beachhippie217

A lot of insurance companies are not going to pay for another WLS if you already had one. If you think about it, if you didn't have success with the band why would they want to foot the bill for another surgery and you not be successful with that. And if you can't follow the rules for the band you aren't going to be able to do it for the sleeve or bypass surgery. Unless you are having a serious medical problems with your band they will probably not approve you. There has also been a huge increase in these requests with the popularity of gastric sleeve surgery. Everyone wants to switch from the band to the sleeve and the insurance companies are getting really strict and examining every case. I have a friend with the band and she called to see if she would be eligible to get the sleeve. They told her that unless your life is threatened and you are having life threatening medical problems and they need to take the band out you won't get another WLS. I'm sure in certain situations they will clear some people. As far as Mexico- there is no way in hell I would ever go there for surgery or anything else medically related. People die there all the time from surgeries!! That is where all the hacks and want- to- be- doctors go to make money. You realize a plastic surgeon can go to a "seminar" and get licensed to do sleeve surgery. If your surgeon isn't BOARD CERTIFIED do not let them cut you. You are basically paying for a butcher. I wouldn't risk my life. I would try to make the lap band I already have work for me. Than to go to another country where you risk infection and questionable doctors at best. Just because it is cheaper, easier and there is no paper work doesn't mean that it's better or safe. I feel sorry for the people that are so desperate or have crap insurance that they have to go to Mexico for surgery because they feel like they have no other options. I think that is just asking for trouble.

That is horrible!! What a cruel thing to say. I have to agree, lose the husband. If anything he should be supporting you. I don't get support from my husband, but he hasn't said anything like that. You came to the right place, you definitely need support after something like that. Does your husband like you big?? He may be jealous that you will be losing weight, and other men will be looking at you. Don't let him drag you down. This is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. It is all about you, NOT HIM!! My husband is insecure. He never had a problem with me being overweight, but I did. I wasn't happy. My husband is scared to death that I will get skinny and leave him for someone else. Maybe your husband feels the same way?? I would tell him that if he can't be supportive then he needs to get the hell out. He may even be setting the stage for cheating on you and using your surgery as an excuse. He isn't worth having if he is going to say something like that. He should be happy that he is going to have a hot momma wife!!! Does he have any idea how major this surgery is?? He doesn't need to be adding to all the overwhelming emotions you are having already with such a major change in your life. He's a dickhead sweetheart. I would kick his ass for saying something like, but that's just me. F-him what a jerk. Love yourself more than he does.

How are all the Feb 17th Sleevers doing?? I havent been on here lately as I had some issues with getting liquids in with pain. Things have gotten better. Pushing thru the pain because its only temporary and won't last forever. Hot tea has been the only thing I could get down without any major pain. Room temperature and cold water/ liquid/ shakes have been a struggle. I'm positive and feel pretty good that I will get past it all. 2 weeks post op tomorrow and the official date of pureed phase. I have had some scrambled eggs and some some ground up meatballs I made. I got it down fine, and I actually had feelings of hunger. I think because I haven't been able to get a lot of Protein in shake wise. Supposed to go back to work, but still don't have a game plan in place as a routine, I'm still figuring things out. Even with all the complications and pain I have had, it was the right decision to have the surgery. I feel like a new person and for the first time in my life I can say that I am happy and proud of myself. I responded to a post today to a lady that was just starting her supervised diet she has to do it for 6 months. There was this other lady that responded to her post and was telling her how she eats all this crap she isn't supposed to!! Do any of you find this as annoying and ignorant as I do?? I told the woman just starting off to stay away from people like that, if you buddy up with someone like that they are going to lead you down a path of destruction. It blows my mind the people that get on here and actually brag about all the bad crap they eat!! They never should have had surgery if they are going to continue to eat crap that made them fat in the first place!! Then they have the nerve to complain that they are gaining weight!!! Seriously??? This is a lifestyle change. I understand that people make mistakes, we have times of weakness, and we will all cheat sooner or later. But the whole point is to recognize that behavior and try to modify it. Not brag on a public forum letting people think it is okay. A lot of people come on here for guidance and it scares the hell out of me that someone's journey can get derailed by some idiot that doesn't care about themselves or making the healthy choices they are supposed to make. Okay, I'm done ranting. lol I hope this finds you all well and happy!! I will be turning 41 in a couple weeks,but I think 2-17-2015 is going to be celebrated as well because it was the day I started a new life. As a gift to myself, I'm getting my nose pierced. I was going to do it last year but never did. I'm going to start doing a lot of things I said I was going to do now. Wishing you all positive thoughts and progress in your recovery. Hugs!! -M.

