anonmom

I agree with everything everyone has said here. WLS is a great tool and I do not regret it one bit, BUT, like any other tool, it only works if you work it. You are the only one who can know whether you need it, and whether you are ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I started at 224 pounds, BMI of 40, no comorbidities. I lost maybe 4 pounds pre-op, and 33 pounds in the 3 months since my surgery. It is both amazing to be losing this fast and awful to still be 187 pounds after all of this work and all of this weight loss. There is no way those of us in the 35-40 BMI range can lose as much as fast as those who have BMIs of 50+, but there is also no reason to envy them. It will take them longer to reach their goals in the end. I think the sleeve should available to people with a BMI of 35 and up, regardless of official comorbidities. I know that my sciatica, knee pains, back pains, etc. got started back when I was about the weight I am now. It would have been nice to have the surgery when I first needed it instead of waiting until I could prove that I *really* needed it. If you can afford to pay out of pocket, I would say go for it. You will still feel a significant restriction and be able to lose weight relatively quickly. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Completely depends on the insurance company. Make sure you know what your insurance company requires. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I bought a bra at Victoria's secret last week! I had to search for the one bra they have that goes up to my current size, but it was awesome compared to having to order all of my bras online. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree that you should check in with your nutritionist. Go back to logging every bite you eat. Experiment with a little bit of grazing, but keep it focused on proteins, healthy fats & complex carbs. You need to be very mindful to negotiate this challenge. Are you in therapy? If not, consider adding therapy on a weekly basis. You need to figure out how you can balance your physical and psychological needs. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

So inspiring! Isn't it fun to be able to buy and wear current fashions? I'm in love with cold shoulder tops and dresses right now. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Fabulous! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I have the same problem. I hate how I feel when I overeat, but I'm also thankful that my sleeve prevents me from eating anywhere near what I used to eat. If it is this hard to stop overeating when it hurts and nauseates me so much, then I know I would never have been able to lose weight (or even stop gaining!) without surgery. I really feel like I would have just eaten myself to death. When I am feeling uncomfortable from overeating, I think about how short the side effects from overeating after WLS are, compared to being fat and out of shape and exhausted all.the.time Good luck! I do agree with working on figuring out the psychological aspects of your food addiction. Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I was that way for a few weeks, but now I have tons of energy. So awesome to not be carrying around as much extra weight! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

I lost about 25 pounds in a month before I noticed much difference in size. Now I've lost about 5 pounds in the last 2 months, but I'm down 3 sizes! Bodies are weird, but this surgery works if you give it a chance to work. Keep drinking water, exercising and eating enough protein! Sent from my Nexus 5X using BariatricPal mobile app

Ugh, I spoke too soon. Still haven't had any problems with the solid foods I've tried (added tofu, ground beef & black Beans today), but I made a Protein shake today that left me lightheaded and nauseated. I put in a banana and quite a bit of tahini, so I guess it was just too much sugar and too much fat at once. I was glad I had read this thread, though, so I stopped drinking it when I started to feel funny. I did have a loose stool later, but not any painful or embarrassingly urgent diarrhea. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I worry about this, too. I am 11 days post-op, so not having this issue right now, but I am getting married when I will be 5 months post-op. I'm guessing that will be right in the middle of the hair loss phase. :/ Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Oh, and my insurance is Medica, my plan just required 1 visit with dietician at least 30 days before surgery, psychological clearance, plus being either 40 BMI, or 35 if you have specific comorbidities (diabetes, etc) Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I am 5' 2.75" High weight was 224 in October, which put me at 40 BMI, to qualify for surgery with no comorbidities. Surgery weight was 221.6 on 1/26/17. 1 week post-op official weigh-in was 213.8 on 2/2/17. Current weight around 211. Days 1&2 were miserable, I could barely swallow a tablespoon of broth and a tablespoon of Gelatin each day. I got up and walked the hospital halls for 10-20 minutes about six times each day. Day 3 was much better and I've been getting my Proteins (60-120 grams) and liquids (64-100 ounces) in every day since day 4. I was doing 5 minute walks around the house at the start of every waking hour until my post-op appointment. Now I'm working out 3x/day, usually two 20-minute walks plus one 40-minute workout with weights. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I did not take any PPIs before surgery and my surgeon never even brought it up. She did prescribe it post-op, so I have been taking it for 11 days now. I would not want to be on it long-term, but my new stomach has been through a lot with surgery, so I don't think it is unreasonable to take it for a couple of months. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I'm sure it is different for everyone, but for me, I wouldn't call it regret. This is hard. So, so hard. So part of me thinks, yeah, it would be easier and more fun if I could just eat and drink whatever I want right now. But, I've done that and it led to me being fat and being fat meant I was tired all the time. And nothing was ever enough, so I was hungry all the time, too. At least now I'm only hungry, but I have a lot more energy even though I'm only 10 days out and 10 pounds lighter. So, yeah, this part is hard, and hard stuff sucks, but I'm so excited for my future that it feels worth it. I think you'll know when you are ready to have surgery and not regret it. You might have to do some more work around your food addiction before you are ready to commit! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Our minds sure do play tricks! It is very frustrating to not be able to quiet my mind with either food or alcohol right now. I know that I need this change, though, so I guess I need to just take things one day at a time. I managed to distract myself from food several times today, I met my liquid/protein goals, and I also managed to stay under 600 calories, so I just need to keep working at this. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Oh, god, those experiences sound awful! I'm going to stick with my egg/dairy/meat cheats, because that is what I am craving anyway. None of that seems worth it at all!! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

