Miss Topaz

OMG I've been thinking about this all weekend. My surgery is just over a week away and I'm away for the weekend with friends. So my last meal is lasting all weekend (only 2 days of liquids for me). Mac and cheese last night, pastrami with scallion cream cheese on pumpernickel today - but a side of roasted carrots and beets at least! Tonight is German food.... Next week getting back to normal with Protein Shakes for at least one meal a day and of course, liquids all weekend - but for now, I'm enjoying food. I know I can have it again someday. But I had a tiny scoop of gelato today, knowing that sugar and fat bomb will be off the menu for a long time!

37 minutes ago, AZLoser said:

I have BC/BS. They cover my Vitamins. I had the doctor write a note that they are necessary due to WLS. They write a new note at the start of the year. Just putting it out there for anyone struggling with the cost.
Also curious which programs recommend Flintstones? Mine, and some others, specifically say not to take those.

Mine says to take a chewable multi with at least 18 mg Iron and 400 mcg folate. Flintstones complete and some generic brands fit the bill and don't cost as much as bariatric speciality Vitamins. My program specifically says no gummy vitamins as most don't have what we need.

These are great! Fantastic work everyone!

My program also says for life and recommends Flintstones chewables. My old multivitamin doesn't contain Iron, which suprised me, and we need that after surgery due to lower food intake

I'm 53 and about to be sleeved as well! I don't get that many steps in a day now, but when the weather gets better, that beagle is getting a workout!

30 minutes ago, redrobin2175 said:

I thought I was getting a sleeve on 1/4, but after arriving at the hospital and talking with my surgeon, I got the roux en y instead. She also took out my "funny looking" gallbladder. I was super groggy from the anesthesia so I didn't get to art walking until the next morning. But once I started moving there was no holding me back! I'm doing great with the liquids and walking. Gas hasn't been too terrible. I hurt more from the gallbladder removal than anything else.

Congrats! Sorry about the funny looking gall bladder, but I am really curious - why the last minute switch to RNY? (sleeve 2 weeks away for me so curious!)

Love this post! You rock girl! I'm not 60, but at 53, not that far behind you. I'm having my surgery this month because I also miss me. I haven't been "me" in so long, I've almost forgotten who she is! Looking to keep away from the family history of diabetes myself. And as one former colleague told me about why she took yoga and pilates every week - "I don't want to be a frail old lady".

Keep being fabulous!

He sounds fantastic! Congrats!

Thanks all! I'll keep them on the list!

On ‎1‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 2:46 PM, Thenewbecky2018 said:

Jan 23 here

Jan 23 here as well! there are at least 3 of us!

Hey all - with surgery on the 23rd, starting to stock up on things I might need and make grocery lists. My info from my program talks about sugar-free Jello and popsicles for the full liquid phase and I've heard a few folks talking about them. I'm not normally a popsicle person - I can't remember the time I bought any. Are they really helpful/more satisfying than sipping Water or crystal light? I can get the jello idea - something with some mouth feel.

Thanks in advance!

I filled out a questionnaire of about 100 questions and then spent about 45 minutes talking about diet and personal history, what research I'd done and how my husband and family felt about the surgery.

You should get guidance from your surgical team and nutritionist. Mine starts you out with a chewable Multivitamin - containing at least 18mg Iron and 400 mcg folic acid. Later Calcium and Vitamin d. But for amounts and how often to take them, please consult your nutritionist. Each doctor is slightly different.

Fantastic! Great work!

Hey all - less than a month out from surgery and looking to prep. Reviewing the NUT info, they recommend mixing unflavored Protein Powder in things like applesauce or yogurt during the pureed stage. Tells me to look for powders with at least 15g Protein and less than 3 g sugar. Had been looking at Syntrax, but that's only 10g protein. Any recommendations? I've heard of GENEPRO and Isopure. Haven't found a local GNC yet (moved a year ago and haven't needed one til now) but have been browsing Amazon.

Thanks!

Congrats! Hope you continue to feel fantastic!

Deepest sympathies. I can totally understand why this is a very stressful time to think about surgery. I agree with the others - table the discussion and get through the holidays. Then have a really good conversation about it, possibly with your surgeon, to discuss differences and risks. Prayers for you and your family during this time.

On ‎12‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 5:07 PM, hdbuttahz said:

Just got the call today- January 23! I’m so nervous I could puke!!

Sleeve sisters! I'm Jan 23 too!

Thanks for sharing!

Sounds like we have a strong January cohort!

51 minutes ago, NewYorkOldBody said:

I just joined this forum last night, and was enrolled in my bariatric program today. All appointments are set for the next few weeks, I have no waiting period or anything crazy from insurance like I thought I would. I'm set for surgery sometime the week of the 22nd. I can't believe it all progressed so quickly. I have been researching for a year and it is all so serendipitous! I look forwarding to getting to know a few of you and going through this. I've only told my husband- It's exciting to tell others here! Congratulations everyone!

Welcome! And congratulations!

I believe estrogen is stored in fat, so as we lose fat, our body releases estrogen. And likely makes us a little crazy

I have not tried them, but in my last nutrition seminar, my NUT specifically said she doesn't believe they're effective.

I had to fulfill all my insurance requirements and get approval before I got a surgery date. But my pre-op appointment is 13 days before my surgery. I assume all those tests will happen then. I was told that if they review my chart and I need more, they'll call 2 weeks prior to surgery to schedule. I'll be going away for a long weekend shortly before surgery so am hoping I don't need to hassle with scheduling additional tests.

56 minutes ago, Gotalose said:

so did you get a surgery date before finishing all of your test (ekg, X-ray etc)? All of my apps (NUT, PSYCH, UPPER GI) are scheduled for the first week of December and then after that I'll do bloodwoork and X-ray once I'm within 30 days of surgery. I'm so nervous about not getting approved. I have BCBS NC and my surgeon is saying I don't have to have the 6 or 12 month diet to get approval. I do have 5 years of vitals that show 5 plus years of BMI over 40 and evidence of discussion about diet and exercise and membership from earlier this year with WW. Hope he is right. Looking over the revised policy as of 5/2017 it seems to be up to the surgical team about the prior 12 months.

I look at recipes and menus and think "should I?" and then remind myself nothing will truly change unless I do. Plus, like everyone says, eventually we can eat all the foods. Just have to get my mind past the first several weeks. Watching myself during the holidays while trying to lose pre-op will be HARD. And I'm going on a college visit to my alma mater 10 days before my surgery. I will want to sample all my old haunts. I hadn't planned on any "food funerals" but my brother (who's been sleeved) says that will be my time.