LearningToLoveMeAgain

I was awake for both and have been in the room assisting (I'm and RN) when others have had them and the patients having the colonoscopies carry on full conversations with the staff. I watched my Endoscopy and although I wasn't supposed to remember it, I did, likely because I take klonopin and they give you a benzo. I am pretty tolerant to benzos because of my script. I doubt you'll even remember either procedure, to be honest. Versed is a great med, LOL.

Anyone have a Fitbit? I joined the forum and had to change my profile picture the first day because men were messaging me constantly. I’m not interested in finding love, I’m interested in finding like minded friends.

Anyway, if y’all have a Fitbit and want to be friends on that forum, my username is LLaneRN. I hope to meet some other people working towards getting healthy.

I still at 14 months keep it between 650-850 for loss. My sweet spot is somewhere in the 650-750 calorie range keeping carbs low and mostly from low glycemic veg and leafy greens, a tiny bit of berries now and then, a tiny bit of nuts/seeds/nutbutters now and then. And average Protein of 60-80g.
I don't know what maintenance will look like. But. We are in ketosis. We have weeks of energy stores hanging on our tookuses (unless we're at our ideal weight, then we have to make other plans). And because we are in ketosis (if we're following our surgeon's and RD's plans, we can tap into those eternal fat stores to make up any caloric deficit we experience on a daily basis. Our body (AS LONG AS INSULIN IS LOW) has access to a 24/7 buffet of fat cells.
So we need protein to help with cell repair. We need the fat that's hanging on our bellies and butts to use as fuel. And we have no need of 1 single carbohydrate cuz our body has the ability to create whatever glucose is needed to run those few cells that only run on sugar (the brain, a few kidney cells, and some red blood cells).
Will we need fewer cals after we get to goal? Compared to what? Compared to what we were eating pre-surgery? Most assuredly. Will our metabolism have possibly slowed? Probably a little. But will we still need to eat 650-850/day. Most of us won't. But I do know some older women who maintain around 900-1100/day. They don't exercise though and are post meno. Some have other health issues.
But I see more here and on another board (filled with very successful long term vets), who lost on 650-850 in a low carb Keto environment, who still eat a similar diet composition, and who now exercise and live happy, active lives and they maintain anywhere from 1200-1800 cals/day--or more! Your thermostat for weight equilibrium is what you make it. And it is wholly dependent on the quality of the food you eat. All calories are not equal. And CICO is a myth, but having a dietary caloric deficit is imperative for weight loss to occur. Otherwise you are just in maintenance or you are eating with a regain.

Oh I'm glad you said something because, dont get me wrong I love my PCP, but he acts like he has no idea what will work. I was on Klonopin for a while but my panic attacks got so bad they weren't helping anymore. He has been chasing his tail to find something that works but it's mainly been antidepressants that make it worse. I had Adivan(spelling?) A few years ago and it was as needed and really helped. A months supply lasted me 3 months a lot of the time but that was a different dr lol


Ativan is a fast acting benzo. Klonopin is a long acting benzo. I take Klonopin and it helps take the edge off. Lexapro is an antidepressant but also used for anxiety. PCPs aren’t well versed on psych meds and in their defense, there are so many to choose from. I hope you’re able to find something that works for you. Hugs. I know how difficult it is to struggle with anxiety. It can be debilitating.

I too have the same ins. I am on month 4 of weight loss visits, had the psych exam, upper gi, join support group, ekg.
My doc did the same way. He knew what uhc required.
Thanks for the reassurance!

Hello LLane RN, how are you? And how is preop diet going? I bet you are at the edge of your seat!
I just wanted to give you my update. I too got my approoval today and I could not be happier!!
I met surgeon first time 4/24 to have my lap band removed after 7 years od bondage (not all bad, but felt like it). I was disappointed to find that my surgeon would not do the revision simultaneously...but now I am glad she did not as I have had the chance to not go off how I was feeling with the labpband and do some very necessary research both on the site and generally. I did tell the office to go ahead an submit as I did not want a long wait and wanted to know my faith early on in the process.
Request was submitted initially on 4/30 but they had the wrong CPT code and it was resubmitted immediately and we waited 1 week to come find out the new CPT code request was also cancelled same day. So they resubmitted again on 5/13 and they made me wait exactly 2 weeks to hear back today as yesterday was a public holiday that the request was approved.

