darstvader

Hi All, I was sleeved in March and have really just began enjoying veggies again. My fave is making 'fried rice' out of riced cauliflower. I add eggs and meat to this but unfortunately it's just too light on protein still, given that I can only eat a small amount. I want to enjoy my veggies but it's hard because I know it should always be protein first but I don't always want to fill up on that. Any idea what I could add as a supplement to boost that protein content? Would unflavored protein powder be ok or would it make the texture weird? Your advice is MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

Hi All, I just got sleeved on Monday along with a hiatal hernia repair. I'm in much less pain than I thought I would be so I'm very hopeful this recovery will be fast! I lost 19lbs on my two week low carb pre op diet so I plan to continue that way of eating once I'm on solids again. I started at 367, was 348 on surgery day and want to get down to less than 20% body fat, whatever that scale number will be. Any tips on what I should start to do to be active when the time comes? I was thinking just walking to start with but your suggestions are welcome! Thanks [emoji4]

You're gonna do great! I'm 3 days post op and already feel almost back to normal!

3/13 for me too. Bring it on! Can't wait [emoji173]️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Seattle, WA (but I'm Australian!) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You'll be ok, James. Just don't do too well on the 6 month diet or they will deny it saying you can lose it on your own! Instead of dealing with this on your own and going through the motions of calling UHC directly, you're much better off finding an In Network doctor (usually one of their conditions too) and getting them to do all this for you. Once you've found your surgeon, they can do most of the communication with the insurance carrier and take the stress of you. Hope this helps! (I'm a health care insurance broker for what it's worth!) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi All! I'm getting sleeved next month. I'm beyond excited and cannot wait for the day to arrive. Been obese all my life. Never in my 42 years have I even been in the 'overweight' category so this is something that I'm even looking forward to. Lap band in '04 got me from 360 to 210, had it removed due to complications in 2014 and have gained sooooo much of my weight back. I'm excited to start the journey of getting my life back and maybe, just maybe, getting to the 'overweight' category at last or even dare I say, a normal weight range. I'm so ready for this. Thanks for making me feel like I'm not alone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you thank you [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4][emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm in WA state too! [emoji4][emoji4][emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The port was horrible for me too. Always painful. Then when I had the band removed, I developed scar tissue at the port area as that incision had been cut in to 3 times. Now I get similar pain & like 'catching' cramping there but now it's all scar tissue. Greeeeattt. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine with UHC was a continuous 6 month program, had to be in network, BMI of at least 35, documented min 5 years of obesity, at least 18, chest X-ray, one bariatric surgery per lifetime. My plan is in Florida but it's also self insured, so my employer gets a lot more say in what's covered and what's not and what the stipulations are. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I lost 100lbs a couple of years ago and I have 16 tattoos. I was careful to not get any in places where the sagging skin may need to be cut away (i.e. Inside of upper arm, inner thigh, abdomen) I had quite a bit of loose skin and I found that my tattoos just moved a little. So one on my upper arm just wrapped around my arm more but not quite enough to be in the saggy area. Of course I gained that 100 back and then quite a bit more but at least I know where to hold off getting them for now. I get sleeved in a month. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Me tooooo!! I have my first appointment today and hope to get my surgery date too. All approved, just waiting for that date!!!! I can't wait until I'm posting my before and after here. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I ❤️ all of these. They're making me cry. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Me too. I don't seem to be able to post anywhere, just reply on existing posts.

1. I can't wait to be comfortable in my bathtub 2. I can't wait to not have to stress about airplane seats 3. I can't wait to learn to scuba dive 4. I can't wait to love myself 5. I can't wait to ride horses 6. I can't wait to clothes shop for my size 6 I'm going to be! 7. I can't wait to have my first consultation with my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully get a date on the calendar! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi All, This is my first post here. I have been toying with the idea of sleeve surgery since I got my band removed in 2014 due to complications. I am super excited - I paid my deposit and got my surgery date today. January 3 is the big day and it can't come soon enough. I am not sure what to expect. Any words of comfort or tips would be appreciated and also anyone who has been sleeved by Dr Cabrera - would love to hear your experience. I have been researching this for a long time and researching him and feel like i have made a great choice. I also met him in person at a seminar last year and this just reinforced my decision. Thanks. Any tips would be so appreciated. I am scared, excited etc. All of those emotions knowing my life is going to change forever. I have around 200lbs to lose. Suzie

I'm now 2 weeks post op after the removal. I honestly didn't realize how shitty I felt for so long. I can't believe I lived with those complications that long. I can now sleep on my back for the first time in 3 years, my 3 times a day vomiting is gone, no more night time aspiration and 3 hours sleep a night and best of all, bye bye reflux and Prilosec! I had one week of eating like a sumo wrestler and now just went back to my tried and true lifestyle of no sugar, no wheat and no processed foods. I don't count anything but keep an eye on my carb intake. I feel amazing and am down 5lbs in 5 days. No looking back for me.

That's great it hasn't slipped or shown any erosion! Your pouch is probably dilated and they'll put you back on fluids for a week or so to calm it down. Fingers crossed for you. I know too well how hard it is when something like this happens!

My band simply was at the end of its lifespan when this happened after almost 11 years. I ended up with severe aspiration at night where it would go into my lungs and would have eventually caused pneumonia. I got my band removed today. You should go to the doctor as soon as possible. It may not be this drastic but best to get it checked out anyway. Doesn't mean a slippage, mine never slipped - I had horrible pouch dilation which started my issues. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi! My port flipped after 2 years of placement and I had a new one put in. Didn't even have a general anesthesia, was so simple. Just gave me loopy drugs and local anesthesia. A bit painful afterwards for a week or so but not major. Ended up being a total waste of money and time for me as my band was empty and I never got another fill after the revision; but I wasn't to know that at the time! Got my band removed today after almost 11 years. Feels weird already!

I got mine removed this morning after 11 years. I'm in pain but besides that, best I've felt in ages. I'm down 150 from my heaviest and now saying goodbye to the HORRENDOUS complications I've had for the last year. I don't feel like a failure and I hope you don't either, regardless of what you have or haven't lost. Good luck with it all xx

When is your husband's open enrollment period at his work? Would be a good idea to find that out first instead of Mexico. It will be a year at the very most you'll have to wait to jump on his plan, we'll worth it in my opinion. I was going to go to Mexico to have mine removed as insurance doesn't cover it. I decided not to do that after researching thoroughly. Biggest reason is that if anything happens complication wise and you're back in the States, it's very hard to get it covered and US doctors don't like to touch it either. Mine wouldn't. So yes; find out when his open enrollment is if you haven't already.

So ironic isn't it? You gain weight so they deny it when the reason for even having the surgery to begin with is because it's a last resort because you've tried every single thing else out there to lose the weight! APPEAL for sure. If it is a covered procedure to begin with, then you have a good chance of winning the appeal given the circumstances. Good luck xx