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I am also just starting to get approval with Tricare South. I am in Oklahoma, and I have heard about the "Center of Excellence" issue. I have an appt tomorrow with my primary physician for a referral, and I have already printed info to take with me so he doesn't have to waste any time looking for a doctor to refer me to. I am soooooo ready for this to start rolling! I'm sweating the 100lbs for frame size requirement so I'm crossing my fingers and thinking "heavy" when I get weighed tomorrow. I'm not sure how they figure that...I'm 5'4 and a half and weigh 225, so I think they could deny me. They may as well approve me, because I could gain 10 lbs without even trying! :tt1: Waiting for a band in Oklahoma!

Definitely worth it. I eat all kinds of good food now. There is so little room I do not waste my time on junk. I'm a bit of a Protein junky now. Even the crackers and bread I eat have at least 10 grams a serving or I don't even go there. The liquid phase will soon be over and a bit of refrieds or mashed potato will be like Nirvana. 4-wheeling huh? We have two 4WD and motorcycles. Fun!

I am awaiting approval too with Tricare South.. Individual doctors are "Center of Excellence " surgeons. I have no idea what it means, but only five of the surgeons at Southwest Bariatrics in Austin are "Center of Excellennce". They have about 10 surgeons.

I'm wondering how many of you track everything you put in your mouth and if so how much should I be tracking?. I'm still on a liquid diet and I just started adding soups.. I can barely sip about 2 oz of the soup and I'm trying to get about 40 grams of protein and at least 16 oz of water a day.. Is that enough?

10 lbs in 2.5 weeks ?!! Psssh that is rapid weight loss !! Good job !!!!! My surgeon says to go for 2 lbs a weeks so I think you are doing great !

I was stapled, they came out yesterday, OUCH of course I am a bit of a baby about stuff like this. They feel much better today. The port incision had 10 staples. The others each had 3. The scars look purple now but feel alot better.

Hi everyone I'm 13 weeks out today and have lost 19 kg in total. Experiencing my 2nd stall nowadays. When did you guys have the 2nd stall? How long did it last and what helped you to break it? Thanx in advance x Sent from my SM-N960F using BariatricPal mobile app

Jeans are crazy! Sized so funny! I am 165 in a 12. But some 10s fit and some 14s are tight. It all depends on the Co. And cut.

I drove a week post op. I didn't really get too worn out. Never felt the need to nap after surgery. I would make myself rest though. I travelled to the beach 3 hours from home a week post op. Doc told me to stop once an hour and walk since you're at a risk for clots. Went back to work 10 days post op. I had weight restrictions and couldn't lift anything over 25lbs for 6 weeks. But house cleaning started when I got home from the hospital, just no laundry without hubby carrying the dirty clothes into the laundry room. Sex about two weeks post op. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Having surgery on 10/17. I'm in the same boat. Had to cook for my husbands birthday and was surrounded by food. I'm just trying to keep busy. Good luck with everything! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I did mostly liquids for a two week pre-op diet (64 oz water and two protein drinks a day plus a palm size dinner, half protein, half veggies). Had no problem moving to full liquid stage, but only had to be on it 10 days. I personally didn't have a problem staying on it at all. Everyone differs. Mushies is what killed me. I'd say you don't need to go on liquids this early. Do you have a one or two week pre-op diet? That should be enough to prepare you. I agree with GreginMI. What I did was make sure I stayed off refined carbs, rice, potatoes, caffeine and carbonated water before the pre-op. That made the transition to pre-op and after surgery a lot easier as I already was weaned from them and didn't miss them. Good luck!

I burped a lot immediately, and still do 10 days post-surgery. Didn't actually pass gass until 3 or 4 days later. I feel just fine now. I was walking the first night...I don't know if that helped me or not. Good luck!

I start a 10 day pre-op diet tomorrow. Ideas for keeping my mind busy and off of not being able to eat normally? Excited, nervous, all kinds of emotions. Anyone have the same surgery date and want to team up for support?

