JAM72

I got my approval 3 weeks after everything was sent to the insurance company. My surgeon's office has told me they will contact me tomorrow or Friday with information about the next step.
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I have BCBS of TX and it took 3 weeks for them to produce the "official" approval letter (I just received it last week). The waiting is horrible, I know. I've tried to keep myself busy with other things but it's difficult when you finally make this life-changing decision and are anxious to get on with it!

I think it is really great how everyone tracks their success, and it is definitely an important part of the process. But, don't get caught up with the Day-in and Day-out weighing and measuring. Once you get to the "Slow Down" period, you will have days that will show you up a pound or two, and then 3 days later, you will be down 5-6 from the original time you looked.
A big part of my success is that i don't have a goal weight anymore. I just want to be healthy! I don't plan on changing anything when i get to a certain weight, so why have a goal that my body may not achieve? I love seeing the scale be lower, but i really like seeing pictures of me change from month to month.
The most important thing is to make sure that you are burning more than you are putting in, if you stick to that, you will continue to lose.... its just a simple math equation. My goal is to change my lifestyle to include more activities allowing me to have a higher Caloric allowance as time goes on.
Do you have an activity that you can do that is fun and burns calories? If you are like me, the fact that i can now walk without sweating is pretty awesome! I start thinking, what else can i do? Be Peter Parker the first day he realizes he has special powers... Push yourself to find your inner athlete, no matter what it is! Go Dance, Go Run, Go be the person that you are going to be... It will happen fast, and you will not notice the lose as much as others... But it will be your victory all the same!
I got on the scale today, and i am up 2 lbs, now at 221... Just gives me a reason to push myself to go for a nice brisk walk tonight

Hi all. Done 10 hours ago. No pain but bad nausea. Thanks all for your kind words. Xx
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Thank you so much @@BobScott! I really appreciate the support! I just received a list of all of my pre- and post-op appointments this morning and am so excited. I also installed a countdown timer on my phone ... 43 days, 20 hours left til surgery!

