Roo101769

I just bought some of these yesterday and had the Cookies & Cream on today. It was good, but not my favorite. I will try the hint of chilling it, that sounds like it would work. I actually like the PB&J flavor. ( I know-weird) I did get a couple new flavors to try this go 'round so I may have a new favorite to come!!! Love them

Mmmm..Yep, tomato soup was super yummy after surgery. ( when allowed full liquids) I was sick to death of "cream of" anything, but tomato soup never got old. Of course it did take an entire week to finish a family size can of the stuff, but it was so worth it! In fact, it sounds good right now! LOL

I am covered by Anthem BCBS in Ohio. I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy in October, and it was covered virtually 100%. Every policy is different and has different requirements as placed by your employer. (I did not have to do months of counceling or diet) The hospital contacted me weeks before surgery to tell me my costs. At that time my old insurance had not transfered our records to BCBS. (We switched insurance in June and any costs we paid until then were being applied to new insurance) Basically you are responsible for whatever amount you have open to your annual out of pocket max. The hospital said I would owe $1800 because, at that time, that was the difference between what I had paid and what my out of pocket max was. But....in my case I had already had extensive hospital costs earlier last year for DVT/PE. Once those costs were applied to my new insurance I ended up owing nothing for the surgery! So...you should find out from the hospital sometime soon. They are willing to discuss payment arrangements so don't give up hope!

See your GP and get it handled. Don't wait. I had a sinus infection going in to my surgery. In fact I spent the weekend before my Monday surgery sure I would be postponed. But they went ahead and did my surgery because my infection wasn't to bad come that day. They said I would be getting antibiotics anyway that would treat my sinus infection too, which they did!

That sounds good. I make lasagna cupcakes ( recipe on here) and they are DIVINE!!! In fact I have had many, many people take the recipe from me and make their selves. ( Non WLS peeps) Definitely delish.

Funny you mention the sweater. I have another pic on here from December and I am wearing the same sweater. Maybe it is me, but I can tell a big difference between then and now even. I never got my measurements before I started all of this, and I really wish I had. I KNOW those numbers would make me happy when the scale doesn't. Things have been shifting and moving and inches are gone. Even a sweater can tell you that! LOL

Amazing, awesome, inspiring...What words can I say to tell you how great you have done? I don't need to tell you, because you get to live it! Congratulations!!!

I have officially lost 70 lbs!! I am very happy. While I still have a ways to go to goal, I have to acknowledge how far I have come. I had come to a crossroads in my life where it was do or die. I made the choice to do. I get to live my life now, I mean really LIVE. (not just exist) Half this loss was done on my own. (-33lbs pre op) But without the sleeve I probably would have failed by now. I know the only way I have come to this point is because I had the surgery. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Now I look forward to more milestones.. I may be a bit of a slow loser, but I WILL get to where I need to be.

I am a slow loser, but I am a loser..( weight that is!) I was sleeved 10/21, so I passed my 3 mos. mark a week ago. Since surgery I have lost 36lbs. That is not a lot for someone who has been sleeved, at least not in my opinion. At the same time I must remember I lost 33lbs prior to surgery, on my own diet.( since August). I am right now one pound away from a total loss of 70lbs in about 6 mos. I will be the very first to admit the slow loss has a lot to do with me. I have not followed my eating plan like I should have and I do NOT exercise enough. No excuses, just the truth. I am taking each day one at a time and trying hard to get back in gear. My short term goal ( very short) is to hit that -70lbs mark and then keep going. I have not weighed 247lbs in I don't know HOW many years, so slow loss is way better than NO loss! And another crazy thing I have made mental note of....When I first gained weight and got to 247lbs ( on way up) I could not believe how fat I was. I felt horrible, thought I looked hideous and wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. Now, on the way down, I can't be more opposite. I am amazed at how small my body is looking. I am proud of getting here. I feel better than I have in years. It is absolutely amazing what a little prospective will do for you. Just remember slow losers, you are losing!!! As hard as it is not to compare yourself to others, ( My BFF from high school was sleeved 12/17 and he has already lost, since surgery, almost as much as I have total!!! ) remember to compare yourself to YOU first and foremost. All that matters is how far YOU have come. ( And yes, I have to remind myself of this often!!!)

There is definitely a time for adjustment post op, both mental and physical. As you follow your plan and heal your stomach will come to terms with what has happened and you will too. It does get easier, mentally and physically. While you hope to never "feel the same" about food, (because that is what got us into trouble to start with) you do learn to live in your new life. It is different. There is a mental aspect for sure. But as they say, time heals all wounds. Take it easy and give it time. Eventually you will feel better body and soul and realize it was the best decision you ever made. Good luck and keep your chin up!!!

