JT2002TJ

I suggest calling your coordinator and asking if the weight loss was an insurance requirement or a surgical group/hospital requirement. I have a feeling it will be the latter.
The medical industry is so much tied to patient outcomes. Surgeons really care about their complication rate, as it is what drives patients to them, and what determines future employment. This is why they put restrictions on smoking, it has nothing to do with the insurance companies, just complication rates.
If this is the case, it will be up to the surgeon. If they do approve they may warn you that if they even see the slightest issue doing it laparoscopically, they will open you up. The problem with higher BMIs is that the liver is bigger, which makes access to one's stomach more difficult.
I am not trying to worry you. Your best bet is to schedule a quick call with your coordinator, and have a list of questions written down and ready (they are busy, and may try to rush you out of workload not that they are dismissing you).

I am still sticking by my thoughts. If you go to bed, consume nothing over night, there is no way you will gain weight by the next morning. You can lose weight (burning energy, sweating), but not gain.
It is quite possible that someone gets up in the middle of the night, drinks water/eats without remembering it (sleep walking/eating). Or, more likely, it is an ineffective scale, not on a proper level/solid ground.
It is simple science. You can retain more Water because of hormonal changes/salt intake, but you have to actually consume the water in order to retain it. It is even in the name, water retention.
One could argue that your body extracts water from the air in your lungs, I wouldn't disagree with that. But there simply is no way to gain 5.2 lbs overnight without consuming something. 5 pounds is a LOT of water weight that is 0.599 Gallons (2.4 quarts). It has to be the scale...
These are my thoughts, and is not meant to be dismissing anything anyone else has said.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but there are a few things I have learned since that I didn't know day one. I suggest to be sure to ask about vertical sleeve and acid reflux, if you have reflux issues.
Luckily I have only had a bout with reflux one time, and it was because of taking cod liver oil pills. Never had reflux any other time in my life.
Other than that, I would make sure you get a good feel from the surgeon, and they are a well known organization and he/she is experienced.

x2.

Have you changed your diet to foods higher in sodium? If by one of your BP med was stopped, you mean the Water pill (diuretic), it could be you are retaining more salt causing your BP to go up?

It might be helpful for them to know who you told, and who you didn't tell. This way, when they are around you and have questions, they will know if it is "safe" to discuss.

I was with a buddy who a VSG, and didn't realize that the other friends we were with didn't know.

It might be helpful for them to know who you told, and who you didn't tell. This way, when they are around you and have questions, they will know if it is "safe" to discuss.

I was with a buddy who a VSG, and didn't realize that the other friends we were with didn't know.

My suggestion is to get a 0 mg (nicotine) vape, and keep that with you at all times. Whenever you get the urge, hit that. It will fill the void, and you will not have nicotine/cotinine in your system.
I still think 26 days will be enough to show very low levels as long as you stop immediately.
0 mg vape juice does not feel the same (there is no throat hit), so I would jump right into a 2 battery regulated sub ohm mod (this is the phrase to tell the sales person). Talk to a local vap shop person and tell them you are all in, and skip the intro level mod. In order to get any feeling, you will want sub ohm as it makes a ton of smoke to compensate for the lack of nicotine.
You will want to get something good, because you shouldn't smoke even after the surgery, the 0 mg vape can also help after the surgery.
Disclaimer: I have no idea if 0 mg vaping will increase the risk of negative outcomes from surgery, but I have to believe it is WAY better than cigarettes. If you can stop everything, I am sure it is way better for you, but most people I know, would restart after the surgery while in recovery, and I'm sure cigarettes will put them at serious risk.

My suggestion is to get a 0 mg (nicotine) vape, and keep that with you at all times. Whenever you get the urge, hit that. It will fill the void, and you will not have nicotine/cotinine in your system.
I still think 26 days will be enough to show very low levels as long as you stop immediately.
0 mg vape juice does not feel the same (there is no throat hit), so I would jump right into a 2 battery regulated sub ohm mod (this is the phrase to tell the sales person). Talk to a local vap shop person and tell them you are all in, and skip the intro level mod. In order to get any feeling, you will want sub ohm as it makes a ton of smoke to compensate for the lack of nicotine.
You will want to get something good, because you shouldn't smoke even after the surgery, the 0 mg vape can also help after the surgery.
Disclaimer: I have no idea if 0 mg vaping will increase the risk of negative outcomes from surgery, but I have to believe it is WAY better than cigarettes. If you can stop everything, I am sure it is way better for you, but most people I know, would restart after the surgery while in recovery, and I'm sure cigarettes will put them at serious risk.

Wait... You'll be close to retirement at 40? Or, do you mean you are 40 now, and plan to retire at 55?

Either way, wow, that's an early retirement! Good job!

Wait... You'll be close to retirement at 40? Or, do you mean you are 40 now, and plan to retire at 55?

Either way, wow, that's an early retirement! Good job!

