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Slightly outside my comfort zone bc both pants and top are tight. Size 10 pants, medium top. Last day of the 6am hell shifts.

I will be having my gastric sleeve converted to the RNY hopefully, in December. I was told by my provider that they never had to get the authorization up front with Medicare. She said they submitted the letter of medical necessity with the claim when they filed and they never had any problems. I believe that Medicare has guidelines you must follow in order for them to cover my procedure. The problem is I'm not overweight, but I'm being revised due to spontaneous reflux. Everything I eat the majority of it comes back up. I definitely have the medical necessity. In my doctor's notes he states that I am malnourished and not receiving the nutrients I need to sustain life. So, basically if I don't have the procedure I'm not going to live a lot longer. My BC/BS of AL will not cover it because I had the original procedure out of the country and didn't follow insurance guidelines that are typical for WLS. I had other insurance at the time I had the surgery. The surgery was done probably 10 years before I became effective with BC/BS of AL. I've contacted Medicare to see if they would cover and was told yes if medically necessary. Since the self pay is a lot, I want to feel warm and cozy on the idea of the surgery being covered by Medicare. Has anyone had the revision due to complications only and Medicare cover? Thanks!

So amazing @Rainbow_Warrior! Thank you! So at this point of our post-op journey, as long as we don’t go over 1300 calories we’re safe? I too have been going from 800-1000 this past week. The biggest no no I never truly adhered to was not drinking with my food. I’m learning so much. I don’t take vitamins or other supplements, I see everyone is on them. I honestly don’t know why we have to. I’m forever cold. I have definitely asked my primary doctor why am I ravenous all day, he thinks it’s bc of the GERD, or that I might be anxious.

Thank you @FluffyChix 😊 It is the hardest part to reset. I am ravenous all day! I can’t drink water by itself unless it’s icy cold and I add some cranberry juice to it, not for flavor but for color 🤦🏻‍♀️, I know, I know 🤯 The reason I have gone back on this app is bc my surgeon relocated last year and her partner, I just could not get on with him. I don’t have my post-op instructional binder (long story) I did get the instructions from obesityaction.org, but there’s nothing there for someone who’s 3 years out. So I can’t wait to hear what the veterans have been upto 🤓

I had my gastric sleeve done in October ‘16. On the day of my surgery I was 207 lbs and by July ‘17 I was 144. I loved that weight. Initially after surgery I had no hunger. I could barely consume 200 calories a day for the first 4 months. For a long time after that, I struggled to get to 800 calories. My surgeon wanted me to increase my caloric intake bc I wasn’t eating enough. And honestly I really didn’t want to eat solids. Fast forward to Spring ‘18. I was ravenous. Still am. I’m hungry all the time. I’ve had some regain. Currently I’m 160, and I’m 5’1”. Not exactly obese but not as lean as I used to be. Based on my physiological composition 135 is ideal. This took a long time for me to accept as according to the BMI chart for someone my height, my weight should be between 97- 132 lbs. 133 lbs was my goal, but I would be happy to be back at 144lbs. Any advice? What can I do to stop the hunger pangs? I’ve begun keto, but have found the dairy keeps me looking and feeling bloated. Atkins? And can we eat as much as we want until we feel full? Or do we still have to adhere to small servings like during post-op stage 4? Also, I feel so guilty I can now eat a lot more than during my first year post-op, I feel like I don’t have the restriction, and I’m scared to come to terms with this. I definitely don’t serve myself the way I did pre-op, but I’m guessing that’s just bc I’m in fear of gaining more weight. Could I have stretched out my sleeve? Any feedback from this amazing community would be so useful! Thanks everybody :)

