SleeveToBypass2023

My dietician said specifically that there's nothing wrong with caffeine as long as it's in moderation because it can have a tendency to dehydrate if you have too much. I need caffeine in the morning or I literally cannot function. I normally get it from diet soda but now I've switched to caffeinated teas or iced coffee (sugar free sweeteners). Usually I'll have a tea in the morning and one around 2 in the afternoon. A large iced coffee in the morning will do me all day.

Hi!!! Mine is May 3rd. I'm surprised I'm not nervous lol I should be, but more excited than anything. I can't wait to start the next chapter of my life and get healthy again. I wasn't always heavy like I am now. I'm ready to get back to ME, you know?

SAME!!! I'm learning so much on this forum. This place, and the wonderful people here, are a true Godsend. I didn't know what I didn't know...you know? lol

THANK YOU for this!!! I'm used to shedding due to PCOS. I more want to promote healthy, strong regrowth naturally. So maybe the supplements and proper diet will help with that.....

To those of you who have had your sleeve for a while, how much hair have you lost? Is it sudden or gradual? Is it in clumps or shedding? Did you find biotin helped? Do you have any special shampoos or hair masks or supplements you use to help slow down the hair loss and/or speed up regrowth? I have PCOS, so I'm used to hair shedding (many women end up with very thin-to-balding hair with it. I have had moderate shedding but my hair is thick enough that you can't really tell). My surgery day is May 3rd and I'm just trying to prepare myself. ALSO, did anyone notice any drying of their skin? If so, what do/did you use to help with that? How long did it last? Is it really bad, or just mild? Thanks in advance!!!

Thanks!! I see you lost 174 pounds. That's only 16 less than I want to lose, so that helps inspire me that it can be done

I never even knew there was a possibility this could be a thing. I knew about the hair, but not the teeth. Holy smokes. I gotta look into this.

I had already been doing weight loss diets under my doctor's supervision (I never really intended to get wls, I did keto and thought that would work wonders for me) so when I did everything I could and still didn't have any long term success, my doctor actually suggested surgery. I have BCBS of Illinois so I called them to find out if I have coverage for it and they said yes, so I found a doctor in my network and had my 1st appt on Feb 28th. I had to watch a 4 part video and do a quiz for each part, I had to get lots of bloodwork done, and ecg because the anesthesiologist required it, had to get a clearance letter from my neurologist (I have MS) and my primary doctor. I got those really fast because both were completely on board. I was able to get all of that done really quickly, and honestly I thought the biggest hurdle was going to be my insurance. Everyone was STUNNED that I got my approval, and they got the approval letter, in 48 hours. Nobody expected that at all.

I'm right there with you. I have MS, and I have 4 meds that are, what my neurologist calls, non negotiable. They treat my MS, my nerve pain, and my spasms. None of that will ever get any better, but the meds slow down the process of them getting worse. I'm so worried that taking them will be an issue after the surgery and keep weight on me that I would otherwise be able to lose.

I never got to have a long time before my approval. I started the process on Feb 28th, everything was submitted to my insurance company on March 30th and my insurance company faxed my approval letter to my surgeon on April 1st. And the same day they called me and set my surgery for May 3rd. I was kind of eating what I wanted but now I have to start watching what I eat and changing my habits because a week before my surgery I have to do the all liquid diet. So I want to try and drop a few pounds before the liquid diet, which I know will cause me to lose a few pounds, as well. My doctor didn't give me a specific amount of weight to lose. He just said "try to lose whatever you can before surgery, to make your recovery easier" so, that's what I'm going to do....starting tomorrow (Monday).

WHAAAAT???? Nobody ever told me this!!!! I just had a crown and 3 fillings done and had my teeth deep cleaned. I'm going next week to have sealant put on them because I have sensitive teeth. Holy smokes. I better call my dentist tomorrow. I had absolutely no idea this could happen!!!!

Thanks so much!!! I am as ready and excited and determined as a person can be. But I get these looks when I say my goal is to lose 190 pounds with the sleeve. Like I made the wrong choice but they don't have the heart to tell me. I know I can do the work, I just wanted reassurance that I didn't choose the wrong tool to help me.

You said teeth. I haven't heard about wls doing anything bad to teeth. Is this really a thing?????

Yes, I have a surgery date already. May 3rd. I didn't have a set amount of weight to lose. He just said to try and lose some weight if possible because it would help with recovery.

You're an inspiration to me. I weigh 390 and am getting the sleeve on May 3rd, and my goal is 200. I wasn't sure if there was anyone who had the sleeve that lost the kind of weight I'm wanting to, since most get the bypass when they have an extremely large amount to lose. You give me so much hope that what I want to do is possible with the sleeve!!! You look fantastic!!!

I absolutely LOVE this thread!!! Congratulations to everyone!!!!

AWESOME, thanks!!!!!

Denver, Colorado

Congratulations!!!!! That's amazing!!!! Very happy for you. Enjoy it. You worked hard for it

My surgery is on the 3rd and my surgeon said sleeve is 1 night and bypass is 2 nights. No option for same day. I'm glad because there's no way I'd want to go home the same day.

What i was getting at is, did the OP have complications and need to have it emptied or did they never fill it because they were afraid there might be complications?

Just wondering why you have nothing in it. Seems that would be why you're not seeing any results. Have you thought about having slow, small fills to prevent issues but give yourself some restriction to start losing weight?

This is what it is: https://www.optifast.com/

It's been quite a while since the last post here, and I just found this thread. What's happened since then? Were you able to get your surgery?

When in May? Mine is May 3rd. Good luck!!! Are you excited or nervous or both?