ANKPTA

Here are 2 of my favorites, the first is a little over your calories, but it does have 18g Protein. ATKINS ADVANTAGE chocolate Peanut Butter BAR: 18g Protein 1g Sugar 240 Calories Only 2g Net Carbs ATKINS ADVANTAGE PEANUT FUDGE GRANOLA BAR: 16g Protein 1g Sugar 200 Calories Only 2g Net Carbs

I usually put cinnamon and a little honey in mine...really good!

You guys are so encouraging...I am planning on starting tomorrow with the pouch test. The last two days I have been trying to limit my carbs so that Mon and Tues may not be so bad. Yep, have the "carb withdrawl headache today" not fun!! I have an appoint with my surgeon on Tues hoping to get a fill, but no guarantee. I have had only 3 fills and had my surgery Sept of 08. I was kind of hoping to have some good restriction by now, kinda getting discouraged. So far I haven't had good restriction since the swelling went down from surgery. He almost didn't give me a fill last time and I only had 2.6cc (in a 10cc band) in the band at that time (3.5cc now). The last time I had a fill I had good restriction for about 2 weeks them not much again. He only schedules me every three months...I have been VERY hungry lately! Anyway, I am thinking that if he does give me a fill then I am on a good start (since I have 48 hours of liquids after anyway) and if I don't get the fill maybe I can start re-training myself. I am open for any advice you guys have!

Nikki, if you have Bob Evans near you...they have alot of mushy friendly items on their menu.

sonipez, I have two insurances mine & hubby's...I had asked the receptionist at the weight loss center (when I started) if she needed both insurance cards (because we knew that mine doesn't cover the surgery at all) and she said no. Well the business office at the hospital said that since mine is primary we needed to submit to them first and get a refusal (even though we already knew that it doesn't cover) and then submit to my husbands. That didn't happen because they didn't take the info from mine to begin with (their fault because I asked if they needed it.) Anyway, the lady at the business office said that they were going to try and submit it all again...sending my insurance through first. I actually got an email the other day that my insurance paid $6000 of it...haven't heard anything else. I am taking no news as good news...

Hey guys, just updating on what I found out from the hospital business office. When I first went to the weight loss center I asked the secretary if they needed my insurance card (from my employer/promary insurance) and she said no since they know it doesn't cover the surgery. The business office is now saying that since we didn't get pre-certed from through my insurance since it is my primary (even though we know that it doesn't cover it) that my husbands insurance may refuse to pay for it even though I was approved and pre-certed through hubby's insurance. She told me for right now not to worry about it (yea right) and that they would keep me updated. To me though that is their fault for not taking all my information in the first place especially since I asked if they needed it. So I may end up having to pay $21,000, don't know how...it just makes me mad cause the whole thing could have been avoided in the first place. Oh well, hopefully it will all work out...thanks for the suggestion Teri I think I just needed some other people to sound off to.

Hey guys, has anyone had trouble (or heard of someone that had) with their insurance not wanting to cover your surgery after you have had it done? I got a call from the Hospital today on my answering machine that they were having trouble with my insurance company and to call them. I also received a letter a month or so ago from the insurance company saying that I am responsible for $21,000 and that they are responsible for $0. If anyone has had (or heard of it) this problem how was it resolved? I am just geting really nervous tonight cause I don't have that kind of miney and really don't want to have to finance that much. If I would have known ahead of time that there would be a possibility that I would have to pay out of pocket I probably would have waited to have it done and saved up for it. Please pray for me that this will all be figured out. Thanks for any info.

Has anyone had trouble with their insurance not wanting to cover your surgery after you have had it done? I got a call from the Hospital today on my answering machine that they were having trouble with my insurance company and to call them. I also received a letter a month or so ago from the insurance company saying that I am responsible for $21,000 and that they are responsible for $0. If anyone has has this problem how was it resolved? Thanks for any info.

Deb, I know what you mean! I also had IBS, used to go many times a day. Now I am lucky if it is every other day or less. You might try some of the yogurts with the probiotics in them. I have some cheese (Kraft Live Active [they also have cottage cheese that is Live Active]) that has the live cultures in them and they seem to help. It sure is a change for me though, nice to not have to worry about the IBS though.

