Shi-Shi80

So I had surgery on 8/11 and today am feeling so much better. Taking little sips and off the IV. Might be going home today but not sure as my drain has more liquid than normal so they may keep me another night. Honestly this was very hard, way harder than I thought it would be. Today I feel so much better, doing my laps around the hospital and drinking tea. Not hungry at all. Just the thought of food makes me nauseous. How are you other recent surgeries doing?
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Looking at and taking pictures helps me a lot. However, the best thing I have found, is looking at my shadow on the floor of a parking lot. I use to look like Alfred Hitchcock. Now, not so much. ???? I love my shadow. I have almost walked into the back of several parked cars! LOL Be careful!!
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Congrats to you all! You are doing so well. I'm scheduled for 8/23 and I love to see great progress like this to help with anxiety I'm feeling.

is it a desire/craving to eat or are you having actual physical symptoms, like gurgling or cramping in your stomach?

You really should not be feeling actual hunger for quite some time. Dehydration can give you symptoms that feel like hunger. Where are you at with fluids?
Or, you are battling head hunger which feels a lot like real hunger. It can be difficult to deal with head hunger but a necessary part of life after WLS. Learning tricks like distracting yourself and drinking lots of Water in between meals. One way to know if it is real hunger is if you are actually craving something specific, in other words if you go and eat something other than what you are craving would it take care of the problem?
For example, I was craving chocolate. I knew it was my head and not my stomach. I tried drinking Water, reading a book, taking a shower and yet still I wanted something chocolate. So, I finally decided to give in but instead of eating chocolate I grabbed a piece of string cheese.
Now, I was full and still craving chocolate. That is definately head hunger and you have to learn ways to deal with it.
I tend to drink a little fat free milk when that happens. It usually does the trick and gives you good Protein. Also milk turns to a solid when it hits your stomach and provides much needed Calcium.
My nut had me drinking milk in between meals in the beginning, now I hardly ever drink it.

Thanks ladies for responding! I think your both right. I wasn't listening to my needs vs. wants. I also was not getting enough Water in, which is a major reason I felt the way I did. I could tell the difference when I got my 64 oz. of Water in how satisfied I was. Understanding and balancing everything is a challenge. Today I started puree stage. Really working on timing, chewing, and meeting my Protein and Fluid requirements. Thank goodness I have a phone app to help me.
Maria
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OK, I'm 3.5 months out. I've lost 72 pounds! I'm curious at other peoples' results around the same time.   
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Down 60 pounds as well but have stalled this to new meds
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7 weeks post op. Down 60 lbs so far and killing it in the gym.
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I love Victoria's Secret. As I was losing I had the ability to hang out mostly in yoga wear as I am not currently working. A pair of yoga pants can fit you for a long time.
I found that VS tops however were a different issue for me and honestly their sizes can fit differently. I wear some larges that are too large and some larges that are too small. I was ordering a lot of their stuff on line and refused to take it back knowing I would likely fit into it in the coming month.
Dumping lane Bryant for me was the best NSV ever. I used to hate clothes shopping and now I love to try on things just because I can. LOL.
Also I found that if I buy clothing from anywhere, I tend to not return if it is too big or too small so trying things on really is the optimal way to purchase for us.
I have found the Calvin Klein and Anne Klein clothing fits me fantastic and I love their fashion sense. There I know if I buy an 8 Jeans or a 10 slacks they will fit. Or if I buy a top in a large it will fit just right. They seem to be consistent.
I have never had a size goal but never in a million years did I think I would go from a 24/26 to an 8. I cannot imagine what it will be like following my Abdominalplasty! Already with tops following my arm lift I can see I may have to go to a medium.

I had my surgery done August 4th. The day after my surgery, I was doing looking for a pair of shorts to put on. My hospital gown was awkward and sometimes it wouldn't cover my backside all the way. Well, I wasn't wearing pants or underwear while I was trying to find my shorts. I was turned around with my butt flashing, right as my male surgeon walked into the room. I was so embarrassed! But he didn't act shocked or anything. I guess he's used to seeing butts? Haha!

