jzipzip

Hey, I had surgery already (approx 3 years ago) but I'm in the NJ/NYC area. If you want I can give you helpful hints and such and try to answer any questions that you may have! I had the surgery at 19 and now im 22 about to be 23

I am definitely in the category of my loose skin being a problem. I started with a BMI of 60.4, sleeved on 6/7/2013 at age 19 (HW 483, SurgeryW 446, CW 260). I'm about to turn 23 and for the past year I've been amping up my strength training at the gym to gain more muscle. I shopped around for some plastic surgeons 18 months ago who are in my area of central NJ and most places were really expensive, except for one which seemed sort of reasonable. Fast forward- today i had my first consult appointment with a body plastic surgeon and he quoted me $9100 for a chest lift + chest reduction incl anesthesia. Its done at their outpatient office but I think I'm gonna try and get it done in the next few months!

I use Genisoy Unflavored that I can buy in my local shoprite. Its a bit pricey at $12 for only approx 15 servings but it mixes into anything. It also makes for a good binding agent in things like meatballs, turkey burgers, etc...

I got an arizer solo portable vaporizer as a present to myself for getting this surgery and OMG ITS GREAT! Since its the summer and I can't completely enjoy eating as I once did, I have been smoking bud way more frequently...

Unfortunately only at Trader Joe's...

The best wraps are definitely trader Joe's reduced carb whole wheat wraps. They are 45 calories, 7 grams of fiber and 5 grams protein. And they might be the best tasting wraps I've ever had.

I'm 19! I was sleeved on June 7th and I'm down 23 lbs since surgery and 59 lbs overall.

Did anyone have chopped liver during pureed stage? Liver has a lot of protein but also cholesterol... regardless I will ask my NUT.

Went from 446 day of surgery to 423 a week later= -23 lbs. Congrats on your progress! I am only 9 days post op

I wanted to see if anyone had this during their pureed stage. As it is one of my all-time favorite foods and is pureed, I am hoping that I can eat it. Liver has a TON of Protein and adding hard boiled eggs adds even more, but liver has a lot of cholesterol (my levels are fine)... I will ask my NUT and see what she says, but I wanted to see what y'all had to say.

Honestly I was approved 5 days before surgery with UnitedHealthcare Oxford (I had all of those same criteria for surgery). One of the ladies in the doc office said I might be approved as late as THE DAY BEFORE surgery. Also, first I got a letter saying that I was denied because I "failed to show proper paperwork," but a week later my doc called saying I was approved and got the corresponding letter a few days later.

I just had my first appointment with surgeon after being sleeved on June 7th, and in those six days I'VE LOST 17 LBS!!!!! CRAZYYY! I am pretty floored. I weighed myself the morning of surgery and I was 446, got on the doctor's scale (after being too afraid to get on this week) and it read 429!!! It made me super duper happy! My recovery was actually much better than I anticipated. I don't have ANY pain anymore (and when I did the first 2 days I took an advil). I think it has something to do with the doc using robotics for the surgery. He was able to see a 3D image rather than 2D which allowed his movements to be more precise.

I got my stress test done two days before surgery! It was a dobutamine stress echo instead of the normal walking on the treadmill because I weighed too much (soon to change !). On top of that I had my PAT on that day as well! I cut it pretty close...

I'm Jewish! I was sleeved on June 7th and I'm already a bit nervous for the holidays. One thing that Jews know is how to cook!

My surgeon was Dr. Ragui Sadek from RWJ hospital in New Brunswick. I actually had a personal consultation with Dr. Trivedi when I was 16 about getting surgery but my parents weren't really on board at that time- he seemed like a great guy! College was definitely fun. I would suggest joining some type of club/activity as soon as you get there. Generally colleges have an involvement fair within the first week of school which can seem really nerve-wracking, but honestly write you name/email down on as many clubs as possible and join the ones you think are interesting.