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1000 calories a day? That seems like a lot. Tomorrow is my 8 weeks since surgery. People say snacking is really bad for us, but thats the only way i could imagine having more calories. I was getting 500 a day bc of the shake. With the limited amount i can eat diring 3 meals a day, it is just not possible.I eat 6-8 times a day. I've been doing this for 2 1/2 years. Its the only way I can keep my calories up. If I only ate 3 times/day I'd be sick and malnourished, too. Snacking on high Protein foods and veggies are perfectly OK. I also wouldn't have been able to meet protein goals without Protein shakes for at least the first year. If you don't like the ones you have, there are dozens of brands and flavors available and their palatibility is extremely varied.

1000 calories a day? That seems like a lot. Tomorrow is my 8 weeks since surgery. People say snacking is really bad for us, but thats the only way i could imagine having more calories. I was getting 500 a day bc of the shake. With the limited amount i can eat diring 3 meals a day, it is just not possible.

You need to call BC about your specific plan and get it in writing. They have been notoriously difficult for many of us (not only NJ).

@@Inner Surfer Girl Great article. Many factors on diabetics and surgery that are still in the research phase. The surgery does amazing things with diabetics. People off medication. Getting their health back. This is what I have experienced as a type 1 Diabetic...In perspective of complications with surgery, This is not a big thing to manage. (only two concerns driving and sleeping) I had no pancreas function before surgery. After surgery at 6 months out. My pancreas started working by releasing large amounts of insulin. The Insulin release drops your blood sugar. (reactive hypoglycemia) Normal range of blood sugar is 120 - 70. The low blood sugar can happen at any time..No pattern to them. I'm not sure how to explain this so bare with me...Here is how I manage what is going on. 6:35pm Test..BS 70..I don't want it to go lower. I eat a meal. 6:40pm test BS 66 - Drink orange juice 6:50pm test BS 105..I'm Normal 7:41pm I'm shaky dizzy..test BS 62 orange juice and a Protein & vegetable snack 8:12pm test BS 168..I feel safe enough to sleep. My lowest was 24 in the middle of the night. So with that..If I have sugar in large amounts..I will still have high blood sugar and use Insulin. I hardly use my insulin because I eat healthy and exercise. I am a well controlled type 1.

@@BCs 1000 - if you just ran 10.5km, in my book, yes that warrants a kiddie size Rocky Road

I still really haven't lost anything . When I said it was just like before surgery, I didn't mean the weight was the same. I meant the losing is the same. I can lose a couple of lbs, but I can't keep it off. On a happier note, I found a guy on Mach.com so I decided to make a profile. I barely made it out and put my picture on there, and he messaged me. He had paid extra so I could answer his message without paying. We messaged back and forth some on Match and he gave me his email address. He's definitely looking to settle down. He was married for 21 years. We've exchanged emails all day and he's going to call tomorrow. He wants to meet right away. he's my age, and he's really cute. He's an artist. I've seen his art on his profile and he's really good. I know it's stupid bc we haven't met, but I haven't been this excited about someone in a long time. He has everything on my check off list. Wish me luck. I hope he doesn't care that I'm slightly heavier than that picture.

