kayte819

I have a question & it's not to judge you, just completely curious... You said you're a size 12...how did you get approved for such an extreme procedure? Also, I could hardly swallow water or protein shakes for at least.5 weeks & I was totally miserable. Count your blessings & take care of yourself!

Anyone whose had plastics covered by Aetna have any advice, billing codes, etc for getting anything & everything covered?? I would LOVE any info at all before I begin this process!! 130# gone & I am soooo ready! TIA <3

I'm almost 9 mos post-op & my restriction seems like it's getting to be more instead of less. I can hardly eat anything. I feel like I can literally feel the food hit my stomach within 2 bites & then I get extremely uncomfortable or start to get a stomachache. I have an appt w/ my surgeon on Monday but just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this??

I do drink a lot still & my body forces me to observe the no drinking w/ meals rule!! If I deviate even the tiniest bit, I throw up. This has been the case since day 1 & now I've completely adapted. I finally even stopped ordering drinks when at a restaurant. Seems like it would have been immediate, but old habits die hard So not a drinking issue. Even drinking has become uncomfortable this past week...before then it was just the eating ??? And I chew very thoroughly, which has actually made me despise most meat, but I still do it.

Are you 3 weeks out? I'm now 9 mos post op. The first 6 weeks I regretted my decision immensely. I couldn't eat ANYTHING, drinking hurt, I felt left out of every meal my family ate & the loss was slow & barely noticeable....and at 316 I was very, very discouraged. Cut to 9 mos later - I've lost 120#, my love of food has diminished, along w/ the role it played in my "socializing". I still go out to dinner, I still eat the things I like...just a looot less of them. I can enjoy a meal I love for 3 meals now. I wore a size 24 for months. My face looked thinner, but even when I'd lost 75# I felt like I couldn't tell. Then one day 22s fit, a week later, 20s, two weeks later, 18s. I currently wear a 16 or a 14 depending on brand, etc. 3 weeks is too soon to feel good for some of us. And even at 5 weeks I was on here complaining about the surgery & how I hated it. Now, I know it's the best decision I have ever made. Give yourself time. It's not a cliche that it takes time for our heads to catch up AND almost every single person stalls at 3 weeks. I stalled for 6 weeks then lost 15# overnight!! Hang in there!!

I haven't checked in on here for a little bit, but thought I should for my big day! Officially down 101 lbs since surgery day!!!! Sooooo glad I got the sleeve.....my life is changed forever!!

Thanks ladies! Dorrie, you started out with leas to lose so you're closer to goal than I am!! I'm 5'5 & my weight now is some people's starting weight. I've had a couple stalls along the way, but nothing unbearably long. The loss is pretty consistent at about 15 lbs a month. I hope it continues at this rate for another 40 lbs because 175 is a number I can live with while I continue to lose slower since my Dr. Would like me to be 150 (although I don't think my husband would prefer me that small!) We all lose at different rates & most of you are building up enviable muscle mass. I need back surgery & am not exercising at all....which bums me out. Keep the positive attitude you share with us all & you'll get there!!!! Your loss is nothing to shake a stick at!!

I had surgery performed exactly 6 mos ago by Dr. David Johnson in Mesa, Az. Surgery day I weighed 316 w/ a BMI of 55. Today I weigh 215 w/ a BMI of 35!! I couldn't be happier with my sleeve!

I do take 2 prilosec a day & this isn't the burp because you're full thing....this is allllll day long. I've never been a burper in my life - ever! My husband is shocked by the total turn of events

I'm about 4 mos+ post op & I cannot stop burping every waking minute. It's ridiculous!! I don't understand why...anyone else have this issue....a resolution.....an explanation? It's driving me crazy!

Hey!!! You didn't include all these juicy tidbits in our group!!! No fair.....

Great reference! Thanks for sharing

I definitely agree - start tracking!! I enter every single morsel & it really helps keep things in perspective. It's also the only way to know how much protein you're getting. I use myfitnesspal. Most days when I feel like I've gone crazy, I find I've actually eaten less than 700 calories & remained at 60 carbs or less. It's a great tool!

Well I think I take first prize in this category. Ive lost 77 lbs since 1/28/12 & only ONE pant size. Sighhhhh. I keep waiting for that moment where my clothes fall off....I will say I tried on my swimsuit from last summer & it looks like it has flaps around my booty & it won't hold my boobs up anymore. So basically my two favorite features are disappearing, but not my tummy where I'm dying to see some major shrinkage. I'll just keep plugging along...it has to happen eventually!

I'm in! 240 today

Hey everyone......I haven't been on in awhile so sorry no one else answered!! It's a secret fb group so your other fb friends won't see your posts, etc so there is no link, you have to be invited through fb. If you send me a friend request I can add you. I'm Kayte Lanier-Berry. Hope this helps It's a great group!!!

We have a fb group so let me know if you'd like to join!!

I got a couple tank tops w/ built in bra...they were like $9 @ walmart. I'm very big chested (still....even after 74# loss) & wear a 42H & they work for me. I think they only go to 2x but I'get been wearing them since about 260 w/o issue other than a little side spillage. Added bonus....of they're a little tight in the tummy it's sort of like a compression garment

I had the same aftercare regime. I also had that leg machine sent to my home & used it for an add'l week. I had no history of blood clots...it was just precautionary. In addition, prior to surgery I had a sleep study, upper gi testing, a panel of tests.by a cardiologist, a ton of bloodwork, and ultrasounds done on my stomach & esophagus. None of these tests were done at my request or due to any health issues...all just precautionary as well. If your surgeon is thorough, you will go into surgery w/ very little risk whatsoever & receive excellent aftercare. Good luck!! My heart breaks over this story. I feel so sad for the mama, but tear up at the thought of a 3yo thinking her mommy is sleeping for 3 days. I have 3yo twins & cannot imagine them going through something that tragic. I'm curious how many days post-op she was. I would definitely recommend having lots of help & people staying w/ you for a couple weeks if you have 6 kids. My husband took 3 weeks off & waited on me hand & foot the entire time. I have 4 kids (3 of which are toddlers) so I really needed help. Don't be too proud to ask everyone you can for help, even if it's just keeping you company!!!!

I'm in! I was sleeved on 1/28/12 Surgery day weight: 316 Todays weight: 242 Challenge goal: 230 Add'l.goal: Work out 3x a week

Final challenge weigh in: 242 !!!! I'm 2#over my goal, but totally thrilled to have this much

I have mirena & hadn't had my period for 3 years. The day after surgery I got it & it lasted forever. Since then, I've had it every month. I'm so bummed cuz I hate it & I've also had the worst cramps ever now. My gyno said that an iud can cause cramps to worsen so I guess I'm just screwed in that.area now. Sucks!!!!!

It's a completely personal decision, but I totally haven't & wouldn't. I don't feel like having every.person I've known since kindergarten knowing the personal details of my weight loss journey. Now, if you only have.close, real friends on FB go for it! I have like 300 friends & for a lot of those it's none of their business. Just my point of view

This aspect of this is a struggle for me. I have, and have always had, days where meat sounds gross. In the past I'd have days where I ate nothing but carbs. I'm also not a cheese lover. I do like meat & I do eat it every day, but some days I just don't want to. **sigh**

My stomach I've lost 70# & I'm STILL wearing the same jeans. They're looser in the thighs so now they just look weird. Boo.