DesertGirl

What has everyone paid for their surgery? I had my VSG April 30. I'm just starting to get my EOBs in the mail. So far my share of the hospital bill is $4,600. The anesthesiologist is $380. Doctor bill and procedure bill is $700. That's just the EOBs that have come in. No bills yet. I was expecting $2,000 total my share. But this has been way more. And that's 15% my share of the allowed amount.

Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks! Ok, no oatmeal. Got it. I'll add the Protein powder to my pudding. I don't know why I keep forgetting the powder. I had tuna today. I usually don't eat tuna, but I really enjoyed it. I added cottage cheese and Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Kids approved, too.

Thanks! I just ordered some. I need a change!

So, I'm transitioning in between phase of full liquids and pureed foods. I'm trying to figure out how to get all my Protein in while staying below 50 carbs. According to my Baritastic app, I'm eating about 60 carbs per day. Now, I'm under the assumption that I'm supposed to be eating 50 or less per day. I've been trying to ask my NUT, but she's super busy and doesn't seem to reply. My Breakfast is usually a 1/4 cup greek yogurt. lunch is a shake or Soup with Protein Powder. dinner is either oatmeal, soup, or cottage cheese. I've been drinking shakes every day for 5 weeks. I'm so tired of them. I need to find a better source of protein that has minimal carbs and fat.

My protein goal is 70-90. Carb goal is less than 50. Fat goal is unknown, but I know that it shouldn't be much.

13 hours ago, MegaK8 said:

Desert girl, thanks I have my follow up Monday. Haven’t been doing much dairy, mostly chicken salad to be honest. My Protein Shakes are lemon ice tea (which are amazing btw)

Lemon ice tea? I'm assuming it's ice tea with unflavored Protein Powder?

My doctor told me to stop dairy intake if I get too gassy. But for you to be feeling it in your back and shoulders...I'd call the doctor.

Thanks for the reply. I'll listen to my body and do what I can. It's encouraging to know my energy will come back.

So, I've just been cleared to go back to Zumba. I'm 2 weeks post op. My Dr told me to push it as hard as I can because the first 3 months will be the majority loss, next 3 months the weight stops falling off, but still good weight loss. I should be near or at my goal by the end of the first 6 months. However, I'm tired after just going for a walk for 30 minutes. Any advice on getting that energy again? I'm meeting my Protein and fluid goals everyday.

I was quite concerned about acid reflux as well. At my consultation, my doctor told me to go with bypass if I had regular acid reflux. Otherwise, he'd recommend the gastric sleeve. I had a very large hiatal hernia. He said he was 99% certain that was what my occasional reflux was from and that after the repair I should be fine. I'm on PPIs for 6 months during healing. But, it is widely known that it is possible to have bad reflux about 2 years after. However, most of those cases are from unhealthy eating habits.

I'm 2 weeks post op with no reflux issues right now, but I'm on meds as well.

Btw, amazing!!!

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

So, maybe you can encourage me. I'm about 2 weeks post op. My first week I saw a loss of 5 pounds. Second week I've lost 2. Did you see slow loss? Or did it melt away pretty quick? My sister-in-law had it 18 months ago. She lost 30 pounds a month! 90 down in 3 months. She said everyday was a loss. I'm not so lucky. She seemed concerned. I see my surgeon on Thursday. I'm just trying to get a feel of how realistic my goals I set for myself are.

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

0 calories? That limits it to basically Water. No, your body needs energy still. My 2 week pre op diet was 3 Protein Shakes, water, sugar free Jello and popsicles, caffeine free tea and crystal lite, and low sodium broth. It was difficult, but detoxing made it easy for my first week of surgery.

@GalNOLA This forum has helped me a lot! My nutritionist told me about it. I'm so glad I joined. I found it amazing at the lack of information my doctor gave me. I've only lost 5 pounds since surgery on Monday, April 30. I kinda expected more. Have you weighed in yet?

16 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

Re-read my above post Desert Girl. As my 5 year old. second cousin says --'It's the Troof!"😝

Lol, yes. I get that it will probably be a roller coaster. I'm feeling upset again today. But I know it will pass.

So I just wanted to say that my emotions have died down quite a bit. Thank you to everyone who helped me realize I wasn't going insane.

Took me 3 days to feel movement and pass gas. Day 4 was a tiny bowel movement. But day 5 was a good one. I kept with the Colace since day 3.

My surgeon gave me a goal of 70% excess weight. So for me, that's 170. However, I was told to set a new goal once that was attained.

• Highest weight 307
• Surgery weight 255
• Height 5'7 (was 5'8 a few years ago)
• Sleeved 4/30/18
• Current weight unknown
• Goal 170

Oh, nice numbers! I can't wait to see my blood pressure in 3 months. Thanks for the encouragement.

I feel you gf! I was feeling much better in the hospital than I am now. I am staying on top of my meds (liquid Hycet) which helps with the pain and sleeping.
They gave me stomach binder which has helped be supportive to my torso, sitting up is really painful. I’m hoping this subsides soon, I’m feeling kinda sad about how bad I feel after feeling so great.


HW 289
SW 262
VSG 5/2/18
Kaiser, Ontario - Dr. Chin

The preop liquid diet was very hard! For me, by day 9 I no longer had the hunger pains. Yes, hungry, but no pains. The purpose is not only to shrink your liver, but to help you detox. Most people who only have to fast for 2 or 3 days say it was harder the first days because they were hungry. I am 5 days post op and while I just started getting hungry, I think it's because my swelling is going down. I just drink some Water or shake and I feel fine.

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

I was sleeved on 4/30. I was sent home with pain pills. I crushed the first one. That didn't go down so well! After that I went to children's Tylenol. I'm still having pain so I'll be calling in the morning for liquid pain meds. I can't sleep at night because of the pain. And gas!! Oh, it's in my shoulders. So bad! I walk a ton, drink as much as I can stomach, and still the gas won't leave. I've already had my first BM. At least that went well. Today's liquid was 49 ounces. So I believe I made my goal, but need to work on increasing to 64 every day.

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

I am one that definitely struggles. I keep a very strict timeline, and even that doesn't go as planned because I might feel too full. I am not taking pain meds since I'd have to swallow them (wasn't prescribed liquid). I feel too full for too long after taking them. So I'm in a bit of pain and that throws it off, too.

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

I struggle with Water or "fluids" and at this point in my post op (2 weeks) my dietician said shakes don't count as Fluid, only back in the day when we couldn't fit both. Ugh. I have timers going off all the time for my sips and sips and sips of Water. So hard when you were a former water chugged!

Surprisingly, they said the first month yes. Then if it looks good 6 months. When I was first diagnosed, I was monitored every month. My levels took about 2 years to get under control. I've had this disease for 3 years now.

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!

I have Hashimotos. I was just sleeved on 4/30. I haven't had a weigh in yet, but I was told that the thyroid levels will change as you lose weight, but only slightly. Once you have it, always have it. I lost 4 pounds through my 6 month visits. It was so hard! Just keep watch of your food intake. My biggest fall was carbs. Make exercise a priority, even if it's walking for 10 minutes. If I follow the rules, I'm expected to lose almost 100 pounds in 6 months. It's achievable, but it will be hard. Keep your head high. You can do this!

It will all be worth it. Don't give up!