CaPoppy

Premier Protein, ThinkThin, Pure Protein and Quest. I keep a variety of flavors of all of those brands at all times so that I can choose the flavor I want, when I want it.

Drink lots of water and a few doses of Miralax. It is quite common between surgery and the change in diet to be constipated. It does get better though!

I've not had any significant loss. Just extra strands here and there. I'm almost 4 months out. I did start biotin and nioxin conditioner as a preventative measure and to stimulate regrowth.

I was in jeans 2 days after surgery, so everyone is different. But my doctor had me wearing a stomach binder and that helped quite a bit. So my jeans weren't rubbing or constricting at all.

I just got GENEPRO unflavored last week and I love it so far. Absolutely can't taste it, and it doesn't change the texture at all.

I have been very selective in who I've told as well. I just don't think it is anyone's business. The only people in my life that know are my mom and two friends, and one of those friends I've only told because she underwent the same procedure with the same doctor a month prior to me. So it has been helpful to be able to compare with her. If anyone asks me I just tell them that I've been eating healthy, which is true. If anyone ever comes out and specifically asks if I had surgery I won't lie, but I'm not volunteering that information. It's totally up to each person who they tell. Some people are happy with telling everyone they know and having a huge support, while there are those of us who would rather be more private and don't necessarily need all their Facebook friends knowing every detail. I think this is why a lot of the vsg instagram accounts are pretty anonymous. They can get the support, without necessarily telling their friends and family.

I had mine done in Chico and I highly recommend them! I had Dr. Simchuk and he is fantastic. Enloe (the hospital in Chico) has a whole wing for Bariatric patients. Simchuk and Ludwig also have the nicest staff, and the Dr.'s are available to you 24/7 for ever. At my orientation it was mentioned that Dr. Simchuk did a house call for a patient on Thanksgiving Day! Let me know if you have any questions!

I'm always changing my Protein drinks up. My program calls for 60-90 grams just from drinks, in addition to food. For a few weeks I was drinking two Premier Protein drinks daily to meet the minimum. This week I've started making drinks again using frozen fruit, yogurt, milk and Protein powder (either unflavored, banana or orange depending on what flavor I'm going for). In the first few weeks post-surgery I found that I had to drink them really slowly, but as time has passes it has gotten easier. I can drink the Premier Protein shakes the fastest, I think because they are the thinnest. I've also found it easiest to get all the protein in when I'm on a schedule.

Once I went home from the hospital I didn't take any pain meds, but I was uncomfortable for around two weeks. And if I didn't wear my abdominal binder I would have incision pain in my biggest incision. It gets better!

Blended Soups, yogurt, refried Beans blended and thinned out with chicken broth, blenderized chicken and veggies thinned with broth, sugar free pudding thinned out, Jello... pretty much anything can be made to work. Just blend it and add broth or milk to thin it out.

I was sleeved 4/27 and I have so far purchased two 18 count packs of Premier Protein($24 each), a 12 count of Premier Protein($18), a canister of chocolate whey protein($20), a canister of strawberry whey Protein ($20) and three bags of Bariatric Advantage Protein powder ($180 total). Plus a bottle of Bariatric fusion chewable Vitamins ($30) and Pepcid Complete chewable ($25) because I couldn't stand the Prilosec the Dr. prescribed. I recently got advanced to pureed food and picked up a few cans of soup. I also hate all Water, so I have 7 or 8 Mio's to try to make it drinkable.

I was sleeved on the 27th too! I am still on the puréed stage until week 5. I've been living off homemade refried beans and yogurt. I can't wait to move onto soft foods! I'm down 28 lbs so far.

I'm having mine on a Monday, and will be back at work that Sunday. But I only work 4hr shifts.... So there is that. If you have to go back quickly just take it easy. And rest as soon as you get home.

April 27th here!

I am getting a sleeve with Medi-Cal. I had to switch to the Anthem Blue Cross version of it. The only requirements are a psych appointment and a nutrition appointment. There is no diet requirements. You just have to have the BMI that meets their criteria as a pp outlined. The process has been super easy. I had my initial appointment Jan. 7 and did my required Psych and nutrition appointments quickly. They submitted and received approval quickly and everything has went great. I have had no oop costs. Everything has been covered. My Dr. has a program fee, so that is not covered. So that will be my only cost.

I have a friend who had the same issue following a lower body lift! Hers eventually healed and the scar from her lift is fading. I hope yours heals quickly so you can get back on track!

I have my orientation Jan 7 as well. Good luck!