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My insurance required 3 month supervised program. I used that time to read everything I could on all the sleeve forums. I listened to people discuss different Protein powders/RTD and bought those that were most popular. I've copied recipes for each stage post op. I quit drinking with my meals. I find it so much harder to do when I'm at a restaurant. The 3 months has flown by. I now feel like I have a good "arsenal" waiting for me after surgery. lol I will be sleeved next week. Good luck on your journey! It sounds like you are making some great changes now. You will be glad you did.

I had my surgery June of 2015 - so I'm in your range. I'm in maintenance and eat 1200-1400 kcal a day. I malabsorb Protein, so I make a double Protein shake every morning and sip on it all day. So that's like 200-300 calories right there, depending on what I put in it. Then I usually eat around 200 kcal for Breakfast, around 300 or so for lunch and dinner. I often have a snack in the evening, too - like yogurt. If I didn't do the protein shake, I'd probably have a couple of low-calorie Snacks during the day, like a hard-boiled egg or one of those Fit & Light Greek yogurts. I'm not a gym rat, but I try to get to the gym 2-3 times a week (mostly strength-training and/or Water aerobics). I also go to a yoga class 1-2x a week.

You sound like you are doing exactly what you should. Main focus on staying hydrated, and yes, for the first week or so it is a full time job, or at least feels like it is. Have you tried Unjury chicken soup? Protein packed and very tasty. Warm liquids of any kind went down easier for me initially so the soup was a god send. I also heated the milk with my chocolate protein powder and drank it like hot cocoa the first week or so. The noises calmed more and more every day after my surgery, if you get more sore, try a heating pad. But you really sound as if you are doing great. Congratulations and best of luck!

I'm on day 5 of pre-op all liquid diet. I have surprised myself at how well I've handled it. However, I'm struggling right now! It's Friday night and we would normally eat out. Instead, I am cooking a yummy meal for my family at home (which they will love). When I stopped for groceries on the way home I realized that I had forgotten to drink my 2:00 shake and I was hungry (maybe the 5th true hungry I have felt this week)! So, grocery shopping that hungry was hard! I got home and began prepping the meal (cooking has been strangely helpful this week as it keeps me busy and after I cook and clean up I don't feel like eating). I fixed a cup of coffee with unflavored protein- I had to force it probably because I let myself get over-hungry. I popped a big popper full of popcorn for my kids (who am I kidding- I wanted to smell it and savor the scent)....it's never smelled so delicious! I ate 6 kernels and I'm so mad at myself. I've been the pre-op diet saint! I just needed to come here and confess and apologize

Looking for perspective from those just out. How are you doing. Ups and downs? Pain level? Mood?

YES!!! Several years ago I did the Raw Diet. I juiced everyday multiple times per day. Actually...I'm pretty sure I ONLY did juice for the first couple of weeks. I lost 80 lbs in three months. It was awesome. But the amazing part was all of the other health benefits. Glowing Skin...and I mean glowing. People would stop and ask me what I was using on my skin. I stopped wearing make-up because my face was totally flawless. Super Shiny hair....my hair had this beautiful sheen to it. It totally stopped falling out in the shower and the hairbrush. It grew longer and thicker. Same with my fingernails. More Energy....I was popping up in the morning so refreshed and alive. I didn't need as much sleep! It was like all of those fresh vegetables were making every atom and cell ALIVE. No Cravings For Processed food....now this was the best part. After about two weeks eating only raw food I lost ALL of my food cravings. I could be around and even cook food and not have any urges to eat it. It was like once the processed crap was out of my system, my system didn't yearn for it anymore. It totally showed me how food is physically addictive. I wish wish wish I could go 100% Raw again. But that whole process was so psychological and I've never been able to go to that space since. I was going through a divorce and spiritual awakening/transformation and PURGING myself of so many toxic things, food being one of them. I still juice, but not like I did during my Raw phase. It was really cool.

