I agree with lablvr... defiantely call the surgeons office. If you are speaking about Dr. Kemmerling in green bay, it is required that you go in and watch a video and have a consult with him.  Be sure that you call your insurance company.  You said they cover RNY..BUT chances are they will cover it with some exceptions. For example, they may require that you have a 6 month visit, or a sleep study.  Be sure to get all of the information from them in DETAIL.  Have a list of questions prepared before you call them.  As far as food... its always protien first.  I am 2 months post op, last night I went out for a friends birthday. I ordered a 10 oz ribeye steak, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed veggies. Now.. I didn't eat all of it.... I had half of the steak, non of the veggies, and 2 bites of the potatoes. I brought the rest home for lunch and dinner today.  Alcohol and soda. I had 2 glass of wine last night, and I was fine (albeit slightly tipsy!)  I highly recommend learning to love water and and flavored water.  You wil not want to drink soda for a couple of reason. One reason is the amount of sugar, and soda has no nutritional value. The second reason is the carbonation.  You have to remember your new stomach aka, the pouch, is very small, and having all of those air bubbles released in your pouch can be painful and uncomfortable. If you are a soda drinker, and if you are serious about the RNY, then you will want to start giving up soda now so it doesn't haunt you after surgery :-)   Good luck and let  us know if you have any other questions. P.S.   you were right, you could have started a new thread, it would have been a great topic starter!

Hello Everyone,  I don't know how or if I can start a new thread, so I just posted here. I am just beginning to research having weight loss surgery.  I have a couple questions...  Where to start...  That is the biggest question. Here is what I know.  I know my insurance covers RNY and I have found a doctor in my plan located in GB.  That's about it.   What next? Do I need to try Weigh****chers or something?  I see many of you have to go to a dietician?  How long does the surgery keep you out of work? I have back and knee pain.  Can anybody relate?  Did it go away after the surgery? What do you eat? What can't you eat? Can you still drink coffee? Beer? Wine? Any alcohol? Soda? Thanks in advance!  

Hi everyone, I usually go to the main board and decided to try to find people closer to me so here I am. I am pre op, I have been approved by my insurance co like within a week. I am still finding it hard to believe but 2 different people from the insurance co and Elaine from Dr Wasco's office said its an approval letter. I have to go Wens to Dr Groh's office for my results from my psyche eval which worries me, and I see Lori Knapp on Thurs for 1 visit. Then I guess 4 weeks of the pre op diet. Elaine says I can probably figure the early part of August for my surgery. I am so looking forward to my new life.

Welcome to the board. I'm sure your sisters are a great support for you. It's nice to have someone close to turn to for questions etc... Good Luck on your journey and to everyone who is starting off. Last year at this time I was starting off. I'm 8 months post op now and a new person.  Shari Latawiec RNY 10/15/08 242/135 LBS ( Healthy Lbs. I might add )

The Fourth of July holiday is just around the corner. This will be my 7^th year I have presented a Power Point presentation on the 4^th of July to those in my email database of which is now over 1000 people. If you would like to receive this FREE presentation please contact me at [email protected] This year’s theme is honoring our American Soldiers… Again this is a free presentation that I send out yearly…