Apple203

Congrats on reaching the losers' bench! Have you been able to walk the hospital hallways?

@Creekimp13 May I ask what your pre-op diet was? Bethesda = Walter Reed? I'm in Maryland, my surgery in Annapolis, but I am keeping an eye on Hopkins' requirements, too. Avoiding ultra low-calories for an extended period makes a lot of sense. My surgeon's one unique insight at our orientation is that sleevers lose as much as bypassers at 5 years. He is allowing us to eat low carb (I've calculated 800 cals) for our pre-surgery diet: 3 meals with 4 oz protein, 3 fruits and/or yogurts, 2 T salad dressing, some nut proteins, and veges.

I would feel so much better if all of our surgeons landed in roughly the same place, but the recommendations are all over the freakin' place!!!

Great post!

Also, neck circumference of 18" is indicative.

Hang in there, Dez, and please let us know what happens.

Me! I have 4 weeks of physical therapy in "BOP", a bariatric optimization program ordered by surgeon. BOP is strongly encouraged by my surgeon both before and after surgery, 4 weeks each, but not mandatory. I'm starting, tho, with 4 weeks of PT for hips, knees and balance, ordered by ortho. I also picked up a 21-day starter program online with free weights for my upper body. Baby steps :-) Gotta say, it feels good to move again!! Oh, and I haven't started BOP for another two weeks, so I am curious to say what others have done!

I believe the issue is rooted in the fact that the word "diet" has two separate meanings. di·et1 ˈdīət/ noun noun: diet; plural noun: diets 1. the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. "a vegetarian diet" synonyms: selection of food, food, foodstuffs; More a regular occupation or series of activities in which one participates. "a healthy diet of classical music" 2. a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons. "I'm going on a diet" (of food or drink) with reduced fat or sugar content. modifier noun: diet "diet soft drinks"

Good luck!!

@Sosewsue61 My surgeon also requires 1 week of clear liquids, so it must be at least somewhat common?

I am two months from surgery, and it occurs to me that I should start a blog to track my progress through what I hope will be an amazing, life-changing vertical sleeve surgery. I'm just going to list major milestones for the record. August Seminar with surgeon -- I'm sold! Dietitian #1 (Topic: Introduction) September Dietitian #2 (Topic: Meal Planning) Meeting with surgeon, got binder and "homework" assignments Scheduled all appointments with specialists Blood lab work Radiology exams October Dietitian #3 (Topic: Supplements) Cardio evaluation Sleep study at home Psych consult Endoscopy November Dietitian #4 (Topic: Restaurants) Stress test, echo cardiogram Sleep apnea study at Sleep Center for CPAP Appt with surgeon, surgery scheduled for 3/14 December Dietitian #5 (Topic: Post-op Diet) Osteoarthritis confirmation January Dietitian #6 (Topic: Exercise/Labels) For OA: 4 weeks of physical therapy, 2X per week Started a 21-day arm routine, 2# weights << seriously Stopped drinking wine (sad, LOL) Started dry brushing and exfoliating (hope springs eternal!) Started Biotin February (Planned) Dietitian (one-on-one) Physical therapy, pre-bariatic, 4 weeks, 1X per week Stop drinking coffee Pre-op with surgeon

Hair grows 6 inches a year, on average.

Have you tried Google?

An entire year sounds like total overkill on behalf of the insurance company. I keep wondering, as sleeves become more commonplace, if insurance companies are gonna try to pull the brakes with tactics like really long waits, excessive preparation, etc. I'd like to add one piece of advice that was our first "homework" assignment at the intro seminar: contact your insurance company and get a copy of your bariatric policy.

Invest in good running shoes, some free weights, and unlock the power of the internet! And start now

I gotta start this, too. Are you taking Biotin yet? I started daily Biotin about a month ago (3 months before surgery).

I suggest scrolling through the monthly threads to about the 6+ months mark -- people always so happy at that point!

My surgeon doesnt have that opinion, esp. if you have a hiatal hernia + GERD. Talk to your surgeon!

((hugs)) You know that sappy old saying: when one door closes another door opens? Well, its true, at least a lot of the time. Glad you were able to get health care coverage through your office, and that you have a job. Try not to let this derail your plans.

OMG, Fluffy, that is terrible! Plus, I selfishly want you in my month, LOL. My surgeon has my surgery and post op visits scheduled out for me through September --- yeah more dr appointments (said no one ever). Here's my update. I am immersed in physical therapy sessions to strengthen my knees and hips, which is going surprisingly well! In Feb, I branch into specific sessions designed for bariatric patients until surgery. Two weeks after surgery, I am back to physical therapy for another 4 weeks. I am still waiting for my CPAP machine -- its been almost 3 months, and I'm still alive despite having severe sleep apnea. Very frustrating. Finally, I got my pre-op diet requirements and I get to eat real food -- hallelujah!!! 3 meals with 3-4 ounces of protein, veges and salad dressing, 1 snack, and 3 fruits and/or yogurts a day. Or I can have protein shakes as a substitute for any or all of these. Hope everyone is doing well!

This seems to be an area (like the pre-op diet) where there are different approaches from practice to practice. Mine made it clear to me that if my BMI went below 35 before they filed that insurance wouldnt approve me.

Welcome! Its been a loooong journey, amiright?

Yes to this -- 5'5" is 114 to 144 pounds in healthy range. My PCP set my target weight to 150 -- that's low end overweight. WHY????

I was literally just checking out the Fitbit Ionic -- looks pretty nice!

Hey, just dropping in on your thread (I am Mar '18), but I feel compelled to admit that I completely agree about an awesome boot :-)