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Welcome aussieslady, we seem to be getting a lot of people from "down under" even have BiddyNZ from New Zealand. Tell us,more about yourself if you like. I am in Central Ohio about 14 miles from the Geographic Center. I plan a early-mid March at Mount Carmel in Columbus Ohio..I am a future RnY, widowed 5 1/2 years, my main support person my son who I call my Tomkitten, his real name is Bryan. I am 72 years old, yes a little old to compete in the Bariatric Rodeo. But I'm going to make sure I can be successful. Columbus is 50 miles hmm 80 km? from where i live. A cool rainy morning where I live, on the Olympics Russia is ahead 4 -0 over USA in ice hockey Not looking too good for my side. Wish they'd go to,freestyle ski, This isn't too much fun to watch. So where in Australia do you live? You're in your summer so it might be warm and sunny there. I think we have people from NSW, South Australia, and think someone from Brisbane a while back. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

It's called a stall, there are stories about that all over Bariatric Pal. Are you following your surgeon's advice on post surgery , getting in your fluids etc? Your body may be regrouping and realigning itself, trying to get all balanced. Remember your body was happy ---happy when you were heavier, it could bebop along,laying down additional fat cells. It may have even been singing "Blumpie Blumpier Blumpie." All the sudden your surgery has said "Halt--- we are now going to live off of and utilize the energy in her fat cells" Body is a little peeved over this term of affairs, says" I don't like this. Can't things be like before? "So it stalls out, but you're going to make it behave and suddenly you start losing again. The 3 week stall one is famous but it can happen other times , weight loss isn't always smooth but if you stay the course IT WILL HAPPEN. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hell to the yes. Multiple periods in one month, and I then missed one altogether. Much heavier, crampier and longer than usual. I'm not on the pill or any birth control (I do not need a daily reminder that I'm not getting frisky). I got so freaked out by these weird periods that I ran to my bariatric doctor who said wacky menstruation after surgery is totally normal. The surgery messes with our hormones, as does the weight loss. My doctor also warned me 14 times that you are super fertile after surgery and that it was not a good idea to risk pregnancy (even though I explained that I am celibate AF). Anyway, it's all pretty much settled down now.

People will definitely notice, and many will comment and ask questions. Eventually, it dies down, and things get more back to normal. I still get comments from time to time, and every long once in a while, someone will tell me to stop losing weight. I just smile, and go on about my day. On a good note, my health insurance company gave me $700 yesterday for losing the weight, and staying active last year. What a wonderful surprise! It was announced in an insurance renewal meeting, and a few comments were made, but positive ones, which is all good.

Welcome Alice, I love your pen name, rose quartz is one of my favorite stones. I am at the opposite end of life, I am 72 so I'm kinda the Bariatric grandma. I'm in it to win it just like all the youngins. I for one think you're a smart young lady to be seeking surgery. Let me tell you how it feels to be obese most of your adult life. First people think you are lazy, if you' d get up and move that weight would just fall off! Either they regard you as invisible or they won't invite you to their home because you might break their furniture. One of my so-called loving family members told me this. They treat you like you're disgusting and stinky, I take as many,if not more, baths as the next person. They think you don't care about yourself because you let yourself get this way. Sound familiar? You start out strong but eventually your joints start failing, you wear your cartilage away until you are bone-on-bone and you start to have joints replaced, I have 2 knee replacements, they are nice to have but 85-90% as good as the original. And you get bone-a** weary of dragging your body around, you take to sitting down or lying down cause it hurts too much to move. You start hating your body because its failing you much as you wish it wouldn't. You feel like like life is hopeless and you may die this way. Then you hear of a surgery, yeah it might even change how your body's arranged, the more you study, the more you realize that might not be a bad thing. It is just a tool, but why not devote the energy you've spent just trying to live to this?? It's scary but finally you ask for help and you find it. Maybe when you went to the doctor before they were just insulting, Bariatric doctors aren't that way. If they were, they wouldn't be in the business very long. And as you get to know them and they get to know you a relationship is built. By the time your surgery comes you've learned to trust them. On surgery day you intrust your life to them, you go to sleep, wake up in the recovery room with nurses and techs caring for you. You realize you've made it this far and know you're on your way to a new chance at life and better health. And you commit yourself to using this tool and using it in the best way. As each success comes you are prouder and prouder of yourself in a way you never were before. And this is what I believe the journey will be like. Exciting isn't it? You can do it and i can too. Lets do it together for ourselves. Up for it? I know I am. Your new friend and surgery buddy ME. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

