recreatingcate

I created one for all things VSG, since my surgery is a secret. At least, for now. You can find my on IG as recreatingcate! i'll follow you guys, as well.

I also took care of my mother, and did so for most of my life until she passed away. Take care of yourself - I know it is SO, SO much easier said then done, but you're no good to anyone if you aren't at your best. Take the one hour to see a therapist, take your antidepressants, find a hobby that helps you relax and try to do it for a half hour or so before bed - yoga, reading, knitting, ect. I'm happy that you've had so much success post-op, so keep up your great work! I will keep you and your mama and your family in my thoughts and prayers!!

Are you asking about the Vitamin patch or the birth control patch? For the Vitamin Patch, my bariatric center actually recommends them so that we get what we need when we need it, especially in the beginning, immediately post-op. For the birth control patch, I don't know much about that, but have been considering switching to it now, pre-op, to make things easier post-op. So if that's the case, I'm also curious!!

Not childish at all! I was in a car accident five years ago with some serious trauma to my bladder (and that was the least of my worries!) Basically, they wouldn't let me go home until I could pee independently. So they pumped me full of fluids and had me try to pee every six hours and when I couldn't, they gave me a catheter every SIX HOURS. For five days. It was awful, and this didn't cross my mind that it would be a surgery related thing, until I read this! Definitely check with your doc, and share your concerns! I will be doing that with mine!

I'm still pre-op, but these posts have been super helpful! I'm an emergency foster care worker, so we get at-risk youth in being removed by CPS, kids in from foster homes, ect.. essentially, super troubled kids. When they leave the house, we have to chase them. When they become physically aggressive (I was thrown down a flight of stairs once), we're required to restrain them. I typically work 12pm-10pm, with a one hour commute each way, and I'm concerned about how I'm going to get everything in since, depending on the kids we get, consistency in my day is pretty rare. I figure my commute time would be a good time to work on fluids, but oh man, is the rest a little overwhelming. I have a great NUT, who's super willing to work with me when the time comes to send me back to work, so that's good. I'm super excited to see if anyone else has any tips to share!

Hi everyone! I'm wondering if anyone has any experience dealing with CDPHP? I did a search on it, and there was only one person dealing with a denial and appeal. Was just wondering if anyone had dealt with this company before!

Five years ago, when I was 19, my dad stopped me from getting surgery. I was 5'4, 220 pounds, BMI of 37.8, with health concerns that my insurance at the time considered factors that would approve me for surgery (PCOS, hypothyroid, pre-diabetic). Now, at 24, I have my own health insurance, and have almost 40 more pounds on my body, putting me at a BMI of 44. And have those conditions gotten worse? You betcha! And who has to deal with that everyday? ME. Not my dad. Not my sisters. Not anyone else would would have anything to say about this surgery. I am the person who is in this skin, I am the person who looks in the mirror everyday and doesn't know how to feel about what I see. This life is mine, and so is this decision. Of course, this is so much easier said then done, and I'm grappling with how to tell my dad that this is something I'm doing again, and this time he can't stop me. But regardless, this is something for me, not him. Not my family. Bottom line: I wish I did this five years ago. I wish I hadn't been such a pushover. Do something for yourself. You're worth it. ETA: words are difficult, apparently..

I use straws for everything. Even hot coffee, so I don't stain my teeth. So this was the first question I asked during my consult. The answer I got was that if you're comfortable with it, you're not having gas pains, and it assists you in getting your fluids in, then go for it! Remember to check with your surgeon, though, if you're really feeling troubled over it!

Girl, I get it. I am battling the "to say something or not" war presently. It's not fun. I think a huge part of this process is finding our strength. It sounds cheesy, but still. As the fat friend, I have always just hung back, gone with the flow. I have been the welcome mat for so many family and friends. I have put everyone else first in my life. It is finally, FINALLY, time to do something for myself and get my life back. Alone or with an army, if we have come to this decision, and we are at peace with it, that's all that should matter, right? But no, it is the toughest thing when you crave the support from people who just won't give it. I know that I will have to go to war with my dad over this, and I know that telling him means my whole family will know. I also know that not telling my dad, and risking going into major surgery without him knowing, or risking him finding out down the line, is also a huge thing. The struggle is REAL. I wish you luck. Drop me a line if you need a listening ear.

Good luck! Keeping you in my prayers. Also, your eyebrows are flawless!

My bariatric center works similarly to Sai's, it sounds. It also depends on your insurance. Some insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet, some don't. My insurance company doesn't require the supervised diet, so basically, I can submit to insurance as soon as I get everything done. At the end, I will probably take 3-4 months for me, depending on if insurance drags their heels or speeds things up! Best of luck to you!!

