CONGRAUTLATIONS!!!! Girl I'm SO SO Happy for you.
It should not be long at all. My Dr. got me in the next week after I was approved. I will be waiting to see your date so make sure you post.

Sorry for the delayed report! I got swept up in the weekend hub-bub!

Well, the 5 day pouch test is complete and it was very successful for me. I was super excited when day 4 and 5 came along as I was seriously craving firmer protein.

I made the Mediterranean Turkey Burgers (from the 5 day pouch test website) on Day 4. They were just so, so. I wish I had gone for turkey meatballs or a turkey meatloaf instead. I also used the super lean turkey which I probably shouldn't have, because it was too dry. Day 5 was the ginger chicken (I liked that a lot).

The 5 day pouch test was definitely worth my time and effort, as I was able to get back on track, cut out the bad carbs and really feel that restriction again. So far, I have not found it too difficult to maintain the principles practiced during the test (protein first, 30/30 rule and elimination of bad carbs) and I plan to break out this plan whenever I feel myself slipping.

All in all I only lost 3.5 pounds but my focus in trying this was not so much to spark the weight loss again (though I wouldn't turn it down) but more so to get out of some the bad habits I'd picked back up. I'm also happy to have the protein shakes back in my routine and I'm really looking forward Nikki's pouch party (Shake it up!) on the 29th so I can pick up some new recipes! I just bought my ticket yesterday. Hope to see you all there.

Good luck to those of you giving this plan a try! It's a really good reminder of how hard we worked to get this surgery and how we really ought to credit ourselves much more often for the continual sacrifices we make to improve our health. It's given me a renewed sense of accomplishment and that's always a good thing! 

I told him I wanted to pass it along here for that very reason--the more people that come, the more help we can be to each other. Not to mention, once folks see how great he is and what great knowledge he has, they will be far more likely to engage in private therapy--good all around for everyone!

Hope to see you there! 

I know of someone *****cently had his WLS through St. Agnes, not sure who the surgeon is.  I'm very concerned for him because he got no nutritional counseling, no teaching, no instructions for post op...no nothing.  All the surgeon said to him was to "stay away from those mashed potatoes"  What???

I photocopied my large package that I was given to help me post op and gave it to him.  I have also been providing some tips, tricks and as much info as I can to help him.  I invited him to my support group at the Tate Center this month so he can actually talk to a nutritionist.  I'm hoping he will come.

Now I don't completely blame this group for failing him, I know his surgery came about very suddenly due to something changing with his health insurance and the first of the new year.  But I'm pretty disappointed in the after care he has received. 

I know he is considering changing to University because of this.  It sounds like St. Agnes let him slip through the cracks, hopefully he is the first and last this will happen to.

Now I will probably go, before the cost was $40 per meeting...I just could not fit that in my budget.  I think many folks had the same issue.  I think Andrew will see a bigger turn-out now.

This is a good thing!