QueenOfTheTamazons

Anybody interested in posting just before and after pics? Most of the other threads are old, or bloated with "you look awesome" and "you go girl!" type comments. It makes it difficult (esp on mobile phones) to dig through to the pics most people are interested in. I know I would be interested in seeing a condensed "look book" Sent from my Nexus 7 using the BariatricPal App

I think it would be awesome to find other WLS survivors in our areas to meet up with for advice, support and maybe even clothing swaps. You wouldnt have to be tbe only one ordering broth at a resturant. Lol If your interested, post your location (and a major metro if you are in the boonies and willing to travel a bit) and we can start to make IRL friends. What do you think? I'm in Yuba City, near Roseville/Sacramento, CA. HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

Does anyone use meal delivery services (blue apron, home chef, hello fresh etc) on a regular basis? I have tried blue apron and home chef, using introduction coupons. While a tad on the expensive side at normal price, I did like most of the options provided. Since husband and I will both be sleeved, i was thinking it might be a good option. A 2 person, 3 meal plan could easily stretch to provide 6 meals for two sleevers. Has anyone else used these services post op? How did it go?

I sold a few pairs of jeans, gave some to friends and donated the rest. I'm in 14/16 now so gave away all your 20-28s Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

I have had a few Oz of soda since the surgery. I find that the most I can have on an empty stomach is about 4oz. After that I get the uncomfortably full feeling. I try to stay away from it most of the time but will have a few sips when really craving or having a rare cocktail with friends. I am 8.5 months post op and 130lbs down. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats to you! We were at similar sizes. I was also a 28 (thou 385 sw). I'm almost 8 months post op. I've got 65 -75 more to go Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

It's been quite some time since I was active on the boards. My new job has me working extra hours so there never seems to be enough time. I am 7 months post op at 125lbs down. I am 259 (sw 385). Peter (my husband) is 3 months post op and 80lbs down. I am the lowest I have weighed in over a decade. But that is not the record I am talking about... Today I walked 21665 steps or 9.88 miles. My fitbit recorded 120 min of activity. I've gone from an average of 2500 steps a day to an average of 10000. Peter and I pick walking as an activity (like hiking along the local levy) rather than being lazy (like circling a store parking 3 times to find a closer spot to park). I know this is quite self congratulatory but I am so happy with the changes in my life and excited to share them. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Do you have access to a Sam's Club? I pay $16.50 for a 12pk of Premier RTD.

There were quite a few things that I liked prior and changed afterwards. Several sugar free items became waaaay to sweet. It's not tied to a specific sugar alternative though. I love a few Splenda items and can't stand other. Loved pickles and now they make me horribly nautious for hours. Many companies like GNC and Sam's Club allow you to return protein if you don't like the flavor. Take advantage of that so you don't get stuck with $100s in unused protein. Try different add ins to vary the flavor of your base protein (like pb2 in chocolate) so you can vary the flavors.

I went with Dr. Richard Nguyen at Lifestyle Bariatric in San Jose. His bedside manner is great. His staff worked with us for months as we fought for insurance approval. The only flaw was it took hours for discharge because of his busy schedule. For most it wouldn't be a big deal but we had a 4 hour drive. I don't think that the surgeons need to have been through bariatric surgery but they do need to treat us with respect and dignity. We stopped by the hospital where we had surgery to check in with our bariatric nurse. Our program gives us access to her for 2 years post surgery. Good Samaritan has an section just for bariatric patients. The nurses were so happy to see us. They help all the patients post surgery but never get to see the successes. If you had a good relationship with your nurse, you should stop by and show off your success.

Today is the 6 month anniversary from the start of my preop diet. Ive lost 110lbs and am the thinest I have been since I reached drinking age. I went from a size 26-28 to a 18-20. Yesterday I had to take two links out of my fancy fitbit bracelet and its still loose. I am no longer a diabetic (thou still pre diabetic for now). I dont have to use my bipap for sleep apnea. My tendonitis in my elbows has resolved and my knees no longer hurt everday. I went from zero minutes of exercise a week to a min of 210. I have been seen in a swimsuit... in public... without a tshirt and shorts covering it up. I am working with a trainer and lifting weights. Its amazing what this surgery can help you do. What is your proudest scale and non scale victory?

I want to make an easter basket for my husband but not sure what to put in it now that candy is off the table. What would you guys suggest?

I was teasing you. Lol

@madmanpbsgc pervert! Lol! And thanks. Thats an old pic too. Everyone else... thanks for the suggestions. I didnt realize how spoiled he is. Most of your suggestions we already get for him... but i am going to use a combo of your suggestions.

I think it depends on your starting weight and BMI. If you are close to 40, it might be a possibility but those in the high 40s and 50s prob not. Honestly, i didnt try to lose weight in my 6 months... it case that was an issue. I dont know what your stats are but i think 4lbs a month, while a good start, isnt going to put a huge dent in your weight unless you have a low bmi.