Whoops, I meant to say popcorn chicken.. I did read your post! And of course, you're human, it's natural! Like I said, tomorrow's a new day, start fresh! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I do not think one piece of popcorn will stretch out your stomach, so I wouldn't worry about that! Move forward from this, though!! Keep in mind your goals, and remember that the guidelines your NUT gave you are there for a reason! Your new tummy isn't ready for popcorn chicken yet! One day, but not yet. Chin up, hit the reset button tomorrow. All will be okay!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Keep up the incredible work, you look amazing!!

About a year and a half ago, in a week's time, I went from having shoulder length hair to none at all, including my eyelashes and eyebrows. It was TERRIFYING. I had hair loss before (diagnosed alopecia) but never that much, that fast. Needless to say, I am freaking out at the idea of losing hair with this surgery. I don't ever want to have to regrow my hair through the mullet phase again, because that was rough. What helped me a lot (I refused shots from the derm, hair isn't worth 100 needles to the head) was Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and scalp treatment, I believe I use #4. I also took a prenatal Vitamin because of the hair, skin, and nails benefits. A volumizing shampoo and/or hairspray might also help, so that your hair appears fuller, even if it isn't. Try not putting your hair up or pulling on it too harshly, because that might loosen the already-offended hormone and then your hair might jump shift faster. Everyone is different. Trial and error might be your best bet, but a lot of people I've talked to said that their hair loss is minor (compared to what it could be) and only noticed by the person losing the hair. Good luck! If I've learned anything this year though, it's that hair almost always grows back!

Good for you!! You start your liquid diet on the same day I meet with my surgeon so hopefully November is a good month for both of us!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone! Has anyone had their surgery out of St. Luke's in Newburgh? This is the hospital my surgeon operates to of, and I'm trying to gain some more information about it, since this is not a hospital I frequent. TIA!!

I'm glad you guys have good things to say about the practice! I have Dr. Weiss!

I am struggling with this, a lot. Five years ago, at 19, I planned to have WLS. My mom, who I was the closest to and who supported me in all my endeavors, and I agreed at the time to wait to tell my dad (who is a recovering addict, active in AA, and a big "his way or bust" person) until we had a surgery date. That way, I could answer any and all of his questions - heaven forbid I didn't have an answer, then I am unprepared and uneducated on the topic. This backfired big time, and because I was still on his insurance at the time, he had my surgery canceled 36 hours before it was supposed to take place. Now, at 24, I am planning to do this again. I have a good job with excellent benefits, so I will be using my own health insurance to proceed with the surgery. At this point, still in the pre-op stages, I have only told my boyfriend and two best friends. My mom has since passed away. I do not know if I should speak with my father on this issue again. Telling him risks the emotional abuse that he will spew at me, him making me second guess my decision, and making me feel small in the worst way. But not telling him that his oldest daughter is going in for MAJOR surgery and then run the risk of something happening, or him finding out down the line, and being furious with me. This one is a toughie for me. My one sister was also less then thrilled with the idea the first time, and since she has started her own weight loss journey "the right way," it's not something I'm inclined to share with here again. However telling my dad will mean that she will know, and vice versa. And then, very quickly, my entire family would know and it would spiral very quickly. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. It's a stressor for me and I'm not sure which route to take. Sigh.

Hi everybody! I'm relatively new here, so real quick: I'm Cate, 24, and looking at a January '17 surgery. I had my consult today, and will have my initial meeting with the surgeon in a little less than a month! EEK! I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed, and I'm making lists of things to ask my NUT and my surgeon. What were questions YOU asked your NUT and surgeon, that you felt you needed answered before surgery could happen? I know these questions exist, but I'm drawing blanks!

I have to do the initial consult, an upper GI x-ray, 3 dietitian meetings, 4 support group meetings, a psych eval (possibly more if the psych deems it necessary), bloodwork, an online tutorial, upper endoscopy, a PCP consult, and a cardiologist consult. Phew, that's a lot! But it's definitely going to keep me busy and the time will fly. When it's all done, I'll get my surgery date! Good luck! I'm glad you get to meet with your surgeon soon!!

You look awesome! Great job keeping to the plan and working hard!!

I'm still in my pre-op stages, but these stories have been a nice, uplifting thing to read! I hope my surgery goes as well as most of yours! Send me some good vibes, and keep up the great work everyone!!

I am still pre-op, however, I was scheduled for surgery in March 2012 and it was canceled due to circumstances outside of my control. Here I am, almost five years later, and I WISH I had just stuck to my guns and just did it! I have spent so much time wondering who I would be today if I hadn't been bullied out of it. You've got this!! You're so close. Good luck!!

My surgeon's practice highly recommends them. They state that if you're on the patch, they will stay on top of your blood work to make sure you're not low on anything but if that becomes the case, they will supplement alternatively. They want everyone to start on the patch though.