I met surgeon once, lap band removed on 5/3 and approval today. I am yet to meet the Nutritionist, Psych etc.
I plan to still do all that but it feels good to know the approval is in and I can do all other appointments at my leisure.
Thanks to your encouragement and this site for all the GOLDEN nuggets, it was invaluable.

Good luck to you LLaneRN, I'll be praying that your surgery goes very well and your recovery is speedy!

If you dont like the ride get off the Insulin roller coaster.
Protein, healthy fats, carbs from veggies only.
shop on the walls of your store.
i live in the middle of farm country and have yet to see a box growing in a field, tho i fear it comes for us all one day.
like all things its not an all or nothing thing. set a small goal and works toward it then pick up the goal post and carry it with you towards a new and better goal.
do not give up!

You know how to eat. The bariatric plate is 1/2 Protein, 1/4 veggies and 1/4 grains and you're supposed to start with the protein and not move on to the next part of the plate if you're full. Keep portion sizes to 1/2 cup. Avoid a lot of starches and sugars. You've got this. You can do this.

I highly suggest Protein dense, dressing free salads.

Medicare doesn't require a prior auth but UHC does, even if they're a medicare advantage plan. Your insurance nurse will likely send in everything anyway to obtain a prior auth because they want to make sure they'll get paid. I would just tell the insurance nurse to send it for a prior auth anyway, even if they said it's not required. At least then you have a leg to stand on if they try to deny the claim post op. Also, if they insist a prior auth is not needed then get it in writing. I called UHC several different times and was told something different by each person I spoke to. My surgeon's insurance nurse told me that everyone requires a prior auth except straight medicare patients, they just have to cross their fingers that it's approved after surgery takes place. Hope that's helpful. Good luck!!

I absolutely love my fitbit. I didn't realize they have a forum though. I'll check it out.

I'm getting one soon!

Sent from my LG-Q710AL using BariatricPal mobile app

I really enjoy my Fitbit, it can be such a motivation. I did not realize they had a forum - I will have to check it out!

I wear mine 24/7. I only take it off to shower and charge. It is my best little buddy. I find it very motivating to park in the farthest parking spot at work or the store. It helps me be "happy" about forgetting the milk in Walmart and having to walk clear across the store to get it. I have met my goal of 10,000 steps every day since week 2 post op, and all the credit goes to this little device that keeps me honest about my actual activity for the day. I never knew how much of a difference it could make until I got one.

Anyone have a Fitbit? I joined the forum and had to change my profile picture the first day because men were messaging me constantly. I’m not interested in finding love, I’m interested in finding like minded friends.

Anyway, if y’all have a Fitbit and want to be friends on that forum, my username is LLaneRN. I hope to meet some other people working towards getting healthy.

As an RN myself, this infuriates me! We have to take courses for cultural diversity in the nursing program. She needs to be reported because she is NOT holding up the oath we take when we graduate from nursing school. I'm sorry you went through this and I'm embarrassed for the nursing profession as a whole. We are NOT all like that. Hugs and I hope you heal well. Might not be a bad idea to talk to your surgeon about the nurse's behavior. I say this because surgeons have a great deal of pull within the hospital system and he/she may be more likely to get something done about this. At the very least, you deserve an apology and the hospital needs to provide cultural diversity education for their staff but I think this nurse needs to find a new profession.

hair situation is temporary.
No one goes under the knife lifelong. you’re being a bit dramatic. We get it, the loose skin is an unknown factor. It’s a bit unnerving to think about. The choice is yours if you want plastics.
For vanity sake what photo looks better to you? I'll take my loose skin, saggy boob and butt on the right. Never expected to be a bikini model after weight loss surgery. My skin is livable.

I’m just over a year out, have lost maybe 10lb since Xmas but my body shape has changed hugely as I just started working out in December.
That seems like a bit of a big deficit but I’m no expert...
Might be worth shaking up the routine a bit? If you’re doing body building style workouts maybe try lower volume higher weights for a while? Reduce the walking and replace with HIIT cardio?
I wouldn’t worry too much just play about and enjoy you far you’ve come!

