AZhiker

I would be getting a copy of my medical records and surgical report, including all labs that were done. Before surgery, there is a "time out" in the OR - to verify your identity, correct surgery, and any pertinent information like a pregnancy test which absolutely should have been done. Someone really slipped up, and I would be gathering all the info I could. You also need to let the compliance officer know that this is not OK. You have 21 years to claim damages (hopefully none!) to a child. They need to squirm a bit on this one - really not acceptable medical practice. A medical lawsuit would be hard to fend off in a case of such obvious oversight. The nurses, the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist all should have caught this.

Hell? Really? This is the first chapter in the greatest story of your life! A whole new you is waiting around the corner. This is the gateway to heaven!

It's never too late to start exercising. Now is the perfect time, as you have lost so much weight that it will be much easier and a lot more fun. You have to reframe your thinking into making exercise an enjoyable part of your daily routine. A sedentary lifestyle is part of your fat lifestyle - don't settle for that. Losing weight means you can change your old ways into new, healthy ones. Honestly, there just "ain't no such thing as a free lunch." You can't sit around the house and think you are going to look great on the beach without some effort. This is is the really hard part of weight loss - reframing and rebuilding a LIFESTYLE - not just a diet.

I was overweight for 40 years. Please read my edited post above. You gotta get moving if you want to be toned, fit, and keep the weight off for life. Walking does not require social interaction, and is the best cardio to start with.

Creams and wraps are not going to help - don't waste your money. Getting into an exercise routine is important - you don't have to go to a gym to tone your muscles. I do an upper body routine with weights and pushups, a leg routine, and stair climbing - all without a gym. The muscle toning is noticeable. There are lots of resources on line to give you ideas of some exercises you can do with weights. Healthy_life2 posted a number of great resources yesterday. Check them out, But the most important thing is time. In 6 - 12 months, your skin will look better. Losing a lot in a short time will result in lots of sags, but give it time and the skin can rebound a bit. My "batwings" were really ugly after I lost 100 lbs, quickly, but are hardly noticeable now, a few months later, and I am 63. The bottom line, however, is that you have to build exercise into your lifestyle if you want to keep the weight off and get as healthy as you can. Exercise improves metabolism, cardiovascular health, blood sugar, cholesterol, and mental health.

Anyone hear from Mikey? I wonder how he is doing post op.

If it were me, I would be looking for the most experienced surgeon I could find. I would ask for recommendations and look at his work. I would NOT trust my face to a resident. Sorry to any residents out there........I'll come to you in 10 years, but not while you are still honing your skills.

Mineral oil can be mighty effective, but the very real risk is aspiration, which is disastrous. If someone were to vomit and inhale some of it, or choke and inhale some of it, the lung situation is very serious.

at 4 weeks I was on soft proteins = cott cheese, yogurt, tofu, egg, beans, protein shakes, soft fish. No carbs. No veggies until 8 weeks. I was eating about 500 cal/day.

Pyridium = AZO, the OTC med for bladder spasms. If it works for the smooth muscle of the bladder, maybe it would help the intestines as well. ??????

Lots of people do. It seems to happen during the 2nd and 3rd years. That's why it is soooooo important to use that first 1-2 years to really solidify the lifestyle changes and strategies - exercise, clean eating, delaying gratification, learning not to cheat, and various tools like IF.

So you are going to "dump" at least a couple of pounds very soon! Won't that be exciting?!

It will happen. Stick with your plan and keep your exercise going.

My insurance just wanted to see my co-morbidities. Sleep apnea was definitely a documented issue, and so they approved the surgery. They didn't care if I was under treatment or even if I had purchased a machine.

Yes it is worth it!!!! I was 63 when I had my surgery. I had to cook big meals, also, but you can get past this. Keep telling yourself, "I can't have this now, but I can have it later." And you will. Don't falter now. This will be one of the best decisions of your life. You have some co-morbidities now - they will only get worse,,,, and worse,,,,,, and worse. This is a huge decision you are making to improve your life forever, to be around for your grand kids, to life life fully - to regain the life you have lost to obesity. A few holiday meals are not worth it. They will pass, but you will get a whole new life! Be strong . You can do this.

BCBS of TN. After the 6 month requirement, I was denied because my doctor's office did not send in the psych eval results! I had hoped to get surgery before the end of last year, but because of the denial and resubmission and then Christmas holidays, la di da di da, and then I got a bad cold, I finally got surgery on Feb 6 of this year. It worked out OK, however, as I had all this year to get as many appointments in as I could, since my deductible had been met.