Most people think that they stretched their sleeve out but its pretty much impossible to do. What it is is a combination of your stomach naturally allowing more food (from healing) and slipping back into slider foods. chocolate, chips and other junk foods are slider foods which make it easier to gorge on. I get the cravings. Try to plan for some small ways to indulge so you dont feel deprived but still stay on track. Check in with your surgeon or primary too. You never know if something medical is pulling you off track as well. I had been gaining and losing the same pound for 3 weeks despite exercising everyday. I realized my edema was flaring and went back on my water pill. Ive lost 8lbs in 3 days.

I have never had a problem with dumping from fruit juice. I drink it fairly regularly. I have an issue with plain water making my stomach cramp. Crystal light, mio or even fresh fruit added to water does bother me. Its weird but my surgeon says it not an uncommon occurance. The milk and juice help get the fluids down and provide a few calories when most people are having a hard time getting much down.

I joined a gym on 3/2. I've been to the gym 11 out of those 13 days and one of the days I missed I went on a 30 min walk with my husband. I have been doing some combination of a water aerobics class, biking 5 miles on the recumbent bike or walking 30+ min (1.5+ miles) with husband. Some days I do all three. According to my fitness tracker, it's equaled to 5200 Cal's in the past 7 days. My food logs, while having so not super fantastic food choices, have averaged less than 1200 cals and at least 80g of protein a day. I've been getting a min of 50 oz liquids (64 is still hard for me to do along with food). That comes out to ~8400 cals in the last 7 days. So with a net intake of ~500 calories a day and basal metabolic rate of~ 2000, that's a 1500cal deficit a day. So.... how am I not losing any bloody weight?!? I have been gaining and losing the same pound for the last 12 days! By my math, a 1500cal deficit a day should equal a 3lb loss over the last 7 days. Can someone please explain it to me?!? Note 1 - I have just started weightlifting one day ago, so I doubt it's muscle weight. Note 2 - My surgeon said that adding extra calories wasn't necessary and the bariatric nurse said to add 100 cals of protein on the high activity days or if I felt weak.

I am used to stalls... have had many. This one was just refusing to budge even with the typical stall breakers. @grrlann I dont "workout" workout every day. I judt try to get at least 30 min of exercuse a day. Sometimes its just a decent walk with hubby. Most days its an aqua aerobics class. I havent really started weight lifting yet.

I think i figured out part of it. Ive been sick and when i went to the doctor i noticed that my left foot was swollen. I have had edema for 10+ years but havent had any flares since the surgery. I had stopped taking meds (with permission) since i had previously been on the highest dose and uts hard on my body. I took furosimide again for the furst time in months and peed out 3lbs of water. I weighed each time i went (just to see). The 3lb loss rrmained this AM. I have a feeling i was just retaining a massive amount of water.

I was off tuesday for travel, surgery wednesday, discharged friday. I went back to work for 4 hours the following monday. I worked 4 hours on mon, tues and weds. Thurs and fri it was six hours. The next week i was full time. I work a desk job though. My husband went back full time after a week off.

I have anthem blue Cross and there was no weight loss required... But... they will likely deny your first surgery request. They denied me and my husband several times before approvibg. Don't be shocked and fight the denials. Make sure that your provider clearly documents that you talked about diet AND exercise at EVERY visit. They also need to clearly state that they feel you are a good candidate for surgery and will comply with ALL post surgical requirements. These are some of the issues that came up during our approval process as reason why we were being denied.

I also got the sleeve knowing that DS was a back up if needed. Since I am fairly young, I didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion and any malnutrition that stemmed from that unless I had to.

I had nearly the exact same issue. Was denied as not medically Ness. Follow found it was because I did the 6 months medically supervised diet with my Primary care physician and she did not specifically mention exercise in her chart notes. I wrote a 3 page letter talking about my medical history, family history and how being over weight effected my current health and would effect my future health. I also got a letter from my pcp stating we discussed diet AND exercise at every visit. It took awhile but eventually I was approved. Keep fighting the denials.

I am 5 months post op and halfway to goal. I no longer need to use my bipap for sleep apnea. I am no longer diabetic. My last A1C was on the border of prediabetic and normal, so soon. I won't be prediabetic either. My knee pain is 90% gone (losing weight doesn't bring back cartilage unfortunately). The tendonitis in my elbows that has been plaguing me for the past two years has resolved itself. I think the main reason it wasn't healing before was because I was always having to push myself out of a sitting position. I haven't had an edema flare in my feet in months, even though I don't take meds anymore. I don't take prescription meds at all anymore. Do I regret not being able to gorge on the foods I loved? Sure... But that's a passing thought. I also allow myself a few bites of foods I am craving. 2-3 bites of sushi rather than stuffing myself at an AYCE. One egg roll from my favorite restaurant in San Jose (when we drive down to see the surgeon) rather than the 6-12 I use to put away. I splurge on high quality ingredients, like fancy cheese or expensive cuts of steak. Food is about quality not quantity now.