stacy71

One week until surgery and one week of pre op down. I'm getting a bit of the 'what the hell am I doings' but as my dear old dad said last night "this will be great for you, you have tried everything going over the years and this will be the tool you need".

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@nibble, you asked,i'm here to tell you what it is like. I am allergic to chocolate, and I do mean very allergic, i f I breathed in cocoa powder it would precipitate an asthma attack if it didn't outright give me an anaphylactic attack and kill me, if I dropped Hershey's Syrup on my bare skin it would raise a burn like a cigarette burn and when the burn went down it would take a while to heal. I think that counts as allergic. What is it like to live in a chocolate-laden world? H E double hockey sticks. It is not only pervasive, would you believe those little specks,on the Doritos aren't toasting but teensy flakes of cocoa? And now when I am seeking Protein Shakes for my future preWLS diet,what flavor can you find easiest? Tain't vanilla. Some days it is like trying to fall into a vat,of poison because for me,THAT'S what it is. Have I explained it enough for you?

July 25th here (this is also my first post ever!) I have to do liquids one week out with clear liquids the day prior to surgery! Ive already started to incorporate liquids for at least one meal a day sometimes two. I have cut out carbonated drinks completely. Im excited for my nutrition class coming!

food Funerals. Hmmm... I see certain foods on a temporary hiatus, some foods I willingly ditch, and other foods will be modified to fit a new lifestyle. I think about "Cast Away" and Tom Hanks' 4 years of fish and coconut. I don't like either one of those things, but if stranded on a desert isle I'd have to adapt or die. That's it. How do those with food allergies look at things? Do they spend their days wishing for Peanut Butter, strawberries, or shellfish? We all are making a huge investment in better futures for ourselves. There HAS to be satisfaction and happiness other than food in our lives.

I called them and I basically wasting a week getting no where! After speaking with them yesterday I found out that I needed to go through accolade and they will be sending a referral to optum. So we begun that process.

When I called they told me someone will call me...I’m gonna call back tomorrow bc it’s been a week

I’m in pompano and have UHC choice plus. I’m still awaiting to hear from the case manager nurse

But are you already scheduled to receive the phone call? When I called to UHC they asked basic questions in order to know if I was or not a candidate for the Weight loss program and during the same call the representative scheduled my phone call with Nurse for 3 weeks later.

A doctor said certain zero calorie foods were a no go? I find that particularly hard to believe
Also I think sugar free popsicles/jello are an extremely common reccomendation from surgeons and nutritionist for patients especially in early stages.

As a matter of fact sugar free Jello and Italian ices were part of the meal plan when I was in the hospital postoperatively

Yes!!! I still use tiny 1/4-1/2 cup sized Bowls and salad plates daily and I’m four and a half years post op!

I waited less than 2 weeks to get an answer. They had submitted my paperwork the same day. I believe I was approved on the 10th day of waiting. My surgery was scheduled the same day I got approval.

I have UHC and also and contacted Optum per requirements (this year lol). I think besides the diet, psychological testing and meeting with a dietitian the rest are based on what the Center of Excellence doctor wants per individual.
Your list is extremely helpful for anyone looking for information 👍😁

Exactly!!!!! You never can tell, just like any surgery in general I guess- it’s all taking a chance 👍

Grerchen57 may I ask how old you are? If you are 60 or above there are quite a few of us active on Bariatric Pal. Look us up and let's chat. I'm 72 haven't completed my surgery yet, will Lord Willing and the Creek don't rise, this spring. Pretty upbeat except when this tired old Buckeye gets the blues. I first started seeking WLS August 2015 so I have quite a tale to tell myself. Don't be a stranger, none of us bite, be difficult for me cause I have dentures, good for chewing food but not very sharp. Technically I'm not a Baby Boomer, I missed it by just 5 days. I am an Occupation Baby, a select group, we were born August 6 to December 31 1945, we tend to hang with the Baby Boomers, shoot most of my oldest and dearest friends are Boomers. So pull up a chair and talk with all of us. I will be a RnY but sleevers are fine in my book, as are SIPS, mini bypasses and even lap-banders, RnY just will work better for me.
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Adding my bit....I have UHC Choice Plus. The only requirement noted in my specific plan is a BMI of 35+ w/two comorbidities or 40+ without. I don't have to use the bariatric resources or undergo a supervised weight loss plan for any duration of time. From what I've noticed from other posts, it seems the nuances of your specific coverage is really driven by your employer. That said, I still have to complete a number of pre-approval things that my surgeon required; you know, the standard stuff that everyone else seems to be doing like psych eval, nutrition consult, and GI imaging.

