My Pre-Op diet had a bit of a rocky start. It was supposed to start on Labor Day and my wife convinced me that one day wouldn't make a difference and to be fair, it didn't take much convincing on her part.

So I started on Tuesday, but I messed up again. As they say, if you fail to plan you plan to fail. I had some Protein shakes that a body builder friend of mine gave me so I figured, "Hey, why waste money when you can use what you've got?" and I used them, but in the middle of the day I noticed they were 300 calories vs the 160 calories in the Protein shake my nutritionist suggested. They had a lot more protein but after speaking to my nutritionist, I decided to go to costco and pick up a few things after work including the RTD (Ready To Drink) shakes they sell, specifically the Premier Protein brand which come out to only $1.39 each. They have chocolate, strawberry and vanilla and at 160 calories they have 30g of protein. These weren't on the list my nutritionist gave me, but I provided her with the nutritional facts and she approved of them.

After work yesterday I went to Costco to get the shakes, but I also wanted to get those Tyson pre-cooked frozen chicken breasts so I can quickly and conveniently toss one in the microwave for my meals. I was disappointed to find that my Costco no longer carries them. I filled out a suggestion card and went to Smart & Final and they didn't have them either, but they did have pre-cooked frozen chicken breasts cut into strips which is close enough. I prefer the breast to be whole so it doesn't dry out as much, but I'll take what I can get. I also picked up some baby spinach and when I finally got home, I heated up some of the chicken and sauteed the spinach in a teaspoon of coconut oil and minced garlic and it was great. I prefer olive oil, but I'm trying to be good and there was no coconut taste.

Yesterday I felt like I was starving all day and today I'm doing much better, but I'm still hungry. I'm due for my 2nd shake about now. I try to wait as long as I can before I drink them so they will last me until dinner.

Hopefully I can stick to the plan the rest of the way and my early slip ups won't make that much of a difference. I have a feeling I'll lose closer to 20 pounds than the 10 my nutritionist was hoping for.

How are all of you doing on your pre-op diets? What cool tricks have you learned? What tips or suggestions can you offer to make sticking to the plan easier? What experiences or challenges have you run into? How did you overcome them?

I can't wait to learn more from you all.

Do y'all mind me asking what insurance company you got approval through? My current insurance doesn't cover it and I'm thinking of taking out a secondary policy with a company that does cover it but I don't know which companies to contact. Thanks!

Blue Shield

Do y'all mind me asking what insurance company you got approval through? My current insurance doesn't cover it and I'm thinking of taking out a secondary policy with a company that does cover it but I don't know which companies to contact. Thanks!

Just answered you on your other post.... I have BC/BS Empire PPO in NY

Don't give up! Good luck!

Edited September 17, 201510 yr by Mom26

united health care

Kaiser Permanente. They make you take 12 weeks of classes before scheduling your surgery, in which time you must drop 10% of your body weight. But they say once you get the referral you are good to go as long as you do what you are supposed to do.

i also have united healthcare and was pre-aporved for surgery when i called and inquired about my benifits i also have maryland medicaid which will be picking up the rest of what united doesnt cover