MandyKins and Cjackson82---Hi to both of you. Don't be nervous, you have a lot of new friends here on Bariatric Pal. Many like us are pre surgery, Many more are veterans and they act as mentors, sharing their wisdom with us. If you have firm dates you both have gone through pretestings, met with your surgeon's and may be about Ready to start a liquid prediet. Look how far you've come! Anesthesia has come a long way, back in the bad old days I had surgery with ether, nasty old stuff , it and chloroform, smelled bad, made you puke going in, puke waking up and gave you a nasty nasty Headache that seemed to last for days. These days it's like lying back, having a smooth relaxing sleep and don't feel bad waking up. They can give you a relaxing medicine before hand, some of us who have had surgeries call it the Don't give a s*** pill. I've heard in some places they put a powdered form under your tongue, some places they put it in your IV. The last time I went "under" was my EGD a couple months ago. I remember laying on my side, I greeted my gastroenterologist Dr Mujtaba, next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. No headache, no sore throat even though I'd had a tube down there. This time was even better than the 1st one I had in June 2015. I've had 2 knee replacements, a thumb surgery and an broken upper arm repair all in this decade, and each one easier than the one before to wake up from. What does the surgery feel like? Well everybody feels a little different, the worse anybody has complained was it felt like they had been stabbed, one girl said she just felt bloated like she was ready to start her monthly but my good friend, Pammy, who I tend to believe, said it hurt worse the day her 5 year old head-butted her. In all probability wendykins had her gallbladder laprascopically, that is the way to go. Your surgeries shouldn't be any worse than that to get over. When I had my gallbladder out back in the bad old days 30+ years ago everything was open incisions. Had a 5-6 inch long abdominal incision to heal, wasn't all that much fun. I'll be honest, I haven't had my WL surgery done, I could be one or both of your surgery twins, my tentative date is early-mid March at Mount Carmel in Columbus Ohio. I'm 72, not one bit scared, I've done my studying up on the procedure, and honestly am more scared of not having the surgery than having it.I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am looking forward to using this tool to regain my health and insure a longer life. We are in it to win it, it will be a journey but with the help of my friends I'll succeed and so will you both. If you have any questions just ask, if I don't have the answer and having lived this long I usually do, one of the veterans will. Let's March forward in March together! Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Look up Dr Borland in Louisiana, bariatrix Florida, Dr shillingford. Bariatrix Florida and Dr shillingford are around 10k in the ft Lauderdale area. Also, blossom bariatrics in Las Vegas. I used bariatrix (Dr Taggar) when they had a special rate of $8899 and have been very pleased. Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgeon's office said I need at least one comorbidity for Medicare to cover my bariatric surgery. My PCP has put in a referral for me to have a sleep study done to see if I have sleep apnea. I do snore loudly every night (my boyfriend has to leave and sleep in another room), feel tired during the day, have trouble falling asleep, and am a light sleeper. It can take me up to 12 hours of being in bed to feel rested. I'm definitely not a morning person LOL. According to my Fitbit, when I sleep I spend 17% awake, 20% REM, 50% Light, and 13% Deep during my average of 7 hours of sleep. My PCP said it would be an at-home sleep study, and depending on the results I would go to a sleep lab for further testing. I've never done a sleep study. I hope my results will come back positive for sleep apnea so I can get bariatric surgery, and also find a solution to my poor sleep, snoring, and tiredness. Has anyone here thought they had sleep apnea but your sleep study results came back negative for sleep apnea? Please cross your fingers for me, this is my only shot at getting my insurance to cover my surgery.

I was sleeved in July 17 I started at 148.8 kg today I weigh 108.3kg so a respectable weight loss not the best not the worst. I'm definitely glad beyond words that I was sleeved BUT I'm always so hungry like when you're pregnant and you NEED food. It doesn't take much to satisfy me but my life revolves around food. I had hoped for a different outcome. I am thinking about a bypass now and feel like I should have gone straight for a bypass in the first place but I didn't so here I am. Any opinions or advice? Has anyone else revised a sleeve with a bypass? Does hunger improve? Best wishes to all on their bariatric journey it is not an easy choice and I have so much respect for anyone out there making these choices to save their lives. Kindest regards to all Catherine ( Dublin, Ireland) Sent from my Nexus 6P using BariatricPal mobile app

Is anyone using North Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York? I've heard they offer everything from lap band to DS and SIPS in their bariatric program. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, all! I’m Alice, and I’ve just discovered this app! I’ve just begun my bariatric visits and am so excited to be on this journey. What I say next might surprise you: I’m 19 years old with a BMI of 62.5. Sometimes I can’t help but ask: how did it get this way? I’ve been overweight all my life but at this level, its hard to imagine any life at all. It’s very difficult for me to walk much, which poses an issue with the fact I work in retail. I heard about this surgery (the gastric sleeve) from a close family member, and was so excited! I understand this surgery is not meant to be a “quick fix,” but rather, allows the patient to lose with ease and get a jump start on their new life. While I’m very excited, I must admit I’m a bit nervous for this whole experience. I’m the type of person who avoids going to the doctors at all costs, and now I’ll be seeing them at minimum once a month. Any tips for a beginner?

