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I with you guys too. I've gone from a size 20 to 12 and I feel so big. Maybe it's the aching joints and flabby bod. Not sure. I just want to keep working to get the rest off. I also pick up a pair of pants or shirt and pause to think if they'll fit because they look like they're not mine. Weird how our minds work ...or don't work. Lol.

From the movie Zombieland. Two shots (bang bang). Totally not related to my T-Tapp DVDs I have.

That's AWESOME!! Great job! I hope to be able to do that too. Have a ways to go.

LOL. I'm relying on the "double-tap". Someone will always be faster than me

sigh...having trouble posting...

so if I exhale more than I inhale... It does seem kind of weird. But I'm not expert It's intriguing.

I noticed more shedding about a month after surgery. But I would say month 3 - 4 the absolute worst (big handfuls at a time). I *think* (touch wood) it's slowing down.

I also have BCBS-MA. I just qualified at the beginning, I think my BMI was 36 (224 lbs)and I had a co-morbidity (they required one) I went through Lahey Hospital, Burlington. I was told I could lose as much weight as I wanted prior to surgery - that BCBS-MA went by the weight from the first visit. My surgeon said to try to get to 200lbs., that it would make the procedure easier. Also, the NP told me that BCBS-MA was the easiest of them to work with. It actually relaxed my mind a bit, allowing me to focus on ME through the process, and not worrying about insurance. I was 195 (well under BMI 35) the day of surgery, and there were no issues with coverage. I would suggest that you contact BCBS-MA directly and ask the question. I don't know how you can go through the pre-op program, including shrinking your liver, without dropping weight before surgery... Best of luck!

Congrats! You've done fantastic! Very inspirational You're always such a positive influence - I always enjoy your posts :)

Venti decaf iced skinny vanilla latte...even in the winter

I like just having more room to move around in the shower! I hated bumping in to a wall. To have room in the bath = awesome.

I've been losing a fair amount starting at about a month out. I hope it slows down and stops soon. My husband said the other day to someone that I must be part Labrador - I shed like crazy but it doesn't make any difference. (We had a black lab for 15+ years and she shed so much...but had a healthy thick coat). I found out he notices all of the hair in the waste basket. He says he can't see any difference, but I know how much thinner my hair is.

I'm over a week in to my second "plateau". They're not fun, but are par for the course. My first one lasted 4 weeks. I hope this one is shorter, but who knows Just stick to your plan and the scale will move down again. If you haven't taken any measurements, there's no time like the present. You'll see going forward that you're losing inches even when the scale is stuck.

I've been having unusual leg cramps...usually my right leg - just above my ankle, but below my calf. Some toe cramps too. I checked my potassium intake in MFP. Holy moly! Not even getting in 1k mg a day. Thanks @@ProjectMe for the information. I'll get some G2 and see if it subsides. But 20oz has only 75mg. A can of the V8 has 700mg. Any other sources to try to fill the gap? Also, I take the Bariatric fusion chewables - I just checked and there's no potassium in them. Does that seem strange?

great! I had to pay my co-pay for the inpatient surgery, $500. Plus my office visit copays through the pre-op appointments. All of my blood work and tests were covered. I would imagine that these amounts vary based on your plan. As far a weight loss - I was told by my team that they only go by your initial weigh in. (As a matter of fact, when I told them I had BCBSMA they said they were the easiest to work with.) I qualified because I was just over 36 BMI with co morbidities. I was 195 the day of surgery because of the weight I loss pre op. That was well below a 35 BMI. If you're worried about that, it doesn't hurt to call and ask them.

I have this. I've had no issues at all. Just make sure you have a copy of the policy regarding WLS to make sure there are no surprises.

That's interesting. I'm on synthroid too. My levels will be checked again later this month, but one month post op I didn't need the dose adjusted. It would be AWESOME to come off it, but my expectations are that I'll remain on it. I'm on it because I had Grave's disease and they nuked too much of my thyroid. But I was 100+ lbs overweight at the time. So I guess there's hope that at a normal weight it would be ok. Maybe that's how folks end up coming off it?

I have a Ninja (same idea). I used it a ton during recovery to puree Soups. I still use it for shakes.

I submitted for FMLA, just because you never know if something doesn't go quite right and more could be needed. According to my HR person, she doesn't even look at the paperwork - she just files it away. I told my boss (male) that I was just having a procedure and needed recovery time. Two close colleagues, I told. Other than that, I really didn't want to be the subject of the gossip - it can be like kindergarten here. Soon folks will forget how much I've physically changed and will get on with their lives :-) When I've been asked I've said I'm going to a weight loss center (true) and working with a nutritionist (true). Outside of work, it's completely different - I tell anyone who asks.

switching PPI's can make a difference. It did for me. Omeprazole was changed to pantoprazole. I have also been put on ranitidine (generic zantac) at bed time. I'm doing much better. Hope you get some relief!

My niece is a life/wellness coach. I had told my brother and his wife that I'd decided to have WLS. I felt that my immediate family should know - I know I would like to know if something major was going on with them. They were very supportive and loving. About a week later I get an email from my niece: Let me work with you, if we fail you can still go through with it..."stomach stapling" is drastic, blah blah. If it was anyone else, I would have been a little curt with them. But I know she was approaching me out of concern. It took over a week to reply, but I did so politely. She seemed to understand, and has been very supportive since. I don't know what I would have done if it was from a stranger, and they kept persisting like a telemarketer!

A couple of inches ???!!!

I had 6 (VSG)

My steri strips stayed on until my two week check up. They were then removed. I was given several viles of "detachol". Worked great!! Here's a link so you can see what it is: http://www.hightidehealth.com/ferndale-detachol-adhesive-remover.html