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Mhy....you must be looking at the Nutritional Supplement version of the shake. The one I'm using is specifically for patients having major surgery and I had to buy it at the pharmacy behind the counter. This one has 15 g of Carbs per shake. It says right on the box that it's to be used only for a short time under the supervision of a doctor. While I understand that Nestle makes chocolate, they also have a huge medical nutrition line (Nestle Health Science) that provides many of the liquid food formulas given to Tube Fed patients, and special liquid supplements for people with specific nutritional needs in medical recovery. Yep, they make candy. Apparently, they're also a huge name in medical nutrition. I'm not saying these shakes are necessary. I'm not plugging them....if I were, I sure wouldn't talk about how God-awful they taste. But it's disingenuous to say they're made by a candy company and are "suspect". And like I say....since I started drinking them in place of 3 of my other shakes...I've felt amazingly clearer. They make me feel a LOT better. Also, the protocol I'm using that was developed by University of Michigan (that includes these weird shakes) is being picked up by Cedars-Sinai and some other super reputable research hospitals. I don't think they'd steer anyone to junk to make a buck because, frankly, they have a ton of money and don't need to. Their bread and butter...is in cutting edge research and having great outcomes.

Oh wow! I'd no idea that coffee and tea could do that. I too drink 3-4c of decaff a day + iced tea. :-/ Wah wah wannnnhhhh. Glad the Bsupps are working. It's amazing how different it feels to have Bs working doesn't it? I guess they're gonna recheck the B1 at my next appt with the PCP in Feb. *scratches head* Hopefully won't need injections!

I had BC/BS of Texas when I was sleeved and my pre-op requirements were almost identical. My first consultative appointment to inquire about the sleeve was on 10/23/2014. My packet was submitted to BC/BS in mid November 2014. Insurance approved payment for the sleeve on 12/26/2014, approximately 6 weeks later. Although I wasn't sleeved until April 2015, I could have gotten surgery as early as February. The moral of the story is there's light at the end of the tunnel. You can do this.

Hi everyone! I have BC/BS managed under carefirst administrators. When I met with my surgeon’s insurance specialist, I was advised that I didn’t have a 3 or 6 month nutritionist requirement, instead that I just had to get an upper endoscopy, psych evaluation, sleep study, nutritional evaluation and letter of medical necessity. I did all of that really quickly because for deductible purposes, I wanted to have the surgery done this calendar year. My coworker also started the process soon I finished everything and was advised that she had to see a NUT for 6 months. My paperwork was submitted to the insurance company yesterday so I’m hoping to hear from them early next week [with an approval!] but now I’m having a minor [read: major, monumental even] freak out because I obvs don’t have enough time to meet those requirements and have the surgery before year end. Basically, I just need some positive energy that will assure everything will work out okay! I’m so ready to have the surgery done and officially be a part of the losing team. I wouldn’t be devastated if I don’t get approved but it would definitely suck. I did reach out to my insurance company after speaking to the specialist in the beginning and these are the requirements they sent me: 1. Requires diagnosis of Obesity (BMI over 30). 2. If BMI is under 40 then a comorbidity is required (hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease) is required. 3. The member must have a documented history of participation in a supervised weight loss program. 4. The member must be unable to lose weight despite sincere attempt. 5. They can’t have any active peptic ulcer disease or gastritis. Or evaluated and treated. 6. Endocrine (thyroid) can not be the cause of the obesity. 7. No alcohol or drug addiction or greater than 1 year since last used. 8. No cigarette smoking or smoke free for . 6 weeks. 9. No history of psychiatric disorder or disorder is managed. 10. Must have a dietary consultation. 11. Member understands surgical procedure, post compliance and follow up care. 12. The procedure must be done in a bariatric center. Nothing about 6 month nutritionist visits but.. idk. Maybe I’m freaking myself out. Anyway, thanks for reading!

