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Ok so I had my 1st post op appt today, and I was weighed and I actually weigh 358!!!!! WHAAAAAT??!?! And my nurse practioner was SO much more helpful than my dietician. She told me that eating 1-2 tbsp per meal is actually less than they would normally see (she said 3-4 oz is pretty typical). She said my bp is the same now without my meds as it was 3 weeks ago when I was on it!!!! And my blood sugar was 126 without diabetes meds for 3 weeks (3 weeks ago, on both my meds, it was 144). So all in all it was a SUPER good appointment and I'm happy and relieved. She said I'm doing excellent, and that my walking on the treadmill for 20 min twice a day and riding the exercise bike 5 min twice a day (still have a bit of pain in my abdomen from the incision and the muscle, so the bike is much slower going) is really good and giving me the results we want to see. I told her about this board and how amazing it is and she said she would recommend it to her other patients. So all in all, a GREAT day!!!!!

Hi JUNE friends! I get notifications when there are posts and how emotional I was to see all the NEW 2022 Junies posting! Made me reflect on everything that has happened to me in the last year. Recorded my highest weight in NOV 2019 at 305 at 5ft1in at the doctor's office. Cried and talked with her about surgery. She was all for it. Let that sit and fester for another year, what was the rush? I have only been thinking about this for the last TEN years. Finally, Nov 2020, my levels were prediabetic. I was on two high BP meds. I knew I needed to stop this. My insurance sucked and conventional route was not going to happen. MANY MANY insurance companies DO NOT cover bariatric surgeries any more. WHICH is ridiculous since it is the only elective surgery that reverses or ends so many mortal diseases. Why wouldn't they pay? Between HBP and soon to be diabetes, probably need knee replacements, and on and on!! I had to find self pay. I was too nervous to look at Mexico, and found Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I started my Pre-Op diet May 25th, 2021. Surgery was June 15th, 2021. Best DECISION I EVER MADE! We have all been there. Should have done it sooner, hmmm-ed and hawed for months and months once my doctor and I talked about it. Then there was covid. The delays never ended. But to all the new people.....TRUST THE PROCESS, LISTEN to your body. It will know what to do. If you do the work, it will follow. I consider myself a SLOW loser. I was not, will not, and won't ever be an exercise lover. I couldn't fathom doing any exercise when I was 305lbs. It was a terrible cycle. I can't walk and move my body because my knees hurt, my back hurt. I didn't walk much when I started this journey but then, after the tiredness subsides, you think wow, my knees don't hurt. I can go for a walk with the dog. Then, I WANT to walk the dog. For me, everything was baby steps. BUT, suddenly the pants are looser. You start to see your face change. Then, those close to you start to notice. Slowly, but SURELY, it comes off. The ONLY WAY to lose this weight is by calorie deficit. It is the ONLY WAY we can all do this. It is NOT EASY. Having surgery is NOT easy. We still have to change the way we eat. We are still have to fight those old habits and desires. I read everything I could, joined this group, and a couple on FB. I read all the advice. I am here to tell you a few of mine. I HATED pictures of any kind. I didn't take many before or after surgery. DO TAKE PICTURES!!! I love seeing people's before and afters and transformations and I just can't go back. and POOP. No one talks about the POOP or lack of it. It was my biggest side effect and still an issue. HAIR LOSS, it happens, just start those biotin pills NOW! SO, sorry for this long post, it was kind of emotional and I needed to just write it all out. You took the first steps. You got this! I still feel like I just did and am in the stages you are. But, as I close in on my first anniversary, I am overwhelmed. I hit the 100 pound lost mark. Then, this week, I hit ONEDERLAND. Lots of milestones all at once. I am anxious to see what my pounds lost will be on June 15th! Trust yourself and the process. There are NO steadfast rules. I hate when I see posts and people are so adamant and actually rude about stuff. In the end, you make the rules. I'm an open book and will answer any questions. You can message me or post. Literally remind yourself, it's ONE day at a time. Best wishes Junies!!

I was told by the hospital & my insurance that my procedure would be covered, then I received a bill for $32k. I was back & forth with the hospital several times prior to my surgery when my original responsibility was $12k. Then after my surgery the price doubled. Nobody could explain to me why & I got hung up on every time I asked. When I look at the breakdown, I could see that the hospital billed my insurance for $151k, which is like 5x the amount of the surgery. But once again, nobody from the hospital can explain to me why.

Could be a myriad of reasons but definitely see your medical team. Generally if you feel pain, or if something is or feels different to you seek medical advice. Always better to be safe & sure after a surgery.

This. And to those who think otherwise, kindly just move along.

Allie - ABSOLUTELY!!!

Respectfully, I suggest when you see a topic you aren’t interested in just move along. This is clearly a topic that has great meaning to many of the members of our group. We come here for support. The LGBTQIA+ community has been discriminated against, targeted, and hated by much of society. Here they should experience nothing but love and support as they work through many of the same, but some unique to just them, issues related to their weight and health.

I had my sleeve done by Dr. Lutfi May 2016.

ME!!!

Any Sleevies in Chicago?!!?! Perhaps we could start some kind of support group that hangs out now and then, like coffee or something? I'd love to get one started! Let's all be friends dangit!!!!!!!! My name's JadeVT, just turned 28 and reside on the Northside. Had my surgery done by Dr. Rami Lutfi at Presence Saint Joseph.