Elle09

Fabulous! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@judanna77 How are you? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Womanvsmirror How are you doing? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did a lot of research about wls procedures and once I decided on vsg I focused my research. I watched others on you tube to see what their experience was which was very helpful. I also watched a couple of videos where they in detailed did surgeries and what was happening. Helped me with the unknown of what would happen once I was on the table. Researching and learning as much as I could really helped me. I had a great surgical team so I can't say there are things that others did that I wish I had done, but there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on BP that I find truly helpful from those who share. I took my weight management time serious and started practicing healthy choices. The pre op diet I took serious and prepared mentally so that I could do it and be successful. Understanding the importance of it to prepare my liver for surgery was serious to me. Since there are variations it is important to follow your prescribed plan from Doctor. Participated in group exercise... Zumba, AquaZumba, belly dancing, hip hop aerobics, and walking. Although this part I started some time ago it just got more intense before surgery. For a couple of weeks prior to surgery I nested. I am glad I did. Coming home with everything in order was great. During that time right before surgery pre made meals for family. Overall this was a good decision to go through the surgery, Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello April vsg crew. I lost 16 pounds on the pre op diet and had surgery 28 April 16 and have lost 36 pounds for a total of 52 lbs. I try to not get on the scale as much as that it can be discouraging. I feel like I am getting energy and just see quality of life improvements. My eating habits are definetly better and I am tracking what I eat, my Water intake has greatly improved as that after surgery I really struggled. I am really thankful for making this decision to have the surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am recently sleeved and will probably say I have been lucky in that I had a great medical program I went through and felt prepared from all aspects of the surgery, nutrition needs and physical aspects. I have a direct line to my surgeon, NUT, program coordinator, and exercise physiologist. Even with my core medical group in place I am thankful for this forum and new friends that I have met, that understand where I am at in my journey and for the veterans who understand where this journey will take me and can provide guidance. I spent over a year reading and researching before I finally decided to take this wls journey. Part of researching was trolling through this forum before signing up and learning about real experiences from people who had already gone through this (the vets.). The information they share is priceless and btw free. I have seen posts from vets that were not so nice, posts from newbies not so nice and posts from people who have yet to have wls surgery and posts information in an authoritative voice as if they know everything about wls and have had years of success. To me the latter is the worst. I have learned to take what information I need and leave what I don't need and for the rest chalk it up for entertainment purposes. P.S. - I drank from a straw and lived to tell about! I know I am not suppose to drink from straws not because a veteran told me not to because "my doctor ", said it was a no no! The age old battle "to straw or not straw will continue." I won't recommend it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told to use Hibiclens. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I wish I could eat popcorn! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Inner Surfer Girl both of my parents were with me and it was comforting and they were helpful. Also Vaseline brand Chapstick and the Biotene mouthwash. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Everyone's experience is different after surgery. Some people bounce back immediately some need a little extra time. I for one needed a little extra time and care due to the severe nausea and exhaustion. I was not in shape for my teens to visit me in the hospital. It was best for them to get updates and see me when I was in better shape and got home. A visit with them would have caused unnecessary worry and unwanted drama. This worked out because I could focus on me, my wellbeing and medical care. My surgery went excellent it was just reactions/after effects to anesthesia. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! I am excited for you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My go to meals have been egg salad, tuna salad, turkey chili, cauliflower Soup, refried Beans. My NUT was not for using baby food. There is some good advice here but also check with your team. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBS and found out within 5 days once the paperwork was submitted that I was approved. The day I found out my surgery was set up immediately. I would call BCBS and also talk to you patient coordinator at the clinic. Hope everything works out for you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The Vitamins @@Valentina listed I take also with an addition of Vitamin A and Iron. I was recently sleeved 28 April 2016 so I am kind of a newbie, but it was definitely worth it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App The vitamins @@Valentina listed I take also with an addition of Vitamin A and iron. I was recently sleeved 28 April 2016 so I am kind of a newbie, but it was definitely worth it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have low Iron, low Vitamin D, and even lower thiamin levels (B1). These are issues that I have continuously have dealt with over a lifetime. My surgery was not postponed, and due to those nutritional deficiencies although I have been sleeved it was determined that I would follow the vitamin protocol for those who have the gastric bypass. Since I was so close to the surgery date I was advised to start thiamin immediately and the other issues were to be addressed after surgery. I do have a liquid Vitamin D that I take. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I ordered sports bras from Old Navy website. They have larger sizes and generally on sale. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBS FEP and I heard within 5 days of submission that I had been approved. I had surgery at a Center of Excellence. I already met my deductible also. Once I got approval I talked with someone at BCBS customer service and they confirmed what I would have to pay up front upon admittance on surgery day. Part of my pre-surgery brief a coordinator from the hospital called to confirm what I had to pay. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I Zumba and belly dance. Right now I am cleared to walk and do light weights in a chair. I like group exercise. Hopefully I will be cleared to go back to my regular activities. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You don't need much water, broth, Popsicles, protein. I had to switch to Flintstones chewables could not tolerate the bariatric vitamins. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes it is a good part of the bariatric clinic that I went through and mandatory. I actually have no barriers to exercise and am very active. Along with Zumba I also participate in belly dance. I like music and enjoy dancing and I like to walk. However my eating habits need to be aligned with my activities. Having a trainer come to you is great but for me I enjoy group exercise and the comraderie keeps me motivated. I am looking at possibly getting a trainer for a little weight training. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Actually at the hospital through the bariatric program they have formal group classes for you to participate in and the exercise physiologist also provides personal training for an additional fee if you want to do one on one training. At the pre-surgery appointment he goes over all of that information. At my initial appointment I had already been pretty active in group exercise with Zumba 3 - 4 days a week so with me we discussed incorporating some weight training to go along with the aerobics and he provided some weight resistance exercise I could do with my body type. For me I have an hours drive from the hospital where I had surgery so my participation with their classes was not reasonable; but the person who does their program deals specifically with bariatric patients. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had to do one pre surgery and post surgery. At mine I sat with an exercise physiologist after he weighed me and we discussed he asked questions in regards to exercise history, medical issues, what type of activities I participated in. He then came up with an exercise plan and made some recommendations pre-surgery. Post surgery was a follow up to the first meeting to see what I had been doing and to make recommendations for exercise in regards to physical limitations due to surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good luck to you both in your journeys. This was a good decision for me to go through with the surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Egg salad, tuna salad, turkey chili, mashed cauliflower are some options. I have also roasted beets then puréed them with baked tilapia. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello! I was recently sleeved 28 April 2016. Although I live in MD I was sleeved at INOVA Fair Oaks in VA. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App