Blue Crystal

That's super helpful! I also have BCBS of Illinois and had assumed they wouldn't cover anything. I'm starting to consider skin removal surgeries - my "apron" is pretty flabby and big. Based on this I'll call them to see how I might going about them possibly covering this. Thank you!

I ended up getting in earlier to see Dr. Ehret for a consultation at The Aesthetic Surgery Center in Tacoma, WA. After some asking around, I've found these prices are pretty high. I'll be taking the procedure names back to those I previously called, along with contacting Dr. Streu in Portland, to price shop these a bit: Lower face/neck lift: $18,275 Eyelid lift (includes a "Laser Skin Treatment for $1,500) and Endobrow, which I think is some sort of less invasive procedure. All in all, this is to lift my brow slightly, get rid of some of my eyebrow sagginess from being heavier, and fill in the (now very) hollow area under my eyes: $15,450 Breast lift with augmentation (adding the fat under my armpits to my boobs (I don't want implants) $16,575 Breast lift without augmentation $13,395 Inverted T Abdominoplasty with liposuction $16,875

Thanks for posting all this information ladies! I'm in Seattle and have lost about 150 pounds and I think I'm coming to the end of my journey. Weight loss is very slow at this point - I checked my tracking on My Fitness Pal and have lost about 14 pounds in the last six months. Hence, I'm finally starting to consider skin removal. I have a couple recommendations for up here - one in Tacoma (Dr. Pratt) and one in Seattle (Dr. Salemy). I think I'm finally ready to make the call, and will come back and post prices and information here. I'm also looking at a chin life - surprisingly this is the part I'm most embarrassed about. My family lives in Portland, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a price of $20-25k for the procedures I'm considering. It's only a two hour drive for me, so totally doable if the cost is significantly less than the Seattle Area. I don't know that I'd be willing to travel to Florida - I'd have a hard time asking my husband or mom to accompany me when they'd really just be babysitting and wouldn't be able to do anything but sit in a hotel room for a week. I'd happily pay the extra $5k to not go through that. Also, the flying after surgery. Even a week post-op I'm sure you're feeling better but still not great. I can't imagine going through the airport and a six-hour plane ride in that condition. More to come! Edit - I called DR. Salemy and they wanted a $100 consultation fee. Does anyone else thing that's weird? I decided not to book with them at this time. I was able to schedule a complimentary consult with Dr. Pratt's office (although with a different surgeon, as apparently Dr. Pratt only does face procedures) - unfortunately it's not until August. I asked if they'd put me on a cancellation list if something else opens up.

So many good tips! Just ordered some of the 1g net carb tortillas. I also love the Starkist flavored tuna pouches. No cards and usually 15-20 grams of protein for 3 oz.

Anyone out there have a roux en y gastric bypass on 11/3/20? Curious to hear how you’re doing and maybe meet some surgery buddies.

I’m six weeks post-op and had the three week stall as well. Mine lasted for about a week. Also, I wasn’t given any specific goals by my surgeon and dietician except for liquids and protein. But, they did specify to eat 5-6 small meals per day.

The above lists are very comprehensive. I’m only six weeks post-op, but a couple I’d add are: 22. Don’t worry about getting all the liquid and protein goals met during the first week or two. Many people have problems getting enough of either. If you can’t, let your doctor know at your first post-op visit to ensure there aren’t complications. 23. Seriously do take small bites. I’m only now realizing that the hard lumps and discomfort in my throat when eating are because my bites aren’t small enough. The more solid the food, the more need to take small bites and chew very thoroughly. And moistening solid foods definitely does make them go down easier. Best of luck!

Yep, totally normal. My surgeon gave me a goal of 60-70 grams of protein and 50-60 ounces of liquids post-op, and I found I could drink about half that. Luckily protein shakes, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free Jello, etc. all count towards liquid goals. When I had my 10-day post-op appointment with my surgeon, he said it was fine that I wasn't able to meet those goals right away. He also confirmed that I could have just the broth out of low-sodium soups (stock alone was bland to me), so I'd have a mug of that once a day and it felt wonderful; there aren't many savory options in the liquid stage. You'll work up to being able to meet the goals in a matter of weeks.

