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I'm so angry...apparently I have split insurance of ghi and empire bc b's and ghi only needs 3 months but bcbs wants 6 months of weight loss efforts..so they denied my surgery..after ive spent money on protein shakes, mentally prepared myself for sugery with the 2 week diet and submitted fmla paper work..smh... Now I have to wait..and all i want to do now is eat my disappointment away...

Oh gosh! Please never feel like a failure. Life is too hard, to add to the hard by putting those types of things on top! We all have different ways of doing things. What will work for one, may not work for another! For me, I was so used to eating willy-nilly, all over the place. I would eat just cuz I saw food on the TV or in the kitchen, or cuz it sounded like a fun thing to do. And I ate when I wasn't hungry. I also chased that stuffed feeling. I LOVE feeling that stuffed feeling (pre-surg) cuz I know I've been fed and it feels like safety--like nothing bad can happen. Like I got a meal that day. So before surgery, I'm trying to listen to my RD and unlearn very bad eating habits and break-up with bad food relationships. I'm never gonna be 100% accomplished at this. I'm just shooting for "just good enough," cuz it takes the pressure off! I am also I "think" trying to aim for 90% smart/healthy behaviors and food and maybe 10% sloppiness. But, we're doing a menu thread. Why not come join us! Start now, today!!! Just post and talk about how you are feeling about food. (And don't you just love these boards? I learn new things every time I'm here!!! These guys/gals are serious braniacs!!!)

In case I get to start my liquid pre-op diet tomorrow, I'm going to have one of my favorite meals--low-ish carb pizza. Compared to the real deal pizza this is restrained. I doubt I will be able to eat the whole thing, but am budgeting for it anyway! LOTS of food today. And PT. Have 3 days of back to back PT this week and the oncologists appointment Thursday. *big gulp* *nerves* as per my usual. Monday Menu B-2egg + 1 eggwhite omelet (1clove garlic, olive oil spray, 1/4 c turkey sausage crumbles, 2oz froz chop spin, 1oz rbp, 1 jalapeno fresh, 1/2oz red onion, 2tbsp cilantro, 3/4oz BH lacy swiss, 2tbsp fresh salsa) MS-28g hummus, 1.5oz baby carrots L-green protein smoothie (16g Isopure banana prot powd, 2oz froz chop spin, 32g froz blueberries, 5g psyllium husks, 12 fl oz unsweet vanilla coconut milk) AS-psylli tea D-3c chopped salad (2oz romaine, 1oz baby spin, 1/2oz rbp, 1/2oz red onion, 1/2oz grape tomatoes, 1oz avocado, 2tbsp blue cheese dressing); 1 Lite Flatout Pepperoni Pizza (1 Lite Flatout wrap, 1/8c marinara, 2oz part skim mozz, 1oz BH pepperoni, 1/4c sauteed mushrooms, 1 slice applewood smoked bacon, 1/2oz parmesan-grated, red pepper flakes) BS-1oz pomegranate seeds, 6g SF Lily's dark choco chips, 6.5oz toasted almonds Daily Totals: 1501cals; 76g prot; 92g fat; 82g carbs; 32g fiber; 50g net carbs

Hi all! Random question. I'm am getting sleeved in June. I have super wide feet. Like size 10. But the length of my feet fit a size 8/9. Has anyone's feet gotten slimmer after losing weight?! I'm hoping it happens to me. I'm always tripping over my own feet bc my shoes are too long lol

Thanks so much for responding!!! I️ don’t even think the insurance coordinator called BC because just like you mentioned, most of BCBS requires it. It’s always good to do your own research!

You're not doing anything wrong, except perhaps believing in the unrealistic expectations that your surgeon has fed to you. Here's reality: most sleevers don't lose 30 pounds per month. Once you accept reality and stop comparing your progress to others, your weight loss journey will progress more smoothly. I lost 15 pounds the first month, 12.5 pounds the second month, and the rest of my losses were single digit (1 to 7 pounds monthly). It took me 17+ months to lose 100 pounds. Also, weight loss with a sleeve doesn't occur in a predictable pattern. We lose weight, then stall and plateau, then may even gain before losing again. You won't lose every week. I guarantee you will gain if you continue down the road of eating bananas and other starches so early in your journey. Carbs lead to water weight fluctuations. 1 gram of carbs will store anywhere from 3 to 4 grams of water weight in your body. So if you eat more carbs than your body utilizes in one sitting, those carb grams are stored as glycogen in your liver and muscle, resulting in water weight that contributes to a bigger number on the scale. To reduce these weight fluctuations, curtail your carb intake. Focus on real protein. Stay off the scale. Good luck to you.

