ready_to_be_thin

36% of Americans are obese. I think they worry it would bankrupt them if they made it easy for 116+ million people to have a $20,000 operation. Given that that equals 2 trillion 320 billion dollars, I get why they want to make it hard to get approved. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I don't think that every obese person would opt to have surgery, but I do still think they should pay for weight related issues. My surgery didn't cost $20k, closer to $8k. Weight related issues cause insurance companies to spend a ton of money, so I do still think they should pay for weight loss help. I believe it would save money in the long run due to the amount of money that is spent on weight related issues such as sleep apnea, diabetes, etc, etc. I certainly agree with them having an approval process, but there are some that just downright refuse to pay for anything weight related at all, like my insurance company. Mine does not pay for it at all, appeal or not. It is outlined in our insurance so it doesn't matter what problems you may have. So I didn't have a chance unfortunately. I am not trying to start an argument, its just my opinion. Thanks!

I also meant to say....it was supposed to just be an overnight stay though. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

My surgery was on Wednesday but I didn't get to go home until Friday. I ended up going to ICU because I had trouble waking up from the anesthesia due to my sleep apnea. Luckily that has now gone away! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

You know, I just have to say this....I don't understand insurance companies. Doctors and insurance companies are so quick to say that our health problems are due to being overweight, but the insurance companies refuse to pay for anything weight related. Can't they see that if we weren't so overweight, that we wouldn't have as many health problems, thus they would save money?? I just can't understand how they haven't come to this conclusion yet. UGH!! I had to pay for my surgery out of pocket. They won't cover anything weight related at all. So ridiculous.

I am a little over 4 months out, and I have noticed my hair is starting to fall out now, especially when washing and brushing it. I was really, really hoping this wouldn't happen to me. I have increased my Biotin and hope that will help. I'm also going to try and increase my Protein as well. I am hoping that it won't last for too long. It scares me to death!

I agree with Dub....I am a little over 4 months post-op and rarely burp. Maybe you can take Gaviscon to help? Sorry I can't give more insight. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

You are sexy hot!! Great job and I am so glad that you are happy!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I am a little over 4 months out and I still can't eat much..probably about 5 bites too. I'm at around 2-3 ounces. I think what you are experiencing is normal. My doc always said that if I cant handle the next step to go ahead and go back to the previous stage. Just listen to your body and you should do fine. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Great job!!! I have 18 pounds to go before I get there. Can you wait! Congrats!???? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Would you mind telling us what the name of the Protein bar was? I am trying several different kinds if I can, and I might want to stay away from that one. LOL.. Thanks a bunch!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I think it's really very common. From what I have read on here, a lot of us had that stall at the two or three-week point. No worries, your loss will start back up again. Hang in there. You are doing great???? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I don't always get hungry every 3 hours, but my doctor said I need to eat every 3 hours so I try to do that. But I do get hungry, so I guess I was not one of the lucky ones who never gets hungry. It does seem to be though, when I eat every 3 hours or so, I tend to lose more weight. If I don't eat enough, then my body thinks I'm starving and I won't lose anything. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I can't speak on the lap band but I am a tad bit over 4 months post-op on the sleeve and almost 75 pounds down. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have had 10 surgeries in my life, and this one was extremely minor. I had very little pain. The only pain I really had was from the gas. I had no stomach pains or incision pains at all. Just remember to walk walk walk after your surgery and that will help tremendously with the gas pains. It's only normal to be nervous, but I think you will be glad that you went through with this. I wish you all the best luck. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I am four months post-op and feeling great! So yes, it will definitely get better. I had very minimal pain from the surgery itself, but did experience the gas pain. I did most of my resting during the day in my living room, so what I did was get up and walk during every commercial break. I just walked around my formal dining room table, and every day, I was able to go faster and faster. Walking is the key of getting that gas out. During my first week, I had a really hard time drinking, so I definitely couldn't get my recommended liquids in. I had to take tiny sips in, or it felt like it would just sit there and not go down. So just sip slowly. It will get better, I promise. Every day got a little easier. Now that I am four months out, I can drink normally again. Some people say they can't gulp, but I can take several swallows without any issues. Its still not easy for me to get all of my recommended liquids in, so sometimes I will resort to setting a timer on my phone that goes off every 5 minutes, and that reminds me to take a drink. That helps tremendously, although I can only do it during the evenings and on the weekends when I'm not at work. I have to say though that Water still makes me nauseous. I have to put some type of flavoring in it. Hopefully that will pass too, but as long as I have a flavoring in it, I am ok. Just hang in there, it will improve!

Just my experience: I definitely had to have someone with me to be dismissed from the hospital. They took me out in a wheelchair and made sure that someone else picked me up and was driving.

I am a little over 4 months out, and I do get hungry. I had always heard that they take the part of your stomach out with the hunger hormones, so I don't really know why I get hungry. The nurse practitioner that was in one of my meetings before I had my surgery told me that she had the gastric sleeve about 3 years prior, and still has not had any hunger. So I guess everyone is different. I have been on a reflux med since my surgery, although when I went in for my 3 month check-up, my doctor told me to start weaning off of it. So basically I just wanted to chime in and say that I do still get hungry. But, I still can only eat about 2-3 ounces per meal, so I am definitely grateful for that. Stay strong, just remember at this point, you don't want to cause any trauma to your body.

I am about 3 1/2 months out and I still can't get all of my Protein in. I had quit drinking protein shakes because I thought I wasn't supposed to be drinking them this far out. But at my 3 month checkup, my doctor told me to start drinking them again....to get my protein in one way or another. And they still make me kind of nauseous. I definitely can't drink them in the morning. Yuk. I am 67 pounds down as of today. ???? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing!! Like a completely different person! Way to go! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I definitely recommend taking Biotene mouthwash with you to the hospital. You can't have anything by mouth the first day, not even ice chips...well I couldn't anyway. The worst thing going was dry mouth, especially having to get up and walk so much. The Biotin will help tremendously. Good luck with everything Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations!! You look amazing! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Holy moly you look like a different person. Congratulations and way to go!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I dont really have any input, but i just wanted to say you look great!

Yes I remember feeling that way as well. Just drink slowly and walk a lot. It will pass. Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Your story sounds exactly like mine. I had problems coming get out of anesthesia so they kept me in the hospital for an extra day. I have had back surgery so I am a side sleeper. Well the whole time I was in the hospital I was on my back so I was in misery by the time I got out of there. I had very minimal pain from the surgery itself but the back pain was horrendous. You aren't alone! But I promise it will get better. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations on all of your hard work!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App