GassyGurl

I tried it, and honestly didn't enjoy it any more. But if I get a craving, I pour the drink into a glass, and bump the glass on the table a few times. Some of the bubbles rise and pop, and it seems to get rid of some of the carbonation. I will do about 3oz max, then it's enough.


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Is it possible when you started the process, it was 6 months, now it changed to 12 months for the new year? It stinks whatever the reason.

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We were allowed 1 cup of caffeine as soon as we were getting 64oz of noncaffeinated Fluid on a regular basis.

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On our plan, we were allowed to choose soft foods and chew till puree. But no veggies, fruits, or red meat. Only canned or ground turkey, chicken or pork. Yogurts, ricotta, eggs and we could add Beans after 2 weeks.

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Have you weighed yet at your Dr's office to know how they operate? I've read where some docs are really lax, even letting you weigh in with a purse. Mine made me take my shoes and jacket off, and put purse down. Also be prepared for a BP check, and maybe even basic physical exam.
Fishing weights work well in a coin pocket. 4oz each, and it's possible to fit 4. Or so I've read.

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I didn't have to do all that, but wish I did. I had a schedule to stick too (personal choice) because I wanted surgery done by Aug 15th . Everyone was pretty sure I had the hernia, but since I was self pay, the only testing I needed was bloodwork, ekg and psych eval. I got a post op diet plan, but didn't get any nutritional counseling. I can email the nurse or post in Facebook, but it's not really what I call education.

We were told to count half our Protein Shake as fluids. So, 5.5oz for a 11oz Protein shake.

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Did you ever get a quote from Blossom Bariatrics? I didn’t see a price listed on the website. Saw a surgeon in my area, Dr Patel in SATX, and he quoted me 9k or 5k if I have a hernia. I’m nervous that 9k will double somehow.

From what I've seen, a flat rate includes every thing once you're admitted. Hospital, drugs, surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc. I used insurance for preop testing, psych consult, and post op prescriptions but everything else was included. It was actually a relief knowing I wouldn't get a bill after surgery. They should be able to tell you what isn't included.

I didn't get a quote from Blossom, but I think they're around $11,600.

The rate you got is a good deal. Especially if you have a hernia.

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I have bcbs federal. My BMI is 35.8. They’ve denied me even though I have the 2 comorbidities they require. They stated my comorbidities were unqualifying because they could be controlled. I’m going to appeal and see where that gets me.

I was in a similar boat but wasn't patient enough to stick with it. I did self pay. I hope you prevail! Look up Lindstrom obesity advocates. They work on appeals.

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I would talk to your insurance company first before doing anything drastic. I gained a few lbs (harder than it sounds) to meet their criteria. Then, I found out I had to have a 3 year history of bmi over 35 with comorbidities or 40 without. Plus, I couldn't drop below 35 during the 4 month supervised diet or they'd deny me.

So, I basically wasted time gaining, then had to go self pay and lose what I had just gained.

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The only thing I used was my own socks, chapstick and my phone. They brought me toiletries, wipes and a 2nd gown. I was having a reaction to something and was cooking in two gowns! I walked like there was no tomorrow so I didn't have much idle time. I was either walking, or trying to get down all the fluids they were bringing me (it felt like a ton, lol). I walked at least 20 minutes every hour from about 4pm till I left the next day around 2pm, with the exception of the 3 hour benadryl induced nap.

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Have they helped you identify the source of your pain? For example, I had no surgical incision pain, but my gas pain was off the chart. Plus, the meds gave me a reaction, and my IV blew, which was also painful every time they added something to my IV.

If it's gas, can you lie on your left side, or lie over the edge of the bed? Pull your knees up? Laying on my left side was a life saver for me. My gas pain would go from a 10 to a 0 in a matter of a few farts. Seriously, gas pain is no joke and when I first started having it, I had to ask if something was wrong, and they said nope, just gas.

I hope you find relief soon and am home with your boys. God bless!

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It depends on your insurance. I couldn't drop below a bmi of 35 or I'd be denied.

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So....do you still think you need the surgery? If I could get from 35 to 32 I would keep going and probably not get sleeved.

Absolutely I needed the surgery. I'm 5'2 and my high weight was 195 and a 44 inch waist. I was 180 on surgery day and am 149 now. I was never able to lose more than 20 on my own and have a 25 year history of losing 10, gaining 15. Lose 20, gain 30. Etc. Even when I lost weight before, my BP, cholesterol and sugar were still high. Now, with the sleeve and 45 lbs gone, I'm off all medications.

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My surgeon didn't require a liquid or liver shrinking diet. (based on starting bmi). I sort of did one anyways. I went from a bmi of 35.6 to 32 during the 2.5 months prior to surgery.

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Don't drop below 35! Better safe than sorry. 21 lbs is a nice buffer. You can still do the work, but slow down your loss if you have to. For me, I had to stay above 35 through the 4th month. I couldn't do it, so I had to do self pay. Good luck!

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I could have regular texture meats on day 15. I tried half a pc of bacon with no issues.

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Sosewsue61 hit the nail on the head. There is no standard! I was eating lean/green up until 2 days before surgery and started purees on day 3. There are 2 Dr's in my practice, and they have their own advice, some that differs from the manual. Then the nurse has her own experience and offers her different advice on Facebook. One way my plan differed from others is we could have regular texture meats at day 15, but not red meat.


SMH.....

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Even though it's basically 1 size down, they look good now. I can't explain it but I look pretty darn good in these 12s (or so hubby says). My brain says it's only one size, but it's like my shape is different now.

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It's hard to say, and depends on where you carry your weight. I was wearing tight 14s and have lost 47 lbs in 4 months. I'm wearing 12s now, and 1 pair of 10s. I went from an XL shirt to a medium. If I didn't have the belly flap, I'd probably be wearing smaller pants. But it's always been my problem area.

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Day 4. We had a 10 hour drive home. Had follow up with Dr at 10, on the road by 11. Then the AC went out in the car and it was 100 outside. Emergency repairs ensued, then back on the road. Gas pains were awful and I couldn't get comfortable. Very happy to get home where I could get comfortable and pass gas!

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Why not switch to chewables?

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All of the above, plus lay on your left side. Itneas like magic for me!

Still is.... I might lay down not even knowing I have gas. Roll on my left side, and the farting begins.

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When we lose weight, we breathe it out. It messes up our taste buds!

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Also, every advice I read says to start exercising and following a bariateic diet before surgery. I haven’t done that because if I lost even one pound insurance would’ve denied me. But that leaves me worrying that I won’t be successful because I haven’t prepared. But if I try to lose naturally and only lose 20lbs and then decide I need the surgery, I would be disqualified from it. Ugh. I just don’t know what to do.

Been there, done that! At my first visit, I was told that I couldn't even lose 1# or I'd be denied. I couldn't fathom going through 4 months of classes, counseling etc and not being able to lose a pound. It was too risky, so I just shopped around for a self pay package and went for it.

I probably could have used the hernia route as plan B, but I made up my mind that I was blessed enough to be able to afford it, so I decided to just do it.

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