@stacy71 yes. That's so normal. I did that too. I read everything on here. LOL. But to an extent, all the reading, did little but helped me pass the time. Things are so different when you are truly in it. You know? Like this stupid fear of whether or not I'm eating the right amount. LOL. I woulda thought after so much research, it would be internalized and I would "just know". But my new anatomy isn't behaving like others on here.
I feel like I can eat a cast Iron sink and be oblivious. I can drink without issues and feel like I can eat and eat. So many others are still having probs getting their fluids and Protein liquids down. It's very surreal. I would never have predicted this would be the case.

Well I think it all goes back to the fact that we are all iindividuals. It seems to run the gamut from " I got out of the hospital, climb 3 flights of stairs, set my hospital bag down and then went to the mall. I feel wonderful!" to " I feel like I was drug backwards down a gravel highway. I have my Fluid and shakes next to my recliner. I get up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom, I lean forward and vomit up my shakes. I've probably lost weight but I'm too weak and dizzy to get on a scale". I'm apprehensive I'll be the latter, but I won't know until my day comes. In the meantime I just read everybody elses account. What is the saying? Oh Yes- Hope for the best---Prepare for the Worst. And that's the way the Wistful RnY- -er (ME) sees it all.[emoji20][emoji20][emoji20][emoji20][emoji20]
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Sounds good... I’m trying to prepare myself for what may happen. I don’t know what everyone is going through and trying to read up! Thanks

Yes, I am eating fewer than about 20g net per day from diet alone--mostly in the low teens. My Vitamins which are surgeon approved, gives about 12g of carbs with 10g of those being sugar alcohols/fiber. Celebrate Bariatric Vits.

I hope I don’t feel hunger like this after sleeve surgery - Because I have that trouble now after a big meal, hunger pains after 30mins!!! 😳
I haven’t had the surgery yet, 4 more months of doctor monitored diet.... but I know my doctor has repeatedly stated in discussion’s that carbohydrates are to be a thing of the past as of now and to focus mostly on Protein. Low to no sugar. And gave us a list of pre approved Vitamins, shakes, powders, drinks we could have before and after surgery. And also said when in doubt please ask at the center for adjustments off the listed items. We have pre op and post op list.

ME TOO!!!!!!!!! AMEN SISTER! ME TOO!!!!!!
Here is my experience with volume (we had different procedures but close to same surgery date); some days I can eat close to 1/2 cup, other days I can barely eat a 6 oz light yogurt. It's weird and a little scary to me as well, but it is what it is, and I'm soooo thankful that I have felt great and have not had any of the uncomfortable side effects that others have suffered. Also, the very few extra calories give me the added energy to move well! I'm noticing my clothes are fitting properly vs being tight, so I figure I'm doing something right. Staying away from the scale bc of the 3 week stall.
On a happy note, I had to go to a dinner and literally the only item on the menu that was even a little bit appropriate was chili... I ate about 1/2 of the cup and I was very full but I did not feel cheated or left out. Pre surgery would have been a much different meal for me with feelings of shame and guilt afterward. So... even though it's only been 3 weeks I'm beyond happy with my choice to have this procedure, and I'm keeping a log of these happy victories for when I feel frustrated and upset.

