AZhiker

I just got the bill for my 6 month labs - $998.00 !!!!!!! Turns out my BCBS insurance pays for the surgery, but not for any follow up appts, labs, or anything coded for obesity or overweight. I am going to try having my doc resubmit with a coding like "rule out nutritional deficiency" or "rule out malabsorption syndrome." My year labs are coming up in another month, and I sure don't want to get hit with yet another huge bill. Anyone else have this issue with insurance?

It also has to do with insulin release. Insulin drives calories into fat storage. Low insulin levels allow fat breakdown. Eating for fewer hours during the day, and eating less frequently (ie: 3 meals with no snacks) makes for lower insulin levels, and therefore more fat breakdown. Every time we eat, we get an insulin surge (of course, really big ones with simple carbs), and the insulin will stop the process of fat breakdown. 6 small meals a day is not a good way to actually lose weight.

I watched a show once about folks who feed themselves off freshly harvested road kill. I think it took place in Tennessee. Nothing against Tennessee, but just saying...... Maybe but a different way of looking at meat????

Well, I don't know about Tennessee, but in the rest of the country, removed body parts get sent to pathology and then incinerated as medical waste.

Kind of like eating a placenta?

WHY???????

So before a long bike ride or some serious hiking, I will have a bowl of hot mixed grain cereal (oats, quinoa, teff, amaranth, buckwheat is my fav combo) about an hour before. I usually add some sliced banana and raisins to the bowl, along with pea protein milk. This has some good carbs as well as protein. It seems to absorb well (doesn't sit around like a rock in my stomach) and gives some good fuel power for several hours. This is the only time I eat a high carb breakfast because I know the glucose is going right to the muscles. I also have a hydration drink with electrolytes and protein bars (1/3 - 1/2 bar every 10 miles of bike ride or every hour of hike.) I always hydrate well before the workout - at least 2 cups of herbal tea first thing in the morning. I drink about a liter every 10 miles of biking or 1 hr of hiking (more in hot weather.) I always finish feeling quite well, without thirst or salt craving. But it has taken a while for me to work out this routine. For basic exercise routine or a less strenuous walk/bike ride, I go on an empty tank. This can really rev up the fat burn and autophagy during a fasting state. But lots of water along.

I had a follow up ultra sound this week , and my fatty liver is now normal!!!!!!!! What a wonderful report! Not sure about my gall bladder, but the liver looks great!

Some pain med - I requested Tramadol over Percocet. Only needed it a couple of days and then used liquid tylenol. Some Zofran for nausea - never needed it. Omeprazole. Then of course you need your bariatric multi vitamins with iron. Also calcium citrate, vitamin D, vitamin B-12. All the vitamins are OTC - the best deal you can find for multivits is here on the BariatricPal site.

Totally agree, but I hope most of us are able to discern the information that is helpful vs the negativity from people who had bad experiences for one reason or another. It amazes me that some people will have WLS, thinking it is some sort of magic pill and that all their problems will go away if they lose weight. Then they are shocked and angry that there actually is some pain involved (it iS major surgery, after all), and that they actually have to do some work on their own. This is a major commitment to a lifestyle change. It should not be done on a whim. I am so glad my insurance required a 6 month period before surgery. It gave me time to really research the procedures, examine my own feelings and commitment, weigh the risks, and finally come to the decision that was right for me. Remember, too, that everyone who has a negative experience wants the world to know. There are 98-99 people who have positive outcomes, compared to the 1-2% that have problems, but you don't hear as much from the 98%. I am in that 2% - I had blood clots in my legs and also developed an ulcer. But it was still the best decision I've ever made for my life and I wouldn't go back for anything.

The hot bath will cause vaso dilation and it will take a bit longer for the blood to get up to your head.

It's called orthostatic hypotension. You have to get up slowly - sit at the side of the bed for a minute before standing. It is not unusual after WLS, but be sure to tell your doctor about it, The first recommendation will be to make sure you are getting all your fluids in. Are you measuring and getting at least 64 oz per day? Dehydration will cause symptoms like this every time.

Absolutely. Protein is not even an issue at all. With whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, it works just fine. I use tofu, tempeh, and oatmilk based yogurt which has as much protein as soy milk. I usually have a yogurt/berry/granola bowl in the evening, and to be on the safe side, I add some protein powder. I also add protein powder to any smoothie. I feel so good and have so much energy. I finished a 50 mile bike race last month and was not even sore afterwards. I think there is less inflammation and less lactic acid with a plant based diet. Go on You Tube and watch "The Game Changers." It is pretty impressive.