Ok, so my blood work showed I have a low Vitamin B1. Think it was 40 or something? So they started me on 100mg/day and I'm supposed to continue it for the next year I think? All the BVitamins are considered "energy" vitamins and help with fuel metabolism/accessibility. I think all except B6 are water soluble, so you pee them out--but you shouldn't megadose on them either cuz they can affect the accuracy of other blood tests. I def wouldn't start supplementing the Bs without one of my docs telling me to do so. I know I have to take mine by noon, or else, I won't sleep at night! LOL. But within about 2-3 weeks of taking the thyroid and B1 I started losing normally, and felt so much energy it was almost impossible to just "sit" and "be." I had to get up and move! They have made such a difference to me. I no longer feel like I'm on the steps of death! Seriously! I was gaining weight on a 1000cal diet. The only way I could lose 1lb per week was to stay below 800 cals/day and about 30g net carbs. Now I'm losing (slowly--about 3-4lbs/month), on 1500 cals/day and am eating between 60-100g whole carbs per day or about 40-60g net carbs per day! Here's what one write up says about Vitamin B1: http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-b1-thiamine

I'm still on my pre-op diet, but I'm using Opportuniteas grass-fed whey protein isolate. I found it on Amazon. I haven't noticed that it has any flavor at all, so I can mix it into broth.

First and foremost, congrats!!!! How amazing. You should be so proud of urself. Than you so much for this post. Im in pre-op stage and im constantly looking for posts like this. Thank you so much for sharing ur experience in such detail! I have my very last NUT appointment on dec 21 and then my file gets submitted for insurance approval. So excited and a bit nervous. But i feel as ready as i can be. Ive adjust alot of eating habits along the way. I try to do the 30/30 rule as much as i can now. Bc i always always drink while eating so trying to.kick that habit. Ive been going to the gym regularly since september. I really enjoy working out..bieng heavy makes that difficult tho. Knee pain etc. Cant do a crunch to save my life lol. Ive lost a lil bit of wieght but its been slow. Nutrionist put me on the pre op diet early so ive been trying to stick to it. So far its been ok. Feeling really good abt the surgery. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I think, personally i wouldnt want to get it done in mexico if the option to get it done here is available. Im going through the insurance hoops currently. Its frustrated having to wait so long but honestly it has prepared me mentally and physically. This is not something i would want to jump right into. Another aspect to think abt is the after care. Having ur surgeon and his team here for u after surgery is a big help. I have read stories from.ppl who have done it in mexico who flet a lil lost after surgery. I kno not every doc in mexico is the same, but this is something that ive come across. And god forbid any complications occur its good to have the surgeon who operated close by. This is just my opinion. I would only choose to do it in mexico if there was no other optiom bc it is much cheaper there when u r paying out of pocket. Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah that's a really long time. I was sleeved on the 13th, my first was 12 days later, and second was 6 days after that. That nothing is there because you're on liquid is BS, there's plenty there. Especially if you've been eating anything with calories (and reaching your protein numbers) Per my surgeon I was taking colace twice a day, benefiber twice a day and nothing happened. I went out on a limb and took miralax two seperate times (both times led to my only BM). It's something you need to get ahead of or it'll get worse, and approaching 3 weeks without a BM is scary stuff. I would absolutely invest in some colace (stool softener) to help make your inevitable experience less uncomfortable

Don't be so rude bc if you're in this group then you had or have a weight issue so you should know how it feels...smh Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

I have Anthem bcbc and went thru the 6 month process. Info was submitted to insurance which I heard back in a week that I was approved. The hospital gave the insurance a surgery date of 12/27 yet when I contacted the hospital once I was approved they sd the next availability that they have is 02/07/2018. Im so bummed bc I wanted it to be this year. I feel like I went thru that whole process yet still have to wait another 2 months. I know I should be excited that I at least got approved but I just didn't think I would still have to wait that much longer

OMG..I just figured how to respond with the quote bc above. Thanks and I will.

