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Hi guys and gals, This is insane! I started my journey at 287, a size 24 pant (that were a little on the tight side.) I had surgery on May 14th at 260. Today, just shy of 4 weeks out I weighed in at 239 (finally broke that damn stall). Anyways my clothes have literally been FALLING off me. I was just fine until about a week ago. So I went shopping today and grabbed some size 22s. Too big. So I grabbed some 20s. Still too big. So in total awe I grabbed some size 18s and holy mackerel they FIT. I almost died. And I tried on a shirt that was size 14/16 and it fit! I am on cloud 9 right now 😍. Hope all my fellow May surgery buddies are doing well!

I was 11lbs heavier after surgery. It's all the fluids from the IV. Give your body time to heal. You're post op so progress starts now! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

That's perfectly fine to drink the shake in 30 minutes. The swelling in your stomach has gone down and allows the liquid to pass right through. However, you now have absolutely no excuse not to get your water in every day! You won't really start feeling restriction until you start eating soft foods That's also when you start being able to feel "full". One tip for the hunger: Sugar-free jello, DON'T CHEW IT WELL! It will be slippery enough to get into your stomach all right, but it will take your stomach a while to break it down, so you feel full for a while. The little ready-to-eat cup is the perfect size! Good luck! p.s. In my area, bariatric support meetings are open to everyone, even if you didn't have surgery at their facility. Maybe you can find one near you?

I'm anxiously waiting for insurance approval. My primary insurance is Medicare, BCBS is my secondary (I think that's how it works). I did the 6 months of diet consults, my BMI is 42, and I have severe sleep apnea. I completed the checklist from my surgeon's office; did my psych eval, nutritionist visit, breathing test, and all. I have read about people getting denied by insurance and it has me very worried. I've started stress eating because of it. I don't know the exact insurance requirements because I think it gets approved by BCBS, but BCBS has different requirements for people with Medicare and I cannot find that information online. I have called my insurances many times about the requirements without any clear answers. I worry that I'm missing something, like 5 years of weight history or something that would keep me from getting the surgery. Right now, I feel like I did right before I left home to go to college, it seemed like it would be so great there and I had worried that the day would somehow never come. *breathes deep*

That is amazing!! You're doing great! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good for you! Congratulations.. I am 12 days post op. I got rid of all my 2xl shirts over the weekend. Down 22lbs in 12days and 31lbs since beginning my liver shrink...this is crazy..hopefully I will be allowed to do more exercise than walking soon..really fatigue early but at 53yrs old and eating 650 calories a day, I guess my energy will slowly come around..keep up the good work!

Thanks for empathizing everyone, and for the advice. Funny @Creekimp13, I was thinking today that I wish my dog were still alive, she'd be loving all the proteins she'd be getting, and I wouldn't feel near as guilty! @Orchids&Dragons I totally love buffets. I feel like people pay far less attention to what's on your plate, and I create very little waste. And I wish I wasn't single right now. Then I'd be able to cook and send almost all the leftovers home with him! As for the work travel thing, it's complicated. When I'm eating alone I customize the crap out of my meals. But when I'm dining with others I do so only minimally. First I don't want to attract any more attention than necessary to my eating habits. It's also not viewed favorably at all with in my company to be "picky and demanding". I have a peer who customizes everything, but not due to any dietary issues, just because he is a self absorbed PIA. He is definitely looked down up by our management, and it is viewed as unprofessional. Being able to be flexible and go with the flow is highly valued where I work. @Pearldrop I unfortunately don't go any single place more frequently than quarterly. Even in the same city I don't have a lot of frequent repeats, unless it's the hotel restaurant, lol. I think the hotel chain I stay at sent me a summary last year saying I stayed in 54 different cities. Since I am traveling to my customers or collegues area, it is customary for them to pick the restaurant. Wine and dining is a requirement, I'm afraid. But it is not only customers, but colleagues as well. Going to a nice dinner with drinks flowing is a way to relax and break down barriers, and form relationships with people you deal with frequently but see infrequently. My company is very frugal in a lot of ways, but I have no T&E budget, and have never been questioned on a dining expense, so that's how important it is to our corporate culture. (Also part of why I needed WLS!) I'll definitely have to look into the shelter or Ronald McDonald House idea. I like it a lot, it's killing two birds with one stone. I've just never heard of any place being willing to take home cooked food. I think in the US we might be too afraid of liability for a charity to accept such a thing. I'll look into it though!

I used to travel for work a lot B4 sleeve and it was tough, I’m not sure I could do it now, so congratulations on trying to find a workable option. I have some ideas, that might be possible. When you travel is it often to the same places, and do you frequent the same restaurants? If so, you could have a chat with the restaurant and see what options may be available. They may be able to offer you smaller portions, and by being a regular you won’t need to constantly explain at time of ordering. A reminder at booking may be enough. Is it a requirement to wine/dine client? Is it possible to change up the location or activities? The home cooking can be a challenge, and again I have no idea of your arrangements so feel free to ignore. You could check to see if there is a shelter or a Ronald McDonald type of housing in your area. You could cook up your favourite dishes, take a serve or 2 for yourself and drop the rest off. This way families staying in short term/supportive housing benefit from a home cooked meal and the food isn’t wasted. Best of luck and let me know how you go.

I picked bypass because of how much I had to lose! I started at 340. My surgery weight was 311on 4/23 & I'm currently 276. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I would talk to your psych doctor about the issue of your meds. (Are you planning to be on these meds long term, is there another med? Could this dose be less at some point down the road etc.) You could definitely lose 100 lbs. with either surgery. And I agree with the other poster about GERD. Many people are getting revisions due to GERD