KimB7811

Reading everyone’s story on here is so inspiring and insightful on this journey of weight loss surgery that I figured I would share and track mine as well. It will be nice to hopefully look back and read this a year from now anyway after being successful with my gastric sleeve surgery...fingers crossed! All up to that dang insurance approval! Backing up a bit... let me explain a little about me and my battle with the “fluff”. I’ve pretty much have always battled weight. I was always chubby as a kid and grew up in a big Italian family where portion sizes weren’t a thing and life revolves around food. For most of high school I was overweight... except junior year when I decided I would go on a major diet and exercise. I lost a lot of weight and looked good but still only got to 175. By senior year I was pretty much fat again. This would continue every 2 years until my first pregnancy. I would drop 40-50lbs and then gain it right back. By my first kid I really gained a lot though and was a little over 300. Only now due to the pregnancy, I got hypertension that never went away. Then I lost 80lbs. but you guessed it! Gained it all back and then some again! This pattern continued more and more. I remarried and got pregnant again and was back up to 275 again. I have always thought about the idea of weight loss surgery in the back of my head but I was going to try 1 more time to lose it myself and try to keep it off. I found a medically supervised weight loss program with “pills” and lost about 90lbs on it. That was almost 2 years ago. But now I have sadly gained at least 40 of it back and It seems to keep pouring back on me. Plus now I am suffering from severe osteoarthritis as well in both knees and I need a total knee replacement in my right. I’m still going to the gym and I’m still on the medicine, but my body isn’t reacting to it really anymore. So enough was enough and on March 1st I went and saw a weight loss surgeon! When he started explaining to me about how my body just starts to resist the weight loss and thinks it’s starving or wants to go back to my reset mode (which is my 300lb weight) it all made sense! I just always called it my inner fat girl wanting to come back out. He explained how cutting out this part of the stomach removed those hormones and will help me fight those genetics. Now I understand I need to keep up my end of the bargain and still exercise and count calories, but it def explained why it’s like all of a sudden my body would just hit a wall and start gaining back the weight even when I was still dieting. So sleeve it is and I couldn’t be more sure of this! So here goes my journey. They set me up that day with referrals for the psychiatrist, the gastroenterologist and the nutritionist. Luckily, since I’ve been in this medically supervised weight loss program for 2 years, I pretty much already have in my nutritionist meetings but he wanted me to meet with a Bariatric one at least once pre-op. I met with her on March 9th for the first visit already and learned a lot about what to expect the first few weeks out of how to eat and the different phases of food. My next apt with the Bariatric nutritionist is April12th. My endoscopy is scheduled this Friday so hopefully that goes well and my psych is scheduled for the following Friday. I have already filled out the package they sent to me for that which was about 500 questions. I do think it’s a little weird they want me to release all my hospital medical records though. I just hope and pray I get approved by insurance. Depending on who measures me, I range between 5-5 or 5-6 it seems. I also weighed in at 228 which left me with a BMI of 36. My insurance requires a BMI of 35 with comorbitities which I obviously have of hypertension and osteoarthritis. So the low end of BMI has me concerned with approval. Now the other thing is this, and please don’t judge,....My daughter was born in Jan of 2016 and in May of 2016. my husband and I decided to have a “date” night home with a few margaritas for cinco de Mayo. This was my first time drinking anything since she was born so they hit me pretty hard and he and I got into the biggest fight of our lives where he confessed some stuff that I was not expecting...throw in terrible post partum depression that I was suffering from that I wasn’t really aware of at the time and I ended up taking a handful of Tylenol PM’s that night. Well..of course I came to my senses right away and immediately called for help so this landed me stupidly in the ER that night vomiting up the pills and being monitored. I went home the next day after they made sure I wasn’t “suicidal” and of course followed up for a few months with therapy because I was just suffering from out of whack hormones thanks to post partum. my husband and I also worked things out as well. But long story short is....I’m really afraid that might be a clear strike against me for the psych eval. Especially if I release my medical records...... i guess we’ll wait and see. I’ll keep you guys posted on Friday on my Endoscopy. And thanks for reading this whole thing if you made it up to this point! 😄

I don’t have any answers unfortunately but I have the same insurance and ever since I got my sleeve, my GERD has gotten way worse. I’m kind of kicking myself for not doing the RNY so I’m considering a revision. I know in the Fed BCBS it says a revision has to be done within 2 years of the initial weight loss surgery though.

