oneeightybysummer

Of course, on a TMI note I should also add that I just finished my cycle a couple days ago. In hindsight, that might have added to my Water retention.

CSawesome, I think I was retaining Water for sure. I seem to be back on track at a 0.5-1 pound loss per day. I just LOVE sodium lol.

Whoops: another username edit. My bad.

Hello everyone my name is Marie. I am a human being with feelings.

There's an baffling equation that some WLS patients make that, post-op, eating off-program is the same as "cheating" on a diet.

I cannot comprehend how some WLS patients don't appreciate the significant difference between "going on another diet" and having recently had 85% of your stomach excised and the remaining bits stapled together -- and what could happen if they stress those stapled-together bits.

Yet, somehow, some patients still take that risk.

This will sound heartless ... but this kind of behavior is why the Darwin Award was created.

There's an baffling equation that some WLS patients make that, post-op, eating off-program is the same as "cheating" on a diet.

I cannot comprehend how some WLS patients don't appreciate the significant difference between "going on another diet" and having recently had 85% of your stomach excised and the remaining bits stapled together -- and what could happen if they stress those stapled-together bits.

Yet, somehow, some patients still take that risk.

This will sound heartless ... but this kind of behavior is why the Darwin Award was created.

I know, right? It's like having open heart surgery and trying to run a marathon the next day. Or having a liver transplant and then stopping for a bottle of whiskey on the way home.

Well first off, yikes. I did not expect someone to imply that I am so stupid I should die.

Maybe I have misunderstood. At any rate, Valentina: I like you. I think we're both perhaps sensitive to an extent that other people don't always appreciate a good quality. I've always had very high empathy for others. I appreciate you stepping in when people seem to be attacking me.

For the record I had full sodium chicken broth, AFTER talking with my Dr about how I'm routinely exceeding my Water goals. But I shouldn't have to defend myself to others. Especially not when I made my original post with the thought that maybe somebody else could relate and share their experience/struggles as well. Human connection. Relating to one another. We all need this. Instead I feel that I've been condemned by strangers who were quick to judge me based on little information. I hold no grudge, but I certainly feel less than welcome here.

Edit: Misspelled Valentina. Whoops 0_0

I feel hesitant to admit that I have cheated since my surgery. I lost 21 lbs in 10 days after the operation. At maybe 2 weeks out I was bored of the chocolate premier Protein for all of my mini meals throughout the day. I went back up quite a bit overnight. Yesterday was the first day I saw weight loss on the scale since I veered off plan. Today was another pound down. I hate to admit it but for people that eat for comfort, myself included, it can seem reasonable to eat from your pre-op favorites.

OMG right there with you. I'd kill for a cobb salad. I think you'd be best off asking your surgeon. Mine is pretty strict I think with 1 month on full liquids before even starting mushies. I'm putting off the question until I'm at least 2 months out so I don't feel disappointed with the length of waiting.

All that being said I am happy to be down 20 lbs already so the salad will have to wait lol.

FWIW I had the sleeve done and a hiatal hernia repair done in the same operation by Dr Michael Feiz. I don't know if the elapsed time after your repair is the issue (scarring?) but they certainly can be done together in my experience.

I am right there with you sister! I had surgery 3/18. I felt significant pain when I first woke up so I tried to sleep as much as humanly possible. This was at the expense of hydrating. I am almost a week out and notice a substantial drop-off in hunger pangs when I force myself to drink Water.

The only way I've been able to stay on track is with a Water app. So far I've tried hydrocoach and aqualert. Personally I like aqualert best for simplicity. But these apps are free and I need all the reminders I can get for that ounce of water every 15 minutes! Also upping my Protein intake has helped reduce food cravings.

Good luck!

Today I found out I was wrong about my actual surgeon. Previously I thought Dr. Michael Feiz would be doing my surgery. Two days before my procedure I've found out my surgeon is actually Sean Rim. Has anyone else had a consult with one Dr, then found out at the last minute it will be done by someone else? He looks solid. But I haven't been able to do much research considering the timing.

Oh thats a relief to hear you had pretty smooth sailing with Dr Feiz. I've thought about it and even if the same things happened during the surgery, it's pretty minor "problems" in the grand scheme of things.

Thanks for your story!

Thanks for sharing! I initially shared your impression of Dr Feiz. The endoscopy experience just made me nervous about the hospital. I poked around on my insurance website (BSCA) his average patient rating was in the high 50/low 60s out of 100. The lack of organization and follow up seems to be a recurring thing from his reviews.

But I don't mind it so far.

Can I ask how long you had to take off work?

Ok so this is my first post venting the crazy as they say. I've read this forum for some time and you all inspire me to get real about my diet, my lifestyle and take the plunge. Thanks! I should to say upfront that I'm 100X more nervous now that I have a surgery date. Please forgive me if I'm just being neurotic.

I have two questions for you lovely people.

1. Has anyone on these boards worked with Dr Michael Feiz in Beverly Hills? Anyone use the Marina Del Rey Hospital?

2. How much has your pre-op experience effected your trust/confidence in your surgeon and or facility?

A bit of background for you:

I had my endoscopy a week ago. I was nervous so I sat and listened for like 30 minutes in the bed while waiting for my turn, While waiting, I could hear employees (wearing scrubs, seemingly on the clock) talk about happy hour, margaritas and how wild they got last time. Doubt crept in. Then a nurse came in and did my catheter on my wrist. I ended up bruised and having it in hurt like a mother. She was very nice, and I've never had a catheter before so maybe that's normal? I just feel sketched out because I woke up after the endoscopy to excruciating pain on my face. I felt an intense urge to leave ASAP. One of the nurses went and got my mom for me. She told me that it looked like I bit my upper lip. So the nurse brought me a glove filled with ice which helped. So it's been over a week and the chunk of my lip has mostly healed. I have no sensation there and the shape of my lip has changed slightly, not a huge deal on its own.

Buuuuuuuuut this is my first surgery. Now I'm psyching myself out questioning what could happen during the actual procedure after this last experience.

Dr Feiz was professional, warm and trustworthy when I did my consult last year. Is it normal to second guess your choice of facility 2 weeks before your procedure?

Quick question, I am almost a month post-op, and I just received a bill from the Anesthesiologist for $850. I was told up front what to expect, as far as out of pocket expenses, I met my deductible and max out of pocket with my insurance provider (Humana) prior to surgery. Then, I receive this bill for $850 yesterday, and the bill says that insurance was billed, insurance paid $850, leaving me with the remaining portion, of $850. After some checking, I learn that the Anesthesiologist is out of network (as are most), and therefore I am stuck with the bill.

What recourse do I have? After all the co-pays, and deductible prior to surgery, I am maxed out on credit and have wiped out the savings.

Feels like highway robbery, to be told what to expect and then have this bill arrive. Fleeced!

Now idk where you'll stand morally on this avenue but you can try to write a letter of hardship to their billing department. My mother had to write one years back after my dad's open heart surgery. The bills flurried in and he was off work for some time after the procedure. Basically she wrote a letter laying out her financial situation, told them what little she could pay and that paying the entire balance would bankrupt them.

They forgave a few thousand dollars.