Megdelyn

I didn't get hunger pain, but I did get a weak, woozy feeling if I didn't eat every 2-3 hours when I was 3 months post op. I can go longer now because I am eating more regular food, but I still need to eat more often.

I'm in B'ham too.

@@VSGAnn2014 - you expressed my sentiments in such a humorous manner - thank you! As someone who stuck my head in the sand for a long time, I can vouch that until I was ready to do something about it, anything anyone said fell on deaf ears. Maybe not totally deaf - maybe just partially deaf since some of what I heard had time to circulate round my brain for a while until I was ready to take action. It also annoys me when people complain and complain and never take action to change their situation. Now, I like to complain too, but I also like to take action. For example, let me tell you about my underwear problem. My bras are just too big now - they make bra extenders, why not bra shrinkers? I have the cutest hot pink bra that just started fitting in the cup a few weeks after surgery and now the band is too big and it's soooo annoying. But my husband sure likes it when I take it off....

Nice blog post, Jeff. I haven't seen that video, though I've read about it and seen a few vlogs in response. (In particular, the one from Whitney whateverhernameis with the show on TLC - and that bothered me more than what's purportedly in the original video.) Why I like your post is because, well, it's real. You don't shy away from the fat issue. It always bothers me how people dance around my weight - as if I don't know I'm fat and they're afraid to be the one to point it out, or something. Find me a fat person who doesn't know they're fat! Really.

Yes. This. Exactly. It's tempting to believe, "If you only knew what I know then you'd make the same choice" but it's simply not true. It comes down to this: we only make a change when the pain of staying the same is greater than the fear of making the change. Each of us reach that point in our own way, in our own time. Maybe if you share your plans it could affect how your friend looks at her own weight loss. Maybe it won't. If she's being passive about seeking out information then I doubt you would have much influence.

Ah yes, this is the question that came to mind when I read your post. We all have extensive histories of losing and gaining weight. I've lost 50 pounds before. And gained 75. What finally brought me to surgery was acceptance that I couldn't do it on my own. I was never going to lose enough weight AND KEEP IT OFF without the surgery. Sounds to me like you have your answer. But some positive support can't hurt, right? So yes, if I were in your position I would still have the surgery. I'd be scared. Each time you go into the OR there's a risk. I was scared with my surgery, too. And I understand why your family wants to say "leave it well enough alone" - they're scared too. But burying one's head in the sand isn't a solution. Even if lightening should strike twice, would you rather know it? Not to mention that yes, you are still overweight, and yes, you still need the weight loss surgery. Better to do it now than wait another 5 years. Best of luck, no matter what you decide.

We have an employer-insured plan administered by Cigna so I don't know how in compares to Cigna sponsored plans. But I did have to wait 7 months.

Where are you? There's a bunch of us on here!

I wonder if what you are experiencing isn't hunger at all. I also take omeprazole for reflux, and when I don't take it I find myself eating a lot more frequently. In part because eating pushes the acid down, but I also misinterpret the bubbly feeling as hunger.

May 26 too! Down 70 pounds total. And we just got back from Disney World!

I found that hunger feels a lot different now. I've had a lot more heartburn since surgery and I find myself eating too often because I'm mistaking the gas/acid for hunger. As time goes on, it gets easier to tell the difference.

Have you called AWLS? They have experience with lots of different insurance and can probably give you better information on how often they get approvals from your type.

I do my best. But there are things I don't do, such as abstaining from Water 30 minutes before and after eating. I can't do that. I can't wait that long. I'll wait 10 minutes. And it's not like I'm guzzling down the fluids to flush out my pouch. But if I'm going to get my 64oz in, I need every minute. Not drinking 3 hours every day adversely impacts this. And I "cheat" on occasion. But I'm surprised that my cheating isn't all that satisfying. For example, I had a doughnut the other day. Yes, so totally not recommended. But I ate it. And I enjoyed it. But one was enough. And I'm not sure that I would choose to have a doughnut again. I'd rather lose weight.

LOL! We didn't get fat by drinking Water all day.

I was surprised as well, was really expecting to feel it more than I did. Well, maybe I did because one glass is just enough now. Rosé gives me more heartburn than white. Dry whites give me more heartburn than fruity ones. I've had a margarita without heartburn. I used to drink a lot of sours, but I probably won't now - too much sugar. Sticking with wine has been my best bet.