Had gastric bypass last month and I've been doing really well recovery wise. Warning - there is some TMI in this post, but I really need help... Background info: My BMs since surgery have been regular but...flaky? Not liquid diarrhea, but just - kinda powdery. Didn't think much of it since I figured well, I've been eating so much less and, blah blah. But then, the past couple of days I could "feel" the constipation was oncoming (I've had it my whole life, I know the feeling). I took some stool softeners, no bueno. Fast forward to last night - I was on the toilet all night off and on, crying out in pain, almost passing out and nauseated and feeling like I was gonna puke. I could "feel" this rock hard huge BM was right there at the edge, and even having to urinate was hell bc it would put pressure on it and I could feel it trying to come out but, it was NOT gonna come out. By 4am, I was close to having husband take me to urgent care bc I knew it was "impacted" in there. I tried a couple of enemas, as hellish as that was - absolutely no help. Finally later this morning I managed to pass the monster-brick-hard BM (TMI - this involved my awkward digital breakup attempts, also hell) that has probably been in there this whole time I thought the "flaky" BM's were "normal." 😨 And I felt relief, but then next time I tried to go to the bathroom, a couple of hours ago, I can tell there's more, and it hurts. 😰 Oh and I did call the doctor (first thing this morning) and he said to take Milk of Magnesia and drink lots of water. Done. But research on this wonderful site has given me all other kinds of good advice regarding routines and products, etc. etc. - . I will be using it. Where I need guidance/advice: So, I'm in the "soft/mushy" foods phase of the post-op regimen. I've been continuing with at least 1 Premier Protein shake a day, sometimes two - to help get in enough protein (it's so hard to reach my daily goal!). Then for dinner I've been having one of the following: Mushed up lowfat cottage cheese - OR - hard boiled egg blended up in my mini-blender with a tiny dollop of lite mayo and mustard - OR - also using my mini-blender, ground up moistened chicken breast with a tiny bit of lite mayo and celery salt (my version of "chicken salad" lol) - OR - watered down and mushed up refried beans with a bit of green salsa. I'm also meeting/ exceeding my 64oz fluid requirement daily (mostly water, some herbal teas) - and in fact usually surpass that. Are there any soft foods phase "meals" y'all can recommend that can - along with the other stuff like MOM, Colace, etc. - help prevent constipation or at least not actively contribute to it? Are my foods listed above not "ideal"? I'm going by doctor's list of recommendations - but admittedly only sticking to a very few of the choices. I try to keep things simple basically. I've had constipation issues my whole life, even as a young child - and nothing is more terrifying to me honestly - I even had to have a hemorrhoidectomy last year it got so bad - and if this crap continues (ha ha, get it) I know I'll be headed down that road again, which is a nightmare I never wish to repeat. 😩 ANY advice on what other soft foods that could help with avoiding constipation I should start including in my diet would be really helpful, thanks so much in advance!

My highest ever known weight was 325lbs. Over the past 20 years, I lost from 325 down to 218lbs during breast cancers treatment and post bc. But i started regaining at an alarming rate and my onc was very concerned the cancer would return. It took 2 years to convince me of the medical need for this surgical intervention. I'd regained back up to 287lbs. I could always lose weight (although slowly), but keeping it off has been a clear challenge. So I lost from 287lbs down to 222 morning of surgery. Today I'm maintaining at 135lbs. I made goal in 9 months (150lbs). It is very very possible to do this thing. It may not be the "average". I won't lie. I'm an outlier and extremely focused. I've gone hungry a lot -- and still go hungry. But that's ok. I refuse to let food/hunger dictate when or how much I eat or how well-behaved I am with food. This body feels fabulous and I intend to take care of it! I know you can do this too. I'm nothin' unusual--just focused on treating my head while maximizing the mileage I get from my tool.

Yes. I used to completely avoid PP bc is was so over the top sweet, but adding to iced coffee and milk I can have them. Plus now I’m feeling better about the fact that I’ve got a protein boost from them

It’s heart-breaking, isn’t it? My friend and her sister (who is just as SUPER-MO) live together, work together, and will most likely die together decades before they “should”. Their mother died in her mid-60’s from complications of MO and during this spring when I could get to the CICU, I got to spend time with their father. Poor man. He’s lost his wife to MO, and you can see in his eyes he knows there’s a better than even chance he will lost 1– if not both daughters- to MO. Sadly I think it’s too late for my friend. She’ll more than likely never get that transplant bc she’s too far gone to even be a realistic candidate at this point. As unbelievable as it seems, she’s noticeably put on even more weight since her 2-3 month stint in ICU. It simultaneously makes me so relieved that I was able to find my way out of that horrible labyrinth, but terribly sad that she never made it through. Meanwhile I still have who knows how many more years to watch her slowly kill her self. I hate it

During the first month I rode the electric carts bc I didn't have enough gas to walk the aisles. It was actually fun but now I am back to walking.