That is quite difficult. I am allowed pills, have been since day 2. I am not supposed to use straws. I can tell you what my nutritionist says.... Full Liquids: 60g of Protein, portions are around 1/2C and you are taking that in around 6 times a day. Water around 64oz a day. My rules are 5g of sugar or less and high protein for Protein drinks. I start Mush/Fork soft foods at 2 weeks: Rules: Meals are 1/4C to start and 1/2C as you get further in. Protein first, 20-30m to eat a meal. Recommended: eggs Light/LF yogurt Flakey white fish Tuna Small shrimp Tender cooked or ground beef, pork or poultry Beans and Lentils FF refried beans LF deli meats LF cottage cheese Shredded or soft skim or 1% milk fat cheese Tofu Other Foods: oatmeal Cream of wheat Soggy Cereal Cooked soft veggies Soft fruit without skin Crackers and toast chewed well Potatoes, soft and mashed Low fat soups w/o large chunks of meat or veggies Avoid: Fresh bread sticky rice Pasta Mac n cheese melted stringy cheese Peanut Butter Raisins (dried fruit) all raw veggies, salad, all lettuce skins of fruit or veggies nuts, seeds, granola popcorn chips coconut tough or chewy meats: steak, pork chops, ham, hot dogs corn/peas (unless pureed) Butter salad dressing sour cream cream cheese mayo gravy fatback/bacon sausage whole milk whole milk cheese fried foods processed meats Chips Desserts: cakes, Cookies, ice cream etc... I am on that for 10 weeks. Good Luck!

How did I only lose 4lbs in 10 days.. On liquids??? That's so frustrating. I feel like I'm going to go to my preop appt tomorrow and he's not going to believe me that I've stuck to it.. For the most part.

I'm an adjunct professor at a community college, which means I don't get sick leave. If I miss a class, I don't get paid, plus it isn't easy getting subs. I considered waiting until the break between fall and spring semesters but I really wanted to get going on losing weight! So I told my department that I needed to cancel classes on Thursday and Monday (my classes are MW and TTH so that was just one cancellation per course) because I needed to have minor surgery. I had my surgery on Thursday morning at 7 a.m. and I returned to work on the following Tuesday. If I had sick leave and it wasn't such a hassle to cancel classes, I would have taken longer but I did fine, though I was a little weak and tired that first week back. And I'm (at least) 19 pounds lighter than I would have been at this point if I waited.

I think if you can find a way to afford it, you are not crazy for wanting to have the procedure. I am 4'8" and weighed 215 just before I had the procedure on 09/08/10. I've lost 30 lbs (including from when I started on pre-op diet) now and people are really noticing. I turn 40 this next year and I was just ready to be healthy and to look good of course. Good luck to you.

Oh no, sorry to hear about the denial. I know you and I were waiting for the insurance process around the same time. I was wondering the same thing that Amanda 3.0 said. Maybe insurance can make an exception. Can you get documentation from your doctor or neurosurgeon? Definately, the low-carb diet should get those 10 lbs off. Maybe try doing a 1000 calorie low-carb diet and make sure to get all of your water in. You can track your calories on sparkpeople.com. I started this on Wednesday as my preop diet and I already lost a few pounds. Good luck!! Keep us posted

I got sleeved 10/10/18 and still in hospital hopefully getting discharged tmrw. I packed a book bag full of stuff and I only used my chapstick, phone charger, face wash and toothbrush. FOR ME I find it easier being in the gown. It's the easiest when I go pee to just have it opened and not have to worry about pulling down and up my underwear since it really does hurt sitting down and getting up. Also I found it easier with the gown when I took a shower, just slip off then slip on a new one but again that's me. Best of luck to you!