I haven't tried the protein shakes yet. I bought protein water, waiting for it to deliver. Whenever I walk, I have to hold my stomach bc it's really painful. I showered today which made me feel better. I've been taking the pain meds but i agree, I don't like how they make me sleepy. I just want to fast forward this part

It's not that I really want a cookie. I just thought it might be a nice alternative to a traditional protein bar. I'm just looking for higher protein options bc I know that I'm not getting enough in. Also my nut never gave me specific numbers for the carbs, just protein 60 gms.

@temkins I'm not pissy with your post. lol I'm pissy with the media. Please forgive my rant. [But at the same time I never forget, that celebrities are behavior models for many of us. That adds some extra responsibilities] I leave it to the medical professionals. They are responsible to inform, promote and educate the benefits of bariatrics. I would never take a celebrity's advice on anything. Most things I see from celebrities are unrealistic and deceptive I would hope celebrities are not role models. Air brushed and just as flawed as anyone else. We are sold we are not good enough. We need to be young, thin, live these amazing lives with lots of money. It's all about making money. Celebrity status is sold to society. (TMZ , movies,music artists,Kardashians sports figures) We are fed news articles, their product, their commercials. All to keep them relevant and in the public eye. [Many stars are advertising very questionable health and sports products,] Amen! How many times do you see infomercials, tabloids, workout equipment, magazine ads promising quick weight loss. We know it's all BS. [you just can't claim you are doing just sports if you did a VSG - others will be trying to do the same and obviously will fail, piling up depression and diffidence.] Yes, I can and do claim that I eat healthy and workout. ( All are true statements) I don't feel the need to share my personal experience about surgery with everyone. I'm not responsible for anyone's choices and emotions in life. My eyes roll every new years when the weight loss commercials start.

Wow! Today is filled with really interesting and fairly SAD food choices. Had the surgeon's appointment this morning and it was a crap sandwich on a paper plate. My schedule was completely thrown off--up at 4:30am to get ready to go, back late this afternoon, now getting ready for a big weekend. My mood is totally tanked cuz of the DR. visit. I have a raging headache, no time to cook and nothing planned for tonight because the day was not supposed to iron out this way. "Why am I eating today" is about hunger, comfort, emotional eating. By working through my emotions I was able to channel a dinner derailment via Wendy's to a much better choice of take out blackened fish, veg and salad. 11.09.17 Daily Food Brunch-3 egg white veggie omelet (mushrooms, double spinach, 1/2oz swiss cheese, rbp, onion) + 2 pieces bacon + 1/4c cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, decaff coffee (black no creamer) L-1.75oz GS apple, 14g walnuts, 1 string cheese (mozz) AS-28g Sabra orig hummus, 1.5oz baby carrots, 1 HEB light cheese wedge (smoked gouda) D-whew! My rational brain took control back from my lizard brain! New dinner. Still a huge dinner. Will use mindfulness to eat only until the hunger abates, but not stuffed. 9oz blackened pangasius fillet, broccoli in olive oil and garlic, 1 cup side salad (romaine, grape tomatoes, red onion, blue cheese dressing) BS-8g Lily's SF dark choco chips, 8g toasted almonds Daily Totals: 1501cals; 74g protein; 94g fat; 86g carbs; 17g fiber; 69g net carbs

Are you sure about that? I have never heard or seen it used that way https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12-hour_clock The 12-hour clock is a time convention in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into two periods: a.m. (from the Latin, ante meridiem, meaning before midday) and p.m. (post meridiem, meaning past midday). Each period consists of 12 hours numbered: 12 (acting as zero). The 24 hour/day cycle starts at 12 midnight (often indicated as 12 a.m.), runs through 12 noon (often indicated as 12 p.m.), and continues to the midnight at the end of the day. The 12-hour clock was developed over time from the mid-second millennium BC to the 16th century AD. The 12-hour time convention is common in several English-speaking nations and former British colonies, as well as a few other countries.