Hi Ash,
It is not atypical for partners to feel threatened by WLS, especially when they are overweight themselves. Concepts such as "Will she leave me if I stay overweight and she is thin?" "How will I feel when she gets attention from other men?" etc can certainly result in anxiety and negative treatment may be a means to controlling these outcomes. Unfortunately, this stems from low self-esteem, insecurity, immaturity, trust/respect issues.
There needs to be a sensitivity towards your partner as they are undergoing changes themselves. Reassurance is paramount. However, I will be brutally honest. You cannot promise what you do not know. Many people who undergo a major weight loss go through radical physical and psychological changes, in essence, they become new people. What you are envisioning as your future today, may indeed be nothing what you are envisioning.
The focus should be on the current moment. What is your goal, to lose weight I'm sure. What is supporting or sabotaging this effort? The focus needs to be on what you need to be successful. It already sounds like your inner voice is telling you that he is hindering your progress and/or your ability to enjoy your journey. Boundaries must be set and self-love needs to be your priority. You've come too far and sacrificed too much to fail.
On a side note, my ex husband and I were banded together in 2009. We divorced in 2017. Referring to paragraph 2, there was no way I could ever imagine the extent by which I would change. I lost 120 lbs and you bet it changed how I looked at myself. I not only had a higher esteem, I had a desire for all aspects of my life to be healthy. I am not claiming the divorce was solely based on weight loss or surgery. Rather, the weight loss experience was empowering and I wanted the best for myself. I had a new perspective on life and knew I could be happier. Fastforward to today, I am remarried to the most remarkable man alive and my life no longer feels imbalanced on any level.
I hope that you are able to communicate your feelings and needs with your partner and come to an understanding that support is needed and boundaries respected. If not, I wish you the strength to make the necessary decisions to make you happy and healthy

That sounds like a "character" problem more than health habits. He may be the same exact way at any weight or lifestyle.

You could have ripped open you stomach. It's not healed at all. Don't mess up what you have worked so hard for. Good luck.

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this early out, you should be sticking to your program. You're still healing and can injure your stomach if you don't. If your friend cares about you, then she'll be fine with you eating what you're supposed to be eating.

BMI 35, UHC insurance
comorbids: GERD, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint and disc disease, depression
My BP is perfect, cholesterol is great, not diabetic, no sleep apnea
first letter approval
surgery is tomorrow for me, BMI is now 34

Ok, first off, let me just say...RELAX SWEETHEART! BREATHE! SMILE!

I myself have OCD, Severe Anxiety, PTSD, and chronic depression.
I know exactly what you are talking about and more. I went through the swing of emotion and was super excited and then super scared, nervous, wanted to throw up and run away and call it all off, but i had the love and support of my family and friends, and had to keep telling myself how much better i will feel.

This is a big step. It is also a new you and a new life. You will have these thoughts and feelings, but it is because you feel unsure of yourself or the "what ifs"

All i can offer you is this piece of advice as someone who has been through this.

1. Make sure YOU are comfortable with your surgeon. Do they support you, Do they ask you questions, are they treating you with respect and not an assembly line patient "cut you open stitch you up" make sure they have EVERYTHING YOU NEED!

2. ASK QUESTIONS! If there is an emergency during the procedure, what are the chances are bleeding, are you comfortable with bloodless surgery (if you do not take blood transfusions)

3. Are there chances of it being an incomplete surgery? Bypass in particular

Write down your questions for your surgeon and get one on one. If the surgeon cant answer ANY of these simple questions, then they don't have your best interest in mind. I hope this helps you.

Remember: BREATHE AND RELAX. THIS IS ALL POSITIVE. A NEW YOU AND A FRESH START (if you're mentally ready) The surgery isn't the hard part. Not at all. It is the AFTER that is the hardest. Changing the way you think about food and your relationship with it will be the most hardest thing you will ever experience, but you will only find that out for yourself when you finally experience it firsthand. Some people, it is easier than others. For me, it was hard. I didn't realize how badly i missed food until after surgery. I know it won't be that long before i have solid food again, but the days just run together and seem so long. Getting a hobby and keeping your mind active is the best way to get your mind off things.

Also, i strongly suggest in getting a good Protein Powder for shakes. I recommend Premier Protein powder that has the most Protein available with very little sugar. Also, PB Fit powder (peanut butter protein powder) for added protein. If you mix the chocolate protein powder with the Peanut Butter powder, it tastes similar to a russel stovers sugar free peanut butter cup in liquid form. Yummage! Anyhow. Hope this helps. TAKE CARE!!!!!

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I told some people at work. I find it's easier to tell people to their face.
On the other hand I did not say anything on Facebook. People tend to be braver behind a keyboard. It's my business not theirs. You do you, and whatever makes you happy and most comfortable.