I love V8 now and hope I can still have it later.  The only downside is that it has literally TONS of sodium.  If that is a concern for you - then watch it or you can thin it out too.  I like to get the spicy king and then add some more tabasco. :)

Best to get checked by a doc if you are worried......but that is what it sounds like.  Either dehydration or a mineral deficiency.....often go hand in hand. 

Looks like a good time    You all look amazing....even you Waffle.

Also - keep in mind that your body can only absorb and use around 30-40g of protein maximum at one time so you definitely need to "space out" your protein into each meal and cannot "protein" load so to speak.

I had to re-read it.  I thought you were talking about broccolli cheese soup at first.  So basically this is just brocolli sludge?

I might have to try it....but I dunno.  I hate boiled broccoli....gotta be lightly steamed.  Glad you like it thought....it does sound like a warm greens smoothie!

Do not go on any kind of statins unless you doc does a particle size test on your LDL.  There are two types......small dense kind that can lead to clogged arteries and the big fluffy kind that really isn't a threat at all.  Do not take take any statins until they do that test - a lot of docs unfortunately are very quick to prescibe statins. 

Better approach.....remove inflammation from your body.  Best way to do that?  Lower your sugar/carb intake.  Up your healthy fat intake (raise your HDL).  Even higher levels of cholesterol aren't a problem if there is no inflammation or oxidation going on in your body.

Plus to be honest....118 is not bad at all.  It needs to be taken in overall context...not just that number.  If your total is 195 and your LDL is 118 that gives you an HDL of 77 which is pretty damn good.  Also - what were your triglycerides (another much more important number)?  I'm very surprised they are even mentioning drugs with those numbers.  Another doc asleep on the job.

Looking at their menu....not a lot of choices.  Seems like they don't really have any non tortilla based meals.

I would recommend some black beans, soup, and thier spinach salad doesn't look bad if you can tolerate that now.

You could also always get a taco plate and just try to eat the insides.

Another suggestion is to see if you can order something a la carte.  Then just order 1 chicken taco and maybe a few black beans for an example (if you can tolerate solids now).

If not....go with some refried beans and soup!

Definitely avoid any tortillas (corn or flour doesn't matter), tough veggies (peppers etc), chips, etc.

Congrats on your weight loss....you are doing wonderful.

I have Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Mills Peninsula Medical Group.  I am gonna try to force the issue with Health Net and then call Wetter's office and see what I can get done.  Of course.....HR decides to drop this ball at 2pm on a Friday.  Typical.

Yeah I don't know why it has taken so long....when you told me how long it took you I was like....oh its in the bag.  This was back in early May.

Ya know what is crazy?  If I had wanted gastric bypass......I would have ALREADY had surgery.  God forbid someone wants to hold out for a better surgery right?  Insurance companies are so dense.

Thanks for all the support and advice guys.  I am going to push Health Net and see if I can get this done before the switch.  Thanks for letting me ***** :)

Oh....and I would never punch a kitten!  I work in animal rescue/control. 

Yeah - so as some of you know I have been fighting my insurance company for the sleeve for a few months.  I started this process back in December 2010 - jumping through all their hoops and finally submitting for insurance approval in June.  Got denied.....supposedly there should be no reason I can't have a gastric bypass....so I have to tell them why I can't and why the sleeve is best. So I wrangle up doctors letters, advice, and write them a nice love note.

File the appeal....call every other day to bother their ass.....taking their entire 30 days it looks like and they have until August 18th to make a decision.

Now today I just got an email from my employer that we are no longer using this particular company starting Sept 1st and going with a new company.

HOLY ******G ****

I don't even know where to begin.  I'm assuming when we do switch I'll have to start everything all over again and it might even be with a new surgeon.  Even if they do approve me by Aug 18th the chance of me getting a date before August 31st pretty much non existant....plus would I even want to cut it that close?  **** me sideways.

Thanks for this post Frisco.  I have digested a ton of useful information from you and the other VSG vets here and will put it to good use when the time comes.

This might be looked at by some as horrible advice.....but if you are worried about losing too much weight and being under 40 BMI.....well let's put it this way....

No one says you have to lose weight during the six months.  Just that you have to be monitored by your physician for six months in a weight loss program.  It's not your fault if it doesn't work and you stay the same weight right?

Seriously though - most of the time I have seen that they base your BMI off your first visit....not what you end up.  So I think you are fine.

There is also always the self pay option if you don't want to go through the six months.....but I say do it.  It might help you start some new habits you will need to get used to for a lifetime.

Post op pain on right side of body (right under rib cage) is very OFTEN gall bladder issues (stones).  It is extremely common in WLS patients and can be very painful.

My wife had these pains for about six months and they finally gave her an ultrasound and found it.  If it is your gallbladder they will likely have to remove it but that is a very straight forward sugery.  In fact - I think I read it is the most common surgery performed in the US.  She was in surgery for about 30 mins to have it removed.

Definitely bring it up to your surgeon when you see him next week.