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I eat Chomps as a snack...they are grass fed beef/turkey/venison sticks. They have 90 calories and 9 grams of protein. About an ounce and a half. I also add collagen powder to my coffee (9 grams of protein, plus good for skin and hair) and 1/4 of a protein shake, usually caramel Premier Protein or Fairlife Vanilla (approximately 7.5 grams of protein). Throw in a Greek yogurt and you are almost there!

I have BC/BS Federal because my hubby and I worked for DoD. I started everything not too far in the new year of 2017 and had surgery in July. I don't remember exact dates. I can look it up for you if you want a somewhat closer timeline than what I provided.

I told my work that I was having gallbladder removal surgery (which I did, it was just while I was also having gastric bypass) but I had to tell our Human Resources office everything for me to qualify for FMLA bc the hospital fills out the paperwork. But legally they are not allowed to tell anyone about you or your medical history.

Hello all. I have been browsing the forum for a while and been building up the courage to write what’s been going on to see if this is normal. Got a vertical sleeve 9/25. Today according to my doctor I would be on soft. The first few weeks of liquid weren’t bad but I was over pushing a few things nothing crazy. Long story short I have been trying different things like corned beef, tuna, refried beans, chicken lemon rice soup and I can’t eat anything. Everyday I feel sick every meal I feel like **** excuse my language I can’t get throughout the day without a nap. I started taking vitamins this bariatric ones but they taste nasty but they help sometimes but not with my mood I’m honestly getting depressed. I barely eat because everything feels like it’s getting stuck in my throat or upsets my stomach. They want me having 80 grams of protein a day I can’t even manage 10... I can’t even eat a whole string cheese without feeling like I’m going to vomit. This is getting harder as it goes on for me and it’s making me regret everything. My weight pre op was 340 I got down to 325 before surgery and an 293 now but it’s because I literally barely eat bc I’m afraid too. I can’t drink water fast so I barely drink water bc I have to take small sips or I choke on it. I almost die every night in the middle of the night when I wake up thirsty and forget to drink slow. Is this normal? I call my doctor and they blame it on me. I started smoking again last week but have felt this way prior. I had some internal bleeding in my abdominal tissue but it cleared up. The last 2 weeks have been the worse. Cereal went down ok but even eggs give me trouble and even when I do eat it’s literally 1-5 bites max and I’m done.

i couldn't stand protein shakes (except the cookies and cream premier one) after surgery and they tasted like garbage.. i gagged on them.. which was weird bc i loved them before surgery. i find my tolerance to spice to be a lot less, which sucks w/the 30-30-30 rule. and sometimes if i have a real sugar-treat, it doesn't taste the same.. not as good as i remember.

I agree with you. Checking in and letting go helps to keep us more sane. I hear ya! I'm on the extended release kind for Metformin and I've been rather miserable on it. Early on I told my PCP (primary care physician) that it was causing havoc on my stomach, but he said all medication will have some form of side effect and for me to choose which one I'm going to live with. Well... I figured I'd just stick to metformin. My appointment went well. I asked the surgeon so many questions that I thought he was going to kick me out! LOL He was very patient and allowed me to shoot away. I asked him things like "What size bougie do you use and why? How does the bougie size relate to GERD? How big will my pouch be? Do you staple and suture? Is it okay to mix Miralax in water? Does sleeve make you susceptible to diverticulitis attacks? How many incisions will you make? Do your patients complain about excessive pain? What do you do to get the gas out as this is very important to me? Do your patients complain about lack of energy? If so how long did it last? What is your complication rate? Do you use an epidural? Approximately how many of your patients experience hair loss? He game me a cuddle bear to bring with me to the surgery. It was a nice touch. I don't have to start my preop till the weekend, but I've decided to start tomorrow. Originally I thought I'd have to start today, so the two extra days were a bonus for me. Since my friend (she's not having surgery) is going to do the preop diet with me, I decided to start tomorrow. I've been having food funerals as it's been referred to in the message boards. In doing so, I'm actually getting fed up of food. My family is quite enjoying all the restaurant foods we've been ordering. We don't do the cheaper fast foods, so our pockets don't feel the same way about this phase!