FYI folks I live pretty close to where White Castle was founded, Columbus Ohio. The first restaurants were white metal buildings with fake turrents on all 4 corners, the original store was at Dodridge and N High st.,was there for years and years but alas fell a victim of urban renewal and was razed a few years ago. Wendy's, another hamburger chain started a few miles away in Dublin Ohio. Oh folks I'm a fount of useless knowledge, aren't I? I told a friend recently " now that we have lived forever and know it all, it is our duty to educate the younger generations" now I'm looking for a suitable group to entertain, problem they don't accept it any better than I did at their age. Ah I'm not making any money at this prophecy business,think maybe I'll keep my,little mouth shut. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Fluffy Chix lives in North Houston,and is one of our superstars on Bariatric Pal. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi pals, I am a 31 yr old male, 340lbs as of today and have diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe sleep apnea. My physician brought up the topic of getting bariatric surgery and how it could be helpful for someone like me. I started doing research on various surgeries, their benefits, complications, and side effects and after much research, I have made up my mind to get a gastric bypass done. While I understand that it is the most expensive of all the other types, I also know it is the Gols Standard when it comes to weight loss surgeries super obese person. I checked with my insurance today and learned that the surgery will not be covered under my plan, which sucks due to the high costs involved but I think the costs and risks outweigh the benefits over time. Could you pals help me get started on my journey here? I am looking to get it done sooner than later and since I will be paying out of my pocket, I am looking for some economical options stateside. Please share your experience with me, especially if you have had one done recently and the cost was a consideration in your case too. Thank you very much! Your pal

Dr Pleatman-Michigan, Dr Borland-Louisiana, Blossom Bariatric -Nevada, Bariatrix Florida, I've heard of these. Ohio State University -near where i live -runs$10000 to 19000 lapband being the cheapest RnY the most expensive. And one of the posters said she paid $8999 somewhere in Florida. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Nope,i'm kinda part of her group here. She's scheduled February 20th for a RnY & she's been posting about her journey on the Out with the Old In with the New thread on Bariatric Pal. I'd be the first to tell you she can be a hoot but she also has all her basic facts straight, one of my favorite people. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi pals, I am a 31 yr old male, 340lbs as of today and have diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe sleep apnea. My physician brought up the topic of getting bariatric surgery and how it could be helpful for someone like me. I started doing research on various surgeries, their benefits, complications, and side effects and after much research, I have made up my mind to get a gastric sleeve done. I checked with my insurance today and learned that the surgery will not be covered under my plan, which sucks due to the high costs involved but I think the costs and risks outweigh the benefits over time. Could you pals help me get started on my journey here? I am looking to get it done sooner than later and since I will be paying out of my pocket, I am looking for some economical options stateside. Please share your experience with me, especially if you have had one done recently and the cost was a consideration in your case too. Thank you very much! Your pal

The first few days out are the gas pains - we were pumped full of it, and it can be painful. Start getting your vitamins in. Do what everyone else is saying and get off your feet, even if it's just to make a lap around your place. My most painful day came on day 9. I was worried about there being a leak or that something was wrong with the stitches inside so I went to emergency. My emerg doctor was a woman in her early thirties who just happens to be starting her own bariatric journey, so she knew EVERYTHING to look for. I ended up having. a bunch of tests taken, x-ray and ultrasound. She was convinced nothing was wrong and that the pain I was feeling is the muscles in my stomach starting to heal themselves (after all, they were drilled through for the surgery). Do your research - get a bariatric cookbook so you can start thinking ahead about planning your meals (that will get your mind off the pain).. And good luck!

I found out today that my insurance requires that I have a comorbidity to get bariatric surgery. My PCP had put in a referral for a sleep study a while ago and am waiting to hear back. I do snore. I know it sounds bad but I really hope I'll get diagnosed with sleep apnea, otherwise, I'm up poo creek

A few thoughts to start: 1. If you know that you haven't been eating and drinking as you should, only you can deal with that. And if you want to be successful long term, you HAVE TO DO THAT. 2. I'm so proud that you decided to hunker down and do what you have to do. That being said, stalls are a huge part of the process. I've lost 225 pounds, and the period of stall over the past 16 months FAR exceeds the period of loss. The loss came in chunks preceded by and followed by a 2 week or so stall. 3. If the stalls (and the process in general) is going to lead to feelings and actions that you described in your post, you need to find a therapist that specializes in work with bariatric patients because what you described is not healthy at all. The only way to be successful in this journey is to change your relationship with food. Part of that is not using food as a reward, a comfort, or a crutch. Please don't give up. Nothing about this journey is easy, but if you do what you need to do, and keep to your plan, the other side is such a WONDERFUL PLACE! Best to you.

