DinaNJ

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.

Wow, My bmi was 35 at my first visit and by my surgery date 33. I have blue cross and got approved on my first try. I don't have the standard illnesses most people do like high blood pressure and diabetes so I was sure I wouldn't get approved. It's terrible to say but u need your bmi to be at 35 with illnesses to get approved. Your surgeon should not have submitted it with a BMI of 34.

My BMI was at almost 34 the day of surgery, 35 prior but got approved due to medical reasons... I am 9 months post-op and the weight is coming off very slowly if at all now.. I am 50 lbs down and feel great! I only want to loose 5 more lbs before my 1 year is uo in 3 months. I have noticed that even if you get off track, lowering your carb or calorie intake makes the weight come off easily.

Hi, did you have any complications with your pregnancy? I am 43 and thinking of trying again.

Hi, I am specifically looking to hear from anyone over 40 and their experience with trying to get pregnant and any complications they had due to age/surgery. I just turned 43 and suddenly thinking about another child... Between my age and the surgery, I may have to rethink the whole thing. I would appreciate anyone's input that went through a pregnancy after 40 and after gastric sleeve. Thanks!!

Hi Tammy, it took me about 5 weeks to stop feeling like I was starving.. When you go on soft foods things will get better. Just keep drinking and be sure to take to have your shakes.. I made home made Soups and pureed them a little to feel like I was getting real food in. Totally pureed food did nothing for me. I started that at about week 3. Stalls will happen I've had two already. Just hang in there!!

Hello all! I'm from North Jersey. Just had my first visit with my surgeon today and will be scheduling my screenings for the coming weeks. I was told my surgery will be this coming June/July. I'm nervous but excited at the same time to be going through with this. Any post op sleevers feel hungry with the liquid/shake diet? Or does the extreme hunger really subside? Hi, I felt hungry probably 3 days after surgery... It's different from the hunger you experience now, it's more like your stomach starts growling and you feel like you need to eat. .. The puree's and clear liquids did't fill me. The sf Jello and pops helped a little. It started feeling satisfied when I went on soft foods. @kairnbuck it's so hard it's good n bad weighing everyday . I noticed I'm trying not to weigh everyday but I feel like it helps to show me wow I really shouldn't be here even if I stall still helps in a weird way thank you best of luck to you !!

I totally understand.. People are not educated and therefore quick to judge. I'm one month post op and when people say I've lost weight or you look good I just say thanks... It's not worth an argument as you said. We did the research and made personal decisions for ourselves.. Good luck with your surgery!

I've read several articles about people with lower bmi having great success . I think it's one of the reasons the restrictions for bmi went from 40 to 35 if you had medical problems.. If you read this article you can see the weight came off just as easy with patients with low bmi's... I guess your long term success is all about staying committed to lifestyle changes. http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11709/sleeve-gastrectomy-low-bmis-“easy-safe-and-benefic”

Bayshore does have monthly meetings.

@ Mobee I saw Dr. Strom yesterday. He was great, addressed all my concerns and was open to when I want to return to work. The coordinator Heather is also great. I told her what needed to be done to extend my disability and she did it on the spot.

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I too am having a problem with eating slower.. Thanks for the advice about the app.. I'm going to download it right now!!

I dreaded the stay.... The woman and her mother drove me crazy.. It was too small in the room and I couldn't believe they allowed her to stay. They were very nice but recovering from surgery in a crowded room on top of a nurse I had both days for the entire day that I didn't care for made it worst. I just wanted to sleep the weekend away. I saw the Nut twice before surgery. Can you believe I got my approval before I got clearance from the gastro and pulmonary dr. I couldn't believe it. As far as advice.. it all happened so fast for me. I think my initial appt was Jan 22nd and I had the surgery March 14th. I spent so much time hustling to get my appt's in and thinking I wasn't going to be approved because my BMI was just 35 and I had health conditions but not the typical ones they speak of HPB, diabetes..etc. I think for me this process has been difficult because I wasn't mentally prepared. I didn't think food was such a big deal I just thought I ate big portions. I was so wrong..It's hard not being able to have pizza night with my daughter and not being able to sit down and just having a regular dinner with her. She doesn't know about the surgery just that I don't feel well but she's telling me I'm not being healthy and I need to eat more. My girlfriends are calling to go out for drinks, dinner and I'm like next month.. And although I realize that not eating normally is only temporary this process has been mentally challenging for me. I have been out 3 weeks from work. I think when I go back to the dr. this Thursday I am going to tell them I'm not ready to go back to work. Sitting up straight for long periods of time is painful from the incisions. I think getting sick slowed down my recovery as well. So just be prepared and watch the videos and read the blogs... they really helped me. Oh and learning how to eat slowly before your surgery would be helpful.. I am having a hard time with that!