I haven't had wls yet but I meet with the surgeon at the end of this month. I'm looking forward to all the awkward comments and experiences that come my way! Honestly, I'll just be happy when random people or people who I used to know when I was thinner stop asking me if I'm pregnant or when I'm due. I'm not pregnant. Just fat!
An old cheerleading teammate from high school saw me at Home Depot a couple of months ago and he was like "Wow, you are super pregnant!" And my response was "No, I'm not" to which he felt bad and said "oh, well you look great" LOL nice try, bro b
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Good point lots of us girls have bat wings.... its a crazy amazing emotional ride for sure I am so close to goal... and wonder if I am gonna keep losing I feel tiny... and am having some issues with not seeing myself as I am like today I pulled out a pair of 16 shorts my daughter in law had given me and I'm like no way they gonna fit.... yup the did and were too big LOL I needed a belt..I need to figure out how to get my actual size through my head I was fat for 23 yrs... God I wish I had done it sooner..I am open with it and bring my scale when we go out to eat and ask for my iced tea to go cos I can't eat and drink together... though I hear eventually I might be able to I was told not to so still following the rules.. .it's been a lil rough since I moved out of state in March and left my bari doc and I adored her so that part sucks a lot... Gotta find a nut here in this tiny lil town... Got my doc keeping an eye on my levels but ready to start learning how to maintain and need help for that...

So I have started lying about how much I've lost to ppl at work bc they don't know about the surgery. Now I have to keep up with my weight lie.. see how one really does create another lie!! Lol
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Sometimes when I see someone I haven't seen in a while, they ask"did you get a haircut or something?" OR they'll say "nice haircut!". There is no new haircut lol. They just can't figure out what's different I think
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These were recommended by the team for gas. OMG it saved my life. They're chewable, taste decent, and it works fast. I only had to take one. Now that gas is moving Lol
Dawnie_doo

I made it through! The pain afterwards was excruciating and I wish I had been prepared. They only give me enough pain medication to cut the edge off and then they make me walk. My mouth is like a cotton ball, but I'm feeling better now, I'm 10 hrs post surgery! Today I was reborn!!
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Ladies...I cried when talking to the APN before I went home. She was giving me all these instructions. So I asked what about all of my meds? When do I start taking those? She said OH NO, you don't have to take any of your normal meds. Everything had been regulated. You hear that? NO DIABETES meds, NO blood pressure meds, NO cholesterol meds!!!! OMG!!!! Listen! If it wasn't for the pain I would've done laps around my floor. Oh did I cry like a big baby!!! Lol I'm about to cry again just thinking about it. God is awesome!
Now this gas...yeah it sucks but I keep walking and I start burping. However my other end seems sealed Lol Oh well. Time to go get my sips. 1 week to go for my post op visit!!!
Dawnie_doo

Sending up prayers for everyone having surgery today and those recovering. ☝????????

Happy surgery day to all having surgery today!

Yeeeesss, this is beautiful post-op pic. I never look this good after surgery...I'm more like a train wreck happened. Lmbo So glad you made it through surgery well.

I'm from Georgia, but I too have UHC through my husband's company. They cover WLS as long as it is determined medically necessary. The 3 requirements they have are:
1- BMI greater than 40 without comorbidities or no less than 35 with at least 1 comorbidity.
2- Six consecutive months of supervised attempted weight loss with a physician. Mine allowed me to use my PCP and did not require it be through my surgeon's office.
3- Psych evaluation
Best of luck to you! The 6 months were a bummer, but I finally finished this month. Hopefully insurance will be cooperative when my paperwork is submitted. It's amazing at the hoops they require we jump through...but on the same token- it makes sense as some folks just aren't willing to comply with pre and post op instructions. So I guess I kinda see why they require these items. Doesn't mean I have to like it though

A dress I was able to find in their clearance section in a size 12! I was so excited!! Shopping has been so awkward actually looking in the "standard size" sections and grabbing a size too big instead of too small. It's taking my brain some time to adjust to look for a large or even a medium sometimes instead of 2XL.

I am at goal and currently wear a size 8 jeans for the first time in my life. If it were not for my belly which still holds some residual fat and a lot of loosed skin, I would likely be in a size 4 or 6 pants.
Before my Brachioplasty 3 weeks ago, the only thing I saw when I looked in the mirror was my huge arms.
Now all I can see is that double giant roll that I hide. Most people never even knew I had all this loose skin because apparently I hid it well, but I know and I know where to look. I never thought it would bother me but it does.
Bring on the Abdominalplasty and breast lift! - I have to wait at least 9 weeks to move forward with those.
Before:

 

If it weren't for my belly, I would have lost two pants sizes. My jeans are all super baggy everywhere except at the waist. It's driving me insane, but I know my belly will probably be the last to go...I know I will get there, but in the meantime I look like I have droopy-drawers...(y'all from the South should "get" that, lol) Truthfully, I can actually fit into smaller jeans, but I hate the muffin top!!! I will just wait it out...