I'm about a week away from starting pureed foods. I wanted to see what some of y'all's favorites are so I have a variety of things to try without getting bored. I love to cook, and I have really missed cooking meals the last 4 weeks or so.

Thanks ladies, I will check out that blog, I have been looking on pinterest but sometimes people come up with their own recipes. I love to cook, but now its on a micro level. I still have to cook for my husband. I have been obsessed with the little muffin tin meals. I think I'm going to try making tiny spinach pies with phyllo dough when I am a little further along with my recovery. Right now I have had scrambled eggs, and I made some beef,pork and turkey meatballs that I can have all different sauces with. The meatballs turned out really well for the first time ever making them. I made 1 oz meatballs, 55 calories each with 5.13 g of Protein. I'm looking forward to getting creative with micro meals. Would anyone be interested with sharing recipes?? If we are going to eat small amounts of food it should taste fabulous or at least be something we really like. Thanks for responding. I"m new to this site, looking for a network of good friends for support and to trade recipes. Thanks!!

I'm 13 days post op. I only had to do 3 months of supervised diet. This is the time to train yourself NOT to cheat. It is all to prepare you for the two weeks before to shrink your liver and to help you post op. You are not supposed to be eating carbs like pasta and breads or sweets. If you have a good week reward yourself with a cookie or something you feel rewards you. If you do eat breads switch to whole grains. I cut out soda and coffee and ate sensible meals and lost 22 lbs without regular exercise. I would have lost even more if I exercised, which I regret. I had no fast food and only ate out with my husband twice. If you do not get in the habit of eating properly and following the rules your program set you will have problems. It's really annoying to see people post that they are eating stuff they know they are not supposed to have. Having this surgery is a gift and a TOOL to help you lose weight. It doesn't mean you can belly up to the trough again and eat like you did before. It isn't a quick fix it is a complete change of lifestyle. Their are people that go to other countries to have this surgery because they are so desperate to have it. Then you have some one post they eat a bunch of crap and then have the nerve to complain they aren't losing weight. They totally take this surgery for granted and it sickens me. Please be wise in who you choose to buddy with. People that are not eating properly you should avoid, they will lead you down a path of destruction. I wanted to make the change in my life to be healthier. That meant saying goodbye to a lot of foods that made me fat over the years. We all know our "triggers" and have our favorite foods that made us fat. I am very proud of myself for making the healthier choices. After having surgery I feel like a new person and I'm confident in making correct choices. It's not easy. But it is very empowering!! You have control of your life back and what you put in your body. You can add me as a friend if you like. I would be more than happy to email you and give support if you have a bad day. It's the start of a very long process but it is sooooo worth it!! Please stay away from people that will give you the mindset it's okay to eat sweets, carbs and all the other crap that made us fat to begin with. This is an amazing journey you are starting on and if you follow the rules you will be successful!! I wish you all the luck in the world, you will do great if you stay on track!! Peace, love and healthy eating!!!

I agree with cowgirl. It is completely different for men vs women. I really do hope you find the strength and courage to stand up to your family and tell them the way they are treating you is unacceptable. It may be difficult; but you know what- you are worth it!! If you don't respect yourself no one else will. Maybe if you stand up for yourself they will back off and maybe change their behaviors. If they don't then maybe limit your time spent with them. Right now you really need to be around positive and supportive people. It's really a difficult situation when your family are the ones making you feel bad about yourself. I can't even imagine how you feel. There are people to talk to and people who will just listen. sometimes just getting your feelings out helps with the stress and anxiety of it all. Take one day at a time and do your best to get thru it. Hugs!!!

