FutureSkyDiver

I say it all the time here, but in case you haven't seen it yet.

Appeal, appeal, appeal. Insurance companies are very vested in denying coverage for whatever minuscule reason they can. It saves them tons of money. Heck, it is easier with less paperwork to deny a claim and hope the insured doesn't appeal than it is to approve a claim, even when there is coverage. Never accept the first denial from an insurance company...or the second or third if you are sure you should be covered under your plan. They make more money when you keep quiet.

Hernia shouldn’t affect your ability to have the surgery. My surgeon said it was very common and they will fix during procedure.

I would have tossed his butt the moment he returned from the store with that sh!t--not because of what he chooses to eat, but my house, my rules. If I ask you not to do something in my house, you better not do it, or you'll be out of my house. Plain and simple. Toss him and the food and don't feel bad about either for one second.

I have (maybe had at this point) severe fatty liver disease when I had my surgery (VSG), so I was super worried my liver would be too big or fatty for the surgery to go forward on the day and specifically asked my surgeon about this. She said that they generally only worry about the liver being too big/fatty with patients with BMI in the 60s or higher, which wasn't me. I don't know if that is you or not, but a bit of info. She also said that the pre-op diet, especially the liquid portion, is very effective and can shrink the liver quite a bit in just a few days/weeks.

As for starting the liquid diet early...I wouldn't suggest it. It is pretty tough and if your program is anything like mine, it will be a loooooooooong time before you get to eat food again. Don't give it up too soon. I was on nothing but liquids for 10 days pre-op and more than 15 days post-op--25 days total. I had three periods of psychological difficulty with this--day 2 & 3 pre-op (just hangry and had a headache for more than 24 hours--pissed me off), the day before surgery (just tired of liquids and impatient) and then about 10 days post-op, when I was really, really over the Protein Shakes and just wanted to eat something--anything.
Good luck!

I have (maybe had at this point) severe fatty liver disease when I had my surgery (VSG), so I was super worried my liver would be too big or fatty for the surgery to go forward on the day and specifically asked my surgeon about this. She said that they generally only worry about the liver being too big/fatty with patients with BMI in the 60s or higher, which wasn't me. I don't know if that is you or not, but a bit of info. She also said that the pre-op diet, especially the liquid portion, is very effective and can shrink the liver quite a bit in just a few days/weeks.

As for starting the liquid diet early...I wouldn't suggest it. It is pretty tough and if your program is anything like mine, it will be a loooooooooong time before you get to eat food again. Don't give it up too soon. I was on nothing but liquids for 10 days pre-op and more than 15 days post-op--25 days total. I had three periods of psychological difficulty with this--day 2 & 3 pre-op (just hangry and had a headache for more than 24 hours--pissed me off), the day before surgery (just tired of liquids and impatient) and then about 10 days post-op, when I was really, really over the Protein Shakes and just wanted to eat something--anything.
Good luck!

I would have tossed his butt the moment he returned from the store with that sh!t--not because of what he chooses to eat, but my house, my rules. If I ask you not to do something in my house, you better not do it, or you'll be out of my house. Plain and simple. Toss him and the food and don't feel bad about either for one second.

Your body loses the fat where it wants, when it wants. There is nothing you can do to speed up fat lose in a specific area of the body. A rule of thumb, although not at all tested or true for everyone, is first on, first off, so if you originally stored your fat in those areas, they will be the last areas to lose the fat.
And...I'm a firm believer that exercise helps everyone, regardless of age. Perhaps even more so with age, as there are a number of positive mental/cognitive returns on time spent exercising, beyond the physical benefits.

Your body loses the fat where it wants, when it wants. There is nothing you can do to speed up fat lose in a specific area of the body. A rule of thumb, although not at all tested or true for everyone, is first on, first off, so if you originally stored your fat in those areas, they will be the last areas to lose the fat.
And...I'm a firm believer that exercise helps everyone, regardless of age. Perhaps even more so with age, as there are a number of positive mental/cognitive returns on time spent exercising, beyond the physical benefits.

