Sleeve1stFitNext

Huge NSV!!! Congratulations.

Your journey is moving. I am so happy that both of you are able to overcome such a hurdle. Being willing and strong enough to take back your lives like that are inspiring. I personally did not experience it but I was an SVVA advocate when in college. I specialized in child sexual abuse and how it can affect into adulthood. I also specialized in Domestic Violence. I saw and heard so many things that changed and shaped my world and how I treated people. See we judge people and treat people unfairly not understanding what is going on in their homes or what is happening to them. That single smile or feeling of safety means so much more than any of us who lived a carefree life will ever understand. I hope you find that peace as you deserve it.

Sparkling water is not good. Carbonated. If you are pre-op then it is fine but after surgery will not be able to have it.

Oh, I still swallow water at times. I do not understand why because I am sure that a few people have peed in the pool. I always come out burping and that is not cool. lol

I had tried it once and ended up not liking it. (I was sleeved)

This is normal. You have buyers remorse. You regret the decision you made because you do not feel the instant gratification you thought you would feel. The first few weeks are the hardest. Nothing comes easy and this is the hardest part of the journey you will have. Honestly, it gets better. A lot better. It just takes time. Your feeling towards food is due to your fear that it will make you sick or that you think eating will make you gain weight. I felt both those emotions. Just know you need to eat, it is essential. Do not fear food. You will only be trading in one extreme for another. The goal is to gain a healthy relationship with food. I used to live to eat. Now I eat to live. I look at food as what nutrition can I get from it. I make all kinds of recipes of my favorite foods, just low carb and calorie options. It does get better. It just takes time.

I go swimming. I love to show off my sexy legs and strong arms lol

I can say upfront that this will be a difficult journey. You will need to adjust to your new life and learn how to manage your nutrients properly. However, most of the issues you discuss are definitely people who do not follow their programs and change their lifestyles. Personally, this was the best decision that I have ever made. Fear aside, I would have done it earlier. Fear aside, I am soo happy that I was able to regain my life. This tool saved my life.

Thank you. It has been a very interesting year but has been a lot of fun along the way.

Oh, that sounds delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

As both @FluffyChix & @frust8 said, "It will get better". Everyone feels it the first 1 month or so. The reason is, you are more mindful of what you are doing. As time goes on, you will notice it less and less. This is because you become more comfortable with your new habits.

It is that liquid moves a lot easier down. However, you should not be drinking that much that fast. You are still healing. However, you will find that once you start eating soft and regular foods, you will feel hungry faster with less food.

There is nothing wrong with you. Try the following: 1) Tracking your Calories and Macros (Fat, Carbs, Protein): Carbs - 25g Fat - 35g Protein - 135g 2) Increase your vegetable intake with no starchy vegetables (Cucumbers, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Lettuce) 3) Drink 64 oz of water. (When you feel hunger, drink 8 oz of Tea) 4) Be mindful that it may be head hunger and physical hunger. (This is where the tea will help).

I cut all of my hair off after a while. It was coming out in huge clumps. My scalp would be sore from the hair coming out and trying to brush it. At this point, my hair has stopped falling out and it is growing back very strong and healthy.

It depends on your Surgeon's program. Most follow this program: Week 1: Clear Liquids (Water, Broth, Sugar-Free, Gatorade or Vitamin Water, Protein Shakes) Week 2: Protein Shakes (Jello, Broth) Week 3: Pureed Foods (Us can mix in protein Powder with Jello and broth) Week 4: Soft Foods (Scrambled Eggs, Chicken soaked in broth) Week 5: Foods (You start testing foods to see what will sit well with you and will not)

Congratulations on taking your first steps towards a healthier and stronger you. We all have questions as we go on this journey. The best thing about this site is that someone has gone through it already or something similar. We all have our own personalities and how we handle this journey. I have UHC and that have a very high approval rate, so I do not think that it is something to be concerned about, even though we all have been worried. I can tell you that this will test every bit of you. You will change not only physically but mentally and emotionally. It is a difficult journey but it will be the best and most rewarding once it is done.

My hair started falling out about 6 months out. It started out in larger amounts than normal. Then it started to come out in large amounts to the point my scalp was sore after brushing my hair. I would suggest making sure that you reach your protein goals and taking your biotin.

Oh yeah, I was annoyed for a long time. I was frustrated, irritated and easily aggravated. Once I started hitting the gym before work, that has changed. I get the energy out and then I just learned to ignore them. I have not desire to have many conversations anymore as I am thinking about what my next workout will be.

I was comfortable sleeping on my side around day 10. Some people can do it earlier.

This is for anyone who has a Fitbit. I would like to create a group in which you do weekly and weekend competitions with each other. You can find me by my username Teeara T.

If you are having issues now urinating and have caused bleeding from straining too hard, I would suggest going to Urgent Care. I am saying that because although you are constipated, that usually does not disrupt your urine flow. Dehydration is a possibility but at this point, you have hard stool sitting in your intestines and it can cause an infection especially if you have torn something in your rectum. As well as having urine sitting in your bladder can cause an infection. You may need some liquids to force you to urinate and a rectal stool softener to help your constipation.

Most likely, you will have co-pays (Pysc Eval & Nutritionist). However, these services (Labs & EKG) are usually covered by your insurance. Unless you have a deductible that you need to meet before they cover the whole amount. Mines is $250 deductible (out of pocket) with 90% coverage. That means I had to pay $250 out of pocket prior to them approving me for surgery. That, however, was met by previous Doctor visits.

This is the case. I was approved without a letter in the mail. They send the Approval information to your surgeon. If you want the letter, you can ask your surgeon for a copy. UHC tends to try and cut back on the amount of paperwork that they need to do. I have had 2 surgeries while being insured by them and have never received a single approval letter. It is not something that they concern themselves with. They figure that your surgeon will provide you with all the details if you request that they do. I would not concern myself with not getting an approval letter, as long as your surgeon has it, you are fine.

Due to your line of work. You may need about 4 - 6 weeks. Surgeons usually do not suggest lifting anything heavy prior to that time and to gradually get your stamina and muscle strength back up after surgery. Also, you have a small child and that will require a lot of binding over and lifting. I would suggest staying away from work for the 4 - 6 weeks because you cannot stay away from being a mom.

I see my PCP once every 3 months because she is concerned about the same. However, every time she does test, I am in the normal range of all my vital nutrients. I currently do not have issues with malabsorption. However, I do drink the Karma Priobotic flavor water once a week and I still drink Vitamin water for electrolytes. My surgeon is concerned too but I am good whenever they check. It could be an anomaly. I just do my check-ins when I am supposed to. She told me that the moment she sees the levels getting low, she will put more pressure on me to take them again (Do not get me wrong she is like a nagging wife (no offense) now. I can only imagine how she will be then).