Did you have a question? You can still get tons of carbs/sugar through plant based foods. Oreo cookies are vegan, for example, as is cane sugar, molasses, agave syrup, and processed grains (flour), all of which will raise your sugar levels, jack up your insulin, and turn all those calories into fat, Healthy whole food plant based (WFPB) eating utilizes legumes, nuts, seeds, WHOLE grains (not processed grains), a lot of veggies, and some fruit. Most MO people can lose a lot of weight with this, and I am finding that I am maintaining my under goal weight just fine. (Lunch today was soy yogurt with protein powder, slivered almonds, 6 different kinds of seeds, and some berries mixed in.) (Supper will be lentil soup, steamed butternut squash, and a "Budda" bowl of greens, shredded brussel sprouts/carrots/red cabbage, tomato, avocado, flax/hemp seed, chick peas, cooked whole grain - any combo of amaranth, teff, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, sorghum. Dressing is made from homemade cashew butter, nutritional yeast, and vinegar.) WFPB does NOT utilize sugar or variations thereof, extra salt, processed foods, processed oils, alcohol, artificial ingredients, or animal proteins. My personal take on it is this: I have lived in and observed developing countries that are mostly plant based. These people are healthy, strong, and do not have cardiac or obesity issues. They grow their own food, for the most part, yet will still eat animal protein on special occasions (weddings, holidays, specific celebrations) or when there is a lucky find, such as a nest of cassowary eggs. However, they do NOT eat animal protein 3 times a day, like most of the west does. I am not 100% PB at this point - more like 80%. I still eat some fish/poultry (home grown) maybe once a week. I think this is in keeping with the practice of many indigenous traditions, and allows me more flexibility with family gatherings. (I don't want to be that vegan who gets invited out to eat and then won't eat anything that is offered - that's a sure fire way to never get invited out again.) I still make my choices very healthy - never anything fried or breaded, and I avoid desserts with sugar or wheat. I hope that answered your possible question. Sorry if it was too long winded. There is a lot of good information about WFPB on the web.

Same here. Energizer bunny on steroids. It really disrupted my sleep pattern, as I just couldn't wind down, It's getting better, but here I am typing at 1230 am, and I have to get up in 4 hours for work!

A small firm pillow to brace against your belly when you get out of bed, stand up, and change position.

Just get through it. It is only 1 week out of your life and the first chapter of a whole new adventure. It really helps to reframe the experience into a positive instead of something "dreaded." There are going to be a lot of ups and downs on this journey and your decision to be positive and forward looking makes all the difference in the world in how well you navigate the challenges. You are being given an amazing, life changing gift. You will be healthier, stronger, more active, and live longer with better quality than you can imagine right now. Keep pressing on - the reward is well worth it. You got this! Only 1 week - let the countdown begin!

So you would have to drink 8-10 cups of milk each day to meet minimal protein requirements. Are you able to do this?

It all depends on how much you have to lose and how much elasticity your skin has to start with. I am 63 and lost over 100 pounds. My arms, thighs, belly, back, and chin were really saggy, to the point where I was seriously considering plastics. However, with time, a lot of the sag has disappeared. It has been about 4 months since I hit goal. I don't know how to explain it, but I would not even think of surgery at this point. (My boobs are hopeless, however, and there is no comeback for them outside of surgery.) My suggestion is to wait a year after reaching goal before deciding about plastics. You may be very pleasantly supervised and not have to undergo more surgery. I think waiting also gives your mind a chance to catch up with your new body. There is a huge mental adjustment to make - from disgust/embarrasment to acceptance/embracing the changes, and only time can do this.

Finished my first triathlon in October and a 52 mile bike race yesterday! Starting to train for a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike next year! I am absolutely loving this new life - free from pain. It is so great to be a "normal" sized person now - fitting into furniture, squeezing through crowds, getting up easily into the high pick up truck, getting up off the floor, the list is endless.

Yes! Holiday time is your time to SHINE! You have to plan ahead and know exactly what you are going to eat. I remember during my first month, I had to cook and host several family meals - including a full out Mexican buffet. I just sipped my broth, telling myself, "I can't have any of this food yet, but I will have it later down the road." Remember that everyone else is going to regretfully gain weight during the holidays, but you will LOSE! No New Year regrets for you!

I lost 22 lbs in the first month, which I thought was really fast, and was at goal in 7 months. 20 pounds is great! You are right on track. You absolutely cannot compare with anyone else. Your journey is unique and individual to YOU. Getting on an exercise routine is also important. Hopefully, you are getting at least 30 minutes of walking every day.