Im 2 months post op today. Down 43 lbs total. Im finally down 1 pant size, although they do fit tight around the waist. I think i might be dow 2 shirt sizes but Im afraid to try anything smaller than 2x. People are definitely noticing my weight loss. I struggle every day with food choices. My surgeon made my pouch really small and that has prevented me from Overeating. Im no good at meals, I get full immediately and cannot eat more than 1 oz of meat at a time. So i take breaks. I recently had a wedding anniversary and hubby wanted to take me out for dinner and a movie but I conveniently did not make childcare plans. Im afraid of going out to eat bc all I can prob have is a small soup. I cannot finish a meal. I have experienced the blahs and try to take it 1 day at a time. I know this is common and hope that I can get past it.. i already feel certain cravings coming on. The only thing that has saved me is my tiny pouch and I know it will not be enough down the line. Just hoping to make it thru the holidays which include my kids' bdays. Im now averaging 2 days per week at the gym. Current weight = 244 Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

Great advise. I will. He is such a good man and somewhat gets my struggle. He is in the pharma industry and his co makes a weight loss drug. Last night he asked me if he were to work out with me and eat healthy, would I give it another try. I felt so bad bc I have worked it out and feel better about the risks and my decision. I really feel like it may work for awhile but it’s like my body and will are broken and I need this tool to help me. Been down this road so many times and wasting my 40s in this body. In the end he said we should still work out together so I woke up at 6 and jumped on the elipitical. Oh how I hate early morning workouts. Much more of a night owl. Thanks!!

Pre-RNY (Daily goals: 1500cals; 74g protein; 60-100g carbs; 25+g fiber 11.08.17-Why do I eat? Today I am only eating in response to a meal time. Even if I'm not hungry, I'm supposed to eat at this point in time so that I get used to eating on a schedule to meet my nutritional needs. I'm very regimented right now. If it's 3pm, it's time for my snack! LOL. I also am having to take in a ridiculous (for me) amount of calories pre-surgery per my doctor. She wants me on 1500cals. I feel an incredible amount of guilt eating like this right now--when I'm not hungry. But the RD said that if I feel this way now with an unaltered anatomy, it will be 10x worse after surgery and she said once surgery happens, that eating on a schedule will be the only way to get in my protein each day and my water/fluid each day. Ideally, the answer to "Why do I eat?" will be only, because I am hungry. It used to be so different. I would eat from boredom, sadness, tiredness, anger, frustration, just because food was present or I saw a commercial on TV. It was crazy behavior and I had the ass to match it at 325lbs! B: Blueberry cottage cheese yogurt and Fiber One MS: Hummus and carrots L: Chocolate peanut butter banana and fiber protein smoothie AS: Psylli iced tea; apple and peanut butter D: Grilled chicken; avo and tomatoes, broccoli and KG butter BS: SF Lily's dark choco chips and roasted almonds; strawberries Daily Totals: 1284 cals; 80g protein; 67g fat; 94g carbs; 34g fiber; 60g net carbs

I really like the Orgain products, I used them pre op and still do post op. I like them bc they don't have the artificial sweeteners etc. that some of the others have. That being said, they are not as sweet as some of the other products out there. Sometimes you can find single serve packets or individual ready made shakes of various products at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe etc. so you can try them out. Also, be aware that your tastes or tolerance for shakes may change between pre and post op. My surgeon wanted me on whey protein, which I had no problem with pre-op, post op it made me nauseous...I just gave that $90 jug of Naked Whey to a friend.

Hi!! I was banded in 2011. Went from 240 to179. In went back up to 240. Had similar problems as you regarding the fills and acid reflux. My doctor also suggested converting to bypass. I did that this June. This was my experience with the conversion. Two days after surgery I wasn’t able to keep down liquids or soft food. My follow up appointment was a week later where my doctor removed my drain. After that it went crazy! I immediately felt extreme pain and was admitted into the hospital. The next day I had emergency surgery to fix the leak that caused the pain. I woke up in the ICU with a stomach tube. there was so much scar tissue from the lap band that the leak couldn’t be fixed. I went on to get an two infection that required drains. I had two laparoscopic procedures in hopes of getting a stint. There was too much damage to place one. I stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. The leak healed on its own thanks to God. During that 2 months of healing I was being fed by the stomach tube. I wasn’t able to eat or drink orally for 2 months. At this point I’m looking at getting a dilation because it’s difficult to eat and drink some liquids. I’m weighing 166 from 240. This ride continues and I hope the dilation ends it all with Gods help. Think about this decision long and hard. Had I removed my band then waited a few months for the bypass I don’t think the outcome would be the same. However, God only knows. Hope this helps you. Please send a message if you have more questions. By the way I’m 47.

