STLoser

I started the process in March, got derailed by COVID, saw a new surgeon in June and had my surgery date on July 11th. I had surgery July 23rd. I didn't have to jump through a lot of hoops because I was self pay. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

St. Louis, Missouri! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Welcome! Your post could have been written by me! Congratulations on making this big life-changing decision. I'm 3 months post-op and it's the best decision I've ever made! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I doubt if it was around. It was still fairly new when I had mine in 2003. I tend to scar pretty badly too, so I think the massage helped. I believe you can do it with Vitamin E too. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 49 so I have no hope that things won't sag. Lol Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree! This saved my life during that stage! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have to say I really felt like crap the first 2 days in the hospital. I vomited several times and had a lot of nausea, but I up and walked as much as possible, and had very minimal pain. I'm actually a nurse (sahm now), and I can tell you the patients who do the best are the ones who get up as soon as possible after surgery and walk, walk, walk! Good luck to you on your surgery! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

The absolute best thing is to walk as much as you can. It really helps move that gas out! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for asking this question. I've been wondering too. Mine is definitely smaller now than I'm 82 pounds down, but I still have over 100 to go and bet it will be saggy. [emoji2368] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

The scars are pretty small, but I look like a pin cushion because I had my gallbladder out 6 months before my surgery. I have like 10 holes! [emoji23] I'm not too worried about it but if you are, you can try scar massage. I had a breast reduction years ago, and I used Mederma to massage my scars and they're barely noticeable. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you all for your replies! I'm glad to know it's probably what I think it was. Tek, you're right, it's more challenging when eating out with other people. With conversation it's harder to pay attention to chew slowly and take small bites. I ate out one other time and did fine, but I wasn't so hungry then. Luckily we rarely eat out now because of COVID anyway, but if I do again I will be extra careful. Lesson learned! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's such an amazing non-scale victory!! Congratulations! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I take Procare capsules. I didn't start with those, I had Celebrate chewables, and chewable iron. The iron was gross and my surgeon recommended the Procare because it has everything I need but calcium. I was allowed to swallow pills and capsules from day one. I've been pretty happy with Procare so far. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I never did have much of a sweet tooth but after surgery I really hated sweet stuff. The shakes were fine before and disgusting after, and also had this weird meaty flavor. Most things I like I still like, but for some reason cottage cheese, which I love, doesn't taste the same. I still like it but it doesn't taste as good as it did, which is disappointing. Overall, I still like all the things I liked before though. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

My dietitian said 850 to 1000 calories a day. Most days I'm in the 800 range. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ermagerd!!! Haagen Daaz coffee ice cream!! To think I used to eat a whole pint! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm so happy your dad was supportive. He sounds like a wonderful dad! [emoji4] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've told everyone because I'm just an open book, and I've thought about this surgery for over 20 years. I'm secure in my decision. Everyone has been supportive. My best friend did say she wished I'd try on my own, but I told her I've tried since I was 10, I know this is right for me and I'm doing it.. She's been supportive since. I can't imagine my mom not knowing, but I'm the only child of a single mom, and we're close. She actually wanted this surgery for me even when I wasn't sure. My husband is very supportive. I think it really depends on your personality. Some people are more private. What's funny, is while I was in the hospital, I had 2 moms from my son's school take care of me, and a respiratory therapist I used to work with. I couldn't hide my surgery if I wanted to! I don't care if anyone judges me. They don't have to live in my body! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

That ricotta bake really got me through the soft stage! Delicious! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, my doctor did not prescribe any of these until after surgery. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor prescribed a blood thinner for 30 days and Percocet for pain. I didn't the Percocet. My pain was minimal. I was already on GERD meds. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Buffalo "chicken" salad. Half a Morningstar Farms buffalo "chikn" patty, Frank's red hot, lettuce, and homemade ff Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing. No after picture. I ate it all. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's good to know about Under Armour/My Fitness Pal. Glad I stopped using it. I used it until a couple days ago. I had downloaded Baritastic a long time ago and never used it but I saw a lot of people on here did. I've been using it the past couple days and I love it. So much better and easier to use! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was also on 5 weeks of fluids, and I don't think anything ever tasted as good as that first scrambled egg! Congratulations on moving up! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I smoked 2 packs a day for 13 years. I quit 21 years ago. Best thing I ever did. I went cold turkey. It was hard, but it gets easier with time and I don't miss smoking at all now. Smoking really interferes with healing so it's not good with the surgery. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app