wheezysmom

Yes, it most definitely gets better. For me, the incision pain was nothing, the gas pain was what was torture. I actually earned myself an extra day in the hospital because I wouldn't drink, the only fluids I was getting was from the IV. It hurt every time I took a sip of anything. The doctor ended up putting me on two extra drugs that help somewhat. Now I am on mushy foods and having the same issues I was with broth. I am not telling you this to scare you, I am saying that even with all of my "problems" I don't regret anything because for once in my life I am losing weight and feeling good in general hang in there.

Hooray for fitting into a medium @@Elode!! I relate to these posts so much. After I had my kid in the summer of 2013 I lost 20 of the 35lbs of baby weight without trying, but I was still huge. I went to target and bought 3 pairs of C9 black yoga pants (2 large and 1 XL) that I had no intention of working out in. That was my wardrobe and I lived in those pants. I refused to buy anything bigger. I wore the XL the other day and my kid went to grab me so that I would pick him up and he yanked them halfway down in the process because they are so big on me now. That was a good feeling.

Elode you look amazing!! And it's very strange that some people in your life wouldn't acknowledge your weight loss success? It's like they aren't happy for you or that they wanted you to remain big (for whatever reason).

I am mobile and I don't know how to quote. @vsg_Ima thanks for telling me your experience. The doctor said the same thing as well, that it would get better in a few days but that was a week ago :/ I have my post op appointment tomorrow so I am hoping that there is something he can do about it then.

Hello everyone! I was sleeved on 7/6 and as far as my body goes, I feel pretty good. I was up walking around as soon as I came out of the anesthesia and it wasn't as bad as I thought. The incisions didn't bother me as much as a the gas pains, those were terrible. As of now I am not on any Protein shakes, I wasn't tolerating them. Anything I eat or drink causes a severe pain in my stomach, as if it is contracting. The PA thought I needed to poop but that wasn't the issue. I am a little bummed about my experience so far but as of now I regret nothing.

A real pillow. Chapstick. Gas X strips. My 6' iPhone cord. Trashy magazines. Of all the stuff I packed, that's what I actually used.

So you had to do 12 weeks and then wait another 12? I was just told they want to see some progress. I feel sad now I have to modify my eating and be hungry and it has been so hard to begin with. The NUT gave me good tips and I am hoping I can follow them through. So after I inquired about the program at the end of January, I got an information packet in the mail and signed up for the mid February information session. At that information session, I signed up for the classes that were 3/11-5/27. Once those were over, I had my surgeon consultation where my date was set for July 7th then changed to July 6th. Most of my time was spent waiting for the next steps in the beginning. And when I was on my diet, I was never hungry and I think the Protein shakes had a lot to do with that. It wasn't about denying yourself food, it was about making better choices when you did feel hungry. Portion control was definitely something I had to work on, that is probably my biggest issue.

I am pretty sure my psych visit was with a MFT (I would have to find her business card to be sure). It was actually a great experience talking to her. We really didn't discuss much about having to give up foods but she was asking a lot about my past. She had me crying within 10 minutes but it wasn't because I was angry, she just brought up a lot of things that I had not dealt with regarding deaths in my family, PPD/PPA issues, etc. I knew for sure I was about to have a diagnosis but when it was done she said I was fine and saw no reason for me not to move forward.

Yep. I have Kaiser so I went through the 12 weeks in the options program. Also during that time I had to lose 10% of my body weight. I first contacted my doctor in late January 2015. My surgery date is set for this Monday. It has felt like a long wait because I see all of the other posts where people talk about having a date and now it's finally my turn. So long story short, yes I had to do something similar to what you are being required to do.

I have another. This may seem strange but I look forward to smaller clothes not taking up so much space when packing. I feel like my clothes now are so big that they take up a lot of space in my overnight bag (or I just pack a lot lol).

I used to take the Metamucil free and clear (I think that's what it was called) when I was pregnant. Two spoonfuls mixed into my juice everyday solved my problems. It's slightly sweet but pretty much tasteless so it would probably mix well with water. If you need faster relief, magnesium citrate. You can find it in the grocery stores, drug stores, Target, Walmart, etc in the laxative aisle. It's Usually in a clear or green glass bottle. I think it may be carbonated so if you have already had the sleeve, you may want to let it get flat first. It's not a great taste but you drink it knowing that you will fee better in th near future.

You look great! I never would have known you have yet to reach your goal unless you told me

I seriously thought I was the only one with the sweating issue. I am looking forward to being able to do my make up at home and not worry about sweating it off from the walk from my house to the car, which is only 20 feet. Not avoiding looking at the reflection of my body. Not sweating. I cannot say that enough. Buying clothes from a section that is not plus size. Being able to borrow my BFF's clothes. I want to shop at American Eagle. And Pac Sun. And athleta. And Lululemon.

My current job doesn't require me to get dressed up so I live in leggings and workout clothes and even then I still don't have a lot. I have a closet full of clothes sizes XL/large/14 from when I did have to dress business casual (that I currently cannot fit). My plan is to buy a few things from thrift stores until I reach my goal weight. At that time, I will take my kid to daycare and go on a shopping spree. Just the thought alone excites me. Also, once I can no longer fit the clothes in my closet, I want to literally empty the entire thing out and take it to Goodwill.

