MSinger

Hey y'all, long time no see!
I'm 14 months postop, and have lost 111lbs. The losses pretty much stopped at 10 months postop.
Nowadays I can eat any and everything. My taste changes weren't terribly long-lived. I can eat 2 cups of food at a time, so basically everything feels like I never even had surgery!
I still don't drink with my meals, but I do drink right up until I start eating.
About 11 months postop I started having problems from my Vitamins. My toes swelled up and were painful. I don't know what I was getting too much of, so I just quit them. I still am taking B12 and A and D, but no more multis.
Oops, got to go!

Hey y’all. It’s been slightly over a year since I had the sleeve. I’m 5’6”; my highest weight was 266 (size 20 pant, 2x tops), surgery weight was 259, and my current weight is 183. I currently wear size 12 pants, a large in tops (sometimes a medium) . Although I still have some lbs to go, I’m am VERY grateful and thankful for the surgery. I had the surgery for prevention purposes, had no complications either. I changed to a plant based diet and have been very happy and healthy with it. I take a multi Vitamin, Calcium, B12, and Probiotics. I walk and do some home strength workouts.
Thats just a tid bit of my journey, I hope it inspires and encourages others. Enjoy my before and after!

My losses have been slower than what I've seen with most other people, and it has not been consistent. I lost 17lbs the first month and every month after that has been 4-8lbs/month. It's frustrating, but I decided I'm just going to work past the frustration and Celebrate anything that isn't a gain, because it's a step towards better health. It's not easy, but every lb counts and they do add up. Stay focused on your journey and celebrate the small wins!

7 months and 11 days.. 100lbs down!!! This also happens to be the lowest weight I reached during my last big diet in 2008.
I have 2 kids that are trick-or-treating tonight. This time last year I vomited after walking up the hill next to my house (the exertion was just too much). I'm still pitifully out of shape, so we'll see if I fare any better

Yes I've heard of people needing to get their ID's updated, and personally I'm looking forward to it. I just got my DL and HATE the pic they took of me. It's now a strange source of weight loss motivation. Whatever works, right?

Regarding #2, if you are calling in to check benefits, the representative will typically tell you all the financials related: deductible, in and out of network benefits, out of pocket max. They like to dump the data on you. I'd recommend calling back and ask for an Explanation of Benefits letter (EOB) to be sent to you. At least then, you'll have it in writing.
As for #3, this is incredibly vague. Every insurance company has a medical policy that explains what criteria must be met for surgery to be approved. These are typically available online. You said you have BCBS, so maybe search on their website and see if you can pull up a copy of their bariatric surgery medical policy. You can also call your insurance and ask them how to find their medical policy. That information is available to everyone and you many be able to get to it yourself if you go to the BCBS website.
#4.. well, first off, I don't know how true this is. Gastric bypass and duodenal switch procedures do qualify as inpatient procedures per my insurance. My sleeve gastrectomy was approved as an outpatient procedure, but I had to be admitted inpatient for 2 days after my procedure and they covered it. They just did not approve an inpatient stay until they were sure I needed it.

I recommend you call your insurance company back. The rep's answer to #3 was not acceptable. If you are getting more vague nonsense ask to speak with a supervisor.

I second checking to see if this is a current policy. The copy you put up states vertical banded gastroplasty is covered, but per my insurance, that procedure is no longer a standard of care. This looks outdated.
ETA: I also see your screenshot is from a site called obesityreporter.com. I don't know what kind of a site this is, but you should be speaking directly with your insurance company (call the # on the back of your insurance card). One insurance policy will not be the same as another, even if it the same insurance carrier. Every group has their own plan. Calling your insurance will allow you to get a link to a current policy the insurance company uses to review, as well as any additional stipulations your specific employer group may have.

This sounds really bizarre. I'm not sure if this means they would only cover if it is an open procedure, but if so I don't know why they would favor a more invasive approach. I have never heard of this. In any case, just focus on what your insurance company requires. There are some plans with strange provisions in their plans, but don't let that throw you off.