Ha. I have seen many posts about food funerals. Maybe I was lucky because the two weeks before my surgery I got a bad upper respiratory infection and my asthma flared up so I didn't feel much like eating anything. I was pretty happy on the full liquids diet, and before that started I just ate as I normally did. Maybe this time was a little different for me, though. I had a band in 2009 and I remember going to Olive Garden a few days before surgery as a "last meal" kinda thing. The band sprung a leak so it was ultimately unsuccessful.

I suspect most of us suffer from a similar problem with mirrors and pictures and the like. On the one hand, when I look at myself in the mirror I do not see my weight loss. I know it's there, I'm wearing a smaller size and I can tell I take up less space in the world. But I do not see it. On the other hand, I have always been (and continue to be) shocked when I see myself in pictures. Because I am much bigger than how I see myself. Lately I've been asking myself how this could be - how can I not see myself getting smaller, but not see myself as fat as I am? I wonder if it has to do with comparison. For the most part, when I look at myself in the mirror, I'm alone. So my perspective is off. But in photos, I see how I am in relation to familiar objects in the physical world. Obviously, it's been bothering me. I wonder if I'll reach a weight where these two mental images overlap.

It looks like they're using a lot of nashua nutritions products branded as bariatricpal - the prices are good. Plus they have almost every Quest bar flavor under the sun! Check it out: http://store.BariatricPal.com?rfsn=135309.7b250

I had my first glass of wine at about 2 months. I was a big drinker before the surgery so waiting a year, or even six months was probably unrealistic for me. My first glass of wine was a white zinfandel and I could not finish it. I was a bit worried about getting drunker quicker, but it didn't happen. I couldn't finish the glass because it gave me heartburn. Since then, I've had a glass on occasion. I started buying the 4-packs of mini bottles even though they are more expensive. A full bottle of wine goes to waste at our house now. I just can't finish one before it turns. So I went from a glass every night to a glass every other week, maybe. Our experiences are all so individual. Luckily, you get to decide what's right for you. Cheers!

I got dinged in a few weird areas the last few times I flew. I didn't think anything of it at the time because it was different spots in each airport.

My answer totally depends on where I am, who asked, and how much time I have. Sometimes I'm walking through the hall and an office mate will comment that I've lost weight. For those situations I'll say something quick, like either "thanks for noticing" or if they ask directly what's my secret, I'll say, "Hardly eating anything." Which is true. For those people I know a little better, or if I'm not in a rush, I'll stop and chat and say I had surgery. So far I've not had any backlash. Everyone I've told has expressed ... almost envy. But I can't imagine how anybody's reaction could make me feel bad about my choice. I think if anyone did say something weird, I'd say, "Better than being morbidly obese the rest of my life. Or dead."

@@shirleyjohn001 I disagree somewhat with most of the previous posters. Protein shakes are not necessary in order to get in your protein. It is possible to eat the required about of protein (the requirements vary depending on your surgeon). I focus on eating protein rich foods and only occasionally supplement with a Protein shake. With the Vitamins and Water - I think it's a mixed bag. Yes, we really should be taking vitamins. I notice that when I forget, I feel tired and "off" more frequently. I am trying the Vitamin Patches. I don't have my blood tests until mid November so I'll find out then how well they're doing. With the sleeve, there are not the same malabsorption issues as with RNY. So it is possible that if you are eating a well balanced nutritious diet, you could get everything you need. And vitamins are not an all or nothing thing. If you only take them 3x/week that is better than not taking any at all. Daily might be ideal, but they don't deplete that quickly in your body. My water consumption varies daily. My goal is 64 oz, but I don't always make it. But then some days I surpass it. Weeks when I get in more water I lose more weight. There is a direct correlation there. But don't think death is imminent if you don't consistently get in 64. But you should try. All the PPs have a point about not following directions. The surgery by itself is not the solution. You have to make these changes if you want long-term success. Also, I know lots of people who take daily vitamins, extra b's and Biotin and their hair still falls out. I've heard nothing about loose teeth. Scare tactics.

Almost five months ago. I started losing hair between 3&4 months.