Your body loses the fat where it wants, when it wants. There is nothing you can do to speed up fat lose in a specific area of the body. A rule of thumb, although not at all tested or true for everyone, is first on, first off, so if you originally stored your fat in those areas, they will be the last areas to lose the fat.
And...I'm a firm believer that exercise helps everyone, regardless of age. Perhaps even more so with age, as there are a number of positive mental/cognitive returns on time spent exercising, beyond the physical benefits.

Your body loses the fat where it wants, when it wants. There is nothing you can do to speed up fat lose in a specific area of the body. A rule of thumb, although not at all tested or true for everyone, is first on, first off, so if you originally stored your fat in those areas, they will be the last areas to lose the fat.
And...I'm a firm believer that exercise helps everyone, regardless of age. Perhaps even more so with age, as there are a number of positive mental/cognitive returns on time spent exercising, beyond the physical benefits.

Your body loses the fat where it wants, when it wants. There is nothing you can do to speed up fat lose in a specific area of the body. A rule of thumb, although not at all tested or true for everyone, is first on, first off, so if you originally stored your fat in those areas, they will be the last areas to lose the fat.
And...I'm a firm believer that exercise helps everyone, regardless of age. Perhaps even more so with age, as there are a number of positive mental/cognitive returns on time spent exercising, beyond the physical benefits.

I have a question...and it is NOT meant to be judgemental, but instead comes from a true place of knowledge seeking. I'm relatively new to this whole eating actual food post-op thing.
Do you all expect to eat all the food you put on your plate? I see a lot of plates with a lot of food on them in the "after" photos...or a statement like "I ate a quarter of that" (as in post above...again, not judging, just using you as an example ShoppGirl!). I guess I'm just not sure why you'd put all that food on the plate if you didn't expect to eat it. *I* know I'd try if I had it there (solid member of the clean plate club here!). But...my little plate looks so pathetic with just 3oz of food on it, I know I'd *like* to put more on it!
Thanks All!

Keep in mind the body can only absorb and utilize about 30g of Protein at a time.

I personally like Fairlife nutritional plan, which has 30g of protein. They have several flavors and are thicker than others like premier, which I find watery and overly sweet. I get mine at Sam’s.

I encourage you to think about all the things associated with attending class in person, it isn't just the sitting in the car and classroom. There is walking from the car to the classroom, which in my experience with universities (25 years, 5 different universities), can be quite a distance for students. Can you walk that far right after surgery? Can you carry whatever materials you need for class? I had a 5lb restriction for 6 weeks and my briefcase weighs more than that (by a lot!) with my computer, notebook, and occasionally a book or 12. I don't know what your academic program is, or how you take notes, but whatever you need during class, you need to consider if you can carry it within your own restrictions. Can you be present without being a distraction to the instructor or other students? Can you focus on the material? In the immediate aftermath of surgery, I had to spend A LOT of time just focusing on getting liquids in, including the use of a 30ml cup to poor tiny "shots" of Water that I would then drink over the course of 15 minutes--4oz each hour. It takes a lot of mental energy to focus on hydration like that. Can you pay attention to class AND not get dehydrated AND not distract others from their learning experience? Only you can answer these questions for you, but for me, it was about three weeks after surgery before I felt up to even working (I'm a professor) in my home office, and even then it was only for a couple of hours a day.
Good luck with your program.

I am a member of the clean your plate club too so I get the question. My hubby made that plate for me though. He has no clue what I can eat or would be in the mood for so he just made a little sample platter of what he had. When it’s just a little over what I should eat I have been tempted to force it in but not when it’s way too much. I feel better knowing that there is enough food to make another meal or two out of it.

