momof3_angels

Somehow I have no idea where the letter is... but the big bill is paid by insurance and even my explanation if benefits mentions preapproval. But the claim number isn't the hospital bill. That is why this is so strange! The only outstanding bill is anesthesia I think. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I tried a little and it didn't sit well in my stomach. This was probably 6 weeks post op. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 8 weeks out... so right now a LOT of walking and just restarted Pilates and go back to work next Wed. But I am planning to do my first thru-hike/pilgrimage I. Late May on the Camino de Santiago. Will gradually increase my training over the next 7 1/2 months. And hopefully this will also help me reach my goal weight. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I will have to check that one out for another trip! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I wiped mine with a wet wash cloth and then gently pulled it off at 3 weeks. Incision should be well closed by now. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Nice! I am going to be doing some of the AZ trail for my training as well! Mostly south of Tucson.

Yes, Rim to Rim is one of my goals! I am going to Spain at the end of May, so I will be 8 1/2 months post op.

Just curious what is your favorite type of clothing to wear after surgery during rapid weight loss. For me it is workout clothing! Not because I LOVE to workout (I don't)... but it is just so comfy! That... and when I bought some to start walking again I grabbed a size smaller on the "chance" it will fit soon... I got home and put it on it was perfect because it stretches. I have lost enough weight that I feel like I look pretty good in them (could be better... but gotta lose more weight lol). And I love that they are snug but stretch and comfy. Going back to work soon and I would give anything to be able to wear them to work! I basically no longer fit pretty much everything that was in my closet, so I donated a bunch of clothing already and took another huge stack of clothes out of my closet to sort through a second time before donating. Essentially, my closet would be practically empty except I have purchased even more workout clothes. I did keep a couple dresses that were in there from when I was a little bit smaller, a few sun protection shirts that I can wear over tanks even as I shrink a little bit more, and a few sweatshirts that were either slightly small on me or I will still want them when they are big on me. I did have to buy a couple work outfits, but I picked pants that are slightly tight but stretchy so they will fit a little better as I lose more weight. Shopping at an Outlet store so I am getting "new" clothes at cheaper prices. Can't wait until I go down another size!

I didn't even know clothing rental places exist for non-special occasions. I will have to look into that. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I bit late on the reply, but for physically fit people, heart rates in the mid 40's are fairly common occurrence. Always have it checked by your doctor to be sure that is all it is, but once you know it is "normal" for you, I wouldn't worry too much about it. My son just lost some weight and became much more physically active and has noticed the same thing. And he was only a bit overweight... not a bariatric patient.

That is just it... I don't even think it has anything to do with the hospital, they have been paid! I just don't want to get hit with some crazy bill. I am leaning towards leaving it alone though for a bit... I wish I knew where this claim is coming from though so I can guestimate how bad it will be if I have to pay it or fight for them to pay it.

Time is really flying! I am doing well overall. Side effects/complications from surgery were minimal. In the hospital I had 2 dry heave events that felt like I needed to happen to release some pressure/gas or something, and only a couple nausea episodes after discharge. Abdominal pain subsided pretty quickly, except for that main incision site which would have occasional stabbing pain if I moved in a way it didn't like. I haven't had that for about 2 weeks now. Incisions healed very nicely. Energy level is improving, however when I overdo it I am definitely still wiped out. I am much more awake during the day. I can stay up much later than I did before, and still rise early. I sleep better. Still on my CPAP, but I no longer take my medication to help me fall asleep and stay asleep. Haven't taken it for at least a week, maybe two weeks. I also didn't take my restless leg syndrome medication last night and was fine. Wondering if I will be able to stop taking it altogether. Not sure on that one. That leaves me with my metoprolol (for tachycardia/fast heart rate) in the AM, along with Protronix which was prescribed for me to take for 60 days. I haven't had ANY acid reflux since surgery, so once the script is up I will probably go off of it unless I start having symptoms. I think I will be fine, and doc prefers to not continue it unless necessary. Yay! And at night I have to take my Lipitor for high cholesterol, but I am going to ask my doc if I can attempt to wean off of it when I lose a little more weight. Cholesterol has been controlled for a couple of years already and losing weight and eating healthier gives me hope that maybe I won't need it anymore. Seriously, the thought of only taking my metoprolol and no other medications daily has me really excited. Diet: I am doing well, but struggling with measuring and tracking. Need to improve on that for sure! I am finding that things that are higher carbs/higher fat do not sit well with my stomach, but that is fine with me since those are things I shouldn't be eating anyway! I usually take a bite or two and then just don't want them. What can I eat? I do well with ground beef, chicken, and beans as real food sources of protein. I love them when they are in some kind of a broth. I still really enjoy my homemade chili. I made a huge batch a couple weeks post op and froze most of it... and over the last month I finally finished ALL of it off. It seems to be my most complete meal that I actually enjoy. Debating whether or not to make another batch lol... on the fence since I don't want to get sick of it, you would think I would be already! I am fine with cooked veggies but don't feel quite ready to attempt many raw veggies. I am not doing any breads, rice, pastas etc. I have had a few whole wheat crackers with tuna/chicken salad twice... but not sure how much I want to eat of that even at this point. While I have definitely felt the effects of over eating... I have NOT thrown up even once. (Thank goodness lol) Weight loss? I am doing great, although I am on my 2nd stall right now. The first stall was at 4.5 weeks and lasted probably 5-6 days. Maybe it wouldn't have lasted so long, but I was at Disney with my daughter lol. This time I think it was triggered by me ordering take out from my favorite Mexican restaurant. I ordered healthy options and took several meals to eat it... but I am sure it was loaded with salt and such. I also find that when I order something, I am having a harder time keeping my portions small like they should be. Happened at Disney (though less so) and is happening again this week. Guess I need to not order any food for a while! Anyhow... since last May, I have lost 47 pounds, with 26 of those being post op. I wish it was more, but I think I am still on par considering I started at a lower BMI. I have officially lost more than 50% of my weight to get to MY goal (and only 19 pounds away from the docs goal). And as for the BMI... only a few pounds away from being "overweight" instead of obese! I am walking at least 2 miles every day. I hope to increase to doing this twice a day. I am also debating when to start pilates. Anyhow... for any lower BMI people on the fence about surgery... I don't regret doing this for one minute! It is a lot of work. It requires a lot of lifestyle change, with regards to diet and exercise... but it is SO worth it! Personal goals going forward: Do better with measuring and recording Walk more, twice a day preferred Consistently make a green smoothie with protein for breakfast (started this week). Attempt to eat small salads for lunch soon

