SharBear617

@@lehana glad to have you aboard this wonderful journey! Sounds like you're doing the right thing in doing your homework and learning as much as you can to make the journey as smooth as possible. Please know that even when armed with all the knowledge/info as you can, you may still have some bumpiness to the ride, BUT, even your worst day post op is quite likely far better than your best days before venturing on a brave new way of life. You seem smart and I'm sure you'll do great as you go along. Cheers! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

You should be fine, try not to freak out, but I completely understand because it's a very uneasy feeling having gone through all the requirements just to not even know if the insurance will approve. I have fed bcbs, also had a BMI of 42 and got my approval in 1 week. I did also have high BP for years, but they are true to their "parameters" for what bcbs says. Until that awesome day when you get your phone call saying you've been approved (and it is awesome, make you feel like you just won the bariatric lottery, lol), which shouldn't take long at all, just try to distract yourself by keeping busy and getting a head start on all the mental work you'll need to do pre and post op. All the best! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

All surgeons/practices vary a little, but when I got my insurance approval (bcbs fed), the doc office called me, scheduled me for the pre-op meeting w/NUT and surgeon, and it was at that meeting they gave me my surgery date (which ended up getting moved closer about a week later, I assume from cancellations and/or reshuffling surgeon's schedule). Pre-op meeting NUT goes over all pre/post op diet instructions and surgeon goes over all risks/benefits, etc. Write down any and all questions you have for either doc or nut, cause that's your opportunity to get answers. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

And OMG....*hear, not here. I'll just stop now. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

My post was supposed to have this attached....otherwise probably didn't make too much sense. Did I mention I'm a dork?! Lol Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Couldn't agree more! When I see they've posted in a thread, I know I'm going to here some down-and-dirty, no-holds-barred truth AND that I'm probably going to lmfao???? Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Great job and thanks for the inspiration! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

So sorry I didn't see this when posted to wish you good luck, but, now I get to say.......WOOOO, WELCOME TO THE OTHER SIDE!! Love your positive attitude, and have a happy, healthy healing begining this new life! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, I think she hit it in the head here. All your nerves have been cut and things stapled back together, so your "full" signal may be a bit wonkey for a while. Make sure you're measuring just to ensure you're not going to inadvertently overeat and cause problems. Not everyone gets sick, either. I have tolerated all foods from the very beginning and haven't thrown up once since surgery 2 years ago. Sleeve of steel. And I've got news for you. You still will need 'willpower'. Our stomachs are just smaller. They won't dictate what we put into our mouths and how often. Unfortunately Hahahahaha..."sleeve of steel" love it! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Was flying off at about 4-5 lbs a week up until my 6 week mark....then staaaalllllll....for about 2 weeks! Then kicked in again at about 2 lbs a week, then got to 11 weeks, and another stall! BUT, I went into surgery having 100 lbs to lose (actually a little less due to pre-op losses), so I expected my weight loss to check itself at the door sooner than it would have if I was starting out with much more than 100 lbs to lose. And I've realized that I believe my problem right now, since I am getting in both my Protein and fluids, is that I'm simply not taking in enough calories still. I was at about 800 cal or so a day (and that was what I was consuming, so being a bypass patient, that wasn't even what my body was absorbing, plus factoring in exercise, much less), so I'm working to bump that up a bit to around 1000-1100, and I think I will see an improvement in the loss again. The next month or so for you will be interesting, believe me, as your body starts to re-figure things out. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I didn't really have a "full" feeling until 6 weeks out when I started getting back on regular food. However, I also had zero hunger from the moment I woke up from surgery until about week 9 post-op. What I have discovered between weeks 9 and 12, is it seems like the nerves from my tummy that communicate to my brain have "woken up," and it's really taken me a bit to learn to distinguish between hungry and full, because for a short period of time (like 2 weeks), they both felt similar to me. Now, I eat very slowly so that I am listening very closely to what my stomach is telling me, and I stop eating when I'm satisfied, but not "full." Funny side note....I was almost shocked the first time post op that my stomach actually rumbled/growled with a hunger pang because I hadn't felt it in so long. It made me think of how funny infants are when they "discover" something about their body for the first time. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