Hey guys, I hit a weight lose stall a few weeks ago. I had read that if you vary your calories from day to day and bump up the calories on some days that it will help to jump start your metabolism. I tried that last week and lost 2lbs...hadn't lost anything for 2wks. It seemed to work, also I noticed that if I am below 1000 calories I won't loose anything.

Thanks guys, that makes me feel better. I figured that it might be scar tissue or something to that effect. I have lost a few inches in my waist area so I think I am feeling it more now. I have always felt the "lumpy" area, but I just noticed that the area was sore when touching it. The funny thing is it doesn't hurt when you feel for it while laying or sitting. Again, thanks guys.

I have a question about the port site. I am 3 wks out from surgery, I saw the Dr last Fri and he mentioned that my port was just under the incision (above my belly button). Now I know that Dr's put ports in all kinds of different places. I noticed tonight a firm area around and above my incision that is a little sore and kinda egg shaped and that size. Has anyone else noticed something like that? I wasn't sure what it was, thought about calling the nurse tomorrow. It is only tender when you palpate it, so I don't want to have to go in if this seems to be a common occurance. Thanks for any advice.

First fill scheduled for Nov 12th. Not terribly hungry, just craving pizza. My evil hubby (lol) keeps bringing pizza home from my favorite local place.

I talked to the dietician today and she said to not worry much about fat grams...but if i want to keep and eye on things then we should probably be between 20-30g a day. Just in case anyone else was wondering also.

I am officially down a size! I was originally busting out of my 22's and 3x's weren't any to big. I have my 10yr high school reunion next weekend and wanted something new to wear, so I ordered 2x and size 20 (plus) from Old Navy and they fit and I actually have room!!! I am well on my way to 18's and 1x!! Yeah, I am excited. Just wish my thighs would shrink some more though...that was the only place they were snug.

I have thought about the very same thing. Actually, a couple of my girlfriends told me on the day after my surgery that they both have first chance at my old clothes!! I thought that was funny, yet very encouraging.

Today (still on mushies too) B: 1 scrambled egg w/bit of cheese L: 3oz tuna mixed w/2tbsp light mayo, a hard boiled egg, and s/f relish D: 1/4 c ricotta cheese baked with spaghetti sauce S: 1/4 c lowfat/sugar free fake pumpkin pie I was getting a little bummed because I hadn't lost any weight since this time last week. But...I did measure myself last week (glad I did) and I have lost a total of 10.5 inches sonce last week.

Thanks, I have my first post-op appoint on Fri...so I can ask for sure then. But was curious what other people have been told.

Has anyone else heard from their dietician how many fat grams (or range) we should be having a day...or does it really matter if we are within our protein and calories. Thanks for all input.

Hey guys, just started mushies today. So far, so good. Does anybody know how much fat we should be getting in a day?

I like Parkay Spray on steamed veggies (high in sodium though so I don't use much), Smart Balance Light, and have always used Helmanns Light...it is very good.

I like the greek yogurt either plain or I will add some cinnamon, vanilla and a little splenda...very good!!

Hey guys, I just tried my protein bullet a bit ago. I had the orange. It was ok, can still taste the whey protein and it has an after taste. The first sip was out of the bullet itself...after that I added it to a few oz of Powerade Zero and it was much better. I think that this will be better for me since the whole bullet is only 3.1 oz. I think I will use half in the morning and half in the evening. Hope this helps, I think this might be a good option for anyone that is having trouble with all the chocolaty flavors. All of the flavors are fruity.

Hey, thanks for looking that up. I had seen the comment on here somewhere about the absorption of the protein. I ordered my bullets from: IDS Sports New-Whey Liquid Protein, 25 g Protein (2.9 oz. vial) Mine should be here tomorrow sometime according to FedEx. I have since found them a little cheaper...so you might do a little searching to find them cheaper. They are kind of expensive but at this point well worth it. I can't handle the protein shakes, other than Slim Fast. But I am thinking that I will have to use them in two servings. I wonder how far between servings we have to wait? Teri, hope you feel better and keep an eye on that incision :confused: