Bring It On

I am new to this site and considering Plication or Sleeve. If you knew what you knew (know) now, would you change and get a sleeve? Why did you choose Plication? Thanks for your help!!

I called Tricare North Representative and I was told there was NO supervised diet. After reading several posts on here about Tricare customers having to have 3-6 month diet supervision, I'm starting to get worried that my process is going to take longer. ALSO, I noticed one poster on this site that just had their PCP send a referral to TRICARE for the surgery (not just for the surgeon) and that took care of the weight loss attempts in the past. I hadn't been to WW or Curves in years. What other options do I have?

Great job!! I am 3 months out and 55 lbs. down. Over half way there!!!

Hey guys - hope everyone is doing well on their diets. Loving it that I can now have veggies and fruits!!!! My last threshold is grains at 6 months. I really don't miss them much though. Seems like my weight loss has slowed a little now; averaging 2-3 pounds per week. My average day is for Breakfast - either a Protein shake or protein bar; for lunch - protein (mostly cold cuts) and then for a snack during the day I have a GNC Quest bar (chocolate and Peanut Butter are my fav). For supper - same as lunch except I usually add a couple of veggies. I don't seem to get hungry, but I sure know when the fork needs to be put down!!!! It's a weird sensation, isn't it? Kinda like your stomach is in your back, with a slight stabbing pain like you are getting ready to let out a MAJOR burp. I was blessed not to have the 6-8 week misery month. I have only had dry heaves 3 times since surgery, so I consider myself very lucky. Looking forward to Spring - shopping for new clothes (I figure I can be baggy a lot in sweats this winter), and the best thing - New Boobs and Tummy Tuck. Looking forward to getting in the 100's soon with my weight. Can't remember the last time that was the case!! Take care my friends!!

Congrats on your anniversary!! I will be 3 months post op on 12/11. I don't know which I am more excited about - being down 50 lbs. or being in the 100's????? I just hit 199 this morning. My diabetes meds have been discarded and I am hoping my Nexium will be next!!! I am so very happy with my decision (although about day 5 I thought "What in the crap have I done." I don't miss my diet pepsi's like I thought I would, and I know I will be much healthier without them in the long run. So much fun to be picky with my clothes instead of just be satisfied with what would fit. Merry Christmas to my friends on here who have helped me in my journey. I can't imagine what the next 3 months will bring!!!

You will do fine!!!! I wasn't a bit nervous before my surgery. I had wanted it for so long (even had to gain 4 pounds to qualify). It has been a tough road, but I sure don't have buyers remorse now. Good luck to you!!!

Sounds like you are losing at a really fast rate. My surgery was 9/11/14 and as of today I have lost 42 lbs, but I was not on a pre-surgery diet because my goal was 90 lbs. I have been losing between 2-3 lbs each week since the first big weight loss of 17 lbs right after surgery. All the literature I have read, including what my doctor tells me, is that most people having RNY will lose the majority of the weight in 6-9 months. For sleeves, it was 9-15 months. I'm just glad to see and feel the weight coming off!!!!

Good rule of thumb. If your Protein or meal is liquid, then another liquid following it is not going to make a difference. The protein is absorbed in your gut, not in your stomach.

As time goes on, it is becoming very apparent that I will need some plastic work following my weight loss. I live in Kentucky, but if anyone has a good plastic surgeon you have used anywhere, please post. Looking mainly at breast and belly!

I use the Quest bars as my Protein supplement. Most have at least 20g/bar. I am 7 weeks out and I can eat about 1/2 bar at a time. Usually eat a strawberry one in the am, and then finish it up in the evening as a post supper (desert) when my husband is eating his nutty buddy. lol

Can't wait to hear the answer to this!! My family told me last week my breath was bad. Made me feel horrible. To add insult to injury, I have had an abscessed tooth!! I have been sucking on sugar free peppermints ever since!! I think it could be the breaking down of ketones from the decreased carb intake. Looking forward to other posters giving hints on what to do and if it will ever go away!!!

I hear you and understand. I had the remorse really bad about day 4-5. After you get past the liquid stage and can start eating soft meats and Wendy's chili, things will get a little better. I am 6 weeks post op and I still have days that I "just don't feel good". I keep pushing myself though. Walking/Weight training every day. I seem to feel better after I exercise. I promise it will get better, but you are just at the very beginning. I have lost 31 lbs and I was not on a pre-surgery diet. My weight loss is all from surgery. Pay attention to your stomach vs. lactose. I had to start drinking soy milk because I became lactose intolerant. Here is a shake for you to try to help make you feel better: 1 c. soy (unsweetened vanilla) 1 tbs. Peanut Butter 1/2 frozen banana 6 ice cubes 30g powdered Protein Mix all ingredients in a blender. I have a Nutribullet and love it. Good luck to you!!

I just don't understand why all the difference in the regions! I was approved in 3 weeks. My doctor required a 2 week liquid diet, of which I didn't have to participate in because my BMI was 35.2. I barely made the cutoff for the surgery. I have 1 co-morbidity - Diabetes. The only thing Tri-care asked for was for me to have a pulmonary function test. I had never had any problems with my lungs, so I thought that a little strange. Anyway, I had my RNY on 9/11. Hope you get feedback early so you can get your party started soon. Be prepared - this is not an easy road by any means. I watched all kinds of videos on utube and read up on my surgery on here and other places, but NOTHING prepared me for the life change that I have experienced. Take everything they tell you seriously, and don't think it won't apply to you, because it probably will. Good Luck!!

