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KateBruin

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by KateBruin

  1. KateBruin

    Vomiting Vitamins

    I use a delicious one from vitamin shoppe. Bariatric something. Tastes like flintstones. You can also try patches. I might just because after my conversion I’ll need iron and calcium. I’m bad at taking pills several times a day. Once is all I can manage.
  2. KateBruin

    Exercise After Surgery

    I walked for the first 6 weeks then I hit the gym hard. Did 10 HIIT classes a week plus Pilates 3x until I got a hernia and tore both my shoulders. Start slow. I was working out like a monster before so I had the good muscle memory but was weaker from lack of exercise and reduced energy from such low caloric intake.
  3. KateBruin

    Auto-immune?

    I have ankylosing spondylitis (kind of like RA without RF), hashimotos and popcorn lung. However, I had it all diagnosed prior to surgery so it definitely wasn’t connected. Maybe doctors assumed symptoms were related to weight so you didn’t get the diagnosis until later?
  4. KateBruin

    Birth Control??

    I refused to go off. I need to stay on the pill. It’s to prevent DVT. I just made sure to walk a lot to prevent clots. It also depends on your weight. I think the higher it is the more likely you should go off BC temporarily. I believe I’ve also read it can be less effective short term after surgery but don’t quote me on that. I’m currently not sexually active 🤦🏼‍♀️ so it was never a concern.
  5. I’m getting a sleeve to bypass conversion because of uncontrollable GERD. GERD is pretty common after a sleeve because your stomach becomes a high pressure system so lots of doctors put you on prophylactic PPIs for a few months. As you see above, most people don’t need conversion. GERD is either controllable on meds or goes away. I’ve been unlucky with a lot of complications.
  6. Unfortunately it’s just their requirements. I have BCBS but federal plan and mine was 3 months. Just one doctor appointment a month, either my surgeon or GP. Most do seem to be 6 months.
  7. KateBruin

    April surgeries?

    So many of us on April 4! Anyone in Los Angeles area?
  8. KateBruin

    April surgeries?

    I think mine was so quick because it’s medical not weight loss so I don’t have to do the Cedars program. Just preop clearance and see the dietician. Insurance is probably sick to death of paying tens of thousands of dollars for all my tests. Scared poopless!
  9. KateBruin

    Gastric sleeve to gastric bypass

    I had sleeve a year and a half ago and next month I’m getting bypass for GERD. All the research says your pouch can’t actually stretch except momentarily while you eat but it’s possible your doctor didn’t make your stomach small enough. The size depends on individual anatomy. Your endoscopy will show more detail Dumping is a real reality with bypass. Not everyone gets it but I believe it’s a pretty high %. Haven’t looked at numbers.
  10. KateBruin

    April surgeries?

    I got approved in one day. Insane.
  11. KateBruin

    April surgeries?

    Just got scheduled for April 4! Mine is a sleeve to bypass conversion for severe GERD. In Los Angeles. I don’t know why I’m so nervous when I’ve pretty much done this before.
  12. KateBruin

    Yup. I regret this.

    Ya, eye issues are a side effect for some. Luckily I haven’t had any unless I’m stupid and touch the patch (usually when brushing my hair behind my ear) then touch my eye without washing my hands. It becomes dilated for hours. Freaky but it passes.
  13. KateBruin

    Yup. I regret this.

    Try scopolamine patches. I’ve had bad complications and the patches save my ass nausea wise. Small dot behind the ear and lasts 3 days at a time.
  14. KateBruin

    what's the worse things about bypass

    I’m glad to hear all these stories. I had sleeve aug 2017 and developed severe GERD and gastroparesis so I’m looking at bypass revision. I already have “dumping” without really having it because I eat and instantly explode so that part doesn’t worry me. Poop your pants enough and the threat of pooping your pants more is an empty threat! No date yet. Waiting on insurance to approve it as medically necessary.
  15. KateBruin

    Yogurt

    I get mine from farmers market. He makes sheep’s milk Greek yogurt with fruit and no added sugar. It’s so much better than anything from the grocery. The sheep’s milk makes it so creamy and incredible.
  16. KateBruin

    Has anyone tried Orange theory?

    Before I tore my shoulder I did an orange theory type workout called training mate. No treadmills cause I don’t run. I did 10 classes a week and looked incredible. Paid $225 a month and it was worth every penny. I won’t do OTF cause of the treadmills but they do offer less cardio slots. I have popcorn lung so I can’t run but my friends who run love it.
  17. KateBruin

    Nausea

    Scopolamine patches have saved my life. Little circle applied behind your ear and lasts 3 days. Can cause eye dilation and some other symptoms but I’ve never experienced them except when I touched the patch and rubbed my eye.
  18. I’m due to get it. Need to contact the surgeon’s person to make sure insurance will cover conversion as medically necessary so no date yet. A year and a half post sleeve and my GERD is unbearable and I got gastroparesis. Original surgeon is a jerk so I’m hoping insurance will be okay with a different one. He said about 90% of his patients are cured of GERD.
  19. KateBruin

    Hospital bag

    Oh and I brought a blanket and pillow. Blanket I held against my stomach when I slept. I slept on my side and had the nurses assist me when I needed to flip.
  20. KateBruin

    Hospital bag

    I just threw on a second gown for walks as I didn’t care if I flashed the world. Brought iPad, laptop, book, chapstick (MUST), toothbrush and toothpaste I didn’t use because I was too tired to find it so I got the hospital care kit. I just stayed up all night high on the anesthesia and used my phone a bit so I needed the charger. Next day I used my iPad all day because I had to drink x amount of liquid before I could be discharged. Sat in a chair and watched downloaded Netflix and just sip sip sipped. So really, I didn’t need much. Left with the clothes I arrived in.
  21. KateBruin

    Portion Sizes

    Gradycat, foamies are the worst. I was getting it every single time I ate but now I’m lucky and just wake up choking on vomit and bile. So much fun!
  22. KateBruin

    Psych Eval Cost.. is this normal?

    I’m getting sleeve to bypass and I’ve been accused of possibly having Münchausen (doctor is an ass) so I have to pay for another psych eval. I’m bipolar. I see a psychiatrist every 2-4 weeks. I’m pissed because I know it will be expensive OOP yet again. I’m already less than $1900 away from my max OOP. Can’t handle more huge bills!
  23. KateBruin

    Alcohol

    I was expecting my tolerance to be one drink but I can have a bottle of wine and be totally sober even if my BAC says otherwise. I think I’m not absorbing the alcohol or something magical. Was really looking forward to being a cheap drunk.
  24. KateBruin

    Psych Eval Cost.. is this normal?

    I paid around $400 for my psych eval. Insurance would have covered it if she took it. Alas, She doesn’t take insurance. Worst part is I loved her so much I’d see her as a regular therapist. I’m in Los Angeles. Big cities = $$

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