Beautiful Mess

My plan allows for the use of straws after 4 weeks.

Are the Flintstone Vitamins like Gummy bears, or are they just chewable? I can't swallow the horse pills either, but there are signs around my Bariatric pratice that say any of the gummy bear vitamins aren't effective.

I'm doing the chewables. I tolerate them well (thank goodness)!

Hey there! I need some suggestions. I was given the Bariatriac Advantage Multivitamins and they come up quicker than they go down. My doctor said I could take the flinstone Vitamins instead but I'm not sure how many to take daily. I've read that some people take 1, others take 2.

Hello, this happened to me too. I gained 2 lbs as well. What do we do now?

Earlier today I saw a link that someone had posted about weight-loss stalls. This article was so helpful. Check it out:

http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php

I weigh myself twice a day – first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. My night time weight is always higher, but it still gives me a preview of what to expect in the morning. I've been pretty obsessive about numbers, so it helps me stay on track. Speaking of scales, since you were just sleeved this month, let me give you a heads-up about what to expect so you don't freak out when it happens....

If you haven't already, you will soon reach The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the pounds will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again!

(Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

I can't thank you enough for posting this!!

I did for 1 day. Otherwise I'm getting a little more than half of my 64.

I'm a little discouraged. I'm currently 14 days post op. I have had no issues and other than fatigue, I feel great. The weight has been falling off every day and all of the sudden on day 10 it just stops. I'm thinking ok no problem it's just a stall. It'll be over before I know it. Two days later I step on the scales and was shocked to see that it had suddenly went up 2.5lbs!! Obviously I'm still on liquids, calorie intake 400-500, since surgery I've lost 11lbs. & I was a lower bmi patient. Still how is this even possible?!

Where are you having your surg? What Dr ?

Good luck with the preop diet!

Dr. Schmitt with Alabama weight loss Surgery in Birmingham AL will be doing my surgery.

You and I have the same concerns. I do not like needles and get lightheaded when blood is being drawn however I will be required to do 1 month of self administered blood thinner injections and after loosing my mom a few months ago due to a misdiagnosed blood clot, I WILL do this! I'm just gonna clench my teeth, close my eyes and make it happen everyday and you can do it to. Mind over matter!

I'm April 16 and starting my pre op liquid diet today!

My surgery date is April 16th with Dr. Schmitt!

I have been pondering this myself. I have a 12 and 14 yr. old and I have mentioned the idea to them in the past but my daughter was very concerned and said she did not want me having surgery for fear of me dying. Now that I have a date and it's quickly approaching, I am absolutely dreading to tell them. Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Just got a call that my surgery date got moved up from April 28th to the 16th! So excited!!

@@SouthernBelle69 Ha! It's tough but if you keep the end goal in mind and the willpower high you will make it through it a right of passage! I also tell people what worked for me was taking a picture of myself in a bra and undies on my phone, then every time I thought about cheating I pulled that baby out and looked at it and what do you know BAM that craving was gone....I'm not kidding It really got me through and I didn't cheat at all!! PS: if you do it for the love of god whatever you do DO NOT lose that phone!!!

" A right of passage", I love that! It's a great way to look at it and really provides it's own motivation. Thanks, I'll be using that one

I'm not sure I can do this without cheating. My job as a Software Engineer is very stressful! I have always been a stress eater. Everyone says I can do it but if I could I wouldn't need the "Tool" or surgery to help. The struggle is REAL!

April 28th! Just got my date yesterday and couldn't be more excited!

When I was running and doing 5K's my go-to shoe was Asics. I loved them then and I still love them now! Good luck!

Great info ladies! I had a hysterectomy in 2011 and within a year my energy level bottomed and the weight started coming and coming and coming! I've always enjoyed working out but with no energy or results to see, I've lost all motivation. I'm really hopeful that the sleeve will be the tool that helps me get back on track.

I am reaching out to all you ladies who decided to have the sleeve after having a hysterectomy. How has it affected you personally? What changes have you noticed other than the weight loss? How do you feel now versus prior to the sleeve?

My job is pretty strenuous. One of my coworkers actually had the sleeve mid December and came back after 2 weeks and now says it was too soon. She's having a lot of issues though. I guess my only real option is to.....sigh.....wait.

It's the first month of a new year and I am ready to move forward with the Sleeve surgery. I've met with my surgeon, got my list of to-do's and have prepared myself for the self pay due to a lower BMI. As I was reading up on my employer's leave policy, I was shocked to learn that if I go on Short Term Leave, It will take all but 3 of my PTO days! This means I will have to go the next 11 months with only 3 available pto days There is no way I can manage this! I was really hoping to get my new year started off right with the surgery but man is this throwing a wrench in my plans!

Wow that's great! Decisions decisions!

@ photogal85 Dr. Schmitt said the $11,900 was the total out of pocket. No taxes added, no other fees. Now you will have to pay for your first initial consultation which ran me $210. I think.

I have not scheduled the surgery yet but he said he could get to me in a few weeks if I wanted to go ahead and schedule.

Hi Ladies,

Dr. Miles did my sleeve June 2014, and I was very pleased with him and the procedure. I recently passed my six month mark, and I am down about 60 lbs. I have had NO complications, and I feel completely normal now only I get full really fast. I have absolutely no regrets. I only wish I had done it sooner. I, too, was self pay. I would happily answer any questions you might have.

Good luck to both of you! I am excited for you. You are going to LOVE your new life!

So nice to hear from you and thank you for reply. It definitely makes this easier hearing positive stories such as yours! Dr. Schmitt said that he and Dr. Miles had been discussing the idea of removing the tube on the same day of surgery before discharge. He said there wasn't any huge benefit to leaving it in an extra day and believes they will start doing that very soon which was music to my ears since my surgery would be outpatient!

My BMI is 35 and because I have no medical issues my insurance will not cover this so I'll have to do self-pay. Guess that kind of speeds things up a bit.

My consultation visit went great today! Dr. Schmitt was so nice and professional and took the time to answer all of our questions without ever making me feel rushed. After talking with him I was sent to talk with Ashley, the surgery coordinator who also went out of her way to answer questions and point me into the next direction of the process. I never once felt pressured to make a decision and left feeling more confident about my decision. Dr. Schmitt said to get started I would need to do a 1 week liquid pre op diet, attend a support group meeting, nutrition class and do lab work. Sounds easy enough, just gotta get this hard headed hubby of mine on board...now that's where the work comes in lol!