Pray God my day to feel that way,comes soon. I'm still stuck in. Pre Surg-ville where the qualms and whim-whaas live. I long to be emancipated and see the Surgery Room lights shining like a beacon for me. I am currently stuck in a snafu and in a holding pattern until Tuesday when the Bariatric Gods come down with a ruling. All good thoughts gratefully appreciated. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Astrocat you have all your new Bariatric Pals here, we are good at helping with nerves. You've made a good decision to seek WLS, your little guy is going to be proud of his mommy even if he is too small to say so. You'll be around to watch him grow, soon he'll be big enough for Little League, then comes Colt Football and before you know it "Mom can I have the keys to the car?" and you'll be healthy enough to see it all. Good luck,to you and your Mom both, I think it would be neat if you could do this together. Any questions, just ask. If i don't have the answer,one of our veterans will. Many are still active and they are an encyclopedia of knowledge. I've learned so much from them myself. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Well Well, how well I know about Ralphin!! I had Strictures and started vomiting very soon after my RNY. I had 5 ENDOSCOPES with 4 DIALATIONS. I had the FOAMIES more times than I can count. I couldn't keep even water down. I took my sleeping pills and was throwing up all night the next morning still going at it and up comes 2 Amitriptlyn undigested they had set on top of my pouch all night and came out as they went in!! I got so tired of driving 2 hours away to see my Surgeon. From Nov 2013, Dec 2013 Jan 2014 July 2014 with my last one Jan 2015. BTW I fired my Dr. and now I have to drive 4 hour drive but at least I am comfortable with that Bariatric Center. For those of you that go out of the States and are worried about after care, you can get DR's to take you on. Also, my PCP orders my blood work and I have her add what the Bariatric DR needs and then it is faxed to them. I only have to see them if needed. There we are done cryin here. LOL

I’m so sorry that hear about what you are going through. I have major back issues as well and thank goodness no surgery’s for it... yet.. I would see if your insurance has any counseling that might help... also, maybe get back in touch with your Bariatric team? sending good thoughts and prayers your way....

It’s common to work on and celebrate friend and family relationships, but never forget the most important person in your life: you. Here are some ways you can show yourself that you care. Tough Love We tend to be toughest on the ones we love the most because we hold them to such a high standard. Put yourself in the elite category of people you love, and give yourself some tough love with the goal of making yourself better. You could buy an accurate digital scale so you cannot use inaccuracies or forgetfulness as an excuse for not losing weight. You could get rid of anything in your kitchen that is not going to help your weight loss goals. You could force yourself to log your food accurately even if it is not pretty because ultimately, it is in your best interest. Supportive Love You can show yourself love by supporting yourself in your weight loss journey the way you would support any of your loved ones in their own endeavors. What about…? Going on a shopping spree in the produce section of your local supermarket. Placing an online order for bariatric vitamins and protein bars. Making a few appointments with yourself to walk or do other exercises. Indulgent Love Spend a little one-on-one time with yourself to rediscover yourself, because sometimes in the hustle and bustle of daily living, we forget that we are people who need TLC. Give yourself a spa day or get a massage, watch a movie (no popcorn!), or buy yourself a present, such as flowers to brighten up your home. Social Love Spend a day with some friends. Go to the beach, a museum, or the mall, volunteer somewhere or make crafts at one of your homes. Your day together not only serves to give you a fun and uplifting day of relaxation. It also lets you see some role models. Your friends will be showing you that they appreciate and care about you, and that is a lesson you should take note of. Communicative Love When was the last time you told yourself you love yourself? How often do you remind yourself of your wonderful qualities? Do you regularly praise yourself for your accomplishments and efforts? Guess what: today is the day! Take pen and paper (or your smartphone’s note-taking app) and write down some positive words about yourself. Let yourself know if you admire… Your hard work in your weight loss surgery journey. The good job you do at work. The way you keep your household running. How well you take care of your family. Any of your qualities such as patience, generosity, intelligence, or kindness. Read this often! Selfish Love Show yourself some love by putting yourself first. This could be as difficult, but simple, as saying, “No” to someone else in favor of something you want to do for yourself. You can put yourself first by: Vetoing a night out at your family’s favorite restaurant that you cannot find anything WLS-friendly to eat in favor of your family’s second-favorite restaurant if it has something you can eat. Saying, “No, thanks,” when someone asks you to taste her freshly baked cookies because skipping them is more important for your diet. Telling your boss you need to go home on time to be with your family instead of staying late at work. Remember, if you ever are tempted to feel guilty for putting yourself first, that you need to put yourself first. You need to be healthy, happy, and strong to give your very best to others. From now on, work on your relationship with yourself every day. You may thank yourself!