@@Lewiswife oh my goodness yes, in very fresh post-op stage, thought I was going to lose my mind. Started right after surgery for me (nothing like walking those hospital hallways at 3am, eh?), and continued for 2 weeks. I was getting nervous because I was returning to work a little over 2 weeks after surgery, and I knew I wouldn't even be able to function all day if that wacky sleep schedule kept up. But....fortunately (or unfortunately) my job is constantly busy and quite stressful, so needless to say, that CURED me of having problems sleeping at night . Then I went in the total opposite direction for a couple weeks....would get home from work and often would fall asleep and stay asleep for easily 10 hours a night (big thanks to my hubby and kids for being understanding). Now, it's all balanced out really well. I'm able to be awake until a more "appropriate" bedtime (one that actually allows me to get in time for exercise, and, well, being a functioning part of my family), and I rarely have trouble sleeping through the night anymore. Hope it all balances out again for you too!

@@Daenerys Targaryen I'd appreciate if you'd either post back here or send me an PM if you call tomorrow about what you're describing. I'm a Dr. Weaver patient too, am at 11.5 weeks post RNY, and have had very similar experience. I'm not getting sick as often as I was, but I will still have an "episode" about once every week to week and a half. I've identified that usually my pouch rejects any meat or poultry that's too dry (like I can tolerate chicken salad, but not just chicken), and I'll have some tightness and then my mouth starts watering like crazy (my definite clue that something wants back up), I don't even want to swallow my own saliva until I get rid of whatever is causing the issue. BUT, it has gotten better. I was wondering about stricture too, but I feel like if it were that, getting anything down would be a problem but that's not the case. It's just some days I have really good days when I'm able to eat and enjoy anything I try, and then some days when 1 meal will be totally fine, another one not, etc. I agree with you that it's hard to figure out when you know you've tolerated something before just fine, and then you don't tolerate it, it's frustrating. Hope you're doing better soon. It's not fun getting sick, and it makes it difficult to make sure all Protein and fluids are getting in, but I am glad that my "tool" is working, because it definitely keeps me in check on what and how much I eat. Thanks for posting this, I'm hoping that some of the very wise veteran post-oppers on here will weigh-in (no pun intended ).

prarieprincess - so glad that my post not only helped you at the store (great job btw on the better choice), but that you'll take it forward for a much happier journey! I appreciate your very kind response, and keep up with focusing on the idea that in "losing" we're really gaining ???? Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I have BCBS Fed emp also, I don't believe my pcp letter had to say any of that, but my surgeon's office gave me a "sample template" to give to my pcp for what they recommend the letter to entail. My surgery was approved in about a week once my surgeon's office submitted everything. I've never smoked in my life, but my surgeon includes a blood test for nicotine in the pre-op lab work because the surgeon will cancel surgery for anyone that's still smoking. I guess because I never smoked I didn't really pay attention at all to any of that because I knew it wasn't a factor. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

1st appt with surgeon was Feb 9, 2016, surgery was June 16, 2016. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

It's probably not unlike being in a bad relationship/job/situation, that we keep clinging to because it's what we know, because sometimes even what you know is wrong/bad for you, is still easier to continue than the unknown. There is definately a LOT of mental work that needs to happen to be successful with WLS. Yes, you will be eating real food (which should be just that, REAL food) at some point in your recovery and beyond. I'm 10 weeks post op RNY, and discovering that while I didn't consider myself so much of a food addict prior to surgery, what it does force you to realize is the importance of food in our lives. We turn to food in celebration, misery, anxiousness, socialization, stress, tradition, etc. But the mental work of reestablishing and redefining how you use and view food, basically your relationship with it, must be done for the surgery to do what it is supposed to do for you. I recently explained to my husband it feels almost the equivalent of a breakup in a relationship, so be prepared for some feelings of sadness. But focus on the benefits of the new relationship you are beginning with food, and find new outlets for dealing with the above emotions and situations I mentioned, and you will find yourself in a new, wonderful life, far removed from the one you knew before surgery. None of it is easy, but one day at a time. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