What flavor did you try? I went to my Vitamin Shoppe and they only had one flavor and I think it was raspberry something. I did not like it at all. It tasted like medicine almost. Really similar to what a 5-hour Energy tastes like. But yes, definitely expensive. Just curious what flavor you tried to see if I might can try or find another one. Thank you! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App The Blue Raspberry is the only one I don't like. But the other flavors are somewhat similar, except for the tea one. So if you really hated that one you probably won't love the others. Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App It was definitely the Blue Raspberry one that I tried. It was icky!! Thanks for letting me know. They are really too expensive to do too much experimenting with.I drink the grape one, just because it was the cheapest one on Amazon. I think it tastes fine. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

OK, I'm going to try to just accept this and cut back on my eating. I don't want to mess this up, but it is so hard. I did wait 30 minutes after the dumb egg, felt hungry the whole time, then took 2 sips of Protein Water and now suddenly I'm satisfied. WTF? Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I'm going crazy here. I moved on to soft foods since everyone says that is what made them feel "full". So I made myself a soft scrambled egg. I didn't measure it because it is one regular-sized egg. I was eating way more than that when I was on Protein shakes and bone broth and cream Soups. So now, one third of the way through this stupid egg, I feel the restriction. But I'm still hungry. I don't think this is "head hunger". I have had that, when I was bored and wanted to snack. I would have to distract myself and move on. But these past few days I swear I am actually hungry again. Is anyone else going through this, where they feel a restriction, and it would be painful to eat more, but you still don't feel satisfied? I keep reading that people get to soft solids and after a few bites they feel "satisfied". I get that I shouldn't eat any more. And I also shouldn't drink anything for 30 minutes. But I'm hungry! This is hard. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I'm still on full liquids, so I haven't had any dumping yet. Really hoping to completely avoid it, TBH. My only cheats so far have been really well-chewed cheese and she, in tiny bites and not at the same time. I have been very tempted by the sandwiches and pizza my fiance and our daughter have been eating while I've been away from the kitchen, but I know it isn't worth it. I will have those things in moderation in a few months. Right now I need to use this honeymoon period to get down to goal as fast as I can. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App *cheese and sausage Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Way to go! You look great. Keep working toward your goal! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

I made a gin and tonic for a guest at my house this afternoon and, not gonna lie, it was really hard to not make one for myself. I haven't had a drink since Sunday morning, January 22. It was the last day of my cruise and the deadline I set for myself to get serious about my pre-op diet. I also had done a few 2-6 day periods of sobriety/liquid diet in December/January to start practicing for the post-op period. All that to say I'm a pretty serious drinker, and this is hard for me, but I'm going to try to wait at least 12 weeks before I have a drink. I did it when I was pregnant with my daughter, I can do it again now. However, whenever you do decide to have your first post-op drink, do NOT start with a margarita. I imagine you will make yourself quite sick from all that sugar at once. Remember, we're not super prone to dumping syndrome like RNYers, but it can happen to us, too. I was doing low-carb around the holidays as part of my pre-op preparation and I had several vodka & Protein waters, which was totally drinkable. I'd start with that, since then you are just introducing one new thing, a neutral alcohol. Good luck with your choice! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Have y'all tried Isopure? It is 20 ounces of liquid with 40 grams of Protein. I have the grape flavor and it is OK. No Protein Drink is ever going to be a taste sensation, but I think it is important to find one you can tolerate. I also like the Labrada Lean Body in chocolate or Cookies and cream. Caramel is OK, too, but a little sweet for me. It is 40 grams of protein with about 4 grams of carbs and 5 grams of Fiber, 280 calories. Good luck! Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App