Good morning from Anchorage Alaska! Congratulations on your surgery! You are on a life long journey for a healthier you. Bypass is a tool that I believe God has given us to use. What a blessing! I had Gastric Bypass 16 months ago on the 16th of this month. I have lost more weight than my surgeon told that I would and have had to revise my weight loss goal! He told me I would loose 75 pounds, I have lost 100 pounds and feel great! Well, with following orders and exercising, Protein and Water I have exceeded his prediction. When I went for my last doctor visit my blood work showed that my body was absorbing nutrients very well, so well that my doctor asked what kind of Vitamins I was taking and I told him the bariatric vitamins and some of my own that I had previously taken. He asked me not to take vitamins everyday for the next 6 months but only once per week. I was 61 when I had my bypass and am now 62 and glad that I did it. My family was afraid for me at first. But I did my research before the surgery and was able to put their mind at ease. I exercise and get in at least 60 grams of protein each day with sips of water every 10 to 15 minutes. I have had no physical or medical complications from the surgery. I now realize how much time and energy I have spent in the past relating to food. I no longer do that! That's freedom! I have cravings sometimes but I look at where I was and compare it to where I am and decide if I am really hungry or if I'm experiencing head hunger. Usually real hunger is for natural foods not carbs or sugary foods. When you follow the protocols for this surgery it works and you develop new habits that can carry you through the rest of your life. Scripture and Prayer has helped me. Scriptures like Galatians 5:1 and Philippians 4:13. I plan to live this way for the rest of my life. How about you? Again Congratulations to you. Love to hear from you! Vickiebc

Friday, I went in for my EGD, after having my preliminary consultation with the Gastrointerologyst on 10/30. I've seen lots of questions about the EGD on here, so I thought I'd just share my experience, top to bottom. The first thing that surprised me was that when they called me to schedule my date, they told me the hospital would call me the day before the procedure to let me know the time. I thought that was a little strange, but apparently, that's par for the course. I actually got the call on Wednesday afternoon, for the Friday appointment time. Then I got a follow-up call on Thursday from admitting to get me pre-registered. When I got done with the pre-registration, I got my second surprise: my portion was going to cost me $606. I guess I should have expected it, because it's not exactly a copay office visit situation. That was my 20%. The hospital was pretty efficient. They are notorious for bad parking, and now they have valet parking, which was very convenient. I signed in at the information desk, and they gave me a little pager like the one's they use at restaurants. About 5 minutes later, I got called in to admitting, got checked in and paid my fee. I was then sent down to the GI waiting room. In probably less than 10 minutes, they called me in to get me prepped. I only removed my shirt, leaving on the pants, socks & shoes. The IV was started, they took my BP and temperature, and they wheeled me into the hallway next to the room where they do the procedure. Seeing my doctor, I said hello and commend on how good he looked that day! In fact, I gave the same complement to each of the hospital staff. I don't know if it helped, but it certainly didn't hurt! Maybe 10 minutes later they wheeled a woman, passed out, from the room and another 5 minutes later, wheeled me in. After a little light discussion, the doctor had heard enough and told the dope guy to put me out. The last thing I remember was a slight lucid feeling and asking the dope guy, "you gave me the juice, huh?" He confirmed, and I was out. Just like that. During the procedure I recall a brief moment of the bite thing in my mouth. I'm guessing they were finishing up. I think I remember being wheeled out, but can't quite be sure. Seemingly moments later, I woke up, sat up, put my shirt on, and I was on my way to go get some soup. Overall, on the day of, I had a little discomfort in my throat, not unlike when you have a cold and you get a sore throat. I napped a bit after getting home, then in the evening, I was a little tired, but managed to busy myself and stay awake. My throat continued to be a little sore on Saturday, but less so, and by Sunday, I was fine. The doctor, apparently found some polyps in my stomach and took samples for biopsy. I'm not sure when I'll hear back on that. Does anyone have any experience with this part?

I just returned to after 10 business days off. I took a half day today. But besides being a little tired I'm okay! I also have a desk job.

Yes and I just asked my surgeon about this yesterday at my 10 day post op. He said you can order a stuff called dexcom from bariatric advantage. And yes it's ketosis from your body consuming more protein then anything else. I am in the same boat with you all on this. But I've been cleared to go to puree and it gets better.

Just finished my 6th day of the diet and feeling surprisingly good. Soup is really helping. Today I'm under 600 cals and I'm not hungry, but I am sleeping a lot more. Down 10 lbs!

I had my gastric bypass Dec. 10th. I have been doing fine I have been getting 60oz of fluids down and 30mg of protein every day, Well today I started worrying that I am doing something wrong. My weight loss has been slow 12.5 pounds since surgery. How much protein was everybody else doing 10 days out. Its hard to get down 3 oz at a setting. I don't want to mess myself up.