scoutmom

Hello all! I have hit a stall at 8 weeks out!!!! Arghhh....been at 39 lb loss (since pre-op diet) for at least 2-3 weeks now. I tell my self every day.....water + Protein, Water + protein, yada-yada-yada. For a while, I was ecstatic about how much I'd lost, but now I'm ready to get losing again. It is true that you do lose inches and not necessarily pounds as I did measurements and lost 3 inches around my hips in last 3 weeks. How is everyone else doing??

@sweettooth2015.....I paid for each NUT appt as I went through the 3 meetings over 90 days for insurance approval. As I remember the NUT visits were around $70 each. I then paid the office psychologist to do the psych eval online so I didn't need to do more appts. The Bariatric Advantage shake kit is $300 and is totally yucky. It comes with a Soup which I could not begin to drink. I tried to get out of buying it - but it is a part of the program. Once you are approved, you meet with the NUT one more time, Dr. M again, the nurse practitioner (to discuss all meds, surgery expectations and remaining appts and lab tests that must be done). Hope this helps.

@@pamzie85 how are your clothes fitting? This is really the way I have felt I huge difference. I think I remember reading here somewhere that you can be losing inches but not necessarily lbs on the scale. I am down 35lbs since pre-op, 26lbs since surgery. Colleagues and friends are definitely noticing and I've had to dig out clothes that are a size smaller. I hit a stall the past few days - but still lost 2 lbs the past week. Getting water in is killing me.......and just not happening. :-(

Good morning everyone! Happy 6 weeks since surgery! How are you doing this week???? I've hit a stall for the past 5 days and need to get my head in gear. Had a lot more nauseous tummy this past week so I'm going to go back to more basic food choices and re-commit to more Water (ARGHHHHHH) and more Protein. I went to Vitamin store and got 2 Isopures (grape and coconut) to see how those are. Grape is ok, has a weird taste but smells like koolaid. I get nauseous and tummy not happy right after I eat - I think I might be eating too fast. How long does it take you to eat 4 tablespoons of a meal? I'm lucky that I don't throw up, but just don't feel well. Did not have this problem before this week. Have a good day, Seana

Hi @Bs_Knees.....congrats on things moving forward. I can't believe it has already been 6 weeks since my surgery. I am doing great. I am 35 pounds down since May 1st - and 26 pounds down since surgery. I had a low BMI, so although that is a fast loss for me, I do read about others losing more - but I am thrilled with the progress and fell absolutely fabulous. The first day and the third day in the hospital were the toughest. Not sure why, but I had heard the 3rd day after surgery is the toughest and it was true for me. However, I was up and walking within a couple of hours of surgery and the main pain was from the gas they put in your belly and not from the incisions. By second day I took a shower and was wearing my own clothes in the hospital. I hate hospital gowns! I had the option of going home the day after, but I knew I would not rest and over do it. So I stayed two nights in the hospital and I'm glad I did. It gives you time to get your pain meds in line before going home. I am not good about getting the Water (64 oz) and Protein in and that is not good. You may experience a bit of panic as it feels like you will never eat real food again. Bu I have been on mushy food for the last 2 weeks and that helped a lot. The new way of eating takes a bit of getting used to - and eating out with my family is sometimes frustrating because of limited options. Here is a bit of my advice based on 6 weeks: 1. do NOT buy the Bariatric Advantage Vitamins. they are gross and make me throw up. I would definitely start with liquid multi vitamins that you can get on Amazon. I have only thrown up twice and it is due to the chewable Multivitamins. 2. start the vitamins and drinking at least 40 ounces of water a month before your surgery. I did not and wish I had already instituted this change. I am not a big water drinker anyway.....and used to only drink bubbly water. So this has been one of the hardest things to conquer. 3. I did have head hunger - I thought I would not feel hungry at all, but I do get hungry. Not a big deal, but it threw me for a surprise. 4. Fill all of your prescriptions before surgery day. I didn't, and my mom and I had to stop on the way home from the hospital and it sucked. 5. They called in a prescription for syringes that you give yourself in your belly to keep from getting blood clots. No one at the docs office or the hospital told me this, so I was surprised when the guy at CVS gave them to me. Just be prepared. Doesn't hurt that much - but not fun either. 6. Schedule your surgery follow-up appointment before surgery day. The schedule was full, and I waited until 2 days after surgery. Made the staff cranky. I was very lucky and healed super fast and was back to walking as soon as I got home. They were very happy at my 2 week follow-up. I was back to work at my office 6 days after surgery. I did get very tired by 7:30pm/8pm because of the drastic lack of calories - and I still get tired by 8:30pm. (highly unusual for me). The good things: 1. I feel fantastic and in control of my own choices 2. I sleep SO much better and actually wake up rested 3. I have more patience for my children and my attitude in life is so much better 3. I'm having to dig through the attic to find old clothes to wear. It does feel like the weight falls off in the beginning. (although I know if I don't start getting more protein that I will stall). 4. friends and colleagues have started to notice a big change I'm happy to answer any questions you may have - keep 'em coming! It is one of the best decisions I ever made. Seana

