Protien Diet.....

Hello all, I read the boards as often as I can with a 2 year old in tow. I love the information and the support that is shown to each other. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I am starting my protien sparring diet tomorrow. Five days of only 9 onces of protien and beef or chicken broth 3 cups per day. Of coarse lots and lots of water. I know that not all doctors require this however Dr. Yood's group in New Haven does. I was wondering if anyone has had to do this and are there any side effects that I should be aware of. I am nervous as I am a stay at home mom and hope that I will not be getting dizzy and such. Any advise would be great. To top it all off my grandmother is about to pass away. (it is her time and we are happy for her, sad for only selfish reasons. please do not feel bad for me) Anyway, I thought breifly about waiting on the diet because of all the food involved in an italian death however, I have decided that I am going to have to face life after surgery everyday so I might as well suck it up and start now. Once I complete this diet and have the ketosis test they will send for my insurance approval from Oxford. Does anyone know how long of a turn around time for approval is normal for Oxford?? Thanks again for listening to me Terri Ps. Please excuse my spelling, never my strong suit.

Hi Theresa, I Had to do the Protien sparing diet and it really isn't that bad. I used deli sliced roast beef, deli sliced turkey, and frozen cooked shrimp for my protien sources along with chicken and beef broth. To be honest I was never hungry doing it and the fact that you will drop 10 pounds during that time is a nice after effect. I found that during the five days that if "Mother Nature" calls, Heed the Warning! For me it effected me that way. Others tell me they get constipated. You can call the office and ask the nurse about it and she will let you know more. Sorry to hear about your Granmother. I went thu the Loss of My Mom a few months back and while it was her time as well, Still hard to go thru. If you think you need to wait brfore starting the diet tell the doctors office! Last thing you want to do is Fail that Keytone Test. Just remember to keep drinking alot of water or broth and you will be fine. Good Luck. I had Conneticare and they gave me the go ahead in 2 weeks. Good Luck and Welcome to the board. Take Care, Julio

I had to do the protein diet as well. It was a major change in my diet b/c I ate alot of bread, rice and pasta as a pre-op. But you'll be amazed that by the 3rd day, you are just used to it. Its not like you will feel constantly starving or anything b/c the protein keeps you satisfied. I had Oxford as well. I finished my diet on a Friday and right then and there they asked me if I wanted to have surgery that next Friday! I was officially approved about 2 days before surgery. They said that Oxford tends to be very cooperative when it comes to a high BMI and comorbidties so thats why they were so confident about scheduling surgery. I don't know if this is the case with you. Also, this was 2005 and so I don't know if they have changed their opinion about WLS since then. But I wish you luck!

Hey Terri, I started mine today and am surprised just how easy it is. I am finishing off my last 8 ounces of fluid (Snapple Diet Raspberry Iced Tea). I wasn't told anything to expect as side effects. Diana Rosa is my nutritionist and she seemed to me to be the type that would have said something if there was anything consistant. Today I had deli ham and turkey and cups of beef and chicken broth. Not so bad when I thought of where it's leading me. I have Anthem so I can't help with the insurance question. I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. We have had a couple of deaths in the family that we prepared for as much as possible. No matter how prepared you are, it's never easy. My prayers are with you and your family. {{{{HUGS}}}} Sandy

Thank you for your encouragement everyone. I am on my fourth day now and it is not too bad. I did lose my grandmother yesterday morning so it has been a long weekend. But if I can get though this with all of the stress I feel I will do great when surgery comes. I even made my boys and husband breakfast this am and had no problem with it at all. I do have my cranky moments though. Sandy..I also have Diana Rosa, may I ask how you were able to get a surgery date before the protein diet? I am just wondering if I have gone though all the channels right. Thanks Thank you again everyone.

Hi Terri, I was shocked when I got the call because Diana had told me that when I come in Monday to be tested that as long as I passed it they'd submit my papers to the insurance and I'd get a date. I saw Diana on Tuesday and Wednesday morning they called to schedule all my pre-op testing on Thursday and gave me the date. All I can say is in the very beginning I prayed and asked God that if this was the right thing for me to do and the right time to do it that He make it go as smoothly and quickly as possible. So as far as I can see, that's the only way things could have gone as well as they have for me. He does answer prayers and I am living proof of it ... not only in this but in so many ways since I can remember. {{{{HUGS}}}} Sandy