I had the ESG 10/08 in Atlanta at Georgia Surgi care. I like the doctor and the staff. IDK if this matters but the facility is beautiful and clean which made me feel more comfortable. The total was $7000 ( I caught it on a special) usually its more expensive. I was 320 on 10/08 the day of surgery. Today I am 302 10/19 i have lost 18lbs in 11 days. I go in for my 2 week post op check up on 10/22. If this helps this is not my first weight loss procedure I had gastric sleeve 2 years ago and lost 118lbs and i had 57 pounds of regain which is what made me have ESG. ESG recovery: For me the first night was TERRIBLE when I got home I vomited over 20 times. Which I really don't know if it was the anesthesia or the procedure bc I experienced the exact same thing with VSG two years ago. I started soft foods diet on day 7 and I do have discomfort and general malaise. I feel very tired all the time... I stayed out of work for 1 week. I know this tired feeling is from lack of eating and not drinking enough water.. I force myself to drink protein & water..... I have started eating eggs and I can eat 1/2 of 1 egg. I also ate oatmeal which was maybe 2-3 spoons and that was all i could hold....

I have completed the blood w, Upper gi etc. Now waiting for PEvaluation report then submit to BCBS FED. Hope I get respond soon! 😊

Hey all!! I have my vsg scheduled for Nov 6. I feel like I need to be preparing, but I have no idea what to prepare for. I am flying to San Diego on the 6th and having surgery the same day in Tijuana at Hospital BC. I am so nervous and excited! I could use any advice you have. What to bring, what to prepare at home before I leave, anything! My Dr put me on a 3 day liquid diet. What did you all drink during that time? What did you love to eat afterwards? What should I buy now to stock up for after surgery? Please help!

Hello, I am getting sleeved at Hospital BC in Tijauana and wanted to know how people have handled their post-op care after being discharged and returning to the states. I know I will be able to get my lab work done through my PCP, but was wondering if and how anyone else may have handled this.

Does BCBS FED approve GSleeve?

Excellent point, and agreed. I felt very taken aback by the response bc I didn’t feel like the OP came here for the straight talk and some of the responses were directed at things I had said. In either case, I realize the forum is open to all types of individuals, some of us need or want positive reinforcement while others are looking for the opposite. Regardless, let’s all make today a great day! 😀

Im def not saying the price tag isn’t a factor bc it is. I won’t sink myself financially for this but I’m just saying picking the surgeon for a good fit for me is over the price. But price is too high then I’ll have to just wait in that case and save more.

I've copied mine below. I've been told to stick to 800 calories per day and couldn't do this if including a carb at both lunch and dinner, so dropped the carb in the evening meal. I asked the dietitian why the diet isn't shakes - she said that they find that people get very fed up with the shakes if they have them both pre and post-op and also that this is designed to get you into the habit of 3 small meals and 2 snacks. Hope this helps. "The diet is designed to give you approx 100g of carbohydrate per day. Try to opt for complex carbohydrates as these will help to fill you up more than refined or white bread, rice and pasta etc. The diet is low in fat and moderate in protein and low in calories, providing approx 800-1000 kcal. Breakfast: (15g carbohydrate) : 3 tbsp (20g) of BranflakesTM or Fruit & FibreTM or 4 tbsp (15g) of CornflakesTM or Rice Krispies TM or 1 Shredded wheatTM or 1½ WeetabixTM or 5 tbsp (35g) of All BranTM or 25g of porridge oats or 1 slice medium sliced toast with scraping of spread Lunch: (15-20g carbohydrate): 1 slice medium slice wholegrain bread or toast or 2 ryvitas/ wholegrain crackers or ½ bagel or ½ pitta bread or ½ bread roll or ½ Chapatti with: 2 eggs or 50g (1½ oz) cheese (no more than 3 portions per week) or 8 wafer thin packet slices of ham/chicken/ turkey or 100 g (4 oz) chicken, e.g. a chicken breast without skin or 100g (4 oz) meat or 100g (4 oz) fish or 100g (4 oz) Quorn,/tofu, or pulses or 100g (4 oz) pulses (including chickpeas, beans and lentils) with plenty of vegetables and salad (with fat free dressing if required) *limit root vegetables to 80g maximum per meal e.g.: turnip, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, swede etc. *limit sweetcorn to one tablespoon per meal whilst following this pre-operative diet as this is high in carbohydrate. Evening Meal: (20g carbohydrate): 180g potatoes (boiled/mashed/roast) or 3 egg-sized (180g) new potatoes or 60g / 2 tbsp cooked rice/pasta with: 2 eggs or 50g (1 ½ oz) cheese or 8 wafer thin packet slices of ham/chicken/turkey or small chicken breast without skin or 100g (4 oz) meat or fish or 100g (4 oz) Quorn, tofu, or pulses such as lentils/beans/ quick peas with plenty of vegetables/salad (with fat free dressing if required) Additional allowances throughout the day (40g carbohydrate): two portions of fruit or one portion of 150ml fruit juice, 1/3 pint (200ml) of semi-skimmed milk for drinks and cereal OR (one small pot (125g) low fat/low sugar yoghurt per day (diet or ‘lite’ varieties), aim for at least 2 litres a day of free fluids i.e. Unlimited water, tea, coffee, low-calorie squash, low-calorie fizzy drinks Fruit portions list A serving of fruit is 80g: 2 small fruit e.g. plums, apricots, satsumas 1 medium fruit e.g. apple, orange, banana 1 slice of very large fruit e.g. melon, pineapple ½ a grapefruit/avocado 1 cupful of berries e.g. strawberries, raspberries or grapes 3 heaped tbsp fruit salad (fresh or tinned in fruit juice) or stewed fruit 1 tbsp of dried fruit e.g. raisins, sultanas"

