KateBruin

Core power elite, which has no added sugar and has 42 g protein, isopure ready to drink that looks like juice or Gatorade, muscle milk pro, and oh yeah, both in any flavor but cookies and cream is my favorite. I buy all but core power at the vitamin shoppe and core power I buy on Amazon. My favorite is to freeze them and they end up having a slushee consistency once they defrost a bit. I'm not even post op nor do I have a pre-op liquid diet and I drink about 2 a day. Yum.

HR has no legal right to know why you're having the surgery. Just that you are having it and can't work.

Mine had a suuuuper short questionnaire that was maybe 15 questions. Otherwise it was just a 60 minute routine therapy talk session. She asked some basic questions like why surgery, what my fears are, and what kind of support system I have. I technically won't know if she cleared me till Thursday's pre-op but I don't see why she wouldn't besides having a mother who is pulling a "love the sinner, hate the sin" attitude with me.

You might even be able to find institutions/researchers that give you a discounted cash rate if you agree to long-term followup for data collection. Personally, I wouldn't do it because it's so new and the incisions are like my gallbladder ones and they weren't a big deal. I have scars but already had two 6" ones from back surgery. Why are you thinking endoscopic vs laparoscopic?

I have BCBS FEP so my requirement is only 3 months but for me, really all it is is seeing either my surgeon or PCP once a month. Surgeon said not to see both in the same month or I'm paying a copay for a visit that doesn't count.

I think it's pretty common for severely overweight people to have a hiatal hernia. Don't know if it's common in the general population or weight related. People get it fixed during Surgery. I have an incisional hernia and can't get it repaired until my BMI is below 30. It just keeps growing and looks like an alien fetus

I want to be a fed but a different branch. I'm desperately hoping the surgery will help fix the health problems holding me back so I can pass the physical exam. It's the only thing I can see myself doing and I'm too young to settle.

I know this conversation started a few months ago but I thought I'd add my piece. I recently got diagnosed with spondyloarthritis. It's basically ankylosing spondylitis but they couldn't diagnose AS officially because my lumbar spine is fused. I started humira about 5 weeks ago and it isn't helping yet. I also have autoimmune thyroid but we aren't sure if it's hypo or hyper because my test numbers are all over the place. I could possibly lose the weight on my own because I workout like a total maniac but losing weight will help my joints and reduce my other symptoms. Plus, I'm borderline on several other diseases and my GI thinks I'm basically "pre-crohns". I also have a worsening incisional ulcer that my doctor can't fix till my BMI is below 30.

I have BCBS FEP and it's only 3 months. Last month I scheduled my final post op (next week) plus my tentative surgery date of July 31 at the same time. They said he surgeon is very busy so it was better to schedule the surgery and have to change it than get approved next week or the week after and have to wait a couple more months.

Something that might be worth asking your surgeon or dietician is if sugar free gummy bears are allowed. When I had to go on clear liquids for a colonoscopy, SF gummies were allowed because your body ends up treating them like they are liquid. It just helped me get through the period of being unable to chew. I'm sorry your doc requires 2 weeks pre-liquid. I'm only one day but don't get to full solids for 6 weeks after surgery. If your doc is requiring pre-liquids it's to make sure he can visualize behind your liver.

The UCLA bariatric clinic has no history of leaks. If insurance will cover even half of it, I seriously recommend UCLA. However, even if insurance covers it, they all require 3-6 months of supervised weight loss. FEP, which is for federal employees is 3 months but I think most are 6. So that might leave Mexico as your only option if you need it next month. As long as you thoroughly research the clinic, people get great results in Mexico. I'd start the process asap because I bet the good Mexican clinics have waiting periods.

I do high intensity interval training 5 days a week. It's an insane workout. But it burns a bunch of calories, is really fun, and I've added a ton of muscle. Plus, because it's high intensity the workout is only 27 minutes plus 9 minutes of abs. Seriously the best, most fun and brutal workout.

I second core power. It's the best protein shake I've had. I had my friend with a feeding tube and no stomach (autoimmune) recommend it. You just have to make sure you get the 42 G protein one or it has a ton of added sugar.

