KarenSt

4 weeks out and no regrets. It's the tool I needed to lose weight and create new, healthy habits.

Congrats!!

The only reason many if us are on the FB page is because it's secret. If it switched to closed we would all freak out!!

I highly recommend the book "the Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes" by Nikki Massie. Really delicious recipes! http://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Foodie-Perfect-Protein-Shakes/dp/1480101095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403287608&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bariatric+foodie+guide+to+perfect+protein+shakes

I joined the FB Group and immediately went into my activity log and clicked "hide from timeline", which should do the trick.

Ah, that sucks! I have BCBS too & it was pretty straight forward. I'll count myself lucky! Good luck in cancun!

I'm in NC as well. Asheville. How about you?

I don't judge wanting to keep things private as sad at all. I was thin & athletic all the way through university and many of my FB friends are from that first part of my life & don't even know I gained 120lbs in the last 3 years. No need to advertise that!

Two reasons, one mental, one physical: 1. It shows your level of preparation, commitment and understanding of the massive life change you're about to undertake 2. It gets you in the best shape possible for surgery, which minimizes risk of complications, including shrinking your liver Many insurances require a 5% weight loss before you even meet with the surgeon. Mine didn't but the bariatric center I'm with is a center of excellence and both they, and the surgeon required it. The surgery isn't a quick-fix, as you know. It requires a huge mental shift before they ever do the surgery.

I do yoga. Look for classes with the words: - restorative - flow - gentle - slow - stretch (my gym has a "gentle stretch" class) - Pilates reformer classes are pretty awesome too Stay away from classes with the words: - ashtanga - bikram - power It might be worth calling around to different yoga studios & ask if they'd have a class they'd recommend given your circumstance & preference. Then get there early and speak with the instructor to give them your 411 & ask them to please help you with modifications & adjustments. There are some amazingly supportive instructors & students out there. It doesn't need to be a class specifically for heavy people. Good luck!

For me, it was: -Consult with bariatric dr -2 nutrition classes -1 support group -exercise consultation -Psych eval & follow up - Monthly check-ins with bariatric dr to see how I was doing on losing my 5% & getting my Iron up (I was near anemic) - Surgeon consult - 2 weeks of waiting for insurance approval - surgeon scheduled me 1 month after insurance was approved - pre-op visit with surgeons PA - pre-op bloodwork & registration at hospital - I also had to pay my portion up front. (For me it was $1,400) - 2 week pre-op liquid diet, which i start tomorrow - Surgery is July 1 Timeframe for all that was 4 1/2 months. I hope this helps!

Hard to believe tonight was my last solid food for 5+ weeks!!! Good luck to all the July 1st-ers that start their liquid diets tomorrow!!

Thank you for doing this. I'll join after it's secret. I'm keeping my surgery private & don't want to accidentally announce it on FB.

This is such a great response. I love everything about it. There truly is a switch. I start my 2-week pre-op liquid diet on Tuesday. I'm soooo ready.

I would love that! Thank you for taking the initiative. -Karen

Hi Sleeve Sisters! I'm Karen and I'm 43 and live in Asheville, NC. I was a thin, competitive athlete and had a consistent weight of 130-135 throughout my 20s. Then I had my first child 10 years ago and my second 7 1/2 years ago and gained 70lbs with each one and despite spinning 5x week throughout and after my pregnancies I wasn't able to get below 180. 2 1/2 years ago I decided to go on the 500 calorie a day phentermine and HCG diet for a year and got down to 155. In the two years I've been off of that I gained 110 lbs, partly because the phentermine permanently damaged my adrenal glands causing my basal metabolic rate to be 1/2 of what it should be (and causing massive fatigue issues making exercise nearly impossible). If I don't eat under 1,200 calories a day for the rest of my life I'll never lose this weight. I'm really excited to have the surgery and get back to the real me and getting fit again. I'm scheduled for July 1st. I'm really worried about the 2 week liquid diet, though.

My surgery is scheduled for July 1st. Can't wait! Just dreading the 2 week pre-op liquid diet and worried about being able to do it.

Hi everyone, I'm just curious how long it took for you to go back to work? I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep & drive up to 6 hours a day, & do some standing & walking & lift about 20-30lbs. Mostly I need to be comfortable driving and have mental energy. I'm hoping to take a week off and avoid medical leave (though I can take 6 months with full pay). Are my expectations within reason or should I get my head around possibly needing more time to recover? Assuming no complications, of course. Thanks!

How do I do that? Can't see how/where on the app.

Congrats!! I just got my approval today. Hoping to get this baby scheduled sooooooon!!

Congrats! I'd love to know any more details you could provide regarding having plastic surgery paid for by insurance! Which insurance company do you have? Did they pay for skin removal/tightening and/or full tummy tuck? What issues were you having with your skin, I.e. What would cause them to consider the surgery medically necessary vs cosmetic? Please feel free to PM me! Thank you & hope you're pain free soon!

I'm so excited for you! Mine has been with BCBS for 10 days. Dying to get mine scheduled. Sounds like we may have similar timing!! Good luck to you!

Nice!!! Congrats

Yeah, I was a little shocked. I went to a guy that was an hour from home in a small rural NC tone because he was in-network for my insurance so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised. At least he cut me loose rather than try to convert me or tell me I am headed to hell. I have to be grateful for that

I actually liked my therapist & wanted to keep seeing him but he wouldn't keep seeing me. He said all of his advice & guidance goes back to scripture & since I'm an atheist he doesn't know what to do with me. I passed my psych eval but he said I didn't have a support system because I don't go to a church or have a god to lean on. I had to take a friend with me to meet my surgeon to prove I have a support system. <<eye roll>>