I'm glad lol, bc I started back on coffee about 2 weeks ago and it makes me happy. [emoji4]

I really really hate your attitude about this. We have turned our society into a PC mine field where we cant say anything negative about anyone and now when people are saying positive things towards you and your choice to be healthy, it offends you?? Seriously lady, I dont see many posts on this forum that make me angry , but yours just did. Its so self centered and entitled that its not even funny. To answer your question, YES you are apparently nuts. You should be embracing the positive reinforcement people are giving you. Not many people understand obesity and chose to ignore it like the 800 lb gorilla in the room and pretend to not notice it. And if they do notice it, people snap their heads off and call them fat shamers. Now they are noticing your new found health and trying to connect to you on a deeper level and understand what you went through and that bothers you? Seriously? (trust me if you heard what they said behind your back when you were fat, you would be offended) From my experiences,overweight people are NOT happy and they feel like crap 24/7, if you say otherwise I will call BS over and over again. Now get off your high horse and learn to say "Thank you" to the compliments and enjoy the newfound positive attention. .

Hi Jennifer, I know this post is over a yr old, and am hoping you are in a much better place now. Hopefully you have found some things that worked w/your specific situation to help you get the scale moving in the right direction again. But if not, or even just as possible add'l help for you or anyone else reading, these are my thoughts... With my Fibro, I started having symptoms toward the end of my 1st weight loss program, which was physician supervised, using Phen-Fen, seeing a nutritionist & exercise physiologist. I needed to lose 30 lbs+/- and I lost 31. Titrated off the meds, but even before that, started having pain in my neck & shoulders which I attributed to my job as an admin (worked a 10 line phone while typing reports all day - phone always scrunched between ear/shoulder). I was still able to keep the weight off, but 6 mos later got pregnant & that was very difficult w/pain & fatigue. Eight weeks after my daughter was born, I got back to the gym. Yes, it was painful. No, I didn't really Want to do it, but I worked hard to lose the weight the previous year. Plus the Y offered child care & that gave me 2 hrs per day to myself. I could work out for 1-1/2 hrs then use the steam room/sauna/jacuzzi (all helpful for pain) for 30 mins. Things that helped me were 1. Starting slow w/exercise & building up intensity (w/weights & cardio), 2. Stretching a lot as soon as I was done - like ASAP, 3. Using the steam room/sauna/jacuzzi at the YMCA, 4. Icing painful areas when I got home (some ppl prefer moist heat which is fine), 5. Using a topical pain relief aid such as Biofreeze - roll-on is convenient, 6. Getting a TENS unit for home use for bad areas, 7. Taking Zanaflex at bedtime to help w/muscle tightness & sleep, 8. Working out at a fairly intense pace actually works best for me for some reason (makes no sense, I know - endorphins, maybe?), but I do HAVE to slowly build up to that level whenever starting something new and/or after a flare-up or anytime there has been a pause in my work-outs. I literally start with 1 lb weights and build up to circuit weight training again. These are all the things that have helped me to stay active and lose weight despite intense pain from Fibro. As far as appetite goes, well for one thing, I am at my highest weight ever rn because I hurt my back 10 yrs ago & it's been a snowball effect. That has significantly decreased my workouts much more than the fibro did. So, I can't speak to how all of this works after having had the sleeve, but will know more on that after my surgery 12/27/17. However, I was at a point after both my parents passed where my weight was up more than usual and just working out and "eating well" wasn't working. So, my family doctor let me take just Phentermine (since Fenfluramine is now off market) as long as I came to her monthly for blood pressure/check-ups, and also went to WW for better food accountability and the YMCA for workouts. That helped me lose about 25 lbs. So, I don't know if appetite suppressants are allowed after WLS, but obviously there are new/different meds on the market now so is worth looking into (also helps w/energy & motivation to "just do it" when you are otherwise lethargic). Also, every person is completely different and I know/respect that. Some fibro patients are bedridden, some still work FT and take care of house/family. Just bc something worked for me, won't necessarily work for you, but I have 21 yrs worth of journals I've kept & those are the things that helped me the most. I really hope you are feeling so much better now. I'm sorry my posts are so long, it is one of my worst traits I think, I apologize. I try to edit but can't get my point across otherwise! Best wishes and feel free to PM me if you are still on here and want to talk or even if you have advice to help me since you are actually post-op!

Hi, I’m scared as hell to share this but here I go. I’m very sensitive so please no nasty comments... I am scheduled for gastric bypass dec. 5th, my husband and I have two children already, I found out I was pregnant and am having a abortion. Nov. 11th. I’m afraid my hcg levels will not be 0 when I go in for surgery. And then not have the surgery. I’m afraid to tell my doctor but I think it is a must when I go in for my pre op with my PCP. Just in case when they do test my levels are still present. I’m very early 5weeks at most. I have not been on BC because of bloodclots with surgery so I have been watching my cycles and the last month I must have ovulated very late. Like 5 days before my missed period. This is not a easy choice but with my weight and to carry another baby would be dangerous and high risk. My husband is having a vasectomy soon. Has this happened to anyone?