This is what I do: 1) At least 10,000 steps a day, tracked on my little wrist step tracker. 2) Wall pushups, followed by large arm circles and small arm circles, both directions, I do 3 sets. The number of reps depends on you and you gradually add reps to each set. I also do pelvic tilts in this session. 3) Leg routine: squats, front lunges, pliatte squats, side lunges, pistol squats, side leg raises and cross overs, and a couple of others I don't know the name of. (These are NOT deep squats - only do what is comfortable and gradually increase.) I found the leg exercises on line. 4) Upper body weight routine with only 3 and 5 pound weights (WalMart). 3 sets. I use the exercises given by my surgeon and also on line. 5) Stair climbing. (I am up to 25 flights/day, with goal of 75 as I train toward a Grand Canyon hike.) I started with just 1 flight. 6) Stretching. 7) Cardio (this can be hill hiking, biking, swimming, or elliptical machine which I have.) I do these exercises every day - 6 days a week. Hill hiking is increasing until I can do 20 miles, again, prepping for the GC rim-to-rim. So none of this is in a gym. No fancy equipment, except for the Elliptical which is just a back up when I can't get outside due to weather or darkness, I start in the morning before work with arms and legs. Stairs after work. Cardio, weights, after dinner. Stretching before bed. I'll walk around the living room if I have to to get my 10,000 steps in, but usually that is not an issue. My resting morning pulse is in the mid 40's and I feel like I am in the best shape of my life! I can eat anything I want, although I only choose healthy options - I don't want junk in my new body! I used to be very active, but the fatter I got, the more immobile I got. Then my joints started to go. After surgery, I have gotten my life back, and physical activity is a big part of that. Start slow and build up. Be consistent and you will see some great results in so many ways,

Yup, it all depends on what the insurance requirements are. For me, I needed a BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbidity. I had a sleep study done, which documented sleep apnea. That gave me my co-morbidity. However, I was just a few pounds away from 40 BMI and I made sure to wear my heavy clothes (some people add some weights to their pockets) for the weigh in. I hit the 40 BMI mark, just for the margin of safety.

The most important thing is to keep hydrated. Keep sip, sip, sipping. If you do nothing else, keep the fluids going in - very slowly so you don't throw up. If you are having diarrhea, some diluted electrolyte fluids would be a good idea - like half strength Power Aid, or simply broth, which will have the sodium and potassium you need.

I've looked at the reviews for a lot of the popular Whole Food Plant Based books, and many of them fall short in different ways. However..... I am absolutely in LOVE with a magazine I just bought: "Forks over Knives" "63 tasty, healthy recipes." It says that it is on display until 3/6/2020. I think I bought it in a grocery store or maybe even WalMart. The color photos are great, the recipes are really good, the ingredients are not too exotic, and it has a great variety. I am making a new dish every day from this magazine. (The actual Forks over Knives Cookbook you can buy on Amazon had some negative reviews that seemed pretty valid.) But this magazine is great. I will definitely buy the next issue as well. I am gluten free and dairy free, as well, and I find that a lot of vegetarian cookbooks/recipes just don't work for me. Plus, there is the bariatric angle. This magazine is chock full of very adaptable recipes. I can substitute GF ingredients quite easily, and for low carb, you just need to avoid the pasta recipes. (I don't worry about the pasta or grains anymore, as I am in maintenance and have a hard enough time keeping my weight on right now. )There are no macros listed, as WFPB relies on the overall, healthy nutritional value of the food, rather than calculating macros. I do, however, calculate the calories and protein in each recipe I make, just to give me the confidence that I am on track bari wise. Anyway, pick up an issue. Price was $9.99 and worth every penny. You could probably also get it online. The sub title is "Winter's Best Soups" and has a picture of a bowl of soup on the cover.

You can expect every aspect of your life to change. You will find a new normal. The old normal wasn't working so well, was it? Your new life will be so much better. Pre op is not easy, but it is only a small blip on the radar. Post op is not easy, but again, a small blip in the journey that will be the rest of your life. Preop is hard, also, because of the unknown. It is normal to be scared and anxious, but all of us on this side can tell you to jump into the pool - the water is fine and you won't drown. This is a good support group that will help you through. Highly advise you to get on YouTube and start watching everything that has to do with weight loss surgery. You will get a ton of information that will make you better educated and realistic about what to expect in each step. Personally, I really liked Dr. Matthew Weiner. He does a good job of explaining the procedures, the diet stages (although it may differ from your own surgeon's), the recovery, different challenges in the process, and how to maintain.

