zenandnow

I agree with MoonLiteStarBrite & LDallas - my displeasure with my NUT isn't due to her body size, it's her lack of experience with, and empathy for, what it's like to be overweight. She has never been in my shoes, and is judgemental rather than being supportive. Granted, I do refer to her as The Stickbug, but that's based more on my lack of creativity than a dislike of her solely due to her body weight. I just don't like the chick.

I agree!!

SunMoon, I hope your experience is closer to the other posters than to mine! Best of luck to you!

I only actually talked to the nurse twice- at the very beginning when she gave me all the requirements, and then 3 days after surgery. All the times she called in between were at the times I specified I wasn't available! I work full time and am in meetings constantly, so I would always call back as soon as I could, but I always got her voicemail. Then of course she would call again when I wasn't available, even though I always left a time frame in my messages. Basically I got the feeling that it was their way of having an excuse not to approve me the first time. But there was no way I was falling for that, not after 6 months of waiting and going through all the tests. As it was, I started on July 18 of 2012 and didn't get approval for my surgery until the beginning of May 2013. It took me an extra couple of months because my surgeon lost some of my test results and I had to chase them down, then Optimum gave me the run-around. If everything had gone smoothly I would have been able to have my surgery in December 2012 instead of May 2013! I would recommend calling the nurse once a month. Leave a voicemail and document the date & times of your calls. It doesn't matter if you actually speak to someone, just that you tried. And when your six months is up, HOUND them until you get the approval.

My goals are more modest, but I am definitely becoming more excited about them: 1. Continue with my workouts and build up my endurance & strength 2. Finish the Couch to 5k program 3. Be comfortable running on a regular basis 4. Get up the nerve to enroll in martial arts training 5. Climb a rock wall These probably don't seem like a big deal to most people, but I've NEVER run before, I'm incredibly intimidated by the thought of participating in martial arts, and I'm terrified of heights. So all of these are stretch goals for me! But I think I might actually be able to do them!

I have UHC with Optimum. I really struggled with Optimum because they always called during the hours I said I WASN'T available, and then when I called back I always got voicemail. As a result, I never really got to speak to the nurse and at the end they wouldn't approve my surgery because they said I was unresponsive. So I called and spoke to the supervisor, gave her all the dates of the calls and basically had a fit. I told her it was ridiculous that my company and I both pay such an enormous premium for my healthcare, that my doctors all recommend the surgery, and HER service is the one deciding my fate because the stupid nurse can't call at the right time!?! (Yeah, I kinda went postal) In the end they expedited my approval and I got the surgery pretty fast after that. But my recommendation would be to stay on top of them and don't be afraid to complain. It's YOUR health, and they work for you. Just waiting for them to get their act together means you will be waiting longer. There was one day I called the supervisor four times. Honestly, I think they approved me just so they wouldn't have to talk to me anymore. They actually approved me before the last piece of paperwork was submitted to them. I didn't care, I got the approval.

My dr never mentioned this; first I heard of it was on here! Thank god for the powder Room! I've been regular, no changes from my normal schedule, but WOW, are my cramps awful! And I have NO energy. I am just wiped out. I guess that's normal too, I just didn't expect it. Thankfully my TOM is over the weekend so I can rest. Don't think I could work through this!

Wow, you look great! Beautiful smile! Congrats on your progress!

That sounds more serious than what I've experienced. I think the other posters are right - never hurts to call your doc!

I was sleeved a day after you. Sometimes it seems like I can eat my food without any issues, but other times it seems like one bite does me in! Not sure if its the same for you, but I realized that I wasn't always being careful about eating slowly, taking small bites, and not eating dense or dry Protein (baked chicken or other not very moist protein doesn't work for me yet). The slimies are awful, I've had them a few times. The worst part is when I take a bite and as soon as I swallow it I just KNOW its going to give me the slimies, but I can't take it back! Usually it only happens to me now when I'm around other people, like when I go out to lunch with co-workers. I feel so self-conscious eating so slow and so little that I get anxious and try to eat at a normal pace. Then BAM......the slimies. A lot of the veterans have posted on here about eating slowly (sometimes painfully slowly - and I'm impatient!), and chewing very well. I know for me it was good advice, and I'm slowly learning to force myself. I'm interested to read what others say in response; maybe you'll get some good suggestions or info..

Monistat sells an anti-chafing gel. I use it for that and it works GREAT. No odor, no staining and it lasts all day. I didn't like powder because it got on everything, and it wears off when you sweat. The gel doesn't. My drugstore carries it on the feminine care aisle, and you can order it from drugstore.com online.

Sleeved May 16. 9 weeks out today Pre-op:239 Current: 205 Total lost: 34 (4lbs behind where surgeon says I should be) Went from size 20 to size 16 so far. Getting around 400 cals a day, struggle to get my Protein and Water in. Exercising a couple times a week (cardio & strength training). I have not experienced hunger since the surgery, no major complications, just need to figure out the protein thing!

Thanks for the suggestions. I complained to my surgeon - his reply? "I think she's great, I haven't had any other complaints." Apparently he doesn't think it's a problem & isn't going to do anything about it. I decided to just find a NUT on my own, but it's hard to find one that specializes in WLS. I called a bunch yesterday and they either don't want to take a WLS patient, or don't know enough to be helpful (they want you to eat a balanced diet, which means carbs, or they don't understand how you can eat so few calories, etc.) I really need some help - can anyone refer me to someone? I'm in the San Jose CA/Bay Area.

I struggle with this still too; I had surgery May 16, down 33 lbs but I think I would be losing faster if I could hit my protein and Water goals. Anyone else struggling with this? What do you do?

Good point, didn't think of that...

Ok Ladies (and men too!) I need some advice, opinions, etc. Although validation from friends & co-workers is nice, it kinda makes me uncomfortable. What I'd really like to hear is some feedback from my hubby, but after losing 33 lbs he hasn't said a word! No 'you look good' or 'I can tell you've lost weight' . Nuthin'. Nada. He's never been big on the compliments to begin with, but c'mon! I'm 6 lbs away from Onderland, and I haven't been there in 15 years! We've been married for 19 years, and he is supportive of everything I do, every crazy diet, fast, exercise program, whatever. BUT, he just never SAYS anything! It's getting kind of frustrating, I want a little validation from the one person who knows me best and from whom I am not self-conscious about getting feedback. I'm starting to feel like maybe my loss isn't even noticeable. Maybe I have to lose waaaaay more before it can be seen. But other people have commented, so I don't know. Very confusing. Any suggestions?

LMAO! I LOVE this!!

It's been 6 weeks and 31 lbs, and today someone finally noticed I've lost weight! Started at 239, am now 208, but MAN it seemed like no one could tell! I don't like a lot of attention, but it is nice to know its noticeable now.