Hey there- I’m a lower BMI patient and do not meet my insurance criteria for coverage. Have decided to self pay at blossom Bariatrics. I have such fear over complications and my normal insurance not covering them bc they would be the result of an uncovered surgery. Does anyone know of any supplemental insurance coverage you can buy for this type of elective procedure?

I know this is an old thread, but I’m so happy to have found it and be able to see I’m not alone. I’ve been spotting every two weeks for the last two months. I had bypass on May 15th and had to stop taking bc. I started back up two months later and was regular, then all of a sudden I started getting the cramps and cravings with little to no spotting. But now it’s like a full blown slaughter going on. Will this regulate?

I had to go in alone w/covid. My friend dropped me off and visited me that day (we were allowed 1 visitor at a time, and they had to wear a mask and stay in the room) and another friend picked me up. I put my brother down as the contact bc I knew he would answer his phone to an unknown number before my parents. I also had my phone in the waiting area.. they let me have it right up until I was wheeled back. It helped me a lot.. I was fine without people.. I did my pre-op journey alone so I felt it was symbolic to do my surgery alone as well. And the nurses and staff didn't say anything.. and I'd ask if you can have your phone so you can be connected to your support system.

My first year I *did* look sick, nothing like I looked before. A manager in another city did the same operation 8 months ahead of me without my knowing and he looked sick. While we may be feeling better, our bodies are going through tremendous stresses and may make us look sick compared to our well fed former selves. Seeing us 6-12 months ago and now can be quite a shock. I took it as concern, not judgement. I would just say I was feeling good and move on. Others would say I was looking good, to which I would just say I was feeling good and move on. Not every honest perception that is not favorable is 'judgement.' Of course, y'all know who you hang with and how their minds work. Good luck, Tek

i was concerned w/not pooping.. bc honestly, a good poop sets the tone for my day (no shame.. I accept who I am) but my team told me that after surgery, i'd be going 1/2 as often as i used to. So if I had 1 movement before surgery, i'd have 1 every other or every 2 days. Thankfully, I'm at about 1x a day now, but when i wasn't having a bowel movement, i def made sure to take my vitamins and drinks all my water.. it got things going. 💩 also, if i go more than 3 days, i might "cheat" and have something i know will get things going. i always track, tho.

Aw i understand. I went through all the emotions but possibly had diff concerns. It was an emotional rollercoaster preop. I thought I had insurance coverage for bariatric but was afraid the surgeon wouldn't agree that I needed it so I was scared and felt hopeless with my "new life" sitting in the hands of a stranger while he determined whether I could get this desperately needed new beginning. He quickly agreed and I was on top of the world until I called insurance 10mins later to see what kind of diet plan they required and was informed that bariatric was excluded from my plan. It crushed me because I didn't think my husband would agree to take out a loan to pay for it, as he's the sole provider for a family of 5 while I'm in college still. I pled my case, bawling my eyes out to my husband explaining how badly I wanted this, how I didn't want my children to have to shave my body hair and bathe me like I had to do for my mother because of her weight when I was a child, and I explained how ashamed I was for following in her footsteps and secretly judging her so critically when I was her caregiver. I felt the only way I could escape that shame and lose this excess weight would be to get a second chance through weightloss surgery because I had allowed it to go too far. Well he was very understanding and agreed we could take out the loan. I did all my preop classes, appts, and diet while still being on an emotional rollercoaster.. receiving good news about the process one day and a set back the next day... worrying the entire time whether I was choosing the correct surgery and obsessing over it literally all day everyday bc I didnt want to fail at my "one shot to get this right", having anxiety at every doc appt, not knowing how to finally make myself quit smoking after 16 years and being terrified they wouldnt give me the surgery if they found out I hadn't stopped, being afraid theyd fail me for the psych eval bc of all this anxiety, suffering through the liquid diet, and finally made it to the weekend of surgery! So excited again and just ready to get it over with until I got a call the day before surgery that I had tested positive for covid and the surgery would need to be rescheduled. I was asymptomatic and positive but everyone else in my house tested negative. I was so frustrated. I threw a fit inside myself and ate everything in sight while on quarantine, gaining all the weight back that i had lost preop. What i didnt know when i was being a brat is that they ended up scheduling me for just a month later, which still felt like an eternity to wait but i now i see wasnt very long at all...this reply is getting long bc im very long winded lol so ill quickly add the rest. I had surgery, way less pain than I expected, the hospital staff was amazing during covid, one night stay, went home and felt 100% better (except fatigue) after 2 weeks. Now 2 months out from sleeve ive lost 45lbs (35 post op) but also have no body aches and am feeling like myself again. I say all this to say, my frustrations and concerns may differ from urs but I understand the preop process is very difficult for everyone in different ways and we all just want to rush to our new beginning so we can do it right this time. Once u have surgery, it'll seem all the worrying and dreading wasnt even necessary because ur just so focused and grateful for the surgery that whatever may come is totally worth it and everything turned out fine in the end! Its such a blessing to watch ur body change, grow stronger and feel better.. to see urself become unhidden behind all that was once there..one exciting day at a time. Anyways, give urself permission to be hopeful, positive and expectant bc everything about ur life is about to change for the better! Again, sorry I can't help but blab! [emoji4][emoji1787] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

