Just was approved! Can't wait!

Any May sleevers want to support each other??

:))

1 hour ago, CaliRey95 said:

Beginning to get pretty frustrated. My insurance gives two options, 3 month program or 6 months program. Both have a different set of requirements. I completed the three month program, my insurance covered most of the procedures and I chose to pay out of pocket for nutritionist and Psychologist, about 400 total. What they're telling me is that it has to be 6 months and to disregard what my policy says. Any advice? Btw, surgery is scheduled May 1, and I start the liquid diet tomorrow.

Sorry you're going through this. It's taken me 2 1/2 years to get the right insurance and approval so I totally understand your frustration. If I were you I'd ask your doctor or hospital to get pre-approval for you. I'd also call your insurance and ask to speak to a supervisor or someone who can help you fight this. Ask exactly what you need to do in order to be approved for 5/1/18. Ask why you have to do the 6 months vs. 3 months? Is there something specific to you? Is this an arbitrary decision on their part? Does your policy say why you'd have to do the 6 months vs. 3 months? There must be some medical reason one is required over another. You have to fight for yourself and ask the right questions. Good Luck! I'm scheduled for 5/3/18 so we're about the same time.

I think I'd really struggle on full liquids only diet for weeks of pre op. I'm lucky my surgeon found that too many people fail an all liquid diet and the stuff they fall back on is generally worse than including just a meat and veggies real dinner during pre op. Only my final day before surgery is all liquids.
I didn't really get to have any food funerals. The bariatric physician wanted me on a pre op diet for 4 weeks ahead of surgery, but when I saw the surgeon a few days later there was a theatre opening only 3 weeks later that he was happy to book me in, so my pre op began immediately lol.
I'm still not tolerating a meal replacement shake in the morning, as it makes me feel queasy for at least an hour. Most days I've been having a single scrambled egg and a coffee with 200ml 1% milk as my breakfast (is less calories than the VLCD shake, and once my protein water powder arrives I can include an extra 15g protein in my coffee so will be about equivalent protein). After that I can bring myself to spoon-eat/drink a protein shake make with lots of ice for lunch and don't get queasy. If I get hungry mid afternoon I have some homemade veggie& chicken stock soup while I look forward to a relatively normal meat and steamed veggies dinner. I've been dropping a half kilo a day on this so I figure it's working ok.

This is the diet I got from surgery dietician. It might give you an idea of food amounts if you need to replace shake meal again.

I am tentatively scheduled for May 31st.

Just a question, how much time are you all taking off from work? I have a desk job and I am hoping to only be gone a week and then return to half days for the second week post op.

50 minutes ago, Meggs11 said:

I am tentatively scheduled for May 31st.

Just a question, how much time are you all taking off from work? I have a desk job and I am hoping to only be gone a week and then return to half days for the second week post op.

Hey, Meggs. I also have a desk job and am taking 2 weeks off. My doc actually said I might be able to go back after a week, but only if I follow all the rules, don't lift anything, move around frequently and can follow the diet.

If you do go back after a week, please be careful!

I just got hold of the bodie'z protein waters available in Australia and for me they are much easier to drink than regular meal replacement shakes. They taste more like Gatorade. Thankfully the Aussie ones are sweetened with Stevia (aspartame causes me nasty headaches). I'll be taking few bottles of ready to drink protein waters into hospital with me and probably some of the clear unsweetened and unflavored powder to include in any hot drinks/broth I have (bodie'z can be added to hot liquids under 80 degrees C).

I wonder if the will ship that brand to the US. My surgeon said no aspartame at all. I heard other brands of protein water are just too sweet with an after taste.
That's smart to take them with you to the hospital. Did they say how long they will keep you for?

I wonder if the will ship that brand to the US. My surgeon said no aspartame at all. I heard other brands of protein Water are just too sweet with an after taste.
That's smart to take them with you to the hospital. Did they say how long they will keep you for?

I think its on ebay so you should be able to get it but i doubt in time. America has so much more than Australia with options so you probably can get it under a different brand.

Last meal tonight of sushi and a fresh banana malt. I feel like the prodigal last supper.Tomorrow starts the liquid diet. I know I can do this! I broke the news to my husband that I can't go to his annual company dinner this weekend. Don't need the temptation and might not have the energy to dance. It is basically 500 calories and 70-80 grams of protein daily. 2 weeks from tomorrow is the day!!!

@Sunshineprincess, I'm in your corner cheering you on. I remember your first,posting and ever since then I've felt a closeness to you and your story. You and I both have a long way down to goal weight,but I believe we can do it! So I'll support you if you will do the same. Onward towards victory!??

This is the diet I got from surgery dietician. It might give you an idea of food amounts if you need to replace shake meal again.

Oh man I would love to do that. At least it has meat and cheese lol

I think its on ebay so you should be able to get it but i doubt in time. America has so much more than Australia with options so you probably can get it under a different brand.

Thanks Jules. I'll keep looking because I can only drink dairy products for so long.

I think its on ebay so you should be able to get it but i doubt in time. America has so much more than Australia with options so you probably can get it under a different brand.

Hi i just saw Bipro in America do protien water sweetened with stevia. They have flavoured ready to go. Not sure on unsweetened.

Oh man I would love to do that. At least it has meat and cheese lol

Hehe i was the difficult patient who flatly refused optifast so i think they generally have this as back up option thank god.

I wonder if the will ship that brand to the US. My surgeon said no aspartame at all. I heard other brands of protein water are just too sweet with an after taste.
That's smart to take them with you to the hospital. Did they say how long they will keep you for?

Just saw. BIPRO do unflavoured protien powder also. Looks the same as Bodiez

Just saw. bipro do unflavoured protien powder also. Looks the same as Bodiez

Jules you are totally AWESOME!!![emoji173][emoji173] Thank you so much!

1 hour ago, LovableLisha said:

I wonder if the will ship that brand to the US. My surgeon said no aspartame at all. I heard other brands of protein Water are just too sweet with an after taste.
That's smart to take them with you to the hospital. Did they say how long they will keep you for?

Looks like you and Jules have already found a similar US option.. yay!

My surgeon has minimum 3 night stay in hospital, and it's usually 3-4 nights. They keep you on IV fluids the first few days until you are able to drink well enough to prevent dehydration. The bodie'z are a little sweet for me (like Gatorade) but with the unflavored powder I'll have the option of making it with half flavoured, half unflavored for a full strength but only half sweetened drink which should go down easily.