I was worried about it but in the end felt pretty satisfied. I had a plate with a couple bites of stuffing, mashed potatoes/gravy, and cranberry sauce. I'm not a big turkey person so didn't miss that. I did later have a couple bites of pecan pie goo...and subsequently had horrible dumping syndrome. I'm honestly glad that sugar is out for me...it's y achilles heel.

I think I'm yet to find what's working best for me. I've got a lot of head hunger going on for some of my old favorites *coughredrobinbanzaiburgercough,* but I'm working on changing my thinking. The entrance of refried beans and eggs at the pureed stage felt like a lifesaver. I'm mainly just focusing on making sure I'm getting all the vitamins in every day, and liquid/protein goals. I'm tracking in My Fitness Pal to make sure the latter two areas are getting met. I'm also letting my body rest as it needs to and not doing anything too strenuous. How are you holding up? I recall still being really tired around six days post-op...

Thanks for this. I've been trying to figure out why for weeks post-op it constantly feels like I'm on my period.

You may also want to check if you have any consignment shops or like a Plato’s Closet in your area (not sure if those are a thing there).

Hi everyone! I had gastric bypass on 11/3. Got lucky as they started cancelling surgeries about two weeks later. I’m feeling pretty good - currently in the puréed food phase but moving to soft foods Wednesday!

I’m a bit late to the party here, but thanks to everyone who posted. I’m going through this at around the three week mark, and it definitely felt better to Hear I’m not the only one.

I’m post-op almost four weeks and noticed this as well. After a lame attempt to self-diagnose with Dr. Google, I read that bile causes your poop to be brown, so it could be a gallbladder or liver issue. I messaged my surgeon and they said it was likely because my intestines aren’t absorbing as much fat (a good thing), and this can cause your stool to look whiteish and/or yellowish. They did say it should eventually get back to normal though.

I too suffer sugar addiction. It’s how I was raised. I’m also a food addict. I finally reached a point about three years ago when I realized I needed to take back control of my life. I constantly thought about food, often thinking about my next meal before I was finished with my current one. But, sugar was the worst issue. An entire large bag of skittles here, a quarter of a cake there. I was pre-diabetic with triglycerides off the chart. I wasn’t ready for surgery yet, but knew root behavior needed to be changed. I began working with a therapist who specialized in eating disorders (I’d been diagnosed with compulsive overeating), as well as a dietician who specialized in the same. I worked with both for a year and they focused on Intuitive Eating. I honestly feel like this, not the surgery, was the best thing I could have done for myself. Their therapy focused on listening to your body and employing behaviors that helped you do so, rather than dieting, food policing, and labeling certain foods “bad” or “off limits.” I was able to stabilize my weight, but without dieting, I wasn’t able to lose any. Unfortunately, I was often suffering chronic back pain, and couldn’t vigorously exercise to get the weight off. Enter the surgery. There are books and workbooks on Amazon that help teach intuitive eating, and practitioners who can assist you in overcoming your addiction. It’s tough to fight this battle without overcoming those mental urges, and I do still struggle from time to time. I tried to have a very small sliver of pecan pie for thanksgiving (my favorite, and I love the one from Costco you can only get at the holidays). I ended up so nauseous I had to lay down for an hour. I swore it off and told my husband to remind me of the feeling, only to find myself eyeballing it today. But one day at a time.

Scheduled for 9/14 and soooooooooo excited!

I’m just starting my journey. I’ve been approved by a provider in another state and everything is being done via phone and email pre-surgery. I had my first call with their dietician last week, and she sent me an email which included a diet. I don’t have a surgery date yet - I don’t expect it to be before May. I’ve done my research and was a bit shocked by this. It’s not a pre-op diet, just more of a general diet of 1,600-1,800 calories per day. Part of me feels like - if I could do this at my size, why would I need surgery? Anyone have any thoughts or a similar experience?