Finding_Stacy

Me too. I hate all melons, including watermelons.

Oh, and I love pears so much. I've never eaten them low carbing though.

I think strawberries are pretty good. They're 0.7 net carbs per strawberry. I blend my shakes in a magic bullet so I could only fit three at most. I've done low carb a lot in the last ten years, keeping my net carbs below 20 a day. I've never realized until this week that peaches are on the lower end of the carb spectrum, being 11.7 grams per peach. Like you, if I ate a half or whole, I'd just cut back somewhere else in my day.

I've been drinking the Premier protein shakes and wondered what kind of low carb/high protein smoothies some of you have created with your shakes? I've been reading about chia seeds and will buy some of those next time I go to the store, and maybe flax seeds too, but fruit wise, all I can think of is the berry family. Any suggestions?

Welcome! You will find a wealth of support and knowledge around here. Congratulations and good luck on your weight loss journey!

How are you feeling?

Who's doing your surgery? I'm at University of Chicago.

I think with most, if not all surgeries, the speed of approval has more to do with your case than their timeline. With my insurance, they approved me in less than five hours, but I've read many times on here people have waited up to two weeks on an answer. If you're waiting for an approval, don't forget, you can always call your insurance. You could be approved but they just haven't sent out the letter yet. Good luck!

Keep your net carbs under 20 a day and you'll drop ten pounds in two weeks easy. I've lost fifteen in two weeks. If you don't know already, net carbs are your carbohydrates minus the fiber. Fiber has little to no effect on blood sugar so that's why they're not counted. You can do it!

I had two months of that thinking. I was not kind to January and February, let me tell you. But I've been doing my low carb for two and a half weeks and lost fifteen pounds...then those delicious little squares happened to me. I'm ashamed. But, tomorrow's a new day and I'll get back on track. I think my calories and carbs have been way too low anyway, so this may not have been such a bad thing. It's good to confuse the body every now and then..keep it guessing.

I don't know about Cigna NY, but it's very possible that's all they require. Seems pretty standard. I have BC/BS of IL and they don't require any type of waiting period, as long as someone has a bmi 40+, or 35-39 with two co-morbidities, you're good to go. Just call them and they can break it all down for you. I called my insurance even before I watched my first online seminar just to be sure. Give them a call!

I thought I was broken up for good with some things but I had a one night stand with a bowl of Golden Grahams tonight

I hope you're doing well and surgery was a breeze. Let us know how you're doing when you can. Speedy healing to you

I'm not read up so much on the protein powder, but need to be since I need to purchase some. I know some say get the flavorless kind so you can add it to soups and things. But I'll look up the New Whey! On a side note, I was reading about Beach Body's shakeology shakes this morning. Even though they are ridiculously expensive, I love how many health benefits are in them. They only have 15 ish grams of protein, so it's not ideal as a meal replacement like a premier shake would be, but it's still impressive.

I can't believe how quickly the time has come to bring us to the brink of our surgeries in April. With that being said, what crucial things have you guys already bought in preparation for the big event? I bought my sippy 360 cup, which I heard helps with those first couple of weeks with drinking water. I don't want to accidentally drink out of a glass too fast and feel the pain. I still need to buy my Gas-X strips for the hospital, to help with getting the gas/air out. I bought my calcium citrate with vitamin D chewables--which were ridiculously expensive as vitamins go. I've already been taking my B Complex-50 tablet and Centrum women's multi vitamin gummies. Other than that, I have nothing. I'm still a month away, but I was curious the 'must haves' you all have thought to get in preparation for your surgery.

Just think how far you've come, though. Try to stay busy somehow, someway. One thing I keep reading is that after the surgery, your appetite will be non-existent for awhile so you may not be as bored then as you are now. You're just going to be thinking about healing and getting your fluids in. Good luck and I wish you a very safe surgery and speedy recovery

Oh, lol, I just realized I put my post under the wrong thread. Sorry my surgery is April 24th. I'm still excited but can't wait to just start this new life. April 10th will be here before you know it!

I just wanted to say, what a great month April is to have our surgeries. Spring represents new growth from what was withered and cut down. A new start. It's so symbolic for our own restart Good luck everybody!

Wishing you a safe surgery and recovery

I think there's a change coming, albeit a slow one. For instance, my insurance used to require a three month waiting period like many, but did away with it in 2014. Same with the University of Chicago. They don't require any type of waiting period or liquid fast either. They've learned that having a person eat low carb two weeks before has the same equivalency on the liver as a liquid fast. After surgery there's also no liquid diet. I'm sure a couple of days right out, I will only want water and protein shakes, but like the doctor said, when I'm ready just go to soft foods for awhile until I'm ready to go back to low carb eating. I think in time, sooner rather than later, insurances will drop the waiting period and the liquid fasting will also go by the way side as they learn through process and error what works and what doesn't, what's necessary and what isn't.

I think it's normal to be nervous. Even though I'm excited as hell, I'm getting increasingly nervous as my date approaches. But the good news is, from what I've been reading, is that they give you something to relax you before even wheeling down to the OR. So that's something to look forward to!

How are you guys feeling?

Just think, you're going to be a pioneer in this subject for many people. There may come a day when someone in your exact same situation will also be afraid and embarrassed and you will be that person for them. Good luck and I wish you the safest surgery and recovery on your road to a healthy new you

I've only told a few people. I don't know why since I'm pretty much an open book, but just a handful of people know. A few of them probably have already forgotten. Actually, it's a lot of pressure when people know, at least for me. I'd rather get a handle on this before I have to answer anyone's questions. I figure by the time they really start noticing, I'll have my handle on it by then.

Thanks for the laugh!