How are you doing Teachamy? I see you were only done in Dec? What was it like your first week home.. What did you eat and how often. I hope I bought the right things to have in the house. My Nut was sending me something to go on by email but I could not open it, now it is coming by mail.... so I had to shop without it... JewelJ

HI I joined forum today. In November 2012 I started my journey...my insurance required 9 months with a medical doctor for weight loss efforts. I completed it and all other test and clearances by August 2013. I didn't hear anything for about 2 months. I tried to contact the clinic and all they kept telling me was the person over the department had to review my file and send it to insurance. Called my insurance and they said it only take maybe a week for approval BUT no one sent then anything. Frustrated, it seemed when I called the clinic to get some direction people avoided my calls and began not being as friendly as they had been before. Now, I wasn't calling a lot and I even told the redeptionist I understand workers are busy and things take time I just wanted to know a time limit..1mth...3...6..before my paper work is submitted to insurance? Everyone who has been through the process knows for insurance it is time sensitive because after a certain amt of time I would have to start my 9mths all over again. Then one day the receptionist said well you need to speak with the coordinator she has some questions...ok 2 mth later and you are just telling me this? At this time I had postponed starting a new position because I couldn't miss any days during my 6 week training. Left a message for coordinator to contact me..stil nothing I had to start my training. In my 3rd week of training she finally called me at 8am in the morning and she wasn't friendly at all. I was told that since I had gained weight during the 9 mths that they need me to do another psych eval which I was cleared before. They all knew I was seeing one of their doctors for weight loss using phentermine which I lost 22lbs in 3 mths 20 in the first 2 mths. I had gained 10 of those back during the last 7mths being off the meds and by law you can't be on for more than 3mths at a time. This has been my weight loss struggle for over 20 yrs I would do well on some meds until the effect wore off and although still trying weight over the years would creep back on plus some. We all know that story. I was very upset that it took them 3 mths to get in touch with me to tell me they wanted another psych eval and my insurance company was stunned as well they even said "It is proven that usually people who take meds for weight loss regain some if not all and more weight back after the dosage has stopped". I was not happy...I am ok with the waiting process as long as things are moving forward but it was the disregard I felt that made me uncomfortable. So I thought if it is this hard to get and answer and the feeling I was bothering those who are suppose to help...how will my after care be? How will the surgery go? One lady in one of my nutrition classes said her April 2013 surgery was postponed due to sergeon not being available and it was July and she was still waiting for a new date. So I called another hospital OSU Medical Center. They scheduled me for intake. I met the coordinator first who was very nice and gave me a lot of information on what she will be doing for me during the process (she will handle paper work for insurance) and same day met the nurse who went over all my options because they do all 3 surgeries at OSU (I stuck with lapband) and after her met with the nutritionist. They received my paper work from the other clinic and if all goes well all I would need to do is 4 weeks of nutrition with OSU (once per week) and meeting with the surgeon because everything else hopefully is done. They did their own lab work on me but will accept all my other clearances. I felt comfortable and at home at OSU. Crossing fingers that I can get approved and maybe surgery before the summer. I will finishing up my degree in April this year as well! woot woot lol Looking forward to the support this forum offers & future banding friendships. ~Blessings

did you meet with his staff yet? I'm going tomorrow for my first visit. Had my sleep study already. Looking forward to seeing how much weight I lost in my first 4 weeks of ore op!

I was more excited than nervous Bc I knew this was leading up to the new me. Also, if I'm not compliant with a 2 week diet, how can I be compliant with an entire lifestyle change? You can do this. Sure, it sucks. It's no fun. But it is doable.

Hi. I am 1 week post op today. I so understand the Yikes.. I am doing very well, much better then I expected. I agree the work is just begining but how amazing to finally be on the winning side of this battle. I just joined this forum for support. I wish you all the best & update to let us know how you are doing!

I've noticed this too. I just as calm and at peace with the whole thing. I'm glad to, because I wasn't two weeks ago. Meeting with the hospital staff and doctor has really made me feel better. This blog as me ready for anything that might come up so I am ready to go!!

I'm "in the closet" as well, only my best buds and immediate family know. I know exactly how you feel, starting two week liquid pre-op tomorrow. You can do this!!! Good luck and God bless!

This surgery is not cosmetic.. That's quite ridiculous. I'm a "technical partner" at a local hospital. I do patient care, vitals, phlebotomy, ekg's.. The list is long. But anyways, I'm banking 3 weeks at the most. I know there's going to be lift restrictions like there was when I had my gall bladder out last July. I was out 2.5 weeks for that. I also have a nurse and unit clerk that had the sleeve and I believe they were out around 3 weeks.

I've lost 6 pounds this past week. I actually hate the my fitness pal app. I have a 30 pound goal in 8 weeks. I think I can do it! !

I'm so excited! I meet with the surgeon on May 20th to set a date...I'm praying for the first week of July!

First of all congrats on your future surgery. I had mine two weeks ago and will be starting classes in two weeks. I'm just working on my bachelors- so my work load may not be as much but I'll be taking 12 credit hours this summer and working about 35 hours a week. I also did self-pay in Mexico. During the first and second weeks I was tired at times but honestly I feel great and wish classes would begin earlier. I think if you prepare in advance and make a definite eating plan you should be ok - but If it were possible doing it even a couple of weeks earlier might help. Good luck!!!

