melyssafaye

I am scheduled for a upper and lower abdominal surgery in September. My insurance will cover most of it. I used a bariatric center at a university hospital. The head of plastic surgery there wrote the leading textbook on body contour after weight loss. He mostly teaches, but works a couple days a month at the bariatric clinic. This matters because my insurance will cover skin removal for medical reasons like rashes and so on, but it has to be done by a bariatric center of excellence and billed by the bariatric group, not a plastic surgeon (since that would be considered cosmetic). Knowing all that, the plastic surgeon works through the bariatric clinic and they are well versed in getting approval. I went to my primary care about rashes and asked for a referral. Then saw a dermatologist and made an appointment with the surgeon. They took pictures and submitted a package. It was approved within 48 hours. The only catch is the my insurance won't cover some things like support garments and belly button. I'll pay out of pocket for those things. It's been about 16 months since my VSG and we have been putting aside all the money we are saving on groceries and prescription co-pays for all the medications I no longer have to take. I'm very fortunate to have this covered and even more blessed to be in a financial situation where I can make this a priority. It's not easy, but I've been obese my entire life. I'm 43 now and I have worked so hard to get this far. I just want to be able to like the way my body looks naked for once in my life. My kids are grown and now it's about me. :-)

Hi all! I just wonder when do you you get to a place where your weight loss is done. Is this something that just happens, or do you make a choice? I'm 9 months post vsg. HW:268 CW:168. I've lost my 70% and met my surgeon's goal of 173, but not my personal goal of 145. Over the past 2 months, I've been fluctuating about 3 lbs up, and back down, but not getting past 168. I'm 5'6 and really would like to lose the last 30 or so pounds. I eat with my program and it's fine. I'm going to do the liquid diet for 5 days next week. I don't want to drastically change what I'm eating because I'm happy with it and realize that this is eating for my whole life, not a crash diet. I do low carb/ high Protein just the same as I've been doing all along. Is this just a long stall, or can the maintenance phase sneak up on you? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for this. My surgery date was 3/31/16. So I'm a March sleeved as well. My SW:265 CW: 165. So I'm down 100lbs and thrilled, but the past two months I've only lost 2lbs. I've been so worried that maybe I've hit maintenance. I've passed my surgeon's goal of 70% excess weight, but I really, really want to hit 100%. I felt that complaining about it was ungrateful and my friends think I'm humble bragging. I'm sticking with the plan and trying to be patient. I have a consultation for plastics in a few weeks and I wonder if maybe that would help. Keep up the good work! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's slow for me now too. I'm beginning to worry that I've hit maintenance. I've lost 75% excess weight and have been stuck for the past month. My lowest was 168 last week. Today, back to 170. I think it's because I was eating ham, which is pretty salty, so maybe Water weight. <<fingers crossed>> Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Before surgery, hair loss and excess skin were huge concerns for me. I had waist length hair, thick with lots of body. I was vain about it. After surgery, at about 2 months, mine began shedding. I cut off about 17 inches to a shoulder length layered bob. I continued to lose hair for several months. I'm almost 9 months out and have lots of baby hair coming in. To be honest, it doesn't matter. I thought it would, but it really doesn't bother me at all. I don't think Vitamins stop the loss, but they are good to take anyway. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did too. I had BMI of 38 for 20 years. I let my beast off the chain a little and gained 15 to qualify. No shame, no regrets. 8 months out and have lost 100lbs. Plus, I ate all of my fav foods during the gain time and got the funerals out of the way. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My theory is that it turns into gas. I swear, I'm 1000 times more flatulent than before surgery. Is it just me? It's embarrassing because I rarely had gas before, but now it's ridiculous. I wake up and feel like I'm depressurizing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know about this. However, for the first 24 hours after surgery I had bladder incontinence issues. I never had issues before and my BMI was 41. It felt like my bladder didn't "wake up" after surgery. I was still in the hospital then and it wasn't a big deal. I had dry heaves and each time I heaved, I wet myself. Miserable, but by the end of the day I was fine. I didn't need diapers but did buy Poise pads to use the first day or two at home, just in case. I was worried that I would have sudden urge. My bedroom is upstairs, bathroom down stairs, so moving slow plus urge could have been trouble. Turned out I was just over cautious and didn't need them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

They are legit. One thing to know, if they send you stuff and for whatever reason your insurance doesn't pay, they won't bill you. Yes, they try to get you to use their scar cream and Vitamins and it feels like a scam/hard sell. But, if your insurance won't pay, they won't send. So, you won't ever be on the hook because they sent stuff and afterwards it wasn't covered and end up getting a bill. My insurance didn't cover the shakes. They sent me a first shipment because there was confusion between the insurance and insure nutrition. They apologized and won't be able to send more, however I was not billed for what they sent. They are easy to work with and not a scam. It just feels a little odd because they are pushy about getting a prescription for the cream and vitamins. They do all the work, they just want you to take them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think that it helps to re-frame the discussion, keeping in mind the obesity is a disease, not a moral failing. People are at different stages of the disease. Some people won't be helped by surgery. They will still be eating crap a few weeks after and will find ways to eat around their surgery. It happens. While others will be successful. Personally, (and I have no medical experience) I found the pre-op helpful but I think three months would have been just as helpful, rather than 6 months. I jumped through all the hoops, was a good patient for six months and had the sleeve. Post-op, I've gone to my follow ups and had great support from my team. I was one of those people who swore that I was just gen tic ally cursed and didn't have a food issue. I have two sister who are thin, but I have always been overweight. I maintained my same overweightness for 20 odd years. I fluctuated 15lbs a few times, but always stayed mostly the same. I didn't think wls would help but wanted to make the change badly. Of course, after surgery I see that I did in fact have some bad habits. It's been 8 months or so. I'm down 100lbs. I've lost 80% of my excess weight and met my surgeon's goal. I'm still working toward my personal goal. For me, surgery has been a life changer. For others, unfortunately, it may not be enough help. We are all at different stages but we're all battling the same disease. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