Yes...My 600lb Life is a series. Try to catch Olivia's story. She is one who has done great. She had some hard times, but she fought through and ended the show in the 240s! ( She was over 600lbs to start) She posts on the My 600lb Life website and she said she is still trying to lose another 100lbs. I believe she might just make it. Thank God I saw her episode before the Penny one. I might have totally lost it had I not had her inspiration to balance the night! LOL

One thing that is not clear because this is only an hour long show....We do NOT know if she had any type of pre surgery counseling or nutritionist meetings. We don't know what was done before she traveled to Texas, and she was inpatient in the hospital before surgery for an entire month. It is VERY possible she had a psych eval and nutritional counseling. She seemed very convincing in her desire to lose weight at the start of the show. She could have convinced others she was sincere, which would make her actions post op even more disgusting. She may have only been playing to the cameras how she "didn't know" going in what to do or expect. ( Again I do NOT believe that claim. She had access to the internet and any basic Google search would have supplied her with tons of information!!!) I believe she manipulated the entire thing, from her family to the people who were genuinely trying to help her. God help her and especially her son. One day he may look back at that show and see the truth for himself.

From what I gathered from the show Penny reached out to Dr. N to get the surgery. There was discussion about how he had spoken to her and said he would help her. Now, what we don't know is what kind of counceling or nutritional information was given to her pre op. But it is not an excuse..Why? This woman's world was her bed, she said that. She had a computer. She had all the information right at her finger tips. She chose to stay ignorant because it fed into her dillusion. It is easier to say "I didn't know" than it is to say " I knew, but I chose to ignore". She was inpatient at the hospital for FOUR months, ya think she might have picked up on a thing or two? (Pertaining to diet /exercise) As for her husband....he was a world class enabler. But I don't think it was malicious at all. He truly loved her, it was obvious. You could tell there were times he wanted to yell or tell her she was wrong, but he never did. Seemed apparent she controlled that relationship, even in the bedridden state she was in. The very worst thing IMO was what she was doing to her son. How messed up will he be from all of this? How will he feel when the mother he loves dies young from her choices? So sad.... I totally agree with the post earlier about her suffering from Munchausen. Why else would she agree to be filmed for a national television show knowing full well she wasn't going to be ready to change her life as needed to be succesful? ( not to mention her ridiculous obsession with the oxygen she didn't need). Truly a cautionary tale...

Too funny!!! I posted about this on a different link earlier and also on Facebook after watching it last night. I was MAD at her. I actually could not believe how strongly it made me feel. I realize she is VERY mentally unstable but geesh....All her crying and whining and blaming everything and everyone else. Not to mention the blatant lies and her excuses!!! Wow, I just wanted to crawl through the TV and SMACK the hell out of her! To be given such a gift ( and yes it was a gift considering they said they borrowed money from family and friends to travel to Texas for the surgery) then to just waste it so horribly. And that cute little boy she has there should be more than enough motivation to help herself. But no, she is a selfish and self absorbed woman. I pray her son is not home the day she dies from her choices.

Ok..I may have found something that will reignite my passion for the sleeve and working it to the fullest. Last night I was watching "My 600 lbs Life". In the first episode the lady was over 600 lbs and she wanted to lose weight more than anything. It was hard, but she did it. She had the sleeve and, after a year, weighed 248lbs!! It was amazing because she kept fighting. It wasn't easy for her, but it was possible. Then the second episode I watched made me MAD as h-e-double hockey sticks! I couldn't believe I felt so strongly, but I did. A Maryland woman who was in her 40s, married, and mother of a young son weighed 530lbs when the show began. She was bed ridden and her husband could not work, so they had to live off her disability benefits. ( I am sorry but that sort of bothers me too..but that is another topic entirely.) Anyway they begged and borrowed from family and friends and got money to travel to Texas for her to get WLS. First they admitted her for a month to do a medically supervised diet to ensure she could lose weight. She did. After a month she was down 40 lbs and was ready to have the surgery. ( sleeve) After surgery she did NOTHING!! She refused to even try to get up and walk. She complained non stop yet did nothing to help herself. She had her husband sneak things into her at the hospital. ( he was slightly overweight and a total enabler) They kept her in patient for 4 months because of her non compliance and during that time she lost NOTHING!!! They finally released her because she wasn't progressing there, and she went home. ( to an apartment they had rented in TX) Over the next three months she failed to go to any post op appointments. You watched as she started eating and eating, everything we are NOT supposed to eat! She claimed she was never told about any special diet or anything before surgery. So the doctor sent over a nutritionist. But the lady refused to cooperate with her. They sent a therapist to try to get her up and moving for exercise, but she refused to do it and made excuse after excuse. The surgeon finally had her readmitted to check her out and she had GAINED 5 lbs! Anyway, she continued to refuse to do anything to help herself. They followed her for a year and she lived in complete denial the entire time. Ate with abandon, anything and everything. She even tried to say they must have misweighed her initially because she KNEW she had lost weight, the scales were wrong. It was sad and pitiful and made me MAD!!! She was given such a powerful tool and she wasted it. She is the embodiment of the stereotype people think of who are negative for WLS. I would hope it would serve to show you HAVE to work on weight loss after surgery too, it isn't a quick fix. But I thought it would just make people feel the opposite, she was fat and lazy and made excuses. I think it made me realize I want to fight harder and not be like that. I don't want to fail and then lie and make up ridiculous reasons as to why I failed. I want to succeed. I want to be the example of a WLS victor. To tell everyone it IS still hard work that gets you there, that the sleeve is just a tool in the fight. IDK...it just seemed to put a little fire back into me.

