2goldengirl

You are two weeks out from abdominal surgery. Your body has one overriding goal right now: healing. Your body will do what it has to to make sure you have what it needs to heal. It isn't likely to let go of weight quickly right now when it needs everything you've got to repair itself. Relax. Stay off the scale, Get in your Water, and your Protein. Rest when you're tired. Keep moving. This is not a race, it's the rest of your life.

There is a clothing exchange thread...

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/bariatric-surgery.html I don't see here anything about the sleeve. As for whether Medicare pays if primary insurance doesn't: https://www.medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/how-medicare-works-with-other-insurance/who-pays-first/which-insurance-pays.html#collapse-2436 I hope this helps!

@@Alex Brecher, I just tried, and my surgeon still isn't in the database. t's been ten days. Thanks! This issue has been resolved. Your surgeon should be added in a few days at most.

Lots of food for thought here! For those of you who went to Mexico for your plastics, how do you handle the postop follow ups? Thanks much!

Bezoars are quite rare; I've only seen one in 30+ years, and that one was am emotionally disturbed young woman who was eating her hair and other nonfood substances.

@@pr_pitbullgrl, if you're into the Victorian period, I read that there is a BBC series on Victoria & Albert that will be taking Downton Abbey's timeslot, but I believe we have to wait til January. In the meantime, "Outlander" returns this spring, and this is the second book, so they're going to Paris. I've seen photos of some of the costumes and they're simply to die for.

The OP was icked out by everything being sweet. A palate-cleanser, if you will. I assume that was the case, otherwise what is the point of it?

@@Valentina, I love it! Gazpacho, or the postop equivalent thereof! I suppose you could sneak some unflavored protein powder in there as well.

If you haven't seen the article done about how they filmed that scene, it's totally worth finding (I'm part of a Downton FB group and it was there). Just imagine - they film the interiors at Highclere Castle with their priceless antique furniture and carpets and they had to deal with prop, uh, fallout. If you're a fan of what happens behind the camera, it's a don't-miss. FWIW, the surgery scene on this week's "Mercy Street" was fantastically well done. I'm loving that series, too.

So, did you dance around the store, singing "I'm a 6, I'm a 6"? Cause you totally should have. Go ahead, dance around the kitchen. You're a 6!

Here is a link to Anthem's medical policy: https://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm "The individual must have serially documented active participation in a non-surgical weight reduction regimen for at least 6 continuous months, in the 2 years prior to surgery, to enable both behavioral changes and adequate assessment of anticipated postoperative dietary maintenance. These efforts must be fully appraised and documented by the physician requesting authorization for surgery;..." So it's six months within the past two years. If you have that, you're good. And a tip: it isn't a claim until the service is provided; beforehand it's a request for authorization before a decision is made, an authorization once it has been approved. Good luck!

Stop freaking out, it isn't necessary. If you read theough these boards, you will find that it's very common not to feel much restriction while you're on liquids and semiliquids like yogurt. Relax. Breathe. You're fine.

I Googled the name of your health plan and it's available in several states. Google "nameofhealthplan State medical policy bariatric surgery" and you should be able to find the requirements for your plan in your state. Medicaid plans typically do require a 6-month supervised diet and exercise plan but without seeing your plan info I can't say for sure.

Congratulations on your success! Definitely track your food, and I agree, you are not eating enough. Make sure the calories you add are Proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs. These foods not only give you the fuel you need, they stick with you. My other concern is that you mention "everyone in the house is sleeved". Then what is ice cream doing there? I'm inferring that your family are all sleeved - which means that the entire family had unhealthy relationships with food to unlearn. I'd really recommend getting everyone together to talk about this. You all got sleeved to get healthy, and to enable you all to make different choices. It's time for some mutual problem-solving and accountability, with the help of a counselor skilled in bariatric issues if necessary. Good luck!

Don't worry about stretching a new sleeve, it just isn't possible. You've got a lot of swelling yet. You do want to keep to the portion sizes your surgeon dictates, both for healing, and for comfort.

(throws confetti) Yay! Congratulations! What will you do to celebrate?

I promise, you can't stretch a brand new sleeve. What stomach you have left is very swollen and tender. But you're right to stop once you start feeling full, that's what the restriction of the sleeve is supposed to do for you.

He totally gets props for admitting he's scared. Just remind him that you're doing this so you WILL be around for him and for the kids, for a long time to come.

@@CowgirlJane, I have developed a crush on your horse. He sounds like such a love!

Congratulations! Glad you're feeling well, just know you'll tire easily, so rest when you need to. Your body is very, very busy on the inside.

Youth, genetics, and how much you lose govern whether or not you have loose skin left over, and how much. Certainly having a fit set of muscles underneath will help the sppearance, but whether or not you get it is really outside of your control. I agree that with your degree of concern over it, it would be wise to start saving now for plastic surgery. I know I am, because I know up front I will need and want it. I'm not young, and my future loose skin won't bother my husband in the least, but it will bother me, so I'm saving for it. The other thing to understand is that while you're in the period where you are waiting to get your surgery done, it's really common to have concerns about the "what-if"s. If it weren't loose skin, it would be something else, and in time there may be other concerns that worry you more than the skin issue does now. That's entirely normal, because you're waiting to make a big change in your life. Just know that once you're no longer waiting, other things will occupy your mind. Good luck on your journey!

That depends on whether you're taking narcotic pain medication, and how sore you are getting in and out of the car. Your doctor may tell you not to drive for the first two weeks, for example, but that's typically because of the pain medication.

@@amandasue, I'm so sorry this happened to you. You're feeling down and who can blame you? You miss your babies and your husband and feeling well. You feel guility because you made this decision that is now inconveniencing everyone around you and costing more than you'd bargained for. Just remember, you had surgery so you can be healthy long-term for your children and your husband. And you will be. You will heal, and you will get on with your life. And your life will be much, much healthier because of all this.

Here is a link to your health plan requirements: https://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm If your BMI is > 40, it doesn't matter about your comorbidities. Maintain your weight and you're fine.