What are your thoughts on my theory:
I believe that if we do not tell people, it puts other heavy people who haven't decided to take the step in a bad place. For example, they may hear the "well John Smith was able to lose the weight, why can't you?" Or they may feel shame, thinking "what is wrong with me, I have tried everything, and John Smith was able to do it with just diet and exercise." This self same may lead to continued depression eating, which a lot of us have experience with.
My theory is, if we are proud, and not hiding about what we did/plan to do, it will help take the stigma off of bariatric surgery.
At my last job, our Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) decided to do a bypass, he told everyone. He said, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm getting sick, or that there is any shame in what I did." 8 years later, he is doing well, and if you met him, you would never known he had a weight problem. I actually called him 2 weeks ago, to discuss my plans, and even as a practicing physician, told me if there is anything I need, call him.
*Not trying to say anyone is wrong for not feeling comfortable telling everyone, just trying to spark a conversation on this topic, and see what people think about my thoughts. I am an open book, so it makes sense I would feel this way.

I didn't like Greek yogurt either, until I did what my support group suggested. I got plain Greek yogurt with the lowest sugar content, also got sugar free Jam. I mix a spoon full of the jam into the yogurt, then I add a spoon or two of splenda (it wasn't sweet enough for me with just the jam). Once mixed, it taste like any other non-Greek (regular) yogurt. Very low in carbs, because you minimize the sugar.
My group also suggested another Greek yogurt flavor by also getting plain and adding a spoon full of creamy low sugar Peanut Butter. It adds Protein and also limits the sugar. Also, if it isn't sweet enough you can add splenda.
At work, and at home I keep a the big baking bag of splenda (store the splenda in a tupperware container).

EDIT: The added sweetness masks the tart associated with Greek yogurt.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.

What are your thoughts on my theory:
I believe that if we do not tell people, it puts other heavy people who haven't decided to take the step in a bad place. For example, they may hear the "well John Smith was able to lose the weight, why can't you?" Or they may feel shame, thinking "what is wrong with me, I have tried everything, and John Smith was able to do it with just diet and exercise." This self same may lead to continued depression eating, which a lot of us have experience with.
My theory is, if we are proud, and not hiding about what we did/plan to do, it will help take the stigma off of bariatric surgery.
At my last job, our Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) decided to do a bypass, he told everyone. He said, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm getting sick, or that there is any shame in what I did." 8 years later, he is doing well, and if you met him, you would never known he had a weight problem. I actually called him 2 weeks ago, to discuss my plans, and even as a practicing physician, told me if there is anything I need, call him.
*Not trying to say anyone is wrong for not feeling comfortable telling everyone, just trying to spark a conversation on this topic, and see what people think about my thoughts. I am an open book, so it makes sense I would feel this way.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.

This is exactly why I eventually posted it on social media. Starting out at around 450 lbs and being severely overweight all of my life (I like to say "I came out at 10 lbs 1 oz and I never looked back!!"), people are going to see the change. I didn't want to have to explain that I'm not sick with something like cancer and saying "well, I'm eating right and exercising" wasn't going to explain the potentially drastic and rapid weight loss that is common for a lot of sleevers. In the end, I'm hoping to inspire someone who might be feeling trapped and hopeless in their overweight condition...well, that's if I'm as successful as I'm hoping to be.

I agree with you completely. I won't drone on as I have posted about this many times before, but I have told anyone and everyone about my entire journey (including the surgery) since I began the six month insurance-required pre-op diet program 13 months ago. And my reasons for transparency are rooted in my own accountability and the education of others. I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I won't act as if I do. (And I've lost nearly 200 pounds. There is no "secret" to be kept anyway...)

What are your thoughts on my theory:
I believe that if we do not tell people, it puts other heavy people who haven't decided to take the step in a bad place. For example, they may hear the "well John Smith was able to lose the weight, why can't you?" Or they may feel shame, thinking "what is wrong with me, I have tried everything, and John Smith was able to do it with just diet and exercise." This self same may lead to continued depression eating, which a lot of us have experience with.
My theory is, if we are proud, and not hiding about what we did/plan to do, it will help take the stigma off of bariatric surgery.
At my last job, our Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) decided to do a bypass, he told everyone. He said, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm getting sick, or that there is any shame in what I did." 8 years later, he is doing well, and if you met him, you would never known he had a weight problem. I actually called him 2 weeks ago, to discuss my plans, and even as a practicing physician, told me if there is anything I need, call him.
*Not trying to say anyone is wrong for not feeling comfortable telling everyone, just trying to spark a conversation on this topic, and see what people think about my thoughts. I am an open book, so it makes sense I would feel this way.

How about bring your mother with you to a support group meeting or two? Maybe a conversation or two with people who are on their way, and people who have been through it will help.

How about bring your mother with you to a support group meeting or two? Maybe a conversation or two with people who are on their way, and people who have been through it will help.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.

My first post...
I am a far way from surgery (I'm in month 2 pre-application), but I am looking forward to fitting. LOL Simply always being able to fit into seats. Be it an airplane, the back seat of a car with a group of people, as mentioned above restaurant booths, office chairs, school style desk/chair combos, the list is endless...
Oh, people turning sideways when passing you in a hall (can't wait for that to stop). LOL.