Estrovan

I'm absolutely terrified that my insurance won't approve me! I'm a 39.1 BMI with plenty of comorbidities - but I'm still scared that since I'm not above a 40 they will turn me down : ( Are there any other United Healthcare folks out there? How long did you have to wait for approval? Are they sticklers for the 40 BMI? I'm freaking out - it's been almost 2 weeks since my doctor's office submitted .... Thanks!

My doctor (who has an amazing reputation in the medical community & WLS community) plans to place a band at the bottom of my sleeve. It's not like a lap band - there's no filling & unfilling - no port, nothing like that. It's more like a corset for the sleeve that stays in permanently. Is this something that most surgeons do? I've never heard anyone mention it so I'm curious.

I'm about 2.5 months out and I don't have any trouble with spicy foods. The density of food is what I have to watch out for. Both chicken legs and wings seem to go down easily - spicy or not.

My NUT told me that I could have them at 8 weeks out. I stick to almonds - my sleeve seems to tolerate them better than the others.

I had one at about 6 weeks. Had one bite of the whole shebang just to get it out of my system. Then just ate the egg & canadian bacon to finish up. Only got through about 2/3.

I was cleared at 8 weeks for protein bars - sooooo glad I have that as an option now!!

If its severe look for: Confusion. Inability to find the correct words to express your thought. Trouble ordering simple tasks. Lightheaded. Dry mouth. Less severe: Yellow urine. Odor to urine. Headache. Dry mouth. Less urine output. Should be going 6-8 times per day.

Yup.

I confess: 1) I'm afraid to donate my favorite fat clothes. They were my way to hide the flubber & pretend it wasn't as bad as it really was. 2) I will NEVER be totally honest with my family about this process & how difficult it's been. They are just itching to say, "We told you so!!". I refuse to give them the satisfaction. 3) I know I will be successful in LOSING the weight - but I'm terrified beyond belief that I won't be able to MAINTAIN it. 4) I feel incredibly guilty when a waiter/waitress asks me if I "didn't like my food" - so then I launch into WAAAAY too much detail about my life. I try to stop myself but I just CANT!! I don't want them to "feel bad". It's ridiculously co-dependent, I know . . . 5) I can't wait (I can't believe I'm saying this ...) to have NAKED sex!! I have been hiding from my husband under nightgowns for 24 years with strict rules about . . . hmmm . . . how to put this (?) . . . only accessing what is absolutely necessary to get the job done : ) WHEW!!! That was hard!!!

Yes - you need to be getting in more fluids - it could explain a lot of the emotional stuff in addition to the physical. Call your doc for something for nausea so you can at least get those fluids in. Good luck!

I agree- focus on the water first, then protein. It will get better - we promise!! I remember the pain in my chest from swallowing like it was yesterday & it DOES hurt like a son of a gun!! Hang in there. You'll start to notice a difference over the next 3-4 days. It won't be gone - but it will slowly begin to improve.

Wah-hoooooooo!!!!

Hmmmmm ... interesting ... Different strokes for different doctors I guess. I WAS on chewables (Bariatric Advantage) initially but they made me so nauseated that I wasn't able to get in my fluids. At 3 weeks, my doctor switched me to a capsule (Celebrate) and it's been smooth sailing ever since. But, regarding pill swallowing in general - he had me doing it in the hospital!! There was never any restriction whatsoever about pill swallowing & I've never had any trouble doing it. My main concern is that you be sure to take a BARIATRIC Vitamin. That is super important to your overall health. But there are lots of options out there - just have a heart to heart with your doctor regarding which ones are good options for YOU ; ) Good luck!

I WAS working out - but had to quit. I wound up making myself sick w/ very LOW blood pressure (80/60!!). Was having confusion, inability to speak, couldn't complete simple tasks (like showering, putting the dogs out, etc), really bizarre symptoms!! My surgeon & primary care both told me that it was just way too early to be working out as hard as I was. SO - now I'm not doing a darn thing!! I do hope to go back to walking once the weather cools off a bit where I live. I'm actually kind of scared to go back to working out after having my crash & burn incident ... how sad is that?! I am REALLY GOOD about getting in my Water, Vitamins & Protein EVERY day. I drink lots of G2 as my "water" - at least 4 (20oz.) bottles per day. Thats the only "special" thing I do (I get the impression that a lot of folks have trouble with the water & protein #'s). I eat VERY clean & I've only had alcohol one time since surgery (special occasion - best 2 Cosmos I've had in my life!). That's really all - I'm just following the rules. But - don't get the wrong impression - I've still had a 3 week stall just like everybody else!! I've just been losing well since I got my groove back : )

Starting BMI = 39 (222 lbs) Current BMI = 32 (180 lbs) 5'3" tall ~ 9 weeks since surgery

I had the exact same thing happen to me (I'm 6 weeks out) and I started adding G2 to my daily liquids - having that little bit of sodium & electrolytes helped me to process all that water better. Have been feeling much better since I added that.

The night of my surgery the hospital started bringing me meds in pill form - so I've never crushed a thing!

I had surgery the exact same day! Today is the first day I started seeing progress on the scale - not much - but at least its something. I lost 12 lbs pre-op and had gained it all back (thanks to the IV) by the night of surgery. SO, I've just been getting off the water weight until today - now I'm back at my operation day morning weight. So anything from here is ACTUAL weight loss. I'm curious to see if theres any difference tomorrow . . . I was blown up like a walrus - it was ridiculous!

I was sleeved last Thursday and I'm having the same thing!! My poor husband can't reach out to touch my hand without me jumping through the ceiling!!! Bizarre!!

Mine is set on 2000. I'm doing sets of 10 about once per hour.

Hubby is driving and I'm riding, praying & talking to you guys : ) I'll be done & in recovery by the time most of you wake up (I'm in NC). Say a quick prayer for me if you're awake & I'll see you on the other side!!!!

Hi folks!! I'm 24 hours out. Walking feels wonderful! Just got ok'd to start sipping Water - will start Protein shakes in a couple of hours. Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. It's going really well so far, I think . )

I'm on the way to he hospital right now!!! Goo luck guys - I'll say a prayer for all of us.

What in heavens name is happening to me?!?! I am a basket case. I'm unable to make decisions, form complete sentences or find the right words. I'm a blubbering, snotty, emotional basket case. It feels like post partum depression - but I'm still PRE-op!!! I'm sitting in my car right now like a gigantic loser because I couldn't quit crying and snorting in church!!! What is going on with me? Please tell me some of you have gone coo-coo for cocoa puffs just before surgery .... I'm so scared that this is some sort of sign that I shouldn't go through with it - but I want it Soooo bad .... (deep breath). Help!!

Hey gang - I'm MUCH better today - I guess I just had to get it all out of my system yesterday. I just felt completely overwhelmed. I described it to my husband like "EMOTIONALLY speaking, this feels like deciding to have a baby or deciding to get married - It's for the rest of my life!" The forever factor is just a hard concept to adjust to I suppose. I guess it would be concerning if I DIDN'T take a moment to pause and soak this all in, right?? But - all in all - a much better today : ) Thank you all for the encouragement - so glad to be on this journey with great folks like you!!