Mindfulness Question: Do you put your fork down between bites? I am only managing to do this about 50% of the time. We now eat dinner at the table every nite. After almost 20 years, I FINALLY find out that Mr. Fluffy actually prefers to eat at the table! Go figure?! Each day presents a new opportunity for improvement! Monday Menu (11.27.17): Had PT today and as usual-I was a hungry hungry heffer afterward! I did manage to stave off temptation and cravings in return for a creamy and semi-decadent low carb version of a former high carb love. I used to love my mom's turkey tetrazzini she'd make with the TDay leftover turkey. So, instead, I used Lite Asiago Romano Alfredo by Classico and used shiritaki fettucini that I cut into long noodle lengths. I added a wad of fresh broccoli and super greens trio to make it "healthy" (um, and a busload of parmesan! B: psylli iced coffee (4floz PP vanilla, 16floz decaff, 5g whole psyllium husks, vanilla stevia liquid) MS: 28g hummus; 2oz baby carrots L: 1/2 pepperoni veggie Lite Flatout pizza (1/2 Lite FO skin, 1/4oz red onion, 1/4oz rbp, 1oz mushrooms, 1oz BH pepperoni, 1oz part skim mozz, .8oz BH Munster, 1tbsp grated parm, 1/4c CM Marinara, red pepper flakes); salad (1oz baby spin, 1/4oz rbp, 1/4oz red onion, WF Italian) AS: 1 mozz string cheese; 14g toasted almonds; 2oz GS apple; psylli tea D: LO turkey tetrazzini (3oz turkey breast, 1pck shirataki fettuccine, 120g Classico Lite Asiago Romano Alfredo, 5oz steamed broccoli, 1oz super greens trio, 1oz mushrooms, 1clove garlic, 1/4c grated parm); 1/8c LO WaWa's dressing BS: 1oz frozen blackberries; 14g toasted almonds; 8g Lily's SF dark choco chips Daily Totals: 1412 cals; 69g prot; 80g fat; 91g carbs; 36g fiber; 55g net carbs

I'm still pre-surg. I've been doing the pre-surg diet since May and hope to have surgery in February or early March. I'm 55 and post meno by total hyst. I just found out I'm hypothyroid and started with Synthroid as well as B1 (low in it). It's made a lot of difference for energy. Also, when I eat processed sausage like pepperoni, or eat beef, or lots of cheese, my joints hurt SO badly! I'm 6+ year hormone positive breast cancer survivor so am on Femara. The Femara is an androgen blocker--a biologic hormone therapy for BC recurrence. So losing is impossibly difficult. I also have had PCOS since I was a kid. I can totally relate to your struggles!!! Hang in there. The only way I survive is to focus on low fat protein (adequate, not high protein), and lots of low carb veggies. I've also added back 2 small servings of low carb fruit and 1oz of nuts each day. I don't do well with carby stuff like grains and starches.

Sure exciting and mildly annoying just bc I worked hasrd t o get everything accomplished so it could be done in Dec and now it is looking like Jan... we shall see Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had no pre-op diet, my surgeon only asks folks who are 300+ to do a pre-op diet. I was skeptical too bc it seemed like everyone else was doing a pre-op diet but me. My surgery was without complication and i've had zero issues post op...

I would say I average about 900 cal/ day, some days higher or a little lower since 1 week post op. I freak out a little about this bc others here say they didn't go above 600 cals for the first 6mos etc or til goal, but it seems to be working. Log everything i eat on my fitness pal, like you, no bread, pasta, processed foods, sugar. 70-90 g protein, 50 ish in carb and prob 40 in fat. Had been doing a light gym routine a few days a week for 3 weeks but just start crossfit, so may need to change my intake depending on how i feel, recover.

No problem! I had a little freak out of my own today thinking I was doing something wrong bc the scale is barely moving. I thought “i’ve been in the 190’s forever!” . In reality I looked back at my weight and I’ve been in the 190’s for a little more than 2 weeks and I have lost 6.8 lbs in that time. It’s a head game for sure.

