Beth's WLS Journey

My surgeon cleared me for sex at 4 weeks post-op. My husband is also losing weight along with me although he's doing it by not eating certain foods (no wheat, dairy, sugar or soy). We've been married over 10 years and together over 13 and our sex life is better than ever. He has much more of a drive than I do and sometimes I'm just too tired but once we get going, I'm all into it! Losing weight has allowed both of us to be more "flexible" as we explore different positions. No complaints here

Before surgery, I would have bowel movements a few times a day and they were usually loose... I didn't have a movement for 5 days after surgery!! Doc said that's a bit longer than most but I was also on painkillers so that could have been a reason. I'm 7 weeks out and now I find I don't even go every day. And when I do, they are like little rabbit pellets. I will drink Smooth Move Tea every two to three days to just keep some balance. Quite a change indeed!!

I had my surgery on Feb 20. Got home the next day and learned real fast how slow I have to drink. Been on Phase 2 (clear liquids and Protein shakes) for 4 days now. Thr first few days at home, I would wake up during the night with the worse dry mouth ever. That was a sign that I probably wasn't drinking enough throughout that day so I upped my liquid intake and have not woken up with dry mouth since. sleeping on my side was impossible the first few days but now that I'm 6 days out, I have no problem moving to my side now. I finally got ouf of the house yesterday and today and realized how tired I was at the end of the day. Tomorrow I start Vitamins, Calcium and B12 so hopefully more energy will follow soon. i see the doctor on Tuesday and I hope to start having soft foods soon. I sit at the dinner table with my family sipping my Protein shake while they eat. I wouldn't be honest if I said I didn't miss the food. But I also know that there is no way I can eat anything now as my stomache needs to heal.

I am now back home after being in the hospital overnight. I am very thirsty and am drinking very slowly. A little bit of pain but nothing unbearable. doctor still has me on Phase 1 (Water and diluted juices. Tomorrow (Thursday) I can start on Protein shakes and have more liquid options such as crystal light, sugar free Jello and popsicles.

On the way to the hospital. So excited....and nervous.... Good luck and good healing thoughts to all those having surgery today. See you on the other side.

Tomorrow is the date for me!! Have to be at a the hospital at 8am for a 10am surgery. I've been on all liquids today. Relaxing a bit now. i am excited but still quite nervous and anxious. I brought my son to a friend's house so he is being watched while I'm at the hospital. When I said goodbye to him, and said "I love you", i had to leave right then as tears starting flowing. I think the thought of something happening to me and him not having his mom overcame my thoughts. I'm having this surgery for my health so I can live longer for him. I know chances are rare that something happens, so there's just negative guy on my shoulder...

Surgery is on Monday. Starting to get really nervous.

I'm having my surgery on Feb. 20th. I have been very positive about the whole thing and excited. But when the date was given to me and the hospital called to schedule my pre-op, I started getting nervous. Nervous about the unknown as I've been obese since I was a child. I've lost weight many times to only gain it back. I know a lot of people who have gone through this and I also attend a support group at the hospital to give me that added help. and then the other night, I was talking to my husband and he was talking about our son and family and the "what if's". I started crying. The "what if of not waking up" never crossed my mind....until then. And now that's all I can think about!! You do hear about those stories of someone not surviving on the table. And I have a cousin who a number of years ago was having gastric bypass and didn't make it. But with the technology they have now with laparoscopic and robotic medicine, the chances are very rare of that happening. But still... so I think feeling this way is normal. I'm so glad to have found this board for this kind of support. We're almost there!!!

