TexasTeacher

I am so happy, I got my approval! My doc's office submitted it on Wednesday and they approved it on Thursday! Just so stunned it was done so quickly, I don't even know what to think! After all that I'd heard about Blue Cross, I was expecting a denial.

Congrats! It's an amazing journey!

Best of luck tomorrow! I was up all night cleaning the night before surgery---was sooo nervous! But, it's a wonderful journey!

Yes, megg, in fact they do let me teach children. Truth be told they're pretty happy to have me---both the children & the administrators. And if you think teenaged girls aren't curious how I went from an 18 W to a 4 in 8 months...think again! This was a major, life changing procedure for me; as I'm sure it is/was for most of us. I take it very seriously and don't want to be back where I was 5 years from now. Why not think about what might happen to those internal stitches from vomitting up that caramel sundae? No one makes perfect choices here, we all have weak moments. But don't ask a question if you don't want an honest answer.

Really? You asked about the wisdom of eating a sundae on a weight loss board, a week after having 90% of your stomach removed. If you feel chastised why not ask your surgeon? Perhaps he'll tell you what you want to hear!

I was borderline qualifying and was told not to lose weight before surgery. Thus, I gained 20 more pounds in 3 months! Stupid, wish I hadn't done that!

You need to be extremely careful! Ice cream, is on my no way list. My surgeon said it was a slider food & could impede my weight loss. Plus, the magical period of the sleeve will not last forever...use this time to retrain yourself to enjoy healthy foods! I'm amazed that I actually like yogurt & veggies!

Not much! I was on Clear Liquids for the first week, then promoted to full liquids for the next 3 weeks. I was soooooo excited to get to mushies I bought everything people had mentioned on the boards. Needless to say, my new tummy couldn't handle half of what was mentioned and the quantities were miniscule. A single scoop of VERY SOFT mashed potatoes---say from KFC lasted me 5 days. Firm mashed potatoes, like from chicken Express, I couldn't even eat. It was well over 6 weeks before I could eat the refried Beans. Both cottage cheese and ricotta worked well for me.

I am 8 months and 1 week out, started at 241 and now weigh 148. 5'10 and 44 years old. At one month out I had lost 33 pounds. It's an amazing journey!

I'm 8 months and 1 week out and still cannot eat anything else when I eat soup! Maybe a cracker with broth-like soups, but nothing with thicker consistencies.

Goodness! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I jumped through all of Blue Cross/Blue Shield's hoops and I still was a little freaked out after surgery! That being said, 8 months, 91 pounds, and a size 6 (and some 4's!) later, I don't regret it a bit! The sleeve has been wonderful for me. My only complications were gall stones and kidney stones. Not too high a price, given how I look and MUCH MORE importantly---how I feel! I have energy and I've been released from the bondage of the weight loss obsession. Hang in there, it WILL get better. Sorry you are getting such negative feedback.

Please don't be discouraged! You're doing wonderfully! One thing I've found is that my body may need to "reset" every now and then. During this time I may not lose pounds, then I'll wake up and have lost 5 or have changed a dress size. It's a little odd how it works, but the results are fantastic!

I will be at 6 months in 5 days and I've lost 76 pounds! Started at 241 wearing a size 18W and am now at 165 wearing an 8-10. I couldn't be happier!

I had surgery on Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday. As a school teacher there really isn't much time off (surgery was done over the Christmas break). I was fine with the pain, but was extraordinarily TIRED the first 2 weeks back at work. If I had been able to take off the 2nd week, I would have for sure!

For me the hardest is just SLOWING DOWN and chewing my food! I can still drink coffee and may even have a diet 7-Up about once a week. The Diet Coke, my mainstay, hasn't tasted right and I'm just as happy leaving it alone!

I'm just glad to hear that it isn't just ME!

I just had my gallbladder removed on Friday. My surgeon said that it was because of the rapid weight loss. Honestly, this has hurt much more than my sleeve, but I wouldn't change a thing!

Since your surgery was just a couple of days ago, perhaps it is just your body adjusting. I had some weird pains the first few days, but nothing horrible. If you're worried, call your surgeon. Particularly this early out! Best of luck with your new sleeve!

I agree with those suggesting you follow your doctor's advice at this point! The last think you want is to damage the staple line!

I've tried to have a sip of a diet Sprite....and I was a 5-6 diet coke a day girl...and really it was too much for me. I'm 3 months and 1 week out, so it may be that it will be okay a bit later on. My primary concern is that I KNOW once I start back on soda, I won't drink my Water. Hence, I am just as happy believing my stomach will instantly rupture! My surgeon did say it was okay to have them after a few months, though!

I felt horribly guilty for wanting to just taste real food! When I finally got to a "regular" diet, about 6 weeks post-op, I went to have Tex-Mex with my son. There was NOTHING that I could eat! I ordered the tortilla soup, but it was so greasy, I only got a single bite. Tried a bite of his cheese enchilada, my all-time favorite, this is your last meal food, and had to spit it out. I cried for an hour, I was so frustrated, thinking I'd never be able to eat "real food" again! Fortunately that passed. While I still struggle with many things.....beef in particular, I am able to work around it. Also, getting back into my size 12's after those 18 W's, does help with those cravings! Hang in there, you will taste real food again.......hopefully, just not as much as you once did!

I still struggle with this, but cannot manage any of the fiber supplements they recommend. My surgeon suggested Ex Lax, which has helped a bit, but I do have to be careful when I use it!

I had just started mushies at 3 weeks. Even now, I can barely get in 3 ounces. When I overdo, it is usually because I don't "think" I've eaten enough. It has taken a lot of "rethinking" to be able to adjust to the tiny portion sizes. But, I'd definitely check with your doc, because I know that incision line can be a problem at this point!

My weight loss is a little freaky! I've tried to avoid the scale for a week, but always seem to wind up getting back on, just to make sure it's still working! For me, I lose 2-3 pounds, then bounce for a couple of days before I level off at the weight lost. It's been this way for me during the entire time. I've just come to accept that this is going to happen and in a few days the pounds are gone for good.

Peanut Butter is still very hard for me! I was still pretty much relying on cottage cheese & pimento cheese at 5 weeks. The mashed potatoes & rectors Beans I'd been craving were too heavy. Just go with what your body tells you...and chew slowly enough so you can hear it! Glad the scan was clean!