I second checking to see if this is a current policy. The copy you put up states vertical banded gastroplasty is covered, but per my insurance, that procedure is no longer a standard of care. This looks outdated.
ETA: I also see your screenshot is from a site called obesityreporter.com. I don't know what kind of a site this is, but you should be speaking directly with your insurance company (call the # on the back of your insurance card). One insurance policy will not be the same as another, even if it the same insurance carrier. Every group has their own plan. Calling your insurance will allow you to get a link to a current policy the insurance company uses to review, as well as any additional stipulations your specific employer group may have.

Don't weigh yourself for the first month post-op. Too much Water retention/fluid shifting going on to get an accurate read. If you do weigh, don't take the number on the scale too seriously. Just focus on meeting your Protein and fluid goals. The scale should normalize a bit by the end of the month.

Don't weigh yourself for the first month post-op. Too much Water retention/fluid shifting going on to get an accurate read. If you do weigh, don't take the number on the scale too seriously. Just focus on meeting your Protein and fluid goals. The scale should normalize a bit by the end of the month.

Don't weigh yourself for the first month post-op. Too much Water retention/fluid shifting going on to get an accurate read. If you do weigh, don't take the number on the scale too seriously. Just focus on meeting your Protein and fluid goals. The scale should normalize a bit by the end of the month.

Don't weigh yourself for the first month post-op. Too much Water retention/fluid shifting going on to get an accurate read. If you do weigh, don't take the number on the scale too seriously. Just focus on meeting your Protein and fluid goals. The scale should normalize a bit by the end of the month.

Don't weigh yourself for the first month post-op. Too much Water retention/fluid shifting going on to get an accurate read. If you do weigh, don't take the number on the scale too seriously. Just focus on meeting your Protein and fluid goals. The scale should normalize a bit by the end of the month.

What happens is your body was shocked by the surgery. When the body is shocked, it thinks the world is ending, and it shuts down all non-essential functions. Hair growth is non-essential, so it threw the "off switch". The hair stays on your head for about 3-6 months, then will fall out. After it falls out, it takes another 6 months to start growing again. (These are all approximations).
So by the time you are 12 months postop, you should start seeing it regrow. The losses, when caused just by the surgery, should not be permanent. If you are low on Iron or some other nutrients, it may have trouble coming back. But you won't know that unless a blood tests shows a deficiency. Do not take extra Vitamins, especially iron, because it's possible to take too much.
In the meantime, you could try a shorter hair style that will allow the remaining hair to fluff up more. You can try a wig or hats, or... I wouldn't recommend Rogain.. but I don't know anything about it really.
I've lost at least half my hair, and am almost 7 months postop. It's still falling out, but might have slowed down a smidge. I cut mine shorter so it fluffs up more.

Not really. I'd have to start really overeating to pack on much more. My weight has been steady for months.
Instead of spending brainpower worry about regaining, I'll spend brainpower working on how to lose more.

October 16, 2014, I had sleeve gastrectomy surgery. A lot's happened since then. Ask me anything.

I am one year out (Surgiversary was Oct 3), and I saw a cool idea I was inspired by, so I saved all my jeans and took an image of them all. Biggest was size 20, smallest (current) size 4. Needless to say I should have taken stock in Old Navy!

Thank you!!
I haven't been around BP much lately (it's a mix of a busy life and I just don't get much from it anymore), but I am going to try to make an effort to jump into a conversation or two more often!
I hope you are doing well!

Yes, absolutely! I did not have this requirement, but I see so many people posting frustration, impatience, disappointment because of their 6mo requirements. I think they are incredibly useful as you get to learn more about your post-op diet, gives time to practice and learn how to eat before "showtime", and start your weight loss journey before surgery. You have proven how essential it is to use that time to your advantage.
Congratulations on meeting goal. As another poster stated I hope to continue seeing you around as I learn so much from your posts.

Yes, absolutely! I did not have this requirement, but I see so many people posting frustration, impatience, disappointment because of their 6mo requirements. I think they are incredibly useful as you get to learn more about your post-op diet, gives time to practice and learn how to eat before "showtime", and start your weight loss journey before surgery. You have proven how essential it is to use that time to your advantage.
Congratulations on meeting goal. As another poster stated I hope to continue seeing you around as I learn so much from your posts.