After the first 3 weeks I felt fine and at the 4 week mark was cleared to work out. It's all about how you are going to feel. For me I dont see the issue in doing it few weeks before school.

Congratulations, Do not forget that you need to be up and walking every hour for 10 minutes. Do not be lazy about this. It doesn't hurt. The only thing that "hurts" is the gas pressure and some people don't even have that. The more you walk the less gas pain you will have. The first 48 hours are the toughest and each hour after you are in recovery it gets better and better. Do not set yourself up for disappointment or failure. Your body will do what it needs to do on its own, Don't force anything. Measure yourself and take photos weekly, When you come back and complain you are in a "stall" your actually not in a stall. You are probably losing inches or your body is shifting. A stall is nothing lost at all weight or inches in over 30 days. You are going to do amazing. I can't wait to see your journey. Sarah

You should feel tons better a week out. Truth be known make sure you get in your liquids and you should be fine! Best Wishes for you both! Tina

I have read oodles of post here searching for the information that will set my mind at ease. I've been looking for the answer that "everything will be alright". That the my decision in going to Mexico to get a Surgery that will make my 19 years of obesity a thing of the past. My biggest dwelling point is whether am I picking the right Surgical team. I have looked up all the information I can find -which is not a great deal- about Dr. Osuna at Specialized Beriatrics. Does anyone have any experience with Dr Osuna? I will be sure to post a long and detailed account of my experience with her, because I want to be around for a long, Long time. Also because I want you to know that I made it ( : Please if you have any advice about her, her team, and any suggestions on how to settle down and let go of all the anxiety let me know. Thanks Surgery date: May 28, 2014 Specialized Beriatrics, Dr. Osuna Mi hospital Tijuana MX 43y/o 306lb s/w 298lb 1-1/2 weeks pre/op

Do you have full day or half day with them? I teach 4th graders, and I felt fine going back after a week... I *think* two weeks is the a general amount of time that doctors advise taking off. If I had kiddos that little I would take the two full weeks. The tiredness and lower energy level lingers for a few weeks, so if you have full days you might even want 3 full weeks off (since you have the days). There is no real way to predict how fast you will bounce back.

Hang in there you can do it! Also, by cutting back on carbs now, when you do your liquid diet your cravings and headaches will already be behind you. It will make your post op easier. One month before my pre op liquid diet I cut all my carbs and sodas. I didn't lose very much, but my two week liquid pre op diet was a breeze because I didn't have any cravings. Everything you do to help before surgery is a good idea. Good luck to you!!

After years of research and finally making up my mind to make the choice to improve my quality of life. I am starting to feel this will NEVER happen..and I am bombed about it. I have been waiting for this surgery for years now. I did my research and decided on which I wanted and I made up my mind do have gastric bypass. At the time the insurance I had did not cover bariatric surgery. I swicted jobs a few years later and FINALLY the ins co I had would cover... I made up my mind to have surgery! I called my insurance company to see what was necessary I was told that my plan did NOT require the supervised weight loss. My surgeon's office was told them same thing. In January 2015 I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, so of course wls was put on the back burner. I am over that and all healed up so I go back to my weight loss journey. I get to one of my last appts last week (Nutrition) and was advised that I my insurance requires me to be on a 6 mo medically supervised weight loss plan...WHAT?!!!!! I know that a lot of people have to do this so when I 1st called my insurance company to see what was necessary I specifically asked that question and I was told that my plan did NOT require the supervised weight loss. My surgeon's office was told them same thing. I really wanted to get this done this year because I have met my annual deductible and the surgery would be covered by my insurance co 100%. ..a 6 month diet plan means I wont be done until December. Which will probably push my approval (surgery) into 2016..I can not afford to pay the high deductibles and fees. I am sooo disappointed and hurt. I was really beginning to accept this was going to happen...I am crushed...devastated!! I just want off this ride. Hopefully something can be worked out somehow...but if not...I am afraid that the "life" I have now is what is as good as it is going to get. has this happened to ANYONE else or does anyone know about how long the approval process takes???

They legally have to tell you all that most ppl don't experience any major problems although I will say it's an adjustment for sure it takes time to get used to and the first few weeks can be really hard and it feels like it won't get better but it really does I has a real emotional roller coaster ride I think partly because I felt so incredibly weak for a few weeks but once I got enough fluids and some meds adjusted and forced myself to get up and do things if just for a few mins here and there I started to feel so much better