GradyCat

That was very helpful to read. Thanks for sharing. I'm coming up on 6 months post-op sleeve.

From what I remember, I arrived at the hospital, toting a small overnight bag and my CPAP machine. After signing in (I had pre-registered) I had about a 10-15 minute wait before they took me back. They weighed me, took me to a room where I changed into a hospital gown and they started an IV and asked questions and took vital signs. Then they let my husband come back to the room. After a short while the anesthesiologist came in to ask questions and started something in my line. I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember saying goodbye to my husband or being wheeled into the operating room. Next thing I know I was waking up in the recovery room with 2 or 3 nurses around telling me I was okay and giving me rubbing alcohol-soaked sheets for the nausea. I had nausea as soon as I woke up. After maybe 15 minutes or so they let my husband come back and one of the nurses showed me her before/after photos of her WLS. Then they wheeled me to my room, husband in tow. I was nauseas for the whole first day and half of the second day. Never had any pain.

A month, just enough time for the incisions to completely heal

I had pretty bad GERD/Acid Reflux before the surgery and for about 3 weeks post-op, then it just went away and I don't have it anymore at all

I'm trying that now, eating more calories, thinking maybe my body is in starvation mode and trying to break up a stall and slow weight loss

Regardless of how much you CAN eat, don't do it, just eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

I didn't tell anyone either. At first when people would say, "Have you lost weight?" I would just shrug it off. Now when they ask how I've lost the weight I say, honestly, "Diet and exercise."

My BMI was 40 when I first met with the surgeon, but 38 when I had the surgery, but on official paperwork when my surgeon weighed me and submitted for insurance approval I was 40 BMI.

That's freaky! ?

I think it's normal for one of them, the largest one, to hurt a little and feel like it's pulling because it was attached to muscle.

I have 5

I chose not to tell anybody so I wouldn't have to deal with the negativity and fat shaming.

Each person's decisions for choosing which WLS to have is different and dependent on a number of factors. Gather all of the information you can about each, read the forums here about people's experiences, take the advise of your surgeon and go from there.

Thanks for sharing. Good advice.

Why is your boyfriend comparing the two of you? Everyone's WLS journey is different? Try not to compare yourself to anyone else's progress or journey. Hang in there.

Never heard of such a thing being covered by insurance.

Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it. You're still healing. Follow the doctors' orders.

It sounds like he did everything he could to accommodate you and make you happy. Why not just wear something you're comfortable in and go to the graduation?

That doesn't sound like you were denied for a reason that is able to be appealed. They didn't deny you based on any criteria of yours, your company just chose not to include bariataric surgery on its policy. I think it's pretty iron-clad.

Good for you making this decision! I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and I see the personal trainers working with people and my best advice is to tell the trainer that this is your first time getting into an exercise routine and let them know what you are and are not willing to do so they don't make you try to overdo it on your first time out and frustrate you and prevent you from going back. Good luck!

Once you're on solid foods, absolutely you can.

Eating is different after surgery. You can eat only such small portions (1/2 cup) and you find yourself steering away from anything that isn't protein. I can say that now almost 6 months post-op my relationship with food is very different. I no longer crave or want cookies and sweets like I used to pre-surgery. I wouldn't dare sit down and eat a bag full now. I haven't even had one. I'm not hungry in my stomach although sometimes I get the head hunger that I have to deal with. I find myself choosing healthier food options and have no desire for french fries, pizza, and fast food. I'm a more conscientious eater now.

Doesn't most insurance require 2 comorbidities if your BMI is under 40? Each insurance company has different rules. You should check.

Oh wow, you've lost so much so fast. Way to go! I chose a number in the range of the BMI chart that would be middle-ground for me in the regular weight category (140)

I saw the surgeon at 3 weeks, 3 months, and I'll see her again at 9 months. I saw the nutritionist at 3 months.