They are not your friends behaving like that and your family should be ashamed of themselves for saying those things. They are setting you up to fail. Are any of them overweight?? If they are they may be jealous. I have dealt with this stuff my whole life. I was always the token fat girl of the group. I just had surgery 6 days ago. I have to tell you I feel so empowered and have more confidence than I ever did before. You have chosen to take control of your life by having this surgery. It's not an easy decision, and you basically are admitting you are out of control. However; WE did something about it. There are only 4 people that know I had surgery. My parents, a friend that is currently overweight, and a friend that has a lap band. IT IS NOONES BUSINESS if you have surgery. The less people that know the better. It's one more thing for people to judge you on. They will police everything you eat, and will point out your mistakes and make you feel bad about it when you will have already made yourself feel bad enough about it. You need to surround yourself with new friends or join a support group. You have to put yourself first- It is all about you sweetie and don't let anyone else tell you different. Own your actions, don't own theirs if they have to tear you down to feel better, they are the ones with the problem. If they want to put you on display; don't put yourself in that situation. You are not an object. Nor is it their right to tell anyone that you had surgery!! People never look at a fat person and think about what may have caused them to be that way. They judge and assume you are lazy. It's always easy to point fingers at everyone else but ourselves. You have to learn to love yourself. That is what I am starting to do now. If you get treatment for your depression and find some genuine friends you will be fine. I hope that one day you can love yourself so no matter what anyone says it won't affect you. Just remember "it's all about you!!" Hugs!!

Ask your doctor if it may be a stomach acid issue either too little or too much. It may be as simple as that; you aren't producing enough gastric juices to digest properly. All the people posting in this thread have provided several reasons why. Personally I would be pressing my doctor to figure out what is wrong with me if he isn't willing to do so I would seek a second opinion and get things sorted out. I'm so sorry you have had to go thru all of this. My program director said as a general rule of thumb. Go back to your previous stage of eating if you have problems for a few days then go back to where you were. Unfortunately there is a ton of trial and error with this surgery. You may be eating things you just need to stay away from. I bought a few bariatric cookbooks to look thru for meal ideas. Have you tried plant based proteins instead of meat?? Like beans and cheese?? Hope you can find something that works for you. Throwing up is never fun.

Don't feel bad. Everyone makes mistakes. Have you tried going on a reset diet?? Basically going back to two shakes a day and low fat meal for one week and then 3 shakes a day for a week. It is supposed to help "shrink" stomach back somewhat. I had asked this question to my program director and that is what she told me in the event I have lost my way. I'm only 6 days post-op; but I have read a lot and it is very common to have the problems you listed at the 3year post-op mark. We all have food addictions otherwise we wouldn't be fat. Try to make small changes and go from there. Trying to change tons of things all at once will only depress you and put you in a negative mindset. Positive thoughts only!!! And take it one day at a time. You are not alone and you certainly are not the only one to have set backs. Having this surgery is not a solution to be skinny, it's a tool to help us see results that encourage us to make the right choices in what we put in our mouth. Just get back to basics like you just had surgery and I think it might help you out. Best of luck to you!!!

That sucks. I usually ate in the bedroom those two weeks before my surgery. You can do it!! I had surgery on the 17th. It will all be worth it trust me! Good luck!!

It's the day before surgery. Only clear liquids, broth and sugar free jello. I'm doing okay so far. Mourning the loss of my best friend( food ) has caused some anxiety. My temperature is normal and I feel pretty good. I'm tired because I haven't and can't have any protein. Did some grocery shopping for me and some TV dinners for my husband while I'm in the hospital. It hasn't really sunk in that I'm actually going to have surgery in less than 24 hrs. I bought baby spoons to help with smaller amounts. I guess what worries me most right now is getting in all my water and protein after surgery. I need to have a game plan in place but it's hard to do when you have no idea what you will be able to tolerate. Once I have a schedule I think I will be fine it's just the not knowing that's driving me crazy. I just want to get thru today. My stomach has been growling all day so far, I can't wait to actually not be or feel hungry. It's the mental part of eating that is going to be a struggle for me. But- one step at a time, one day at a time!!

I'm having sleeve surgery on feb 17th too. I got sick on wed. Got on antibiotics and was told as long as I don't have a fever surgery is a go. I just loaded this app so I have no idea how all this works so bare with me. I live in Florida. My heaviest weight was 312 and I am 284 currently; after supervised diet and 2 week liver shrink diet. I had to stop shakes due to being sick with the dairy. I'm worried my liver won't be shrunk enough. I've had anxieties about the surgery but mostly worried if I will even get the surgery being sick and all. I have only told three people I am having surgery, noone at work knows "I'm on vacation" as far as they know. It's exciting but will be a long hard road ahead but I'm looking forward to getting my life back. It would be nice to have some friends to check in with. Because let's face it, anyone who has never had a weight problem will not understand anything we go thru or why we have the surgery. Good luck to you all!!