Yes I’m finding that I’m either holding onto things still that are waaaay too big, or I’m completely avoiding items that are flowy bc I’ve associated “flowy” with “hiding fat” for too long. I bet eventually I get more comfy with different styles Today I went to clothes mentor and bought several things. I’m running late for Pilates, but here is a quick snapshot of some new jeans and a top I got. The jeans are a size 10 from old navy and I’m floored they fit. I think they’re a bit snug, but that could be DM. The top is from Talbots and it’s a size medium. Also a bit snug, but I’m currently buying for fall and a bit snug is fine since I plan on losing at least 15 more pounds

Yeah it was after cancer scare #2 in early 2018 that I was seeing a new, young, female PCP. I was so horrified bc I was in her office seeing her for the first time and I started crying when I saw my weight. I’d managed to gain over 20 pounds in 2017 and was falling apart bc of it. She wasn’t phased at all by the fact that I’d shown up as a hot mess. In fact, she’s the one who gently asked me if I’d ever heard of/considered WLS. I was stunned bc I honestly thought that WLS was just for the super-MO people (thanks to shows like my 600 pound life) so I didn’t even realize someone like me (bouncing between 36-42% BMI) would be a candidate. If my PCP had not put that idea in my head, I would’ve never come to it on my own due to just assuming I wasn’t “fat” enough. It took me several more months of researching, checking with my insurance, going to a seminar, and—quite honestly— gaining intentionally an extra 15 pounds so I could qualify, but once the idea was there and I learned what I needed to do and determined I was ready it all fell into place. Yeah, the months leading up to surgery after the decision was made was tedious. It took me over 8 months from decision time to surgery day, but now the reward is just simply life-transforming

Side questions: I don’t totally hate exercise. For example my I LOVE Pilates classes, but HATE going to the gym. I have a nice treadmill at home that I bought over 3 years ago when I was struggling yet again to find an exercise groove and I walk/run/incline train on it 1-2 times weekly. I need to get in a better pattern of being consistent with that TM 2. I’ve always been a big water drinker, but I have noticed an improvement in my skin in spite of the fact that my jowels are more pronounced and is obvious I’m going to need some kind of facelift to avoid looking 5-10 years older than I am. I was the lady that would get acne breakouts in her late 40’s and I’ve only had 1-2 breakouts since surgery so there’s a vast improvement there. Of course it could also be bc I’m truly post-menopausal now so who knows if it’s the water or not. 🤷‍♀️

Lol, I love how so many of us realize there’s no way we’re going to be able to eat all of whatever it is we’re having, and make sure to finish off the protein first. It’s always comical to me to see the meat “missing” in the Afters bc I do the exact same thing 😂

lol, well lying down and dying wasn’t an option so I chose plan A— survival 😂😂 Seriously though... thanks. It’s hard even now after 10 years to accept that what I did was quite phenomenal. In the moment, it was just surviving til the next step was over. I will say this though: people automatically assume getting cancer and being on chemo will make you emaciated— um... nope! I gained OVER 25 pounds of that hard-fought 40 and then added another 15 in the next year. The whole year of being on steriods, followed by the metabolic disaster of the chemo finally did in what my chronic dieting had not already destroyed. It took me a few years to admit it, but my metabolism was completely and hopelessly damaged. What funny is now that I know this, I see many many patients of mine who have also come out successfully the other side of chemo complain about inability to lose weight, pre-diabetes, and even full-blown type 2DM years later. Edited to add: It was a second cancer scare in early 2018 that got my butt motivated to do something like WLS to get this weight off.  Not sure if everyone knows this, but the number one risk factor for ANY kind of cancer is obesity.  Still being MO for 10 years post cancer was stressing me out so much.  Luckily scare #2 was just that— a false alarm, but I’m thankful now that it happened bc it was the wake up call I needed to make  this drastic of a lifestyle change.  

Woo hoo! A new milestone! My first soft foods day was Thursday. I had about 2oz of lowfat cottage cheese and it was divine lol. So weird that it felt like "enough" -- bc I love cottage cheese and used to just eat a big bowl of it. It's very exciting to realize that after just a few bites, I actually feel not just satiated, but not "yearning" for more, if that makes sense? It's a totally new feeling for me. I'd recommend you set a timer 30 minutes after your last fluid before you eat, then after eating set a timer for another 30 minutes before you have liquids again. Rinse and repeat. Best of luck!!!

