chryss

I had gastric bypass w/ gallbladder removal and hiatus hernia repair on June 19th, 2017. I will be traveling the next two weeks and won’t be able to post pics so I didn’t then today. Surgery weight 276 Current weight 149 The moment I was able to get out of the hospital bed I started walking and literally haven’t stopped. I was able to start running about 3 months after surgery. I have gone more than 2 days without being active. I run about 30 miles a week and do Orangetheory. I took 6 pills a day for my reflux (had been on them since 8 years old), blood pressure and cholesterol medicine. I walked out of Tampa General and haven’t had to take one single pill. My blood pressure is very normal, resting HR is that of a runner and my cholesterol went from 320 to 149 in 4 months. This was the absolute best thing I’ve ever done. I’m so thankful for this surgery. Now I just need to save up money for lower body lift. The doctor said I have at least 10 pounds of skin to be removed!

275 to 149 This is 2 weeks shy of my 1 year surgery

You look incredible! Congrats and great work!

Once discomfort started I used a heating pad and never took my brace off. It gave me great relief and I felt 100 percent better about a week after surgery.

Potentially a stricture. You need to see a doctor who can perform an endoscopy. If there is a stricture you will need to have balloon dilation to treat it. While some strictures can heal themselves, it doesn't sound like you can wait since you are getting dehydrated and starving yourself.

Also try sugar free popsicles. They are nice and cold so they soothe your stomach, they help you stay hydrated and they take while to eat so it feels like your eating something.

While salt water is good for healing Ocean water in the summer time is not good for healing. The waters temps get in to the 80's/90's and breed bacteria. I live in South Florida on an island on the Gulf of Mexico. Every summer someone dies from swimming in the ocean with a cut. I am also 3 weeks post op and I will swim in my pool once my scans are gone but I'm going to avoid the ocean for a couple months.

Great job! You are so good at losing weight, even your beard is getting smaller! [emoji23]

Thanks for the stories ladies! I started my liver shrinking diet today and am having RNY in exactly two weeks!

What doctor are you going to in Florida?

Hi Keri, How are you doing? Were you able to get some answers? Chryss

Mine is also on June 19th!

Awesome! Where are you getting the surgery?

Awesome job!

I'm June 19th! I'd love to join the group. I'll send you a FB Request now to join! Chryss

It's June 19th but I'm on a waiting list if someone cancels! They said that rarely happens though. I just ordered all my vitamins, I bought two cases of pure protein and I think my husband bought me the 30 oz Yeti tumbler I wanted for water sipping!

YES!!!!!!!! When is your surgery date?? We are insurance buddies, can we be surgery buddies?

No problem. My case was with Bariatric line, they were WONDERFUL. My case workers is calling me this afternoon to set up my post op sessions. She will be calling me every week for 3 months post op for free nutritional counciling!

Call the general line and go to "precertification" ask precertification if they have a case for you, if they don't, ask them for the number for Bariatric surgery (they will transfer you). Ask for a reference number, ask where they are in the process and what is their next steps. If it goes to Bariatric line, ask who your case worker/nurse is and get their extension for your call tomorrow.

Don't be afraid to call the insurance company! I think mine got through so fast because I called and made friends with the lady! Chryss

I got approved! I'm so happy and my stress level has plummeted. My surgeon is going to Spain for two weeks but I'm his first surgery back on June 19th! Where you at June buddies??

I'm going for bypass! I was originally going to get the sleeve but found out that my severe GERD would be unbearable with the sleeve. I'm very excited! What did you get Keirajay? How are you doing?

Hey there! My hospital officially submitted on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. My insurance called me on Friday at noon to tell me I was approved!!! So less than 2 days!

My dad had bypass 15 years ago. He lost 150 pounds, and has never gained it back. I'm getting ready to have the surgery and have been researching on here and taking my dad's experience in to account. In my dad's case after the surgery, he was very strict to the diet. He didn't "test food" like sandwiches etc. he stuck to protein shakes all day and at night he ate protein and veggies. Once he got to his goal weight, he tried different things but always used a small plate and measured his food. For 15 years he has weighed himself every week. If he gains a couple pounds, he goes right back to the protein shakes and protein and veggies. He sheds those pounds quickly and resumes normal life. I've been reading all these posts for months now and tracking habits of successful people and people who weren't successful. I've noticed that most who are successful, stick to the surgeons diet until they are at their goal weight. I've noticed some of the folks who never reach goal, start testing their pouch early and include carbs way to early. I've done a bunch of tracking but these attributes I feel are the most important. I recently watched a video someone posted from a doc in Indiana. He said to keep in mind that gastric bypass only works for weight loss for 2 years. After those 2 years, your body adjusts but it's extremely helpful in maintaining your weight. The key message from this doctor, you must reach goal weight in first two years.

I have BCBS (Ohio) but I live in Florida, my company is HQ'd in Ohio. -Monday, doctor office confirmed they faxed paperwork. -Tuesday, I called insurance company to see what the case # is. Insurance said that they closed my case because paperwork didn't come through on fax so they closed. Then the woman said, actually your doctor office sent it to the wrong number. She then transferred me to the Bariatric line and to a woman that said my precertification is handled by a specific group because of my employer (I work for a fortune 20 company, I assume they have a special line because a lot of employees). She gave me to correct fax number, I call doctor, gave to them, they faxed. Wednesday - called Insurance, they said they didn't receive my paperwork yet, call doc office, they said they did it. I said, send it again, they don't have it! Insurance company was so sweet and lady called me a 4:00 and said, we got it! -Thursday, called insurance, she said that benefits verified my coverage, it has to be double checked then it is assigned to a case worker nurse. - Friday, called insurance she said case worker was assigned but hasn't noted the account. At 3:00, insurance and doc were calling me to tell me I WAS APPROVED! Insurance took about a day and a half to review and approve. The nurse will also start calling me every week after my surgery for 3 months for nutritional coaching! I had a wonderful experience with them!