. I have two questions on the pre/post op liquid diets. As I recall, liquid was define as anything in a liquid state at room temperature. This included popsicles, broth, shakes, etc. So question one: Does yogurt count? I'm not sure how I'd define that consistency! I've found a bunch of Greek yogurt flavors (without that I enjoy and would love to put them into rotation during this time if I'm allowed. Secondly: How many of these per day am I supposed to have? Obviously there's the breakfast/lunch/dinner ones. Do I have a full shake for 2 Snacks a day as well? For those of you in the pre/post op liquid diet or who remember theirs, I'd love to hear when and what you ate!

Hi and welcome @lovely_tai! I totally get how you feel. I'm currently at the "waiting for insurance approval" stage, so I have been neck deep in all of this for a few months. When I began, I was 100% in your shoes. This isn't anyone else's business, it is a private matter, I won't share unless asked point blank. As I've gone along this process though, I've found myself revisiting that attitude. I'm excited about this now. I went into it ashamed, as though getting the surgery was accepting failure. Now I realize that I'm accepting help and a tool. I've told my closest friends and one coworker (who will be covering for me). Aside from one person who is young and doesn't understand my struggle, everyone else has been overwhelmingly supportive. I'm SO glad I told. I had been nervous that they wouldn't get it. I still have no intention of telling random people. If they ask point blank if I had surgery, I'd say yes. If someone asked me my secret though, I'd just say that I finally found something that works for me. Technically it isn't lying!

Thanks @newme17. I rationally know everything you said. Still, sometimes it helps to hear someone else say it. Lack of sleep was definitely a factor! I just worked three 16 hour days. I'm wiped!

ARG! I just needed a place to get this off of my chest. I travel a lot for work. I'll spend 3-4 days in hotels with ridiculous food options out there. When I started this job, I put on a bit of weight because I wanted to try a little of everything during mealtimes and breaktimes. This past week I was at another meeting and while I wasn't perfect, I ROCKED it. I tracked down a small plate to use instead of the giant ones. I filled my plate with salad so there was less to fill on other things. I ate my Proteins first, veggies next and only once did I have carbs when I was still hungry afterwards. I avoided Desserts for the most part. During breaks, I grabbed the healthy options (celery, tomatoes, nuts). I chewed thoroughly and ate slowly. I left food on my plate and stopped when I was full. I run these meetings, so I have been running around like a crazy person, getting around 15k steps each day. Yet despite all of that, I put on 8lbs since Sunday. I'm sure some of that is Water weight, but it is SO frustrating to see that. If anything, it helps solidify my decision even more that I'm making the right choice to have surgery. For years, no matter what I did, nothing made a difference. I can't wait until I'm post op and eating and exercising actually makes a difference.

I tried the miracle and the shiratake noodles, along with some made of kelp. The kelp ones were actually delicious. The other two are okay. Make sure to soak them in regular water for a while before cooking them. It helps get the funky flavor out. The texture is a bit weird, but I found that when I put them in a nice sauce, you barely notice! I definitely prefer the Pasta Zero brand. They're tasty and come in different "noodle" types, so there's a bit of variety.

I'd laugh at my younger self and tell her that as fat as she thinks she is, she'll look back on those days and wish she was that skinny again. I'd also tell her to get the surgery. I've mentioned on here before that my body is broken (as confirmed by doctors) and no matter what I do, I can't lose weight because of PCOS and a metformin allergy. The past 10+ years or so, I have had monthly breakdowns over the complete lack of control I have over my body. I'll give up carbs completely and lose 10lbs, then eat half a cracker and immediately gain 20. I'll work out regularly and nothing changes. It's devistating and disheartening. So I'd tell my18 year old me to get surgery if it got out of hand again and be spared the heartbreak of having no control over her/my body.

@berry78 - Too true unfortunately. I think a lot of it is due to the invisibility of it. With a broken leg, something appears overnight . A person can point to a crutch or cast and go "what's up with that?" It showed up suddenly and clearly doesn't belong. If someone goes from fat to slim, it's gradual and invisible. Are they on a diet? Did they have surgery? Are they horribly sick from stomach parasites? It's a huge faux pas to call out their weight directly, it's just not something polite society does. So instead, we wonder and keep to ourselves.

I'm doing a modified DS - It's the DS but they leave more intestine for digestion time. For me, it kind of has to be the DS over the VSG. After working with my endocrinologist for 2+ years, we realized my body is broken. I have PCOS and I'm severely allergic to metformin. VSG is a super restrictive diet. The DS is re-configuring your entire intestinal tract and changing how your body reacts and digests. Dr Sharp said that you only lose 70-80lbs with a VSG. I feel like if I had a VSG, I'd be successful and push to get to where I wanted. However, my body is broken, so I need to go a more extreme route to make my body cooperate. If your body cooperates normally and you're committed to a healthy lifestyle, it sounds like you might do well with a VSG. That's definitely something that research, medical professionals and knowledge of your own body would be best to help determine. It's fantastic that you have a friend who is going through this! I'm trying to make some friends in my support groups. I'm lucky that my friends and husband have been supportive, but I don't think they really appreciate where I'm coming from.

On the top gray bar, click on the little arrow next to your user name. Select "My surgery" and you'll get to a page with lots of options. Surgery is your surgery. Progress is weight check in, etc. Under that drop down option is where all of your account settings live. I think the ticker is an external link though, you'll need to get that from your signature options.

Another voice chiming in that Fitbit's customer service is top notch, as is fitbit! I've had a Fitbit One and Alta. I loved the Alta. Then I won a Charge 2 in a raffle and cannot speak highly enough of it. Now if they'd just make it so that they can receive ALL messages and not just on one platform, I'd be ecstatic.