Do you have insurance? I have a fantastic surgeon at UCLA and it is one of the best clinics in the country.

Just echoing everyone. You won't need assistance if you plan ahead. But ya, ask anyone to stay just during the initial arrival home in case you can't call 911. Ideally, you'd want another human nearby to call 911 but not everyone has that ability. You just have to be extra vigilant since infection and clots tend to give you some warning. If you run out of any supplies and you're still on narcotics you can use apps to send a stranger to bring whatever you need right to you!

My doctor would require it if I didn't have an endo and colonoscopy to check for crohn's in February. I think a lot of people get their hiatal hernias fixed during the sleeve surgery since you're already out.

You can do light walking as soon as you wake up, and increase it gradually. At first it's basically about making sure you don't tear your sutures. Can't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. No clue what I'll do about my 25 lb dog! At about 6 weeks most people are cleared for full workouts but obviously start slow, especially if you were sedentary before surgery.

I'm too lazy to read all the responses so I apologize if this is repetitive. The need for or need to abstain from carbs is different from person to person. Nutritionists, especially bariatric clinic nuts, seem to just give everyone the same advice. Low carb, low fat, high protein. I do high intensity interval workouts 5x a week and need complex carbs and healthy fats like avocados like I need air. I make sure to eat carbs like whole grain pasta and bread only when I know I'm working out the next day. So, I just nod and tell my nutritionist sure sure, love the plan. I advise going on the IIFYM website to calculate balanced macronutrients for your weight goals and lifestyle. I wish nutritionists would give that advice more often instead of general high this low that.

Yo only need a pre-op diet if the doctor orders it. It is to shrink your liver so your surgery can be performed. I don't have a pre-op diet. And I'm also July 31!! Where is your surgery?

I don't think I've never been there. My seafood place is captain frostys for the fried stuff [emoji15] and the local market for fresh bluefish that I grill. I'll definitely try Kream & cone.

I love the cape. I go to Dennis July 3 and return 6 days before surgery. The chowder and fish on the cape is so good. You can eat just about whatever you want at that point (my doctor said no steak) but in small amounts. Consider chowder a treat and just work it into your calorie allotment. You won't be able to eat that much anyway and you have to chew it well. Definitely bring protein powder. There's always BJs if you run out of protein supplements.

Your doctor shouldn't allow you to fly for several weeks after surgery. The risk of blood clots, especially in the obese is way too high.

I'm bipolar II but haven't had my surgery yet. The mania has relapsed a tiny bit but it's manageable minus the lack of sleep. I take lamictal for mood. Mania relapsed because I had to stop seroquel after it made me gain 100 lbs. If you need to reduce your appetite a bit you can try metformin. It's an old school diabetes II med that greatly reduces my appetite. I don't have diabetes but started it to aid in weight loss. Speak to your psychiatrist. Antipsychotics have a huge affect on weight gain and seroquel in particular makes you gain a ton and makes you extremely hungry. I don't know if you take it. It basically ruined my life. (Being a little dramatic). I have my surgery end of July assuming everything goes according to plan. I've already met all the requirements. I think it would be good for us bipolar people to continue checking in with each other. I'm extremely nervous about meds post op. My bipolar is usually suicidal depression with occasional mania.

I haven't had my sleeve yet but I had back and gallbladder surgery 10 and 8 years ago respectively. Back included a 6" incision from belly button to crotch and low back to bum. My gallbladder incisions, which are similar to the sleeve ones, really have not changed sensation except my belly button one a tiny bit. However, my stomach back surgery one is almost completely numb. Sensation hasn't improved and it's so strange. I can't touch it or it creeps me out. Nerves mostly regenerate but not all the time. You just kind of adjust to the sensation.

I got my gallbladder out in 2009, totally unrelated to weight as I was super healthy then. Anyway, the pain is right under your ribs kind of like heartburn. The pain can radiate but I wanted to reach under my ribs and squeeze my organs to make the pain better. Weird, I know but the pain was that bad and my brain just told me that would be the solution. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd pace my driveway crying in pain if I wasn't busy puking. Lower right pain could be appendicitis, gas, constipation, or if you're female, (sorry I didn't notice if you said) ovarian cysts.