Well I’ve been diagnosed with Pcos at the age of 14 I’m now 25. When I weighed between 220-200 my period used to be stable: I got a vsg on 1-17-17 hw294 cw228 haven’t been on bc and my periods are not regular they were regular from February until July. My weight has also been at a stall since July (due to my eating habits) I’m changing the way I eat again now so I hope to loose more weight but I’m ttc. Last year I did 2 rounds of clomid. 1st one didn’t budge 2nd time I used it my follicles grew but I didn’t get pregnant. When I was switched to femara it didn’t work at all and thinned my lining. So that’s when I decided to get a vsg. Now I’m almost a year out and I want to try again. Has anyone had a similar experience to me? if so Did you concieve ?

Well I’ve been diagnosed with Pcos at the age of 14 I’m now 25. When I weighed between 220-200 my period used to be stable: I got a vsg on 1-17-17 hw294 cw228 haven’t been on bc and my periods are not regular they were regular from February until July. My weight has also been at a stall since July (due to my eating habits) I’m changing the way I eat again now so I hope to loose more weight but I’m ttc. Last year I did 2 rounds of clomid. 1st one didn’t budge 2nd time I used it my follicles grew but I didn’t get pregnant. When I was switched to femara it didn’t work at all and thinned my lining. So that’s when I decided to get a vsg. Now I’m almost a year out and I want to try again. Has anyone had a similar experience to me?

I address this in my videos, you really need to find an eating pattern that works for you, not a cookie cutter eating plan given out by a nutritionist. Im 5-11 and down to 225lbs and muscular as hell. I could never eat 3 times a day, my metabolism is too fast. I eat 6 to 8 small meals a day. Eating every 2 to 3 hours is how your supposed to eat especially if your athletic and working out, it keeps your metabolism moving. I basically do this, if I'm hungry, I eat..... If I'm not hungry, I don't eat.....I don't follow my doctors BS eating plan, I follow my body. contrary to popular belief, you have to eat to lose weight....Its the Types of food and quantities as well as timing that is the trick.

Good job. I ate a ton of turkey. Protein = DS👍🏻 BTW, a side effect of the DS is often low blood pressure and low pulse so there’s that, too. I often have to tell that to PAs when they take them or they worry bc my BP is low. Or they think I’m a runner.

It was right on the link, 70 calories for a whole pita. Ketosis is BS. Calories in vs calories out is what it's all about. A ketosis diet will discourage you from eating or at least into highly limiting fruits and vegetables which are pure carbohydrates (though I agree fruit should be had in moderation) . I absolutely agree that keeping carbohydrates in check is important, and that protein is the most important macro nutrient that a diet should be built around.