Congrats! And...same here. I just started my soft foods on Thursday, and then last night - just for a moment, but still - I forgot about the "30 minutes before and after" and had a sip of tea right before I started my little bit of Cream of Wheat. I immediately was like "D'OH!" but it was okay I guess bc it had only been a little sip. Still, it kinda scared me. What I'm doing now is starting my phone timer 30 minutes before I know I should eat, to stop drinking. Then when done eating I set my phone timer for another 30 minutes to let me know I can drink liquids again. Hope that helps!

Actually today is day 15, I had it on Aug 14. My surgeon advanced me to phase 3 when I saw him last Friday bc I was doing so well with phase 2.

Okay so had my 6 months PO visit with my surgeon this morning. Went well and I’ve lost 78 pounds since surgery day. Lol, he laughed bc I was disappointed it wasn’t an even 80. He told me that even if I didn’t lose another pound, he’s calling this a success, but said it’s totally reasonable (and doable with work and focus) to lose another 25 vanity pounds. It was nice to hear that as far as he’s concerned, it’s up to me and there won’t be judging either way. I’m at the tire shop getting a nail out of one of my tires, then off for a celebration pedi

Okay so I ended up NOT buying this dress bc it was fitting me a bit loose in places and they didn’t have one a size smaller, but I wanted to post anyway, lol I was struggling this afternoon and was grumpy and emotional so I went shopping to try on some clothes to refocus myself on my plan. Sigh....I want to wear shorter dresses so badly and my legs just look so chubby. Also, I get bruises on my shins all of the time at work

I'm planning in seeing my dietitian soon to help me get through this slump and will asj her about it. I'm also going to see my endocrinologist because my bs levels are still a little elevated and I need to see how to handle it. I definitely interested in doing low carb and the fasting to help get the sugars down!

This is where different clinics and surgeons really are apparent. We were all told that protein shakes never counted as water because they counted as “food”. Not even protein broth was to be considered fluid. Therefore we were told to have an absolute minimum 64 ounces water or else we wouldn’t have as much success. In the hospital, SF popsicles got counted as 1 ounce water, but besides that and zero cal sports drinks that was all we could count. And they watched... if you didn’t consume 64 ounces water in 24 hours, you weren’t allowed to be released. I was told by my insurance company that I was approved for one day only so i really felt the pressure to get the water in. Now though it feels weird and I feel really bad if I don’t have at least 80 ounces. I get so thirsty and headachy and I get cramps. I have no idea how people can drink so little bc I feel absolutely horrible unless I’m drinking all of the time

Yes. The first time I was nauseous post-op was bc of soft foods. The next two days after I struggled with sipping anything. On the second night I drank a Gatorade zero, and then a protein shake and felt a lot better. I learned I need to eat every 2-3 hours or I feel nauseous. And the minute I wake up I have to start drinking water.

Okay so I’m planning on a 24 hour fast tomorrow with some salted bone broth midday. I’ve got the day off and have many errands to run and a dental appt at 2:30. Pretty sure I’ve got a new cavity as the entire left back side of my mouth HURTS and I can’t even chew on that side. Weirdly I get cavities galore whenever I go through health and life stressors. My year of chemo in ‘09-10 left me with 4 of them. After tornadoes here last night left my Pilates studio still closed bc of lack of power, no classes today and I’m taking 3 classes tomorrow evening. Basically that means that it’s the perfect day to try a 24 hour fast. I plan on breaking it with an 11oz premier protein for 30gm (plus I’m sure my mouth will thank me for it). Question is what should I try to eat or do the NEXT day after this fast?

Yes! It’s amazing for sure. I’m basically went into WLS primarily bc I desperately needed the metabolic reset. I knew my head was in the game. Hell, my head has been in the game for a very long time, but my poor body just would not do what I needed it to do. I would find myself constantly watching a clock and wondering how in the world I was gonna make it to the next appropriate eating time bc my body was CONSTANTLY sending out “I’m starving, feed me now!” Hormones. I bet my insulin resistance was off the charts because I could eat 2000k calories and want to punch someone in the face if they caused my eating to be delayed. I spent most of my awake time “hangry”. The suckiest part is I would eat low sugar, high protein and it wouldn’t make any difference. I didn’t want the food, my body was demanding it. Since surgery, it’s been a 180. Sweets never appealed to me anyway and I’m perfectly happy sitting down with 3 ounces of steak and a 1/2 cup salad. I meticulously log my food, but it’s because if I don’t, I will accidentally eat not enough. There are still many days where I struggle to get in enough. I literally just don’t desire it