http://www.upworthy.com/101-self-care-suggestions-for-when-it-all-feels-like-too-much It seems the problem is with the mobile app. Just google 101 ways to care for yourself, it's the first result OR on iPhone, click link then touch the icon at bottom that is square with and arrow. Open in Safari Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for this. I really needed to find something like that today. I've been so depressed lately it's almost paralyzing. I think it has a lot to do with the loss of comfort. Small things you do to make yourself feel better. Like go out to dinner with friends, have a soda, go shopping or whatever. I can go out, but the reward isn't the same. I'm desperate for clothes, especially now that the seasons are changing. I'm in a size 8 or 10 now. Nothing from last year fits and I'm still losing, so no point in buying clothes unless I need them for something specific. I used to have lovely clothes that fit me well and made me feel pretty. I'm a vintage clothing collector, so my wardrobe was carefully cultivated over decades. I had been the same size for over 20 years. Now, nothing fits. No point in buying lovely dresses. I want the comfort I used to get from curling up with a pint of ice cream. But, I know that it would be no consolation now. I'm feeling sorry for myself. I know that. It's nice to think of other ways to find comfort until I feel more like myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey everyone! 5 months and down 79 lbs. Its a great feeling! SW/ 265 CW/ 186 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Awesome! Mine was 3/31/16. So we're pretty close. I really want to see 176!! Congrats!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look great!! Was there a time during the middle of losing that you had some sagging! I'm just wondering because right now, I'm 79 lbs down and worry about arms, thighs and tummy. It seems to be tightening back up some but I wonder if this is as good as it's likely to get or if there is improvement after maintenance. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For me, it took a good 4 months to stop feeling so tired all the time. I'm still fatigued some days, but not the deep tired of the first few months. It's normal and it gets a lot better. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks. I'm not done yet, but seeing the pics side by side brings it home for me. I'm proud of my accomplishment but at the same time I cringe at the before pic. It's deeply embarrassing but I'm trying to get over it. Day to day, I don't see the difference. But there are times I catch a reflection in a store mirror and don't recognize myself. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, yes, yes. About 6 weeks post op I began having major depression issues. I started on Zoloft, and it really helped. However, for three weeks I took the smallest dose and didn't gain or lose any weight. I had a follow up with my surgeon and he was concerned that I started a new med without contacting him. He explained that most SRIs have a side effect of weight gain and since I wasn't losing, I needed to stop taking them. I weaned off and instantly began losing rapidly. Unfortunately, I can also feel the depression creeping back. I'm trying to work through it with long walks and summer activities. Also, I see a therapist. It's a bad and strange place to be because on one hand, I'm happy about my success. On the other, I'm grieving my old life, clothes, habits and activities. It's hard but you'll get through it! Just remember not to make any serious decisions (like changing jobs or ending relationship) while you're recovering.

I can't believe how much has changed in 3 months. At my follow up, I thanked my surgeon for changing my life. I still have a long way to go, but I'm trying to Celebrate every victory. This is the same dress in both pics, but now is far to big and before I had to wear serious shape wear. SW:265 CW: 205 surgery:3/31/15

Thanks so much! I still have a lot to lose, but reaching goals feels great! I love the dress too, but it's listed on Etsy now. It's a vintage dress from the 1940's. But don't worry, I have a new one :-)

Hi! I'm in Elgin too! Good luck with your journey! I had surgery 3/31/16.

You look great!! Congrats! I think I understand the confusion when people don't recognize you. My theory is that most people don't "see us" under the fat. For example, I worked at a job for a short time with mostly 20-something employees (I'm 40-something). There was another older employee who was also female and overweight. Everyone would call us twins, say we must be related or just honestly confuse us or our names on a regular basis. So much so that it was annoying. Now, she was about 7 years older than me, short auburn hair, olive complexion with brown eyes. Also she's pear shaped. I had long blonde hair, fair skin, blue eyes and hourglass shape (much more busty). To me, we looked completely different. Like, not even close. If she were blonde or we had similar hairstyles maybe I could understand. But all we had in common was gender and weight. But to others, we were twins. Go figure.

I gained 5 pounds to qualify. Basically, I just let myself eat whatever I wanted. For so long, I over ate but was always trying to control it. Also, I lied about my height. They didn't measure, just asked. I always thought I was 5'6 but said I was 5'5. That one inch makes a difference for BMI. Don't feel guilty about it. Do what you have to. I had been seriously overweight my entire life. Gaining a couple pounds was much easier than trying to lose and keep off any weight. Good luck!!!