When I had decided on surgery, I was fairly set on the sleeve. But as I thought more about why I was actually going through this (for the best "tool" to carry me through a lifetime of better health), and after having met one-on-one with the dietician before surgery, I ultimately decided for me RNY bypass was the best way to go. Plus for many, MANY years I had dealt with GERD, and supposedly the bypass is a better option in the hopes of helping with that (which I feel it definately has helped). I'm now 10 weeks after having my bypass, and while it is definately an adjustment, I'm not at all regretting my decision. Good luck, it really has to be a personal decision, but focus on what you really want to get from it and you'll come to what works best for you! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Wow....I was going to pose this same question. I too get what feels like hives-type itching, but no rash or hives, and my eyes itch and feel dry. I was wondering if it's related to the fact that fat holds onto hormones (and probably other not so good things like pesticides, histamines, etc), and when the body is releasing fat, it's causing the itching? Anyone research this before? Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Great, so glad it went well for you, and yes, you should definately get benefits from the surgery. I'm doing weel, thanks! 6 weeks post op, still trying to navigate this new life, but really enjoying seeing the lbs come off. And soon, you will too! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

@@Tayfusion304 Hoping everything went great for you with the cath, and hope you are on your way soon to the exciting world of WLS!

Thanks so much for sharing! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, I agree with lifeofblair, there is 1 chair, a recliner type, but probably not the best for sleeping all night. Plus in all honesty, I preferred my husband sleeping at home (we're only about a 25 min drive in good traffic from the hospital), because it's bad enough that you get woken up throughout the night by vital signs, meds, bloodwork, etc, there's no sense in both of you missing out on sleep. You'll need him well rested to help you out when you get home! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Rule 1: "This too shall pass." Meaning: Exactly as it says; try not to sweat the small stuff, and the bigger things, well, they shall pass at some point, hang in there. Rule 2: Don't EVER say, "When will my life just return to normal?" Meaning: There is no such thing as "normal," because your "normal" before, is different from your "normal" now, which is different from your "normal" in the future. And remember, ALL of us have this surgery because we need to make a change...so why would we crave "normal" again? Rule 3: Pay no mind to the Negative Nellies and the meanies out there. They haven't lived your life, so they don't own it, you do.

Had my surgery at SFH with Dr. Weaver though, not Wegner, on 6/16/16. Dr. Weaver, awesome! The nurses were all pretty nice, however, as I am a nurse, I can tell you there are things they should be doing, aside from making sure patients walk, that they are not doing, so stay on top of things. They will only come in your room when you are scheduled for meds, with the exception of if you hit your call button, in which case, they'll get there when they get there. My RNs all did a great job of controlling my pain, however, not one nurse spent time educating me as a patient (granted, I didn't need it, I'm a nurse, but I doubt all knew that, and even if they did, doesn't matter, you still do your job) on IMPORTANT things after surgery, such as deep breathing/coughing and using your incentive spirometer, splinting your abdomen when doing those things and moving to protect your fresh post-op belly and incisions, why it's important to walk and move (prevent blood clots and help wake your bowels up again). Not one nurse did a full head-to-toe assessment (which should ALWAYS be done at least at the beginning of their shift) meaning, things like listening to my lung or bowel sounds (not even sure if I remember seeing a nurse with a stethoscope), checking my incisions to look for signs of infections or wound dehiscence (when your incisions open up), re-evaluating my pain level within an hour after pain med administration, circulation checks, etc. But, unfortunately these days, nurses are so busy sitting on computers doing charting so the hospital can cover it's butt, that they don't have time to be at the bedside anymore doing basic post-op care of patients, or any patients for that matter. Not an excuse, just the reality. Will say the rooms at SFH are nice (Dr. Weaver and Wegner put all their bariatric surgery patients on the 6th floor), and for the most part everything went smoothly. But honestly, educate yourself about what is important for a patient to do after surgery and why, and then you will know how to look after yourself in case the people who should be, aren't. Good luck with your surgery and congrats on making the decision for this journey!