Carolina-Girl

I finished all my requirements on Monday including nutrition class, psych eval, blood work, upper GI, chest x-ray, and two year health history and the financial coordinator submitted yesterday. She told me BCBSNC typically takes 24-48 hours and she expects to hear tomorrow morning. Nervous! Based on everything she had she does expects an approval. The next available date is in two weeks on March 27th. Fortunately/unfortunately I broke my leg in the fall and met my deductible plus $650 towards the maximum out of pocket of $2000. This should mean my surgery (with Dr. Omotosho at Duke) should only cost $1350. Fingers crossed!

I think the answer is it depends. I seriously doubt you will be able to guzzle water for at least a few weeks. I was able to somewhat gulp water once I was a month out.

I started at 270 and was sleeved on April 3rd. Today I am 228 and it feels unbelievable. Prior to surgery I set a "goal" of being 225 for my son's graduation. Well, that day is tomorrow and I definitely feel like the goal has been achieved. It was such an arbitrary number and to reach is it something I never thought could become my reality. I love that my three sons and daughter celebrate with me. Last weekend I wore a bathing suit and asked my seventeen year old son if he could tell I had lost weight. He looked me up and down then said "your thighs are smaller". For my teenage son to notice was a huge compliment. I have a long way to go but feel like it IS possible which is a new feeling.

Please forgive me for my ignorance as I am not black, but I do have a 12 year old daughter with ringlet curly hair that swims 5-6 days a week on a year round competitive swim team. She flat irons her hair daily and it does a great deal of damage. I talked with my hair stylist about this and she strongly suggested doing a Keratin treatment. It's around $300 and last six months. I think we are going to do it in the next few weeks. Just a thought and something to look into. Good luck!

I hit a stall when I transitioned from liquid to soft/solid foods at two weeks. For several weeks I didn't loose anything and then I would wake up 2-4 pounds lighter and do the same thing again and again. There were times when I worried this was yet another thing that was not going to work then bam I would lose again easing my doubt. I lost twenty five pounds the first few weeks then things changed when food entered the picture. The way I look at things is that I would much rather my body have a little time to adjust as I lose and my skin hopefully "snap" back then to lose a lot of weight quickly. Of course in the real world 42 pounds in two months is quickly.

I had surgery April 3rd at Duke Raleigh with Dr. Omotosho.

Durham - Southpoint Area. Let's get together! I live in a neighborhood with a pool and am willing to host one evening.

DR = Dominican Republic?

I only drank water, protein drinks, or 1/2 a cup of decaf coffee until a few days ago when I suddenly wanted a soda. Since then Crystal Light Peach Tea has been my saving grace.

I was able to drink "normally" three weeks out and can gulp water now. I try not to, but if I do I do not notice any symptoms.

You poor thing! How did you know something was wrong? How long do they think you will be there?

My first appointment with surgeon was Feb. 6th and I had surgery April 3rd. BCBS of NC.

I would suggest 5 days.

I feel you! I have a garden full of romaine lettuce that I am having to give away because I cannot eat it. Grrrr. 3 weeks post op.

Wow! You have been through a lot and I can feel the positive outlook and attitude in your story. Definitely an inspiration!

I LOVE pickle juice! One week post op I was really wanting some food and for some reason fixated on pickles. Talked with my nutritionist and she said it would be fine to drink the juice as long as my stomach tolerated it. It was fine and helped things "move along" shall we say. Mmmm . . . Pickle juice!

I could have written your post! I felt the same way. After my psychologist (required for insurance clearance) suggested I look at the sleeve I decided to switch. It has the a greater success rate, no fills, no foreign object in my body, and had the same surgery access point (laparoscopic). I am three weeks post op and doing great! As a mother of four, I would strongly suggest some type of help for 3 days at home. And a side note, the tell you NOT to get pregnant for 2 years after the surgery and that you are at increased chance of becoming pregnant because as you lose weight your hormone levels dramatically increase as stored hormones are released from the fat cells. A fifth child would probably push me over the edge right now. : )

That's what I had for dinner. Three piece dark, garlic lemon spinach, sweet potatoes (no cornbread). I brought home almost all the side dishes and two pieces of chicken. Should feed me for the next two days.

I am 19 days post and only have a little bit of glue left . . .

From my experience, the nutrition visits are when you meet with the nutritionist to discuss your diet and nutrition needs. My surgeon required at pre-op nutrition class, and nutrition visits at two weeks, three months, six months, and one year in addition to appointments with him.

All I could think about from day 5-8 was wanting a chicken wing, piece of cheese, or tortilla chips or something! I am day 14 and it has improved. Chicken broth and pickle juice (not at the same time and approved by my nutritionist) saved me. I had a nutrition appointment today and she laughed. I was down from 268 to 242.1. I'll take it! Hang in there.

Wow! You go girl!

Yay! That's great!

Just weighed and I still cannot get over seeing the scale go continually DOWN! I keep checking just waiting for it to go up. It is just so counter to what I have experienced for the past 25 years and makes me a little teary eyed. Okay, so maybe I am a little emotional and potentially hormonal. Stats: Weight : 4/3/13 268.0 Surgery 4/7/13 253.2 -14.8 4/8/13 251.0 -17.0 4/10/13 249.4 -18.6 4/12/13 247.9 - 20.1 4/15/13 245.5 - 22.5 Heading out for a 2-3 mile walk.

Tears in my eyes happy for you!