Hi all.. I thought I would take a few minutes to write about another "life event" going on that does not directly involve my sleeve. ( Maybe indirectly, in some way or another. ) I have met a new guy. I feel kind of weird and girlish just saying that...LOL I guess I should start at the beginning of sorts...I was married briefly from 1995-1999. In that time we were actually only together less than two years. We were separated a few years before we actually got divorced. So I am kind of like those celebrities with short term marriages. Anyway, prior to being married I never had a big problem having "a boyfriend". I was young, I was still in fairly ok shape and it wasn't hard to get asked out. After marriage it was an entirely different world. I gained a significant amount of weight during the time I was with my ex husband. It was a perfect storm in a way. First, I have PCOS. Until my mid twenties I was not effected by it very much. Then around 25yrs old the symptoms really went gangbusters. Second, I was married. I did let myself go and eat because hey, I already bagged the guy. Who cares now if I eat? Besides, he likes to eat too. And the last thing was depression. My marriage wasn't what I had hoped for, obvious by the short deration. Comfort food helped me cope. Along with these things I had gone from jobs where I was on my feet to a desk job, further compounding the weight issue. So I was thirty, divorced, obese and alone. I tried to meet guys. Ok, after about ten years I tried. For the better part of the next decade I closed myself off. It was easier NOT to date and be hurt. A lot of things happened in my life that I had to deal with and there was just no time to worry about adding a man to the mix. After many years I realized I was lonely. I had friends, sure. But it is not the same at all. So I started trying to put myself out there more. Long story short, didn't work out. Many things happened but none were good. I don't regret too much, it was part of life. ( and I did end up with the most amazing and beautiful daughter from it all) I just never give up. I keep trying. I keep looking.....And now I can report I have some hope. It is too early to say this is "the one". But a few key factors are certainly weighing in his favor. First, he went on a date with me AND my daughter! We had a great time and my girl really likes him. ( another guy I once dated she did not care for and made it known) Second, he likes how I look. He appreciates what I have gone through to get here, is all for supporting me as I continue, and finds me sexy now! And the best thing? He wants a relationship! Not a "hit it and quit it" "NSW FWB" or a booty call. This guy is looking to (one day) settle down and get married again. I don't know him well enough to jump to that conclusion right now, but it is such a relief and nice feeling to know I might actually have a Valentine this year on Valentine's day!!!

My day of surgery was almost identical except...My surgeon's partner had an emergency case and I got bumped. I was at hospital at 8am for 10am surgery, but hung out in pre op until about 2pm! Surprisingly, I really wasn't nervous and actually snoozed some while waiting. I don't think they gave me any sedative ( that I remember) because I do remember being wheeled into the OR, being put on the table, getting everything adjusted and the mask. My problem? Stupid mask smelled like stinky plastic! LOL I remember them saying the anesthesia was going in and I might feel a slight burn, but I never did. Next thing I remember I was waking up (sick) in my room. No recollection of post op/recovery because I had a kind of bad reaction to the anesthesia. But that was me, every one is different. Try not to let nerves rule because the medical staff know what they are doing and you should be treated just fine! Good luck!!

