ocgirl15

Congrats!

This is only my opinion but is backed by my medical team. I focus on protein not calories but tracking is still critical right after surgery. I use MFP to track my protein intake to make sure I got enough. I don't know how long I will have to do it but when I don't track I notice my protein intake goes down.

Great news. I have bcbsil through my employer and they were easy to work with. My doctor still had me do a 6month prep even though the insurance didn't require it. But that put my surgery in December. Since it was so late in the year my deductible and out of pocket max was meant (family plan.... I spent plenty of money on medical bills early in the year). Surgery and everything associated was covered 100% including the medicine they sent me home with. I was very please with the quality of my insurance.

My stats were very close to yours. 5'1' and 213 at my high. That put my BMI @. 41 or 42. I felt awkward at my doctors support group meetings. No mean looks because it was a mix and and post op people and people did not assume I was prep. I realized how bad and sick morbid obesity could get. I assumed without intervention I would in as bad shape as many of the other participants since most of them were older and the weight related illness were starting to pile up. So that experience made me realize I was making the right decision. Ignore their looks. You have every right to be there. This is about your long term health and longevity.

I am about 4 months post op and really enjoy food. I think I am a bariatric foodie. But my relationship with food has changed drastically. Small portions obviously. Crap is out. No chips, sweets or any other type of junk food.! But real cooking and real food is a big yes! That seems to be your question right? So yes to cooking and farmers markets and trying new recipes ( follow your doctors/NUTs recommendation on wine... They all seem to be different). I love the complex flavors that 'foodie' type recipes provide. Your choices should be protein based and carbs mainly vegetables. I avoid rice, pasta and bread. Try plain bread, rice, and pasta...... It has no flavor. Your body is not craving them because they test great.....your body is just craving carbs. Post surgery diet will end your carb addiction and you will not miss them as much and you will realize food has more flavor when your tastebuds are not dulled by white flour carbs. I think food tastes better now and I don't associate eating with guilt!

I agree with Ann 100%! When you loose weight you will be thrilled that smaller clothes fit but your fashionista gene somehow switches on... Clothes will have to be cute and stylish. You will feel like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. You will have much more fun with that gift card if you wait!

I also had an incision at my bra line and there is no way I could wear a regular bra. Wearing bras was uncomfortable for weeks! I was a DDD. So glad I work from home. It must have been a month before I could wear an underwire. Get some loose fitting Hanes sports bras. You might tolerate those better. I got some cheap on Amazon. Good luck!

Congrats!

I just did a little research and Almanza has tons of allegations and law suits. I believe every word. Him not actually touching your stomach might have been a blessing in disguise. I am glad you back on the right track and that he didn't harm you more than he did.

Congratulations! Very inspiring!

I enjoyed my food funeral as well and no regrets. 3 days before surgery. Has a cocktail too! Mine was French fries, wings and a fresh local tuna steak sandwich. Now that I am healed (4 mos) I have wings and tuna steak (no bread) in very small quantities. No fries. But you will eat wide variety foods after you are cleared by your doctor.

Wow you look great. Your surgeon did a great job. Your post op with drain and you still look great!

My husband has been very respectful of my choice not to tell his parents. Of course I didn't tell my parents either. Ours moms talk often and he knows his mom has loose lips and understood I didn't want me mom to find out from my mother in law. I didn't mind her knowing so much but I know from experience she cannot keep a secret. Most of her family are mean hearted and nasty people. They constantly talk about other people and I am sure they already talk about me behind my back. I didn't want to give them more fodder.

I chose sleeve because that's what my doctor recommended. I thought I wanted lap band. Sleeve was perfect for me because I had relatively low BMI (42) and no insurance recognized comorbities. If your doctor is pushing you towards gastric bypass's listen to them and if your not sure get a second opinion. WLS is not one size fits all. If I had diabetes or GERD I would definitely considered gastric bypass.

