vamping

Wow @@OMAChiver Way to go!

I too have PCOS. I had a hysterectomy at 34 and an ovary removed at 37. I'd been on metformin for years and no amount of metformin, exercise, or dieting improved my A1c or the insulin resistance that comes with PCOS. Blood pressure and cholesterol were through the roof. I also gained so much that I had sleep apnea. The whole thing just stressed me out, and I was scared senseless that I was going to become a full blown diabetic as it is prevalent in my biological family. My husband is a type 1 with an insulin pump, so I see first hand what that's like. I was initally offered bypass after my oopherectomy. At the time, I didn't know about the sleeve, and had other new complications and was a little offended that my doctor offered to remove the other ovary and have someone do the bypass at the same time. I worked at a hospital when they initially started performing the bypass, and the thought just wasn't appealing to me. The presentation of the option was also just poorly communicated. A few years later, I found out about the sleeve through a friend who works for my surgeon and also had the procedure. My doctor was well educated about PCOS and how the sleeve could help. That really sealed the deal. I wish I'd known sooner.

I'm almost 5 months out and am now noticing my shoes feeling looser.

@@OutsideMatchInside Agree with you so much on MAC foundation - absolute garbage. I didn't even use it when I freelanced, but of course had to say I did. At that time, they required that you wear all MAC products (but you couldn't wear discontinued colors). We got a ton of gratis product, but were constantly hitting up our buddies at the other EL owned counters for foundation. I also love your tip on getting samples. I am one of those folks that stuff oxidizes on (I HAVE to use eyeshadow base/primer) and there's no way I'd pay for a full bottle of anything without a good day's wear from a sample. I am over 40 and really like the Josie Maran tinted moisturizer for daily wear. I am a sunscreen fanatic since my face spots terribly when exposed to sun, so I like anything the added protection. I use the Josie Maran sunscreen too. For "events" or photos, my favorite foundation is Makeup Forever HD liquid foundation. Photographs like a dream and wears well. Since VSG, my skin is dry all the time so I have to mix a little bit of moisturizer with it. @@Malin I can't do my hair worth a damn either and I have poker straight, thick, healthy hair. There's a little less of it post-op, but still enough that it has to be thinned when cut. It's cut in a n A-line style, very short in the back angling to collar bone length at the longest point in the front. All of my stylists have said I have great hair. You can bleach it like crazy, color it, whatever and it stays healthy. Wouldn't think it would be hard to deal with, but I'm a total clutz with the straightener and can't part it correctly to save my life. I can color the living daylights out of it though! I usually go to a salon, but in a pinch I can do it myself from dark brown to bubblegum pink.

For makeup, I say forget the counters/stores and suggest you find an artist in your area whose work you like first. Spend the money to have a session (or two) with them where they will suggest products/shades, teach you how to use the products and tools you currently own, and create an easy look or two for you and teach you how to recreate it. The reason I say skip the counters is because they are still pushing product and working on comission. I freelanced for MAC in the early 2000s and while there are many amazing MAC (and other brand) artists, at the end of the day there is still a sales quota to fill. MAC and Sephora don't work on comission, but again, there is a sales goal. If I had to pick a counter/store, I'd do an appointment at MAC (especially a pro store or event launch as they often bring in their national artists). I believe currently it is 50.00 for a session, but the 50.00 can be used on/towards product. I think Sephora is similar with the exception of their "express" service. Quick tip on red (or any bold) lipstick: If you feel it is too harsh or too bold, put a drop of clear gloss on the end of the lipstick. Then use a brush to mix and lightly brush on your lips. This allows you to make the color sheer and control how much color you want to use. I like it for what I call "popsicle stained" lips.

When you can shop the perimeter of the grocery store like it's an art form. I rarely go down the inner aisles on a regular basis unless it is for specific items (spices, toilet paper, etc). I haven't seen a Cereal, cracker, cookie, or bread aisle since pre-op.

@ I understand your pain, both literally and figuratively. I had 3 major joint surgeries (including rotator cuff repair) by the time I was 25, all due to athletic injuries. I hope you can get your issues resolved soon. Keep your head up and keep pushing on. I don't have any great advice other than something my dad told me that stuck with me. He said to get any and everything you need medically done as soon as possible because the younger you are, the better you heal. Even a year can make a difference.

Hang in there. Get out and do activities you enjoy and you WILL find your people, I promise. I'm an "old" person too and I totally understand. I live on the opposite coast from my oldest best friends and had alot of drama with my local friends so now I have a much smaller social circle. I'm ok with that because I know it opens the door to better things.

@@kell911 I didn't but I also have a second party payer (supplemental insurance). Otherwise I would have had to pay the hospital co-pay and the surgeon co-pay up front. I'd say that was in the ball park of 300.00 - 500.00.