I am Kentucky. Tricare North.

I chose RNY for 3 reasons: 1) My insurance did not cover the sleeve. 2) I am diabetic. My doctor told me that 95% of diabetics come off their meds in the hospital before coming home with RNY. (and I did). 3) I had really bad acid reflux. My doctor told me that it would get much worse with the sleeve and with the RNY I would be off my Nexium 6 months post surgery. There were people in my class going from sleeve to RNY because the acid was eating their esophagus. If you are choosing sleeve instead of RNY so you won't have dumping syndrome, you are not choosing this surgery for the right reasons. This is a LIFE CHANGE. I didn't fully realize that myself until after I had it done. Boy, what a rude awakening. This surgery forces you to make your diet choices that you don't have the strength to do yourself. I am 6 weeks post op and I still struggle daily. I can get my Protein in and my liquids, but my life is totally different. Be prepared to not only change your life, but the life of those who live with you. They sit and eat while after 5 bites, you are full. Whichever you decide, good luck with your journey!!

Almond Vanilla (Unsweetened) Milk - 1 cup 1 tsp Peanut Butter Ice cubes (about 4-5) Sprinkle of Cinnamon 1/2 Frozen Banana Blend Add Choc. Protein Powder (however much protein you need) Blend again Enjoy!!

I started out with chicken made with chicken salad. I would buy it at the Kroger deli, but I would not eat the pecans or the grapes in it. I also picked around it and only ate the part that was very thin and blended well. I also did that with pimento cheese. Gave me a little different taste. The best thing I have come across is Wendy's chili. Comes highly recommended during the soft phase by my nutritionist. Full of Protein, and the meat in it can be easily chewed before swallowing.

Call your nutritionist associated with your doctor as soon as you can. They are very sympathetic to your needs and back-slidings. Don't let your pride get in the way. You have come way to far to stop now!!!! It will just be a matter of getting back on the Protein for awhile! Good Luck!

Ooops. Forgot the Peanut Butter - heaping 1 teaspoon is plenty

I bought 7 cases of Premier Protein for after my surgery. After all, I loved it during the before surgery phase. Well, you guessed it, I became lactose intolerant after surgery! Needless to say, I had to return them. I began drinking the ready to drink Protein shakes from GNC, but they are only 25g. Then, I started making my own shakes after I reached week 3 and was given the go ahead for Peanut Butter. I have a Nutribullet blender and it works very well. For Breakfast (or whenever I am low on my protein intake for the day): 1 c. silk almond milk (unsweetened) - I am diabetic 1/2 frozen banana a shake of cinnamon a few cubes of ice and mix; then add: Protein powder (chocolate), I use GNC and mix again. This gives you a thick satisfying shake!! I also take my Vitamins when I drink my shake, with no ill side effects. Good Luck!!

I agree with everyone else. Following YOUR nutritionist orders. If you did not get really good orders, I will tell you that I was told no baby food because the sugar content was too high. I would hate to dump over baby food. I was 4 weeks post op on Thursday (2 days ago). I think the hardest part was the soft food diet at week 2-3. I am now drinking Protein shakes for Breakfast (I make mine because the surgery made me lactose intolerant), a lunch like Wendy's chili (3 oz) or Vienna sausages (2-3), then for supper a lean hamburger patty (w/cheese), or a grilled chicken patty. Usually only get about 1/4 down, then I'm full. Tonight, I was bored with the diet, so my hubby took me to Taco Bell and I got 2 soft shell tacos with meat and cheese only, and a cup of refried Beans w/cheese. Brought home and ate the meat off the tacos (I know, waste), and a little bit of the beans. It was delicious!!! I drink lots of sugar free kool-aid between meals. I would be glad to share my shake receipe of any of you would like!! Hang in there!!!

That was my last wound to completely heal. I stood up at the bedside in hospital and stepped on mine and pulled it out. It didn't hurt, but it probably didn't help matters any. It did ooze for several days. I covered it with a bandaid for a couple of days. It made the ugliest scar too.

I was recommended by my Primary physician. But I must say, he is a cutie!!! I believe I see a trend!

I'm not going to lie. Some people on here say, "I feel so good, no nausea, no vomiting". Well, they are the minority. I would venture to say that if anyone never had any of those symptoms while in the hospital or when you first got home - hogwash. I threw up (dry heaves) one time. It was after my walk in the hall, which was not painful, you are just so weak. I threw up again at home, but I think it was because I drank too much in one swallow. This is a life changing surgery. You WILL have buyers remorse, everybody does. Heck, my surgery was 9/11, and I still have my moments. When I see that commercial on TV with something really bad for me and I think, geez, I can't have that anymore! But you know what, the weight is falling off. When my husband says, "honey, you are doing so good" or my daughter says, "mom, I am so proud of you for doing this for yourself", it makes it ALL worthwhile. I WILL have the final yahoo when I go shopping for the first time and buy something for myself because I like it, and not because it fits. I said all that to say - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! When you get the feeling, "what in the crap have I done", your next thought should be, "But this is so worth it in the end". Good Luck to you!! Good nursing care in the hospital makes a world of difference!!!

I was taken off of my diabetic meds in the hospital. I have been running 90-120. So happy for that!!!