I have the same problem but I am not complaining! I couldn't wear my rings for awhile. About 6 weeks Post op started wearing them again. I am almost 4 months and they are getting loose. Thanks for the ring guards idea! I agree I need to wait to resize. Congrats on your skinny boney fingers!

I have had ablation via novasure. Pain, cramps, terrible PMS would be expected after VSG. But if you have had a successful ablation you shouldn't bleed. Ablation destroys your endometrial layer so you can't build up the blood in the first place. I think this warrants speaking to your obgyn.

I have only told my husband and 3 girlfriends, one is married so her husband and kids know. That is it. I don't live near my parents and family so I didn't see the point of mentioning it to them. Plus if I had told my mom she would have worried herself sick and every conversation would have been about my WLS . She will be happy to see the healthy me when I do see her. I have always been a private person. I am lucky I work from home so my co-workers have only seen a headshot of me. My boss had no idea I was obese and didn't ask details about my surgery. She is in HR and knows that it would be inappropriate to ask not to mention against company policy. It is important to tell your support system everyone else is optional in my opinion. Neighbors and acquaintances have noticed and I tell them I have learned portion control, avoid ALL carbs and I am more active. It's none of their business that I have had surgery.

This is my favorite show and I am really enjoying this post! I am on the fence. It was an ok episode but did not have the intensity that the Maggie/Carol kidnapping had or the when all of Alexandria took out the walkers together. With that said an "average" TWD episode is still better than anything else on TV. I thought Neegan reveal was intense and scary and had everything that makes TWD what it is. I am leaning towards it being a man who got the raw end of Lucille. A woman (especially a sick one) or a child would not portray strength from Neegan. I think he will pick a strong male. Daryl is injured.... Not him. Can't be Rick or the show is over. Glen and Aaron look scared and emotional. But Abraham . .... Is kneeling as tall as he can, is not showing fear. My money is in Abraham.

Very cool. Gives hope to newbies when we hear the sleeve is still viable 5 years out. You still have the restriction and just needed to make the choice to follow the program. Everyone says this is a tool and we need to address mental reason for overeating and making bad food choices. You are the living proof positive!

Following... Been curious about this myself!

Mary you got my full support and you have every right to be mad and upset with the HIPPA violation and with some of the opinions expressed earlier. You have the right to take any action that will make you feel better regarding the violation. Most people don't have personal faxes..... Doctor should always assume fax machine is public. What if you had used Staples or another public copy center? They messed up big time! Most reasonable people want to keep their medical info private which is why HIPPA exist. What if the protected info was your latest STD diagnosis, pregnancy results, hysterectomy, surgery for hemmoroids, treatment for drug overdose. Why should WLS be less private? I am glad Valentina is proud of her WLS surgery choice......am too and hopefully you will be as well. For those of us that chose to keep our surgery largely private it is not because we are ashamed. The people whose opinions matter the most and that I love the most DO KNOW! I don't understand how telling general acquaintances and people who could care less will help me on journey. Your need for privacy is a personal choice and not an indication that your are in some way ashamed. I hope this matter gets resolved. Please keep us posted.

Wow I hope bcbs listens to your doctors... Because they are paying for surgery either way and WLS sounds like win win for both of you. Best of luck and prayers for a quick answer.

Well I am going to suggest something totally out of left field only because it happening to me right now and you don't seem to be in a bad place emotionally. Spring allergies! Tree pollen count is very high and I am tearing up all the time! Check online weather channel or the app of you have it find what the pollen count is in your area.

Chill fil a GRILLED nuggets. Best bariatric friendly fast food available!

I am a sleever and my doctors orders are no carbonation ever again. Low carb is the recommended diet. White flour (pasta & bread), sugar, rice should be avoided for weight loss success. But most sleevers CAN digest them (slippery slope so I personally avoid them all together since I know that is my trigger). Carbs are fine in the form of healthy low starch veggies as long as you meet your protein goal. Caffeine only has to be avoided post op, not forever. Sadly my sleeve doesn't like coffee.