UCLA man

I have been able to get 1 cup (8oz) of soup down easily. This compares to only getting 1/4 to 1/2 cup of solid food down.

The stretch marks from gaining weight are far more visible than incisions. While I can't change the past, it's a constant reminder of the consequences of unhealthy eating habits.

My surgery was a month ago and I had the same thoughts. I told myself that this thinking was fear and fear is an emotion. Fear is not a fact. So I took my mind to the facts. My facts were that my sleep apnea could be cured and it has. My high blood pressure could go down without medication and it has. I had several other medical issues that could be resolved with weight loss and one month post op I am still optimistic they will be in the past soon as well. Yes, I will never be able to eat a whole pizza again or binge on carbs until I fell asleep but the fact is these behaviors, while they may have initially felt good, they were doing me harm. They to stay in the facts and not the feelings in this decision and you'll be fine. Just like hundreds of thousands before you. FACT!

nyteacher125.... You should get the facts correct before forming your biases. I'm glad you aren't my children's teacher.

Sorry to hear you are still in pain. I had surgery on 5/17 and took pain med every for hours for the next 3 days. On day 4 & 5 I only took one at bedtime. During week 2 only random pain. I would be calling my surgeon's office if I were still in pain. Hope it gets better soon!

I was given the same 'no lifting more than 10 pounds' instruction. Since I live alone and have a 15 pound dog i was concerned what I would do in the event of an emergency. He doesn't need to be picked up on a regular basis. So at the 2 week follow up appointment I asked the surgeon if I could pick up my 15 pound dog in the event of an emergency or if he wanted me to call a neighbor for help. He said that it was ok to pick up dog if it was an emergency only, meaning it should be highly avoided. If I were you I would speak to my surgeon's office before picking up 40-50 pounds. You wouldn't want to pop a hernia. Hernia repair is painful.

The people that think weight loss surgery is the easy way out are truly ignorant. I am 18 days post op and can honestly say that this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. It was also the smartest! sleep apnea = gone High blood pressure = gone Pre-diabetes = gone Statistics show people that losing weight 'the old fashioned way' have a 90% chance of regain plus more than their previous highest weight. It happened to me once. I wasn't going to do it 'the old fashioned way' again expecting different results.

Sitting on a hard metal folding chair is so uncomfortable now and I am 17 days post surgery. I didn't realize others had this problem also. I would have never thought this is a side effect of surgery. Does it go away at some point?

I have United Healthcare Choice Plus and required a 6 mo medically supervised diet. I was never told that there was a weight loss requirement by UHC. I really didn't lose much weight at all in my opinion, 14 pounds on a 320 pound man. My BMI was slightly over 40 but I have 2 co-morbidities. I went with United Healthcare preferred provider....."Center of Excellence" was more accurately a 'Center of Errors' Surgery was ten days ago so it took 8 1/2 from starting the process. The process was very frustrating at times and made me very angry on several occasions. But the Optum case manager was really on my side and helped during the difficulties. Hope this helps and best wishes!

My surgery was May 17th also. When I am at home comfortably sitting my mind starts planning all the thing I think I can do. Because I don't feel tired in that moment my planned activity turns out too be way to much. For example, this afternoon I drove 20 mins to my primary care physicians office to get a (non related) issue treated. Stood in line at counter for 5 minutes, sat in waiting room for 5 minutes then moved to exam room. Time spent in exam room was probably 15-20 minutes then I started to feel pain in my stomach. I sipped some Water but it didn't help much. So I went straight home without doing the 4 other activities on my list. Took a pain med and sleep for 2 hours so I didn't make it to an evening support group meeting. So I'm not sure if your body weakness is the same. I don't feel all the time like my body is weak, only after a physical activity when the pain flares up. I hope this helps you!

Optum/United Healthcare required the 6 mo diet but satisfying the requirement within 2 years before starting the bariatric surgery process would have been acceptable.

My surgery is tomorrow Tuesday May 17th so I too have been on clear liquids for the past week. It really sucks. Why do some have no clear liquid diet and others have 2 weeks? I've read the purpose is to shrink your liver so shouldn't it be the same for everyone?

"Honestly, for no good reason, my biggest fear is that I'm going to fail because I feel hungry!" Are you saying you feel hungry now? I've been told the feeling of hunger is gone after surgery.

I started the process with 6 mo medically supervised diet 8 months ago and at that time I thought 'why would anyone want to keep this a secret'? Afterall, it is advised that a strong support system is needed for this surgery in particular. Well, now I know.....When I began to talk about this with my therapist he was mostly silent until 6 months passed and he said I was taking the 'easy way out'. I stopped seeing him after that and found a therapist that has experience with this. She is supportive. When I told my sister I didn't expect much support from her. She hasn't called me since. Surgery is in 2 days and I can say now I know why people keep this a secret.

The psychiatrist that did my psych evaluation said he's only declined 1 patient because she admitted that she is suicidal and has hallucinations. I believe depression is common in people battling obesity so it shouldn't disqualify you as long as you are at least stable...not too depressed nor too manic.

Hi all, I live alone and having sleeve surgery in 2 weeks. In the past I have recovered at home by myself after 2 micro discectomies on my spine , a hernia repair and a screw put in my right wrist. Will I be able to recover by myself this time also? What things did you need help with, if anything? I also have a little 15 lb dog. When will I be able to bend to the floor to fill his food and Water bowls? 1st day at home, or 3rd day or 1 week, etc. When we you able to drive? Kind regards, Steve