Day 21 - Week 3 Post Op - 212lbs (-10.4lbs from SW of 222.4lbs)
Good morning. So today is one of the milestones: Week 3 Post Op. Just wanted to make a couple of key observations and I will probably post my food log for a tiny bit.
It appears that the 3 week "stall" is alive and well perhaps? For the last 2 days, there really has been little scale love. It's been bouncing around between the same half pound--up and down. Yesterday I was up to 212.2lbs and today I'm back down to 212lbs. LOL. I realize that can be simple scale fluctuation. No scale is that accurate--even Tanita.
I do have a slight feeling that all the sugar alcohols from my Vitamins along with the 60cals/day that they provide is crazy making. And they may also contribute to the scale stuff. But I'm just gonna document and wait it out. It's not as if I have much option. LOL. I see the surgeon next week, and then see the RD right behind that appt. So I will def ask.
The other thing that bothers me is the lack of consensus about volume. I continue to fear that eating too much volume, too early will stretch out my anastamoses. Fact or crap? No idea. But from 5 different references, each gives a different volume amount for 3 weeks.
My RD (verbally at 3 weeks): 1/4c working up to 1/2c food + binder with diet--1-2oz Protein, 1/4c soft veg or soft fruit, 1/4c starch; 3 meals per day; 2-3 Snacks optional--1/4c-1/2c food depending on slider nature--1oz prot + soft fruit
**This equals: 1/4-1/2c protein + 1/4c veg + 1/4c starch or fruit = 3/4-1c of food!
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My Hospital RD (written diet) still alternates protein supplements with 6oz yogurt with a meal. Meal consists of 1oz protein + 1/4c soft veg on an alternating schedule.
**This equals: 1/4 protein + 1/4c veg = 1/2c of food!
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My Surgeon (verbally at beginning at 2 weeks) may advance to soft, fork tender foods stage, eating to tolerance 1-2oz protein + a couple bites of veg + a bite or 2 of soft fruits or starch.
**So that's about 1/2c of food at 3 meals. (Plus I can have a snack.)
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Obesity Coverage Website (thanks @Apple203)-Soft mechanical diet that actually per them begins week 4-5: (click to enlarge it)

**This fluctuates between 1/4-1c of food per meal.
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Big Ward: The doctor made a comment on I think Episode 7 that said up until about 3 months, you will be eating 1/4c of food at a time.
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Dilemma:
I don't really feel any restriction at 1/4cup. I can gulp (about 2-4 gulps before feeling a little discomfort and stimulation to slow down liquids). I can easily eat 1 large egg in less than 5 minutes! I do feel about 3 hours of satiety from 1/2-1c of food. But I'm only 3 weeks out!!!!
I can eat this meal easily in 20 minutes:
2oz pan sauteed chicken tender=1/2 cup of food!
1oz brown gravy=1/8cup of food
1/4c smashed roasted cauliflower=1/4cup of food
1/2oz green beans=1/8cup of food
This totals nearly 1 cup of food by volume!!!!
.
I can eat this meal easily in 15 minutes:
3oz Greek yogurt
3oz 2% cottage cheese
4g Peanut Butter slim powder
1/8c applesauce or 30g lite canned peaches
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I just don't know if I need to MAKE myself limit to 1oz=1/4c of protein as per the example in Obesity Coverage image. Or do I go ahead and advance THIS SOON to 2oz per meal? I limited food to 1oz protein per meal yesterday and felt hungry all day. My meals only lasted me about an hour or two.
Is it too early for me to feel satiety? Or do I have one of those cases where the surgery didn't help my hunger level? Do I have one of those stomachs that can handle eating more? I'm so scared of this! Yes, I'm having the crazies this morning. LOL.
I just flat out don't know what to do. And it looks like the 3 weeks stall is here.

Thank you 🙏 I needed that!

Thank you 🙏 I needed that!

Don’t worry too much - even when I feel hungry and have food, the serving is still maybe 1/4 what I used to eat.
It is kinda hard to describe, but I don’t so much get full as... lose interest. Lose the drive to have another mouthful. Get distracted from eating. And so, stop.
This is a new experience for someone who binge ate until I was uncomfortable, BS (Before Surgery).