Valentina

I'll let you know, Alex when that day comes. Until then, "I'm a work in progress".

We've been expecting you. Welcome. Sit awhile. Take a deep breath. You've come a long way and have a long road yet to traverse.----so take the time to rest--for now. For now, be kind to yourself. Work on getting your fluids in, then protein. You're on a journey not in a race. Surround yourself with "yourself". Be proud of your accomplishments that have gotten to the "Losers' Bench". That alone would bring a Ninja to her knees! Enjoy our R&R----THEN Get your arse up and get mov'n! Your joyful journey is waiting for you. Make it happen!

Sometimes I believe that one can feel more engaged to advice given by a member who has NOT had such a determined, straight to the finish success journey. Knowing that there are members who stumbled but who were able to overcome and get back on track can be extremely normalizing, and reassuring. Of course we all want to and need to hear about the success stories, but isn't it also important to see the members who got through to their goals after suffering set backs, battle scars, and still are living a healthier, life? Today's "newbies" have sooo much to offer. There are new procedures, new methods, new nutritional studies and guidelines. Like most medical procedures and techniques, WLS has changed--for the better in the last few years. In fact is has flipped almost 100% on some topics. We all can benefit from listening to the newbies. -----really listening---not just reading along---but consider what they have to offer and learning from them. I'm 5yrs + out and I can still look forward to learning from the well intending members who are actually here to pay it forward and not just trying to exercise "one upmanship" with humor (?) that is off the mark, base and hurtful. At 5yrs out, I don't find myself "supported or advised" by that mentation. Tough love is still supposed to be "love". There is supposed to be a compassion behind "tough love"----not just mock the poster and "let them fail". If there is no "love" behind "tough love", the advice is moot---the point is lost because being the target of the "jest" becomes "personal". I feel blessed to have come this far on my WLS journey. Do I wish my personal journey on anyone? No--no one ever! Do I think I have come through a personal tragedy at the beginning of my WLS journey and maybe --just maybe be able to help one person from having to experience the same? --or God willing, help them to get through it? I hope so. I've been a member on BP since 2011. Has the sight changed? oh, yeah. It has "circled". More than once. History truly does repeat itself. Veterans stay. Veterans go. Veterans come back. Some---a few never leave. Newbies ask the same questions? sure. They're newbies--are they supposed to ask "old" questions? Those are the same questions the Vets asked when they were newbies. Many Newbies don't stay. Many will leave and come back. Many will become tomorrow's Vets. There's nothing new or revolutionary about any of it... The circle goes round and round. Best thing I've read here yet...I'm a very very new newbie, just had surgery on 6/21, but I started reading here before I even had a surgery date. You've consistently been the person whose posts I most look forward to, Valentina. No coddling or bs from you, but you're always clear, concise and kind, even when answering questions that must make you want to scream. Everyone likes different deliveries of support and information, yours is just right for me. Thanks for taking the time to interact with those of us who are new to this whole thing, and especially for HEARING us. Thank you. I appreciate your words AND your support. Yes, even at 5yrs out, I NEED support and am far from too proud to say otherwise. Hoping your journey will be a joyful one. Whether it is or whether is "bumpy", I'm here and willing to listen. Sometimes that's all I can do. Hopefully, at times, that alone will help. Keep posting. Keep asking. Keep supporting.

That's a real -AAAA-HHHAAA moment. Thank you for sharing it. Reading it made me smile.

Sometimes I believe that one can feel more engaged to advice given by a member who has NOT had such a determined, straight to the finish success journey. Knowing that there are members who stumbled but who were able to overcome and get back on track can be extremely normalizing, and reassuring. Of course we all want to and need to hear about the success stories, but isn't it also important to see the members who got through to their goals after suffering set backs, battle scars, and still are living a healthier, life? Today's "newbies" have sooo much to offer. There are new procedures, new methods, new nutritional studies and guidelines. Like most medical procedures and techniques, WLS has changed--for the better in the last few years. In fact is has flipped almost 100% on some topics. We all can benefit from listening to the newbies. -----really listening---not just reading along---but consider what they have to offer and learning from them. I'm 5yrs + out and I can still look forward to learning from the well intending members who are actually here to pay it forward and not just trying to exercise "one upmanship" with humor (?) that is off the mark, base and hurtful. At 5yrs out, I don't find myself "supported or advised" by that mentation. Tough love is still supposed to be "love". There is supposed to be a compassion behind "tough love"----not just mock the poster and "let them fail". If there is no "love" behind "tough love", the advice is moot---the point is lost because being the target of the "jest" becomes "personal". I feel blessed to have come this far on my WLS journey. Do I wish my personal journey on anyone? No--no one ever! Do I think I have come through a personal tragedy at the beginning of my WLS journey and maybe --just maybe be able to help one person from having to experience the same? --or God willing, help them to get through it? I hope so. I've been a member on BP since 2011. Has the sight changed? oh, yeah. It has "circled". More than once. History truly does repeat itself. Veterans stay. Veterans go. Veterans come back. Some---a few never leave. Newbies ask the same questions? sure. They're newbies--are they supposed to ask "old" questions? Those are the same questions the Vets asked when they were newbies. Many Newbies don't stay. Many will leave and come back. Many will become tomorrow's Vets. There's nothing new or revolutionary about any of it... The circle goes round and round.