@@JMill 72 congrats on the rest of your life!!! You will be looking good by the summer, which will be the best of your life! Just stay positive and believe in yourself, I know you will kick butt!
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It really warms my heart if I have had any impact... So first, the scar came because I started coaching early and tore my incision, but I did have the sleeve. Lol. I was so excited and motivated to be the skinny guy inside, I started right away and never looked back. So, 3 weeks after surgery, I was throwing cutoff drills at my sons practice, and tore the glue of the incision. I kept it clean, but didn't go to the doc till my next appointment, hence... I have a reminder. I love it, I want a reminder
For me, at 38 and happily married, it has been about being more to my family. I just want to be the best version of myself. Now I am in a frame of mind that keeps me happy. I am going to be working on a list of Snacks, and foods that I call the " feel goods". Please share with me yours as you move along your Quest. I am very happy with my decision to cut out the "Drugs" ( Breads, Pasta, candy bars, etc.) because I know just one can start the Avalanche... I feel great now, not hungry... And I love to go out to dinner, I love the game of looking for what I can eat, and there is always something... You just have to look it helps a lot if you enjoy Fish first, and then chicken. We don't need to eat shit! We need to enjoy our lives not the 30 minutes of eating crap. Who's with me... Lol.
You guys all rock! You are inspiring me to document what I have done, let me know if you feel it would be helpful.
Thanks again and be your own coach and inspiration, you deserve it! We all do!!!
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I'm new, just getting started and taking the classes, pre-op stuff... If I had to read one post, this spoke to me! THANKS for sharing! Well done!
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I have not taken the time to share my story, as a matter of fact I have still not changed my Facebook pictures, or the ones of me at work. food. I believe I had an actual addiction to food, the same as an addict, I didn't see it as an issue... But now I realize that I had a problem.
I eat to live now, instead of living to eat. The surgery helped by taking away the cravings, but I worry that if I reintroduce things like breads, fried foods, and other crap, I will develop the addiction again, just as if an alcoholic was to just have " 1 drink". It is a disease, with horrible side effects including low self confidence, depression, and humiliation.
I have made it my mission to find healthy foods, and replace all of my old favs, with healthy... And what I call, feel good foods. An FG food is one that I can eat comfortably, and they just basically feel good. for me, my list of items that I probably have a little of everyday would include... Chobani Flips. (190-210 cal, 12 gram protein)... These are my go to, if I haven't eaten in a while and am hungry, I can put this down a bit faster, and the size is pretty perfect for a meal. Love them all! Pickles- (0-5 cals) I love the spicy pickles, but I can eat them all. Pickles have become a regular snack in my life. Spears, slices, whatever, they all rock! Soup, soup, and more soup!!! My souls have been a huge part of my success. I make a huge crock of soup and it lasts me weeks. You can freeze some, but always have some in the fridge ready to microwave. I make a few varieties, but the basis is always the same. chicken broth base, cut with Water. Chicken or Cod fish, yep... I said fish! My family hates the smell of my "fish soup" but I loved it! However if you are not a big fish can just go with chicken. Vegetables- carrots, onions, mushrooms, kale, spinach, and even Brussels sprouts... Whatever you like and then I would spice it up with Cayenne and red pepper flakes, I even used Sriracha at times. This soup has been a staple for me since the 3rd month post, and I still make a lot here and there now. It was just great for me to grab a coffee cup, fill it, microwave it, and enjoy it.
I pushed myself to walk, and then I started "1 TED" lol. That means 1 thing every day. If it was parking in the back of the parking lot when at a store, or walking down the street and back when going to pick up the mail, I would just push to do 1 thing, which then would keep except use in the front of my mind.
Get an Apple Watch or Fitbit, make goals and hit them! What I learned is that we are capable of so much! When you are used to walking around with an additional 100 plus, your body has been working out for a long time. Now when the weight is gone, you still have that strong frame. Put it to work! I made some new friends that are athletic, I try and play Pickleball ( the game kicks ass, combo of tennis, volleyball, & ping pong) instead of cardio... I want to transition to a healthy lifestyle, not a 30 minute gym session that I won't be looking forward to.
Think of your weight loss as a super power, but only if you stick to the guidelines. This works for me, and I believe it to be a super power... Let me explain.
Since the weight loss, the world has been easier for me. I can go to an amusement park and get on the rides. I can fly on a plane and not need an extension. I can walk into a crowded bar and not start sweating my ass off! I can buy clothes at a normal store, and with actual brand names on them. I can tie my damn shoes, and without holding my breathe! I can sit in any chair, and not just the ones without sides... I can even sit in the plastic ones.
Woman treat me so differently! I am no longer just the funny guy... Even though I haven't changed! Life has just become much easier, much better, and much healthier, and I never want to go back, so I will continue to treat it as an addiction and will not look to be able to re introduce "everything" back into my eating habits, but instead I will work to find better foods. The nice thing about eating less, is that you can afford to buy smaller portions allowing for better quality foods. Take advantage of that! I always have almonds in the house, and I love veggie chips, especially the jalepeno, but now I grab a handful and walk away... If I want another handful, I will go get it at 30 cals, per handful, but I am going to force myself to get up and walk to the kitchen to get a handful
I feel so lucky to have had this surgery, and if I can help you in anyway let me know! I hope you have found this helpful, I know that writing it has helped me... So thanks!
 


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How many pounds would it be to gwt to 40bmi?
I would have food funeral now and then I'd wear the heaviest clothes with rolls of quarters stuffed in my bra and pockets.
Nope, not kidding.
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SD123,
Yes, I am really seeing results now. Early post op I didn't have too many issues. I woke up with a large drain on my left side, IV and had some pain, mainly at the drain site. Not everyone gets a drain, I had fair bit of oozing so had this drain. I had no nausea, was so glad to have something to drink finally. I was in the hospital for 3 days, and once at home I had all the stuff for the liquid phase. Sipping was bit uncomfortable initially, and I could feel liquid going down my oesophagus.
I had bit of nausea at times, took Zofran wafers, and had oxycodone for pain.
I found the liquid phase the toughest one, as I felt really hungry. I was surprised re this hunger, but I was still quite raw post op, and had fair bit of reflux, even with the prescribed PPI.
I had a couple of nasty experiences, one was waking up at 3 am, choking on and coughing up acid, burning, foul acid.
I elevated my pillow, and this happened again few days later.
I was told to stop drinking Tomato juice, especially in the evenings.
I also told my surgeon, and asked to be put on Nexium 40mg.
Nexium really helped with reflux.
The second scary experience was I started feeling faint, cold and clammy with racing pulse while I was driving. Lucky it was a short drive. Once I got to my appointment, the nurse on duty recognised that I was dehydrated. She gave me Hydralyte to drink, and I was fine 15 minutes later.
I threw up few times, too dry scrambled egg and after a fatty beef mince.
I had a terrible reaction to chocolate, reflux from hell! Maybe just as well.
Other than the liquid phase, other stages of purees, soft and mushies, then more solid food were much better to cope with.
I had few stalls, and I learnt through this forum that stalls are normal, and that my body will keep adjusting itself at its own pace.
I still have burps and wind post op. Did not have it before op. It will subside or be gone one day, especially once I get off the PPI.
I am just plodding along, my appetite is gone, don't feel hungry till late afternoons and at times I have to force myself to eat.
If there is anything else you would like to know, I'll be happy to share it.
My health problems are good now, my sugar levels are normal, and my liver is perfect now.
My hair is thicker, and my face looks 10 years younger!
So, I am just very happy that I had this surgery

