BayChick

I'm having pretty much the same experience, but also felt like I was needing to take Miralax. I did, it really helped with the gas, but had me rushing to the bathroom (a bit too effective). I tried calling the nutritionist, but was too late in the day to get a reply if things are as should be expected. Sounds like we're on the right track. My surgery was 9/5.

Bravo Lucia and THANK YOU for posting this!! As a breastfeeding Mom of a 6 month old preparing to get sleeved, I was soooooo relieved to read this post! I have been full of angst about having surgery and being able to continue to breastfeed. I wasn't planning on weaning, but I was really worried about supply issues related to the surgery. Fortunately, I have a fabulous surgeon who reassured me from the beginning that I wouldn't have to stop B/F'ing. The only thing he said was that I would have to pump and dump for 24 hours after surgery. I will have plenty of stored milk for my little one and I really appreciate you reiterating the fact that our decrease in calories DOES NOT mean a decrease in supply! I plan on BF'ing for a year and am grateful that I can integrate my health into the process. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a valuable post!

I'm not sleeved yet, but I am a professional Lactation counselor. DO NOT WEAN! Just nurse as ofter as your daughter wants. Fenugreek is only slightly effective in increasing milk supply and I would suspect that any fussiness you might be seeing and interpreting as low supply are actually baby's reaction to the flavor of your milk. This is not a concern for her. Your caloric intake doesn't change the quality of your milk at all. In fact women in countries where this is severe famine are often seen with fat little babies on their hips. Your body will take every it has and put it into milk for your little one, just as it would for pregnancy. This is of course an issue for you and you should try to boost your Protein after the surgery (my nutritionist suggested putting greek yogurt in my shakes to up the Protein by about 10mg a day). Unfortunately the LLLi leader you spoke with may be using old info. We don't need alot of calories to make milk, and we absorb far more calories then a non lactating woman would. We have alot of new info that is breaking alot of the old beliefs but the old beliefs do still persist.
Keep in mind that babies go through fussy periods that have nothing to do with supply, such as at around 6 months they have a "growth spurt" where they nurse all day long and all night long too. If you have not had a period PP yet that can also be on it's way back and causing you to dip slightly. This is ok and normal. Also they get to times when they re JUST about to do a new milestone and they will nurse nonstop, ditto with teething for some babies. Just roll with it, it's almost certainly not you.
Some things that may cause supply issues are birth control pills which are often recommended after surgery because of our increased fertility once we start losing weight (this includes progesterone only products), and lack of time nursing. Things that do not decrease supply are not eating enough or drinking enough (lots of research has been done on this, honest). Here is an awesome way to boost supply (without digging into your freezer stash), power pump. To do this, set up your pump and turn on the tv. When there is a commercial turn the pump on and pump. When the commercials are done, turn it off. Rinse and repeat for 30-60 min until you've seen 1-2 tv shows. This high frequency, short duration pumping schedule tells your body you have a set of starving twins and to ramp up production in a hurry. If you do this and let your daughter eat as often as she wants you'll be back to a full supply in no time. There is no reason to believe you need to wean or that your milk will change, but doubt and supplementation are a sure way of decreasing the feedings you give her for which will lower your supply. Keep up the great work and congrats on nursing this long already. I'm sure you'll be able to make it to a year and as long as you want to nurse as long as you keep it up.
Lucia (CLC, and mom of 4 breastfed babies including a set of twins and a singleton who will be nursing when I'm sleeved)

There is NO REASON to stop nursing. I spoke to Dr Aceves who is a highly regarded Mexican Surgeon. If you know about the community in which he lives and works they know a helluva a lot more about breastfeeding than we do. Dr Aceves said it is great to continue breastfeeding after surgery. All the drugs will be out of your body. Many many women around the world live on way less calories per day than we will be consuming. Dr Aceves said many of his patients continue to breastfeed and do fine. I also talked to my OBGYN who delievered my first son and who is the head over the birthing center here in knoxville now. She checked to make sure lovenox was fine and said it is perfectly fine to continue nursing. It will not negatively affect my health or my son's. My PCP said the same thing. I had my surgery in October and here it is January. I've continued to nurse and haven't had any problems.

It drove me crazy also with all the Dr appointments. But trust me it prepares you for this life changing journey. It's hard as hell and takes a lot to make sure your getting the most out of what your eating. I think it was close to a year before I could eat anything besides Protein. This hot dog size pouch (as it's called) fills up fast so get ready to say goodbye to carbs. My 2 year old granddaughter eats more than I do. It's a year an a half since my surgery and I've lost 95# and that feels amazing to say. I'm smaller than I use to be and the fat that never would leave on my thighs has melted away. I finally don't depend on muscle milk and Protein Bars but it really help to ease my mind that I got 60 grams of protein in. My biggest issue is drinking before eating and after. Getting enough Water. It felt like an all day event. Take this time to plan out nutrition and ask as many questions as you like. I love this group because we all have a story to tell and we teach each other as we go through this journey. Before you know it your day will be here. Good luck and we'll be waiting to hear how your doing.

