LisaMergs

Welcome and good luck[emoji6]

BCBS is amazing in their coverage and quick response.

Oh goodness. I feel you! Lost 15 lbs to start and then it sloooooooowed! I was completely frustrated but decided my body needed to adjust and I would not watch the scale. Best decision ever. At three weeks post op had my BMI checked at the gym- down 5 points! But the scale really wasn't moving. That said, I've dropped another 6 pounds this week. My nut said everyone is different. May not see a move then a week later wake up 10 lbs less. Keep rocking this!

I had the bypass. I'm certainly not one to say do this or that. I wasn't a candidate for sleeve for medical reasons. Point is, not one issue. And the truth is bypass is reversible. I asked my surgeon before I did it. Not that I will, was just curious. They actually leave the stomach in there so it can provide needed digestive enzymes into your small intestine.

Funny thing for me- I've only seen myself as obese when I see a picture of myself. Day to day my mind still thought of itself as thin. Darn mirrors and pictures always reminded me though!!!

Amazing!!! You're inspiring! I'm just over 3 weeks out and already stalling. Not too worried- I'm walking 4-5 miles a day, started with a personal trainer and have a great support system ( btw I had bypass). Just kind of frustrating. Good news is my BMI has already dropped over 5 points. That's an accomplishment! But I did think the scale would move faster. I'm at the point where I have decided to only get on it weekly.

This is a great thread. Mine was last summer- touring college campuses with my oldest, I was unable to walk the tours with him. It was the saddest thing ever. I saw a few things but basically waited for them to come back , sitting in my car or in a bench. Never again! I have two more headed off in the next four years and I WILL walk the tours with them. My surgery was 3 weeks ago. I'm waking 4-5 miles a day already. And next fall when we drop him off I intend to walk that campus and enjoy those moments with him!

Keep in mind Premier Protein shakes are not 100% whey protein. And that is what you want and need. My docs and nutritionist abhor Premier and tell their patients NOT to use it. The protein is not as pure. Look for one that is 100% and not a mixture or protein blend as first ingredient. Bariatric fusion makes a wonderful good tasting product and you can order a sampler pack of all flavors in individual serving sizes for about $20 You can also go to Vitamin shoppe and they sell Syntrax nectar powder as well as J Robb and you can grab a ton of individual packets before you commit to the big tubs!

Thank you. I was able to get the surgeon on call. Was advised to fall back to Clear Liquids for two days as best I can and if symptoms worsen get right in or if they improve over 2 days, see doc on Monday for possible EGD. Btw. Great articles you cited! Thanks again.

I'm two and a half weeks post op. Woke up this morning with some high pain. A lot of burping, and can barely get some Water down without some of it trying to come back up and causes a ton of pain. What do I do? I literally can't even consider my soft food, or my Protein drinks since the water is coming back up. It's the weekend so the doctors office is closed unless I went to the ER

You rent clothes??? From where? That's amazing! I have lived in Danskin capris for years. Almost feel like it is a uniform. But, I do need more yoga pants so I may be headed back to buy some in smaller sizes.

I just came back- nada. They were well sorted though and in the lower sizes there was a somewhat decent selection. But all in all the outing was a bust[emoji53]

Thank you! I'm guessing that depending on the location of each store the merchandise might be of higher or lower quality.

I recently heard of a balloon they insert in your stomach for a total of 6 months. My moms neighbor is no longer a surgery candidate because her weight is too high with her co- morbidities making it too dangerous. I'm trying to find a way to introduce this to her. She was denied surgery when she was around 400 lbs years ago, then fought for it , was approved and then lost her job. So sad. Now she is on disability. I wonder if Medicare covers surgery?

Thanks! Can't wait to read it! My final straw to committing to surgery was this- last summer we were touring college campuses with my oldest son. I'd go, but couldn't "tour". Between my rheumatoid and the excess weight I just couldn't walk even a block! Never again. This fall when we take him to school I plan on walking every inch of his campus!!! ( University of Iowa). And NEXT summer my daughter will do her campus tours and I expect to be with her every step of the way!

I was not a candidate for anything but bypass as I have autoimmune issues- rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Hughes syndrome. And pretty much everyone I know personally had severe issues with the lap band and eventually had to have them removed.

I'd schedule an EGD asap

Poor thing! It will get better. And there are harder days too, but at some point around 10-14 days out it starts to get a bit more even-keel. And hey! Water weight or fat weight- a loss is a loss! Way to go!!!!

Glad to hear you're feeling better! I'm kind of the opposite- having just started into the purée and soft food stage, after weeks prior to and after surgery, it is like I'm Rediscovering tastes. Today had tuna mixed with cottage cheese awesome seasonings and 1 tbl of scalloped potatoes. Blended most of the chunks out, heated it and it was like having a tuna melt! At dinner I had some homemade pulled pork ( no bbq sauce) with cottage cheese and frozen spinach and more seasonings. Mixed, blended, heated- yum! Try and get creative. I'm allowed 1/2 c food per meal. That is 8 tablespoons. Add different things to it to make something that explodes in your mouth! Good luck!

Hope your surgery was smooth sailing! The gas pain is the worst of it- walk walk walk! Check in when you feel better!

Oh goodness! You should have seen my post from This past Saturday when I went nutsoid on my oldest son because he didn't throw some papers out I told him to- and he is 18! Poor kid! I didn't recognize myself. So the gist is- hormones are stored in fat cells. Lose weight fast- release a crap-ton of hormones into your bloodstream - instant raving lunatic! Lol it passes. Good luck!

Hi meimei. I'm in the same boat as you with the RA. There was research done that shows Bariatric surgery has a positive effect on people with RA. I was diagnosed 9 years ago- right after I turned 40. Went through every drug they had. Finally got some relief from Actemra. Get infused with that in addition to my methotrexate shots weekly along with plaquenil. My weight gain was mostly due to being on 60-80 mg daily of prednisone for 6 years. The worst best drug out there. It was the only thing that allowed me any mobility while trying to find something that helped me. I even ended up allergic to Orencia! That was lovely lol. So between lack of movement and the pred- boom! Obese. Funny thing- I was completely flaring prior to surgery and assumed it would be more of the same after. Not! I've been hitting anywhere from 3-5 miles walking a day. Who knew? I'm not allowed to resume methotrexate or Actemra until 30 days out. Kind of wondering if I will? I suppose the best bet is to have some blood work done to check disease activity level. I don't want to go two steps back, but heck- the thought of no RA meds is certainly appealing!!!!

Awesome! I'll forward the info tomorrow!

Park ridge. But we can move around[emoji4]

I'm 2 weeks post op now and moved to purée foods. Let me tell you all- keep plugging with the full liquids- clear liquids until it is time. You will SO APPRECIATE the added flavors! It's like learning foods again! I've spent the day getting very creative with my 1/2 allowance of foods and it's been fun. But stick to it- your new tummy will thank you. Good luck! Btw. My schedule was day 1-5 clear liquids AND protein shakes. Day 6-14 full liquids. 15-30 purée and very soft foods.