suzannethemom

16 hours ago, jenuinelygenuinely said:

Till this day I feel like the provider who denied me was trying to get more money in by referring her patients to the Emily Program.

I totally agree. The dietician wanted me to do about six months of therapy through Park Nicollet, so they would have profited from that. I also got very lucky with Ridgeview because they scheduled my surgery quickly while other clinics were putting a “pause” on bariatric surgeries due to Covid.

My team (surgeon, dietician and exercise physiologist) were all very adamant that I don’t set my weight loss goals too low. I’m 5’4” and started at 223 (age 55). When I wanted to set my goal to 120 (based on a healthy BMI) they freaked out and said it was not a realistic goal. I was then encouraged to create “phase 1 and phase 2” goals, so I picked 160 and 140 pounds. I’m on week 14 and I have almost reached 160 pounds. I feel like 140 lbs is completely achievable. I will wait and see how I look and feel at 140 lbs.

8 hours ago, jenuinelygenuinely said:

Funny story when I first started my whole journey back in 2017 I went with Park Nicollet first, and with their program you first see some sort of therapist. She denied me for any surgery and told me I had a eating disorder and I needed to do the Emily program for 12 months!!!!!! I went home crying! There was NO WAY I had an eating disorder! So I made an appointment with Fairview's Bariatric program a week after that and got my sleeve done. Couple months after that I got a piece of mail saying that provider is no longer employed with Park Nicollet.

I cannot believe that the we have such similar stories! I also went to Park Nicollet first. The dietician was overly focused on my previous eating disorder, even though I completed two years of intense therapy and group BED therapy. She wanted me to resume therapy and postpone surgery. I also went home crying. I scheduled a new consultation with Ridgeview Clinic three weeks later and successfully had sleeve surgery two months later. It’s crazy the amount of hoops some doctors make their patients jump through. I am so thankful that I ditched Park Nicollet, lol.

1 hour ago, ShoppGirl said:

I’m sorry if that seemed offensive or something. I just honestly had no clue the calories were so high and thought I would share it with you in case you didn’t either.

No, not offensive at all. I’m not a big meat eater, so the idea of eating half a rack of ribs seems crazy to me. popcorn is another story, lol.

11 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

Just be careful with the pork ribs as you are able to eat larger servings. I recently learned just a half rack of ribs was like 688 calories and 45 grams of fat BEFORE the sauce.

I only ate what is pictured on the plate. I had one rib. I can only eat about 2 ounces of Protein per meal. There is no way I could eat half a rack of ribs, lol!

My plan allows all types of potatoes but NO skin allowed. I was eating mashed potatoes in the soft food stage and it was heavenly. No digestive issues at all. I recently tried oven baked french fries (with BBQ pork ribs) for the first time. I was able to eat 7 crinkle fries and had no digestive issues. It was the best meal I’ve had so far!

I’m currently taking THC gummies to help with insomnia. I researched the effects of THC and CBD on Bariatric patients before I started and studies show it has no negative effects on weight loss. I originally tried CBD gummies and they made me feel super alert, like I drank coffee. I was up until 5:00am!

The THC gummies are Delta 8 strain, 20 mg per Gummy. I take one and it works within one hour and helps me relax and sleep deeply. I don’t like how I feel afterwards, kinda zombie brained. I only take it about twice per week.

I’m on week 11 and average about 32 ounces daily (counting ALL fluids). I can only drink about 8 ounces at a time and then I feel full for an hour. I hardly drank Water before surgery (about 24 ounces daily) so I think my body is just used to consuming less water. I have never been dehydrated or felt weird. If I try to drink too much, my throat starts to burn and it feels like the water is coming back up, so I stop drinking and walk around. Every day I try to increase my intake. The most I have ever drank was 40 ounces total.

I just bought the mini bags of ORVILLE REDENBACKER MOVIE THEATER BUTTER popcorn at Wal Mart. It is the perfect sized serving. I have an addiction to microwave popcorn. I just cannot give it up. I’ve tried. I know it’s not good for me, but I am trying to learn what my eating disorder therapist told me “all food is acceptable in moderation.” I also buy SKINNY POP at costco. Much healthier for me, but not as good.

3 minutes ago, Cara_luvnlite said:

I had mini gastric bypass 4/14.

What is mini gastric bypass? I’ve never heard of it.

On 5/25/2022 at 3:59 PM, Jen83Atl said:

Same here Leslie. I had mine on the 13th and still don’t feel like I can possibly eat enough to get the Protein or calories suggested. But it does get a little easier everyday! Just getting burned out of what I can eat 😝 Missing some foods for sure!!!!

Hi Jen, did you find a buddy yet? I had sleeve surgery on April 12, 2022. I’m looking for a buddy. I’m 54 years old and live in Minnesota.

On 3/15/2022 at 10:16 PM, AngelaLynnFL said:

Hi everyone! 👋 my name is Angela and my surgery (sleeve) is scheduled for 4/14. I have been planning for months and doing all the steps for Insurance and now that it's all approved.....finally....I'm so scared!!!! Anyone wanna be a buddy?

Hi Angela, did you ever find a buddy? My sleeve surgery was on April 12th. I’m looking for a buddy too.

