Sharon1964

I told myself no "cheating" at all until I was at goal weight. I am not going to sabotage what I've put myself through. I think your cravings will lessen as time passes.

Mine also checks in the OR. I didn't have a drain, so I didn't have to drink anything special.

Maybe so. I didn't want to be the one to test it though.

My surgeon doesn't allow any type of bread, cracker, tortilla, muffin, bagel, etc., until six months out. He's had to go in too many times and retrieve the gooey ball that is formed, and blocks the sleeve. I'm six months now, and I no longer have any desire for those things. For me, it would be a slippery slope though. I think once I started, I wouldn't be able to stop. And that fear is what keeps me where I need to be. IMHO (and I know it won't work for everyone), I think you can break old cravings if you hold out longer. I'm at six months now, and I have no cravings whatsoever. food has become boring. And that's what I want - food to be boring, not exciting, not something I crave, nada.

Yeah, I would ask a gynecologist, not a bariatrician. As far as restarting after surgery, I had my surgery in August last year (I was 51). Been through menopause already. Surprise! Had a period a short while after surgery, due to the hormone flood. Now, six months later, I finally get me some action, and I think the flood of hormones and oxytocin told my body that I should have another period. Jeebus!!!

You can call your insurance company and explain that you were misled, and ask them to pay the claims as if they were in the network. If they decline, ask to speak to a supervisor. If they also decline, write a complaint letter to the insurance company asking for their help in resolving the situation.

I wouldn't take a laxative unless specifically instructed by your surgeon (for anyone else who's reading). The day before my surgery, I was on full liquids, no milkshakes or jamba juice, then nothing by mouth after midnight, I think.

Your positive outlook is awesome!

Did you call your surgeon? If you haven't, please do so immediately. There is no reason for you to be in that kind of pain, and it could be something your surgeon needs to tend to right away.

Great job! If you want to contribute to the ongoing thread, it's here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/173306-nsv-shout-outs/

You look awesome! Okay, you ARE awesome, but you know what I mean.

I work at a desk job and was back part time in less than a week. After one week of part time, I was full time.

Your surgeon's office should have already discussed this with you. Mine told me that the hospital would eat up my deductible, so they didn't require anything up front. I gave the hospital $3,000 up front. Call your surgeon's office then call the hospital and ask them.

As you lose weight, your body is flooded with hormones which are stored in fat. I'm sure it's just a temporary thing. I'm post-menopausal, and I actually had a period after my surgery, when I hadn't had one in over a year. Your body will straighten itself out after a while.

Crap. I typed "picture", then thought I changed it to "pic". LOL.

Today.

@@sam1016 I've been there. Before surgery on 8/8/15, I was certain that I would fail. I was certain that I would not be able to have the self-discipline to stay away from my trigger foods (creamy Desserts and crusty bread - not at the same time!). But I also knew this was going to be my one and only chance, I'm 51 years old, and dammit, I was going to do this! So every time I doubted myself, I came here and read the success stories, particularly the ones where people started around where I did, around 400 pounds. My best friend and I decided to have a "food celebration" to get it out of my system (for the near future, anyway). We went to every restaurant we could think of, and I had lasagna, thai food, sushi, steak and lobster, you name it, we went there. Then I had surgery. And waking up in pain in the recovery room, moaning very loudly, I thought, "what the hell have I done?" Then I took it hour by hour, day by day. I had no hunger. Fear was my motivating factor - I hate vomiting, and I didn't want to have to go back to the hospital for a complication or a blockage. So I "behaved" myself. I ate what I was supposed to. After a few weeks, food really didn't matter anymore. Eating was another chore to do, like brushing your teeth. It has lost its hold on me. The grip that food has had on me for 51 years is no more. Now I'm 6 1/2 months out, and I've lost 134 pounds. My diabetes is completely resolved. My blood pressure is awesome. I still can't believe it. I bought a new chair for my desk at work, and when I was sitting in them trying them out, every single one fit me. None were too narrow, and they all had arms. I never worry anymore about where I'm going to sit when I go out. You can do this. Know what your triggers are. Is it bread? Then skip it altogether. Is it late night eating? Have a sugar free popsicle. Is it a grande mocha caramel frappe with extra whipped cream? Find a substitute drink that is low sugar. Then take it day by day.

Do I get a spankin' too? Please?

I got catfished today, Valentines Day, but I've been suspicious of him from the start. Texted thru a chat app (he claimed he was shy about talking on the phone which I didn't believe), then when making plans to meet, he suddenly gets an assignment to go to Afghanistan for 6 weeks starting tomorrow - says he's semi-retired Army. So I told him to take a pic of himself with his dog and send it to me right now, through the chat we were using. He got defensive, then logged out. Uh huh. Look at us bullet-dodgers!

(stands up and clears throat) It was my fault. She said she wasn't fat because of what she ate, she was fat because of genetics, so I told her to call her surgeon and cancel the surgery because it wasn't going to help her since she wasn't fat from eating, and the surgery restricts eating. Sometimes, I'm a bad girl.

I was born on Sunday, July 26, 1964 (as was Sandra Bullock). That was the start of the first week the song was number one. It went for two weeks at that spot. Mick Jagger was also born on July 26, but 21 years before me and my galpal Sandy.

A Hard Day's Night by the Beatles. That explains a lot.

Well, I could start saying "beg your pardon" again. That went over sooooo well last time!

Yes, you can. I've been doing it for several years. Depending on how you carry your weight, you may need a seatbelt extender. When you first get on the plane, the flight attendant will be standing there in the galley greeting you. You can quietly say, "an extender please" and they will either hand you one right then or bring one to your seat and just quietly slip it to you. I have never had one embarrass me or give me a hard time.

The bariatric support group I attended recently had a presentation by Macy's. I wasn't a fan of the clothes they put people into, but they did talk about making an appointment with a bra fitter, or personal shopper, which are both entirely free services. With a personal shopper, you can just stay in the dressing room, and they will bring you things to try on to find what fits and looks good.