BoiledDenim

Heeeyyy! So I'm wondering for those of you on steroid regimens, how has it affected your weight loss efforts before and after WLS? I'm on the filthy bastards (decadron 6mg x2 daily for 5 days/month) and unfortunately don't have a choice at the moment. They cause a ravenous hunger, elevate my normal blood sugar, and blood pressure to an alarming degree. Amongst a litany of other horrible side-effects, of course. I digress. I'm in the pre-op phases for gastric sleeve and this long-term usage of these monsters are worrisome. Does anyone have any experience dealing with this? Thanks in advance!

IF was a tool I've used in the past with excellent results, and something I plan to employ again eventually. It worked great with very low carb diet. I worked shift work, so not having to pack a lunch frees up my time and mind to focus on other things. Actually, whenever I'd eat breakfast, I'd be starving 2 hours later, and all throughout the day I felt a powerful hunger just hours after meals. I didn't like that. During fasts of 18:6, it was an appetite killer for me. Then in the evenings, I'd have a nice, big meal of protein, fats, and little-no carbs. Extremely satiating. I know it's something you'll get differing opinions about, and certainly it's not for everyone. My experience was a great one, and hope very much to implement it somewhere down the line post-op if/when the restriction lessens.

Just curious about everyone's experience and what/if there's a standard. Did your team help schedule pre-op stuff, or were you mostly on your own? Was there good communication throughout? I feel like my surgeon's office has taken a more hands off approach, which I understand to a degree. Certainly they are very busy. Not every patient wants to put in the work and eventually gets scared off. The pre-op stage seems like a very anxious time for a lot of people, so I thought there'd be more contact, is all. Not hand-holding or constant communication, per se. Just an every once in a while "Hey, how are we doing? Where are we at?" type of deal. Thanks!

That's comforting to know. Thanks.

How are you doing? Sherry, you've totally got this.

My heart breaks for you, and others that have similar situations. Let your daughter be your biggest cheerleader and motivation. Please disregard naysayers. Very few people in this world should matter, and I don't give those folks a place in my life anymore. Go through this journey with your little girl and stick around here for support with people that have the same goals and dreams. ❤️

You guys make me feel so much better. I've told my husband, who is my biggest source of support. I've also told my mom and sister, and hope that they have respected my wishes for privacy but who knows. Families can be whispery sorts. They're in the "we support you, but we're worried" camp. The MIL, bless her heart. Nicest woman in the world but I know any info I give to her I'm essentially giving the consent for every person she strikes up a conversation with from here until EVER to know ALL my business. So I'm strategically withholding from all that noise 😂. Best wishes!

Nicotine is pure evil, yes. I wish I had something more helpful to say, but I understand completely. There is never a time where I can't just "go for a smoke". I was a bit "lucky", as I was essentially forced to quit following a long hospitalization where I couldn't just pop out for a cig. Seemed silly to start back up afterward, but the struggle was/is definitely there, and reckon it always will be. Especially those moments where all I want to do is chain smoke in a poorly ventilated room. It's just like my addiction to food. For me, I have to break the cycles. All of which that does me no good. I didn't have a choice in hospital, but now left up to my own devices, I do. Sure, I could have one. But to what end? One is never enough. I'd surely want another, then another, until I'm sucking down packs at a time again. Granted, I fully understand the nicotine devil, but you owe it to yourself. You're embarking on an already difficult journey all for a better version of you. My best advice in moments of weakness is that I just keep reminding myself "one more is never enough". I just want to wish you all the best. Sorry for cheesiness.

I think low carb is solid advice, and I do/feel the best while eating super low carb (under 20g) . But cha'know, I fell off that wagon some time ago and got ran over by it! So yes it's a struggle currently. I do think your advice is wise and prudent and I will try that. Yes, steroid-induced binge city is definitely a real thing! The issue with low carb now is I have a hard time eating very low carb and very low fat. I don't have my gall bladder anymore, and fat just ain't friendly like he used to be. I suspect the way I feel about that will change/need to change as the days tick closer to surgery. Do you eat HF/LC? Thank you for your time

Hey! Lurker here, mostly, in the pre-op phases. Just had consultation today with a surgeon who's operated on me previously. Lap cholecystectomy, to be exact. He recalled my gall bladder was quite inflamed. As such, it wasn't all that easy to remove. No complications, but the sucker was just all giant and gross in there, I presume. He's said scar tissue may be an issue, and that got me to wondering if any of you had issues during your procedures due to scar tissue. Thanks for your time! Cheers 🥂

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I do feel a bit of comfort hearing that while always feasible, these complications can be uncommon and possibly worked around (open instead of lap). Thanks, guys!

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I sort of figured that's probably what would have to happen. Definitely have a worst case scenario outlook, as a lot of folks seem to here as well. Suppose it's just the pre-op's biggest fear: being disqualified from surgery some how. Thank you for sharing!

Hello! So I've got a bit of a pressing issue at hand here, aside from the being severely obese. I'm in need of a stem cell transplant (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) which, understandably, my doctor refuses to go on with until I lose "significant" weight. I am 31, 5'7", 430lbs. He has recommended that WLS is a viable option. Without a SCT, I have been told my leukemia will likely continue to relapse. I'm in the beginning stages of doing all the pre-op requirements. I have UHC gold in the state of Indiana. Anyone else have a similar experience? Feeling a bit hopeless. Thanks!

Hi, Lauri! Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having. Don't stand down, though. I'm in the beginning stages as well. My consultation is next week with the surgeon, psychologist, etc. I called UHC just to confirm my plan did cover the procedure. They do with: BMI over 40, or 35 with comorbidities 5 year documentation of morbid obesity 6 month notice before surgery 21+ years of age That's UHC choice (***) I believe. Now, I live in Indiana but my hospital of choice is University of Chicago. That's where I've had previous (gall bladder) surgery, my oncologist, inpatient chemo, etc. has all taken place and is in network. I didn't think that the bariatric team might be out of network. Hmm now I'm a bit worried. Sorry, just providing a lot of seemingly needless information on the off chance it might be of use to someone. Thank you for your kind words. I don't expect the approval process will be buttery smooth for me either. Don't give up, though. It's a means to an end. Should keep me updated because I'm both hopeful and curious for you. Wishing you all the best.