No worries there. I get all 64-100 oz daily.) If you get to the point of being able to pinch up your skin, you are way dehydrated. It should never get to that point.

No No No! Have a positive attitude toward exercise. It will be the most liberating thing you do. It increases your metabolism, counteracts the brain chemicals that trigger depression and anxiety, gives you a chance to actually control something in this weight loss journey, and gives an amazing sense of empowerment. I get it. Being fat and exercising is not easy or fun. Couch potato is the name of the game. But get up and get moving! As the pounds fall off, and you can go further and faster, it becomes a joyful thing - not a DRAT! If you start first thing in the morning, even before breakfast, you will set a positive bent for the entire day. I do my arm and leg routines first thing. 10,000 steps throughout the day, stair climbing after work in the building, cardio (hill hiking or elliptical) when I get home, weights in the evening, stretching before bed. Longer hikes and bike rides 2-3 times a week. Spreading the different components throughout the day makes it easy and more of a routine. I log my exercise just like I log my eating - it is a daily goal to meet, along with sleep hours, vitamins, and water. And yes - there IS time! It just has to be more of a priority than other things. (I still tend to my animals, my garden, and watch my grand kids.)

Every morning. Keeps me honest. I graph my weight every week, so even with daily fluctuations, I can see the trends.

Please don't compare yourself to anyone else. Slower loss is not a bad thing. Your skin will not be as saggy, and your mind will have an easier time adjusting to the new body. Body dysmorphia with rapid loss can be very challenging. This is a journey, not a race. The goal is to learn new eating habits, new exercise habits, and to build a lifestyle that will last forever. Listen to your own body. If a 1,000 calories is too much, then cut back. You might like to try Alternate Day caloric restriction. It can help with faster loss, and is actually not hard. Eat 500 calories at least 2 days a week. Then eat normally on the other days. Some people alternate the low calorie days every other day for a while. This strategy sort of tricks your metabolism and avoids going into the starvation mode. Keep exercising and build in some weight training. (I do my weights at home - not a gym. They are really light weights, but its the reps and consistency that matters.) Building muscle mass increases metabolism. Please do not get discouraged. Start setting some goals for yourself that are not weight related - like walking or weights or stair climbing. Or getting more sleep or reaching out to social contacts regularly or reading a new book that stretches your mind or learning a new relaxtion technique. These are all healthy lifestyle goals that we need to work on, and all of them also help with weight loss, either directly or indirectly.

I am 10 months out and at goal with a BMI of 23. I am freezing all the time. I actually enjoyed the past summer, which is unheard of for me, and I used to enjoy winter so much, but now it is pretty awful. I wear extra layers of clothes everywhere. The only time I am not chilled is when I am exercising. I hate going to bed cold, so I do 30 minutes on my elliptical an hour before bed and then I actually feel warm and comfortable. At work, we really hustle, and while my coworkers are feeling warm all the time, I am wearing an additional scrub jacket with long sleeves! I used to get upset at my skinny husband for always turning the heater way up in the car. Now it is ME turning up the heater. I just die going into a grocery store - I've learned to take a jacket, as they are so cold. The frozen food isles are awful. I don't think this will ever change. We lost our blubber and all our insulation! BUT........ whining over. This is a small price to pay for a new life.

Well, I ate a lot more than I should have during Thanksgiving and actually gained 4 pounds, but since then I have taken off those 4, even with Christmas. I feel so blessed, happy, and relieved that I have tools now to actually take control of my weight instead of my weight controlling me. In the past, those 4 pounds would have been so discouraging that I would have eaten on 4 more, at least. Although my original goal was 149, I am feeling much better in the low 140's. Maybe I will stay there or maybe even lose a few more, but it feels good to look at the family Christmas pictures where I am not trying to hide behind everyone else!

I know exactly how you feel. I have to eat more "meals" than I want to, in order to get enough calories in. I don't like the "grazing" mode, but it's just about what I have to do to keep from losing. Usually I eat a few bites and feel a little nauseous, then I wait a bit an can finish the food. Sometimes it can be a lot of volume, and sometimes only a little. Each day a meal is so different. I fixed an amazing Chinese slaw tonight that I could have eaten 4 cups of, but at lunch, I could only get down about 1/2 cup of a regular salad. Go figure. I am just trying to focus on making every bite a healthy one - no junk. When my volume gets a bit less restricted, I will be able to eat more at one time, and hopefully less frequently. But alas, because I exercise a lot, I still have to keep eating a lot. I think we take it one day at a time, listen to our bodies, and make adjustments as things change. Just don't eat junk - and even the grazing will at least be nutritious and not forming "bad" snacking habits.