Today marks my one year anniversary!
One year ago I made the decision to save my life. I believe I may have done that
It's been a quick and a much successful year - in my opinion HAHA
Surgery date Sept 21 2015
Starting weight 273.4
Current weight 157.0 (I was down to 153.6 a couple of weeks ago but must've been eating too much salt lately; hence the slight increase LOL)
Goal weight 150 - which I will succeed here shortly!
Thanks for all of your support on this website!
Now to get to goal and live happily ever after!!
Heather

good thinking @ amyrford83...best wishes for a smooth surgery...
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welcome to all my fellow November sleevers ????
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I am shooting for a Surgery date the week before Thanksgiving so that I can use sick time in conjunction with the school holiday week to recover as I am a school teacher. I have been approved through insurance and passed all tests, etc. My preop appt is 10/17. I am SO excited!!
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I am also scheduled for November 18! I am more impatient than scared at this point. It's been a long road and I'm ready to get on with it already!

@@Babbs "If you don't plan, you plan to fail"...that is a good motto. It's why I keep rescue food with me.
Ehm...anyone not familiar with the term rescue food, what I mean is I have Protein sources with me usually different jerkeys (yes they are high in sodium, but they are are low carb, and usually low calorie, but high in protein) and also Protein powder. These will supplement me and keep me from getting frustrated and grabbing chips etc. when I am unexpectedly stuck.

A few days shy of 10 weeks post op, down 38 pounds (which I think are badass numbers for a low BMIer!), being a perfect newbie sleever going by the book, zero nausea, perfect experience...then last night...
Went looking at houses - literally - all day. Brought my Quest bar to snack on and propel to sip. Underestimated how long I'd be looking & by the end of the day I felt soooo irritable, weak and upset that I started second guessing my entire life. Extreme thoughts began to manifest: maybe I was an idiot to break up with my ex (who screamed at me & treated me horribly), I should just quit my job...who needs the hassle for money when I don't need that much to eat anymore, I'll never find a house to buy, maybe I'll be alone forever....and so on.
Then I ate dinner. Way. Too. Fast. Then my perfect streak of zero vom sessions became 1. At a fancy restaurant. Thank goodness I made it to the bathroom.
Then I went on a coffee date with a hot guy and realized that I was perfectly happy, love my job, will absolutely find a house, and should remember that POST-OP HUNGER FEELS DIFFERENT THAN PRE-OP!! My world-is-over inner monologue was merely a reminder that I needed to eat! And, I will be better prepared for all day trips so I never reach that horrible place again. Thanks for letting me vent!
How does hunger feel differently to you post-op?
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@@SD123
My initial BMI was 32.3 last year. Surgeon was happy to operate on me to prevent future complications.
I had a massive, rapid weight gain between 2014-2016.
So, I would have been operated on last July 2015, but the team's endocrinologist diagnosed me with Thyroid disease.
It took 9 months for my thyroid to stabilise, and in that time i piled on another 29Ibs, making it a total of 90Ibs weight gain, and BMI of 37.1
My pre-op weight was 222Ibs.
I am now 5 months post op and lost close to 60Ibs, and still losing.
My excess weight put me in a pre-diabetic stage, and I had beginnings of non alcoholic fatty liver disease. My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol levels were very high, and emotionally I felt completely beaten down.
If I did not have this surgery, my weight would have doubled, and more.
Even though I was only obese for 2 years, it played havoc with my body and emotions.
Now, I am feeling so much better!
And yes, had a few people tell me that they wished they did WLS surgery when they were at my BMI level, and not waited when their BMI got much higher.
Good luck to you, and no-one has a right to tell you what to do or not to do. Any negativity is only someone else's opinion. It has nothing to do with you!

