baribetty

I think the success of the sleeve has everything to do with you and your individual decisions and actions. I had the surgery on May 2nd and 7 months later I can already see how easy it could be to go back to unhealthy choices. Life goes back to normal on the other side of surgery and the surgery itself can only do so much for you. Changing your lifestyle really is everything. I know we hear that, and also that the surgery is just a tool a lot pre-op... but it really is true!

Don’t stress too much about that. Is it the one just next to your belly button? It was the same for me, especially at that incision. Take the rule of not lifting anything heavy seriously, because that will make it hurt sooo much more. Just be patient, it will go away. Also, a stomach binder really helped me.

Wow, you’re doing incredibly!!

I went through the Kaiser Options program in Southern California and it was great. I started in November, and had my surgery on 5/2/18. The support is well rounded and the care is great. I’d highly suggest it. It cost me $655.

I agree, call and chat with a membership rep about the plans that cover it. I used Kaiser in So cal, but my mom had a Kaiser surgeon do her sleeve surgery years ago in SF. Honestly, both of us have had incredible experiences and great care.

Love your honest comment! Do you think clip ins would be helpful, or would you recommend more permanent extensions? I’ve thought about buying Barefoot blonde fill ins, but they are expensive (I know all good extensions are...) but I guess I’m a little afraid of longer term extensions damaging my real hair that’s left.

I am 9 months out. It wasn’t that way to start with - I had a lap band for 9 or so years, and this was the thing I struggled with the most for the first 4 years when it was working. I never got used to it. After the bypass I tried sipping with a meal - and at about 4 months found it was fine. I drink pretty much only lightly carbonated Water, maybe 1/4 glass with a meal, and usually to wet my mouth, throat, for swallowing. My surgeon is fine with this and comfortable it has no ill effects. I don’t drink after I am finished eating, though. Do you let the water flatten or is there a magical “half carbonated” water out there?? :)

The stomach isn’t a super sensitive organ (apparently). I found that my pain was mostly at the incisions and muscular. It was difficult to sit up, reposition in bed, and you really shouldn’t lift anything for 3 weeks. I also had the common pulling pain at the main incision by my belly button that kind of scared me at times. I was taken aback by surgery a bit... because I knew it wasn’t a very difficult recovery going in, the reality of surgery was sort of confronting. It wasn’t terrible, and looking back even less bad, but I remember thinking it wasn’t great, and a little more intense than I expected. But I also feel like it wasn’t very intense at all... I guess the body and mind have a good way of helping us forget. Adjusting to the immediate post op diet was more difficult... especially since you feel like you should be losing a lot of weight after doing something so drastic, but what I have come to realize through experience and reading these forums is that it’s a slower process than you might expect.

When did your regrowth begin?

You could totally use a waist binder! You can find them on Amazon.

Has it always been that way? How far out from surgery are you?

No, but I’d love to follow your journey if you post here along the way. One of the main reasons I had surgery was to help have healthier pregnancies. Congrats!

I had surgery on 5/2 and went to Hawaii for 12 days on 6/29 with my fiancé’s whole family... no one even knew I’d had the surgery, I felt fine, and swam and hiked just fine. No one can tell you what to expect from your own body and recovery, but I think you’ll be totally fine :)

Great job! What was your surgery weight? I’m down 47 since surgery on 5/2... I’m wondering how much slower I’m losing than others.

Just confirming....8 months and 6 pounds? What kind of surgery did you have? What does your medical team say?

Stalls are discouraging, but it sounds like you’re actually doing really well. I think we all think the weight will fall off like water after having SURGERY, but it doesn’t... I’d say you’re ahead of the curve on weight loss. Be patient with yourself, and stop weighing yourself. Check back in with the scale in 2 weeks (😲 I know....)

So excited to hear you are finally on the other side of surgery!!

This is exactly why I didn’t weigh myself until my first post op appt. i thought it would be like I was torturing myself to be going through the recovery/liquids phase and not be losing weight.

I’m so inspired! Did you hire a trainer? I think I would really benefit from a trainer, and would love your insight on finding a good one/method of training. Seriously, awesome job, you look amazing.

I don’t know what to tell you, I would be conflicted too, because you trust both of them... I have a non hormonal, copper IUD and it’s worked out great, if you want to try another method.

Same thing happened to me. I’ve found Bariatric advantage plus Iron to be the easiest to take! It’s still 3 capsules which feels like a lot, but I haven’t had nausea which is great.

Same thing happened to me. I’ve found Bariatric advantage plus Iron to be the easiest to take! It’s still 3 capsules which feels like a lot, but I haven’t had nausea which is great.

How long did hair loss last for you?

Between 2 1/2 and 3 months post op. It’s really shedding a lot now (3 1/2 months) and I’m kind of freaking out about it.

I get it. I’d be annoyed too. I wanted my surgery to be first thing in the am so I didn’t have time to fret all day. It is what it is. I’m sorry!