I was allowed to swallow my Omeprazole tablet after surgery. It was a slow release tablet, which means it cannot be crushed or cut in half.

On 5/31/2022 at 9:02 AM, TeacherT said:

Question: How are you all doing with eating cooked vegetables with skins on them? Should I peel first? I haven't tried any yet and am worried about how my tummy will respond to peelings even though they are cooked.

My food plan recommends no fruit or vegetables with skin. It has to be peeled. Otherwise, it will sit in your stomach for a long time.

I was also struggling to get more Protein. My dietician had me buy FAIRLIFE 2% MILK (right next to the refrigerated regular milk). I used it to make my shakes and added it to everything I made like Soups, Malt O Meal and refried Beans. I also drank it straight instead of Water. It has twice the amount of protein as regular milk.

Not odd at all. It’s a great thing! It’s the little victories that matter the most. I was able to bend over and tie my sneakers yesterday without suffocating. My husband noticed and said “Hey, look at you!”

12 minutes ago, liveaboard15 said:

The one i had to watch was on the hospitals website. I didnt need to schedule to watch it nor did they actually verified i watched it. they just asked if i did lol

Ditto for me. I had to watch a 20 minute informational video before I could schedule my first appointment. It was no big deal.

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

Caffeine really isn't dehydrating. That's an old belief; newer research shows that unless you are drinking more than about 450 mg of caffeine (about 5 cups of coffee), you are fine.

I agree with you 100%. I did the research and coffee also has health benefits, provided you don’t exceed 450 mg. My dietician doesn’t allow caffeine EVER, as in never! I say bullshit to that rule and plan on drinking coffee when I get to the 3rd month. I’m currently on week 7 and drinking Decaf coffee occasionally.

16 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

Maybe it's because you only had pre diabetes and not full blown yet, so they didn't count it. And they usually require 2 comorbidites when your bmi is below 40. I'm really glad your office manager fought for you and you were able to get the surgery. How are you doing since you had it?

I also had severe GERD, which some insurance companies consider a comorbidity. I think that BCBS was just being mean and looking for an excuse because my starting weight was on the lower end (223 pounds).

I am doing okay on week 7 after surgery. Every day is a struggle to eat the right things and stay away from crackers. I discovered that I can very easily eat Skinny Pop popcorn, Goldfish crackers and Cheez-Its. Now I’m addicted and trying really hard to resist them. They are now banned from the house!

19 hours ago, Smanky said:

Quite the change from someone who could make a batch of hokey pokey and then proceed to eat it over the course of a single day!

I had to Google HOKEY POKEY since I have never heard of it. It’s ice cream! What a cute and funny name.

Wow, you sound just like me about six months ago. It’s like I was living in denial about my weight for years until one day I finally realized “enough” and accepted that I had become obese. We all have that breaking point or lowest point that brings us to the decision to have WLS. I was angry at myself, embarrassed, ashamed and felt like a failure. I felt like I let my family down and set such a bad example for my two adult sons. Once I scheduled the consultation, I felt totally refocused and determined to make positive changes to my health. I even scheduled a mammogram (long overdue) and a colonoscopy that I was supposed to do last year. I made a promise to myself that this year was going to be a year of taking care of ME. I had sleeve surgery on 4/12/22 and things are going well. It was the best decision I ever made. I’m glad you are taking the first step towards a better YOU. You are worth it!

7 hours ago, Kourtneybedwell said:

I bought this book in the past 8 months and haven’t read it yet! Thank you for the reminder!!!🙌🏼

Haa haa, you sound just like me! I bought the book about six months ago and decided to read something else. I do that a lot.

I agree with what everyone said above. I’m on week 5 after surgery and my mood changes daily. Yesterday I was in the “angry” stage and just frustrated with everything. Sometimes I’m just zombie brain and stare out the window thinking about food. I’m reading a book that is a great boost for my moodiness and gets me out of my head. It’s called UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle. It’s full of short stories about being a woman, woman empowerment, finding happiness, overcoming shame and guilt, etc. I find that reading really helps and is a nice distraction from the negative thoughts that overwhelm me at times.

YES, I was initially denied. I have BCBS of Minnesota. My BMI was 38.1 with two co-morbidities (pre-diabetic and high blood pressure). They DENIED surgery because I take BP medication and therefore my blood pressure is under control and no longer a risk. That is so ridiculous! Fortunately, the bariatric office manager fought for me and argued with them. BCBS approved me the next day. I had surgery on 4/12/22.

On 5/16/2022 at 9:46 PM, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I have timers set to eat every 3 hours, but I'm wondering...is it every 3 hours, or 3 hours after your last meal? Because I can't imagine eating again in 2 hours lol

The rule of thumb for almost all bariatric patients is three meals a day with no snacking in between. This is because snacking allows you to overeat and exceed calories. We are supposed to be drinking fluids between the three meals. I have never heard of a plan that has you eat every 3 hours. Recommended serving size is 1/2 cup per meal. After six weeks, you can increase to 1 cup per meal. It should only take you 20 to 30 minutes to consume your meal. If it’s taking you an hour, then something is wrong. The food is too dense or not diluted enough or too high in fat content and causing restriction.