I am three months out today and I have been struggling with the mental aspect of this. I have lost 33lbs since surgery, 66lbs overall. During the holidays I slid, a lot. I was bound and determined to get back on track once the new year started, but I find I am still having issues. I am now in a mental battle with myself to do what needs to be done. I look at my scars and get mad that I am wasting this awesome tool that I have. Yet I find myself still reaching for "sliders" and eating with abandon. I am trying, it isn't like every meal every day is junk. (which has been my only saving grace not to gain) Yet I know if I followed my plan better and exercised like I should I would be much further ahead than I am. I think yesterday I recognized one thing that might be holding me back, mentally speaking. I dawned on me I cannot imagine, at all, myself thin. My current weight of 250lbs is the lowest I have been in probably 13+ years. I cannot really remember what it felt like to be in "onederland". I still feel like a fat chick because, quite honestly, I am. I get compliments and kudos for the weight I have lost. And while I don't sneeze at the fact I HAVE lost 66lbs, I have a lot of fear I won't ever get lower. ( Which may be another reason for my self sabotage) I need a LOT of reflection and determination to get the train back on track. I am not giving up, I refuse to do that. I just need to dig deep and figure out why I am allowing food to ruin a good chance at health. I need to get back the drive and fire I had when I was going into this. I need to remember how bad I really wanted this and take it home... I never want to give up, and I hope you don't either.

I had my first post op period about two and a half weeks after. And have been regular ever since!

I actually went to my PCP first and he gave me a referral to the surgeon I used. This man ( my PCP) has been my doctor since I was in elementary school. I was nervous, yes. But at the same time he saw how my mom struggled for years with her weight, and he has also seen how my weight had continued to go up and up over the years. Bottom line is he wanted me to be healthy. He had no problems with me seeking WLS, only wanted me to take all the proper steps before I had it. ( like seeing all the other doctors who have treated me for various health issues) And post op he has continued to be supportive. He is thrilled at my weight loss and how it has improved my health and my life.

Give the old boy a little chance to catch up. He spent all that time worrying about you during your ordeal that he didn't have time to adjust. In the mean time your body was healing and you were losing weight. Now you are much healthier and ready to go and he has to try to keep up. It is like you lost years and are now younger and he is trying to figure out how to be with this new, young (HOT) wife!!!

Your hubby must feel like a kid in a candy store!!!...

Next it will be a tube top...LOL You go, make your hubby happy. ( and a little smile inside for yourself!)

My "before" is from May 2013- highest wt. 316lbs. My "after" is actually an "in progress". Taken 1-9-14 wt. 252.

The Good: 1) Much less knee pain. No longer take anything for arthritic knees. And I can even wear heels again without hurting the knees! 2) Shopping my closet. Many things I haven't worn in YEARS and things that were given to me that I never wore before. ( Too small) Flip side to this will be cleaning my closet when I need to go down another size!!! 3) I have gone from a tight 26/28 to fitting a 22. I look forward to the 22 being too large soon... 4) I can do more. Walk further. Play with my daughter. Get up and down off the floor. Sit in chairs more comfortably. FIT (with room to spare) in the bath tub. 5) I am less worried about developing another DVT. I will forever have to live with the after effects of the two DVTs and PEs I had, but I know I have cut down my chances of more occurring. The BAD: 1) Hunger. As soon as I was far enough out that my swelling had gone down I have had hunger. Some may be head hunger but a lot is stomach hunger. The flip side is it is much easier to make go away than before. ( much less food needed) 2) Ketosis stink. Yeah, I had it 3) hair loss. Mine is pronounced because of other issues. I have been wearing a wig since Thanksgiving. I also have a couple head covers for chemo patients for times I don't want to wear my "hair hat". 4) Realizing once and for all I am a carb addict. Even with the sleeve, once I gave in to them I had to fight to get away. The sleeve may limit the quantity, but not the desire for or ability to eat. They slide down much easier than lean Protein too. 5) Realizing the sleeve won't save me if I don't do what I need to. I knew it was only a tool going in. But there was still a secret little place in me that hoped it would do things I couldn't. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt now that I have to be accountable for me, including my sleeve. 6) Vitamins. Have to take, don't like. The UGLY: 1) My body. It may be smaller but I think it is less visually pleasing than before. Between the sag and scars and my bald noggin...Well let's just say either I stay covered or the lights better be off! 2) Not being where I want to be. Again, all on me. I love I have lost weight. I love I will lose more. I hate that it isn't going as fast as I once imagined it would. Part of that is my body and how it lets go of the weight, a lot of it is on me. I have not ate totally to plan and not exercised enough, so what do I expect? Overall I would do it all again in a heart beat. I imagine in a few months this entire list will have changed so stay tuned!