@@kell911 BCBS was interested in the beginning weight from the inital consult. @@Mrsooten2222 I was at a 35 BMI and was approved due to co-morbidities (sleep apnea being the big one for me). Double check your insurance.

Anesthesia should be covered under your plan 100%. Double check that one. I have FEP Blue Basic and I know it is covered.

I don't have anything to add, but I have FEP Blue Basic and had my surgery in October. The process was fairly smooth, and I got my approval back in a very short time. I didn't have to prove anything with food logs or my gym membership. Best of luck to all of you.

I wish someone had told me about the dry mouth/thirst. Ugh! Still having issues with that at almost 4 months out. The big thing I wish I had known was that maintaining a social life was only going to be as difficult as I make it. Finally I am really in control of my own body. I can still go out and socialize in restaurants and bars (I live in Las Vegas, so this is what people primarily do and I have an inordinate amount of visitors) and not have to partake in bad food or drinks. I can go, choose something appropriate for me, and enjoy the company. In fact, I was out with visiting friends for dinner within 2 weeks of surgery and had no issue enjoying my Water and their company.

I would absolutely recommend looking at the various bariatric food blogs/sites and cookbooks (Pinterest is a great help as well). If you can get yourself on a meal plan, then it removes alot of those temptations. I know it is hard. I live with a diabetic so you can imagine we are a fun pair to try to feed. LOL Paleo recipies have also been a life saver for us. I chose to go with rotating meats/fish by day and try to find diabetic and bariatric recipies to go with the meats. cheese is a huge staple of my diet. I love cheese and it's been fun to try new cheeses to snack on. I find that by looking up recipies and planning around those, I feel like I have alot more choices that I wouldn't have if I did a prescribed meal plan. I like choices.

@@Ruth1ess My all time favorite LLR piece. I'm pretty fond of the Randy shirts too.

I had Dr. Umbach and Dr. Apel (he had just arrived to the practice) and doing my follow-ups with Dr. Apel. Love the Blossom staff.

I am also in LV. I did the sleeve with Dr. Umbach and Dr. Apel at Blossom. I wish everyone success with their procedures.

I was a 40 DDD/E before surgery. I'm now down almost 50 pounds heading into 4 months post op. Now a DDD/E is too large (thank God) but a DD is not quite large enough no matter what band size they give me. If they made a DD and a half, it would be perfect. Everyone at my doctor's office says I'm lucky because mine are more solid tissue than fat. After hauling these things around all these years, I don't feel so lucky, especially in my neck and back. I do see changes to the skin for sure. If I stay above a C, I'm getting a reduction and lift. If I hit a C, I'll still get a lift. I carry my weight all over and am a classic hourglass, so we'll see what looks proportionate when I hit maintenance.

@@Ruth1ess Way to go!!! I bet you feel as great as you look now. What an inspiring loss. Is that a LulaRoe dress in the pictures?

@@Hiraeth That's amazing! I am so happy for you. I have PCOS and the fatigue and weight gain (plus sleep apnea!) were miserable. It feels so wonderful to get your life back. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear more on your progress.

Congrats on your excellent loss. I am 3 months out and I definitely notice I can get more food in than in the beginning. Not much, but there is a difference. I drink alot of Water or low/no cal drinks (like Bai or Crystal Light) to help with the hunger. I find alot of times what I really am is thirsty or at very least it gives my stomach something to do and makes my brain think I'm full. I went off my cpap 2 weeks after surgery. I absolutely think at very least you need readjusted and definitely need a to be evaluated again to see if you still need the machine. I was lucky because I had a machine that self adjusted. I'm assuming yours does not do that, so it's a real possibility that the pressure is too high, even if you've lowered it manually.

@@h.brooks661989 Keep up the good work! You're looking great.

@atontorLooking good!

@@kwatasia I believe so but you'd have to check the site. Sorry about the 1 at the end of a few of those numbers. It should be a small "1" as it is a reference within the brochure. I now have a secondary payer that picks up my co-pays so I'm not sure what the exact fee was for mine, but I know with past surgeries the co-pay to the facility and the surgeon was the same price for me. I've had Basic for almost 20 years.

@@kwatasia Basic should just be the surgeon and hospital (or surgical center) copays. Anestheisa is 100% covered on Basic so no extra there. I have a secondary payer so I had to look it up. I am not sure if it's 100% paid if it is a center of excellence or not. From the FEP Blue site for Basic: Hospital Care Inpatient: $175 per day; up to $875 per admission Outpatient: $1001 per day per facility Surgical care $1501 in an office setting $2001 in a non-office setting https://www.fepblue.org/en/benefit-plans/compare-plans/