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I was sleeved by Dr. Baker in Petoskey,MI on May 6. If anyone is considering or having surgery thru this office or doctor I would be happy to answer any questions. Best of luck to you!

I took a week off work. I had my surgery on a Monday, and returned the following Monday. I also have a desk job, so I sit for almost 10 hours a day. When I was getting super tired sometimes I'd set the timer on my phone for 15 minutes and go close my eyes in the car. It is refreshing! Also, only my boss and one co-worker know I had surgery- to this day! I moved a little slower, but not much! Best of luck to you!

I'm doing great. I am 85lbs down. 25 to goal but thats my own fault for not exercising through the fall and winter. I went from 289 (pant size 20-22) to 205 (loose 13/14) and a 2x tee to a L/XL. There's only a few things I can't eat now. Milk, really greasy foods, hot chocolate.... Nothing major. I'm very happy and would go through it all again in a heartbeat! I loved Dr. Baker. He is extremely knowledgable and personable. Kristie, Kate and the rest of the office have all been fantastic. Good luck to you!

I'm doing great. I am 85lbs down. 25 to goal but thats my own fault for not exercising through the fall and winter. I went from 289 (pant size 20-22) to 205 (loose 13/14) and a 2x tee to a L/XL. There's only a few things I can't eat now. Milk, really greasy foods, hot chocolate.... Nothing major. I'm very happy and would go through it all again in a heartbeat! I loved Dr. Baker. He is extremely knowledgable and personable. Kristie, Kate and the rest of the office have all been fantastic. Good luck to you!

My surgeon's office told me that my insurance doesn't require pre-approval. I'm assuming this means that they just make sure my i-s are dotted, and my t-s are crossed. The surgeon said they'll call me with a date. I verified with the gals at the front desk because it seemed too easy.They have everything they need. It's just a matter of giving me a date! I am going crazy waiting. I saw them last on Wed morning. It's Monday!!! Why are they torturing me so?! Hahahaha!! I just need to vent to people who understand my pain.

I have developed a lactose problem since being sleeved on May 6. My stomach just gets all upset and it lasts for about 24 hours. Luckily it isn't worse than that, but it is really hindering my diet. I need to start advancing my diet but I am afraid to simply because it seems EVERYTHING has milk in it! Even a few bites of toast upsets it. I'm super picky about my food, so things are really getting hard. Who else has this problem? I feel like I am the only one dealing with that on top of recovering. I need some tips, suggestions, anything. I'd even be happy with someone else with the issue to talk to. Help? Anyone? lol Also, has anyone with a mild lactose intolerance tried the Lactaid pills? I wonder if they're even worth the money.

I'm glad they have helped you, and welcome to the losers bench! Luckily I have gotten over my lactose intolerance. A few weeks ago I decided to slowly start trying things, and have had no problems since. I hope the other posts have helped you too. They sure did me!! I ate a lot of Kraft Cracker Barrel 2% cheese, because it is lactose free. Kraft 2% string cheese is also lactose free. (it says on the back in small print) I avoided all yogurts and cottage cheese. I ended up using Lactaid milk to make unjury shakes to get my Protein in. Some instant mashed potatoes don't have milk in them. I spent so much time in the store reading labels it was crazy. I also used I can't believe its not butter spray on my mashed potatoes. I had no issues because of the lactaid in them, or maybe because I used so little- but it worked for me. When you can have breads I looked into the Kosher or Pareve kind.... Aunt millies has a link on their website that lists all of their dairy free products. They have quite a few products!! Good Luck!

Wow. Thats horrible!! I don't blame you. You gotta do what you gotta do!

I'm doing great! Down 55lbs. i'd suggest you be the squeaky wheel. To both offices!! They scheduled my surgery and forgot to call me. I called and asked after waiting a week and they thought someone called me. Doh! I tried to have surgery thru Munson back in 2009. I got all the way to scheduling surgery before they said ins wouldnt pay. (Even the appts so far- i had to pay 100%!!!!!) For that reason I would avoid them. McLaren checks into it before you start. I also like Mclarens process better. No way I would have been prepared or successful through Munson. I was devistated but now I am so greatful. Everything happens for a reason! Good luck, and be that squeaky wheel!