Thank you! I never knew i can get this thin until surgery. The thinnest i remember remember being was 140 but i never thought i would go from a size 22/24 to 00/0. I know i needed something more than the sleeve bc i have lost weight many times before but could never keep it off. I choose the SADI bc i refused to have another surgery. My surgeon suggested the SADI bc i wasn't a severe diabetic so he felt it would've been fine. Originally, i was going to go with the DS but my surgeon didn't recommend it and i listened to him. I would recommend going to therapy bc trust me as the weight starts to fall off it will trigger other stuff along with looking in the mirror and not recognizing who you are. I am over two years post op and continue i continue to look/post pics bc I it is my reminder of where i was to now. What i realize is when I stop posting pics it is so easy to fall back in to old bad habits along with eating carbs. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted! Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well. The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying. Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous? Hi. It's so interesting to read on your experience, thanks for sharing. Different surgeons seem to have different approaches. I'm currently at your BMI and my surgeon thinks I'm a perfect candidate for gastric sleeve. I do have co-morbidities, however, but apart from severe sleep apnea the others are mild. My goal, like yours, is to get a tool for making a lifestyle change so as to avoid more severe co-morbidities as I age. I'm currently 46 and am facing some major risk factors if I don't make changes soon. My surgeon was completely understanding. I'm glad you got referred to the pre-surgery program and hope your team can be more understanding and less dismissive. Because I'm reasonably healthy and my weight is equally proportioned across my body, people too have questioned me needing to seek surgical solution. However, when I read the literature on morbid obesity and the fact the dieting only successful for 2-4% of the obese population, it makes sense to me to look for something more effective rather to continue to diet and fail. Sleeve gastrectomy, with low risks for complications, has demonstrated an average loss of 65% of excessive weight loss for people who are obese. Wow! It's interesting too the issue you raised on height measurement. I was initially denied by FEP because of a height in my chart from a specialty care appointment that was 2 inches above my actual height. I had my primary care doc verify my height and then we resubmitted with a letter from my doc about my height over time. So, get all your med records that have you listed as 5' 2" so that this can be submitted. Ask your PCP to write a letter with a reading of your height and bmi, and if possible, their support for your having this surgery. I'm more excited than scared. I really feel like this is going to be so beneficial for me. Thanks for asking. If you want, I'm happy to follow-up after the surgery to let you know if I feel the same way!

I honestly have been floating all day because I'm in such shock that I've been approved, if you have seen my previous postings about BS/CA then you know why. Needless to say, while I'm ecstatic about this, my nerves are on an all time high! I don't know what's come over me, I just suddenly feel nervous almost to a point where I want to back out. I'm asking myself "Are you SURE you want to do this???" Will I be another successful story? or will I fail? I am also afraid to tell my family (mom, dad, sisters) because I know they are against any wls as they live, GF, fat free, sugar free, vegetarian, lives....so they wonder why I cant as well. While my goal is to use this tool to eat better and get to a somewhat healthy weight, they don't get it. Also I still haven't gotten down to the final weight my Surgeon set my goal for before surgery. I explained to them on today that I was concerned about that and felt that I needed more time before scheduling the surgery but I was assured that I am fine as long as I haven't gained weight, they wont turn me away on surgery day. My date is set for June 16th, pre-op June 8th. Has anyone felt like this before, prior to surgery? I'm shaking as I typed this lol

Hi I had FEP as well. Keep us posted on the outcome. My guess is that your surgeon will be able to identify at least one co-morbidity in your health history. FEP did not approve my surgery initially bc they thought I was below 35 bmi but they eventually approved when I resubmitted. I would assume as one gets closer to 40 BMI that they would be more willing to approve. Keep us posted! Sooo I had my initial consult with the surgeon, and I ended up clocking in at a 39.3 BMI. I am a bit disappointed that the nurse insisted my height was 5'3, when I think I'm closer to 5'2 and have been measured at that height multiple times by my PCP and other providers. The inch difference would have meant that I probably wouldn't need to prove co-morbities. But, oh well. The appointment itself also was not what I would have expected...the surgeon and resident seemed surprised I was interested in surgical treatment of obesity. The resident also commented that I was smaller and healthier than the patients he normally sees in the clinic. I didn't really think that was a compliment nor helpful. They seemed to get it a little more when I explained my rational that I want to get this surgery to help me lose weight before I develop diabetes and other weight related health complications. The surgeon ended up enrolling me in the pre-surgery program, so I am happy about that. Now I just have to wait and see if my insurance will end up paying. Anyways, I see your surgery is coming up fast, @@kadie777! Are you excited? Nervous?

Just got off the phone with BC/BS. I GOT APPROVED!!!!! I'm at work with the biggest smile. My surgery date is June 24th!!! Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

heheh - that's the thing with my sister - I may not have given birth to her, but I did raise her as my parents were never home - or if they were it was usually after she was already fed and put to bed. From the time she was brought home until I left her when she was 19 to move to texas (granted she came down with me 4 months later) - she was(and still is) my world, she kept me from making a lot of bad choices in my life because I had to be there for her. So, basically she is/was the child I will never have You're right though - now that she is grown I really shouldn't try to push my views on her, but its hard to keep them to myself when I'm STILL trying to teach her things. She has come so far, and she is a better person then I ever will be. I tell her that and she just gives me the whatever manda look.