@blizair09
i'm speechless - (that's a first for me!!)
wishing you health and happiness for the
rest of your life.
kathy
congrats

Congratulations blizair09 on reaching your goal, and on dropping a staggering amount of weight in the process! You are an inspiration to us all, and a reminder that it is possible to achieve your goals, no matter how much you have to lose. Keep up the good work, and don't drop off. I know a lot of people tend to move on to bigger and brighter things once they reach goal, and weight loss ceases to become a big part of their lives.
We want and need to hear from you veterans that have lost the weight, and kept it off. Your input is invaluable for us that are in the shoes that you once wore.
Congratulations again!

Good morning, everyone.
I am very proud to report that as of this morning, I have achieved my weight goal of 180 pounds. My one year surgery anniversary was last Thursday (September 28), and I met my goal on Monday, October 2. I have lost 217 pounds from my initial weight of 397 pounds at my first pre-op appointment on March 3, 2016. My skin has done incredibly well for a person who has lost this kind of weight. I may pursue some kind of plastics later on, but for right now, I am pretty happy. I am wearing a 30-32 waist pants/jeans/shorts, and small shirts. It is incredibly amazing to me, and I am still shocked every time I try on something new.
I still attribute so much of my success to losing 99 pounds during the six month pre-op diet program. Even this morning, my first thought was that if I hadn't done all of that work on the front end, I'd weigh 279 this morning, and not 180. For those of you that have to do the six months for your insurance company, I'd encourage you to really devote yourself during that time and get started!
For those of you that are considering WLS, this can be you, too if you commit yourself to your plan, change your relationship with food, and prioritize your health and well-being over the momentary pleasure that any food provides.
My new challenge is going to be getting the weight loss to stop. I am finding that at one year post-op, I am eating less that I was a few months ago. It is weird. The will to eat is there, but I just get incredibly full incredibly fast. I have my one-year follow-up appointment with the bariatric surgeon's staff in early November. I'll talk to them about it then.
There isn't much difference at 180 than when I weighed 185 or 186, but I am super proud to have met my goal and to "officially" be in maintenance!
Wishing everyone the very best,
Blair

You look great! I would love to have your thighs mine are a real pug area. yours are tight compared to mine.
The skin, talking to some plastic surgeons, fat clings to it and it is very hard if not almost impossible to lose it. So it makes you feel fatter than you really are. We have a similiar shape pre-op and post-op, I am a little more hippy than you are but you also have 5 inches of height on me.
My body has changed so much in the past 12 months, I would really say don't look at plastics until you are weight stable at least a year maybe even 2. I know that sucks, I have really struggled with that waiting myself but if you want really good results from plastics and you only have money to do it right once, then wait.
My thighs are still bad, but they have improved a lot over the past year. If I don't get my thighs done ever, I can live with them as they are. Last year I would not have been able to say that, they were my worst area, they have tightened and improved a lot. My stomach is similar to yours but I have more loose skin on it.
Lately my belly button area has started becoming gross/yeasty because it gets no air, it is just a black hole surrounded by skin. That area, as my body is adjusting and I am losing more inches is just getting worse. There is no way I can live another 40 years with that skin. I imagine 10 years from now carrying it around will be hell on my back, so it has to go.
My arms compress nicely in clothes but they are 1/2 loose skin, the are really toned, but you can't see it because of the skin. It has to go.
As far as the butt goes there is hope. As time has gone on and with massages etc, my butt has came back to a respectable level. That has been over the past 6 months. As time has gone on the fat has just relocated there and my hips, increasing my feminine shape (which is part of why my skin stomach is worse I think). I haven't been doing squats even though I promise myself I will every week. It is just my body rearranging itself.
Just stay active, eat the same, and let your body decide what it wants to do. You might be surprised what happens. Waiting on plastics until your body is done adjusting is important not just because of the procedures you might choose but because there are different techniques for each surgery so waiting as long as you possibly can helps with your and your Dr making the right choices for surgery and techniques. The surgeries I would have done last year and the techniques I would have wanted are completely different than what I would choose now.

Good luck and keep up the great work. Now the really hard part starts, maintaining. Also as far as wanting to lose another 20 or 30, I feel the same way, but if I lose another 20 or 30, and then had my skin removed, I would end up under weight in the end. Maybe another 10 max is all I need.