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im really sorry for the long post ahead i just don't know who to talk to about what im currently feeling... about two years ago, my endo recommended wls to me and i immediately shot him down and was upset he'd even mention it bc i didn't think i was overweight enough to need it. i didn't really understand it or understand what it could do for me that I've always struggled with doing for myself. i'm 209lbs and 5'2" which puts me at 38 BMI, but i have so many complications. my health is atrocious- im a type 2 diabetic (treated like type 1) thats insulin dependent (pump) while also taking xigduo and cycloset to help lower my sugars. i have sleep apnea, i have high triglycerides and have had pancreatitis 5 times from a range of 2 1/2 years (every 6 months like clockwork). i have gastroparesis, depression and anxiety. i have a history of eating disorders. after a recent hospital stay- where the cause of my admission is still unclear, but gastritis and fatty liver were determined- i finally started doing research and seriously considering wls. it was so embarrassing hearing the nurses talk during each shift change. having to tell my whole history, knowing that so many of these issues could have been controlled. i just felt so defeated. i talked to my mom abt it at the time and she's been a great support. i told my endo during my followup and he recommended me to a surgeon. i have my first consultation in a week but im scared. i told two of my closest friends, one of who is the most supportive person ever. but the other one.. hasn't really said much. and i feel discouraged by her because she doesn't believe i am "fat." my grandmother is the same way. they don't understand that i want this surgery for my health because I've tried long term dieting and exercise but with the amount of insulin i take daily its SO HARD to lose weight. i just want out of this hellhole of medication and hospital visits.... i don't take my meds and i feel like sh*t... i take my meds and i feel like sh*t... i just want to not rely on medication, and to just be someone thats healthy. and of course i have issues mentally with my size but i try not to share them because my friends are all heavier than i am, so i feel like no one takes how i feel seriously. i want to not be so defined by my weight. its hard when 2 of the people you expect to support you the most are so against you doing something that can help you. its almost making me believe that i shouldn't do it bc im not fat enough or unhealthy enough.. almost like i don't even "deserve" it...

@SAsurgery Hi. I'm 15 1/2 years out from a traditional DS. - What foods do you avoid? (Fatty foods? Carbs? Can you tolerate small amounts?) I eat fatty foods. It helps to "grease the wheels" so to speak. For instance, I buy 80% chopped ground beef as I need the fat. It does generally takes me 2 sittings to finish a meal. - Do you have diarrhea? Sometimes. My doctors classify diarrhea as going too much and/or going liquid. I'm more in the too much area. This will occur if I eat junk and/or too many simple carbs. That's why I eat them pretty much only at home. If you have diarrhea and you're not sure why, it can signify it's time for a dose of Flagyl. Many DSers I know take it yearly and I probably should, too. Just to keep things even. - How many Vitamins do you take? Have you experienced Vitamin deficiencies? Have you had to get infusions? I take over 40 a day. It's second nature. As a matter of fact, when I wasn't permitted to take them while going through gb surgery, I went a little nutty. I'm just so used to it after so long. I've had some issues with my bloods. Sometimes the numbers are too high, other times too low. My surgical group has me do them every 6 mos. so tweaks can be made to what I take. The only infusion I take is Reclast. But I know a good many DSers who need iron infusions. That's never been an issue for me. - Do you struggle to maintain your weight loss? Do you feel like you are constantly on a diet? No and no (and we don't count calories). I kept a food log for the first 6 mos., now I have a protein ticker in the back of my head that just checks off protein grams. I eat 125-150gr/day so I'm constantly eating protein. Just had my mid-morning snack which was cheese and nuts. I also keep it low on the simple carbs. I don't want the weight gain or the gas/stool issues. I'll probably grab a triple cheeseburger w/catsup from McD later if I'm hungry in the afternoon. I just eat the meat. First, bc the bun is too filling and I always eat protein first. Second, bc I don't want what will come with the carbs. - Anything else you wish you had known before surgery? Do a Dexa scan preop. So you can have a baseline. Keep all your blood work. I have it since preop. It allows me to look for trends (esp. the last 3 draws) and also can help out if there's an issue. Some DSers I know have made a spread sheet for their blood work. I've never missed a day of supplements. I expect as a Dr. you won't either. 😊