As I was eating dinner tonight, it hit me that this weekend is the last time that I eat a large meal with carbs. I kind of freaked out a bit as I start liquid diet on Monday and the surgery is 2 weeks after. I have waited for this for so long and my life will change forever. I know that this surgery is my answer to no more morbid obesity. Yet I am scared....scared of the unknown. Anyone else understand this?? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Feels so great not going through this alone!!!! YAY for Feb. 20th!! I start the liver shrinking diet on Monday. What about you two ladies? im part of the 20th triplets!!!! To a new us ladies!!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Mine also....Goodluck Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Feb 20 is the date for my surgery!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Feb 20 is my date!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Finally got approved by the insurance company. My date is Feb 20!!!!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I went to the bariatric doctor in May to get everything started on my WLS. At that time, the office called my insurance company (BC/BS) and was told everything that we required. Asked specifically about a 6 month regimented diet and was told that it wasn't necessary. Because my BMI is 50, I should qualify for WLS. Over the last 2 months, I've gotten all my pre-op work done and the doctor submitted all the paperwork for pre-authorization. They were then told that I am being denied as there is no documented proof of a 6 consecutive month exercise/diet regiment with a nutritionist. Of course, my doctor's office got involved and negotiated twice on my behalf with the case nurse but she said that is their criteria. And I have been officially denied until they see that I have followed a 6 month program. If they read my diet history that I sent them they will see that I have been on diets my entire life - you name it, I've done. Sure the weight comes off, but then comes back on plus more. I even went to a nutritionist for a year but that was several years ago, and they only want to see the past two years. Can you feel my frustration? I met with a nutritionist today and are starting to play this game. Since I met with one in June for the pre-op, I just barely got by in July so at least I have 2 under my belt. I just know that come end of November, the insurance company will try to find something else to deny me. Say I didn't lose enough (even though they are not saying what that "enough" is). I want to get this done this year as I've already hit my deductible. I'm sure that case managers are supposed to do whatever they can to deny a procedure because of the cost involved. Do that not see that there is more health costs involved with morbid obesity? I am so angry; I can scream!!!!

Thank you. I needed to hear that about now......I am certainly not giving up. I am more eager now to have this done than ever. When someone tells me "no", I tend to see it as a challenge to get what I need in the end!!! I've been overweight all this time, so what's a few more months? Its just frustrating knowing that the insurance companies are "in charge" of your health...

Gorgeous!! I am so envious of all you beautiful people. I hate the way I look in pictures and want to take selfies and be happy with the picture. Soon.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just got back from a beautiful family vacation in Maui. We've been there a few times but on this trip, it was quite noticeable how much my weight was a factor in what should have been a perfect trip. I couldn't snorkel as long or as far as the rest of my family. I was tired every day and took naps while the rest of the family was at the pool. I hated the way I looked in my bathing suit and all the pictures. All of this has just added to how much I need this surgery, now more than ever. I don't want to take another family vacation where I can't keep up!! Plus I would like to walk down the airplane aisle walking frontwards and not sideways!! And the seat extender--ughhh!! I've been going through all the pre-op work ups and now just waiting for insurance approvals. Please oh please...lets get this done sooner than later!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

you look great. Congratulations!!!

I went to the mall yesterday with my son and thought about what it would be like to walk into any store and buy clothes. I was window shopping for the future....

YES!! Cant' tell you how many times I've sat in those and got 'stuck' or so afraid it would break from my weight....

You all are so inspiring to me. Just today someone asked me to post a picture of myself on Facebook where I think I look beautiful and I honestly can't find any. I hate the way I look in pictures so don't take many. Can't wait for my WLS so that will change. I will post before and after at that time... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Being able to go shopping for clothes in a "normal" store. Not needing a seat belt extender on flights. Being able to keep up with my 8 year old. Living a longer life!!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm new to this forum but find it so very helpful reading so much about what I'm about experience. I am currently taking Lexapro for depression and Ativan for anxiety. I just wanted to see if anyone out there is also on anti-depressants/anxiety. These are pills need to be taken daily and I'm not sure how to deal with that while in the hospital and post-op. I would love to be able to get off of these as I truly think the weight is the cause of all my depression. So I'm hoping with WLS, I'll be in a better place mentally and will be able to get weaned off of them over time.

Did a San Fernando Valley group ever start on here? I'm in Northridge and doing all the pre-op stuff. Next step is insurance approval. Would love to chat and possibly meet others who are this journey. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The last few times when I flew, I needed a seat belt extender. I hate that. The last time, I hit the flight assistant button as people were boarding and she brought me an extender without even asking what I needed. I looked at my husband and he looked at me and I was so ashamed and felt horrible. Enough is enough. I made an appointment that week to start looking into WLS and now I'm starting all the pre-op apps and tests. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App