Thank you for the input ladies! I knew that I wasn't alone, and that it could be an issue post op. I am in a great group of May sleevers on facebook, and none of them have issues with lactose. I was just starting to feel alone and frustrated! I can't just try this recipe, or that shake. I wandered the grocery store for an hour Saturday night just trying to find some new ideas to expand my options, and walked away without much. Fortunately I can handle unjury, and I make it with Fat Free Lactaid. I use the chocolate flavor, and add some PB2. It masks the little bit of different flavor from the Lactaid. That has been a huge portion of my Protein each day. I have also found a few types of cheese that are lactose free. My tastes are still changing every few days, so it is an endless battle to find food! lol Last week I got the OK for my diet to be more or less restricted, within reason. I am going out of town for a long weekend for the fourth of July, so I am trying to test more foods to see what I can handle. The last thing I want to do is get sick there! (I do know that my purse will be full of Clif and Luna bars though) Cheri- I didn't even think to look for Kosher bread. I had never even heard of Pareve either- and I worked in a grocery store for 8 years! I will most definitely look into that. Thanks for the heads up with the smart balance too. The only thing I've used butter for so far is mashed potatoes. I used spray butter, and Lactaid. I figured there was so little butter that the Lactaid probably took care of that lactose too. I think I'll pick some of that up! Lynda- I've tried soy milk and almond milk. I can't stand either. Things make me nauseous so fast if they taste bad, so maybe I'll try them again in another few weeks. I am glad things have gotten easier for all of you so far. I pray that mine is only temporary! In the mean time, is there anything else you ate to get through the phase I am in? I don't like to heavily rely on the Luna and Clif bars, as they do have fat and sugar- but they're dairy free and have a decent amount of protein.

I am 5 weeks out and down almost 40 lbs. I only told close family and friends before, and after I started telling more friends. Luckily everyone has been supportive. At work only my boss and hr lady knew. This week another co-worker finally noticed my weight loss. I thought I was busted when she stared me down and said I have really lost weight... But she was just jealous/kidding with me. I told her I am just eating less calories and more protein. Also pointed out I became lactose i tolerant so I really have to watch my food. That is all true!

I just switched my insurance at work Jan 1! I switched blue care network to bcbs. I even asked to make sure it was covered before I did!! Haha, I have just now been on their plan 6months.

Wow! Congrats all around! Thats great weight loss! I am stuck at 35 lost, 13 if it was preop. I can't wait to make it to Onederland!! That is awesome news!!

My ins paid $32,000 for surgery day. Thats everything. I had met my 1250 deductable during the preop visits and tests.

My issue is lactose. I can't have it now, hopefully it not permenant. Also, I was having spasms in my esophagus from my hiatal hernia repair. They have me taking levsin around the clock to help.

I am 3 weeks out today and have been battling nausea the last few days. Friday and Saturday I had a weird feeling in the back of my throat. I felt a bit sick during that, but it went away Sunday morning. Then, starting Sunday I haven't been able to get my protein in. Cottage cheese, yogurt and milk makes me nauseas. Even my protein mixed into shakes or Jello makes me ill. Pretty much everything turns my stomach. Otherwise my recovery has been great so far! Its been a breeze until now. Has anyone else had this issue? Or do you have suggestions? I take prilosec daily already. Thanks

My hospital stay was good. I only had to stay the one night. You get a morphine pump for pain the first day, so you can sleep away most of it! The nurses were absolutely wonderful! I had minimal pain, and a very easy recovery. Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks. Once I started on soft foods (2weeks) I started to get sick. I can't handle lactose now. Its a possible side effect from surgery. It can be temporary or permenant. I am struggling to stick to the food/drinks I am allowed , not having lactose, and gettig my Protein in. I would still do it again! I'm down 35lbs. Are u having surgery in Petoskey? I'd be happy to answer any more questions.

I was just sleeved 5/6, and BCBS was wonderful. I'd suggest contacting them directly and ask for the requirements for your plan. Your surgeon's office should also be able to help you out with it. I was required to have 6 months of supervised diet as well, however my surgeon's office pointed out that BCBS will now accept Online Weight Watchers!! I had done it for over a year, and printed out my weekly weights, as well as the page that shows I paid all that time. My policy didn't give preapprovals, so it was up to the surgeon's office to make sure I met requirements before surgery. After surgery, they submitted everything for payment. They paid every penny! (I had already met my deductible) $32,000 paid without an issue.

What are your requirements? Full liquids? Soft foos?

Tumbelyna- i only told my boss and HR lady. I am a few days out from surgery now. During surgery my doc found i had a hiatial hernia. If someone figures out I had surgery- I will tell them thats what I had fixed. As for weight loss I am going to say its a low cal high protein diet with exercise. None of that is lying really..... :-) if I need to I can say its a physician supervised dirt. People aren't keen to detail iny office.I went the whole 2 week preop diet and nobody noticed anything different. Tell them what you are comfortable with. Surgery is a very personal decision! Good luck!!

Big NO on the ibuprofen. Talk to your doc- there are quite a few things we can't take post op.

Hello! I was just sleeved on Monday, May 6. I'm sure I will be floating aound here learning all I can!

Thank you! I'm so exited to be here!! I can't wait to hit the gym and see the scale move. :-)