TexasMommy80

I had my last surgeon appt yesterday and I have my surgery 4/16. My doc says that liquids come first the first week. We have stores of protein, so it won’t hurt to have a low amount of protein, but you are guaranteed to feel terrible if you don’t get enough fluids. I regularly drink 80-90 oz of water a day now, so I’m actually worried that I will feel thirsty all of the time after surgery, and won’t be able to drink much. At this point, I drink out of habit. I hope that makes post surgery easier. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I recently tried the powdered form of premier protein (chocolate flavor), and it was terrible. Oddly enough, the pre-made chocolate shake wasn’t too bad. I also like the strawberry premier protein, but the last one I drank ended up being lumpy and stuck to the bottom of the carton. I didn’t notice until I drank the liquid sitting on top of it. I ended up getting pretty sick that night, so I’m not sure if it was related. I can say that I like the flavor of the total lean chocolate shakes, so I am going with them until my surgery on 4/16. I also have my bariatric clinics version, which is lactose free, and I’m saving that for after surgery. The taste is a bit more tame and you only have to mix it with 4oz of water. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Girl, I hear you! I am on day 3 and tonight I have a pretty bad Headache. I just hope that we are not this hungry during the liquid phase after surgery, lol. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Oh, and Cigna does have weird requirements like getting a letter of approval from someone other than your bariatric surgeon, the psychiatrist and the endoscopy. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I have Cigna and I started with one bariatric clinic and ended up choosing another. The first told me that Cigna is very strict and to not gain a pound or I would be denied. They also had a chart to fill out that had a box for diet and exercise, and that if both were not filled out, it wouldn’t be approved. The second clinic did not mention a thing to me and even allowed a visit with my primary care doctor to be counted as my first month. We talked about dieting and obesity, but not like I do with the weight loss clinic. I am not sure what was in the notes but I can’t imagine it was much. Cigna approved my claim in 48 hours due to being 37 and already having a knee replacement. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

You and I have nearly identical weights. I weigh 232 today and just started my two week liquid diet (with one meal a day). My doctors have been very vocal about not comparing my weight loss to anyone else’s because we all lose differently. I might be a bit different than you in that I want to stop my weight loss around 160 pounds. I am 5’7 and I want to hold on to my curves. I also lift weights, so I know that will definitely play a role in losing inches faster than the number on the scale. You are doing just fine and the photos are all of the proof you need. Remember too that when you lose it a little bit slower, you have less chance for excess skin. That was a big issue for me because I am a teacher and you know...we are broke, lol. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Awesome! Congrats on your success! Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Thanks! I am ashamed to admit that I am enjoying a lot of the foods that I shouldn’t have this weekend, lol. Oddly enough, I am looking forward to the challenge of the liquid diet next week. I guess that is the competitor inside of me, it’s a challenge to myself to see if I can do it. Alright, I’ll update again after my appointment next week, or maybe sooner if I need to vent because the liquid diet is worse than I thought. ?? Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Hi! I have been on BariatricPal for a while now but now that I am starting my two week liquid diet on Monday, I really want one thread where I can document my journey. I am 37 years old with a weight of 232 and a height of 5’6. That puts me at a BMI of 37, and I was approved through Cigna (approval took 48 hours) due to severe osteoarthritis. I had a total knee replacement at 36 and my other knee is pretty bad too. I have always been active and in the gym. I played high school and college soccer but was always heavier than the other females. I was an avid jogger but had to stop because of the knee issues. I’ve also been a yo-yo dieter all of my life. My highest weight was 269 and my lowest was 169. I’ve taken phentermine and had short term successes, but ultimately gained it back when I had my daughter. I also found that it caused high levels on anxiety and extreme fatigue, after taking it several times throughout the years. It just wasn’t worth the way it made me feel anymore. Anyhow, I start my two week liquid diet on Monday. We are allowed one meal at night so that helps. I have my last appointment with the surgeon on Thursday, and he may let me off of the liquid diet if I have met the goal he gave me when we started the process. His goal was 12 pounds and I lost 9 the first two months, but these last three pounds seem to be fighting me at every step. I hope that three days of the liquid diet will help with the plateau. I love to write and I think documenting my journey will help me a lot. Perhaps it might give a few other people some insight as well. Good luck everyone!! Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I am scheduled 4/16 and although I am nervous, I am ready to take control. I don’t want food to control my life. I know it’s not the same, but years ago I took phentermine and I remember feeling free, free from always feeling hungry and free from the need to eat large portions to feel full. I have yearned for that feeling for years, and although I can lose weight, keeping it off is so hard. I know the sleeve is only a tool, but it’s a tool that will help me for the long run, instead of one yo-yo diet after another. I am so ready to do this. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Awesome! I am definitely excited. Your day is coming soon! [emoji3][emoji3] Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Well, I am saying that assuming that I am coming home on Tuesday. I had my gallbladder out a few months ago and although I was uncomfortable, I was totally able to work. If anything, it gave me something to focus on, instead of the feeling that I just did 1,000 sit ups. I know the sleeve is different, but I will be good. I can take more time off if needed, but I would rather not. I also work from home, so it’s easy to step away and take breaks. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I am having the surgery on Monday and going back to work on Wednesday. I teach from home so I can take breaks as needed. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