Hiiiiii! It’s me again. I have been seriously slacking on this forum. Let’s see... where to start to catch you up! It was 2 months for me this past wed (June 25th) from my sleeve surgery. I cut my hair off! It’s starting to shed badly now so the really long hair was more of a pain then anything. I figured a short edgy hairdo would help make my hair look fuller. I def like it! My progress?..... I would say on the veryyyyy slow side. It’s frustrating but I trust my body and will listen to my dr who tells me it’s completely normal to stall. He said I’ve actually lost more (overall) then he expected at my 6wk checkup. I’ve been at 197 for 2 wks now. I get my 64ounces of Fluid in no problem, between 70-90g Protein a day and Usually keep my carbs between 40-50g a day. Depends on what I did for exercise that day. If I hit the gym and then walked 3-4 miles that day I will be on the higher side for everything as my nut and surgeon requested. I’m pretty much eating all normal food now. For the most part, everything I try seems to not give me issues but I learned the hard way my tummy does not like steamed broccoli. First time I had severe foamies/vomiting from anything was when I ate that 2 wks ago. However, Ever since that little episode with the broccoli, my stomach has been giving me all sorts of issues. At first I thought it was just from irritating my new stomach but now I’m pretty sure it’s something else. I started getting these horrendous stomach cramps on and off. They come on suddenly and leave me pretty much incapacitated until it just suddenly stops. Then I’m fine. They happen at anytime randomly so it’s not just when I eat. Then, about 4 nights ago, I got a terrible attack. The worst thing ever. I just finished some almonds (which I’ve eaten many times before and tolerated just fine) and got such a bad stabbing pain right in the center of my rib cage below the breast bones. Then got really nauseous and had awful diarrhea. I thought maybe this is a “dumping” episode I hear about but the diarrhea is still happening now and it’s 4 days later. I’m keeping up on my fluids but I feel like something isn’t quite right now. I definitely need to call my dr but keep putting it off. I’m sure this isn’t helping with my stall either. The past few days I’m not wanting to eat much either. I’m hoping it’s not my gallbladder but who knows. I’ll keep you guys posted when I get checked out! Progress pic below too!

Thanks Susie! I’m glad to hear you’re doing well also! I am going to call my dr today. Definitely not a good sign since this is now the 5th day of my symptoms. I know stalls will happen and I keep exercising more to hopefully get the scale moving again! Maybe we are just building muscle though!

Hiiiiii! It’s me again. I have been seriously slacking on this forum. Let’s see... where to start to catch you up! It was 2 months for me this past wed (June 25th) from my sleeve surgery. I cut my hair off! It’s starting to shed badly now so the really long hair was more of a pain then anything. I figured a short edgy hairdo would help make my hair look fuller. I def like it! My progress?..... I would say on the veryyyyy slow side. It’s frustrating but I trust my body and will listen to my dr who tells me it’s completely normal to stall. He said I’ve actually lost more (overall) then he expected at my 6wk checkup. I’ve been at 197 for 2 wks now. I get my 64ounces of fluid in no problem, between 70-90g protein a day and Usually keep my carbs between 40-50g a day. Depends on what I did for exercise that day. If I hit the gym and then walked 3-4 miles that day I will be on the higher side for everything as my nut and surgeon requested. I’m pretty much eating all normal food now. For the most part, everything I try seems to not give me issues but I learned the hard way my tummy does not like steamed broccoli. First time I had severe foamies/vomiting from anything was when I ate that 2 wks ago. However, Ever since that little episode with the broccoli, my stomach has been giving me all sorts of issues. At first I thought it was just from irritating my new stomach but now I’m pretty sure it’s something else. I started getting these horrendous stomach cramps on and off. They come on suddenly and leave me pretty much incapacitated until it just suddenly stops. Then I’m fine. They happen at anytime randomly so it’s not just when I eat. Then, about 4 nights ago, I got a terrible attack. The worst thing ever. I just finished some almonds (which I’ve eaten many times before and tolerated just fine) and got such a bad stabbing pain right in the center of my rib cage below the breast bones. Then got really nauseous and had awful diarrhea. I thought maybe this is a “dumping” episode I hear about but the diarrhea is still happening now and it’s 4 days later. I’m keeping up on my fluids but I feel like something isn’t quite right now. I definitely need to call my dr but keep putting it off. I’m sure this isn’t helping withy stall either. The past few days I haven’t even wanted to eat much either. I’m hoping it’s not my gallbladder but who knows. I’ll keep you guys posted when I get checked out! Progress pic below too!

I developed that about 9 days out on my left side right under my rib cage. It was so intense it took my breath away. Felt like a combo of being stabbed and the worst muscle cramp. My surgeon explained that my spleen is right there which is right next to the stomach. When they cut the stomach, they cut some of the nerves that supply blood to the spleen as well so it’s your spleen not getting the normal blood flow. He said it goes away on its own after they start pumping blood again... and it did go away about 2 days later.

Some of mine were slightly below the normal range ( I believe it was with all the liver function counts) and he never even mentioned it. It’s getting so close for you now!!!!!

Aww I feel the same too. You e helped me so much since day 1 with kind words and encouragement! Hope you are doing well also!

Ty Amelia! I plan too keep sharing this rollercoaster ride I’m on with everyone and love reading about others experiences as well!

Ok...this took ALOT for me to do. Getting the courage to put alll of me on here like this. It’s been 5 wks since I was sleeved. I’ve been putting everything I have into this but there have been times I’ve wondered if this would really work. I’ve been trying to stay off the scale but that’s a challenge, I workout like crazy everyday and I count every calorie that goes in my mouth. I haven’t been able to really “see” the difference personally even though I knew my clothes fit better and I felt better physically, but after I did this collage today it truly made me see this IS working. I still have a long ways to go but I’ll take it after 5 weeks post op! All I have to say is take pictures!!!!! I felt sick taking the first one before surgery because I hated looking at myself but I am so great full I did now. Document this journey! Sleeved 4/25/19 HW-238 SW-233 CW-203 GW-140

Wow you look amazing!!! Your waist is so tiny! I love that dress too

Ty! And ty for all your support since day 1 too

Ty! As much as I hated doing it (and still do) I’m thankful I can visually look at them through this journey

Ty!!! Ty! I will be seeing my extended family in July whom I haven’t seen since March, so we’lol see if they notice !

Ok...this took ALOT for me to do. Getting the courage to put alll of me on here like this. It’s been 5 wks as of today since I was sleeved. I’ve been putting everything I have into this but there have been times I’ve wondered if this would really work. I’ve been trying to stay off the scale but that’s a challenge, I workout like crazy everyday and I count every calorie that goes in my mouth. I haven’t been able to really “see” the difference personally even though I knew my clothes fit better and I felt better physically, but after I did this collage today it truly made me see this IS working. I still have a long ways to go but I’ll take it after 5 weeks post op! All I have to say is take pictures!!!!! I felt sick taking the first one before surgery because I hated looking at myself but I am so great full I did now. Document this journey! Sleeved 4/25/19 HW-238 SW-233 (according to the hospital weigh-in) CW-203 GW-140

My husband suffers from horrible gout in his toes and ankles. It literally cripples him when he is having an attack. He can fortunately take NSAIDs which sort of helps but I know Bariatric patients can’t take them. His Dr told him it’s caused by foods rich in purins. I know specifically like red meats, seafoods, mushrooms, cauliflower and definitely alcohol. I don’t know how far out you are from surgery but maybe it’s from something you are consuming more of or maybe just from levels being out of whack and causing more Uric acid. He also ices it (if you can stand the weight of the ice on it) and elevates it. Fortunately the attacks only last about 48 hrs.

Aww thank you Kathy! I appreciate all the advise and comfort you’ve given me through this process. You are so sweet!

Ok guys... maybe you can help me with some insight if what I am feeling and experiencing is normal. I had my surgery 8 days ago and I’m now on the purées/soft food stage as my surgeon requested. I’ve been keeping track of everything I put in my mouth on the Baritastic app and every night I end up with a total of 800/900 calories consumed. I was told that I shouldn’t even be able to get close to this amount for several months...let alone 8 days out. Everything I’m eating is sugar free or fat free. I’m drinking 2 protein shakes a day...a Greek yogurt or ff cottage cheese, about 1/2 cup of cream of Chicken soup and I have been able to eat a very small amount of the ricotta bake or some puréed beans. Just tried scrambled eggs for the first time today and only could eat about 5 bites. Problem is, I am feeling hunger a lot... but then when I eat I get full fast. I am getting between 60-80 ounces of water with crystal light in easily. I have gained 1.3lbs as of today too!!! Is this normal or should I be feeling not hungry and more restricted?? I’m starting to feel discouraged.

You’re awesome in general and I prefer my soups right now as well!

I had my post-op 2 week visit with my surgeon this past Friday. I talked to him about the calories and being afraid I’m stretching out my pouch and being hungry a lot. He reminded me it was crucial to do the 30/30 rule with drinking and eating which I admit I wasn’t doing well. Since Friday though I have been setting timers and I have noticed a difference. He also said I shouldn’t go too much 700 calories a day for now. And lastly I asked about stretching out my pouch and he said it’s pretty hard to do which made me feel better.

Ok ladies, this ones for you! When the nurse called from the hospital to go over everything about the surgery day and anesthesia they informed me not to shave my legs 4 days prior to surgery because of the wipe they will give me to wipe on my body. They said it “can” make some women itch. Was anyone else told this and did you listen? Did you shave and then had an itching problem? Personally, I can’t stand fuzzy legs so I’m going to take my chances, but I am just curious about this.

My surgery was the 25th and it went well. Went in at 6:30am that morning and was home by 1pm the next day. I did ask if I could go home the same day but they weren’t havin’ It. I Had my 2 week follow up today and I’m down 17lbs since surgery! According to my weight I took the morning of surgery I’m down 15 but the dr told me the weight they took in the hospital the morning of surgery was 233. I had a little stall for 5 days the first week post -op which was a little discouraging but things have been moving great this past week. From now on though, I am only weighing myself every Friday! I also have been having the most terrible stabbing pain under my left side rib cage which turns out to be a common side effect after the sleeve. It’s something about my spleen not getting enough blood flow yet because the nerves that supply it were cut when they removed a portion of my stomach. Fortunately this will go away over time when the blood supply returns. I’m having difficulty not drinking 30/30 with eating but today I cracked down on myself and set timers! I will admit I still feel hungry a lot and the carb craving hasn’t magically disappeared like I was anticipating... but they are definitely a lot less. I am drinking between 64-80oz of crystal light easily. I can’t seem to stomach plain water just yet since surgery. Makes me gag. I used to only drink plain cold water before surgery all the time. I’m drinking 2 protein shakes a day and I’m going on my second week of purées. I have tried a few soft foods here and there like scrambled eggs, chili, cottage cheese, cheese... but not everything is agreeing with my new pouch yet. I definitely need this second week just on purées before I graduate to soft. I’ve experienced the “dumping” syndrome twice now and it’s awful! I’m walking 3 miles a day at a track near my house. I got the clearance today to return to the gym and do my classes which I’m so excited for. Walking gets old quick. He just said I still have a 2 week restriction on lifting anything over 20lbs. Can’t wait to see what the next 2 weeks will bring!

Ty! I’ve been hugging a small pillow against me every night. Sneezing is still an experience lol.

My surgery was the 25th. Had my 2 week follow up today and I’m down 17lbs since surgery! I had a little stall for 5 days the first week post -op which was a little discouraging but things have been moving great this past week. I also have been having the most terrible stabbing pain under my left side rib cage which turns out to be a common side effect after the sleeve. It’s something about my spleen not getting enough blood flow yet because the nerves that supply it were cut when they removed a portion of my stomach. Fortunately this will go away over time when the blood supply returns. I’m having difficulty not drinking 30/30 with eating but today I cracked down on myself and set timers!

It was horrible. I have shoulder surgery July 18 and I have to wax my underarm before since I can’t raise it for weeks. I’m already dreading the reaction I’ll get. Not waxing or shaving anything else. The reaction was the worst part of my surgery apart from the gross drain. Maybe just avoid the armpit while wiping. It would be horrible to have the allergic reaction again on top of the surgery. Best of luck to you with your upcoming shoulder surgery.