@@jaterika I am very sorry to hear you don't have the support you need - and you did the right thing to reach out here. Wishing you the very best during this difficult time. Having the surgery is plenty of emotional work already. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but not to lash out at you. Take your time and continue to let your body and mind heal.

I am also having hard time with the Protein and Water. Really need to double my efforts and make drinking water a part time job. At my two week check up, the nurse practitioner was right to read me the riot act about not getting enough Vitamins and water. Still on mushy foods for another 4 weeks. Refried Beans, cheese and non fat sour cream are my nightly go-to for dinner. Yum. I tried to eat hummus and tummy did not like it. Was able to add yogurt (love greek yogurt) and cottage cheese (this was great with a quarter of a mushed up banana and cinnamon). This is strange - but in the past 2 days I am experiencing super painful swollen gums and headaches. I am assuming due to dehydration. But going to check in the with NUT in the morning as it is not something I've had problems with ever before surgery. Does everyone weigh themselves each day?

I am on full liquids until the 9th......really tough to get in the shakes and Water all day. I went back to work this past Monday as I am a caterer/wedding planner and this is busy season. I am around fabulous delicious catered food everyday - but haven't felt hungry for it. My mind just tells me it wants it, though! I am definitely in bed by 8:30pm very tired from lack of calories I think. My birthday was yesterday, and my family got a birthday cake with the message "Happy Birthday Mommy - sorry you can't eat this!" then they put a candle on top of a premier Protein next to it. It was hilarious! I am so ready for something else besides chicken broth. I even called my NUT and asked if I could go ahead and advance to yogurt or creamed soups and she said not until my check up next Tuesday. Good news is that I am down 12 pounds since May 24th - so that keeps me excited about this journey. I have been sleeping better than I have in months. Friend brought me awesome Protein powder that is truly tasteless so I added that to Carnation French vanilla breakfast packets - that was a nice change. Have to admit, feels like I will never be able to eat real food again!

Hey there - I am feeling really good, a bit sore on the belly and still some shoulder pain from the gas. My doctor pumped tons of liquid through my IV so the discharge nurse suggested not weighing until tomorrow morning to give the Water weight time to dissipate. Getting the water in will forever be my challenge. Unfortunately, my doc has me on full liquids for another week. I'm dying for yogurt or something substantial. Head hunger has me a bit cranky.....but I knew that this would be my challenge. food is a major source of entertainment for our family - so re-training my brain is the focus! Glad everyone is doing well!

Hello @@Bs_Knees! I was just sleeved on May 26th with Dr. Moazzez. I would be very happy to answer any questions for you. I can't tell you how much I loved Dr. M - he is the best in the practice. Everyone there is super helpful! My insurance required a 3 month process with them, and Pam the insurance coordinator was a doll and knows her stuff! Where are you in the process?