I am SOOOO excited today... I am officially exactly 50 pounds down from my highest weight! I thought it would take a couple more days to get here! 50 down, 41.8 to go! Also very noteworthy... my doctor has my height listed at 5'4". For my ticker I go with that because I want my recordings to match what the Dr's office is recording. Based om that, I am almost at my "OVERWEIGHT" BMI... but my actual height is 5'4.75" if if you calculate BMI based on my true height, I am already OVERWEIGHT! I AM NOT OBESE! Feeling accomplished today! Also, last night I did Yoga for the first time since surgery. I didn't do everything, but I did most of it! So... I walked my 2 miles in the early AM, then in the evening I did an hour of Yoga and followed up with 2 more miles of waking before going home! I am HOPING to do Yoga 3 days a week now that I am able to do most of it without worrying about my belly. That is... until I feel ready to go back to Pilates. I really don't like Yoga but I LOVE Pilates. I am until I feel more ready for hard core "CORE" work.

So, I still have just 2 pairs of long pants (black/grey) and 2 pairs or capri (navy blue/tan)... again, stretchy but slightly tight for now. I don't think I will buy more work pants until I have to. I just decided to order a bunch (well, not a lot but enough) of Tunic style tops that will hopefully be long enough to cover most of my hips/bottom. I figured they will fit perfectly now, but wearable as they get loose for a while, and cover up my hips/bottom enough that it won't matter if I wear pants that are tighter or looser lol. I am also thinking I can wear some of my workout legging under them to help fill in my work clothes wardrobe. Hope it works! I work in a professional building when I am in my office, but I roam around when dealing with the staff/patients under my care. Can't look too frumpy! I am down to a size large for shirts now, and really will probably only go down to either a large/small or small/medium at most. Hopefully I will get there fast, but not too fast as in wasting money on clothes. I have quite a few pant sizes to go though, but that is why I am buying tighter stretchy pants so I they can shrink with me. I wish I could get away with just wearing everything baggy... but that would definitely be frowned on by my bosses and co-workers! That, and I want to show off my weigh loss! I can't decide if I am going to break down and buy jeans... they are less forgiving when I lose weight. I want some, but don't want to go through multiple pairs that I only wear for a short while.

I didn't drive more than an hour at first (didn't need to)... but at 3 weeks post op I drove 6+ hours without a problem. Five weeks post op I drove 8+ hours. Both with minimal stops.

I think I started driving shortly after I was off the narcotic pain medicine, so definitely within a week or so.

If you have a desk job, sure. But I must say I was NOT ready to go back for several weeks. You are usually exhausted and adjusting to new routines. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My energy increased at 6 weeks, so you are almost there! Don't get me wrong... I still get wiped out if I overdo it, but I have more energy than I have had for years.

OMG... this is something my husband would totally do! Totally laughing here!

Scrubs are optional for me... but I donated my "big" scrubs, and really don't want to buy more until I am a size smaller. Although I might go to a uniform shop and find some drawstring scrubs that fit OK but will allow me to shrink in them.

Hang in there! I am 7 weeks out and my stomach still feels like it is asking to eat, but I have learned to ignore it because I know it is constantly active/churning still. I eat when I think I should eat and ignore it the rest of the time! It isn't to bad, just a constant something going on down there lol

Only 7 weeks out... but so far: Bought sneakers a half size smaller because my feet are thinner again Down from size 16 to size 12 (snug, but not a 14) More energy during the day, staying awake much later Sleeping better at night, no longer taking medication to help me sleep. Also had to tighten my CPAP headgear straps Comfortably taking 2 mile walks again... DAILY in the AM! And starting to add a 2nd walk in the evening

My doc and nutritionist say absolutely no carbonation. And seeing as how my biggest vice was Cola (the only carbonation I really drank)... it is a slippery slope for me anyway.

It took me at least a month from the referral from my PCP to see the surgeon (probably more like 6 weeks). Saw the surgeon for the 1st time on May 20, had surgery Sept 4. My co-morbidities and insurance allowed me to get into surgery faster than most insurances at their office. They (BCBS Federal) require 4 monthly nutrition appointments instead of 7. And I had enough supporting documentation from my other docs.

This is what I am doing... making green smoothies using Kale, Spinach, and mixed berries. Sometimes I use other mixed fruits. I add my protein shake to it if I want my protein... or water when I don't. We need protein first, then nutrients. I am doing a 2 in one most mornings. But I will not order them anywhere, they are always higher calories because they add more juices and or sugary fruits than I ever would at home. I am 7 weeks out and have been enjoying my smoothies for the past several days. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app