My clinic recommends collagen too. I take a scoop full and mix it with juice. I am scheduled for 4/16 and trying to be as proactive as possible. I also started using the shampoo with biotin and collagen, but might change brands because I don’t like the way my hair feels . Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I haven’t had the WLS yet but I had mine out in December. My surgeon removes all gallbladder that have even a small stone in them, because he knows they will eventually come out. He wasn’t the one that took mine out, but he would have otherwise. On another note, the gallbladder attacks were a new kind of pain that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I went through three rounds before I finally gave in and went to see my doctor. Goodness, I should have went much sooner, they were debilitating. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I went to my pcp on 12/13 and got the referral to see a bariatric surgeon. She was against it due to my low BMI, but my orthopedic surgeon was all about it due to my osteoarthritis (knee replacement at 36 years old already, it’s really bad). Anyhow, went to the bariatric surgeon and had to wait 3 months to submit to insurance due to pre-op diet requirements. I finished my 3 months on 3/13 and was approved by Cigna by 3/15. I am scheduled on 4/16 for VSG. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Watch your gallbladder. Before I had mine out, I had severe and long lasting pain and vomiting. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

Yes! I have been discouraged the past few weeks because it seems like a lot of people judging everyone else, when in reality, if we all had it figured out, we wouldn’t be here to begin with. One plan doesn’t work for everyone, and the key is finding what works for us. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I am scheduled for 4/16 but I am still waiting for insurance approval. I am a BMI of 37 and my only comorbidity is arthritis. It is bad arthritis though, in fact I had a knee replacement at 36 years old (1.5 years ago). Let’s hope for the best! Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I feel like my NUT is the only one that wants you to get to a diet that is healthy and maintainable. They said they have actually seen people develop eating disorders because they are so scared to eat anything “bad”, where they want you to get to a point where you can eat normal. The thing is, for many of us, our diet was not normal to begin with, so this is new to us. Once we get to maintenance, we are encouraged to eat proteins and healthy foods first, but also to allow ourselves to indulge in “bad” foods once in a while. As long as we are working out, tracking macros and not going overboard, we will be ok. The key is to not fall into an entire diet of carbs and sugars. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

For those of you who had the surgery, were any of you able to lose weight without having a ton of skin issues? I am looking to even out at around 160-170 for that very reason. I am a teacher, and yall know we are broke, LOL. Skin removal will never be an option for me. Honestly, though, I want to hold on to a bit of my curves, so I don't mind stopping on the higher end of the scale. Interestingly enough, I talked to my NUT about my personal goal yesterday. She told me that once you get to a point where you are comfortable, you should then lose another 10-15 pounds because when you go into maintenance, your body seems to react to the change and almost everyone gains 10-15 pounds before leveling out. So her goal for me was to try and get to 155, go to maintenance, and then level off at around 165-170. She also showed me a chart of national averages of weight loss for people with my starting weight. I am 5'6 and will start at 229. Fifty percent of people at my starting weight will level out at 180 (so reach 165 and then gain a bit back), and 20% will level out at 163. They have been very clear that those with lower BMIs don't lose as fast, so we cant compare ourselves to others...apparently, there have been women at my clinic who actually blame the doctors because they are not losing as fast as others in our facebook page.

I am 37 and I have a higher BMI than you (37), but still considered a low BMI patient. I am scheduled for 4/16 and everyone if my family pretty much thinks I am crazy. But I have severe osteoarthritis and have already had a knee replacement, have a family history of high blood pressure and high cholesterol and a history of pseudo tumor cerebri. I am not looking to be super skinny, and the way my body is built (I carry my weight in my legs and thighs), I don’t think I ever will be. So my goal is to just lose weight and be healthy, to have more energy and less knee pain. I wish my family would understand this, but I’ve given up at this point. I am doing this for me though, so they will have to get over it, lol. Anyhow, I will be 229 pounds by my surgery, and my goal is around 160. I am 5’6 and 37 years old. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

I’m only taking two days but it’s because I work from home and can take breaks as needed. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 VSG scheduled for 4/16/18 GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

About a year and a half ago, I had a total knee replacement. I was 36 years old so I really need this knee to last. It has never really stopped aching though, especially since I work out a lot. It’s good in the morning but by night, it is swollen and inflamed. Obviously if I give it a break for a few days, it does better, but I am only 37 and I want to work out. Has anyone had WLS after a TKR? Did you feel that it helped your new knee? I think a lot of my problem is carrying 70 extra pounds on my body, and I am really hoping that by losing that, my inflammation will decrease. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 SW: 241 GW: 150-160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

My VSG is April 16 and I am doing this too. But instead of mourning the food, I am looking for way to modify the recipe and incorporate it in my diet. If is an unhealthy recipe, I am looking to see if it is something to keep for special occasions down the road. You will be able to eat these foods again, but you will do it in a healthier way and with smaller portions. I think that is something to celebrate and look forward too. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 BMI: 37 SW: 241 GW: 150-160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR