Where are all of the sleevers of MI?

Hi mevere - wow, you've done great before you've even had the surgery. I've lost some weight, but not like that. I know that I'm not getting enough exercise - except that I'm walking and swimming most days. I just don't seem to be able to get in 1-2 lbs. of vegetables and 100 oz. of water a

day. Medicare has certain stipulations that take a minimum of 3 months - so on Aug 18th I will

have concluded that - and hopefully schedule and be approved. I'm a newbie, too. I love this site. It gives so much information. Keep up the good work!

Everyone looses at a different rate! I loose inches or weight! Plus I only weigh once a month! There are ups and downs. I also measured myself...neck, arms, etc! My clothes are loose fitting! I had a rough 1st month after surgery. I couldn't tolerate a lot of foods. I can't handle sugar free anything, and was sick till I worked with a great dietician!

Hi Sweetness. I drink about 67 oz of Water a day and I try and do some type of exercise about 5 days a week if I remember. I stopped eating extra carbs, carbs are my nemisis LOL.

My insurance company requires being on a six month medical supervised weight loss plan, including 2 nutrition classes, a psych eval and monthky checkups. My six month checkup was last Wednesday. I have bloodwork tomorrow and then my info will be sent to the insurance company for approval.

Good luck to you

I'm hoping that Medicare will approve mine after 3 months (on Aug 18). That's what they say the

time requirements are - among all the other regular test - psychologist, cardio, ekg, echo, etc., which I have completed. I'm just waiting for my cardiologist to write his clearance letter. What carbs did you stop eating? I haven't eaten any wheat, bread, dairy. white potatoes, sugar, artificial sweetener, etc. for almost 3 months now. I've been following the program in the book my doctor wrote, "A Pound of Cure." It's really a good book and I've gained so much knowledge from it and from all of his seminars on u-tube. I fine it very, very difficult to eat a lb. of vegetables a day.

Any suggestions? I have to start walking more. I walk for about 15 minutes/day. But, I just bought some good walking shoes that I will wear for the 1st time today. So I promised my husband that we would walk longer today. I was with a close friend of mine last night who had the gastric bypass in 2003 and has done wonderfully. One of her friends was there , also. She had the bypass about 7 or so years ago and regained most of her weight after 3 years. She said that she did everything

wrong - especially not exercising. So, I applaud you for doing it so often - and I'll applaud

myself after I begin doing more vigorous exercises.

Very excited! Made my first appts to the Beaumont Weight Control center to begin my 6 months prep!

So this week I received a phone call that allowed me to move my first appointment up and I went in this past Monday. It was great! Tomorrow I have a stress echo test early in the morning. Looking forward to moving this along. However probably not looking at having the procedure until Feb/March, because of the 6 month rule with my policy.

That's great. Good luck on your journey. I should be getting my pre-surgery appointment and date soon.

Hi Everyone - I was off for a little while. My doctor found a small thing on my echo, so I had to have a cardiac cath. I was so bummed thinking that I might need a stent which would have delayed surgery for at least a year. But, thankfully, I'm good to go. I've completed all of my pre-requirements for Medicare, so I hope on Monday when I see the dr., we can schedule surgery. Why is it that some of the time you can't

tolerate foods that you once loved - and vice versa? Also, what shakes taste the best?

There are several different Protein Shakes on the Market! I've tried several of them. I like the Premier Protin shakes from Costco, they have 30 mg of protein in one shake. I can only tolerate 2-3 ozs at a time! Sip, sip, sip! I also like the Z-pro 25. They have 25 mg of protein in them...I add a 1/2 a cup of skim milk to 1/2 the chocolate powder & put it in the bullet. Makes for a great treat. I add 2-3 ice cubes & it tastes like chocolate ice cream. Your diaticion will help you with regard to foods. I have a very sensitive pouch & one day food agrees with me & the next day not so much! I'm 2 months out of surgery & it's a learning process for me! Your taste buds change from day to day! I'm hanging in there & I know that I'm in what they call the honeymoon phase of surgery. Nothing tastes or looks good. They say that will pass too! I'm also going they the non sleeping phase! So I keep busy doing things. Crafts, knitting, sewing, reading, & cleaning. Good luck with your surgery! Keep in touch! I'm praying for you!

Thanks for all the info annmarie50. I'll try out the protein drinks before I begin the 2 week liquid diet. I wasn't

aware that there was a non-sleeping phase. I have to take Xanax to get to sleep as it is - Well, guess I'll be up all

night reading and watching tv. Sounds like you're doing

well. I'm glad to hear it. I plan on going to the support

groups after my surgery. I thank you for the prayers - and I will do the same for you. I'm will be going to Huron Valley in Commerce Township. I've had all of my 5 joint replacements there and they are absolutely wonderful. My husband (he's had 2 replacements there) and I can never say enough good

things about that hospital. The staff is just great. As I said previously, I hope to get a date for the surgery on

Monday when I go for my appt. Are you in any pain? Are you able to exercise?

I hit my 100 lb lost goal today! Actually, I went past it. 104 lbs down, 25 weeks out. I'm so fricken excited and happy!!

Edited August 15, 201412 yr by Sarahjane79

Hi Everyone - I was off for a little while. My doctor found a small thing on my echo, so I had to have a cardiac cath. I was so bummed thinking that I might need a stent which would have delayed surgery for at least a year. But, thankfully, I'm good to go. I've completed all of my pre-requirements for Medicare, so I hope on Monday when I see the dr., we can schedule surgery. Why is it that some of the time you can't

tolerate foods that you once loved - and vice versa? Also, what shakes taste the best?

I am still in pre-op and am taking the HMR 70 shakes. They're not fantastic by themselves, but I've found some tricks to make it better which would probably work in whatever protein shake you end up with. I add a tablespoon of PB2 which is basically peanut powder. It's low in fat and carbs and adds extra protein. I don't have the exact stats with me, but it is sold in Beaumont's bariatric center, so it's approved and all that stuff. It really helps. It makes the shakes less watery and has a bit of a Reese's taste.

Also adding sugar free, fat free pudding and/or mint extract helps too

Wow! SarahJane79 - that is FANTASTIC! You should be very excited and so proud of yourself. That is just great!

Chynna - thanks for the info regarding the peanut powder. I will definitely try it. I'm not into the pre-op yet - maybe on Monday it will happen. What are HMR shakes?

Thank you!! I am so proud of myself. And so happy!

Ps. I too love pb2. Good stuff!

I like the PB2 also. There is even one that has cocoa added to it.