Sonia Moreno

Hi, Im Sonia and I was sleeved 2/24/2014. I was desperate to stop feeling miserable. I had basically been demoted from my work, because my health had been impacting my job. I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, PCOS, Anxiety, depression and PTSD. I had ice bucket full of pills to treat all my symptoms. I had previously had a full hysterectomy after spending years trying to get pregnant, trying Metformin and other medications to get pregnant and all the while I just kept gaining weight. I was taking estrogen to relieve the hot flashes. Naproxen and Ibuprofen to relieve the never ending pain in my neck, shoulders, back and arms. I had extreme fatigue. I literally banked my energy. I would sleep only with sleeping pills and Id sleep for what seemed like days but I would still wake up exhausted and in so much pain. I would go to the gym give it my all and I would be useless for several days later. About a year ago I kicked the artificial sweetener because I had hydrogen build up. So I turned to Sugar in the Raw and Stevia. I went low carb, but it only made me crave carbs like a crack fix. All the while I had Vitamin D deficiency, low iron and guess what? I took meds for that too. So when I looked into WLS and my insurance said no because although I had met the Morbid Obese BMI, I didnt have Diabetes. That was the straw, I was miserable, fat and unhealthy. I had knocked on plenty of Doctors doors and now because I didnt have Diabetes I would not be approved for surgery. I decided to bite the bullet and pay for the surgery myself in Mexico. I mean who cares that I have spent millions on all my medical drama and a couple thousand are going to prevent me from living my life.
 
Here I am, I have now lost 40 lbs. I cant say Im on cloud 9. I still hurt, just not as bad and in not so many places. I hate that I have to think of food and drink at all times. Im not much of a cook before  WLS I ate out for lunch every day, so I get frustrated very quickly. Mainly because I am clueless. So I stick to my 99% lactose free, wheat free 30g protein powder shakes with added frozen fruit. I drink 1 16 ounce cup of coffee w/ protein shake as creamer. I drink not enough water. I was told that coffee and shakes don't count towards liquid intake. I force myself to hit 48 ounces. I drink through a straw, only because I cant sip anything. I want to gulp the water. With a straw I have better control. 
 
I now despise chicken more than ever. There is just nothing more I can come up with to make it taste juicier. Since I dont drink with my meal, I have a hard time swallowing the chicken, it doesnt matter how much I chew it. So I tried fish, I love fish. The problem is my husband, not so much. So I manage some shrimp and turkey lucheon meat. I was doing Greek yogurt, it took my trying every yogurt in existance to figure out which didnt taste like chalk, but guess what? Im lactose intolerant. I tried cottage cheese, which I seemed to manage pretty well, but hey, Im lactose Intolerant. I would try soy except, I no longer take HRT after surgery. Since I dont want to start, I am afraid to touch soy. 
 
I'm clueless, but here is what I do know. I take my Vitamin like clockwork, I take my omeprazole every AM. I take Gabapentin e/o day for the fibro. I see a therapist who uses biofeedback to help my get my anxiety, PTSD and depression under control. It's working. I take an allergy pill daily, and thats it. No pain pills. My lower back still aches but I think its from adjusting to weightloss. So I bought and use an Invert machine. No sleepng pills. My head hits the pilow and Im out. am I still tired? Yes. Is it getting better? depends on my mood. 
 
So why am I here on this site? because I want to eat better. smarter and more efficiently. I want to stop the occasional sweet craving. My insurance company told me that if my doctor even mentions WLS they will deny my claims. So now I worry about getting sick. Any help out there?