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This is just going to be a place for me to video journal my experience from the first steps to the day of surgery (fingers crossed for approval from my insurance). I hope to watch this back to help see the progress I've made at so. This is the first day, June 1st, after a meeting with my PCP, the Intake Appointment, and my endoscopy experiences with more journals to be added to this post later.
https://youtu.be/LsnHsd3Hkz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmUpGuz5Ibo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsZHlshQ5lU

I was scheduled for August 16 but a slot opened up and I'm having it done June 27! I'm on day 2 of my pre op diet. I had my premeir Protein Shake mixed with Decaf coffee and I'm having chicken broth with a bit if breast meat. I used my crockpot to boil the breasts very soft and then added the stock. I seasoned with garlic powder. I also have some Vitamin Water drops to flavor water. I haven't made any sugar free pudding or Jello. I bought some Protein Powder I can make shakes with that is chocolate flavored but haven't had that yet

I'm in livermore and will be getting sleeved in Fremont

I finished my last nutrition appointment on 5/3 and was told they would start compiling my information to send off to insurance, but it could take up to a week. And then 3-6 weeks to hear a response. I was devastated that a June surgery wasn't going to be do-able. Well, TODAY- less than a week since my last appt, I got a call that insurance was approved. My surgery is scheduled on June 19th, with my pre-op appointment with a nurse practitioner being June 2nd. Woohoo! Here is my timeline for anyone looking for a timeline. I know I was very curious early on. The countdown is officially on
January 2017- online seminar
January- booked first 3 appointments and insurance was verified for coverage
3-1- Bariatrican appointment
lab work completed
Cleared for surgery from Bariatrican
3-2- Psychiatric evaluation
Cleared for surgery from psychologist
EKG completed
3-7- abdominal ultrasound completed
3-16- Nutrition appt #1
3-31- surgeon appointment
4-6- upper endoscopy completed and cleared from surgeon
4-12-nutrition appt #2
5-3- nutrition appt #3
5-8- beginning to compile information to send to insurance
5-9- approved!!!! Booked APN appt 6/2 and
Surgery 6/19!!!!!!!!!!

That pre-op liquid diet is a killer. It is very very tough, both physically and emotionally. Headaches, hunger, crankiness, crying. Your body will adapt in a few days. and I promise that you won't feel like this once you are post-op. This is just the painful kick start to your journey. Staying positive is really important. Drink a lot of Water to flush the toxins out, and have a lot of broth so that you feel like you sat down to a meal.
Please follow your surgeon's instructions. My surgeon told me after my surgery that he could tell I followed instructions and that his job is so much easier when patients follow the pre-op instructions. (and making our surgeon's job easier means less risks and complications for us). Please think of it this way... these are pre-operative instructions from your surgeon and must be followed to the letter to reduce your risk of complications and improve your surgical outcome. It is not the same as cheating on a diet or ignoring your nutritionist's advice, which will just slow your weight loss.
Hang in there. it won't always be this hard

This app has been a great inspiration to me with so many brave and supportive people I want to share some before and afters
7 mo out
Sw 258
Currently 179
Before

1 month out

Now

First pair of jeans in 7 yrs

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Hello, I'm new and 32 years old. I just got my referral this week and completed the seminar but the local bariatric center said it would take their scheduler two weeks to call me to schedule a consultation, then another month before they can fit me in. This feels like a very slow process.

I have sleep apnea and am over 40 BMI. I met with a nutritionist last year and my doctor prescribed weight loss medication last month (made me sick, so I can't take it) so I feel that I do have a documented history with her if needed. I just hope I wont be denied by the surgeon since I had a baby 6 months ago. I think I'll be approved by my insurance but I'm worried that this bariatric center will drag it out. There's no other option in my insurance network, that I know of. In the meantime, I'm changing my earing habits slowly.

What is everyone's timeline like from the first call to where you are now?

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Sending well wishes here from St Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay area). Just starting my insurance requirements journey & hoping to be sleeved early next year at Palms of Pasadena Hospital.

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My BMI is 38.5
Heaviest:266
Weight:246
Height: 5'7"
Getting sleeve June 1st [emoji41][emoji41]


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I have a BMI of 38, but have GERD, and hypothyroid. I am so nervous my insurance will deny me.
I am so ready for this surgery. I hope everything works out for you.

There isn't anything I haven't been able to tolerate - I'm 3 months out, but that's been true since I started soft foods. However, I avoid trigger foods like anything sweet (chocolate in particular), refined carbs like bread, Pasta, rice, etc. and alcohol. I'm actually afraid to try any of them because if I don't have a problem with them, it'll make it that much harder to avoid them. The good thing is, I'm not even tempted.

East Bay Area in California

California, in the bay area.

California, in the bay area.

Hi[emoji112] my bmi is 36.7. I have my last two appointments next week , then submit to insurance for approval. I'm so nervous they are going to deny me because my bmi is lower

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