Ok, so I have been eating on a schedule for the last 3 days. I eat from 12:00pm -8:00pm and fast for the other 16 hours. This has been super easy and my fasting BS have dropped 10 points down to 78-82 from 92-98 prior to starting. I haven't noticed anything different that would make me want to stop. I drink my coffee and my diet green tea or water and just eat normally once 12:00 comes around. I definitely think the tendency to snack after dinner is not from hunger, but more from habit because I have thought to grab something while watching tv and then said no your not doing that anymore. When I really thought about it I wasn't hungry at all.

@Berry78 We don't supplement. We definitely don't take flax oil (very high in phytoestrogens=nono for hormone pos bc). We don't eat any soy either. There is some new information about how much DHA/EPA we really need derived from how little DHA/EPA is actually metabolized from CLA. The belief may now be trending to being that we don't need as much as was previously thought--much like the Vitamin D and megadoses information that's now out there. We do eat wild caught Pacific salmon, either fresh or canned about 1lb per week between the two of us--it makes 1 meal each, plus a spare meal each for breakfast or a light lunch. Then we will usually eat tilapia (responsibly farmed) or basa/pangasius for another meal--or I will have shrimp for that meal. Oh and I do eat sardines in olive oil a couple of times a month. But on the flip side, we eat very little PUFAs, so our balance of PUFA/Omega 3 isn't as bad as those who eat veggie oil and grains.

Headline: "Fish oil supplements during pregnancy don't improve child's intelligence, study says" There is a study where pregnant women consumed fish oil supplements, and the children were compared 4+ years later to the non-supplement children. The children scored the same. So the big headlines! Don't waste your money on fish oil supplements during pregnancy! Now let's back up. What is DHA? DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a fatty acid found in: Fish (salmon, mackeral, herring, tuna, whitefish, sardine, sablefish, swordfish, striped bass, tilefish, trout, bluefish, sea bass, etc.) Brains (lamb, beef, pork) Testes (lamb) mollusks (blue mussel, oysters, squid,) crustaceans (blue crab, shrimp) Our recommended average daily intake is about 0.5g. (4oz of atlantic salmon supplies about 3 times this amount.) For amounts in each of these (and other) foods, please visit: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/nutrients/report?nutrient1=621&nutrient2=629&nutrient3=851&fg=&max=25&subset=0&offset=0&sort=c&totCount=5822&measureby=g We hear a lot about the omega 3 content of seeds and nuts, and the idea that we can convert ALA to DHA and EPA. Ok, so we CAN make DHA from flax oil.. and to be sure to get enough, we should consume 1-2 Tablespoons of fresh flax oil a day. (Do your own research to see how much YOU want to take.. Flax oil can cause upset stomach, interact with medications, etc). And get this.. they caution pregnant and breastfeeding women against consuming flax seed oil. Fish is limited because of mercury, and flax seed oil because its use has been related to preterm births (likely due to its blood thinning properties). Ok, so now it looks like DHA is really important during the last 3 months of pregnancy, and for the first 2 years of life. Since brain development continues after birth, what about breast milk? I have searched all around for information, and there is are HUGE differences in the levels of DHA in breastmilk between people, based on their fish consumption. Japanese women have about seven times the DHA in their breastmilk compared to Americans. Guess who has the higher IQ scores? Average in the US is 100. Average in Japan is 105. In other words, if a baby animal is born that is deficient in DHA, there is a window of opportunity to "catch up". But, if that time frame elapses with no remediation, the window closes, and the damage is permanent. Ok, so after all that, I'll revisit that headline: "Fish oil supplements during pregnancy don't improve child's intelligence." The study evaluated the children 4 years after the mothers were supplemented. The period of rapid brain development after birth wasn't supplemented. AND the controls in the study received normal levels of DHA from their mothers.. they weren't fed deficient diets. So it is no surprise that there was little to no difference between the children. The current recommendation is to consume 8-12 oz of fish a week.

The thing with bacteria is it grows and wanes based on what it is being fed. So if the actual strains of bacteria present are the same in heavy or light people, and it's just proportionally different based on the diet differences... then a change in diet will make the proportions align, and the microbiota will be the same. But, if heavy people have completely different strains.. then they WOULD need to be recolonized with the right stuff.

My BC/BS of Texas is requiring a 6month period, 6 visits and have to show weight loss attempt Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app