Iagree2shine, Harsha, and LisaaMergs, Username Taken, I just got super excited reading how fast BC/BS approved your surgery. It's so refreshing to know they won't have me waiting a long time for approval Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Shaydi.laine.....yes I will, as long as you return the favor by calling me out on my bs when it's needed! Our posts to the OP are saying the same thing, even if we said it differently. I have a feeling you and I have walked many of the same roads. That's how you get smart and independent. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hun... you are NOT a loser... you are human ! It is a difficult diet to stick to... and i am pretty sure that a majority of us have had that thought of cheating post op. However... the reason the post op diet is so strict is because we need to heal. solid food (as you learned the hard way) can cause pain... a leak or a number of surgical complications. Take it as a lesson learned and try to keep yourself busy when you have this feeling... it won't be forever only a couple of weeks.... in the grand scheme of things... its a small percentage of your journey. Is a sausage worth spending weeks in hospital because of a leak? Is it worth having to be fed by a tube? Is it worth being on liquids for weeks? Cause that is what potentially could happen! If you feel the need to do it again... come to us... we will talk you out of it.. we are here to support each other

@@Luckygrl well your surgeon is wrong too. i was told most people don't reach their goal weight. that last 20lbs rarely comes off. bs. i reached my original goal and now i'm on my way to 140. it's all within your reach. don't listen to anyone cuz everyone's journey (and body) is different. best of luck to you!

Good Afternoon Everyone, Called BC/BS today and they said they received all my info for surgery on yesterday and it is pending. I'm praying for approval so I can get my surgery. I'm ready for the new lifestyle! Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

allyrenee....take a deep breath. You might not like all of what I am saying, but I hope you will let yourself hear it, even a little bit. There's probably some truth in what shaydi.lane said ... AND some truth in what you replied. Neither one of you are completely wrong, and that probably stings. You're a little younger than my son, so I am going to say to you what I tell him: no matter what you have to do to get it, you need a cushion of what I call "God-Forbid-Money" .... an amount of money that YOU DO NOT TOUCH unless the situation warrants you gasping and muttering "God forbid..." (life and death, fire, safety, illness...). Money for a plane or train or bus ticket in case someone you love 1000 miles away dies (or is suddenly dying and you want to say goodbye before they pass), money in case the person who pays the rent suddenly can't bc of illness, money to cover the co-pay if you suddenly needed to pay for a medicine your life depended upon, money to pay for that same medicine for an infirm loved one, money to fix the furnace if it dies in the middle of a snowstorm, money if you break down driving in the middle of the night driving through a different state and you need a tow and a repair and a motel. Money for the things you don't plan on....like the situation you find yourself in, where someone on whom you were counting can't come through for you. You have to be able to come through for yourself. If you can't, you live in chains. When you need to build up the funds for that "God-Forbid-Money", NO WORK IS BENEATH YOU IN THE SHORT TERM (babysit, cut lawns, go on care.com and sign up to run errands for people, drive for uber, clean houses, get a PT job anywhere, take care of kids after school for people who work, make telemarketing calls at night, clean office buildings at night, sign up at a temp agency...). Do anything short of selling your body or your integrity. Because the peace of mind that comes from having God-Forbid-Money is huge. If you have it, no one holds you (or your health) hostage. For you, it might be $1000 in the bank or tucked under your mattress. Whatever you think your number is, increase it by another 50%. Because emergencies are always more expensive than you expect. This is a big moment for you. You get to decide who you want to be, and how you want to be. You probably have more power to chart your own course than you realize. Dig deep. Show the world who you are. Plus....you might want to start a little separate fund for supplements, Vitamins, and -- hooray -- the new clothes you will legitimately need on your way down the scale. Even if you shop at Goodwill, you're looking at $50 a month I bet, bc you will also need new underwear, bras, etc. You're a young adult, too young to already feel burdened by bad credit and relying on other people this much. You deserve something different, and only you can make it happen. Get out of this mess, honorably. Straighten things out, fix the credit, save more money, get your surgery when you can on your own terms without relying on just an extra $1000 from your parents, channel your determination and anger positively. Let your real self out. Not a sassy, defensive version of yourself....let your REAL SELF out. It takes a lot of work. It is scary to realize that once you are 22 years old, it really is all in your hands, it's all your responsibility now. But the beauty is, once you do this you will not only be charting your own course, you will have the ability to help those who truly have no options through no fault of their own. And help those who helped you on your way up. You are too valuable to let $1000 hold your life in the balance. You are bigger than that. So, LIVE bigger than that. And get yourself some God-Forbid-Money over the next few months.