I have a question...and it is NOT meant to be judgemental, but instead comes from a true place of knowledge seeking. I'm relatively new to this whole eating actual food post-op thing.
Do you all expect to eat all the food you put on your plate? I see a lot of plates with a lot of food on them in the "after" photos...or a statement like "I ate a quarter of that" (as in post above...again, not judging, just using you as an example ShoppGirl!). I guess I'm just not sure why you'd put all that food on the plate if you didn't expect to eat it. *I* know I'd try if I had it there (solid member of the clean plate club here!). But...my little plate looks so pathetic with just 3oz of food on it, I know I'd *like* to put more on it!
Thanks All!

I’m seven weeks out and lose about two pounds a week.

I workout regularly and my surgeon suggested 1000 calories a day.

I’m seven weeks out and lose about two pounds a week.

I'm a University professor. While our roles are different, there is a lot of overlap in terms of the sitting quietly and ingesting information over long periods of time component. I'm seven weeks out and I'm still having difficulty concentrating for periods over about 20 minutes. I'm no longer in pain, although for about 3 weeks it was extremely uncomfortable for me to sit completely upright (as in, at a desk), but I think it is the super-low calorie consumption. There was absolutely no way I was going back to work during the first at least two weeks either. The first several days are completely consumed with focusing on getting Protein and fluids in--as in, you have to actually concentrate and force yourself to drink on a very regimented schedule. And then there is the sleeping...12 hours a night, multiple naps throughout the day.
The mental energy of keeping up with school work would have been too much for me. If you care about your grades in these classes and/or they are foundational to future coursework, I'd seriously consider rescheduling to fit into the academic schedule. If you got wls right after the semester was over, you'd be ready to start again in January.

Ask him if he remembers his wedding vows. Mine had a bit about in sickness and health. Obesity is a chronic disease. Medical professionals have provided you a treatment plan for your disease. Would he balk at supporting you in your chemo treatments if the disease you had was cancer?
If he doesn’t come around, I’d suggest part of your pre-op preparations should be therapy for you and consulting a divorce lawyer. You don’t even have to say anything to him, but at least prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.

You’re still full of fluids from surgery.

I say it all the time here, but in case you haven't seen it yet.

Appeal, appeal, appeal. Insurance companies are very vested in denying coverage for whatever minuscule reason they can. It saves them tons of money. Heck, it is easier with less paperwork to deny a claim and hope the insured doesn't appeal than it is to approve a claim, even when there is coverage. Never accept the first denial from an insurance company...or the second or third if you are sure you should be covered under your plan. They make more money when you keep quiet.

Ask him if he remembers his wedding vows. Mine had a bit about in sickness and health. Obesity is a chronic disease. Medical professionals have provided you a treatment plan for your disease. Would he balk at supporting you in your chemo treatments if the disease you had was cancer?
If he doesn’t come around, I’d suggest part of your pre-op preparations should be therapy for you and consulting a divorce lawyer. You don’t even have to say anything to him, but at least prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.

I would have honestly preferred to have no non-patients allowed. It would have been easier.
My mom came with me, and I'm afraid it was a terrible experience for her. I vomited for 6 hours after surgery (due to anesthesia...I TRIED to tell them it would happen if they used gas, but they didn't listen) and when I wasn't puking, I was sleeping. The nurses tried to ask her a bunch of questions I could have easily answered before surgery, but they never asked (like questions about cultural practices, religion, etc.). My wife came after work (she absolutely could not have the time off due to starting a new job just before my surgery) and I barely knew she was there. I saw her when she came in, then slept the entire time she was there, and she had to wake me up to say goodbye at the end of visiting hours. The day after surgery was better, I was less nauseous and could sit in the chair and talk to my mom for most of the day, but I could have easily entertained myself that day if she hadn't been allowed in.
As for what to take...not much. I took my toiletry kit (I did shower in the morning at the hospital, so I was happy to have my own Shampoo, soap, etc.), chapstick, phone and charger, and an extra pair of undies to wear under the same clothes I arrived in the day previously.

Good luck with your surgery!