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BloomingLotus

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by BloomingLotus

  1. BloomingLotus

    NY - NYC/Long Island

    Doesn't look like I'll be able to make this one ???????? boo
  2. Consider when you're taking your B12 as well. I had trouble sleeping shortly after surgery, and then switched to taking my B12 in the mornings. Since I started taking it earlier I haven't had any issues! Good luck
  3. BloomingLotus

    Doing this by myself - terrified!

    I went the entire process alone. To this day only people from this forum know about my surgery, and I intend to keep it that way. It's very do-able with careful planning ahead of time. One thing with uber: you have to have an adult check you out of the hospital, and a driver won't be able to do that. I took an uber car home but I had to hire an aide from a visiting nurse-type service as my post op escort. You will need someone to check you out, so keep that in mind.
  4. BloomingLotus

    To Those Who Have a Funny Bone

  5. Is everything still a go for today?
  6. BloomingLotus

    Not telling anyone

    I definitely think of great comebacks after-the-fact. I have been tempted to reply to the "have you lost weight?" question with "probably as much as you've gained this year" or "have you had a facelift?" But I just smile so far only 2 people were prying and the rest genuinely cared.
  7. BloomingLotus

    Not telling anyone

    @@finediva WOW. I can get snarky sometimes and I'd really have to stop myself from making a face and saying "yeah, cancer" and walking away. I suppose it's wrong to lie in church though! I think most people are so used to everyone oversharing that it's weird when you don't. My mum had some health issues and I went home to see her (out of state) and my boss asked out of genuine concern "is everything ok?" I said "yes, it will be" and left it there and he was kind of staring at me waiting for more information that I just didn't give. I know he only asked because he cared but I didn't feel like sharing. It makes it uncomfortable to not share when people almost feel entitled to know more (whether genuine or not). I made the decision to tell no one - not a single person outside of this site. No family, no friends, nada. As awkward as it can be, I owe no explanations. I'm being polite now but I'm sure as I lose more I'll have to watch my level of snark though ???? I'm impressed that you were as nice as you were!
  8. BloomingLotus

    Rash?

    Perhaps you have an allergy to post-op medications/vitamins? Best to see your doc!
  9. BloomingLotus

    Not telling anyone

    I haven't told a soul about my sleeve. I took a week off from work to "see family out of state." People are starting to ask about the loss now. I explain that I'm watching what I'm eating and moving more. I thank them for their compliment and then quickly change the subject. You don't owe anyone any explanations. I know it's uncomfortable to shoot someone down who is expressing concern for you, but you have to do what is best for you! Good luck!
  10. BloomingLotus

    ???? These are a few of my favorite (non-food) things ????

    Long drives with the windows down singing at the top of my lungs The first day in spring you can go out without a jacket Laughing so hard that your face hurts/having so much fun that you lose track of time Getting real mail Being smiled at by a stranger The smell of summer rain Dirty jokes Good hair days Finding something you thought you lost People watching New perfume Polite people/good manners Finishing something you can be proud of ????????
  11. BloomingLotus

    January Sleevers ❄️

    I was sleeved on 1/29 and I'm down 22lbs since surgery, so you're doing fantastic in my eyes!! Overall I'm down 49.4 since my first appointment, and I'm feeling great! My loss is slow, but steady. I stay the same for 5-6 days and then overnight I drop 1.5-2.5lbs and then I'm the same for another 5-6 days. Keep doing what you're doing because you seem to be on the right track! ????
  12. @@Elode your professors would be so proud... Someone has been hitting the books hard! Awesome ???? thanks for the scientific information, it's helpful to see the bigger picture!
  13. BloomingLotus

    January Sleevers ❄️

    Glad to hear everyone is doing so well! Sending all my strength and patience to those in stalls... It will break soon! I had my one(ish) month appointment with my surgeon yesterday and he is very pleased with my progress. I was sleeved on Jan 29, and I am down 15 in the 5 weeks since surgery. From my very first appointment with him on Sept 24, I am down 43lbs! He said that I am losing at a good pace (I think it's a little slow, but hey, he's the professional) and to keep up the great work. Blood work was done so I should know soon if all my levels are where they should be. I also got my first compliment, and it was genuine! No one knows about my surgery, so I was wondering when the comments would start. The answer: 41lbs lost. A woman I work with said "you know, I've been meaning to tell you, you look fantastic! You must feel so good, you can see it in the way you're carrying yourself. Good for you!" It was so genuine and not a backhanded compliment and it made me feel great! I know I'm getting smaller but it's hard to conceptualize when you see yourself every day. I took pictures on the day of my first appointment, and I want to wait until 3 months to take new ones, so it's nice to hear that my changes are noticeable! Have you started to notice the changes in yourself? What has been the most motivating to you so far?
  14. BloomingLotus

    No problems...'til vitamins

    My multivitamin is the only one that makes me nauseous. As others have said, taking it on a full stomach or before bed fixes the issue! I take my b12 and calcium during the day and my multi before bed and have been fine since changing the time.
  15. BloomingLotus

    Being put under

    I didn't have anything in my iv ahead of time. I walked into the OR and onto the table. Once they had me hooked up everywhere (within a minute or so), the anesthesiologist said "ok, we're about to give you the good stuff" I said "oh goody!" A split second later I was in recovery.
  16. BloomingLotus

    Tofu Recipes

    I'm not too creative when it comes to tofu, but my favorite (and incredibly fast/easy) tofu recipe: 1 can diced tomatoes with chilis 1 package light ultra firm tofu Throw both in skillet until all of the tomato juices are absorbed into the tofu and it gets a little crispy on the edges. If you like spicy, its flavorful with a little kick. It's very filling, and tastes great reheated as well. Hopefully others have more creative recipes! Good luck
  17. BloomingLotus

    What do you tell people?