BMI 29 pre-op. Currently 26 and dropping
Go to gastric sleeve social forums and then go to people who started under 200 lbs. Even if you're over 200lbs, we have a great low BMI thread that will answer a lot of your questions/concerns. Welcome! Low BMIers are the future high BMIers, so better to get things under control now. That's just MY opinion, of course!
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For the hospital all I needed was: lip balm, biotene spray, and a heating pad. Take a pillow for the ride home.
For home: liquid Tylenol. See if you can fill your prescriptions beforehand.
For the kitchen: food scale, measuring utensils, small storage containers, small utensils (appetizer or toddler size), small cups, plates, bowls.
Food: Protein samples, Premier Protein, Mio drops/crystal light, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates, Decaf or herb tea, ProtiDiet creamy chicken and Tomato basil Soups, sugar free Popsicles.

Please please please do NOT make the mistake of comparing yourself to others. It is nothing but a recipe for misery and disaster. There is no such thing as "on track" with weight loss at only one month out. You have spent weeks healing and adapting. You may still have internal swelling. You may have experienced the Dreaded Week 3 Stall.
In the first month, "on track" is getting all your Water and Protein in, taking your Vitamins, sticking to your food phases, getting up and WALKING as much as possible, and allowing yourself to heal. It has NOTHING to do with the scale right now.

It has been resubmitted by the doctors office and I should know next week if it gets approved or if I have to appeal. Doctor's office said they have never had this situation before.
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I am anxiously waiting for my final insurance approval and surgery date. As I've been waiting, I've been thinking a lot about this topic. My top NSVs are:
1. Be able to get through my yoga class without having to modify the poses because my body is too big to get into the proper position.
2. Recognize myself in the mirror. Today, I avoid them because I don't recognize the person staring back at me as "me." It's so uncomfortable when your insides don't match the outside.
3. Be able to cover myself in a standard sized towel rather than a bath sheet. I travel a lot and hotel towels are never big enough!
4. Enjoy (or at least not dread) having my picture taken. I regret that I have so few pictures of myself and my kids when they were small.
5. Not dread going to school and my kids' sporting events for fear of being the biggest mom there (most other moms in my area are pretty fit).
6. Not having to shop in the plus-sized section or order everything online because the clothing stores I like don't carry my size in-store.

Hi everyone,
If anyone has read some of my posts, you know that I have been on a low-carb diet for six months and have lost over 90 pounds pre-op. Because of that, I have been really concerned about the amount of carbs in many of the foods that I am supposed to eat throughout the various phases of the diet after my sleeve surgery.
I had an appointment with the nutritionist today. (I decided that it was worth it to pay for this non-required meeting to make sure we were on the same page before my surgery in a couple of weeks.) She and I talked about my unique situation, and she told me that I do not have to eat any of the foods with carbs in them (e.g., sugar free pudding, applesauce, Cream of Wheat, bananas, processed cream Soups, etc.) if I don't want to and I can continue to keep my carbs low since that works for me. She said if I just want to have Protein shakes or non/low-carb stuff with unflavored Protein powder that was fine along with Vitamins. We did talk about how my hormones will change after surgery, and we agreed that I was going to concentrate on Protein and be open to trying foods to test my stomach at the various stages so that I wouldn't be afraid of carbs or afraid of food in general.
It was a great meeting, and I am glad that we took the time to do it. I just wanted to share since there have been a few discussions about carbs post-op (and in case this might be helpful to someone reading).
Best to all!

I am anxiously waiting for my final insurance approval and surgery date. As I've been waiting, I've been thinking a lot about this topic. My top NSVs are:
1. Be able to get through my yoga class without having to modify the poses because my body is too big to get into the proper position.
2. Recognize myself in the mirror. Today, I avoid them because I don't recognize the person staring back at me as "me." It's so uncomfortable when your insides don't match the outside.
3. Be able to cover myself in a standard sized towel rather than a bath sheet. I travel a lot and hotel towels are never big enough!
4. Enjoy (or at least not dread) having my picture taken. I regret that I have so few pictures of myself and my kids when they were small.
5. Not dread going to school and my kids' sporting events for fear of being the biggest mom there (most other moms in my area are pretty fit).
6. Not having to shop in the plus-sized section or order everything online because the clothing stores I like don't carry my size in-store.