Sandra V

So after researching LB for almost 10 years, i finally had the balls to get the process going. I looked into True Results because I was advised my coverage didn't cover bariatric surgery but they told me due to my hiatal hernia I would be covered for all but a $5500 out of pocket charge that would be split into 2 year payments. So.... I just got a few letters from my insurance and apparently I owe almost $30K WHAT!?

True Results doesn't send me anything, they just auto deduct the monthly payment from my checking account. I'm just concerned because the letters from my insurance company say I'm responsible for all this money that they aren't paying the place the surgery was done at. I have an appointment for an adjustment next week so I guess I will get some answers then.

My heaviest weighed was 228. I'd done the diet/exercise thing and my smallest ever was 165. My weight on the day of surgery was 216. And even though I know it is a hefty goal, I want to lose 100lbs the first year. But I have an "initial" goal of 75-80lbs. I figure that is a good goal to set so I can exceed it hahaha.

Oh my goodness I'm so glad I'm not the only one making noises at inappropriate times hahahaha. This is going to sound like in lying but I have actually never been able to freely pass gas or go #2 while in public. (this was a real heartbreaker growing up when I wanted to fart on my lil brother or sister haha) but goodness gracious now I've turned into that lady you hear and smell in the bathroom. Luckily, I'm at the point where I'm actually too old to really care what others think about what goes on when I'm in the restroom at work...and I definitely still don't do it unless I'm in a restroom so don't judge :-P As far as fhe shoulder pain, I feel you guys. I am not a bad ass or anything but my pain tolerance is decent... However de the shoulder pain after surgery did last almost three weeks. NOT fun. I will definitely be coming back and reading everyone's posts more often I had forgotten how much they help and make me feel not so weird

33 lbs in 4 months is avg of 2 lbs per week...just look at this way, if you can keep up that average, you will have lost over a hundred pounds in a year. slow and steady wins the race right?

I've set some different goals for myself. I'm 31 and 5ft tall. My starting weight was 222, 216 at time of surgery (I only had to do one week of pre op diet, 2 shakes 1 meal). My ultimate dream goal weight is 116, which is still on the higher end of "normal weight" for my height. But my goal for my first year is a loss of 60lbs which would put me at 156, the smallest I've ever been since being a kid. Ideally I hope that I can achieve the loss of the remaining 40lbs. It sounds so crazy to me right now to think I could ever be that small but when I achieve my first goal (I refuse to say IF, I have to believe in myself) , then I figure I will be able to achieve it by losing less than 3.5lbs a month the second year.

I've told my mom, sister, 3 of my best friends and a coworker (she had the surgery a month before i did). I havent told my babies dad or his brother (we all live in the same house). They just know I had a hiatal hernia repair. I figure I will start letting people know once im a bit farther down the journey, I plan on starting a blog too so its not like Im ashamed, I just dont feel like dealing with any negativity if i can avoid it.

I got banded last Thursday and I'm still having really bad shoulder pain. I have been taking gas x, drinking water, using a heat pad...it still hurts. I'm hoping it's just because of the gas, since I seem to be having a hard letting it out

My doctor had initially said 4 weeks, but then he said if im healing well and the band seems to have settled I should be able to start after my first fill (which would be a few days before the one month mark).

8-10 hours?! Oh geez, I think i may have to wait till friday after work then cause theres no way I can be running to the bathroom for a BM at work (im really weird about using public restrooms for anything but pee).

I def feel your pain...I havent had a BM since the day before surgery (1/23) and i feel gross. Ive been taking the gas x strips and they help a little with gas, but other than that I havent yet taken anything. During pre op visits the doc recommended Benefiber, but apparantly it was taken off the shelves so Im not sure what to have in its place. I bought the Mucinex clear and natural but am a little scared its not the right thing and will change texture after i drink it and give me more pain. My mom (she is a few weeks pre op) said her doc recommended a suppository to get a BM going...doesnt sound like the most pleasant thing but I might just have to suck it up and go that route. Does the MOM cause really bad cramping? I have to be at work 9-7 all week and would hate to take it and be in pain while im stuck at work.

Like everyone said before I would double check with your doc to make sure you dont start mushies too soon. I got banded on Thursday (1/24) and was told clear liquids for 48 hours after op. Then for the rest of the first week liquids only, but could include protein shakes. Im still gonna verify with my own doc just to make sure that i can start yogurts and mushies on week 2. Good luck!

Thanks for all the well wishes ladies. My first day of work was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. my incisions didnt start hurting until around 630pm . But my shoulder was KILLING me all day. Luckily my baby's dad has a heating pad he let me take to work and that helped lots. I think im going to keep taking it with me for at least a few more days just in case. Since i'm only 4 days out, im still on liquids only...had water, coffee, half a protein shake and 1/3 of a fruit protein drink all day. Oh and i had a little cup of sugar free jello. even though i melted the jello in my mouth before swallowing and i know the protein shake is liquid, i was surprisingly full after taking a few sips I also had some veg broth for dinner, and even though i made bacon cheeseburgers and fries for the rest of the house, I can honestly say I didnt feel the pang or need to eat .

Hey ladies, my name is Sandra and this is my first post. I just had surgery on Thursday, so far recovery has been going pretty smooth, incisions dont hurt too horribly as long as I keep off certain angles and dont wear "real pants" hahaha. The most annoying thing so far is the left shoulder pain. Its even more annoying knowing that its a referred pain and theres really no reason why my shoulder should be hurting and nothing really seems to make it go away (started using a heating pad on it tonight and it seems to help a little). I havent really been hungry, and when i do feel a lil hunger strike I have been drinking chix or beef broth which makes it go away. I had one Protein shake throughout the day yesterday and today (vanilla yest, choc today), but it felt so heavy it was hard to want to drink the whole thing. I go back to work tomorrow (wasn't able to get time off work other than day of surgery and day after, then i have weekends off), so we will see how that goes. I'm not gonna lie, im a bit scared that i wont feel well sitting for so long (schedule is 8-7 tomorrow), but we shall see. Can't wait to read everyone's stories and have a place to go to get ideas/advice/etc. Good night!