    Not a single person outside of this forum knows of my surgery. Not family, not friends, not work. I think it's wonderful that so many people have such a great support system around them and can shout their surgery from the rooftops, but that is not the case in my situation. I am very proud of my decision to take my health into my own hands and conquer this problem before it gets too out of control. My medical decisions are no ones business but my own, but I do have all the respect in the world for those who are open enough to share. For work, I often travel and can be out of the office for days at a time without question. I emailed my boss and HR that I would be using vacation days for one week. I did no further explanation. I did not tell any coworkers, and let them assume I was traveling on assignment. As for eating out. I have been on a diet for most of my life, so saying "i'm being good today" before a meal seems to go without question from family and friends. Everyone knows that I was doing the occasional Protein shakes for Meal Replacements, they just didn't know it was in preparation for wls. My loss isn't too noticeable yet, so I will cross the bridge of how to reply to loss questions when I get to it. I may decide down the road to be more open, but for now this is my little secret, and I am totally content with my decision to keep it that way!
  18. BloomingLotus

    A Single Woman and a Single Sleeve

    I am only a month out, and my loss isn't super noticeable yet but I wonder if I'll feel the same way in the future. You're a very powerful writer. Whenever a man speaks to me, I assume he wants my skinny friend's phone number. When someone actually expresses interest in me, I'm confused, because who could find fat me attractive? When I'm thinner, will I be angry that I wasn't good enough fat but now I'm worthy of being hit on? I am in the dating world, and no one outside of this website knows of my surgery (no family, no friends) so navigating dating is scary for me. I hope I too can find the confidence in myself!
  19. BloomingLotus

    AETNA PPO - Awaiting approval for VSG

    I have Aetna and I was approved within 48 hours! I called them after 2 days (just to ensure they had everything they needed to make the decision) and the rep told me over the phone I was already approved and should be getting a letter soon! If you submitted all of the paperwork and didn't gain during your supervised period with the surgeon, you should be golden! Good luck!
  20. BloomingLotus

    Totally stopped losing weight

    When was the last time that you lost almost 20lbs a month? Any progress is progress. You didn't gain 35 pounds in 2 months, losing sure won't be as fast either. Any progress is progress! Be proud of what you have accomplished and keep the faith that it will continue. Your body needs time to catch up from losing 35lbs so quickly... Slow your body time to do its job!
  21. BloomingLotus

    January Sleevers ❄️

    So happy I found this thread. I was sleeved on January 29th, so I'm just past the one month mark. I have lost 39 lbs since the start of the process and 11 since surgery. I have been on a stall for more than a week, which has been making me looney! Reading about how many January sleevers have gone through/are going through the same thing makes me feel a little better. I have been bouncing up and down the same .4 pounds for over a week which definitely messes with your head. So far my recovery has been smooth sailing. I have done really well with every food I've tried, and with the exception of early-on lactose intolerance, I have tolerated everything. I'm slowly reintroducing regular skim milk to see how my body handles it. Overall, I am very pleased. I have not slimed or thrown up, but I definitely struggle to identify the "I'm full" signal. On more than one occasion I've done one or two bites too many and felt serious uncomfortable pain for a while. I do still experience hunger, but I'm satisfied with so much less than I ever would have thought. I have yet to introduce regular exercise, but that is next on the agenda. Glad to see everyone is doing so well!
  22. BloomingLotus

    Freaking out! (Scared of Surgery)

    I didn't freak out until the morning of surgery, when I was alone in the pre-op area. I basically just practiced deep breathing and positive affirmations. I'm young, I'm healthy, I heal well. My body will heal itself as it always does. At this point next year my body will thank me for making its job easier. I have a great, skilled surgeon. I trust this team, I trust my body. And I cried a little (couldn't help it!). It all kept me calmer than I was when I walked in. I felt confident stepping into the OR, knowing in a couple of hours my life would be forever changed for the better. Good luck to you!
  23. BloomingLotus

    Non-Morphine Pain Meds....concerns

    In the hospital I was given dilaudid which I didn't do well with, so I was switched to morphine. I was sent home with Tylenol with codeine. Edit: I didn't feel dependent on my take home meds at all. I hate that fuzzy feeling so I would take a half dose just to be comfortable, mainly to sleep. I stopped completely after 3 days. I would say i didn't use 2/3 of the bottle.
  24. BloomingLotus

    Sleevers in NYC

    They knew what my requirements were, but not everyone in the office does. For example, when scheduling my 4 months of appointments, I was scheduled to see the doctor only when my insurance required monthly nutritionist appointments. We didn't catch this until after all of the appointments were set in stone, which required some work to rearrange. At my last appointment I wasn't given the pre-op booklet, so I had no clue about the PCP clearance and pre-op testing. My emails went unanswered until I called to get the information. When all was said and done, everyone worked with me to rectify all of the issues above, and I was approved on time. I also managed to proceed with surgery on the date scheduled. So everything worked out just fine, but only because I also knew my requirements. Once the issues were discovered they were solved quickly, so I give credit for that. Call your insurance and know your requirements and make sure you're covering it all!

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