Ok, I'm feeling pretty strong (like Russian bull or East German female shotputter) today. I'm back down to 231.2 (only 0.4lbs away from my published weight). Yippee! And I'm post TG! Shoop! Der it is! One holiday down, 3 to go! I made a ridiculously easy pan roasted venison last night. I forget how easy moist roast is when you're cooking a small muscle. We separate the venison into individual muscles the shape of tenderloins and cut them to about 1lb each. So this was a small rump muscle (like an eye of round). Season then 2 minutes per side in olive oil to brown. Then into a 375 degree oven for 15minutes. Remove from pan and let it rest for 10 -15 minutes. Perfect medium rare, beautiful warm pink/red throughout, oozing juice. Tender as could be! You can do this same method with chicken breasts, turkey breasts, and small meat roasts of all kinds. Just adjust the amount of time in the oven. I am happy the scale is moving down again and I'm almost back to my published weight. My low was actually 230.4lbs, but I hadn't changed it on my ticker. Last weekend's pity party and eating fest really shocked and saddened me. I've been "in recovery" since May and despite a cancer recurrence scare with 2 months worth of heavy duty medical tests like multiple MRIs, CTs, PFTs, echos, etc, I was able to muddle through without eating for comfort and without deviating from my daily food plans. So I grew complacent. Complacency is the enemy of purposeful living. So now I'm minding my p's and q's. Today we're going for Texas BBQ with my sis and BIL to the #6 place on the Texas Monthly top 50 BBQ Restaurants List. It's in Tomball, so just basically in our back yard. I adore this place and if you can believe it, I'm excited to have their smoked turkey wedge salad. They have THE best smoked turkey breast--no sugar, moist, and fall apart tender, and a kick-ass cilantro salsa/dressing that rocks my world. So I know I will be able to enjoy the time with my fam while still being faithful to the diet plan for today. What's going down your piehole? Mindful Eating Question: How often do you still eat for comfort? Friday's Menu (November 24, 2017) B: cottage cheese frozen blueberries and fiber cereal bowl (57g HEB FF Grk Yogurt, 85g Daisy 2% cottage cheese, 1fl oz Fairlife Skim milk, 35g frozen blueberries, 8.5g toasted slivered almonds, 6.5g Fiber One cereal) MS: 28g hummus, 2oz baby carrots L: 3/4c broccoli cheese protein soup AS: 2tbsp LS peanut butter, 1.75oz GS apple, psylli tea D: 4oz venison roast, 1/4c homemade dressing, 1/2c roasted brussels sprouts, chopped salad (2oz romaine, 1oz baby spinach, 1.25oz cucumber, .75oz rbp, .5oz red onion, 1oz avo, 1oz gr toms, .5oz blue cheese crumbles, 3tbsp WF Italian Dressing) BS: pumpkin yogurt (56g HEB FF Grk Yogurt, 61g Libby's canned pumpkin, liquid stevia, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, 14g toasted walnuts) Daily Totals: 1475cals; 97g prot; 75g fat; 96g carbs; 29g fiber; 67g net carbs (dayum! gotta get my protein down!!)

I'm very pleased with my Thanksgiving performance. LOL. I was well-behaved at the table, on my plate, and at the card table. I planned for the desserts...which is odd, because I'm not normally a dessert girl. I made Mr. F's favorite low carb tiramisu (and I did it with only liquid stevia) cuz he's literally allergic to every other type of sweetener. The result of that was...well a trade-off. In return for not having his tongue swell, we traded off and accepted a little bitterness. And it had a little bitter aftertaste and wasn't as sweet, but that's a win. It was a wholly satisfying meal and decent lc dessert. I even saved enough calories/carbs to enjoy a sliver (1/8" slice) of this frosted costco pumpkin roll, and 2 small (4oz) glasses of wine). It tasted divine! Had an unexpected hint of orange! No snacking yesterday and only 3 meals plus dessert. This morning, despite having cankles from doing too much yesterday, the scale is back down to 232.4lbs. It's ridiculous how much power over my happiness/mood/dietary satisfaction the scale possesses. What a little arbitrary b***h. Right? Am I right? Is your mood controlled by the scale reading? Yesterday, Thursday 24, 2017 (Thanksgiving Menu) B: turkey sausage, spinach scramble (150g egg whites, 28g JD Turkey Saus Crumbles, 3oz super greens trio, 1/2 tbsp evoo, 1tsp hot sauce) MS: none L: red white and blue salad (2oz lo grilled ribeye, 1oz baby spinach, 1oz romaine, 3/4oz rbp, 1/2oz red onion, 1oz gr toms, 1oz avo, 1/2oz blue cheese crumbles, 2tbsp WF Italian Dressing, 1tsp evoo, 1tbsp sunflower seeds, shelled) AS: none D: 3oz roasted turkey, 1/4c homemade gravy, 1/2c green bean casserole, 2oz roasted acorn squash, 1/4c WaWa's dressing, 1/2c roasted brussels sprouts, 4oz la crema chardonnay, 4oz 1924 cabernet sauvignon BS: 1/8 sliver Costco iced pumpkin roll, 1 piece (1/16 cake) LC Tiramisu Daily Totals: 1471 cals; 75g fat; 70g protein; 81g carbs; 14g fiber; 67g net carbs (fiber was low yesterday)