All we need to add are people who at one week post surgery: Ate corn on the cob. Drank beer. Ate potato salad, macaroni salad and coleslaw. Then we can have a virtual barbecue of what not to eat at one week post WLS. --and drinking that beer through a straw...

My opinion: Try infusing your Water with some ginger. Ginger works well for calming the gut. However, if you are concerned enough about your symptoms, give your team a call. They will know better than anyone how to help you. Feel better, and post often, friend.

Add some nutritional yeast to homemade bone broth. It adds a robust savory taste AND Protein. Try it and post on what you thought about it. Good luck. It does get better.

I would suggest you have a straight forward, face to face conversation with your bariatric surgeon. This is NOT the time for half truths or concealing information from the person who will have your very life in his/hands. For so many reasons--on so many levels, call and make an app'tment.

I received a voice message exactly one week after I submitted. I then received the approval letter about 3days later, which I faxed to my surgeon's office. He recieved a copy of the letter from my insurance co. about a week later. By that time, I had my pre-op app'tment scheduled. Go figure, right?

You show great strength and determination in deciding to "cut line" and take the path that is "right" for you. Please, come back to BP and let us know how you are doing. Even though you have chosen a different fork in the road, we are all on the same journey. Best of wishes to you, Friend.

See? Told ya so! Sometimes we just have to be persistent and get the "right" people working WITH us--dedicated to OUR cause and needs. Who says prayers don't work? WAY TO GO!!!! Stay strong. All will be as it should be.

You will LOVE the care you receive from Crystal Run!! The entire process is fabulous--from the staff to the private rooms to the pianoist in the lobby. The surgeon I had is no longer there,( I'm 5yrs out) but knowing that Crystal Run is a "Bariatric Center of Excellence", so I'm confident that the new surgeons are of superior reference. Say, "hello" to Janet Kover for me. She is one fantastic knowledgeable and supportive NUT.. You are off to a wonderful beginning of your WLS by choosing Crystal Run. I'm confident of your success and your bariatric journey being a joyful one.

I like to mix crab meat with just a dollob of Greek yogurt, horseradish, and of course the egg yolks. I season it with Old Bay crab spice and lemon. YUM! You could use a bit of Mayo, if you don't like the yogurt. Enjoy!!!

Don't give up, my friend. Sometimes, we just have to "come through the back door to get to the lobby". Why not call your Medicaid case worker and get her/him on board for you?? She (if she is dedicated to your cause and good at her job) could help you do your phone calling. She may be willing to speak with your doctor's offices on your behalf. If you have an anxiety disorder that is being exasperated by the stress of WLS processes that may actually work in your favor as an additional reason for an "sooner than later" surgical date. Ask your caseworker to explain all of above to the scheduler at your doctors' offices. A compassionate scheduler who is worthy of her/his title should be able to get you seen within your time parameters. Don't give up!! With a couple of devoted and determined folks working with you and for you, you WILL be successful I know it! It may be time to "think out of the box" and be creative. There are many members who can be very creative on this site. Please, keep posting. We won't give up on you just as long as YOU don't. Deal??

Did you have to remind me??? Let me see---- I take : Calcium Vit B12 Vit B complex Multivitamin for "Grannies" Vit D I pay for them upfront and then my insurance co. reimburses me. I wait until CVS has a "buy 1--get one free" sale. Hope this helps, my friend.

@@Valentina who is your insurance with. My BCBSIL was great for WLS but doesn't cover any plastics after WLS. But I get to choose my plan every year and there are about four providers. I am hoping there is one that is more likely to cover. I have Fidelis through Medicare. Good luck!

I'm having my abdominal excess skin removed, thigh skin lifted and "lady bits" made "perdy" again. All of that will be completely covered by my insurance.

Did you hear about the kidnapping? He woke up...

I wouldn't worry so much about medical students doing your surgery. I would worry about a saleman doing your surgery! Did you know that sometimes a saleman who is trying to sell a new piece of equipment to a hospital will actually be invited into an OR and asked to "demonstrate" it?????? Really??? Yep, really. When asked to sign papers ​​giving your permission to have: students, researchers, cameras and salesmen "observe" your surgery, be careful. Be specific about who and what you want to be the OR during YOUR surgery.

All I can tell you is my own story. I am now over five years out and my restriction is alive and very "active". I will add that "waayyyy back in the day", more of the stomach was routinely removed. I was told that about 93% of mine was removed. I believe that today's surgeons remove between 80-85% --maybe a wee bit more. There's quite enough for one to worry about without worrying about things that may or may not years down the line. Enjoy the "honeymoon" period of your WLS journey. It won't last forever. Weight loss will slow down, but stretch? Naaa.

Friend, Remeron is an appetite stimulant as well as an antidepressant. It increases the craving for sugars. Please, Please find a therapist who is familiar and supportive of bariatric surgery and its effects on one's body. Hang on, girl friend. Call area hospitals, mental health clinics and your insurance company. Explain to them--in detail--what's going on with your body and mind. Keep posting . We care and we want to know when you land on solid ground.

Thank you, my friend, Kindle. Job well done. Bless you for all of the wonderful kindness , support and on point advice you have given to me. Your level headedness will be missed. Happy Trails!