I have a bread craving, I'd kill my granny for a crusty loaf and lump of french butter. Maybe it's because I'm sort of disappointed. I know in reality you don't wake up a size 10 after your op but there in the back of your mind there's a glimmer of hope so I guess I feel my weight's not coming off fast enough. I seem to have stalled somewhat. I'm still not getting the scales out the shed until next month so I may be wrong but I just don't feel any skinnier and not one person has asked me if I've lost weight. Think I'm just fed-up.

I have BS of California and I was approved in 24 hrs BUT my doctor decided to do a "predetermination" of benefits first with the local insurance office and this voluntary process (that I didn't even know existed until yesterday) took 9 days. Day 10 sent the documents to BS of CA, and I was approved today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, I completely feel the same way and genuinely agree with ur opinion totally!! I've always been a big child, big kid, big teen, & big adult. I've blamed it on shotty genetics, stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, recovery, and of course the birth of my kids. I am what I am and it is what it is, and I've finally accepted that about myself, life, and my future. Also, tried a billion weight loss supplements including prescription as well that never even seem to work while with a diet regime and exercise routine all the while with it. But that's been years ago since I've even tried at all to get a little healthier, take care of myself better, and/or loss any kinda weight. And, I just snapped and got fed up being the pretty faced fast girl in the group. So, 1st, I got clean & sober and made Damn sure I knew I could keep it that way and stay sober for good being it's a completely total LifeStyle Change that you've got to stay super motivated and determined with. As of, May 10th, 2016, I've been completely sober for exactly, 1 year & 14 days, as of today, May 24th, 2016. I'm very beyond PROUD of myself for that goal and now that I've gotten a different kinda healthier, I just have a gut feeling, like I just know, it's finally time to finally make this, "Lifestyle Change," too. It'll help alleviate so many different issues that I seem to suffer from. Such as; self-esteem issues, problems in the bedroom in my 6 year relationship, my breathing, me actually wanting to do/complete an activity, take away both knees & constant back pain, depression, anxiety, relationship problems standardly in general, and I think I'd just finally find some sort of peace within myself/my life, finally. SO, weighing in @ 325.2 lbs ,5-20-16, they started me on, Phentermine 37.5mg tablets once daily, for the 2nd time ever due to NOT LOSING ANY WEIGHT AT ALL 1st TIME ON IT. Doc instructed me that if I didn't lose at least, 10-15 lbs, by, 6-20-16, that'd he'd not ever be writing me another Rx for it. Sammie Nealy

I was denied today bc they asked after my 1st approval for the food and exercise logs but they wouldn't say how many they wanted. So we turned in 3 months worth. They also denied bc I had a low PFT, bc I was sick. So peer to peer is going to happen now. I'm 10 months in, and still fighting MHS Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

Dr. Illan in BC. I'm super excited!!

You don't want to get me started... This entire thing is BS, it's all to discourage people... The insurance company rather see you dead, it's cheaper or maybe not depends on the cause of death lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Someone help me!! My NUT won't allow me to eat a tablespoon of coconut oil to help me go..... I take 4 tablespoons Fiber daily, I take magnesium citrate, I drink 100-120oz Water a day, I eat two yogurts a day, I have 1oz fiber food a day with dinner (all my NUT allows at this point) and i liter had the mkst excruciating poop of my life. My pouch hurt for three days bc i couldn't poop and then I pooped a the biggest I have ever done....and now one day later I have more impacted Stool. I am trying fleet enemas and the nasty ole glove and finger but I can't take going through this again. The pain is horrific.