@@juju79 and @@linzdiane do you feel like you are too full to keep drinking the Water? I feel like my new stomach is an alien being with a mind of its own.....I am just not sure how much it can take. I even think I feel hungry - or I know the food triggers around my house keep telling me it is time to eat real food! Crazy. I just keep reminding myself this is for the long run - and we will be able to eat normal food eventually.

Has anyone tried to drink a Protein shake or Premier Protein?

@@pamzie85 I was ok yesterday with the pain - but today it is kicking my butt. I'm sure it is because I don't have an IV with 'happy med" anymore. The oxydone the doctor prescribed is not doing much at all. Did you stay two nights in the hospital? I'm glad I did because I would have been doing too much if I had come home.

Arriving at the hospital too. Good luck everyone! Talk to you when we are all done!

Hi @@Sara51692, I am being sleeve on May 26th as well.....pretty nerve wracking right now, right??? Hope all goes well with your surgery!

I am having my surgery on Tuesday, 5/26 - and I have to admit this topic has me nervous and concerned. More nervous than when I first read this thread. Did I not choose the right surgery? But some of these expectations feel so out of the realm of possibility (I would kill for for a 10lb weight loss in a month!). I have a fabulous surgeon, a wonderful support system and I am going to trust that this surgery is the right choice for me. I will get what i put into this process.

Hi all! I feel like we are in line to get on a crazy roller coaster and waiting our turn! Today I got nervous - but as I'm dropping of my kids at our neighborhood pool, I can't wait to get through the hard part of recuperation and regain my confidence. Hope everyone does well on Tuesday! SH

@@JustBeth13 Congrats on your surgery date in June!

Hello to all....I am in the process of the pre-approval 3 month appointments with BCBS Federal. I am using Bluepoint Surgery Group in Northern VA. Can anyone share your experience and tell me if there are any pointers in receiving approval? Were you turned down? Why and what did you do? Thanks so much!

Hi there - how is everyone doing???? This 2 week all liquid diet is tough but also playing with my brain. I am doing fine to drastically reduce calories to 1200 a day, and I've lost 4 pounds. However, I am struggling with all liquids. Does anyone know if a liquid diet reduces the size of your liver faster or more efficiently thank the same number of calories with real food?

TOUGH - Day one today of liquid 2 week diet (surgery on May 26th) and I have to say I wanted to run someone over with my car on the way home. No glass of wine to look forward to or late night Snacks while I work on a computer. Amazing how quickly my Stress Dragon got mad when I wouldn't fit it. This chicken broth is the best thing I have ever had in my life. Keeping my eye on the prize....

@@JustBeth13 Hang in there!!! Stay active and be your own best advocate and you will do great! Push the coordinator. Not all of them are pro-active or knowledgeable. Thinking of you - I know this is the hard part!

@@JustBeth13 I got my approval in just 3 days and the official letter came in the mail a week later. I was very lucky to have a proactive insurance coordinator. Scheduled for surgery May 26th and doing EGD this morning. Good luck!

Love this topic.....keep it coming, folks! I can't wait to see what my new addiction will be after surgery in May.

Hi there, I am an event planner and caterer - and you hit the nail on the head for me as well! My surgery date is May 26th and I can't imagine how I will maneuver my career around my new sleeve. Especially in the first 6 months. I sit in client tastings sometimes 2-3 times a week with multiple courses of fabulous food. I am 100% confident in my choice to no longer eat at these tastings - but colleagues and clients and brides are going to wonder and ask why am I not eating? How do I do wine tastings with clients for selecting the wines at their event if I'm not drinking for a while. I am also known for my love of Chardonnay, so I have 2 weeks to say goodbye to my nightly glass (or 2)....my drinking buddy Moms in the neighborhood are going to wonder what the heck has happened to me this Summer! There is an awesome member on this forum (user name: Bob . He is a restaurant owner and chef who had WLS in December. It was great to talk with him on his experience. You might want to reach out to him. Sorry I don't have any insight with tips for you yet - but I'll be watching this great topic closely! S