I've only seen Dr Strom at my first visit and the day of surgery. I can say he did a great job because I am alive (lol) and I had no complications. He also performed the surgery of a friend and she is 5 months post op. You really do see all the dr's in the practice. I saw a different dr at my final pre op appt, another who was on duty the weekend I was in the hospital (I believe his name was dr rob) a woman dr at my first post op appt. I'm not good with names but they were all great! I didn't have the best hospital experience.. It was ok. I would try to have as much support as possible there for you. I chose to not tell many people and not to have visitors.. But I was ok post surgery. I was up and walking around the hallways the first night. I did however see some of the other people who had surgery when we went for x-rays who seemed to be worst off than me. I didn't see anyone walking in the hallways and the woman I shared the room with was in so much pain she didn't walk at all the entire stay. (Her mom stayed in our room both nights) Don't get me wrong I used that morphine drip all day Friday and Sat morning but after that I only had Tylenol w/cod Sat night and nothing on Sunday. If you can walk... I had no problems with gas. The process was not easy and in retrospect I should have had someone come atleast to visit. I think I had a tougher time the first week at home ( probably from lack of sleep and I got a cold from my 8 year old my second day home).

@ Brian.. I am in NJ.. Out 3 weeks so far.. Have a follow up this Thursday but still feeling weak and dizzy at times.. I'll let you know if I have any problems from MetLife with the extension.

Hi, sorry I don't get the emails with responses to this thread for some reason... I am in the Matawan/Aberdeen area.. A little over 2 weeks since my surgery... It's gets frustrating at times I guess it's all about getting to know my new stomach. Down 17lbs so far... @ MoBee I didn't have to get a letter from my primary physician.. It wasn't required from my surgery. Did anyone get it done at Bayshore Hospital? I had Dr Strom.

I am also using almond milk for my Protein shakes. I think they recommend cows milk because it's higher in protein.

Hi Tiny One, I agree people just don't get it.. I will be doing the same. A few people know and I will leave it that way. Thanks!

Hi swimbikerun, thank you. I think you got it right.. People believe you have to be severely overweight in order to justify WLS. I know the qualifications changed to a lower BMI a few years ago because obviously someone knew the benefits of it if you have health problems. Most people don't know that, all they see is my 600 lb life on tv and overweight celebrities getting the surgery. I am at the point now where I'm just not going to tell anyone.

I am 2 weeks post op and I just bought T25. I think it's a little too soon to start so I plan on using the Walk Away The Pounds videos as well as walking when the weather permits beginning in week 3. I was wondering when did everyone feel up to exercising? I still find that I am tired a lot of the time.

Hi, I am 5 days post op and feel like I'm starving.. My stomach has actually been growling the last 2 days. I am drinking plenty of fluids, broth, water , Popsicles and Protein shakes with water ( haven't made it to milk yet... I feel like I can't wait to eat food to fill me up!!

Hi, I have Anthem through Verizon. I am having my sleeve done on 3/14. My initial consultation was January 23rd. I just got my approval from my insurance yesterday. The strangest thing is that I thought I wouldn't get approved. I have a low bmi (36) and mild sleep apnea, chronic heartburn, and shortness of breath at times. I got my approval before I even finished all of my tests for clearance. I'm kind of in shock now ! I even called my insurance company to make sure I was approved.

Hi, I live in central NJ and I am having my sleeve done on 3/14 in Holmdel. My initial consultation was January 23rd. I just got my approval from my insurance yesterday. The strangest thing is that I thought I wouldn't get approved. I have a low bmi (36) and mild sleep apnea, chronic heartburn, and shortness of breath at times. I got my approval before I even finished all of my tests for clearance. I'm kind of in shock now ! I even called my insurance company to make sure I was approved. I wasn't really taking it seriously until I knew it was a sure thing and now I am in a panic!!!