i was cleared after 8 weeks to lift weights. i wasnt allowed to lift anything over 10lbs unti then (but didnt listen bc i def was lifting heavier stuff.. but didnt cause issues) basically i was told that if it hurts, don't do it. i'm starting to incorporate ab workouts and planks, and im just shy of 3 months post op

Hey hey! Ull be glad to know we have similar starting stats! I am 31 years old, had a BMI of 40.67 and was a size 18-20. I was 252lbs at my highest (10 days prior to vertical gastric sleeve surgery) and I was 242lbs on 7.27.20 (day of surgery). I am 5ft 6. I am 2 months post op now. Already i am down to 206lbs. I have lost 45lbs in total and 35 in two months since surgery.my bmi is 33.25 at the moment. I no longer have hip and back pain, my face is back to looking like "myself" again, I wake up happy every single day now and don't feel like I need to to hide away inside the house because of shame. I wear a size 16 at the moment. I have always had a big butt. Washing and wiping my own butt before surgery had started getting difficult which was one of my main wake up calls. I no longer have any issues with this at all only two months out! I could go on and on. There are sooooo many pros to having wls of any kind! My husband was skeptical that wls was necessary and wanted me to diet and work out with him for another year before we considered "something so drastic"..he now agrees this is exactly what I needed and is glad we didn't wait another year of me feeling the way I did about myself. As far as recovery, it was very easy for me. Sharp pain from incision sutures for abt a week, maybe 1.5 weeks. Within 2 weeks I had no pain. Can eat very little (have to remind myself to eat bc im not hungry and it seems kind of tedious to eat now bc its only like 4-5 bites of something) and i have no desire to eat sweets or junk anymore. That is huge for me bc I would easily and regularly consume cookies, brownies, candy bars, chips and crackers by the box/package by myself in just a few days. I craved snacks all day everyday. The only "con" i am experiencing is that i loved water before surgery and chugged it all day everyday. Now it's another thing i have to remind myself to do and it feels so tedious because i can only sip water now, not chug. Oh oops i forgot.. vitamins and meds are another "con" for me because I was not any meds prior to sleeve surgery and didnt take vitamins. Now i take like 3 meds and vitamins daily. My stomach is so small it feels as tho I've eaten after just taking my meds. I used to be able to throw back 3 Tylenols and swallow at once but now i take each pill one at a time because i feel like im gonna choke on the smallest pill size. I think this is just a fear tho..like a mental thing..and not actually a legit concern or something that is experienced by others lol. Anyways, i hope i covered enough for u. If u have any other questions, feel free to ask. Im an open book and wish i had found this app when i was preop. I did find TONS of videos on YouTube that convinced me sleeve surgery was just as good of an option as bypass for me tho! The videos I watched showed sleevers years out remaining successful and losing over 100lbs. The videos showed me ppl experiencing restriction and maintaining their goal weight years out which proved to me that bypass wasn't necessary for me to reach my 100lb weight loss goal and maintain it. This was encouraging for me because i was self pay and sleeve is cheaper. I would not let money be a determining factor tho. I was kind of forced into sleeve anyways because I am a smoker..still trying to quit at this point. OHHH BTW My mother had bypass 13 years ago and has remained at her goal wait this far out. This made me believe bypass had a higher success rate because she gets dumping, forcing her to not eat certain things or too much. Many surgeons disagree abt whether sleeve patients get dumping. I can eat whatever i want post op without getting sick but obviously can only eat a small portion. Many surgeons and patients argue about whether this restriction is lifted a few years out but there are ppl on here who will tell you they still have restriction with sleeve years out so it's hard to know what each of our bodies will experience. Do your research, watch youtube vids, listen to what people have to say, but most importantly choose a good bariatric team and trust your surgeon! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app