LeaninLanc

Congrats on your surgery. I'm not sure if you're traveling by air or land. My experience is that you might want to plan to take a small cooler or use a hotel mini fridge to stock up on the items you are eating at six weeks. I found I had only a few go-to foods at that point and even if we went out to eat I just ate a few bites off my husband's plate. Eating at six weeks (and even now at 5 months) is more a task to be managed than an experience. Best wishes!

I was sleeved 3-6-17 and remain thankful every day for this tool. I started at a higher weight and have lost 83 lbs. since day of surgery. I still have 80 pounds to go and that will put me at the middle range of a "normal weight" for a tall 59 year old. I am confident that I will reach that goal in 12 months, in time for my 60th. It's so refreshing to get good lab reports and good blood pressure readings at the doctor. I'm trying not to take this opportunity for granted. Glad to hear everyone is hanging in there.

I believe it spelled out physician supervised. I called the BCBS office and had them email me all their Bariatric surgery requirements. I had hoped to use some weight watcher records but that wouldn't fly as I hadn't seen a doctor or CNP monthly to monitor. I'm sure a representative at BCBS can clarify for you.

I have BCBS of Minnesota and the policy didn't leave much wiggle room. I had to make six monthly visits to a certified nurse practitioner at the surgeon's office with monthly weights documented. I had to keep a daily calorie, weight and exercise log. It was frustrating but worth it in the end.

You have nothing but good things ahead. A year from now you will be well on your way to meeting your goal. Wishing you the best!

Congrats. We are surgiversary twins. You've done so very well. I don't know about you but these past four months went by much more quickly than my 6 months of pre-op prep.

I find I have a lot more time on my hands since my prior pursuit of food is now a task and not the high point of my day. For the first time in years I am approaching a birthday (I'm well into my 50's) and I can confidently say I will be thinner next year, I have broken the cycle. I can walk by a mirror or plate glass window and feel pride not disgust. More energy in all areas. I no longer dread doctor appointments. Seating choices are no longer an issue. The list can go on and on! You will soon be making a similar list!

I think the "feeling of fullness" varies from one person to another but until I got into solid foods I didn't really get "that feeling". I do now though and it's literally a tightness telling me that one more bite should not enter. I've also found that I get the hiccups if I go over by a bite or two. Not pleasant.

That is one perfectly composed letter! I told only my closest family and friends along with one co-worker who would be covering for me. I spent months thinking about how I'd tell people on the periphery. Closer to surgery I realized that it wasn't necessary to tell anyone else. I had visions of being on the receiving end of many questions. I'm 3.5 months out and almost 70# down from surgical weight and not one person has asked what I did to lose weight. I've received lots of "You're looking great" though. Your approach was well thought out!

Hope all went well today. Welcome to the Loser's Bench. Let us know how you're doing when you're feeling up to it.

I would definitely delay surgery. It sounds like a wonderful trip so why not be able to enjoy it 100%? At four weeks I was definitely still trying to figure out my food intakes and that's with having known foods, known quantities and regular meal times. I also found myself tired and at times, not wanting to be too far from the bathroom as everything "got adjusted" in my digestive tract. Safe travels!

I was mentally dreading the two week pre-op diet that my bro-in-law described as the worse part of the VSG process. I was astounded when the scheduling nurse said to just follow clear liquids 24 hrs prior. When I asked my surgeon at my 1 week follow up he said that there are more longitudinal studies showing that the protocol of two weeks to shrink the liver is unnecessary. I counted myself blessed as I chose this physician primarily due to insurance coverage.

These next months will go quickly (when you look back). It's a very exciting journey. Congrats!

I did try a Real Good Pizza after reading rave reviews. Although it was pricey it was still cheaper than a typical fast food meal. The crust did not appeal to me, perhaps an individual taste. Ended up discarding the rest. The cheese crusts I see listed here sound much better to me.

There can be great feelings of buyers remorse the first week or so after surgery. It's very helpful to have a trusted partner/friend/family member who can "check in on you" emotionally and provide reassurance. I was second-guessing my decision and was way too post-surgery brained to be able to remind myself this was all worth it. Best wishes!

I'm just twelve weeks post-surgery but I am looking forward to going to a restaurant and not having to worry ahead of time what the seating arrangements will be. I think that I could comfortably fit in a booth now but I've been hesitant to try. Gotta sneak a booth trial in soon.

This was an issue for me and once the Doctor ruled out C-diff he said it was fine to take immodium as needed. It made it much easier to leave the house and only occasionally is a problem at 12 weeks.

I wish I'd known that all those foods I "enjoyed" one last time (out of fearfulness that I'd never eat them again) would lose their power over me post-surgery. I'm 9 weeks post op and about 47 pounds down from surgery and so far not really missing those foods. I put too much mental energy on my "food funerals".

I'm 8 weeks post-op but can tell you that I purposely ate a variety of favorite foods, before surgery, with the thought that once I'd had surgery I'd still "want" these foods but would have to deny myself. What I wish I knew then is that my tastes would change and that, at least in the early months, I would feel no desire for those foods I used to crave. Self-discipline with food has never been my strong point (duh) but the VSG makes it much easier to stay on course.

Yes I experienced this starting right after surgery. It was crazy! I'm 8 weeks out now and it has decreased significantly. I could smell spices from restaurants several blocks away.

I was sleeved on 3/6 and very pleased with my numbers so far. Had my first pizza tonight although it was very thin crust Hawaiian and I certainly counted every gram in my dairy. It just did not thrill me. I am not a protein shake person but did find I needed to eat a protein bar almost every day to get close to 65 grams. Hard to believe such a major life change can happen over 8 weeks.

I found that it took me about 4-5 weeks to feel like I had a semblance of my prior energy. I am absolutely not a day time napper but I felt like my body was telling me that I needed to recharge to heal. I'm 7 weeks out and 100% back to my normal speed. I see many people on here speaking about their dramatic return to activity, etc but it is a major surgery and your body must adjust in so many different ways. Best wishes!

The most essential item will be chapstick or similar product. If you use moisturizer for your face throw that in too. I have never been as "dry" as those first few days. I also took my own slippers ( with non slip tread) as I find those hospital socks to be bothersome. Best wishes!!

The ease of being able to go to a restaurant, board a plane, sit outside at a friend's home and not be worrying excessively about the durability, size, and location of the seat! Plus, running after my grandkids with ease.

It never hurts to call and politely advocate for yourself. I found that I needed to make a number of pleasant but firm calls at various points in my consult and insurance process. Sometimes things accidentally end up in a pile on a desk too [emoji6].