Congratulations! You look amazing I can't wait until I have some "after" pictures. I am tired of being a "before."

No food funeral for me. I have Kaiser so I completed the 12 weeks of classes in the options program. During that 12 weeks I had to lose 10% of my body weight which required me to change the way I eat. After finishing that class, eating the way that I used to upset my stomach so much that consuming the food wasn't even worth it to me. My surgery is in 2 weeks, during that time I am going to focus on not gaining all of the weight back that I had lost. Also, during my surgery consultation the doctor warned me about participating in food funerals lol

So far, so good. I emailed by doctor about wanting to pursue bariatric surgery in Feb 2015. He referred me to the program, I attended the information session and picked the track that started almost a month later on 3/11. Before the track started, I had to have a body analysis, where they weigh me, told me my BMI, and took my picture. The program was 12 weeks and during that time they wanted you to lose 10% of your body weight (I was close but did not hit the goal). During the Options program, I also had to talk to a therapist, have blood/stool lab work, and talk to the lead bariatric surgeon. We were told that it would be 4-6 weeks after graduation that the surgeon would contact us for the consultation. I graduated on 5/27, I had another body analysis on 6/1, got a call from the surgeon's office on 6/8 to schedule my consultation on 6/12. At that time, we discussed the RnY and gastric sleeve and with his input I chose the sleeve. He set my surgery date for 7/7 but it was moved up to 7/6. As far as "speeding up the process" there is not much you can do, especially since there is no speeding up the classes. I will say that I did everything that was required of me as soon as I could (blood work, therapist appointments, etc) so that if there was a delay it would not be my fault. I definitely think that helped. Good luck to you!

I know how you feel. While I was in the options classes and when I was done and just waiting for a call from the surgeon's office, I felt like my time would never come. You have a date, that's exciting!

Hello everyone, I have Kaiser so I completed the 12 weeks of classes in the options program, that was over on 5/27. During that time, I had to lose 10% of my body weight, I was about 2lbs shy of that goal and it wasn't an issue. My surgery has been scheduled for July 6th, and I am very excited. My surgeon requires that I complete a 2 day liquid diet before surgery. He said that he doesn't care what the liquids are (smoothies, Protein shakes, etc) as long as they were liquid. For post op, I ordered two of the sample packs of the Syntrax nectar (15 flavors I believe in each pack) from mybariatricpantry.com. I also plan on trying to make my own chicken broth, and I need to stock up on the SF popsicles and jell-o. I am also looking for a flavorless Protein Powder if anyone has any suggestions.

My sleeve was scheduled for July 7th but two days ago it was moved up to July 6th. I am going on vacation right before and I will have to start my two day liquid pre op diet during vacation. I was sad at first but It's okay because it's definitely worth it to me. (Sorry I hit enter too soon).

My sleeve surgery is scheduled for July 7th (yay me) and I would also like a buddy. I have about 100lbs to lose. Female, 21 (I have been 21 for like 9 years now lol), married with an 1 1/2 year old son.

That portion control is my biggest issue. When I was going through the classes, the class leader kept talking about how to avoid donuts in the break room (I hate donuts), how to make better fast food choices (I don't eat fast food), cutting out soda (I don't drink soda), not getting chips from the vending machine (not really a fan of chips), etc. I was getting frustrated because all of those issues were not MY issues so I was starting to wonder how I had gotten myself into this situation. When I mentioned this to her, she said that maybe portion control was my issue. And once she mentioned it, it all made perfect sense. And maybe I knew deep down inside that how much I was eating was the problem but I think hearing it from someone else confirmed what my problem was.

It is very interesting, the different requirements within the same company. FTR, I actually asked my class leader about other Kaiser regions having 6 months classes and she said that "they should all be on the same plan" meaning that they were all 12 weeks but reading here I knew that wasn't right. I told my doctor I wanted to be considered for bariatric surgery, two weeks later the information packet came in the mail, I called the number, attended the orientation and picked my track. I am in Kaiser SoCal, the classes are 12 weeks; my track began in the middle of March and ends at the end of May. I needed to have blood/stool work completed before week 6, meeting with the lead doctor, psych evaluation, and a body analysis. I also needed to lose 10% of my current body weight (so far 18 of 25lbs lost).

Hello Everyone, I have been lurking for about a week now and decided today was a good day to introduce myself. A little about me: I am 27, live in California, married, I have a boy who is a year and a half and I recently went back to school to pursue my Master's degree. Our insurance is through Kaiser so I am currently in week 4 of 12 of the Kaiser options program. I am 5'5" and at my heaviest, I was 278lbs; I currently weigh in at 256lbs. In the week I have spent lurking and looking at old posts, I had so many questions answered that I didn't even know I had. I am leaning towards having the gastric sleeve but Kaiser lets you choose between that and the RnY. If anyone has a question that I didn't answer, feel free to ask!